"Girl, ah!"

Xigui, who was boiling water on his back, heard the noise and turned around in shock: "Who are you?"

The little girl was thin and small. Her coarse cloth clothes were patched with several patches and had turned white from washing. There was still some mud on them. Her skin was rough and dark, and there was not much flesh on her small face, which made her eyes look particularly big. Her eyes were beautiful in shape, with a slight slant at the end. However, her eyes were dull and lifeless. They did not have the sparkling beauty that is unique to peach blossom eyes. Instead, they seemed to be covered with a layer of lingering black mist.

When she saw that there were still people in the carriage, she was stunned at first, then she blinked, and a layer of light mist immediately appeared in her eyes, making them a little hazy.

"Sister..." Her voice was soft and she looked at Sheng Xiyan pitifully and said pleadingly, "Someone is chasing me, please let me hide."

Sheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows and asked gently, "Who is pursuing you?"

"He's a bad guy." The tears in his eyes suddenly rolled down, and his cheeks were wet.

She was born thin, and when she shed tears, she looked even more pitiful, like a young animal wandering on the street, cautiously rubbing against passers-by, trying to seek some care.

"It must be going this way!"

"Hurry up and look for her again, this girl is very cunning!"

There was some noise outside the carriage. Sheng Xiyan opened the window curtain and took a look. She saw two young men dressed as shop assistants looking around for something. They split into two groups, one squeezed into the crowd, and the other leaned out to look at the passing carriages.

Judging from the specifications of Sheng Xiyan's carriage, it was obvious that it belonged to an official from the imperial court. They glanced at it from a distance and did not dare to come over to ask.

Sheng Xiyan lowered the curtains, and the little girl sobbed and said, "Sister, please don't hand me over to them, okay? They are from Baihua Tower, and I had a hard time escaping..."

"Baihua Tower?"

This sounds like the name of a brothel called Chuguan.

"Sister, please save me." The little girl's eyes were red, her upper body leaned forward slightly, and she carefully moved closer to Sheng Xiyan, as if only in this way could she feel safe.

"Miss." Xi Guixian's heart softened. He quietly pulled Sheng Xiyan's sleeve and helped to plead for mercy.

Sheng Xiyan was not moved at all, and looked at her with a half-smile: "Are you sure they are from Baihua Tower, and not the Liao Clinic in front?"

When they ran past her carriage, she smelled a strong smell of medicine on them, and there was clearly a small word "Liao" embroidered on the chest of their clothes.

She could still distinguish between the words "Liao" and "Baihualou".

Xigui silently released the hand that was pinching Sheng Xiyan's sleeve. His own girl still had a sharp eye.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "They are chasing you. Did you steal something from them?"

The little girl sobbed, her eyes reddened: "Sister..."

"Don't pretend to cry. You're pretending to be like that, but..." Sheng Xiyan stretched out a finger and shook it gently, "I can tell at a glance."

Because she has pretended before, and she is even better!

The little girl wiped the undried tears from her face with her sleeve and sat up straight in silence. The tears that had just rolled in her eyes disappeared completely in an instant. Her face became expressionless, and her peach blossom eyes were as dark as a deep pool, with no bottom to be seen.

Her lips were tightly pursed and she said nothing.

This sudden change of expression made Sheng Xiyan feel a little subtle and complicated.

Sheng Xiyan's voice softened a little, and she asked, "What did you steal from them?"

The little girl reached into her sleeve and took out a small silver ingot and an old ginseng.

The two things were placed in her palms, and she spread out her palms in front of Sheng Xiyan.

Sheng Xiyan noticed that there were several frostbite growing on her palms. It was just November and she had several frostbite on her fingers. Some of them were swollen and ulcerated, and there were several red marks that were obviously caused by being beaten with a cane.

Seeing that she was looking at her hand, the little girl did not have any intention of hiding it. Instead, she put her palm in front of her and said, "Here you go."

Her voice did not contain the pleading and flattering tone as before, but was cold without a trace of emotion.

"I give you the things," she said. "You can hand me over if you want."

