Chapter 73 Heart-Stopping

Chapter 73 Heart-Stopping

What Zhou Ningyue saw at the door was likely the horrifying scene of her father harming her mother.

And what about Zhou's mother?

Since she could see Zhou Ningyue falling, she might also have seen an incident involving Zhou's mother.

Xin You composed herself and naturally said, "I came to visit you rather suddenly, Sister Zhou. I apologize for the intrusion. I should go greet Auntie."

"My mother has gone out," Zhou Ningyue said, holding Xin You's hand without any awkwardness from their time apart, "Sister Kou, Cousin, please come into my room."

Xin You suppressed her disappointment and followed Zhou Ningyue into the western wing.

A maid named Chunya brought in tea and snacks and then quietly left.

Xin You couldn't help but give Chunya an extra glance.

Zhou Ningyue, perceptive as she was, noticed this and asked, "Sister Kou, is something wrong? Is there something about Chunya that's not right?"

"No, it's just that Chunya reminds me of a servant girl who used to attend to me when I was young."

"Sister Kou wasn't in the capital before, was she?"

"Yes, I lived elsewhere with my parents back then. When I moved to the capital, I only brought my wet nurse and a personal maid. The other servants were dismissed. Ever since I first met Chunya at your house, I felt she looked familiar, so I couldn't help but look at her more closely just now."

"I see."

Taking the opportunity, Xin You asked, "Is Chunya from the capital?"

Zhou Ningyue smiled, "Yes, she is. Our family used to live elsewhere too, and we had a servant girl. But when we moved to the capital, my mother didn't want to separate her from her family permanently, so she let her go home. We bought Chunya after moving here."

"Then it seems there's no connection to the servant girl who used to serve me."

"There probably isn't. Chunya was sold because her mother needed money for medical treatment. Her family isn't far away, and my mother allows her to return home on special days like Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Auntie is truly kind-hearted," Xin You praised with a smile.

It seemed certain that the day they were referring to was Mid-Autumn Festival. Chunya wasn't in the vision because she had gone home to be with her family.

The same might be true for the other servants.

Before Xin You could inquire further, Zhou Ningyue volunteered, "Uncle Wang and the others are hired workers, so they have more holidays."

"On such days like Mid-Autumn Festival, wouldn't you have to prepare your own meals?"

Xin You's question made Zhou Ningyue giggle, and Ji Cailan joined in the laughter.

"Sister Kou, in families like ours, most things need to be done by ourselves. Your cousin's family is better off; my family only has one helper who does rough work and goes home every evening."

Xin You smiled apologetically.

Ji Cailan, fearing Xin You might feel embarrassed, quickly changed the subject: "Cousin, do you know why we came to see you?"

"Why?"

"You wouldn't believe how talented Sister Kou is." Ji Cailan took out a small booklet from her sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ningyue, "Take a look."

"What is this?" Zhou Ningyue opened the booklet and was immediately captivated, "Ah, this is a drawing of *Painted Skin*!"

"It was drawn by Sister Kou."

Zhou Ningyue looked at Xin You with admiration, fondly touching the booklet, "Sister Kou, you're really amazing."

Xin You smiled gently, "If you like it, I'll give you this copy."

Neither Zhou Ningyue nor Ji Cailan were ones for formalities, so they happily thanked her but then worried about who would keep the booklet.

In the end, Ji Cailan graciously stepped aside, "Cousin, you keep it. If Sister Kou draws the next part of *Painted Skin*, I'll ask for it then."

Zhou Ningyue knew her cousin was being considerate and, despite feeling a bit embarrassed, accepted it.

"Sister Kou and Cousin, stay for dinner. I'll ask Uncle Wang to cook some of his specialties."

Xin You politely declined.

"Sister Kou, don't refuse. Consider it a chance for me to thank you."

Xin You agreed, feeling a slight joy.

Staying for dinner meant a chance to wait for Zhou's mother to return.

Sure enough, before lunchtime, Zhou's mother returned.

Zhou Ningyue saw her mother pass by the window and quickly went out, standing at the door of the western wing and calling, "Mother, Cousin and Sister Kou are here."

Xin You and Ji Cailan also went outside.

Ji Cailan greeted her aunt warmly, while Xin You bowed respectfully, "Good afternoon, Auntie."

Zhou's mother clearly had a good impression of Xin You, speaking kindly, "No need for formalities. I was just saying the other day that Ningyue should visit you more often. She's such a quiet girl, it's nice that Sister Kou doesn't mind."

"Mother, Sister Kou gave me a wonderful gift. I asked her to stay for dinner."

Xin You listened to their conversation with a smile, but her mind was already focused on the new vision.

The light indicated it was still daytime, and this time, it was inside the house.

Zhou's mother stood with her back against the edge of a desk, overshadowed by a tall figure—her husband, Zhou's father.

But this was not a warm scene of a couple conversing in a study; it was a murder in progress.

Zhou's father had his hands around Zhou's mother's neck, squeezing tightly. She tried to push his hands away but could not break free, and finally, her hands fell to the table, remaining still.

The scene did not end there. Zhou's father suddenly turned back, with a menacing look on his face, staring at the door before striding towards it.

The horrifying image vanished, replaced by Zhou's mother, who looked haggard yet kind, smiling as she spoke to Xin You's mother, while Zhou Ningyue held her hand.

A chill ran through Xin You's heart, and she clenched her fists tightly.

At this point, the two scenes aligned.

Zhou Ningyue had witnessed her father killing her mother at the door, and in shock, she dropped the basket she was carrying. The sound of the basket falling startled Zhou's father, causing him to chase after her.

Why did Zhou's father kill Zhou's mother?

If it was because of Mother, hadn't she been pacified that night?

Or perhaps, did Zhou's mother discover something new and confront her husband, leading to an argument where he lost control and killed her?

No, it might not have been a moment of impulse; it could have been a deliberate act to silence her?

Given that Mother was the missing Empress, Xin You did not hesitate to assume the worst about those involved.

What should she do next?

Even as Zhou Ningyue and Ji Cailan led her back to the western wing, one on each side, Xin You was still pondering this question.

The time could be confirmed: it was the daytime of Mid-Autumn Festival. Judging from Zhou Ningyue's appearance, she had bought mooncakes from outside, and Zhou's mother likely did not expect her daughter to return so early. Considering the scenery in the scene, the time could be narrowed down further to the morning.

"I'll go to the outhouse." At her uncle's house, Cailan was completely at ease and even asked Xin You, "Sister Kou, would you like to come along?"

"Sister Ji, go ahead. I don't need to go yet."

"Alright, then I'll go."

Once Cailan left, only Xin You and Zhou Ningyue remained in the room.

"Sister Kou, you look a bit pale. Are you feeling unwell?"