Chapter 8: Family Wealth

Chapter 8: Family Wealth

Xin You's sudden coma not only alarmed the matriarch but also the first and second ladies, Qiao and Zhu.

On their way out of Evening Serenity Abode, Qiao, walking beside the matriarch, remarked in surprise, "I didn't expect Qingqing to have lost her memory but still remember her wet nurse."

The matriarch's eyes darkened slightly as she said indifferently, "Perhaps this coma is helping her gradually recall things."

Qiao paused for a moment before smiling, "If that's the case, it would be for the best. Forgetting the past can be quite inconvenient."

The matriarch seemed tired and stopped speaking, allowing her maidservants to escort her to Ruyitang.

Qiao and Zhu parted ways at the crossroads, their smiles fading.

"Lian Mama, do you think Miss Qingqing has regained her memory?"

Lian Mama, Qiao's trusted confidante, hesitated, "They say brain injuries are unpredictable. She might never remember or suddenly recall everything. Miss Qingqing is young, so she should recover quickly."

Qiao's residence, Elegant Fragrance Court, was already in sight. She paused briefly, then smiled, "Yes, being young means a quicker recovery."

Inside Evening Serenity Abode, the scent of medicine lingered, and the sobs of Mama Fang and Xiaolian continued.

Mama Fang cried over the reunion with her ward, while Xiaolian wept for her ward's uncertain fate and the fear of their precarious situation.

In contrast, Xin You remained remarkably calm, "Xiaolian, fetch a basin of hot water for Mama Fang to wash her hands and face."

Xiaolian responded and brought in a basin of hot water.

After washing her face, Mama Fang's eyes appeared even redder, and she stared intently at Xin You, reluctant to look away. "Three years have passed, my lady has grown up and become thinner."

Xin You smiled gently.

After deciding to bring Mama Fang back, she had discussed with Xiaolian the plan to keep her identity hidden for now. Three years was enough time for many changes; she was confident Mama Fang wouldn't recognize her.

"My lady, when you told the matriarch that you only remembered me, what did you mean?" Seeing Xin You looking well, Mama Fang asked her question.

Xin You glanced at Xiaolian.

Xiaolian recounted Kou Qingqing's fall from the cliff and subsequent amnesia, following Xin You's instructions to avoid any hints.

Mama Fang listened and hugged Xin You, sobbing, "My lady has suffered."

"Mama, you must be tired from the journey. Rest now; I'm feeling a bit weary too," Xin You said softly.

"I'm not tired, I'll stay by your side tonight. My lady, please rest."

Xin You nodded slightly and soon fell asleep.

Xiaolian watched Mama Fang tucking Xin You in, her eyes filled with both hope and unease.

My lady said they haven't seen each other in three years. It's possible Mama Fang's loyalty has shifted. We need to see how she reacts. Will she disappoint us?

Night fell, and the young lady on the bed slept deeply. Mama Fang, who had made a makeshift bed on the floor near her feet, kept checking on her, barely sleeping all night.

By morning, visitors from other courtyards were surprised to find Xin You looking relatively well, while Mama Fang, who had arrived just yesterday, looked exhausted with dark circles under her eyes.

Xin You spoke little to the visitors but maintained proper etiquette. To Mama Fang, the young lady before her was still the quiet, sensitive girl who had lost her parents suddenly.

Eager to reconnect, Mama Fang couldn't help herself after observing her for a day.

"My lady, there's something I need to tell you."

Xin You gestured for Xiaolian to leave, "What is it, Mama?"

Mama Fang's expression was conflicted as she suddenly knelt down, "My lady, I know you might not believe me after being apart for so long, but I swear to heaven that if I have any ill intentions, may I be struck by lightning—"

Xin You held Mama Fang's raised hand and said softly, "Mama, don't make such a terrible oath. You're my wet nurse, the closest person to me now. How could I not trust you? When I was younger, I valued appearances more than anything else. After this ordeal, I realize that the people I care about are the most important."

As she spoke, Xin You choked up.

Indeed, nothing is more important than the people you care about. But everyone she cared about was gone.

Mama Fang sensed the sincerity in Xin You's words and cried and laughed, "My lady has grown up, grown up."

After calming down, Mama Fang glanced at the door and whispered, "My lady, do you remember anything about falling off the cliff?"

Xin You shook her head.

"My lady isn't clumsy or careless. I find it hard to believe you would fall accidentally. And after hearing from Xiaolian that you consulted a doctor upon returning home and yet suddenly fell ill yesterday, I can't help but suspect someone in this mansion might have ill intentions towards you." Mama Fang watched Xin You closely, fearing disbelief or anger.

If my lady dislikes me, my fate as a wet nurse is insignificant, but if my suspicions are true, what will happen to my innocent and vulnerable lady?

Mama Fang never forgot being sent to the estate, which fueled her suspicions.

Xin You listened quietly, her voice hesitant, "I don't doubt you, Mama, but everyone in Shaoqing Mansion is family. I've never wronged anyone. Who would want to harm me?"

Mama Fang gripped Xin You's slightly cool hand, her voice hoarse, "My lady, in this world, sometimes wronging someone doesn't matter, but wealth can be deadly!"

Xin You's expression was stunned, as if she had been shocked into silence.

"Mama, I need the scissors."

Xin You came back to her senses and called out, "Xiaolian, bring the scissors."

Xiaolian, standing guard outside, quickly entered and handed the scissors to Mama Fang, her gaze filled with concern as she looked at Xin You.

She wouldn't have thought much about it before, but spending time with her lady taught her to be cautious. Mama Fang hadn't seen them in three years; what if she harmed her lady—

Reassured by Xin You's comforting glance, Xiaolian's heart settled, and she silently stepped out.

Only the two of them remained, and Lady Fang immediately lifted her skirt and cut it, pulling out a thin book from the inner layer of her clothes.

"Miss, please take a look."

Xin You took the booklet still warm from Lady Fang's body and opened it, immediately stunned by the numbers on the first page: one million and twenty thousand taels of silver.

In addition to this, there were also records of shops and land.

Xin You suddenly felt the thin booklet weigh heavily in her hands.

"At that time, in a hurry, Madam sold everything she could. The items that couldn't be dealt with in time are all recorded in this booklet. Apart from the silk and jewelry Miss Qingqing brought with her to the capital, there were also these silver notes and property deeds," Lady Fang explained the details that the young Kou Qingqing had been unaware of back then, and then asked with a clenched jaw, "Miss, do you know where these silver notes and property deeds are?"

Xin You lowered her eyes, her voice barely audible: "In my grandmother's hands."