She said it very calmly, as if she was just stating something that was a matter of course.

Sheng Xiyan didn't move. Somehow, she saw her own shadow in her, the shadow of someone who tried hard and seriously wanted to live.

Who doesn't want to live an upright life? But some people have to earn a living for themselves.

Even after being reborn, Sheng Xiyan herself had used many tricks to get to where she is now.

Sheng Xiyan raised her hand to take the silver and ginseng, added an extra piece of silver, and gave them to Xigui, asking her to deal with it.

Xigui got off the carriage.

The little girl was a little surprised that they didn't hand her over.

She initially hid in the corner, hoping to run away when there were many people around, but she happened to see the carriage stop and the people in the carriage got off, so she simply hid here.

I was just trying to avoid the spotlight...

Her eyelashes trembled and she sat in silence until she smelled a very sweet smell and couldn't help swallowing.

There was a rumbling sound coming from the stomach.

A piece of steaming water chestnut cake was handed to her. Sheng Xiyan smiled and said in a gentle voice: "Eat it."

Look away, little girl.

Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "Just treat it as if you bought it with the silver ingot you just used, okay?"

The little girl turned her head back and met a face with a gentle smile.

The person in front of her had just exposed her, and now he was feeding her gently.

She hesitated for a moment, then quickly took the water chestnut cake and stuffed it directly into her mouth, swallowing it whole without chewing it for a few times. Fearing that she would choke, Sheng Xiyan quickly poured her a cup of tea, handed it to her, and then picked up another piece of tea with her handkerchief and gave it to her.

The little girl ate four pieces in one breath with tea, and then stopped reluctantly.

She was not full, not even half full, but she had already eaten half of the water chestnut cake in the lunch box and she couldn't eat it all.

"Miss," Xigui said as he got on the carriage, "the person has been sent away."

The items were returned and an extra piece of silver was added. Even though the other party was still swearing at me, I stopped at the right time.

The little girl's tense shoulders relaxed: "I'm leaving." She said as she was about to jump off the carriage.

Just as Sheng Xiyan was about to ask Xigui to give her two silver ingots, the little girl's body suddenly shook and she fell face down.

"ah."

Xigui was shocked. She quickly supported her and felt that her body was hot. Xigui said anxiously, "Girl, she has a fever."

"Put her down first."

Sheng Xiyan went over to take her pulse and frowned slightly.

Sheng Xiyan noticed that her face looked pale just now. He thought she was very hungry, but he didn't expect that she had a fever.

Sheng Xiyan felt frustrated for a moment. Her experience was indeed not enough. If it were her grandfather, he would be able to tell that she had a fever without taking her pulse.

"Xigui, go get me a dose of medicine first."

There was no paper or pen in the carriage, but fortunately Xigui had a good memory. After Sheng Xiyan read it twice, she remembered it all and hurried to do it.

Sheng Xiyan took out the needle bag, supported her with one hand, let her thin body lean against him, and then used his backhand to insert the silver needle into the Dazhui point on the back of her neck.

Then there are Hegu point, Quchi point...

She had a severe fever, and judging from her pulse, she must have caught a cold. However, she was too weak, and a small cold was enough to overwhelm her. Her whole body was severely drained, and this could not have happened in just three or five days. It took at least many years.

The little girl closed her eyes and whimpered uncomfortably, seeming to be somewhat awake, yet somewhat confused.

"Let's get some more sleep."

Sheng Xiyan dropped the last needle, and she slowly fell into a deep sleep, and her breathing gradually became steady.

"Sister Yan! It's such a pity that you didn't go to see it..."

After watching most of the lively show, Cheng Chuyu happily returned to the carriage. When she saw that there was another person in the carriage, she raised her eyebrows and asked, "Who is this?"

"I don't know." Sheng Xiyan shook her head and briefly explained what happened. She added, "She has a fever, a very high fever. I'll let her rest for a while."

Cheng Chuyu nodded, poured herself some tea, drank most of it in one gulp, and asked, "Is she asleep?"

