Chapter 5 Before Her Eyes

Chapter 5 Before Her Eyes

Xin You wiped the medicine from the corner of her lips and asked calmly, "Who prepared today's medicine?"

"The servant girl prepared it, then Jiang Shuang watched over it—" Xiaolian's expression changed, "Is there something wrong with the medicine?"

Xin You shook her head. "I don't know if there's a problem, but it just tastes different."

Aunt Xia was in charge of serving food to Mother, and she cooked excellent dishes, which had spoiled Xin You's palate. A difference in taste didn't necessarily mean the medicine was wrong, but in the perilous Shaoqing Mansion, she couldn't be too careful.

"Are the dregs still there?"

"The dregs from yesterday were thrown by Jiang Shuang into the flower bed by the wall; today's haven't been cleaned up yet." Xiaolian looked increasingly nervous, already convinced that the medicine was problematic.

Xin You thought for a moment and asked, "Does Miss Kou have any savings?"

"Yes."

Xin You whispered instructions, "Quietly collect the dregs and under the pretense of buying me some candied fruits, go to a small clinic far from Shaoqing Mansion. Take some silver and ask the doctor to examine them."

Xiaolian nodded as she listened, first disposing of the medicine, then assigning tasks to the servants at Evening Serenity Abode. When everyone was busy, she collected the dregs and left for the outside.

Not long after Xiaolian left, a young maid reported that Second Madam had brought Fourth Young Lady.

"How is Qingqing feeling today?" Compared to her low profile yesterday in Old Madam's room, Zhu's smile today was more approachable.

Fourth Young Lady Duan Yunyan stood beside her mother, only calling Qingqing "Sister Qing" once upon entering the room and remained silent afterward.

Xin You's heart stirred.

Duan Yunyan was only ten years old, an age when one should be lively and talkative, yet she was so distant from her cousin who had lived in Shaoqing Mansion for four years. It was unclear whether it was due to their age difference or adult admonishments.

"Thank you for your concern, Second Aunt. I just took my medicine and feel much better."

"That's good. Eat and take your medicine on time, and you'll recover soon." Zhu gave gentle instructions, sat for a while, and then left with her daughter.

Xin You signaled the young maid to open the gifts brought by Zhu. Besides some common tonics, there was even a ginseng root from the old mountains.

Shaoqing Mansion, being a scholarly family, was not particularly wealthy, and Second Madam Zhu, as a concubine, had no access to the stewardship. This visitation gift was quite valuable.

Due to her upbringing, Xin You usually lived freely and carefree, but now she had to think more carefully.

Subsequently, people from Old Madam and First Madam's side came to visit. By noon, Xiaolian returned.

"How did it go?" Xin You asked, already having a sense of the answer.

With no one else around, Xiaolian no longer concealed her fear and trembled, "Miss, the medicine is wrong!"

"Have some water and tell me slowly."

Xiaolian grabbed the cup and gulped down some water, her fingers trembling uncontrollably: "The doctor examined the dregs. Today's medicine contained an additional ingredient. Although it also has pain-relieving properties, it conflicts with this blood-nourishing formula. For someone weak, it could cause abdominal pain and vomiting at best, and coma or death at worst."

Xin You listened silently, showing no change in expression: "Call everyone from Evening Serenity Abode here."

"Miss—" Xiaolian showed confusion and anger.

Someone in Shaoqing Mansion actually wanted to harm the miss!

"Go."

Meeting those ink-black eyes, Xiaolian's mind cleared, and she bowed slightly, "Yes."

Soon, two maidservants and two young maids appeared before Xin You.

"You must have heard that I fell off a cliff and hit my head, causing me to forget some things temporarily. Yesterday, I didn't get a chance, but let's introduce ourselves today." Xin You first looked at the young maid named Jiang Shuang.

Jiang Shuang bowed: "This servant is called Jiang Shuang. I mainly clean the rooms and do miscellaneous tasks as instructed by Sister Xiaolian."

The other young maid said, "This servant is called Hansnow, responsible for guarding the door and running errands."

The younger maidservant said, "This old servant is responsible for cleaning the courtyard. Miss used to call me Mama Wang."

The last maidservant, around fifty years old, looked timid and honest: "This old servant's husband's surname is Li, and I do the rough work in the courtyard."

Xin You's gaze steadied, and she spoke warmly, "Mama Li, you're not getting any younger. Isn't doing rough work too hard?"

Mama Li hurriedly replied, "Miss, you flatter this old servant. These chores are what I'm used to. As long as Miss doesn't mind my clumsiness, it's fine."

"Of course not." Xin You glanced at Xiaolian, "Xiaolian, bring me that silver ring."

Xiaolian hesitated, then quickly walked to the cabinet, opened it, and after a moment's hesitation, picked out a simple silver band among various rings.

"Mama Li, you've worked hard."

Mama Li looked shocked, "Miss, it's too much, too much—"

Though Xiaolian didn't understand why Xin You favored Mama Li, she acted swiftly, holding Mama Li's hand and putting the ring on herself: "Since Miss gave it to you, Mama Li, don't refuse. Try it on and see if it fits."

"But, but how can this be—" Mama Li still resisted, looking bewildered.

Xin You observed coldly. The two young maids aside, Mama Wang's gaze clearly showed envy towards Mama Li.

After the four left, Xiaolian asked in confusion, "Why did you give Mama Li the ring?"

Even if it was to win hearts, it wasn't necessary for a rough servant.

"I just thought Mama Li's hands suited the ring well." Xin You stroked her finger.

The young lady's fingers were like spring onions, white and slender, but bare without any adornment. Xiaolian, thinking of Mama Li's thick fingers, couldn't help but show a complicated expression.

Xin You felt rather cheerful.

The owner of those hands turned out to be right there all along.

"Miss, how did you know about the silver ring?" Xiaolian asked another question.

Those boxes and chests filled with gold and silver jewelry had their keys always in her possession.

Hearing this, Xin You smiled. "I just thought that Miss Kou wouldn't lack even a silver ring."

Xiaolian was speechless, struggling internally for a moment before bringing over the box on the dressing table and two chests from the cabinet, opening them one by one.

The box contained delicate ornaments suitable for a young girl, while the chests revealed exquisite hairpins and jade accessories that were clearly of great value.

"These are all Miss's," Xiaolian said, unable to hide her pride. "There are a few more boxes of fine materials stored in the west room."

Some people assumed that her Miss was living under someone else's roof, but in reality, Miss's wealth far exceeded that of the other young ladies in the mansion.

Xin You fell silent for a moment before asking, "Is this all?"

Xiaolian couldn't help but be stunned, looking at the treasure-filled chests hesitantly. "Is this not enough?"

"You once mentioned that Miss Kou's grandfather amassed a fortune through business during turbulent times and had only one son. Miss Kou's father entered the government as an official and had only one daughter, Miss Kou. Four years ago, when Miss Kou's mother passed away, she entrusted Miss Kou to come to the capital. Where did the Kou family's wealth go?"

Xiaolian was taken aback, her expression shifting from confusion to shock as she murmured, "I, I don't know."

Seeing this, Xin You couldn't help but sigh.

Four years ago, when Xiaolian accompanied Kou Qingqing to the capital, she was only eleven years old; it wasn't surprising that she knew nothing about these matters.

However, there must be someone who knows.