The sound of banging at midnight echoed three times in the bluestone alley. Shen Qingci put the embroidery needle in her hand away from the thimble and let out a long breath. The picture of Hundreds of Sons and Thousands of Grandsons on the desk is just missing the last corner. The carp scales in the fat baby's arms are glowing with water, as if they are about to swim out of the satin.
Suddenly there was a wind outside, and the window paper rustled. Shen Qingci rubbed her sore neck and stood up. Just as she was about to turn on the lamp and take a break, there was a knock on the courtyard door.