"She's asleep for now." Sheng Xiyan pulled out the silver needles from the little girl's body one by one in front of her, then put his hand on her forehead to test her temperature, and said without raising his head, "I'll ask Xigui to get some medicine, we'll leave in a while."

"Okay!" Cheng Chuyu just responded, and then she realized a little late that she was just pulling out the silver needle. She couldn't believe it and asked, "Sister Yan, do you know medical skills?"

She was so surprised that her voice even rose a little.

"My grandfather taught me." Sheng Xiyan's almond-shaped eyes seemed to be shining, and she said proudly, "My grandfather's medical skills are excellent."

Cheng Chuyu hugged her arm and rubbed it, scolding her: "You didn't tell me! I told you when my mother asked me to do needlework."

Sheng Xiyan quickly begged for mercy: "I just started learning recently, really."

Cheng Chuyu believed it immediately and said with even more admiration: "It turns out that Sister Yan can save people right after learning. Sister Yan is really amazing."

Sheng Xiyan's eyebrows curved when she was praised, and a little pride appeared on her face.

After the laughter, Cheng Chuyu changed the subject and said, "Sister Yan, do you know what happened inside?" She lowered her voice for fear of disturbing the little girl.

Sheng Xiyan shook her head. She placed the little girl on a stool and covered her with a blanket.

Cheng Chuyu was furious and said, "Originally, the Yongning Marquis' Mansion came to propose marriage today, and then Prince Zhao suddenly came and said that he would never let Zhao Yuanrou marry Zhou Jingxun. At that time, the Zhao and Zhou families were already writing the marriage certificate, and Prince Zhao rushed over and tore the half-written marriage certificate in half."

Cheng Chuyu was a little shocked. She arrived late and this scene had already happened. She heard about it from other people.

"King Zhao vowed that he had obtained the imperial decree and would marry Zhao Yuanrou soon, and asked Lady Yongning to leave with the betrothal gifts. He said that Zhou Jingxun did not cherish Zhao Yuanrou at all and was not worthy of spending her life with her."

Sheng Xiyan was almost stunned by what she heard. This was beyond her understanding. She had lost interest in Zhao Yuanrou's affairs a long time ago, but now, she couldn't help but ask, "What happened next?"

Cheng Chuyu gestured with his hands and feet, and said excitedly: "Prince Zhao just sat there and refused to leave, refusing to let the two families sign the marriage certificate. The stalemate lasted for a long time, and then Zhou Jingxun chased in, grabbed Prince Zhao and punched him."

She also heard these from others.

Cheng Chuyu felt a little regretful. If she had known that there would be such a lively show, she would have waited until the show was over before registering for the girls' school!

She said, "When I just passed by, Zhou Jingxun and King Zhao were still fighting. King Zhao told his personal guards not to help and insisted on fighting Zhou Jingxun to the death. He also said that whoever won would be eligible to marry Zhao Yuanrou."

Sheng Xiyan asked curiously: "Is the result out?"

"Not yet! They are fighting inside and I can't get in."

All right. Sheng Xiyan understood. Cheng Chuyu had watched the excitement for so long, but actually saw nothing at all.

She couldn't help but laugh, raised her finger and gently tapped Cheng Chuyu's forehead.

Cheng Chuyu covered his forehead, stuck out his tongue in embarrassment, and said, "I'll go and see..."

Cheng Chuyu wanted to go take a look, but outside the carriage, there was the sound of hurried horse hooves, followed by a stern voice shouting, "Disperse."

She lifted the curtain and looked out. It was a group of imperial guards, all riding horses, and they were leading a carriage, parked in front of the Zhao mansion.

The imperial guards quickly evacuated the crowd surrounding Zhao's mansion, and then led by one person, entered the mansion.

"I don't know whether he was sent by the emperor or the empress dowager." Cheng Chuyu muttered, feeling a little disappointed.

The arrival of the imperial guards indicated that the excitement was about to end.

Sheng Xiyan said: "The Queen Mother has no right to appoint imperial guards."

