From that day on, Minna acted like a good child. Not only was she very polite to Riddle and the old monk, but she also deliberately approached to please the boys, showing that she knew her mistakes. The children were dubious about her transformation, but seeing that she was even willing to do dirty work for them, they temporarily believed her and relaxed their surveillance of her.
In addition, Ming Na also tried her best to take the opportunity to go out with Riddle and explore the streets and alleys in Encore City first, especially in the areas along the river. At home, she tried every means to escape and inquire about the ships heading south.
Riddle only asked her not to leave his sight, and didn't pay much attention to who she was talking to.
Ming Na was pleasantly surprised to find out from the boatman that the cheapest way to travel south from Anke City was to borrow a cargo ship, occupying a two or three-foot square space in the bottom cabin, and taking care of your own food and water, which only cost 80 Copper plate, the end point is a small town called Faradis. Minna remembered that this town was located eight kilometers north of the Magic City. Her grandfather once called it a "logistics transfer station." There was only a plain between it and the Magic City, and it only took half a day to walk.
Ming Na still had a little money on her, which was enough to pay for the voyage, and there was still money left to buy dry food. She heard from the boatman that a boat like this would set out the day after tomorrow, with eight vacancies left. A deposit of ten copper coins would be required. If you don't wait after the delay, the deposit will not be returned. Ming Na counted the days and realized that Father Riddle would not be back by then. She was secretly happy and planned to pay the deposit as soon as he left tomorrow.
"Sarah. We should go." Riddle called her from a distance, "What are you doing?"
Ming Na was startled and hurriedly ran over and said with a smile: "It's nothing. I was listening to the uncles saying interesting things. Father, are we going back?" She looked at the large bag of items in his hand with some curiosity. :"what is this?"
"It's a spring fish given by others. Let's go to Mr. Osger's house. His wife likes this kind of fish the most. Maybe she will give us a lot of things."
Ming Na was startled, remembering that a little boy had said that he wanted to eat fish last night. After a moment of hesitation, he said it.
"Oh? Is that so?" Riddle looked at the fish in his hand, asked the roadside vendor for a big leaf and wrapped two fish in it. Give it to Ming Na.
When they arrived at Mr. Osger's house, Minna watched in astonishment as Riddle said flattering words in a very flattering tone, and praised Mrs. Osger, whose physique was not inferior to that of Winnie, as the number one in Anchor City. Beauty, the kindest, kindest and noblest lady, and the most dazzling star of Weisha and Shaonan, and when he said these mobile phones easily: .Cn finishing words. His facial features were not distorted into his usual terrifying appearance. He very respectfully presented the package of spring fish randomly wrapped in aquatic cattail leaves, claiming that it was the freshest delicacy shipped from Italy, specially ordered from the Xiao Family Trading Company as a gift to the beautiful and amiable Mrs. Osger. land.
The lady, who weighed two hundred pounds, was giggling non-stop. While asking people to collect the spring fish, she took out a few gold coins from her small bag and gave them to Riddle, asking him to come more often. . Minna looked at her tacky colorful silk skirt and floral gauze scarf (this material is usually used to make curtains), as well as the arrogant and contemptuous look on her face, and then looked back at Riddle's humble face. attitude. My heart felt blocked.
Once you leave that mansion. Minna couldn't help but ask: "Father, why do you flatter her with such words? That woman is not worthy of your praise, and she is not a true believer in the light at all." A true believer will not use this attitude Treat a monk.
Riddle smiled and said: "Child, do you feel wronged for me? In fact, there is no need to be sad. Mrs. Osger knows that what I am telling is not the truth, and she also knows why I say this. I also know that she knows, as long as she is generous If the land gives me money and I achieve my goal, then other things become unimportant.”
Ming Na frowned and asked, "Is money so important? Would you rather let yourself be humiliated like that?"
"Of course it does. Kid. I need the money."
