Song Jinyin wiped her eyes which were moist with despair.
She has been feeling unwell lately and can't eat much, which makes her feel more uneasy.
The steps under her feet did not stop. Although she felt that she could no longer escape the pursuit of the attendant, she was still holding a breath in her heart.
There are two corners of the alley ahead. One side is narrow, and you can tell at a glance that you can continue to circle inside, while the other side is much wider after walking a little way, and you should be able to walk back to the street.
Song Jinyin looked back and saw that walking through unfamiliar alleys was not necessarily beneficial to her.
After thinking for only a moment, she turned around and ran towards Kuan Alley.
"In the past, I didn't know that the girl had such a reckless temperament."
There was a chuckle, and an old wooden door in the corner was opening. The silver mask shimmered under the sun, complementing the moon-white robe.
Song Jinyin was still breathing, and when she saw him turning sideways, she rushed in without thinking.
The wooden door closed behind her, and the man looked at her, as if waiting for her to get along.
"Girl, you should be more cautious. You can't just enter that strange house casually in the future."
"Others would have to be cautious, but my boss can buy hundreds of me from any shop, so there's no use keeping me here."
"What you said is wrong, girl."
There were footsteps passing by outside, but she couldn't tell if they were from Pei Yanzhou, so Song Jinyin had to follow them towards the courtyard.
The small courtyard is only two steps in, but it is quiet and pleasant. In the resting pavilion, there is also a small stove placed on the charcoal fire, which is steaming.
"People who do business can naturally find something useful in everyone. The girl is thoughtful, smart and diligent. If she can be tricked into doing things for me, I think I will benefit."
While the man was talking, he sat down in the pavilion and took down the small stove. There was actually a cup of warm milk inside.
"I think the girl must be tired after running all the way. I can't take off the mask right now. If the girl is not afraid, just drink the milk for me."
Song Jinyin's eyes glanced at his curled fingertips when they were relaxed, and her thumb rested lightly on her index finger, as if she was thinking and weighing.
She was a little unable to recover, especially when she saw the back of his hand covered with old scars.
After a long time, she stopped shaking her head and nodded again, "I love drinking milk, but I don't drink much on weekdays. My boss doesn't charge me for the milk, so I'm naturally happy to serve him."
"Of course I won't accept it. If one is not enough, there will be many more."
The man looked at her and smiled warmly.
When Song Jinyin raised her eyes, she vaguely saw different skin colors at the end of his eyes, which were hidden behind the mask.
She had no intention of looking at him, but she saw that the facial features were very similar to those of the old man, so she couldn't help but think about it for a moment.
But only for that moment.
The old friend has disappeared between heaven and earth and will never appear again.
Moreover, the man's eyebrows are more composed and wise, a look that is rarely seen in an old friend.
Curling her eyes and smiling, Song Jinyin swept away the depression in her heart, picked up the cup of milk, and drank in small sips.
It is strange to say that she only met this boss three or four times, but she was extremely relaxed when getting along with him, making him more comfortable and casual than Dr. Shen.
It was like she had just stepped into this small courtyard.
She didn't even think about whether there should be a situation of choosing the lesser of two evils, she ran in without hesitation, ate his food and drank the milk he had prepared.
If it were anyone else, she would rather be taken back to the palace by an attendant than take this first step.
"Thank you for the hospitality, host."
Song Jinyin drank all the milk.
There must be some sugar in it, it's the same as the one in Zhuyayuan, it doesn't have any taste at all.
"It's just a small matter. I haven't had time to ask the girl, where are we going?"
"Run around as you like, and then go to Bi Chuntang."
"What a good sentence to run around..."
The man's laughter was a little less lively than before. He hesitated for a long time before continuing: "I heard from Dr. Shen that the girl was seriously injured, but she was not doing well at the master's house?"
"Having food, drink and monthly income should be considered a must."
Song Jinyin replied calmly, but when she thought of Pei Yanzhou, she couldn't help but think of his indifference and ruthlessness just now, and her heart twitched uncontrollably.
"It's just that after staying in that high-end mansion for a long time, I became a little greedy and wanted the freedom outside."
"Girl, you still...can't find a way to leave?"