Cheng Chuyu thought about it and moved aside so that Sheng Xiyan could watch together.

Two guards stood in front of the Zhao residence, and no one dared to go near. Not long after, Qin Wei was brought out.

Qin Wei's face was livid, his hair was disheveled, and there were blue and purple marks on his face, which showed that he had been beaten. The imperial guards gave him face and did not escort him directly, but instead held him from the front and back.

After leaving Zhao's mansion, they invited Qin Wei to get on the carriage and the group left quickly.

After the imperial guards left, many people gathered in groups of three or four in front of Zhao's mansion, discussing whether the marriage certificate could be issued today.

Cheng Chuyu looked at it with great interest for a while, then Xigui bought the herbs back.

"Let's go back." Sheng Xiyan said.

Xigui hesitated and said, "Miss, then she..."

The little girl was still lying there in a daze, with no sign of waking up.

"Yes." Cheng Chuyu also nodded and said in distress, "Sister Yan, what should she do?"

I couldn't just abandon a strange little girl like this, who didn't know where her home was and was sick. But if I brought her back home...

"I'll take her back." Sheng Xiyan had already thought it through and answered without hesitation, "She still needs to take medicine for a few days."

Wait until she wakes up and ask her where her home is, and send her back if possible.

Cheng Chuyu asked again and again: "Is it okay?"

For a family like theirs, bringing a stranger back home could result in being scolded by the elders.

As it is said in the opera script, if you bring a scholar in distress back to your house, you will definitely be beaten to death.

"It's okay." Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "Don't worry."

Cheng Chuyu has always believed in her. Since she said so, there must be no problem.

So I said happily, "I'll go see her in a few days."

Cheng Chuyu stretched out his finger and gently poked the little girl's cheek, sighing: "She is so thin, there is no flesh on her face, maybe she was abducted by a beggar."

The "paihuazi" are those who kidnap children.

A decent human trafficker would go to a poor village and buy people back, but a beggar is different, he would just steal and rob people.

"Shoot a flower?"

Sheng Xiyan's eyelids drooped slightly, and she thought of her younger brother. Her younger brother disappeared when he was watching the lanterns. They all said that he was kidnapped by the beggar.

Looking at the pitiful look of the little girl, Sheng Xiyan's eyes showed a little more pity. If she was really abducted by the beggar and then escaped, she could not be abandoned casually.

"Let's ask her after she wakes up." Sheng Xiyan decided, "I'm going back home first. I'll go shopping with you in a few days."

Cheng Chuyu was very easy to talk to and responded with a smile.

Sheng Xiyan sent her back along the way first, and then returned to the Sheng Mansion.

The carriage entered the palace from the corner gate and stopped at the ceremonial gate.

Sheng Xiyan asked Xigui to call a servant over and carry her to her own yard.

She was thin and small, and the maid lifted her up without any effort. After she carried her to the beauty bed in the east room, Xigui rewarded her with two silver ingots.

The old woman was delighted. These two silver ingots were enough to cover her monthly salary for three months.

She thanked him profusely and then left.

"Erui, go and boil the medicine for me."

"Xigui, go ask someone to clean up the chamber."

Sheng Xiyan gave instructions one by one, thought for a moment and said, "Xigui, please find me some clothes that I haven't worn yet."

Both of them obeyed the order.

The yard was cleaned every day. Although the room was empty, it was not difficult to clean it up. It was just a matter of taking some bedding and some decorations from the storeroom. After Xigui gave an order, he went back to the inner room and found two clothes that Sheng Xiyan had never worn. They were made a few years ago and were of plain color. He showed them to Sheng Xiyan.

Sheng Xiyan shook her hands and gestured for a while. She was about to tell Xigui to call a maid who was good at needlework, when she heard the breathing of the lady on the beauty bed become a little heavier.

"Girl, she's awake."

Sheng Xiyan turned her head and saw that the little girl had opened her eyes. She first looked around, then habitually moved to the edge of the beauty bed, staring at Sheng Xiyan with a wary look on her face.

