The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Zhao Xuan was completely attracted by the Tenglong lantern in front of her. Not only was the Tenglong's expression vivid, but the most beautiful thing was the candle lit in the lantern. It would change colors from time to time with the different colors of the dragon's body, which was dazzling.

Zhao Xuan held her breath and stared at it without blinking, as if if she took a breath, the beautiful dragon would really take off into the air and disappear into the deep night in an instant.

Not far behind Zhao Xuan, a strange man was staring at her intently, frowning and thinking.

The stall owner was a fat, smiling man who had just sold a goldfish lantern. Seeing Zhao Xuan staring at the store's treasured Tenglong lantern, he kindly asked, "Girl, do you like it? But even if you can afford it, you can't take it away!"

"I can find someone to help!"

"That won't work either. This lantern will be in the lantern parade later, and it'll be first in line!"

"Can you sell it to me after the parade?"

The fat stall owner was a little hesitant. At this time, a strange man approached the stall and greeted the fat stall owner.

"Fatty Wang, business is good!"

"Hey, Lao Li! Why don't you mind your own business and come hang out here?"

"I was just taking a look. Your skills have really improved this year. The Suzaku in my shop is almost outshined by your Tenglong!"

When Fatty Wang heard this, he laughed triumphantly. Old Li also laughed. He leaned over to look at Zhao Xuan and said, "Little girl, Fatty Wang is right. This lantern is too big. If you like it, I can make you an identical one, but it will be much smaller. You can carry it home with you."

"Really? When will it be ready?"

Old Li pointed to a place not far away and said, "My shop isn't far away, it's right there! Come with me and I'll make it for you right away. It should be ready in about half an hour. If you like the Suzaku Lantern, I'll make it for you as well, so we can make a perfect pair."

Zhao Xuan smiled so much that her mouth almost reached her ears, but then she frowned again and asked, "Is it expensive?"

Old Li took Zhao Xuan's hand and walked towards his shop, saying, "It's not expensive."

As expected, there was a Vermillion Bird Lantern that was about the same size as the Tenglong Lantern on Old Li’s stall. A woman who looked like Old Li’s wife was greeting customers. She was a little surprised to see Old Li leading a little girl over.

Old Li didn't say much and pulled Zhao Xuan into the house.

Zhao Xuan looked around. The room was filled with bamboo strips and paper for making lanterns, as well as various lanterns neatly arranged in the corner. It was indeed a lantern shop.

Old Li took Zhao Xuan to the backyard and came to a small woodshed. He pushed the door open and said to Zhao Xuan, "Uncle will go make a lantern for you. You just wait here."

After saying this, Old Li left the woodshed and locked the door.

Zhao Xuan looked around in a daze. It was pitch black, with only a hint of moonlight filtering through the crack in the door, giving her a glimmer of light. Zhao Xuan suddenly felt a little scared. She reached out to push the door open, but it wouldn't budge. She banged on it, but no one responded. She started shouting, "Uncle! Uncle! I want to get out!"

But the yard was quiet, not at all as noisy as the street, with only the occasional barking of a dog or two.

Zhao Xuan couldn't figure out what had happened. She wanted to cry, but she didn't dare. She peeped through the crack in the door, wondering if she had lost herself this time. It was like Xiaowu's cat, Gu Pili. One time, she'd secretly put Gu Pili in her schoolbag and brought him to class. During break, she wanted to play with him, but he was gone. Xiaowu burst into tears, only to discover that Pili had run home on his own. Could she, too?

At this time, another thin little girl who looked a head taller than Zhao Xuan was leaning against the bedroom door, secretly looking into the room. She heard Lao Li, another man and Lao Li's wife arguing in a low voice.

I only heard the woman say: "The child is so young, how could you have the heart to do that?"

"What about our son? Did he die in vain? We've been in Liyang for over half a year and haven't found an opportunity yet. This girl deserves to be in trouble today!"

Another man asked, "Brother Li, what are you going to do?"

Old Li said: "Even if we don't kill her, we must make Zhao Xiaoman pay with her blood!"

"Zhao Xiaoman is not easy to deal with!"

Old Li's face was fierce. "Then lock her up for a year or so! Let Zhao Xiaoman experience the pain of losing a daughter! This disciple is like her own child, she treasures her dearly!"

The woman said, "Then should I ask Xing'er to bring her some food?"

"Don't worry about her for now. Just keep an eye on her at home and don't let her get away. Lao Zhao and I will go check on the street!"

When the little girl heard this, she hurriedly turned around and ran into the room where the lanterns were stacked, pretending to arrange them. She looked up in the direction of the woodshed in the backyard, worried. Suddenly, she resolutely picked up a revolving lantern and quietly walked towards the backyard while the adults were not paying attention.

At this time, Qingfeng Courtyard was in chaos. Yulan huddled in the corner, wiping her tears. Zhao Xiaoman was sending out groups of bodyguards and servants to look for Zhao Xuan.

Zhao Xiaoman was even more upset when she saw Yulan crying. She walked up to her and said, "Come on, stop crying! What's the point of crying?! Can you cry Xuan'er back?"

"But, Miss, I, I really didn't mean it!"

"No one said you did it on purpose. Just stay home and keep an eye on Xuan'er if she comes back!"

After Zhao Xiaoman finished speaking, she hurried out of the house.

Time passed slowly, and Zhao Xuan didn't know how long it had been. Suddenly, she saw a slender figure walking towards her through the crack in the door. She could not see it clearly, and it seemed to be a little girl about her age, holding a revolving lantern in her hand.

Zhao Xuan hurriedly shouted, "Sister! Sister! I'm here!"

The little girl kept waving her hands at Zhao Xuan, signaling her not to shout, and looked around in panic. Then she hurried to the door of the woodshed. The girl put the revolving lantern on the ground, opened the lock, picked up the lantern and stepped into the woodshed.

Zhao Xuan looked up at the girl and asked, "Sister, who are you? Uncle said he would make a Tenglong lantern for me..."

The girl quickly raised her hand to cover Zhao Xuan's mouth and whispered, "Don't be afraid. My father, that uncle, has to go out for something and can't help you make the lantern. He asked me to give you this revolving lantern and take you home at the same time."

Zhao Xuan looked at the strange girl with some confusion. Just as she was about to say something, the girl grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the woodshed. Before Zhao Xuan could react, she had led her out of the yard through the back door and into a narrow alley. She hurriedly walked towards the entrance of the alley along the dark alley, looking back in fear from time to time.

The girl's demeanor frightened Zhao Xuan a little, as if a pack of vicious dogs were about to catch up with her. She obediently let the girl lead her, quickened her pace, kept her mouth tightly shut, and dared not speak.

The two of them walked like this for about a cup of tea. The girl looked out at the bustling street in front of her, then gently patted her chest and asked Zhao Xuan, "Do you remember the way home?"

Zhao Xuan thought about it and nodded. Only then did she see the girl's appearance clearly. She was very thin, had dry and yellow hair, and was wearing old clothes that were washed white and patched, but her smile was shy and gentle.

Zhao Xuan's heart, pounding with fear, was instantly soothed by the girl's gentle smile. She held the girl's hand and asked, "Sister, can we go enjoy the lanterns together?"

But the girl suddenly retracted her hand!