Chapter 9: Paying Respects

Chapter 9: Paying Respects

The girl's resolute tone filled Aunt Fang with both relief and heartache.

Relief because the young lady had grown up and become insightful; heartache because the little girl who once adored her grandmother had to grow up too soon.

Aunt Fang held Xin You's hand, her voice low. "You guessed right, my lady. After accompanying you to the capital, this old servant followed Madam's instructions and handed everything over to the matriarch."

At that time, she had also disregarded her position and expressed her concerns to Madam in a gentle manner.

Madam, lying ill in bed, smiled and said, "After I'm gone, Qingqing's closest relative in this world will be her grandmother. Mother will take care of and cherish Qingqing."

She couldn't forget the sorrow hidden in Madam's eyes when she said those words, realizing how useless her worries were.

If even a servant like her could think of these concerns, how could Madam not have considered them? Unfortunately, Master passed away unexpectedly, and Madam couldn't hold on any longer. The vast Kou family was left with only one orphaned girl. If they didn't send the young lady to the capital to seek protection from her maternal family, they wouldn't just lose their fortune; even the young lady's life would be at risk.

Thinking about this, Aunt Fang clenched her fists, feeling sorrow for the deceased mistress.

Madam, if you knew, even the vast fortune couldn't secure a peaceful life for the young lady.

"Does Grandmother know about this ledger?" Xin You's gaze fell on the thin book.

Aunt Fang shook her head, a hesitant look on her face.

Xin You pursed her lips. "Nanny, is there anything you can't tell me? Even if I don't understand, you can always teach me."

Hearing this, Aunt Fang stared at the composed young lady, once again realizing how much the young lady had grown.

She remembered the day she was expelled, when she pleaded with the young lady, but the young lady turned away without a glance.

Aunt Fang raised her hand and gently tidied the girl's slightly disheveled hair. "Madam once instructed that if the young lady marries her cousin or leaves in a grand procession, burn this ledger quietly. If the young lady marries someone else and receives a modest dowry, let the young lady see it so she knows what she has and can live well. This old servant never thought I'd show it to you before your marriage, my poor young lady."

Aunt Fang hugged Xin You and cried, and Xin You felt heartache for Kou Qingqing.

She had been loved by her mother, and from Aunt Fang's words, she could feel a mother's love for her daughter. It was tragic that despite all the planning and concessions, human nature's malice and greed still prevailed.

"What do you plan to do next?" Aunt Fang asked, wiping her eyes.

"First, I need to recover. Nanny, you've stayed up all night. Go rest now."

"This old servant isn't tired. I'll stay with the young lady."

"Nanny, you need to be healthy to take care of me."

Aunt Fang finally relented and went to the prepared room with Xiaolian to rest.

That evening, Xiaolian stayed to watch over Xin You, who called her inside and showed her the ledger.

The numbers in the ledger shocked Xiaolian, leaving her mouth agape as she murmured, "This ledger belongs to Madam. I shouldn't be looking at it."

So much money, so many fields—how could a mere maid like her be worthy of seeing such things!

Xin You chuckled. "Then who should see it?"

"Of course, the young lady—" Xiaolian blurted out, then realized this wasn't her young lady upon meeting those clear eyes.

Perhaps the small inner chamber brought them closer, or perhaps their few days together built trust. At that moment, Xiaolian suddenly broke down, covering her face and crying.

Xin You reached out and gently placed her hand on Xiaolian's shoulder. "In a few days, I'll go with you to find Miss Kou."

Three days later, Xin You left Evening Serenity Abode for the first time and went to Ruyitang to pay respects to the matriarch.

"The young lady is here," the guard maid said, surprised.

The matriarch also looked surprised. "Qingqing, why are you here?"

"I feel better today, so I came to pay respects to Grandmother." Xin You curtsied.

"Come sit by Grandmother." The matriarch waved her hand, showing disapproval. "I told you to rest properly. There's no rush to pay respects."

Xin You sat beside the matriarch and tilted her head slightly. "I really am better. Staying cooped up is boring. It's better to keep Grandmother company."

Lady Qiao smiled and said, "Qingqing is young and recovers quickly. Grandmother, you can be at ease now."

The matriarch nodded and asked Xin You, "Have you remembered anything else?"

Xin You lowered her eyes, looking dejected. "No. I remember only Nanny, nothing else."

"Ah—" The matriarch patted Xin You's hand. "Don't worry. Take your time. Even if you don't remember, it's fine. Life goes on."

Xin You nodded obediently and softly said, "Grandmother, I want to go out tomorrow."

The matriarch paused, her expression becoming serious. "You're just getting better. Why do you want to go out?"

"I want to visit the elderly couple who saved me and thank them," Xin You replied.

"Thanking them is proper, but have the steward deliver gifts instead. Why must you go personally?" The matriarch was unconvinced.

Lady Qiao remained silent with a smile, but Lady Zhu, who usually spoke little in front of the matriarch, spoke up. "The matriarch is right. Qingqing, you've just recovered. Don't tire yourself by going out. Rest properly."

Xin You glanced at Lady Zhu.

From the ginseng during her illness to her current concern, the second lady seemed genuinely kind toward Miss Kou.

And the fundamental reason for Xin You's judgment was: interest.

Kou Qingqing's misfortune did not benefit the second branch, which was of lesser birth.

Xin You bowed slightly to Lady Zhu. "I know the elders care for me, but as the saying goes, a drop of kindness deserves a spring of gratitude. Those elderly people saved my life. If I can't thank them in person, I won't be able to rest easy."

She reached out and gently tugged on the old lady's sleeve, swaying it slightly. "Grandmother, please agree. I won't feel at ease until this matter is settled."

"This—" The old lady hesitated.

"Grandmother, please."

The old lady finally relented at the sight of the girl's pleading expression. "Then go and return early, and take several guards with you."

"Thank you, Grandmother."

"Go rest now." The old lady glanced around the room. "All of you as well."

Everyone responded and filed out one by one.

Xin You walked slowly behind, turning her head to look at the third younger sister, Duan Yunling, catching the fleeting look of hesitation on her face.

"Is there something on your mind, Ling cousin?"

"Why doesn't Qing cousin take the words of the Taoist to heart? It's better to believe than to doubt. What if you encounter trouble again outside?" Duan Yunling whispered.

"Third younger sister, what secret are you sharing with Qing cousin?" The eldest girl, Duan Yunwan, appeared before them with a slight smile.