A piece of Japanese incense

The fire was like a wild beast that had broken free from its restraints, raging in the night with its fangs and claws bared. The flames soared into the sky, like countless red snakes, greedily licking the surrounding air, making crackling sounds. The firelight reflected on the walls of the surrounding buildings, forming twisted and frenzied shadows, as if the gates of hell were opened at this moment, releasing endless heat waves and destructive power.

Thick smoke billowed up into the air, and Yuzhu and Yuyi ran out of the house, coughing madly.

"Girl, cough cough, it's enough, time is running out, let's go." Yuzhu was panting like a cow.

Everyone supported each other. Some had eyes as firm as rocks, holding their companions' hands tightly, and walking steadily. Some lost their way in tears, with empty eyes, as if their souls had been taken away.

Those with limited mobility got on the carriage first, while those who were still in good health followed quickly behind the carriage.

We came to the house that Yu Nian rented. Although the courtyard was not big, the layout was clever. There was a flat open space in the center, a well on one side, and several rooms with different functions around it.

There are simple calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls of the main house, and there are few furniture, just a square table, a few chairs and a few cabinets.

The windows are small wooden lattice windows covered with thin paper to let in light.

The kitchen was next to the backyard, and Yuzhu was the first to run to the well to fetch water.

The room, which was originally quite spacious, seemed a bit crowded after more than a dozen people stood there.

"Sisters, please stay here for a few days. Just treat it as a shelter. I will try to arrange the follow-up matters."

"Miss Zhi, I don't know how to express my gratitude. How about...how about I kowtow to you?" A woman said and knelt on the ground.

"Don't do that!" I quickly grabbed her arms. "The situation is serious right now. We have a place to stay for the night, and I have done my best. I need to rush back home. There are seventeen of us, and I only have five skeletons. Tomorrow there will be a large-scale search. Sisters, please be careful and don't go out easily. Once I have made proper arrangements, I will help you through this difficult time."

"Don't worry! We will never cause any trouble to you! You can rest assured!"

Yuzhu fetched a jar of water and sat exhausted on a chair; Yuyi was carefully explaining the use of medicine to the girls; several girls were busy cleaning the house with brooms and rags...

I looked at the harmonious scene in the room, and the satisfaction that emerged in my heart made the air around me soft.

Back in my little courtyard, Yutuan sat on the swing in the yard, and I don’t know how long I had been waiting.

"Why did you two come back just now? I thought something happened and I was worried all night!" Yutuan complained and rubbed my shoulders.

"The good news is: we have rescued Xiaohan's sister and brother." Yuyi lay down on the recliner as soon as she returned to the house.

"The bad thing is..."

"The bad thing is, seventeen people were rescued!"

"Seventeen?" Yu Tuan gestured the number with his hands.

I nodded slowly.

Yu Tuan was confused: "Didn't the girl say there were only four people? Including Tian Ying'an and Tian Xiang, five corpses should be enough. How come there are so many more?"

I helplessly spread my hands and said, "Last time I went there, there were indeed four people including Xiaohan's sister. Her brother was young, so I didn't count the number of people and only asked Yuzhu to dig out five. But when I entered the house, I was stunned."

"Then... what should we do?"

"They are all homeless people, so the girl had no choice but to send them all to the house rented by Young Master Nian." Yu Yi replied.

"All?"

I pouted and looked at Yutuan with wide eyes.

"Girl, do you really think you are the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara who saves people from suffering? What will you do if you are discovered by the neighbors with so many people around?" Yu Yi asked directly in a cold tone.

"The three women I saw last time are now missing. Did they die from the torture, or did they join Qianyanfang, unable to live or die? Looking at these women of my age, I really can't bear it..."

"Then let them go on their own!" Yu Tuan said loudly.

"Keep your voice down! It's already three o'clock in the morning, who do you want to wake up?" Yuyi pulled Yutuan to sit down.

I was also a little hesitant, wondering if my actions today were a little too impulsive.

"Is the girl back?" Nanxing's voice floated from outside the yard.

The three of us were all shocked, our eyes widened, and we stood there like wooden figures.

I pursed my lips into a tight line and asked Yutuan what was going on using sign language.

Yu Tuan was speechless and couldn't utter a word.

Yu Yi acted quickly and extinguished all the candles.

"If I come back, I will go back and report to the young lady." Nanxing's tone was gentle, but we were frightened when we heard it.

"Yutuan! I know you've been back for a long time, please speak up quickly, it's the middle of the night, don't make me go back and forth!"

Yutuan pulled my arm desperately, and my shoulders leaned back involuntarily.

I had no choice but to open the door and forced a smile: "Sister Nanxing? Hehe! Haven't you rested yet?"

Nanxing always had a straight back and raised her head slightly: "Girl, please let the young lady worry less. The young lady is so worried that she can't sleep well because she can't wait for you to come home every day."

"Hehe! Got it!" I wanted to close the door.

"girl!"

"Hey!" I responded through a crack in the door.

"Today, the young lady mentioned that summer is approaching and mosquitoes are rampant. Have you prepared the mosquito coils?"

"Not yet, it will be made in two days!" I couldn't wait to close the door.

"Girl!" Nanxing took another step closer.

I sighed, "Nanxing! I've said this many times! I hate beating around the bush! Why don't you just say what you want to say!"

Nanxing had a faint bitter smile on her face: "When you were young, you had a rash due to mosquito bites. I was worried about you every day, guarding you and driving away mosquitoes for you. I wish I could..."

"Nanxing! What on earth do you want to say!?"

Nan Xing shook her head: "What I want to say is that since the young lady had her own courtyard, she has become estranged from the young lady. It was fine when she entered the palace before, but now she is recuperating in the mansion and has not been seen for two or three days. The young lady only has one daughter..."

"Nanxing!" I interrupted her: "You, do you want me to spend more time with mother?"

Nanxing smiled with relief.

"Oh! Then just say no! Got it! I'll go there as soon as I get up tomorrow morning!"

"girl!"

"What happened again?"

"After midnight, it will be twenty-three."

I was just about to ask who is going to have a 23rd birthday, when I suddenly remembered that April rd is the day my mother and my dog ​​father divorced...

I slapped my head and said, "Oh! Look at my poor memory! Sister Nanxing, don't worry. I'll wash up and go with you to find mom!"