Before long, another girl sat down next to Shen Zhao. She was about the same age and looked very lively.
Soon, the train slowly began to move. The rails made a clanging sound as the speed increased, and the scenery outside the window rapidly retreated.
Shen Zhao gradually narrowed her eyes.
This train... it was faster than a thousand-mile horse.
If Jiang Country had these, wouldn't it be able to transport grain and fodder to the border faster, and also quickly support the battlefield?
Even goods that couldn't be stored long-term could be transported quickly, not only making them safer but also reducing losses along the way.
A good thing that benefits the country and its people!
She really wanted to bring this thing back to Jiang Country...
Just as Shen Zhao's heart began to warm up, she saw the Auntie opposite take off her cotton shoes, and an indescribable smell assaulted her nostrils.
Her heart instantly turned ice cold. Her complexion shifted between green and white, and she rolled her eyes several times before managing not to faint.
Forget it, forget it.
She was just a young Educated Youth now, unable to even return. Why was she still thinking about Jiang Country? She might as well just lie flat.
She would live an easy life this time, so she wouldn't die tired at forty like in her previous life.
Perhaps her appearance was too pitiful, as the girl beside her placed a Fruit Candy on the small table board in front of her, blinking her big eyes.
"Suck on this, maybe it will help a little."
Shen Zhao glanced at her faintly, a hint of vigilance flashing in her eyes.
"Thank you, I'm already much better."
Gu Qiu was startled by Shen Zhao's aura but couldn't help but curiously examine her.
The girl before her had a pointed chin, eyes as deep as ink, yet her eyelashes were long and dense, and her features were exquisite.
Despite being so thin she was almost skeletal, she inexplicably exuded an indescribable noble aura.
"I, my name is Gu Qiu. I'm an Educated Youth going to Sichuan Province for re-education. What about you?"
"Shen Zhao, Educated Youth." After saying her name, Shen Zhao took out the curtains she had dismantled from Shen Wan's room from a bag at her feet and covered herself entirely, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.
Gu Qiu tilted her head, thinking it was a good idea, so she also bent down and took a large piece of cloth from her bag to cover her head.
Two mushrooms sat side-by-side like this, each covered with a piece of cloth.
The passing train attendant glanced at them a few more times.
Who were these attention-seekers running out?
Shen Zhao hid inside the curtain. Although she felt frustrated,
at least it wasn't so smelly. She casually tossed the Fruit Candy into her Space and took out a Steamed Bun to gnaw on.
After eating, she meticulously wiped her hands with a towel from her Space, applied some Cold Cream, and then leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes.
She, Emperor Zhaoning, learned to read at three, composed poetry at five, and became a disciple of the world's number one swordsman at ten. She returned to the capital three years later.
In just one year, she killed more than a dozen of her siblings.
At 15, she took the position of Crown Princess, studying statecraft and governance. At 18, she conquered the world. At 21, she ascended the throne and became Emperor. At 30, the world was unified, and she had three thousand imperial consorts.
How did she end up in a state where she was almost suffocated by the smell of feet?
She had no heirs, and she didn't know if the Empress could stabilize the situation after her death...
Lost in thought, Shen Zhao fell asleep.
The next morning, she bought a meal from the train and ate a few bites that she couldn't stomach before setting it aside.
The train journey from Beijing City to Sichuan Province took over 30 hours, meaning they would arrive around 7 AM tomorrow. She still had to endure a full day and night on the train.
Thinking of this, Shen Zhao felt utterly devoid of will to live.
Even Gu Qiu beside her looked pale and exhausted after a night.
Fortunately, the Auntie who had taken off her shoes opposite them had already gotten off the train.
Sitting opposite them were two young men. One was fair-skinned and delicate, looking like he had never experienced hardship.
The other was gentle and polite, with an outstanding demeanor.
Shen Zhao glanced at them and then withdrew her gaze. They were far inferior to her imperial consorts, so she wasn't interested.
On the other hand, Gu Qiu's bright eyes kept darting over there, clearly showing signs of a budding romance.
By noon, Shen Zhao couldn't stand it anymore.
