Yu Zhiling, following her brother's instructions, brought a large amount of gold and silver jewelry and entered the city, heading towards the place she had investigated. Although only eight years old, Yu Zhiling could accurately find her destination. Along the way, she always felt as if someone was following her. Being young, she didn't know if this feeling was correct or not.
The city of Yuzhou was always safer than the outside. Outside the city, only mercenaries could guarantee their own safety. As night fell, the dangers outside increased. People specifically operated at night, looking for stragglers to rob. A single mistake could lead to a violent death in the streets.
Within the city, there were special soldiers patrolling. If they discovered someone robbing, they could even execute them on the spot. For theft, the punishment was originally to chop off hands. However, it was later discovered that chopping off hands reduced these individuals' ability to work. Thus, the punishment was changed to forced labor in the fields.
As Yu Zhiling walked down the street, with people coming and going, her courage grew. Even if someone was following her, they wouldn't dare to make a move at this time.
Yu Zhiling clutched many gold and silver ornaments in her hand. She knew very well that these items were very valuable. Therefore, to complete her brother's plan, these ornaments had to be used. Yu Zhiling silently recited to herself, "Don't get excited, don't stutter when you speak, be calm, and learn to adapt!"
Yu Zhiling didn't even know what "adapt" meant. She only remembered that her brother had told her this, and as long as she followed her brother's instructions, everything would be fine!
"The orphanage is here!" Yu Zhiling looked at a construction site with many people working. She then looked at the photograph. Although the wall in the photo was gone, the houses in the distance were exactly the same as in the photo, so she was sure she had found her destination.
After passing the construction crew, Yu Zhiling began to look for Hua Jingran. She planned to use the script her brother had prepared. As long as she could get the other person to listen to her, the mission would be considered complete!
"Hua Jingran, hello, I have something I want to tell you. Can we talk somewhere else?" Yu Zhiling said directly.
Hua Jingran looked at the girl who had suddenly appeared beside her, surprised. She had very few friends, so there were very few people who spoke to her. The person she most looked forward to seeing was Chang Haojie, and she always smiled when she was with Chang Haojie.
Therefore, facing a strange girl, Hua Jingran dared not underestimate her. Even though the other party seemed younger than her, she had to be careful: "I don't know you, please leave. I don't want to hear what you have to say, nor do I want to go anywhere with you!"
However, Yu Zhiling was prepared for Hua Jingran's clear rejection. Following her brother's words, she took out a gold ring from her pocket and said calmly, "Oh, right, I found a ring on the street today. This is something you dropped. Put it on quickly, and never lose it again!"
After speaking, Yu Zhiling placed the gold ring on Hua Jingran's finger. The originally fair finger, now adorned with a golden ring, looked even more beautiful. Although only twelve years old, Hua Jingran knew what a gold ring meant. It was a significant amount of money. A single gold ring was enough for an ordinary family to eat and drink for a month.
Yu Zhiling continued, "Actually, I found other things on me. They might be yours, or they might not be. Come with me, and I'll let you claim them!"
After speaking, Yu Zhiling pointed to the corner of the distant warehouse and building. This was a blind spot, with garbage cans nearby. Normally, no one would stay there.
Hua Jingran had never experienced anything like this. A huge fortune had suddenly fallen into her lap. Looking at the gold ring on her hand, Hua Jingran knew it was a lot of money, and the other party seemed to have more things. This was something to look forward to.
"This little girl must have mistaken me for someone else, right? Otherwise, why would she come to me at this time? There are too many people with the same name and surname in the world. She might have mistaken the owner. In that case, if a pie falls from the sky, how can I remain indifferent?" Hua Jingran thought to herself.
At this moment, Hua Jingran had almost nothing. She was just an orphan. In two years, she would have to leave the orphanage, and she had no idea what to do then. Becoming a formal employee would be good, but she heard that many people went into factories to do manual labor, a life that Hua Jingran disliked.
A readily available fortune was too important for Hua Jingran. Under these circumstances, Hua Jingran was finally tempted.
However, upon reaching the blind spot, Yu Zhiling directly said, "Actually, I found many good things. There are platinum jewelry, silver bracelets, and earrings inlaid with rubies. You can have them all if you want them. This money is enough for you to dress yourself up beautifully!"
Upon hearing this, Hua Jingran immediately felt that something was wrong and asked vigilantly, "What exactly do you want to say?"
Although Yu Zhiling was young, she had a genius brother. Yu Zhijing had already told her what to say at this moment and made her stay up all night memorizing the words. Hua Jingran's reaction was exactly as Yu Zhijing had predicted.
Yu Zhiling said calmly, "I found you because I need you to do something for us, which is to let my brother meet the City Lord. As long as you help, all the money I have here will be yours. This money can make you instantly wealthy and allow you to dress yourself up beautifully, so that when you meet your parents-in-law in the future, you can win their favor!"
When Hua Jingran realized that the other party had conditions, she immediately refused, thinking, "There really is no free lunch in the world. Mistaking me for someone else is too fake!"
Then, Hua Jingran replied, "I don't know the City Lord, and I certainly can't help you get to know him. I'm leaving. I'll return the ring to you, and from now on, we've never met!"
"It seems you really are willing to be an unknown woman for your entire life. As for your relationship with Chang Haojie, give up on it. Chang Haojie will not marry you, and you will only be a working girl for your entire life. Don't even think about changing your fate!" Yu Zhiling said in a clear voice, stumbling a bit as she spoke, but conveying her meaning clearly.
