The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Zhao Xuan looked at the girl in surprise. The girl lowered her eyes and handed the carousel to Zhao Xuan. Suddenly, she saw a dark red birthmark on Zhao Xuan's bare left arm. The shape was like a flying butterfly. She was a little surprised, but quickly helped Zhao Xuan tidy up her hair and clothes.

The girl said softly, "The streets are so chaotic. You must have lost your family. They must be very worried. Hurry and take your lantern home. Remember that?"

"Sister, why don't you take me home? I'll treat you to something delicious!"

"I...I've been away from home for too long. I'm afraid my dad will...will scold me."

"Is that so! Then what's your name, sister? I'll come and play with you in a couple of days!"

"Don't do that!" the girl suddenly exclaimed, but immediately calmed down and said softly, "My family is moving tomorrow. We're moving to a place very far away. You won't be able to find me if you come. But I promise you, I'll be waiting for you here at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival next year. Can we enjoy the lanterns together again?"

"Okay! My name is Zhao Xuan! Xuan as in daylily. What's your name, sister?"

"I, I," the girl hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Zhao Xuan and smiled. "My name is Li Xing'er, Xing as in apricot blossom. Go home quickly, and don't come looking for me for the time being. See you next year, then!"

Zhao Xuan shook hands with the little girl and left reluctantly. When she walked a long way with the revolving lantern in her hand and looked back, she seemed to still see Li Xing'er's thin and frail figure, standing alone in the autumn wind.

In Qingfeng Courtyard, Guo Da also rushed over after hearing the news. He was asking Yulan about Zhao Xuan's disappearance when he saw Zhao Xiaoman, with a serious expression on her face, striding into the courtyard and shouting, "Has anyone found Xuan'er?"

Yulan said hurriedly: "The people who were sent out haven't returned yet."

"Then I'll look for it again!"

Zhao Xiaoman turned around and was about to leave, but was stopped by Guo Da.

"Xiao Man, you should wait in the mansion. I'll look for it for you. I know the territory of Liyang City better than you do!"

"Then let's go together!"

As Zhao Xiaoman spoke, she grabbed Guo Da's collar and dragged him out the door. Guo Da couldn't keep up with Zhao Xiaoman's speed, and he stumbled and almost fell. Zhao Xiaoman pulled him up again, and the collar of his clothes tightened instantly, making his face red and his neck thick. He even stuck out his tongue and shouted hoarsely: "Let go...let go..."

Zhao Xiaoman subconsciously looked back and saw Guo Da's miserable appearance. She quickly let go of his hand, and Guo Da really fell face down to the ground. Zhao Xiaoman raised her leg and pressed her foot against Guo Da's chest. Guo Da wailed and swayed a few times before he stood firm. He rubbed his chest and was in so much pain that he couldn't speak.

Zhao Xiaoman looked at Guo Da with some disgust.

"Can you do it? Do you want me to carry you on my back and look for it?!"

Guo Da was about to speak when he suddenly pointed in the direction of the door in surprise and joy, and looked at Zhao Xiaoman with a foolish smile.

Seeing Guo Da like this, Zhao Xiaoman was furious: "Why are you the same as Huang Shuo? He only knows how to fly around. What are you doing?! If you have something to say, just say it now!"

As soon as the voice fell, Zhao Xiaoman suddenly heard a familiar cry: "Master!"

Zhao Xiaoman hurriedly turned around and saw Zhao Xuan holding a revolving lantern, standing in front of her alive, looking up at her with a smile. Zhao Xiaoman was filled with grief, and she hugged Zhao Xuan and tears fell.

"Where did you run off to? You scared me to death! When I heard Sister Lan and Butler Zhong say they lost you, I felt like the sky was falling, you know? How would I live if anything happened to you?!"

Seeing this, Zhao Xuan swallowed back what she was about to say. She had originally wanted to tell her master about her adventure, especially how she had gotten a revolving lantern for free without spending a penny—a sure win! But then she thought, what if her master went to thank the young lady, and she moved away again? That would be boring. It would be best to wait until this time next year and take her master to visit the young lady and give her a surprise.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xuan kissed Zhao Xiaoman on the face.

"Master said that Xuan'er looks like an ugly monster when she cries, so does Master look like an ugly monster when she cries?"

When Zhao Xuan said this, she started laughing.

"You're ugly, so what? Who told you to run around?"

"I didn't run around randomly. I was just walking around in a crowd and I got lost. I couldn't find Aunt Lan and Butler Zhong. Then I met a kind young lady who gave me this lantern. I was afraid Master would worry, so I ran back quickly! Master, look, isn't this lantern beautiful? I'm giving it to you, Master!"

Zhao Xiaoman looked at the revolving lantern and saw the mud on Zhao Xuan's shoes and the hem of her clothes, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Zhao Xuan wiped Zhao Xiaoman's tears: "Master, don't cry. Xuan'er has grown up and can give you a gift. Are you happy, Master?"

"Happy!" Zhao Xiaoman hugged Zhao Xuan tightly, feeling relieved. She kissed Zhao Xuan's cheek again and said, "Master promises that he will accompany Xuan'er to see the lanterns next year! He will never let Xuan'er get lost again!"

Guo Da walked forward, looked at Zhao Xuan, and sighed, "This kid is so naughty! Fortunately, it was a false alarm! Let's go! Let's drink to calm down and celebrate!"

At this time, Yulan saw that Zhao Xuan was safe and sound, and she felt relieved. She didn't even have the strength to walk. She collapsed to the ground and started crying again.

Zhao Xiaoman pretended to be angry and glared at Zhao Xuan: "It's all your fault, little brat! Look how scared your Aunt Lan is! She was just threatening to hang herself!"

Yulan's crying stopped immediately. The young lady lied so fluently. She was anxious, but she never thought about dying, let alone hanging herself!

Zhao Xuan jumped from Zhao Xiaoman's arms to the ground, ran to Yulan, and put the revolving lantern in front of Yulan.

"Auntie Lan, I'm sorry. I promise to listen to you from now on. I'll give you this lamp. Please make some snacks for my master and Uncle Guo to go with the wine. Okay?"

Zhao Xiaoman and Guo Da burst out laughing when they heard this.

Yulan raised her head and looked at Zhao Xuan with tears in her eyes, looking helpless.

"Young lady, how many times have you promised to obey me? If not a thousand times, at least eight hundred times, right? Which one counts?"

Zhao Xuan stretched out her chubby hands and rubbed Yulan's face: "This time it counts!"

"I don't believe it!" Yulan got up from the ground and walked towards the kitchen.

A few days later, everyone forgot about the missing incident and returned to their normal lives. Even Zhao Xuan herself gradually forgot what the girl looked like. She only remembered that her name was Li Xing'er. This was a little secret between her and Li Xing'er. She was patient and would wait until next year to share this secret with her master.

But what Zhao Xuan didn't know was that Li Xing'er and her family of three had fled Liyang overnight, and the one-year agreement was just a temporary measure that Li Xing'er had to make.

Li Xing'er didn't tell her parents that she had secretly let Zhao Xuan go, but she didn't regret it. That innocent little girl would surely live a happy life from now on! But what Li Xing'er never expected was that many years later, she would meet Zhao Xuan again in a completely different identity, in a place neither of them had expected.