Chapter 10: The Storybook

Chapter 10: The Storybook

Duan Yunling was startled and instinctively took a step back. "Elder Sister, you scared me."

Xin You's gaze shifted from Duan Yunling's tense body to Duan Yunwan's curious eyes before she said calmly, "Cousin Ling wanted to go with me, but I told her it's better for another time, that we'll play together some other day."

"Ah, so that's how it is. Third younger sister, Cousin Qing has important matters to attend to, so don't join in the fun this time. We can make plans for another day." Duan Yunwan grabbed Duan Yunling's hand. "Let's go back to your room."

Duan Yunling pulled her hand away, her tone slightly heavy. "I understand." Without waiting for the others, she quickly walked ahead.

"Cousin Qing, don't take it to heart. Third younger sister is just being childish." Duan Yunwan smoothed things over and hurried after her.

Xin You had already learned from Xiaolian that Duan Yunling and Duan Yunwan lived in the same courtyard. Now, watching the sisters' retreating backs, she seemed lost in thought.

"Miss—" Seeing Xin You standing still, Xiaolian called out softly.

Xin You started walking forward. "Xiaolian, how are the relations between the eldest and third young lady?"

"They're very good," Xiaolian replied without hesitation.

"Very good?" Xin You murmured, looking ahead as the sisters disappeared around the corner.

Xiaolian, who had been on edge these days, showed a slight change in expression upon hearing Xin You's words. "Do you think there's a conflict between the eldest and third young lady?"

Xin You shook her head slightly. "Not necessarily a conflict, let's see how it goes."

Despite the impression of a close relationship, Xin You sensed a hint of avoidance in Duan Yunling's reaction toward Duan Yunwan.

Perhaps, these two sisters could be the key to uncovering the truth.

With this thought, Xin You decided to test the waters when they returned.

The next day dawned bright and sunny.

Nanny Fang followed them all the way to the carriage.

"Miss, please let me accompany you."

"Nanny, you've just returned; stay at the Evening Serenity Abode and rest. Xiaolian and the guards will be enough."

Nanny Fang noticed the emphasis on "just returned" and felt a pang.

If she could be sent away once, she could be sent away again. It would be best to keep a low profile for now.

Was she overthinking it, or did the miss mean exactly that?

Looking into those clear, ink-like eyes, Nanny Fang gave up her insistence. "Then, Miss, please return early."

Amidst Nanny Fang's earnest reminders, Xin You set off with Xiaolian and two guards in the carriage towards the small village.

The morning bustled with activity as villagers were busy working. Seeing the approaching carriage, they paused their tasks out of curiosity.

"Who's receiving an honored guest?"

Ordinary people couldn't afford carriages; even a donkey cart was rare. Someone soon recalled, "Didn't Old Wang save a wealthy young lady a few days ago? Could it be someone from her family?"

"It must be the same carriage from that day."

As the villagers discussed, the carriage stopped at the village entrance. Xiaolian stepped down first and helped Xin You out.

The villagers' chatter grew louder. "It really is that young lady!"

Someone impatient ran off to inform Old Wang and his wife.

Old Wang and his wife were working in the fields when they received the news and hurried home, inviting Xin You and her companions inside.

Xin You entered the house with Xiaolian, while the guards stayed in the courtyard.

The old woman looked embarrassed. "Miss, you should focus on recovering. Why worry about us old folks and bring so many things?"

"Wang Grandma, please don't say that. No amount of gifts can repay your kindness in saving my life."

Xin You spoke sincerely, and the elderly couple could tell it came from the heart. They felt warmth and became less formal.

"Wang Grandpa, do you remember where you found me?"

"I do. It was not far into the mountains, at the foot of a slope. There's a patch of mountain pomegranates—red and yellow, blooming beautifully."

Listening to Old Wang's detailed description, Xin You was certain that the place where she had fainted was far from where Kou Qingqing had fallen.

Xin You thanked them again and prepared to leave.

"Have a meal before you go," the elderly couple insisted warmly.

Xin You politely declined. "My elders have asked me to return early."

Hearing this, the couple no longer insisted.

Xin You added, "I'm temporarily staying at my maternal uncle's residence, Shaoqing Mansion. If you have free time, feel free to visit me."

"Good, good," the couple agreed.

As they escorted Xin You out, the old woman suddenly remembered something. "Miss, wait a moment."

She quickly went into the room where Xin You had stayed and returned with an object wrapped in faded cloth. "Miss, you left this behind."

Xin You guessed what it might be and opened it to find a book.

It was the storybook she had taken from her destroyed home, which the kind-hearted couple had kept safe when she was hastily taken away by the Duan family.

Even though she had memorized every word in the book and losing it wouldn't affect her plans, Xiaolian was still glad to have it back.

Xiaolian curiously stared at the storybook in Xin You's hand, and upon seeing the title "The Peony Record" on the cover, she suddenly perked up. However, the brown stains on the cover made her think of something, and she instinctively swallowed her words.

"Thank you." Xin You put the storybook away and left the village with the old couple's farewell.

The carriage moved steadily forward, the wheels creaking monotonously, making the interior of the carriage unusually quiet.

"Miss, do you like reading storybooks?" Xiaolian noticed Xin You's gloomy mood and cautiously broke the silence.

Xin You involuntarily smiled and said softly, "I like listening."

Mother was especially good at telling stories—tragic, bizarre, terrifying, amusing—it seemed as if there were endless tales hidden in her mind, never running out.

Xin You composed herself and called out to the driver, "To Thousand Sakura Mountain."

Thousand Sakura Mountain was where Kou Qingqing went for outings. Every spring, when thousands of sakura blossoms, it is breathtakingly beautiful. Even though it was past the blooming season, it remained a popular spot for outings.

The driver looked surprised, "Young Miss wants to go to Thousand Sakura Mountain?"

The two guards exchanged glances.

The young miss had just fallen off Thousand Sakura Mountain not long ago, yet she wanted to go there again today. She must be quite determined.

"That day, I lost a jade pendant, which should still be there. Since we're out today, I might as well check." Xin You explained gently.

"But—" The driver looked troubled.

Xiaolian quickly slipped a silver coin into the driver's hand, "Though the jade pendant isn't very valuable, it was left to the young miss by her ladyship. If it were lost, the young miss would be heartbroken."

The driver held the silver coin and glanced at the two guards.

Xiaolian then gave money to the guards as well, smiling sweetly, "Please spare a little time for us."

With their pockets lined, the three no longer hesitated. The carriage soon turned toward Thousand Sakura Mountain. When they reached the foot of the mountain, the driver parked the carriage and stayed behind while Xin You and the others climbed up.