Chapter 67 Different

Chapter 67 Different

"Qingqing."

Xin You withdrew his gaze and asked, "What is it, Uncle?"

Duan Shaoqing coughed and tentatively asked: "Are you familiar with Lord He?"

"Not really."

Duan Shaoqing's first reaction was disbelief, but seeing Xin You's cold demeanor, he dismissed his doubts.

A girl in love wouldn't react like this.

Not getting involved with someone as troublesome as the Changle Marquis, Duan Shaoqing breathed a heavy sigh of relief, momentarily forgetting about the one thousand taels of silver.

Xin You sipped her tea, somewhat absent-minded.

From the scene, she couldn't gather more details. How long did it take from when He Qingxiao entered the private room until the poison took effect?

Is the poison already in his mouth now?

Xin You gripped the teacup tightly, images of He Qingxiao helping her flashing through her mind.

There was him leaping off his horse to stop a startled horse, him offering to help her find the arsonist, and him ordering his subordinates to take away the vagrants.

The one with a vendetta for killing her mother was Xin You, while the one who received his kindness was "Kou Qingqing." But only she bore the weight of these actions. Thinking that something terrible was about to happen to him, it was impossible not to feel some emotion.

She wasn't heartless; she felt pity, struggled, and suffered. But all these emotions were based on the premise that he would die. If he didn't die, she still wanted his life.

Xin You took another sip of tea.

The tea had cooled, bitter without any sweetness.

Duan Shaoqing was glad to say less, lest he accidentally lose more money.

The waiter brought their food.

"Eat up, and go back to the Bookstore early after the meal."

Xin You nodded and picked up her chopsticks.

The dishes Duan Shaoqing ordered were light and bland, lacking flavor. Xin You glanced towards the stairway.

"Qingqing, do the dishes not suit your taste?"

The waiter's ears perked up at the words.

What, they think our teahouse's food isn't good?

Xin You paused, holding her chopsticks, and nodded: "Uncle, I want to eat Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish."

Duan Shaoqing's face twitched violently.

It was his own fault! Not to mention the price, it would take at least half an hour to prepare!

Duan Shaoqing showed a difficult expression: "This teahouse—"

The waiter interrupted confidently: "Our teahouse has it, and the taste will not disappoint the young lady!"

Duan Shaoqing: "..." What does this waiter have to do with it?

But with others watching, he reluctantly ordered the Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish.

If it were his own child, he could simply refuse, but with a niece, it was different. Otherwise, people might say he was stingy with an orphaned niece, which would be embarrassing.

Xin You silently picked up a piece of vegetable.

With ample time, she could wait patiently.

While waiting for the Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish, new customers came in, and those who finished their meals left. For Xin You and Duan Shaoqing, the time was somewhat unbearable.

Duan Shaoqing asked about the Bookstore: "Who is Mr. Songling?"

Xin You replied: "He is a very talented writer."

Duan Shaoqing paused, then advised in an elder's tone: "Qingqing, your Bookstore relies on Mr. Songling's stories. Make sure to keep him happy, or he might be poached by other bookstores like Mr. Pingan, which would be troublesome."

Xin You smiled: "Uncle is right. That's why I told Mr. Songling that I would buy all his future stories at high prices and give him a monthly salary. It's just that I'm a bit short on funds..."

Duan Shaoqing's expression twisted, wishing he could slap himself.

"The Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish is here." The waiter placed a dish of fish shaped like a squirrel on the table.

Duan Shaoqing forced a smile: "Eat it while it's hot."

"Uncle, you should eat too." Xin You picked up a piece of fish meat, when suddenly a loud thud came from above.

In that instant, despite being mentally prepared, she involuntarily stood up, her heart squeezed by an invisible hand.

Xin You's reaction startled Duan Shaoqing.

"Qingqing?"

Her sudden standing drew many gazes, but soon the sound of hurried footsteps down the stairs shifted everyone's attention to the Jinlin Guard rushing down.

Xin You slowly sat down, her eyes fixed on the staircase. When she saw the person walking behind two Jinlin Guards, her pupils constricted.

He's fine!

Xin You subconsciously closed her eyes, immersing herself in that scene.

He Qingxiao held the teacup, blood oozing from his mouth and nose, dripping onto his robe.

Xin You opened her eyes and stared fixedly at the man standing on the stairs.

Two Jinlin Guards descended the stairs, drew their swords, and pointed them at the people in the hall, shouting, "Stay where you are! Don't move!"

Some people stood up, others knocked over their teacups, causing chaos, but only the man in red standing on the stairs remained calm, looking down at everyone in the hall.

His gaze fell on Xin You's face, and his calm eyes stirred with emotion.

Xin You tried to show a look of nervous concern, but for some reason, during their brief eye contact, she felt as if she had been seen through.

This left her momentarily unsure how to react, her expression numb.

He Qingxiao walked down.

The teahouse owner cautiously asked, "Sir, what happened? Is there something wrong with our service—"

A Jinlin Guard impatiently interrupted him, "Someone poisoned our sir's tea; everyone here is a suspect!"

Poison?

Upon hearing this, people panicked even more.

Duan Shaoqing tried to appear relaxed but knew how terrifying it was to be targeted by the Jinlin Guard, regretting coming to this teahouse.

"Sir, should we take these people back to the station?" a Jinlin Guard asked He Qingxiao.

"No need. Let's ask the server first."

The server's legs gave way, and he knelt down, "Spare me, sir! I just served the tea; I didn't poison it!"

"Was there anything unusual when you served the tea?" He Qingxiao spoke gently, showing no sign of the danger he had just faced.

"No, I just waited for the tea to be brewed and then brought it up."

"Who was responsible for brewing the tea?"

The owner quickly said, "The tea master who brews tea for the private rooms has worked here for years. There's absolutely no problem."

The Jinlin Guard soon brought the person over, an elderly man nearing fifty.

Many regular customers whispered, "No way, Old Yang has been working here for years."

Xin You suddenly stood up and walked toward He Qingxiao.

"Qingqing!" Duan Shaoqing's voice, filled with suppressed shock, called out from behind.

Xin You ignored it and continued walking.

Her approach drew a warning from the Jinlin Guard, "Stop!"

He Qingxiao gestured for his men to step back, his gaze deeply fixed on the girl standing before him.

"Is there something you need, Miss Kou?" His voice was slightly distant, unsure of what answer he would receive.

Standing this close, Xin You finally confirmed that there was not a single bloodstain on He Qingxiao's robe.

This was different from the scene she had seen.