Chapter 4: Appearance

Chapter 4: Appearance

The rain was heavy and the wind fierce, and Xiaolian's sobs grew louder under the cover of the storm.

Xin You's slender fingers caressed the orchid on the soft pillow, her heart sinking: When Xiaolian had an accident, she wore white flowers and white clothes—was it because Miss Kou had died?

And now she was "Miss Kou."

Chills crept up her spine, but Xin You felt not fear, only coldness.

Since returning from her outing and witnessing her mother and the aunts who raised her brutally murdered, nothing could make her feel afraid anymore.

"Xiaolian."

Outside, there was some commotion. After a moment, Xiaolian entered with her head bowed: "What is your command, miss?"

The room was dark, and suddenly a bolt of lightning split the thick night, bringing a brief flash of light. Xiaolian saw the girl sitting with her hair loose, her eyes as black as lacquer, startlingly dark.

Those eyes, so similar to her own miss's, inexplicably made her uneasy.

"Xiaolian, tell me more about Miss Kou," Xin You said calmly, unlike the storm outside.

Xiaolian steadied herself and softly replied, "Yes."

The next day, Xin You woke up late. She had just finished washing up and hadn't yet eaten breakfast when a young maid reported that the three girls had arrived.

Judging by the time, they must have come directly after greeting the matriarch. Xin You signaled for Xiaolian to invite them in.

The curtain lifted, and three girls entered.

The leading girl wore a pomegranate skirt, her skin fair and lips red, like a blooming rose. Xin You learned from Xiaolian that Duan Shaoqing had three daughters, with only the second daughter, Duan Yunhua, born to the first wife, Lady Qiao. This must be the girl in the red dress.

The two girls slightly behind her were different. The elder one had delicate brows like smoke, looking graceful and charming; she must be the eldest daughter, Duan Yunwan. The other girl with almond-shaped eyes must be the third daughter, Duan Yunling.

Kou Qingqing had been hiking with these three cousins. As for the fourth daughter, Duan Yunyan, she was too young and did not go out that day.

In Xin You's view, if Kou Qingqing's fall was not an accident, the culprit must be among these three.

Duan Yunhua stood beside the bed, looking down at Xin You, who sat propped up against pillows. Her scrutinizing gaze was unhidden: "Cousin Qingqing, you really lost your memory?"

"I hit my head and can't remember much," Xin You answered honestly, secretly observing Duan Yunhua's expression, catching a fleeting look of joy in her eyes.

Duan Yunhua sat on the embroidered stool, smiling gently: "Cousin Qingqing, don't worry. Just take your time to recover. Even if you forget everything, it won't affect your future life."

"Cousin Hua is right."

Beside her, the eldest daughter, Duan Yunwan, spoke in surprise: "Cousin Qingqing, aren't you supposed to have lost your memory? How could you—"

She looked at Duan Yunhua, implying that if she had lost her memory, how could she recognize Duan Yunhua.

Xin You shifted her attention to Duan Yunwan and explained casually: "I asked Xiaolian about the sisters' appearances."

Duan Yunwan glanced at Xiaolian and smiled in relief: "It's good that Xiaolian is here. If you have any questions in the future, you can always ask me."

"Thank you, Cousin Wan." Xin You nodded and looked at the third daughter, Duan Yunling.

Duan Yunling had been silent since entering the room. Now, when Xin You looked at her, she seemed lost in thought.

"Third younger sister—" Duan Yunwan gently nudged Duan Yunling.

Duan Yunling jolted back to reality, her eyes flickering: "Cousin Qingqing, how are you feeling? Are you better?"

"After taking the medicine yesterday, I feel much better," Xin You answered, maintaining a pleasant demeanor.

Duan Yunling's gaze lingered on her porcelain-like face, her expression complex: "Then, Cousin, take care of yourself."

Duan Yunhua stood up: "Cousin, rest well. We won't disturb you further."

"Xiaolian, please see the three girls off."

Xin You watched them leave, raising an eyebrow slightly.

The second daughter, Duan Yunhua, showed joy at Miss Kou's memory loss. The eldest daughter, Duan Yunwan, also seemed concerned. The third daughter, Duan Yunling's reaction was even more intriguing.

Her first interaction with the three girls of Shaoqing Mansion made her increasingly suspicious about Miss Kou's fall.

Xiaolian returned to the room and, seeing Xin You deep in thought, said: "I'll bring your breakfast."

Xin You looked up as Xiaolian walked to the door, nearly bumping into someone.

"Third younger sister—"

"Haven't I bumped into you?" Duan Yunling, who had returned, smiled apologetically at Xiaolian, explaining as she entered, "I realized I dropped an earring on the way. It might be here."

"Let me help you find it—"

Duan Yunling waved her hand: "No need, you're busy."

Xiaolian looked at Xin You, who nodded, and silently left.

Duan Yunling bent down to search, her eyes brightening: "Sure enough, it fell here!"

"Good thing you found it." Xin You's gaze followed Duan Yunling's empty right earlobe to the pearl earring in her hand, speaking without revealing her thoughts.

"Then I won't disturb Cousin."

"Take care, Cousin Ling."

As Duan Yunling held the pearl earring and turned to leave, she suddenly paused: "Could Cousin help me put it on?"

Xin You was slightly taken aback, then curved her lips. "Of course."

Duan Yunling sat down on the embroidered cushion by the bed and leaned forward slightly.

It was Xin You's first time helping someone put on earrings. Fortunately, her hands were steady, and she easily helped Duan Yunling put them on.

"Thank you, Cousin." Duan Yunling touched the hanging warm pearls, hesitated for a moment as she looked at Xin You with a faint smile. "Cousin Qing, when we went to pray in early spring, the Taoist priest said that you were in conflict with the Year Lord and would likely encounter misfortune. Indeed, it happened a few days ago. Please be careful from now on, try to go out less, and even at home, stay alert."

"I understand. Thank you for reminding me, Cousin."

"Then, Cousin, please rest well." Duan Yunling got up to take her leave and encountered Xiaolian entering with food in the outer room.

Xiaolian, holding the tray, stepped aside to let her pass. "Third Young Miss, please walk slowly."

Duan Yunling nodded and quickly left the Evening Serenity Abode.

Xin You pondered Duan Yunling's words and asked Xiaolian as she entered, "Did Miss Kou have her fortune told by a Taoist priest when she went to pray in early spring?"

Xiaolian looked puzzled. "The young ladies did go to pray together in early spring, but when they met the Taoist priest, the maidservants were waiting elsewhere and didn't know what he said."

"Is that so." Xin You took the porcelain spoon from Xiaolian and slowly sipped the porridge.

In other words, the amnesiac "Miss Kou" couldn't determine the truth of the Third Young Miss's words from Xiaolian. Was the concern in the Third Young Miss's words genuine, or did she know something, or was she trying to confuse things?

Certainly, those who came to visit today were not just these three sisters. Xin You wasn't in a hurry to make a judgment.

After the meal, the medicinal soup was ready.

Thinking of the bitterness of yesterday's medicine, Xin You frowned but didn't say much. She took the bowl from Xiaolian and took a sip, her face changing as she spat the medicine onto a handkerchief.

"Miss, what's wrong?"

Xin You stared at the bowl, her brows furrowing even tighter.

This bowl of medicine seemed different from yesterday.