Chapter 6 Cousin

Chapter 6 Cousin

Xiaolian wasn't stupid; she was just very young when she accompanied her young lady to the capital, and without guidance, some matters never crossed her mind. Now that Xin You had pointed it out, it was like breaking through a thin layer of paper, revealing the ugly side of the seemingly harmonious Shaoqing Mansion.

At this moment, Xiaolian's face was deathly pale, her eyes glaring with an astonishing brightness, ignited by anger: "You mean those family assets, those family assets—"

"It's too early to draw conclusions, but now that I'm certain someone is plotting against Miss Kou, I can only speculate the worst."

"It must be for the young lady's wealth!" Xiaolian's eyes were red, her emotions running high. "The young lady hasn't left the capital in three years, only going out a few times after the mourning period ended last year. She usually keeps to herself, avoids trouble, and has only had two disputes with the second young lady—"

"Disputes with the second young lady?" Xin You raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at Xiaolian.

Xiaolian hadn't mentioned this before when talking about the second young lady.

Xiaolian looked a bit embarrassed, her voice lowering: "It wasn't really a dispute. The second young lady bullied the young lady, who didn't even retaliate."

"Tell me more."

"Last winter, the young lady made a forehead cloth for the matriarch, who was very pleased and said she wanted the young lady to be her eldest grandson's wife, making the family even closer. The second young lady overheard this and came to the young lady, saying some nasty things about not coveting what isn't hers. I didn't mention it before because it involves the eldest son, and it doesn't look good."

Xiaolian couldn't help shedding tears thinking about how the second young lady had bullied their young lady into crying at night.

Xin You waited until Xiaolian calmed down a bit before asking about Kou Qingqing's wet nurse: "Aunt Fang's estate isn't far away, right?"

"Not far, just an hour's carriage ride."

"Then let's wait for Aunt Fang to arrive." Xin You gestured towards the trunks, indicating for Xiaolian to pack them up.

Only Xiaolian and Aunt Fang stayed with Kou Qingqing in Shaoqing Mansion. Aunt Fang would certainly know about the arrangements made by Kou Qingqing's mother. And Aunt Fang was sent away from Shaoqing Mansion after only a year due to a mistake, which seemed somewhat suspicious now.

Xiaolian looked shocked: "Why would Aunt Fang come here?"

"After Aunt Fang left, did Miss Kou ever mention wanting her back?"

Xiaolian, having already revealed the dispute between Duan Yunhua and Kou Qingqing, no longer felt the need to hide anything from Xin You: "No. The young lady values her reputation and felt that Aunt Fang had embarrassed her. Even though she clearly missed Aunt Fang, she never mentioned bringing her back."

Xin You smiled: "I have thick skin; I'll just ask for Aunt Fang to return."

Hearing Xin You's instructions, Xiaolian couldn't help covering her mouth.

"What's wrong?"

"You can not only taste the problem with the medicine but also pretend to be sick. You're truly skilled," Xiaolian exclaimed in amazement.

Xin You: "…" Such praise is unnecessary.

After a nap in the afternoon, Xin You woke up and passed the time watching the rain-washed green banana leaves outside the window. The little maid Hanxue reported that two young masters had arrived.

There were two young masters in Shaoqing Mansion: the eldest, Duan Yunchen, was the son of Duan Shaoqing and Qiao, while the second, Duan Yunlang, was the son of Duan Wenbo and Zhu. Both studied at the Imperial Academy and could only visit if they took special leave.

Duan Yunchen—Xin You silently repeated his name.

This person caused Duan Yunhua to speak ill of Miss Kou; he indeed needed to be met sooner rather than later.

Hanxue held the door curtain as two men entered. No, the one leading the way was a teenager.

"How are you feeling, cousin?" The second young master, Duan Yunlang, was sixteen years old, not much older than Kou Qingqing. He quickly walked to the bedside and sat down, his bright eyes scrutinizing Xin You.

"I'm much better, cousin. Shouldn't you be studying at this time—"

Duan Yunlang hurriedly waved his hand: "With what happened to you, cousin, how could my brother and I focus on our studies? Our parents thought we'd just get in the way and wouldn't let us join the search."

Duan Yunlang was talkative, and Xin You listened with a smile, her gaze subtly shifting to the young man standing half a yard away.

Duan Yunchen wore a blue robe and a scholar's cap. Though dressed similarly to Duan Yunlang, his distinguished demeanor made him appear more refined.

He was a man who could attract girls simply by his looks.

Thinking this, Xin You's gaze lingered on Duan Yunchen a bit longer.

"Cousin, we're relieved to see you well. Take care of your health; we'll visit again in a couple of days," Duan Yunchen spoke, his tone gentle, but his slightly outward-pointing toes suggested he was eager to leave.

From Xiaolian's description, Miss Kou wasn't a girl who was disliked. Duan Yunchen's avoidance likely stemmed from the matriarch's joke about making the family even closer.

He didn't want to marry his cousin.

Neither Duan Yunhua nor Duan Yunchen wanted this marriage. What did Lady Qiao think?

Considering Xiaolian's account of Lady Qiao's past politeness towards Kou Qingqing, the answer wasn't hard to guess.

Xin You's persistent stare at Duan Yunchen clearly made him misunderstand. The elegant young man furrowed his brows, his voice turning colder: "We still need to return to the Imperial Academy, so we won't disturb you further, cousin."

Unlike Duan Yunchen's eagerness to leave, Duan Yunlang clearly wasn't ready to go. As they reached the door, he darted back, pointing at his head curiously: "Cousin, do you really have amnesia?"

"Yes."

"That's good—"

"Huh?" This time, it was Xiaolian who spoke, her face flushed as she scolded, "Second young master, how could you say that? Do you think the young lady won't remember the money you owe her?"

Duan Yunlang hastily glanced at the door, covering Xiaolian's mouth: "Xiaolian, keep your voice down. If my brother finds out I borrowed money from cousin to buy storybooks, I'll be in trouble. Go outside for a bit; I have something to tell cousin—"

Seeing Xin You nod slightly, Xiaolian allowed Duan Yunlang to push her outside.

"What do you want to tell me, second cousin?" Xin You asked gently, facing the young man who returned and sat on the embroidered stool.

This second young master seemed childlike and unlikely to be involved in what happened to Miss Kou. A patient conversation might reveal more information.

"Aren't you angry about what I said earlier?" Duan Yunlang hesitantly asked.

He thought to himself, but the words slipped out before he could stop them.

"Would my cousin be happy if I lost my memory?" Xin You raised her eyebrows. "If my cousin can give me a reason, I won't be angry anymore."

Duan Yunlang's eyes flickered, and after a moment, he said, "My cousin has been sad about Aunt and Uncle's passing. I thought it might be better if you forgot the painful memories."

"I see." Xin You smiled.

If she hadn't seen Duan Yunlang struggling to come up with an excuse, she might have believed him.

Thinking he had gotten away with it, Duan Yunlang chatted casually for a bit and then seemingly nonchalantly asked, "Does my cousin not remember me or my elder brother?"

Xin You lowered her eyes. "I don't remember. But when I met Second Cousin today, I didn't feel strange. However, I do feel very distant from Elder Cousin—"

Duan Yunlang's expression relaxed. "Elder Brother is so stern and rigid; it's normal for you to feel distant. Cousin, let me tell you, despite his gentle demeanor, he actually snores, picks his feet, and doesn't bathe for over ten days."

Xiaolian, listening behind the curtain, was wide-eyed with surprise.