### Chapter 1: Mistaken Identity

### Chapter 1: Mistaken Identity

Smoke rose from the chimneys, and the peaceful countryside was dotted with simple homes. The tranquility of this remote village was shattered by the sound of galloping hooves.

They were outsiders, led by a middle-aged man who scattered some copper coins to easily gather the information he needed. He then headed straight for a house at the end of the village. Bored villagers hurried to follow, speculating as they went.

"Could it be that the young lady's family has come to find her? I always said she must be from a wealthy family, and now it's proven true!"

"Tsk tsk, Old Wang and his wife will finally have some security."

The group of outsiders paid no heed to the villagers' presence or their chatter, rushing to knock on the door of a house and state their purpose.

"Excuse us, sir. Did you save a young girl a couple of days ago?" The middle-aged man bowed slightly to the old man who opened the door, his face showing obvious urgency.

The old man was taken aback by the group's imposing demeanor and attire, and quickly nodded. "Yes, I did save a young girl when I was gathering firewood. Who are you—"

The middle-aged man let out a slight sigh of relief, scanning the courtyard as he explained, "My daughter went hiking two days ago and fell off a cliff. Her family has been searching everywhere. We heard that an old man from your village saved a girl while in the mountains, so we came here."

The middle-aged man was named Duan Wenbo, the second master of Shaoqing Mansion. The girl he referred to was not his daughter but his niece, whose surname was Kou, and her given name was Qingqing.

Two days ago, Kou Qingqing had gone hiking with three other girls from Shaoqing Mansion. She accidentally slipped and fell off a cliff, leading to today's events.

The old man invited them into the main room and pointed to a dilapidated western room. "The child is in there—"

Among those who came with Duan Wenbo was a maid dressed in servant's clothes. Upon hearing this, she rushed inside and saw the girl lying on the bed, tears streaming down her face as she cried, "Wah, Miss, you scared me to death!"

Hearing the maid's cries, Duan Wenbo followed and, upon seeing the girl, felt a wave of relief. "Thank goodness, Qingqing, you're safe."

The girl sitting on the bed had hair like a waterfall, contrasting sharply with her pale face. Her dark eyes showed a hint of confusion.

She did not recognize the girl claiming to be her maid, nor the middle-aged man calling her "Qingqing."

She had been grieving her mother's death and lost her footing while traveling, slipping down a slope and falling unconscious. When she woke up, she found herself in the home of this elderly couple. They had been kind and took good care of her. She had planned to leave after a few more days, but these strange people appeared.

They mistook her for a girl named "Qingqing." If she hadn't confirmed that she hadn't changed, she might have thought the ghost stories her mother told her had come true.

Seeing the girl silent, the maid panicked. "Miss, what's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?"

Duan Wenbo also showed concern and asked.

Both the maid and the middle-aged man seemed genuinely worried. The girl hesitated for a moment before speaking. "You've mistaken me for someone else."

"What do you mean, Miss?" The maid was stunned, then her expression changed as if she had realized something. "Miss, could it be that you hit your head and lost your memory, like in those storybooks?"

The Great Xia Dynasty had been peaceful for a long time, especially in the capital. From the nobles to the commoners, everyone enjoyed storybooks, which had become a national obsession in recent years.

"I am not your Miss," the girl said calmly despite her growing doubts.

Duan Wenbo scrutinized the girl carefully, convinced she was his niece. Whether she had hit her head or was throwing a tantrum, it was not wise to stay in this small village any longer. He sighed and persuaded her, "Qingqing, come back to the mansion with Uncle and see a doctor. Your grandmother hasn't eaten properly because she's been so worried about you."

The girl shook her head. "You really have mistaken me for someone else—"

"Then who are you?" Duan Wenbo interrupted Xin You.

"I am—" the girl paused.

Images of corpses flashed before her eyes, causing her to close them. When she opened them again, her eyes were like deep pools, reflecting nothing.

She was Xin You, who had come to the capital to find her mother's killer, but she couldn't reveal that.

"Qingqing, it's not uncommon to lose your memory after hitting your head. Don't feel embarrassed," Duan Wenbo said sternly. "Help her up."

A sturdy old woman approached and, with the maid's help, carried Xin You.

Xin You, still weak, lowered her head and accepted the situation, knowing there was no choice.

Duan Wenbo took out two silver ingots from his money bag to thank the elderly couple.

The old man hurriedly refused. "No, no, no—"

Even the old woman, who had remained silent, waved her hand in refusal.

"If you don't accept it, it would seem we don't know how to show gratitude," Duan Wenbo insisted, forcing the silver ingots into the old man's hands and walking out.

Outside the courtyard, many villagers gathered, their gazes fixed on Xin You being carried by the servant.

"I wonder which family's young lady Old Wang saved."

"Old Wang sure got lucky."

The villagers thought simply that Old Wang had saved a wealthy young lady, and even a small reward would be a fortune for him.

These whispers reached Xin You's ears, causing her to turn her head.

"Wang Grandpa, Wang Grandma, once I recover, I'll come back to see you."

Her mother had always said not to harm others but to be cautious. If this kind couple suffered because of her, it would be her fault.

The couple repeatedly assured her, "Go home safely, Miss."

A green-curtained carriage waited quietly at the village entrance. As Xin You was helped into the carriage, it slowly left the village.

The scenery along the way gradually changed from lush mountains and blooming flowers to bustling shops and crowded streets. By the time the carriage stopped, thanks to the maid's insistence that her Miss had lost her memory, Xin You learned about Qingqing's background.

Kou Qingqing was the only daughter of a prefect. Four years ago, her father died unexpectedly during a transfer, and her already ill mother's condition worsened upon hearing the news. With her last breath, she arranged for her twelve-year-old daughter to be sent to her maternal family in the capital. Since then, Kou Qingqing had lived at Shaoqing Mansion for nearly four years.

The maid, named Xiaolian, had accompanied Kou Qingqing from home. Duan Wenbo, who had led the search for his niece, was the younger son of Kou Qingqing's grandmother. The family's main support came from her elder uncle, Duan Wen Song, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Stables.

"The grandmother has been so worried, my dear Qingqing," Xin You was barely inside the room when a richly dressed old lady embraced her tightly.

Stranger smells, stranger people.

Xin You shifted uncomfortably and was finally released by the elderly lady.

"Qingqing, are you alright? Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?"

The one who spoke was a woman in her late thirties, wearing a light beige jacket with floral patterns. Her face wore a concerned smile. Xin You guessed that this must be Kou Qingqing's eldest aunt, Lady Qiao.

Another woman looked younger than Lady Qiao. Upon meeting Xin You's gaze, she nodded reassuringly. This must be Kou Qingqing's second aunt, Lady Zhu.

Standing farther away were four girls. Before Xin You could take a closer look, the elderly lady spoke up: "Xiaolian, help the young lady back to her room first; the doctor will come over shortly."

"Yes," Xiaolian curtsied slightly and came to support Xin You.

Xin You's gaze subconsciously fell on Xiaolian's face, and suddenly she raised her hand to shield her eyes.

Everything had seemed normal before, but just now, she saw a pair of hands forcefully pressing a soft pillow onto a woman's head. When the woman stopped struggling and the pillow was moved away, a face was revealed.

It was Xiaolian's face.