209 Lin Zhou: Tao Gu Gus Story (2/2)

Tao Gu Gu finally met her benefactor again when the prince was looking for a lot of Shu slaves. Their master gave them to the prince as tributes and by luck, she was chosen to become the Ce Fei first-rank maidservant. Around those times, they already had enough money to redeem her sister-in-law and her niece. She almost wanted to run away with them... until she saw the Ce Fei.

Even though the woman was slightly older, she knew perfectly clear in her heart that this woman was her benefactor. That changed her plan and because she didn't want to redeem herself, she gave the money that she had saved up and given it to her sister-in-law so they would be able to buy a small house. She had promised them that she would send them money from time to time.

Yao Ling didn't know that Tao Gu Gu had such background and she admired her persistence and loyal self. It was only a debt that the Ce Fei herself didn't remember, however, she went to such length just to pay the Ce Fei back even though she was supposed to already gain her freedom.

Yao Ling patted Tao Gu Gu's hands once again, trying to comfort her and also give her the strength to continue talking about her past. However, before Yao Ling was able to ask a question, Tao Gu Gu asked, ”Yao Ling Gu Niang, may this one ask something?”

”Yes?” Yao Ling asked curiously.

”Why is your hand not as soft as other noble women?” Tao Gu Gu asked curiously. She had wanted to ask from the start but she didn't want to hurt the woman's feeling. However, she started to feel a bit suspicious. If Yao Ling wasn't a noblewoman, how could she become friend with Lin Jian?

Yao Ling, ”...”

She was a bit speechless and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Yao Ling bluntly admitted, ”Because I used to be a peasant and these hands... had been working hard so there's no way it would become as smooth as other women.” Yao Ling didn't feel embarrassed for one bit.

”Used to be?” Tao Gu Gu asked. ”Then... you are now...?”

Yao Ling came clean with Tao Gu Gu and told her everything about her life. Tao Gu Gu was dumbfounded. Even in her wildest dream, she would never think that a peasant could suddenly become the daughter of a merchant. She had heard about Wang Luo Hai's name from her Ce Fei's story and she knew that Wang Luo Hai indeed had a good relationship with General Lin.

It cleared the doubt in Tao Gu Gu's mind. At first, she only wanted to test the water by telling the woman about her background and didn't tell her about Ce Fei's life. By knowing Yao Ling Gu Niang's identity, she started to relax and know that she was able to tell her the Ce Fei's life story and what she had entrusted to her.

Yao Ling didn't miss Tao Gu Gu's movement and she sighed in relief, knowing that Tao Gu Gu believed her. She knew that she didn't have to use force to make her talk. After talking with Tao Gu Gu, she didn't have the heart to do that.

”So... can you tell me now?” Yao Ling asked hesitantly.

Tao Gu Gu nodded. ”I can, but some things... I can only say it to Lin Jian.”

”That's fine...” Yao Ling nodded in agreement. After all, she had no direct connection with the Ce Fei, so it was understandable.