A piece of Japanese incense

When I rushed to Muyun Garden, my mother was indeed sitting in front of the dressing table, wiping her precious jewelry with a sad look on her face.

Zhuli was already fast asleep on the desk. I poked her and she stood up instantly in shock. I made a hushing gesture, signaling her to go and rest with Nanxing.

I lit a stick of my mother's favorite "Curtain Incense", placed it on the incense holder, brought a small stool, and sat down next to her.

"Mom, honey~" I snuggled into her neck and rubbed her face.

"What earth-shattering event did He'er do today?"

I pretended to be ignorant: "Mom, didn't you see the note I put in my purse? I'm going to set off fireworks for you!"

Mother held my cheek with her right hand, leaned her head on top of mine, and said softly, "He'er has grown up and made many friends."

I straightened my back and held her hand: "Mom..."

"Mother also had her prime years, but unfortunately, she did not have any close friends. Her only true friend was Sister Hong."

I tilted my head to look at her.

"Since I was little, I have only had your father as my friend. He is not only my playmate, my lover, but also my relative..."

Seeing that she was about to start talking about the past, I interrupted her in time: "But he betrayed you! He married someone else and had a child. You two are no longer related. Mother, please stop reminiscing about it!"

"He'er, you don't realize that your father also has his own difficulties."

"Why are you helpless? Stop making excuses for that unfaithful man." I touched my nose and tried to change the subject.

"He has his own ambitions, and you will understand them later."

I was speechless and didn't understand why my mother still missed someone so much even though she hadn't seen him for many years.

"If you want to do something in the future, just go ahead and do it. I won't restrict you anymore."

"Hmm~" I looked at her with a smile.

"You silly girl! Why are you staring at me like that!" My mother poked my forehead lightly with her index finger.

"Oh my! I have to look at her carefully to confirm whether she is my dear mother." I shook my head in front of her.

Mother narrowed her eyes and smiled: "Just make sure someone is with you! You must let me know in advance when you go out!"

I held up three fingers and said solemnly: "Got it! I promise!"

"That's enough! When have you ever kept your promises? You can get away with anything by just acting like a spoiled brat in front of your grandmother!"

I rested my head on her shoulder, entwining my fingers with her hair: "Then I'll act a little coquettish with you~ That hairpin is beautiful, give it to me~"

"Here you go! Here you go! All yours!"

……

I returned to my yard with a full load of embroidery, sachets, fans and ornaments that I got from my mother.

"Yutuan! Tell Yuzhu that I have thought of a name for my courtyard. It's called Ainiangyuan!"

"Hahaha! What! The girl is really, ah! So uncultured!" Yu Tuan laughed while braiding her hair.

"Girl, let's read more books." Yuyi patted my shoulder and walked past me.

I just distributed the things on my own and didn't bother to argue with them.

"Is the girl awake?"

"That damn Yuzhu, why is he howling so early in the morning!" Yutuan dropped the rag in his hand and stood at the door with his hands on his hips.

"Show it to the girl!"

"What?" Yuyi and I went up to Yutuan and checked the paper in her hand.

"The whole city is calling for the arrest of sixteen evil slaves. They set fires when the wind is high and kill people at night. They are evil and have lost all conscience. They have committed numerous crimes and are unforgivable. Anyone who reports their whereabouts will be rewarded with one hundred taels of silver by the government. Anyone who captures them will be rewarded with one thousand taels of silver."

"Tian Xin, Tian Ying'an, He Jiaojiao, Zhang Yanmei, Qiao Yanxin, Song Xier, Li Ru, Shen Meng, Guo Yiqiu, Shi Qi, Qi Yan, Wu Pingzhi, Zhang Zhen, Zhu Ming, Tian Xiang, Liu Xisi."

"Who is missing from the list? Why are there sixteen people? There are so many people that they themselves have forgotten how many there are?" Yu Tuan asked in confusion.

Yuzhu replied: "They are everywhere on the street! What should I do?"

"I'm afraid the whole city is on alert now!" Yu Yi looked panicked.

"I never thought that they would dare to report to the police. Aren't they afraid of being found out for setting up a private prison?" I muttered to myself.

"Didn't they release five bodies? Why are there still sixteen wanted people?"

"It's burned beyond recognition, how can you tell who is who?"

An idea suddenly occurred to me: "Yes! There are so many people, and the portraits don't look very similar! Anyway, I couldn't recognize many of them."

I threw away all the wanted posters and said with disdain: "Change clothes! Let's go shopping!"

On the blue sky canvas, the sun spreads golden paint, dyeing the clouds light white. The breeze is not dry, gently brushing across the cheek, bringing a hint of coolness, and the air is filled with a fresh breath, making people can't help but take a deep breath:

“Wow! It’s a great day for shopping!”

"You're really amazing, girl! You managed to convince the young lady to let us out together!" Yutuan jumped happily.

"This is the first time I can go out shopping without being nervous."

Yu Zhu followed behind: "Girl, about the wanted order..."

"Hey! This piece of cloth is beautiful!" I picked up a piece of soft and gentle floral cloth and threw it to Yuzhu.

The boss followed me closely and praised me: "Girl, you have good taste! This material is solid, breathable, and feels silky..."

"Hmm~ Only green ones?"

The shop owner immediately waved his hand and responded: "All kinds of colors, you can choose! Served for you!"

"No! How much stock do you have of each color?"

The boss stroked his mustache and said, "About twenty pieces of each color."

"Okay! I want them all! Pay up!"

Yu Tuan took out the seal from his arms and shouted, "Girl! Why did you buy so many?"

I raised my eyebrows and sneered: "Work clothes~"

"What the hell is that?" Yutuan glared at me.

"From now on, you all have to wear the same clothes, understand? Well...shoes have to be the same too!" I pretended to be serious.

Yuyi touched her head to mine and murmured softly, "You don't have a fever, why are you acting crazy again?"

I secretly rejoiced and walked out of the store.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

The sound of horse hooves hitting the ground was like a drum. I instinctively jumped back, my heart pounding. The huge figure flashed before my eyes like an arrow from a bow, leaving only a gust of wind passing over my face.

Yu Tuan ran to my side and shouted hysterically: "How dare you ride your horse wildly in the middle of a busy city! Who gave you the courage?"

However, just when we thought they had gone far away, a burst of hurried hoofbeats sounded again, and the horse reappeared in our sight like returning lightning, full of wildness and unruliness.