Minna stopped talking. Riddle looked at her for a few times and smiled: "Actually, I don't do this often. If the Xiao Family Business Bank didn't stop giving money, I wouldn't need to flatter others. In the past, when the old manager was still alive, every month They all take the initiative to send money, but they just hide it from the people above." After Ming Na heard this, she followed his gaze and looked forward, where was the shop of Xiao's Trading Company, and the steward who came from Yi Ni was still crooked. Sitting in front of the shop, drinking and cursing, he refused to leave no matter how much the shop assistants tried to persuade him. Passersby walked away and the deputy manager, Lao Gu, was nowhere to be seen.
Ming Na turned her head away and didn't want to read any more.
Early the next morning, Riddle left the temple and went out of the city. The old monk took over the monk's responsibilities, and the children were all taken care of by the eldest Albert. After Ming Na participated in the prayer and saw everyone starting to do their own thing, she went back to her room to find the hidden money and quietly slipped towards the door.
Unexpectedly, at this time, Albert suddenly stopped her: "Sarah, wait a moment." He pulled a boy and ran forward and said: "Xu Li is short of manpower, you go and make up the work with them." Just a straw mat.”
"Weaving straw mats? Now?"
"Yes, the weather is hot these days, and many people will buy straw mats to go home. We have sold out all the places where we knitted before, so we need to knit more. This is much easier than finding odd jobs." Xueli bent his hand To the smiling eyes, "Sarah, come and help, Albert has to go to work, there are only four of us, and there is not enough manpower."
Albert also nodded to Ming Na: "You have nothing to do anyway, right? The priest said that he wants you to stay with us more."
Ming Na bit her lip and had no choice but to follow them.
The straw mat is made of white mugwort, a local specialty, which is very smooth and cool. The younger boys, who are not yet old enough to find odd jobs, stay in the temple to weave mats. Among them, Xueli's craftsmanship is the best. The patterns of the straw mats he weaves are complex and exquisite, and they sell for higher prices.
When Ming Na heard that this kind of straw mat was invented by the epic hero Earl Xiao, her interest suddenly increased a lot. She saw Hughley and the others making up more tricks. I specially dyed mugwort into various colors, so I ran to see their dye and found that it was made from the powder of several minerals mixed with water. Long-term exposure can be harmful to the human body. She suggested using colored grass juice instead, and also used some grasses beside the ditch behind the yard as a demonstration. As a result, Xueli and the others were very happy. Those grasses can be found everywhere and are much cheaper than ore powder. More, the colors are richer. To thank Minna, they promised to make her a piece of white bread in the evening.
Ming Na didn't think there was anything to be happy about. All this knowledge was a by-product of learning potions, and she felt a little regretful. Because of the improved dyeing method, the boys were so excited that they kept pulling her. As a result, she didn't find a chance to go out all day.
fortunately. The next day, Hughley said that he had knitted a new pattern of straw mats and should use it to sell it to businessmen. When Mingna heard that the businessmen lived near the dock, she immediately rushed to Hughley and said : "I'll go too! If they like other colors, I can think of another way!"
Xueli was startled by her, but he agreed with her idea. The two of them reported to the old monk and set off together holding the straw mat.
When they arrived at the dock, Xueli tried his best to persuade the businessman to buy their newly made straw mats. Mingna, however, looked over to the cargo ship from time to time, a little absent-mindedly. After finally finding an excuse to sneak out, she immediately ran to the boatman and said, "Uncle, are there any seats left on the cargo ship to Faradays tomorrow?"
"Yes, there are two more. Do you want to go? The deposit is ten copper coins. If you don't wait until late, the deposit will not be returned. If you want to reserve a seat, hurry up." The boatman glanced at her and replied leisurely.
Mingna immediately took out a silver coin: "I don't have any change. Can you give me the change?"
The boatman frowned: "Why is it so troublesome? It's so early in the morning. Where can I get ninety copper coins for you? You can change the change elsewhere and come back."
Ming Na bit her lip, a little embarrassed. If she went to change someone now, Xueli would find out.
"Sarah, what are you doing over there?" Xueli came over with a smile on his face, "The straw mats have been sold, and they also said they are willing to continue to purchase straw mats like that. Let's go back and make up a few more Right. What are you doing? Why did you take the money out?"
