After Boss Sheng finished speaking, he walked behind the counter, took out the book *Miscellaneous Records of Yangshan*, and handed it to Song Yihuan.
"This is a new book I received the other day. The content is very interesting. The compiler doesn't charge a single cent. He only asks that the book be widely circulated so that the people in the capital can know about the scenery of the sixteen border cities."
"I've been thinking about finding someone to copy it these days, and here you come. Take this book back. Just like before, copy as much as you can. I'll pay you twenty copper coins for each copy. If the book sells well, I'll double your pay."
Song Yihuan held the book in her hands as if it were a precious treasure that she had lost and found again. Her trembling fingertips brushed over the words "Compiled by Mr. Lingji", and she almost burst into tears right in front of Boss Sheng.
Mr. Lingji! It was him!
This familiar handwriting was his!
He wasn't dead. He was still alive, and he had finally appeared in the capital again!
"Miss Rou, Miss Rou?" Boss Sheng saw Song Yihuan standing there silently with her head down, holding the book, and couldn't help feeling worried. "Are you okay?"
Song Yihuan forced back the tears in her eyes, tightly clutching the book, and asked hoarsely, "Boss Sheng, may I ask what the person who brought this book looks like and how old he is?"
Although she tried her best to hide it, there was still a hint of crying in her voice, which made people feel sorry for her.
Boss Sheng softened his voice and described him to her: "He's a young man. He looks only sixteen or seventeen years old, but his figure is quite burly. He's obviously a martial artist."
Only sixteen or seventeen years old? It couldn't be him. He must just be a messenger.
Song Yihuan remembered that when they first met, he had said that he was much older than her.
"I see. I'll follow the old rules and deliver the copied books on time." Song Yihuan nodded. "But... I have an unkind request."
Before Song Yihuan could speak, Boss Sheng had already guessed her intention: "If your copied books are exactly the same as the original, I'll give you this master copy for free."
Song Yihuan was overjoyed. Even through the veil of her hat, Boss Sheng could guess how brightly she was smiling at this moment.
"Thank you, Boss Sheng!"
Worried that the book in her arms would get wet with sweat on the way back, she specifically asked Boss Sheng for some oil paper to wrap it. After making sure that even if it poured rain, the book wouldn't be affected, Song Yihuan left contentedly.
On the way back, Song Yihuan's steps were much lighter than when she came. She held the book in her arms preciously, pressing it tightly against her chest, and her heart was pounding with excitement.
After so many years, she had finally found a trace of Mr. Lingji.
Boss Sheng said that the book was full of anecdotes about the sixteen border cities. So, Mr. Lingji had been traveling in the border areas during these years when he disappeared? When she got back to her room, she must read his new work carefully and see what he had been doing in the border areas all these years.
Song Yihuan was extremely happy. This was the happiest day for her since she was under her elder sister's control.
When passing by a shop, she heard a hesitant call in her ear: "Girl Huan?"
This address and voice were extremely familiar to Song Yihuan. She stopped and looked in the direction of the sound, and saw Qi Lei wearing a coarse cloth short jacket, carrying a pole with baskets on both ends, standing in the crowd looking at her.
Song Yihuan also noticed that there were two big baskets hanging on the ends of his pole, filled with heavy bricks. The pole was bent under the weight, and Qi Lei was sweating all over. His forehead and front of his shirt were completely soaked.
Seeing Qi Lei here surprised Song Yihuan. She walked forward, lifted the veil of her hat, and said in surprise, "Uncle Qi, why are you here?"
When Qi Lei saw her face, he laughed heartily and said, "Sure enough, it's you. I said the figure looked familiar. I also want to ask you, why are you here alone?"
Song Yihuan smiled and said, "I came out to buy something. What about you, Uncle Qi? You're..."
The pole was almost broken under the weight, and Qi Lei's shoulders were sunken. But there was no trace of annoyance or pain on his face. "It's hot these days. The business at the pleasure - boat dock is bad. I can't earn much in a day, so I thought I'd find some other work. Look—"
He nodded at the bricks in the big basket with his chin. "There's a man in front who's expanding his house. The employer pays ten copper coins for each load of blue bricks. I get paid every time I make a trip. I've already made three trips, so I've got thirty copper coins. I'll work harder and earn a hundred copper coins."
The work was hard, but in his mouth, it was as easy as drinking water or eating. It seemed that nothing could bend his back.
Song Yihuan felt a bit sad and touched. She couldn't bear to see Qi Lei working so hard. Noticing a teahouse in front, she said, "Uncle Qi, you're sweating all over. Why don't you put down the pole and take a rest? Girl Huan will treat you to a cup of hot tea."
Qi Lei quickly said, "No, no, no. You should save your silver for yourself and little Xuan. You're still living in the Prince Ning's Mansion, right?"
Song Yihuan nodded. Qi Lei smiled and said, "That's right. I'm just a lonely old man with no place to spend money. But it's different for you. You need to tip the maids and servants and treat Xuan's illness. Don't spend your money on me. Besides, this pole is too heavy. Once I put it down, I won't be able to lift it up again. I'd better carry it to the destination in one go."
Song Yihuan felt that she had to do something for him. At this time, Qi Lei suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, is it the seventh day of the seventh lunar month today?"
Song Yihuan hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
Today was the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival. On this night, there would be a lantern festival in the capital. The streets would be full of men and women in groups. It would be extremely lively. But she remembered that there had been a major case in the city, and a curfew would be imposed starting tonight. The lantern festival might not be held.
"Girl Huan, wait here! Wait for Uncle Qi. Uncle Qi will go and deliver this stuff to the employer and then come back to find you!" Qi Lei said hurriedly and then carried the two baskets of blue bricks forward with difficulty.
Song Yihuan obediently stood there waiting. There were people coming and going in the Western Market, and her clothes were plain, so no one noticed her.
Qi Lei was gone for quite a while. She waited for about two incense - sticks' time before he came back. Qi Lei still had the pole on his shoulder, but the baskets on both ends were empty. He walked in a hurry and was out of breath when he returned to Song Yihuan.
"Girl Huan, have you been waiting long?"
As Qi Lei said, he raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat off his forehead, and then pointed at the basket in front and said with a smile, "Come on, the stuff in the front basket is a gift I bought for you. Take it." Song Yihuan didn't expect that after waiting for him for so long, he had spent money to buy something for her.
"Uncle Qi, I can't accept it." Song Yihuan didn't move. "The silver you earned after a hard day's work should be kept for yourself. How can I spend it?"
Qi Lei couldn't help but flick her on the forehead and said, "Silly girl, have you forgotten that tomorrow is your birthday? That's Uncle Qi's birthday gift for you. If you don't accept it, Uncle Qi will be angry with you!"