Enduring the nausea, she got up and went to the toilet at the head of the carriage.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she came out, she was stopped by a man and a woman.
The woman's voice was sharp, "Daughter-in-law, why did you come here? Come home with us quickly." As she spoke, she reached out to pull Shen Zhao.
Shen Zhao immediately retreated a few steps to dodge her hand and said coldly, "Scram, I don't know you."
"This..." The Auntie awkwardly withdrew her hand and explained somewhat aggrievedly to the people around, "This is my daughter-in-law. She had a few arguments with her man and ended up hating me, her mother-in-law."
The sturdy man beside the Auntie, with a simple and honest gaze, glared fiercely at Shen Zhao upon hearing this, "You stinking woman, hurry up and come over and apologize to my mother."
Oh~
So it was a domestic dispute. Everyone suddenly understood.
Some well-meaning people even advised Shen Zhao, "Hurry back. Couples don't hold grudges overnight. No matter what, you shouldn't take your anger out on your mother-in-law."
Her Majesty Shen Zhao, who had never encountered cripples, was utterly bewildered.
What was this?
When did she suddenly gain a man and a mother-in-law?
She looked seriously at the Auntie and the man. "You are too ugly. I would never fall for your son. I'm very picky."
The air fell silent for a moment...
"Pfft!"
Someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The man's face turned red. He stepped forward and grabbed Shen Zhao without preamble, "You stinking woman, you're giving face but not wanting it, right?"
Shen Zhao fumbled in her pocket, took out the Wooden Shovel she had collected from home, and hit the man's face with it, knocking him out.
At this moment, Gu Qiu appeared from somewhere, followed by two train attendants in Uniforms. She pointed at the man and the Auntie and said:
"Comrades, they are kidnappers trying to abduct my friend!"
Seeing this, the two people's expressions changed drastically. They guiltily turned and ran.
Shen Zhao suddenly realized. So they were kidnappers!
She lunged forward and delivered a flying kick to the man's back, knocking him down. The train attendants seized the opportunity to rush forward and subdue the two.
"Don't move!"
The train attendants took out Handcuffs and cuffed the two. They turned to Shen Zhao, "Comrade, thanks to you, they didn't escape. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Shen Zhao shook her head.
Gu Qiu went to Shen Zhao's side and turned to the crowd, "See? This is the kidnappers' scheme. Everyone, please be careful not to be deceived in the future!"
"Good!"
Someone started clapping first, followed by scattered applause. Everyone praised Gu Qiu's wit and intelligence.
Shen Zhao: ...
For some reason, she felt this scene was a bit strange...
It was as if Gu Qiu had a halo above her head.
As the person involved in the incident, Shen Zhao first went with the train attendants to make a statement before being allowed to return.
Gu Qiu was at her seat, talking to the two people opposite them.
Seeing Shen Zhao, she quickly got up and let her in, "How is it? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Shen Zhao said, feeling a bit helpless and even unaccustomed to the enthusiasm from strangers.
But Gu Qiu felt that the two of them now shared the friendship of having apprehended kidnappers together; they were friends.
If her little sister was a bit cold, then she would be enthusiastic.
"You're so amazing! Have you practiced martial arts?"
Shen Zhao nodded faintly, looking like she didn't want to say more.
Fortunately, Gu Qiu was good at reading the room and didn't press further.
Instead, she took out a deck of playing cards and tilted her head, asking, "Are you bored from the ride? Want to play? It'll pass the time faster."
Shen Zhao didn't want to play at first, but hearing that it would pass the time faster, she still nodded, "How do you play? I don't know how."
Never mind, she'd just use it to kill time.
"I'll teach you, it's very simple." Gu Qiu called over the two young men opposite them, and the four of them played a game of "Catch the Black."
As they played poker, they slowly became familiar with each other.
Shen Zhao learned that they were all Educated Youths going to Sichuan Province for re-education.
The fair-skinned and delicate one was named Wen Yixun.
The other, gentle and refined one, was named Ji Bai. They were friends who grew up together in the same Compound.
✦✦✦