Ming Na quickly stuffed the money back into her arms, turned around and responded with a smile: "Nothing, I want to change some change." She moved her body towards Xueli, but her eyes couldn't help but glance towards the boatman, and saw Another person came over and booked a seat. He couldn't help but feel anxious, but he didn't notice that Xueli was looking at her frequently. Mingna was asked by the boys to make straw mats for another day. In the evening, Riddle came back early. He also brought back two **-year-old little girls who were rescued from the desert and were arranged to live in a room with Minna.
When Ming Na saw Riddle preparing the bed for the new arrival, she almost dug out the money she had hidden, and broke out in a cold sweat. She felt that she could not wait any longer and could not let this rare opportunity pass by, so, She got up before dawn, put the money in her arms, and before everyone woke up, she tiptoed to the backyard, climbed over the wall, left the yard, and quietly ran to the pier.
When she saw the boat in the morning mist and heard the boatman still shouting "Last vacancy, last vacancy", she felt happy and rushed over. Unexpectedly, a hand came out from the side and stopped her: "Sarah? What do you want to do?"
Ming Na turned around to look, but was stunned. It was Riddle! Why is he here? !
Riddle seemed to see the doubts in her heart. He did not explain, but asked her seriously: "The genius has just dawned. What are you doing here so early?" He turned his head and looked at the ship in the distance, with a flash of light in his eyes. Severely: "Are you planning to secretly leave on that boat?!"
Ming Na stood there helplessly. Suddenly she heard someone running to the boatman to ask for the last available seat. She lowered her head in disappointment.
It failed. It is said that the next ship will have to wait for another four or five days. Riddle discovered her. Will she have a chance to escape next time
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but raise her eyes to peek at Riddle, and saw that his terrifying face was even more distorted. It looked especially terrifying in the fog, and she couldn't help but shudder.
Riddle sighed softly: "Follow me." Then he turned and left. Minna followed him obediently, returned to the temple, and entered his office.
"You kid, why do you always make your own decisions? Can't you trust adults more?" Riddle rubbed his eyebrows with a headache. "I know that you are stronger than ordinary children, and you are also a little clever. You can escape from the slave traders on your own. However, things don't always go so smoothly. Are you afraid that you will be kidnapped again and you won't be able to escape? ?”
Ming Na was a little disapproving. If she could escape once, she could escape a second time.
Seeing this, Riddle sighed: "I know you may not be willing to listen to me, but luckily I discovered it in time this time, otherwise I don't know what danger you would have encountered. That ship is going to Faradis Yes. Right? Do you know that place? The people there are very complex, with people from all countries. At least 20% of the abducted children I met in the desert came from there. Xueli was You were abducted to Faradis. You were brought to Encore City by slave traders. If you really got on the ship, wouldn't it be right at your doorstep?"
Minna broke out in a cold sweat. She had never heard of such a thing. Isn't Faradis a cargo transfer station? How did it become a place where slave traders were rampant? Where was Xueli sold? So...she exposed her secrets in front of him yesterday...
"Anyway, you are still a child and you should trust adults more. I am not asking you to trust blindly, but to find reliable people to ask for help." Riddle continued. "Originally, I wanted to wait for you to speak yourself, but now it seems that it would be more appropriate for me to ask directly." He sat up straight, leaned forward slightly, and stared directly at Minna: "Sarah is not Your real name, right? I remember...I have met you before, you are Earl Xiao's granddaughter, your name is...Mina. Isn't it?"
Ming Na jumped up in shock: "You, you...how did you know..." She added: "My name is Ming Na."
Riddle actually guessed her identity a long time ago. Then he actually knows what she has been doing, right? Ming Na bit her lip. Somewhat unwillingly: Is he playing tricks on her
Riddle smiled and said: "I couldn't recognize you at first, but the two guests that day asked you if your name was really Sarah. You felt a little uncomfortable, and I began to suspect that it was not your real name. Then I discovered that you She looks familiar. She is most likely the little girl I met with Earl Xiao back then. But how could his granddaughter be a runaway little slave girl? In order to confirm your identity, I specially took you to the Xiao Family Trading Company to see Your reaction. But then I had some doubts, if you are really the granddaughter of Earl Xiao, why are you living here?"
Ming Na's eyes turned red and she bit her lip and said nothing.
