The square was as lively as the Small East Gate.
Moreover, the Small East Gate was a place of mixed company with eyes everywhere, whereas strolling around the current square was more pleasant.
As they walked, Tao Hua Ying quietly reminded Lin Zi Tong:
"Miss, look at that stall."
Lin Zi Tong stopped and looked in the direction Tao Hua Ying pointed, seeing a small makeshift stall tucked away in a corner.
The stall displayed many small trinkets: clay figures, sugar paintings, small wooden carvings, and even some small shadow puppets.
Yan Shou Yi also became interested. The stall sold small folk art items.
The three approached the stall. The vendor, who had been looking down and molding a clay figure, involuntarily looked up, scanned them, then lowered his head and said indifferently, "Take whatever you like. Ten yuan each."
The vendor was plainly dressed, wearing a conical hat in the evening, with a bottle of bulk liquor by his side.
It looked a bit dangerous, which was why the surrounding area was deserted. Although children nearby were interested in the small toys on the stall, they dared not approach.
Lin Zi Tong crouched down, picked up a small hand-crafted rattle, shook it a few times, and couldn't help but smile.
Yan Shou Yi watched and asked curiously, "You like rattles? I'll make you one."
He was a descendant of Lu Ban, a carpenter, and his practical skills were exceptional.
Seeing Lin Zi Tong's liking for it, Yan Shou Yi immediately decided to find a piece of lightning-struck peach wood later and make the best rattle for Lin Zi Tong!
A lightning-struck peach wood rattle!
Lin Zi Tong smiled and said, "Okay, I guess you'll be busy from now on."
"No matter how many rattles you want, I'll make them for you," Yan Shou Yi said. "But why a rattle? That's something only children like."
Lin Zi Tong shook her head and didn't answer, but Tao Hua Ying behind her looked surprised.
The rattle was naturally for the young master!
Did the young master not know about the miss's pregnancy?
Tao Hua Ying seemed to have discovered something, covering her mouth to avoid making a sound.
Yan Shou Yi also squatted by the stall, casually picking up a couple of small items to examine.
Whether it was a shadow puppet or a Fengxiang colored sculpture, Yan Shou Yi could tell at a glance that they were purely handmade and the craftsmanship was not bad.
Looking at the wooden rattle, it was also very delicate; one would definitely not be able to carve such patterns without years of study.
Gradually, Yan Shou Yi's expression grew solemn.
The quality of the items on this stall far exceeded his imagination. Taking the paper-cut figurine before him as an example, its craftsmanship was probably on par with A Gong's.
The person who made these small trinkets possessed a level of skill comparable to a folk sect inheritor.
He held the rattle and looked up at the vendor.
The vendor completely ignored Yan Shou Yi's gaze and continued to mold the clay figure.
It was then that Yan Shou Yi recalled that when the three of them approached the stall earlier, the vendor seemed to have glanced in Tao Hua Ying's direction.
Ordinary people could not see Tao Hua Ying.
This vendor was no ordinary person.
Lin Zi Tong discovered another treasure: "Is this a bib?"
The vendor stopped his work and, for the first time, spoke to introduce it: "This is a Five Poisons Bib."
The bib was red, but only a little larger than a palm. It was embroidered with exquisite yet strange patterns, which attracted Lin Zi Tong's attention.
The Five Poisons pattern was a folk amulet pattern popular in the Guanzhong region of Chang'an. Guanzhong people believed that the scorpion, snake, toad, gecko, and spider were the most venomous animals, collectively known as the "Five Poisons."
People embroidered the Five Poisons pattern on children's bibs, vests, shoes, and hats, following the principle of "using poison to attack poison, and overcoming by aversion." This was to restrain evil and poisonous things that harm children.
Lin Zi Tong immediately took out ten yuan and bought the bib.
Tao Hua Ying winked frantically from the side. If Yan Shou Yi noticed this detail, he might suspect why Lin Zi Tong bought a child's bib and then wonder if Lin Zi Tong was pregnant.
Unfortunately, Tao Hua Ying did not understand Yan Shou Yi well enough. She did not know that while her young master was intelligent, he was a blockhead when it came to matters of the heart.
Lin Zi Tong had hinted to Yan Shou Yi so many times, yet he only truly understood when he learned of Lin Zi Tong's engagement, after which he had fallen for her madly and confessed.
At this moment, Yan Shou Yi's attention was entirely on the vendor.
He suddenly asked, "May I ask your surname, senior?"
The vendor raised his eyelids and glanced at Yan Shou Yi, seeming to wonder why Yan Shou Yi addressed him as "senior."
However, the vendor did not conceal anything and generously replied, "Li."
Yan Shou Yi and Lin Zi Tong instantly fell silent, their breathing becoming a little heavy.
Lin Zi Tong put down the money, took the bib, and asked in a calm but uneasy voice, "Are you Senior Li Chong Xi?"
At this, the vendor's expression also changed.
He put down everything in his hands and looked at the three calmly, asking, "Who are you?"
Although this question did not answer Lin Zi Tong's, it already confirmed his identity.
This person was the tomb keeper Li Chong Xi!
Li Gen Miao's father!
Yan Shou Yi found it incredible. He had thought tomb keepers were difficult to meet, but he never expected Li Chong Xi to be setting up a stall in the square outside the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.
Truly, "Seeking him a thousand times, a thousand times I searched, then suddenly I turned back and found him where the lantern light had dimmed." And here he was, at a square stall!
"Your junior is the descendant of Lu Ban, Yan Shou Yi!" Yan Shou Yi quickly saluted.
Lin Zi Tong did not forget her manners either: "Your junior is a descendant of the Lüshan Sect, Lin Zi Tong."
Li Chong Xi glanced at Tao Hua Ying.
Tao Hua Ying's breath hitched, and she quickly saluted: "Although I am a Ghost King, I am now merely a maid beside Miss, unworthy of mention."
Li Chong Xi nodded, showing no reaction to Tao Hua Ying's identity as a Ghost King.
He sized up Yan Shou Yi: "Your grandfather, Yan Bai Xiang, and I were old friends. Back then, he traveled the jianghu, passed by my humble abode, and shared a drink with me. If not for my identity as a tomb keeper, I might have followed your grandfather to roam the world with a sword."
Hearing this, Yan Shou Yi couldn't help but sigh. The world was vast, yet filled with old acquaintances.
His grandfather had been full of heroic spirit in those days.
Of course, he had also attracted many enemies, such as Shi Jing...
"My grandfather passed away last year." Yan Shou Yi gave Li Chong Xi an answer.
Li Chong Xi's eyes revealed unconcealed regret upon hearing this, but he quickly adjusted himself.
Having lived to his age, he had long since come to terms with life and death.
He then comforted Yan Shou Yi: "Your grandfather's life was already magnificent enough. I believe he had no regrets."
"Thank you for your comfort, senior."
"Did you come specifically to find me?" Li Chong Xi asked. "Is there something you need?"