"You're awake." Sheng Xiyan said with a smile, "This is my home. Where is your home? Do you want me to take you home?"

"No!" the little girl said without hesitation, "I have no home."

Could it be that she was really kidnapped by the beggar? Sheng Xiyan thought about what Cheng Chuyu said, and did not force it, so she said, "Then do you want to live with me first?"

"You?" The little girl's eyes were dark.

"My last name is Sheng."

The last name is Sheng, could it be... The little girl still remembers that a few days ago, she came to the Sheng family with the Jiang family, saying that they were looking for Miss Sheng, but they didn't see anyone.

Could she be the grand lady they wanted to meet?

The little girl didn't ask, and her expression didn't even change.

"Sister." The little girl breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had let down all her guard, and moved closer to her. "Sister, will you take me in? I can be a maid. I can do anything."

She looked at Sheng Xiyan with a pair of wet eyes. Because of her thin cheeks, her eyes looked particularly big.

"Don't test me." Sheng Xiyan said, "I didn't keep you here as a maid. Just stay here for now."

Sure enough, the next moment, the little girl blinked hard and wiped away the moisture in her eyes.

Sheng Xiyan chuckled and praised sincerely: "You have beautiful eyes."

Peach blossom eyes are not an uncommon eye shape, but hers are particularly beautifully curved. It's just that her eyes are heavy, otherwise they would look better.

The little girl's eyes lit up a little, then she turned her head away and said calmly, "Don't lie to me, they all say my eyes are ugly. Very ugly."

"Who are they?"

“…”

She didn't want to say it, and Sheng Xiyan didn't force her, and asked, "What's your name?"

She bit her lower lip and said directly: "I don't have a name."

She doesn't want to be called A Ya.

She sounds like a weed in the field, but she is not a weed.

Not even a name? Sheng Xiyan said: "Then I can't ask you to feed me, right?"

No one had ever asked her name seriously. She tilted her head, thought carefully, and said seriously, "I am the sun!" Her little face was full of persistence.

Sun? Sheng Xiyan frowned. Calling him Sun didn't sound nice. It also sounded strange for a girl to call him that.

"It's not nice to call you Taiyang." Sheng Xiyan shook her head, "Just call you Jiaoyang."

The little girl was a little unhappy when she heard her say that the sun was not nice, but when she heard "評陽", her eyes lit up and she silently followed her and said: "評陽?"

"Jiaoyang means bright sunshine." Sheng Xiyan explained to her, "The word Jiao also means proud and arrogant."

In fact, Sheng Xiyan also thought of using Jiaoyang. The word "jiao" is more suitable for girls, and it means that a woman is charming and lovely. However, thinking of her injuries and her thin, weak, and guarded appearance, Sheng Xiyan felt that instead of "weak and beautiful", it would be better to make her more proud.

There is nothing wrong with being superior. Most people in the world tend to bully the weak and fear the strong. Girls should be proud so that they can be confident and not be bullied.

"I don't know." The little girl lowered her head and said embarrassedly, "I can't read."

As if she was afraid that Sheng Xiyan would think she didn’t like it, she raised her head again and said seriously, “I like it.”

"Then it's settled." Sheng Xiyan hooked her little finger and stretched it in front of her.

The little girl hesitated for a moment, stretched out her finger to touch hers, and then immediately retracted it.

She is like a defensive young beast, always keeping her distance from people.

"Jiaoyang."

Sheng Xiyan called her with a smile.

Jiaoyang's peach blossom eyes brightened noticeably, and the corners of his mouth slightly curved into a small arc.

She likes this name, she is the sun, not the weed!

The sunlight fell on her body, warm and comfortable.

"Jiaoyang."

Sheng Xiyan called again, the light in her eyes brightened a little, and she responded with force: "I'm here."

Xigui silently looked at the two of them, one big and one small, and always felt that something was strange...

Oh, right! Isn’t it like my daughter picked up a kitten on the street, gave it a name and brought it home?

But seeing that both of them acted as if it was a matter of course, Xigui thought that he was probably seeing too little.