Riddle added: "The other day, I heard from the manager of the Xiao Family Trading Company that one of your sisters was almost kidnapped. I thought, could it be the same reason? Could it be that the young master the manager mentioned... Is it your father? Were you abducted because of revenge? "
"No." Ming Na refuted in a low voice, "That's not my father. My father wouldn't do that kind of thing. He...he is grandpa's illegitimate son..." She blushed a little: "Only the eldest uncle is the father of grandpa and his father." The child his wife gave birth to..."
"Whether they are illegitimate or legitimate, they are all children of Count Xiao. He was such a heroic figure, and his granddaughter suffered such an unfortunate fate just after his death. I really don't know what to say." Riddle sighed again, his tone There is some melancholy in it.
"My grandpa is not dead!" The other party had guessed it anyway, and Mingna no longer kept it a secret. "He just returned to his hometown. He is far away from here. I don't know if he can come back, but he is definitely not dead! "
Riddle was stunned, with that terrible smile on his face: "Really? That's great. What on earth is going on?"
Ming Na hesitated again, not sure whether she should say it or not. Riddle sighed: "You don't trust me, right? Is it because of my appearance? Or is it because of your grandfather?" Seeing Ming Na's expression, he knew better, and said with a wry smile: "Earl Xiao, He just likes to talk as he pleases. He doesn't like theology, hates monks, and even more disgusted with my humble gesture of begging people for donations. However, he also knows in his heart that I am a reliable person, otherwise, when you were sick, he would not You will ask me to treat you, have you forgotten?"
Ming Na suddenly realized and looked at Riddle, a little excited: "Can I really trust you? You won't...won't betray me, right?"
"The God of Light can prove my sincerity." Riddle opened his arms to her, "Tell me, child, tell me all your pain, tell me all your troubles, you are still a child .”
Ming Na's nose felt sore and she couldn't bear it anymore. She threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.
She told all the things she had experienced after she was separated from her grandfather. She didn't make it clear until the boys came to urge them to go to lunch. Then she sobbed in a low voice and waited uneasily. Del's decision.
Riddle lowered his head and thought: "We still have to find a way to send you home. The Xiao Family Trading Company may not be reliable. Mr. Boderman... resigned and went to the Magic City last year..." He mused: "I think , the most important thing is to send you to your parents. You wanted to go to the Magic City before, just because there was no one to rely on. It is too far to go back to Ito from there, so it is better to go from here. Well... if you find other Caravan, I'm really worried. Let's do this. I'll find someone to send a letter to your parents first to reassure them. You can live here first. In two months, Van'a will send a delegation to Idong to participate in the Idong event. I have received notice of the National Day Ceremony in St. Petersburg. I originally didn’t plan to go, but I’d better go there now. When the time comes, you can go on the road with me.”
Ming Na looked at him blankly, a little unbelievable. Has the matter been resolved like this
Seeing this, Riddle smiled and said: "Why did you come here? Don't worry, this is just the most conservative plan. If there are reliable people going to Yitong in the past two months, I will make arrangements again. Now, let's go eat first. "
Ming Na couldn't help but want to laugh, but she covered it up again, and followed him to dine, but her mood was more relaxed than ever.
It doesn't seem like a bad thing to rely on adults once in a while, right
The letter to Anlong and Dora was written quickly, but since Minna didn't know the address of Ito's home, she had to entrust it to the local Temple of Light for delivery. After the letter was sent, she stayed in the temple with peace of mind every day, weaving straw mats and praying with other children. Since she was the most knowledgeable among the minors, she was personally taught by Riddle and learned some basics. The Illuminati scriptures. Sometimes, she would go out with Riddle, and her life was very relaxed.
One day half a month later, Riddle excitedly walked into the temple from outside and said to Minna: "My child, I met a friend I can trust. He is your compatriot. He will go back to Ito in two days. , can take you on the road with him. He also knows your grandfather." After saying that, he turned around and said hello: "Vasily, this is the child, do you know her?"
Mingna looked at the young man who appeared in front of her in surprise. He was tall and handsome, and he was looking at her with a smile. She asked cautiously: "Do you really know my grandfather?"
The young man smiled: "Not only do I know your grandfather, I also know you. What? You don't recognize me?"