"Who is it?" As Ji Cailan's voice came, the door was quickly opened.
Seeing it was Xin You, Ji Cailan was surprised and happy: "Sister Kou, why are you here? Come in quickly."
Xin You stood at the door without moving and took out the jade pendant: "I found this in the reception room of the bookstore and thought it belonged to either Sister Ji or Sister Zhou. That day, Sister Ji said that your family lived in Maoer Hutong in Jixiangfang. I just came over and asked, and I got it as soon as I asked."
"Ah, this is my cousin's jade pendant." Ji Cailan recognized it at a glance and immediately felt embarrassed, "I'd trouble Sister Kou to send it here specially. I'm really causing trouble for you."
"Sister Ji, you're welcome. I have nothing to do, so I just came out to get some air. To tell you the truth, when you and Sister Zhou didn't come to the bookstore, I had been taking a nap in the bookstore, and I was disliked by the clerk."
Hearing what Xin You said, Ji Cailan relaxed immediately, especially the words "Idle time is idle", which made her invitation blurt out: "If sister Kou is okay, do you want to come with me to find your cousin?"
"Okay." Xin You smiled and nodded, feeling settled.
There are only two alleys between the Zhou family and the Ji family. Xin You looked like she had never been here before: "Sister Ji and Sister Zhou's homes are so close to each other."
Ji Cailan smiled and said, "My mother helped find my cousin's house. She just wanted it to be close to each other so that it would be easier to travel."
"So you are cousins?"
"Yes, my mother is my uncle's sister. My uncle used to be out of town and only came to the capital at the beginning of the year."
"That's good. There are relatives to take care of each other, and there is also the bustle and excitement of the capital."
Hearing what Xin You said, Ji Cailan couldn't help but nod: "Yes, what my cousin envied me most in the past was that I could buy all kinds of beautiful conversation books in the capital. But the conversation books are also expensive, and my mother always complained about my spending money."
For ordinary people, a few hundred dollars is a lot for pure entertainment. But there is nothing we can do about it. Paper, pen and ink are never cheap. Add in labor and the cost of books cannot be lowered.
"I actually envy my cousin. She is the only daughter of my uncle. My cousin has much more pocket money than me."
Seeing that the Zhou family was about to arrive, Xin You said calmly: "Your uncle must be very capable and be able to settle his family in the capital."
Mentioning Zhou Ningyue's father, Ji Cailan looked envious: "My uncle is indeed very powerful. Not only was he promoted, but he also entered the Fusi Department of Jinlin Weibei Town."
"Beizhen Fusi?" Xin You looked confused, thinking of He Qingxiao.
Zhou Ningyue's father was actually under Lord He's command.
Seeing that Xin You didn't understand, Ji Cailan explained with a little pride: "Even though they are all Jinlin Guards, the difference is huge. The most beautiful one here is Beizhen Fusi..."
For ordinary people, if the Jinlin Guards wanted to arrest them, they would only arrest officials. They had no time to care about ordinary people. The famous Jinlin Guards were far away from them. Therefore, ordinary people's impression of Jinlinwei is that of glory and majesty, unlike the officials and nobles who have an added layer of disgust.
Xinyou nodded from time to time, acting as a perfect listener.
While talking, Zhou Ningyue's house arrived. Unlike the Ji family, the Zhou family also has a gatekeeper, which shows that the Zhou family has a better life than the Ji family.
Without any need to report, the disciples let Ji Cailan and Xin You in.
Ji Cailan knew that her uncle was not at home at this time, so she took Xin You's hand and stepped onto the steps, shouting: "Aunt, cousin, I'm here."
Soon footsteps sounded, and Zhou Ningyue walked out. Seeing Xin You standing next to Ji Cailan, she looked surprised: "Cousin, are you looking for Sister Kou again?"
Ji Cailan smiled and said, "It's Sister Kou who came to us specifically. Cousin, didn't you notice what was missing?"
"What's missing?" Zhou Ningyue lowered her head subconsciously, looked around and exclaimed, "My jade pendant!"
Xin You handed over the jade pendant: "Sister Zhou, let's see if this is the piece?"
"That's it!" Zhou Ningyue took it and breathed a sigh of relief but also wondered, "I didn't know when it fell."
"I found it in the guest room."
"Thanks to Sister Kou." Zhou Ningyue took Xin You's hand and thanked her.
"Is there a visitor?" came a gentle female voice.
Xinyou looked over.
What emerged from the curtain was a beautiful woman in her thirties, with a round face and almond-shaped eyes like Zhou Ningyue. The mother and daughter looked exactly alike, but her expression could not be concealed.
"Mom, this is my new friend Sister Kou." Zhou Ningyue introduced her in a brisk tone.
Xin You knelt down and saluted: "Hello, aunt."
The woman showed a kind smile: "What a beautiful child. Yue'er, Cailan, you entertain your friends well and stay for dinner together at noon."
At the age where she likes to make friends, Zhou Ningyue happily agreed.
"Let's go play in the west wing." The woman smiled.
"Sorry to bother Auntie."
After Xin You said a polite word, Zhou Ningyue and Ji Cailan each took one hand and took her to the west wing.
The woman returned to the house and told her maid: "Cut a fruit plate for the girls and send it to them. Then tell Aunt Wang that there will be two more dishes for lunch."
The maid took the order and left. The woman leaned on the bed and stopped smiling, her face even more tired.
The west wing room is completely decorated like a girl's boudoir. As the owner, Zhou Ningyue talks more than when she was in the bookstore.
The three of them were eating fruit, chatting and laughing, and soon it was noon. Xin You politely wanted to leave, but was stopped by Zhou Ningyue.
"My mother must have taken care of the kitchen. If Sister Kou doesn't eat it, it won't be a waste."
Just as he was talking, the maid came in with food.
"Girl, Madam asked you to greet Miss Kou, and she won't be with you, so as not to be constrained."
There were no elders present, and lunch was spent in a relaxed atmosphere. Xinyou clearly felt that Chuji and Tuesday were closer to her.
Sure enough, eating, drinking and chatting is a powerful tool to bring people closer together.
She said goodbye again, and Zhou Ningyue and Ji Cailan accompanied her to see Zhou's mother.
"Why don't you play a little longer?" Mother Zhou asked warmly.
"I still have some things to do at home. I'll visit my aunt another day."
Mother Zhou's attitude was very kind: "Yue'er has been bored at home. It's rare to make friends that we get along with. Miss Kou must come here often."
"Auntie, if you don't mind disturbing me, I will come here often." Xin You responded generously, her eyes twinkling.
The picture came suddenly.
Under the full moon, the wind blew the trees, and Zhou's mother knelt under the tree and burned paper money. A man pulled her up and said something angrily.
Mother Zhou pushed the man away in excitement. She accidentally fell down while pulling and pressed her hand into the basin of burning paper money.
Before Xin You had time to see Zhou's mother's painful expression clearly, the scene in front of her suddenly collapsed, and what came into view was Zhou's mother's beautiful face with a kind smile.
Xin You calmed down and said goodbye to Zhou's mother without changing her expression.
Zhou Ningyue sent Xin You and Ji Cailan out, and was surprised when she saw the person approaching: "Dad, why are you back at this time?"
Xin You turned her head and looked at Father Zhou who was approaching.
(End of chapter)
