Chapter 14 Crimson Robe

Chapter 14 Crimson Robe

Xin You hesitated for a moment before calling out to stop the person.

Of course, it wasn't because she was captivated by the handsome man in crimson robes; rather, she had seen something again.

Just now, she suddenly saw this person walking down the street when a flower pot fell from above, smashing him and leaving him bleeding profusely.

Xin You hesitated, unsure how to warn the man, but since he had acted heroically first, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

The man in crimson robes watched as the young girl approached, frowning slightly.

He seemed to smell something—a scent that reminded him of—

A guess flashed through his mind, and his eyes deepened.

"Is there something else, Miss?"

Xin You paused, sensing a hint of coldness in the man's indifferent tone.

She didn't take it to heart.

It was normal for someone who didn't want to reveal their identity and was called back while trying to leave to be impatient.

After gathering her thoughts, Xin You lowered her voice and asked, "Do you believe in physiognomy?"

"Physiognomy?" The man in crimson robes was taken aback, giving Xin You a long look.

He thought it was strange enough that a frail-looking girl would have that scent on her, but now she was even stranger.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the carriage and added mentally: Oh, and she rides in a carriage without curtains.

Xin You feared the man might leave before she finished speaking, so she quickened her pace and whispered, "I see a dark cloud over your forehead, indicating a possible disaster. It's best not to walk near buildings on the street recently to avoid any falling hazards."

Xin You finished in one breath, took two steps back, and bowed slightly to the man in crimson robes, raising her voice slightly, "My surname is Kou. Duan Shaoqing of the Taishi Temple is my uncle. I will always remember today's act of kindness."

Hearing Xin You introduce herself, the man in crimson robes looked at her more closely.

A girl from an official's residence—now that was even stranger.

"There's no need to worry, Miss Kou." Despite finding it odd, the man in crimson robes did not intend to delve deeper, politely responding before riding away.

Xin You stood there, watching the man's departing figure with a barely audible sigh.

She wondered if he had taken her words about being a fortune-teller seriously.

At this point, the two guards finally approached, one of them unable to resist asking, "Lady Kou, why did you tell him your identity?"

Xin You frowned, "That hero saved my life. If he doesn't seek repayment and doesn't want to reveal his identity, should I just pretend nothing happened?"

The guards exchanged glances, and the one who spoke explained softly, "Lady Kou, I didn't mean that. It's just that his identity—"

He hesitated, unsure how to continue.

The other guard interjected, "That identity is not easy to deal with."

"Do you know him?"

The guards shook their heads vigorously, "No, no, no—"

Seeing Xin You's puzzled expression, the guard instinctively glanced around, lowering his voice further, "I've seen him leading his men to arrest people. Did you notice his crimson robe? He's the newly appointed commander of the Jinlin Guard, someone you can't offend."

The other guard added mysteriously, "Not only can't you offend him, you can't get too close either."

"Cough, cough." The first guard tugged at his companion.

The guards stopped talking about the man in crimson robes, and Xin You didn't press further.

Now that she knew his position, finding out his identity wouldn't be difficult; she didn't need to ask the guards.

"Lady Kou—" A shout came from the coachman, panting heavily, "Are you alright?"

Xiaolian's face turned cold, "How dare you ask if the lady is alright? How did you drive the carriage? Not only did the horses spook, but you jumped off and left the lady to fend for herself!"

The coachman, exhausted from running, tears welled up in his eyes, "This old servant deserves death. When I saw the ox cart coming, my mind went blank, and I forgot everything."

Xin You ignored the coachman's explanation and walked towards the fallen horse.

That day, this horse had pulled her from the small village to Shaoqing Mansion.

Though she didn't understand horses, she knew that these carriage horses were usually gentle. With Miss Kou's cliff fall and the subsequent poisoning, she didn't think the spooked horse was an accident.

If it wasn't an accident, how did the culprit make the horse spook?

Did they drug it? Or did the horse suddenly feel pain?

Xin You circled the dead horse, stopping to examine it closely.

Seeing Xin You's actions, Xiaolian, forgetting to scold the coachman, hurried over and whispered, "Lady, did you find something?"

"Cry," Xin You softly uttered.

Xiaolian was momentarily stunned, not understanding the meaning.

"Cry about my cliff fall and the spooked horse," Xin You said quickly as she heard the coachman approaching.

Although Xiaolian still didn't understand why, the trust built over the past few days made her cry without hesitation.

"Lady Kou—" The coachman started, but his words were cut off by the sudden wailing of the young maid.

The two guards were also stunned.

Those passersby who had stopped to watch the commotion because of the frightened horse were about to disperse but now froze in place.

They had to hear why this little maid was crying before they left.

"My poor girl, she fell off a cliff while hiking with her cousins a few days ago. She barely survived that ordeal, and today, on her way out, she encountered another frightened horse. If it weren't for the brave man who saved her, she would have crashed into the ox cart."

"Xiaolian, stop crying."

"Wah wah wah." Xiaolian covered her face, and through her fingers, met Xin You's sorrowful gaze, understanding her intention instantly. "My lady, you are the only granddaughter of the old madam. If anything happened to you, the old madam would have to endure the pain of burying another loved one. How heartbroken she would be!"

"Alright, I'm fine now, so please stop crying." Xin You frowned but felt relieved inside due to Xiaolian's quick understanding.

In such a short time, it was impossible for her to investigate the reason behind the horse's fright. Once they returned to Shaoqing Mansion, there would be no chance to look into it. People love gossip and are often suspicious. Xiaolian's tears might make some think of foul play. If such rumors spread, those who harmed Kou Qingqing would think twice before acting again.

As for the slight tarnish this incident might bring to Shaoqing Mansion, consider it a small interest payment for Miss Kou.

"The servant is just afraid something might happen to you again." Xiaolian hugged Xin You tightly, feeling comforted by her warmth as she cried even more genuinely.

The impact of Xiaolian's tears on Shaoqing Mansion hadn't occurred to the coachman and guards, who were busy urging the master and servant to return home quickly.

"Let's go back." Xin You didn't delay and helped Xiaolian onto the carriage they had rented at a high price from a passerby.

After they left, the onlookers began speculating about Xin You's identity.

"The lady mentioned earlier that her surname is Kou, and Duan Shaoqing of the Imperial Stables is her uncle."

"So she's a cousin from Shaoqing Mansion. But what did she mean by 'white-haired people burying black-haired people'?"

"I don't know. Shaoqing Mansion isn't very prominent in the capital, so I haven't paid much attention."

"Should we find out more?"

"Let's go."