Song Jinyin subconsciously raised her eyes to meet the man's gaze, and she was keenly aware that something was wrong, but she couldn't find the direction for a while, so she just nodded along with her thoughts.
Maybe she had been hiding it for a long time, but she had no intention of hiding it in front of the owner of the embroidery shop.
"With my status, how can I regain freedom without the approval of my master? Unless I am determined to become a person without household registration, but then I have to hide all the time and live with the refugees."
"It's not necessary to go to that level. I...there are many outsiders in my shop. Speaking of which, it's better for the girl to go to the shop more often when she has free time. If we can wait for a good time, maybe we can do it. It’s not a hassle either.”
There are only two opportunities that the man mentioned, one is after the natural disaster, and the other is to leave Beijing with the caravan.
It was impossible for Song Jinyin to look forward to natural disasters. Although she did not live a comfortable life, she could not despise the sufferings. And this second time, leaving Beijing with the caravan, she had not thought about it.
It's just that these people have to stay far away from the country, and it's difficult to turn back.
After a moment's thought, Song Jinyin regained her composure. She couldn't wait long now. She still had to walk a long way from Bi Chun Tang to the west of the city.
"If I have time, I will definitely go to the embroidery room to ask for some tips. Thank you for your help today. Once the new items are embroidered, I will ask someone to send them to the shop."
"It doesn't matter, business also depends on fate. As long as you can do it, the girl can do whatever she wants."
The man also stood up following Song Jinyin and said with a smile: "I just want to go to Bi Chuntang right now. If you don't come with me, girl, you will save yourself the trouble of running around and not being able to find the way."
Seeing a trace of embarrassment on Song Jinyin's face, the man became more and more amused and found the relaxation he once had.
This little girl usually likes to have a straight face. Although she is as beautiful as a spring flower, she lives as if nothing can come into her eyes. She is as detached and indifferent as those who do not care about the world.
But now this should be just right.
Thinking of this, the man wanted to mention his household registration but swallowed it back.
Although Song Jinyin entered his courtyard, she was actually quite cautious. If he told the whole story at once, this little girl would definitely turn around and put up a high wall, not believing a word she said.
"Boss, is this the path we just took?"
"......Inverted."
The man came back to his senses and looked at her hesitant face.
"How do you remember all the complicated paths in a house as big as yours?"
"I have only stayed in that one place in these years. Whether I want to remember it or not, I have to imprint it on my mind."
Song Jinyin's tone sounded relaxed, but it made people feel nervous for no reason, which was not a pleasant feeling.
...
In Bi Chun Hall, after Song Jinyin separated from the man, she was led to the back.
Shen Yuhe's pavilion is a bit far away from his last residence, but there are many wonderful sights along the way. Passing through the hall, you can also see a newly dug small lake behind.
"Doctor Shen."
Song Jinyin sat in front of the table, called out her name, put her hand on the cloth, and what fell with the handkerchief was Shen Yuhe's fingertips filled with coolness.
Song Jinyin was a little stunned. The room was clearly filled with warmth. No matter what, she shouldn't have such a cold Qin.
For a long time, Shen Yuhe frowned.
Seeing his increasingly serious face, Song Jinyin's heart sank.
Although she occasionally felt unwell these days, she never thought that something would really happen. In other words, she didn't really care if anything happened.
She was just afraid of not having enough time.
It’s not enough for her to take a good look at the vastness outside, and it’s not enough for her to go back to Anyang County to find her father.
But it was clearly something that should make her worried, but Song Jinyin pursed her lips after thinking deeply, then raised her eyes and smiled, trying to break the silence.
No matter what, she can't escape.
If it was really bad, she would have suffered the disaster of this life earlier. Anyway, no one in this world cared about her, and no one took her to heart.
Maybe when that day comes, even Pei Yanzhou will be able to be freed and will no longer have hatred.
"Doctor Shen."
Song Jinyin's throat was a little dry, but her curved eyebrows were as bright as crescent moons, making people feel suddenly enlightened and fall into the starlight.
"Doctor Shen said that my health was not good last time. Isn't it worse this time?"
After a moment of pause, as if to ease the silence, Song Jinyin coughed slightly, and the pleasant voice sounded again, with a hint of hesitation: "How about I go to the west of the city to buy roasted chestnuts first, and then come back to continue the consultation?"
