Chapter 30: Travelogue

Chapter 30: Travelogue

"I'm fine," Xin You said with an open gaze, meeting the deep eyes before her. "I didn't expect to meet you here again, Sir. May I ask for your name?"

He Qingxiao noticed the wide-eyed stare of the shopkeeper and the clerk out of the corner of his eye. He swallowed his refusal and spoke gently, "My surname is He."

"Sir He."

He Qingxiao raised his eyebrows slightly.

Xin You explained, "I just heard the clerk call you 'Sir'."

Looking at the girl's candid expression, He Qingxiao suddenly felt that avoiding revealing his identity was pointless.

"I serve as the Magistrate in the Jinlin Guard. That small favor the other day, Miss Kou, you don't need to keep it in mind."

"That small favor of Sir He was a life-saving act for me."

"Your reminder that day was already repayment," He Qingxiao thought of the flower pot that had fallen from the sky, and his gaze towards Xin You changed slightly.

Initially, he suspected that the incident was staged by the girl to get close to him, but after hearing some things about the Shaoqing Mansion, he dismissed this suspicion.

A young girl in such an environment would struggle to protect herself; she had neither the strength nor the need to approach someone like him.

Still, he couldn't understand how a sheltered girl could be proficient in geomancy.

He Qingxiao hesitated for a moment before saying, "If Miss Kou encounters any trouble, if I can help within my means, feel free to seek me out."

This time, it was Xin You whose gaze shifted.

Confusion flickered in her eyes, but upon meeting his clear and tranquil gaze, she instantly understood.

He Qingxiao treated her the same way she had treated the young boy who sought advance wages for his mother—out of pure compassion for those in distress.

Xin You curtsied again. "I thank Sir He in advance."

He Qingxiao nodded, his gaze falling on the counter.

Xin You followed his line of sight, feeling puzzled.

She wondered if it was just her imagination, but it seemed Sir He kept staring at the travelogue she wanted to buy.

"I won't disturb Sir He anymore." Xin You picked up the travelogue. "Shopkeeper, please settle the bill."

"Are you sure you want to buy this one?" The shopkeeper asked Xin You, but his eyes sneaked glances at He Qingxiao.

He Qingxiao quickly walked deeper into the bookshelves.

"Shopkeeper?"

"Oh!" The shopkeeper, who had turned to look at the retreating figure, hurriedly faced Xin You and held up three fingers. "This travelogue is a bit expensive, costing three taels of silver."

Three taels of silver was indeed not cheap.

Xiaolian couldn't help but say, "A single volume of a storybook only costs a few hundred coins!"

The shopkeeper wasn't surprised by the little maid's reaction and explained with a smile, "There's no comparison. Storybooks are mass-produced, so their cost is low, making them cheaper. This travelogue is unique; for those who love it, no price is too high."

Xin You nodded slightly, and Xiaolian didn't say more, taking out some silver pieces and placing them on the counter.

The clerk carefully wrapped the travelogue and handed it to Xiaolian.

"I'll carry it." Xin You directly took the book and bid farewell to the shopkeeper, heading outside.

Seeing the master and servant leave the bookstore, the clerk quietly asked the shopkeeper, "Why didn't you remind that girl—"

He gestured discreetly towards the inside.

Both the shopkeeper and the clerk knew that every time Sir He visited the bookstore, he would browse through that travelogue.

"Don't meddle," the shopkeeper warned, giving the clerk a stern look.

If it were another customer, he would have quietly reminded them to avoid inadvertently offending the Jinlin Guard Magistrate. But seeing the girl buying the travelogue without a word from Sir He, he decided not to interfere.

Such an expensive book, finally sold!

Unbeknownst to them, He Qingxiao, standing beside the bookshelf with a book in hand, was not as calm as he appeared.

The book in front of him became increasingly uninteresting; all he could think was that he hadn't finished reading that book yet.

Outside Qingsong Bookstore, the crowd showed no sign of thinning. Xiaolian tiptoed to look around and asked Xin You, "Lady, shall I go buy another one?"

The *Peony Chronicles* in the lady's hands was also written by Mr. Ping'an. There seemed to be blood stains on it, though.

Xiaolian guessed that the matter Lady Xin You came to the capital to handle was not simple, but she did not ask a single question.

The lady had avenged her mistress and was willing to take her in; no matter what happened in the future, she would face it together with her lady.

"There are too many people; let's forget it and go back."

On the way back, Xin You casually flipped through the new travelogue and was pleasantly surprised to find it quite interesting. She became engrossed until Xiaolian reminded her that they had arrived at the Shaoqing Mansion.

Getting off the carriage, Xin You walked slowly with the book in hand, while Xiaolian whispered, "Second Lady is over there."

Duan Yunhua also spotted Xin You and, without thinking, walked over.

Xin You stood still as she saw the approaching girl with a fierce demeanor.

Her expressionless face ignited Duan Yunhua's suppressed anger like a spark in oil. "Kou Qingqing, tell me, what exactly happened yesterday?"

It was just one day, yet life had turned upside down. Even with her brother's comfort, Duan Yunhua still couldn't accept it.

Xin You quietly observed Duan Yunhua for a moment and said calmly, "Grandmother said not to mention yesterday's events again. If Cousin Hua really wants to know the details, ask Grandmother or Uncle."

Duan Yunhua's eyebrows furrowed angrily. "You know very well that Grandmother and Father won't tell me!"

"Oh, then I don't want to say anything either." Xin You's face remained cold.

"You—" Duan Yunhua clenched her teeth in anger, barely restraining the urge to slap that indifferent face. "Kou Qingqing, don't get too cocky!"

Xin You paused for a moment and asked, "What does Kou Qingqing have to be proud of?"

If one thought about it carefully, it was somewhat strange, but only Xiaolian could understand.

Xiaolian bit her lip, her eyes filled with anger and tears as she looked at Duan Yunhua.

Her young lady's remains were still in that dark cave, with no idea when they would be laid to rest. What did her Lady Qingqing have to be proud of?

"Kou Qingqing, so your past obedience was all an act."

Xin You smiled. "Unlike Cousin Hua, who has always been domineering."

"How dare you say that to me!" Duan Yunhua erupted in anger, her raised hand held back by her maid.

"Miss, let's go back to your room. If Old Madam finds out—"

Duan Yunhua's anger suddenly froze, leaving her face flushed with frustration.

"Just wait!" With those words, Duan Yunhua swept away.

The maid hurried after her, nearly stumbling from Duan Yunhua's angry push.

"Miss, Second Miss will still cause trouble for you," Xiaolian said with a frown.

Xin You laughed. "I'm afraid she won't."

Xiaolian blinked in confusion.

Without further explanation, Xin You said, "Let's go. We'll visit Third Miss."

Duan Yunling had felt like she was living in a dream these past two days. Hearing that her cousin had arrived, she quickly instructed someone to bring her in.

After some casual conversation, Xin You said directly, "I'd like to ask Ling Cousin for a favor."