Chapter 17: Accomplice

Chapter 17: Accomplice

Xin You's words left Xiaolian bewildered. "Young Miss, you're saying her next target is someone else? Who is she going to harm?"

Xin You walked to the window and gazed at the fiery sunset, speaking softly, "The one who harmed Miss Kou."

In the murderer's calculations, Kou Qingqing's fall off the cliff would surely result in her death. Thus, no further action was necessary; time alone would dilute the memory of the young lady residing in Shaoqing Mansion.

Indeed, the murderer succeeded; Kou Qingqing did die. Unfortunately, they hadn't anticipated that someone resembling Kou Qingqing would be mistaken for her and brought back.

The "amnesia" of the young lady prompted the murderer to act again hastily. After failing repeatedly and learning that she might regain her memory, coupled with Xiaolian's public outburst, targeting the young lady again wouldn't be wise.

Eliminating the person who pushed Kou Qingqing off the cliff would ensure that even if the young lady regained her memory and recalled who pushed her, it could be attributed to suicide out of guilt, thus leaving no evidence to expose the true culprit.

What Xin You wasn't sure about was who exactly had acted.

Could it be Duan Yunwan, the eldest lady, known for her gentle demeanor?

Or perhaps Duan Yunhua, the second lady, acting in concert with her mother?

Or could it be Duan Yunling, the third lady, whose words were evasive?

"Young Miss, are you saying the person who pushed our lady that day is among these three ladies?"

Seeing Xin You nod, Xiaolian clenched her teeth. "It must be the second lady! Ever since she heard Old Madam's talk of close kinship, she has always been hostile towards our lady, not wanting her to become her sister-in-law."

"The second lady is actually unlikely," Xin You said as she sat down at the dressing table, slowly removing her hairpins. "Let's see."

The night passed quietly, and the next morning dawned bright and clear. Xin You didn't need to pay respects to Old Madam and woke up leisurely as the sun rose.

Breakfast was brought from the main kitchen—steamed buns, scallion pancakes, millet porridge, and a few side dishes of pickled vegetables.

Just as she finished eating and rinsed her mouth, the young maid Hanxue reported that the three ladies had arrived.

"Please let them in."

With the tinkling of their jewelry, three young ladies entered. Leading the way was the second lady, Duan Yunhua, while the eldest lady, Duan Yunwan, and the third lady, Duan Yunling, followed slightly behind, not walking shoulder to shoulder.

Xin You observed this, lost in thought.

She had grown up in a simple environment and hadn't considered before how distinct the lines between legitimate and illegitimate daughters were in Shaoqing Mansion.

"Young Cousin Qing, I heard you got into trouble again," Duan Yunhua said, but her tone lacked genuine concern and instead carried a hint of mockery.

Xin You looked at her and smiled gently. "I'm sorry, Sister Hua. It seems I keep causing trouble, troubling you to visit me repeatedly."

Duan Yunhua felt a tinge of sarcasm in those words, yet seeing the clear, calm black eyes, she doubted if she was overthinking.

Someone like Kou Qingqing, who only knew how to cry, wouldn't have the courage.

"Young Cousin Qing, you should focus on recuperating and avoid going out recently," Duan Yunling said, her gaze fixed on Xin You, her tone somewhat stern.

Xin You smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Cousin Ling. I understand."

"Young Cousin Qing looks well. Were you hurt by the runaway horse yesterday?" Duan Yunwan asked, scrutinizing Xin You.

"No."

"That's good. We're relieved to hear you're unharmed," Duan Yunwan smiled. "I heard you returned late yesterday because you went to Thousand Sakura Mountain."

Xin You raised an eyebrow slightly, about to respond, but paused.

Before her eyes, a terrifying scene unfolded: a girl stared blankly at the fish in a pond, and a pair of hands reached out from behind, pushing her in. The water wasn't deep, but the girl struggled to surface, only to be pushed back under forcefully.

The water churned, the fish scattered, and everything returned to calm, with the girl's face floating on the surface.

"Young Cousin Qing?" Duan Yunwan called when Xin You seemed distracted.

Xin You snapped back to reality, staring intently at Duan Yunwan's delicate face, realizing, "So it was you."

"What were you thinking about, Young Cousin Qing?"

Xin You pressed her forehead. "When Sister Wan mentioned Thousand Sakura Mountain, I suddenly remembered something."

As she spoke, she subtly observed the subtle changes in the other's expression.

"What did you remember, Young Cousin Qing?" Duan Yunwan asked, trying to remain composed, but her tightly clenched handkerchief betrayed her anxiety.

Xin You spoke casually. "Something from childhood."

"It seems Young Cousin Qing is recovering her memories," Duan Yunwan smiled.

But Duan Yunhua frowned. "Is it so easy to recover memories after a head injury?"

"What did you say, Sister Hua?" Xin You tilted her head, pretending not to hear clearly.

Duan Yunhua changed her tone. "I meant, Young Cousin Qing, don't rush. Let it happen naturally."

Duan Yunling hesitated for a moment before interjecting, "It's better to remember sooner. Living without past memories is inconvenient—"

Both Duan Yunhua and Duan Yunwan turned to look at her, and Duan Yunling faltered, twisting her handkerchief. "Sisters, don't you agree?"

Duan Yunhua smiled but didn't answer, standing up. "Rest well, Cousin. We'll visit another day."

Watching the three leave, Xin You whispered to Xiaolian, "That person is Duan Yunwan."

Xiaolian was stunned, then shocked. "You mean the eldest lady is the one who harmed our lady?"

Xin You nodded.

"But Miss, you have no grudges with the Eldest Miss—" Xiaolian murmured, her face filled with disbelief.

"The key is not how Duan Yunwan and Miss Kou get along, but rather the Eldest Madam."

For a legitimate mother to make a concubine-born daughter work for her is not a difficult task.

This also aligns with Xin You's previous judgment.

Duan Yunhua's dissatisfaction with Kou Qingqing is not enough to be a motive for murder, and as a mother, how could she bear to let her own daughter's hands be stained with blood?

If that's the case—

Xin You hugged the soft pillow casually placed at the head of the bed and whispered, "Duan Yunling is likely a witness."

"Does the Third Miss know too?" Xiaolian covered her mouth.

"She probably saw it unintentionally."

That's why there were those subtle warnings multiple times.

"What about the Second Miss?"

Xin You gave a sarcastic smile, "Perhaps the Second Miss is the only one who knows nothing."

"Miss, what should we do next?"

"Isn't there a fish pond in Shaoqing Mansion?" Xin You asked.

Although she had been in Shaoqing Mansion for a few days, she had either stayed in Evening Serenity Abode or gone to Ruyitang, without having the chance to wander around.

"A fish pond? Yes, there is one, just north of the garden. It's not very big, with a few koi fish. Do you want to go see it, Miss?"

Xin You thought for a moment, "I didn't visit the Old Madam today, so let's wait until after lunch to go."

Soon, it was afternoon. The bright sun hung high in the sky, and cicadas on the trees called out loudly, disturbing those trying to nap, making them toss and turn before finally falling asleep.

Xiaolian held up her hand to shield Xin You from the sun, "It's too hot to be out now, Miss. Be careful not to catch heatstroke."

"Just for a little while, no need to shield. There are benefits to coming out at this time."

"What benefits?" Xiaolian asked curiously.

"Generally, you won't run into anyone." Xin You said, looking ahead and pausing for a moment.