That night, no one in the house slept. Finally, at dawn, the family followed Tang Yunshu to the magistrate’s office with the captured thief in tow.
The case was of great importance. When the town magistrate heard that the flower thief had been caught, he personally came to inquire.
Tang Yunshu recounted the entire series of events in detail. Everyone could see that the captured man looked exactly like the sketch of the flower thief.
After some interrogation, the thief could not deny his crimes and was forced to confess, admitting that he was indeed the one who had been violating young girls across the town.
The victim family finally left in relief, while the officers asked Tang Yunshu to stay.
“Hero, wait a moment! You’ve helped the magistrate catch a flower thief—this is truly a great deed! It’s like giving this town a peace of mind pill. The young ladies here won’t have to live in constant fear, like startled birds. The government will surely reward you generously!”
Tang Yunshu sat quietly for a moment. Soon, an officer hurried back, carrying a tray neatly stacked with gleaming silver.
“Hero, here are 100 taels of silver, a special reward from the government for your assistance!”
Tang Yunshu’s face remained expressionless behind her mask, but inside she was overjoyed, feeling as if she had just bitten into an icy watermelon on the hottest summer day—pure bliss.
She had never seen so much silver before: ten ingots of ten taels each, dazzlingly white, making her heart flutter with excitement.
While she secretly celebrated in town, her family at home was frantic—turning the house upside down searching for her.
Early in the morning, Zhao Lanzhi knocked on Tang Yunshu’s room door. After hearing no response, she pushed it open, only to find the room empty.
Pandemonium ensued. Her brothers searched the village from corner to corner, almost turning the earth over.
By the time Tang Yunshu returned home, it was already noon. Zhao Lanzhi was so worried she could hardly think of cooking, moving as if she had lost her soul.
Tang Dazhuang, who had been searching, came back with a dejected look.
When Tang Yunshu stepped through the door, she saw her family sitting in the courtyard, drained of energy, as if the sky had fallen.
Hearing the door, they all lifted their heads like drowning people spotting a lifeline.
Seeing Tang Yunshu, tears immediately welled in every family member’s eyes.
“Father! Mother! I’m back!” she cried.
Zhao Lanzhi ran forward, hugging her tightly, sobbing, “Yunshu! My daughter, where have you been? Are you hurt? You’ve scared me half to death!”
Tang Yunshu’s body stiffened at the sudden closeness. She had always been independent in her previous life, unused to such intimate contact.
Quickly, she hugged her mother back, tears pricking her eyes. “Mother, I love your hug—it’s so warm. Please don’t cry. It’s my fault for leaving without telling you.”
In the past, on missions, she had always left without a trace, with no one to worry about her. But now it was different—she had people who cared for her.
After comforting her mother, she went to Tang Dazhuang and gave him a big hug.
Her father’s embrace felt like a safe harbor, grounding her completely.
Her brothers crowded around, each vying to hug their little sister.
After hugging everyone, Tang Yunshu recounted in full the events of catching the flower thief.
When she finished, she proudly displayed the ten silver ingots. “Father, mother, brothers, look! This is 100 taels of silver! We’re rich! Once we save up more, we can build a proper brick and tile house and give you all respectable weddings. Once the eldest brother’s leg heals, our life will only get better!”
Tang Dazhuang touched his leg, hope lighting up his eyes.
Her father said, “Yunshu, you earned this silver yourself. Keep it for your dowry. Your family still has us.”
“Father, am I still your daughter? Why make it so clear? Mother, I’ll give the silver to you.”
Zhao Lanzhi quickly pushed back, “Good daughter, don’t give me all that silver. I’ve never seen so much in my life. It’s too risky—keep it yourself.”
Elder Brother Five chuckled, “Little sister, if you give it to mother, she’d probably stare at it all night, afraid it would be lost.”
Tang Dazhuang added, “Yunshu, it’s best you keep it. Your parents’ hearts are racing just looking at so much silver—how could they sleep?”
Tang Yunshu laughed. “Alright, I’ll keep it. I’ll take it out when we need it. Mother, I’m hungry.”
“Good, I’ll cook for you right away,” Zhao Lanzhi replied.
“Mother, let’s have a proper celebratory meal today,” Yunshu said.
She went into her room and emerged with chicken, duck, fish, meat, and even two bottles of white wine.
Zhao Lanzhi busied herself in the kitchen. Elder Brother Five ran in and said, “Mother, I’ll help with the fire.”
Tang Yunshu also helped. They prepared a sumptuous feast: stewed chicken with mushrooms, stuffed duck, sweet-and-sour carp, braised pork, stir-fried green beans, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
It was the most lavish meal the Tang family had ever eaten.
Tang Dazhuang drank and savored the dishes, feeling content. She thought how wonderful it was to have a daughter, a little comfort in his life.
The younger brothers were curious about tasting wine.
Father smiled and said, “Come on, each of you take a sip. You’re young, so don’t drink much.”
The boys nodded eagerly.
Eldest brother led, taking a sip and shouting excitedly, “Father, this wine is delicious!”
Second brother took a sip and said, “Father, it’s too strong, almost choked me!”
Third brother tasted a bit and exclaimed, “So this is wine? It’s so spicy, like fire in my throat!”
Fourth brother pouted. “Not good at all, I prefer sweet water.”
Fifth brother sipped and coughed, tears welling, waving his hand, “Not good, too spicy!”
Tang Dazhuang laughed heartily at their reactions. “I told you not to drink much—you learned your lesson now!”