When the people from the marquis’s household came looking for me, I was lying on the ground, spitting up chicken blood, trying to swindle ten copper coins out of my brother.
My brother was terrified.
He shook me frantically.
“Guagua, don’t die!
I hid the money in a jar under the peach tree this time.
Boo-hoo…
You can have it all!”
I shot to my feet and raced off to dig up the money.
Nanny Feng stared, openmouthed.
“Perhaps we’ve found the wrong girl.”
Mother gave an awkward smile.
“There’s no mistake!
Her Ladyship and I gave birth together in that ruined temple.
This child has always been a little… lively.”
She came over, pinched my arm, and glared at me.
I had no time for her.
Dig, dig, dig!
Mother snatched up a feather duster and said through clenched teeth, “I’m counting to three…”
I dropped to my knees and clung to her leg, confessing at once.
“Mother!
I was wrong!
I shouldn’t have swindled my brother for the hundred and twenty-third time.
But he’s so easy to fool!
I can’t help myself!
Are you sure you didn’t bring home the wrong baby?
Why am I the only one who inherited your brains?”