Upon hearing this, Hua Jingran froze, then became enraged and said, "You're talking nonsense! He has already promised to marry me, and even if he can't marry me, he will elope with me. You are just talking nonsense!"
Seeing that the other party's reaction was exactly as her brother had said, Yu Zhiling's respect for her brother grew. To her, everything her brother said was correct. If she continued to follow her brother's plan, she would be able to persuade the other party.
Thus, Yu Zhiling continued, "Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, time will tell. Now, let me analyze your and Chang Haojie's future destinies."
"As a girl with no family background or beauty, you are already not worthy of the eldest young master Chang Haojie in terms of your background. Don't talk about free marriage. The gap in status has always been a serious issue. Even in peaceful times, some people want to be 'phoenix men' and marry into wealthy families! Why? Because mismatched backgrounds can change destiny!" Yu Zhiling continued.
Hua Jingran did not leave but listened silently.
At this moment, Yu Zhiling continued, "Your background is not good enough, so you need to make up for it with postnatal effort. An excellent person can stand out anywhere. But as far as I know, your academic performance is not very good either, so it will be difficult to gain recognition from others with your own abilities!"
"Finally, let's talk about your biggest reliance. Chang Haojie said he would marry you, but have you ever thought that men can change? They might say vows of eternal love, but they could turn around and treat it as a joke. Chang Haojie might just be curious about you. He grew up under the City Lord's protection and has always seen rich and noble people. He found you interesting for a while, but what happens after the novelty wears off? He will only say that he was ignorant at the time and too young, which is why he said those words. In the end, he will give you some money and let you leave gracefully!" Yu Zhiling, though only eight years old, spoke with profound wisdom.
After hearing these words, Hua Jingran fell completely silent. Her expression turned grim, her face filled with worry. She wondered what she should do if things turned out exactly as the other party had said.
Hua Jingran was naturally older than Yu Zhiling, but now, Hua Jingran had no solution to the situation Yu Zhiling described, because this speculation was too realistic. The gap in reality was evident. Hua Jingran had neither a good background nor excellent grades. If this continued, the novelty that attracted others to her would gradually disappear.
"I think you should understand what I've said now. So, the choice is yours. I just want to tell you that if you cooperate with me, we can help you successfully become the young master's wife!" Yu Zhiling continued.
This sentence immediately became Hua Jingran's lifeline. After understanding her own predicament, she realized that her position was precarious, and she could lose her last friend, Chang Haojie, who had promised to marry her, at any moment.
Now that there was a possibility for change, Hua Jingran easily believed what Yu Zhiling had said.
"I don't think I can help you. I don't know the City Lord!" Hua Jingran said helplessly.
Yu Zhiling continued, "You don't know the City Lord, but you know Chang Haojie. As long as you ask Chang Haojie to say something, the City Lord will definitely agree to meet. Then, your mission will be completed. We can also help you dress up and strive to gain the approval of the young master's family!" Yu Zhiling replied immediately.
"How to dress up?" Hua Jingran, completely clueless, asked.
Yu Zhiling was also clueless about this matter, but she had someone to guide her, so she directly said, "First, we need to package your demeanor. When you speak, be neither servile nor overbearing, appearing graceful and dignified. Then, in terms of clothing, with money, you can use clothes to enhance yourself. As the saying goes, 'A person depends on their clothes, a horse depends on its saddle.' Wearing a decent outfit will make people see you in a new light. Then, we can find some newspapers and radio stations to praise you in every way possible, giving you public opinion advantage and making you famous. With fame, doing things becomes much simpler!"
After Yu Zhiling finished speaking, she looked at Hua Jingran. Hua Jingran lowered her head and pondered, seemingly considering whether to agree.
Yu Zhiling was also very nervous at this moment. She didn't know if the other party would agree to her conditions. If she failed, there would be no other way.
After careful consideration, Hua Jingran suddenly found the suggestion very good. As long as she followed what the other party said, she could obtain a decent status. With newspaper reports, she would surely become famous. If she gained the approval of Chang Haojie's family, the obstacles preventing her and Chang Haojie would be removed.
Most importantly, she only needed to help with a simple favor. She only needed Chang Haojie to persuade his sister and this young girl to meet. This task would be completed, and it would not be difficult or bring any danger.
For Hua Jingran, this was an investment with very little risk but great opportunity. After thinking it over and over, Hua Jingran finally made a decision and said, "Okay, I agree!!"
Upon receiving this answer, Yu Zhiling was relieved. She knew her mission was now complete, and everything was as her brother had predicted.
However, at this moment, the warehouse door was opened, and then Chang Jianyi walked out from the warehouse door and came to this secluded and strange-smelling corner. She said calmly, "Luo Qing, take this person away. As for Hua Jingran, you stay here honestly. As for the future, it will be after you develop a good character!"
The two people in the corner were stunned. They hadn't expected anyone else to be eavesdropping in this corner, and moreover, this person was the Deputy City Lord, Chang Haojie's sister. Why was she here? Why did she hear these things?
In an instant, Hua Jingran's face turned pale. She knew that everything was over.
Luo Qing stepped forward, grabbed Yu Zhiling, and left. To prevent Yu Zhiling from resisting, he took out a rope and tied her up. However, in reality, Yu Zhiling had no ability to resist at this moment.