Chapter 81: Susu

Chapter 81: Susu

Only Xin You and Zhou's mother remained in the eastern room.

Xin You caressed the warm teacup, patiently waiting for Zhou's mother to speak.

Zhou's mother gazed at the young girl before her.

Despite being around the same age as her daughter, she was so composed and calm. Could Yue'er also live well without her mother's protection, just like Miss Kou?

Thinking of this, Zhou's mother felt a sharp pain in her heart.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhou's mother spoke weakly, "My name is Miao Susu."

She did not directly explain the reason for her argument with her husband but instead mentioned her own name, then looked at Xin You with anticipation.

Xin You understood Miao Susu's expectation and smiled, "Auntie's name is beautiful."

Miao Susu smiled, "Yes, it is a beautiful name. Have you heard any rumors about the current Empress?"

Xin You's heart tightened, and she shook her head, "No, I haven't."

Miao Susu gave a bitter smile, "It makes sense; it's been so many years. People dare not talk about it anymore, so naturally, you young ones hear less. The current Empress has the surname Xin. The name 'Susu' was bestowed upon me by Empress Xin."

Xin You was shocked, "Auntie's name was given by the Empress?"

Miao Susu nodded, lost in memories.

"It was twenty years ago. I was just a little palace maid, and everyone in the palace was terrified of the rebels invading the capital. That day finally came. When the palace gates were about to be breached, the Emperor ordered the slaughter of the harem. Those ladies who usually wore fine clothes fell one by one, and us maids scattered, fearing for our lives, whether we knew each other or not."

As she recounted, Miao Susu's face grew paler, "When I was about to be caught, I saw a troop of soldiers, including women. That's how I survived. Later, I learned that among the troops invading the imperial city was a force led by Empress Xin."

Miao Susu's lips curved into a faint smile, "That was when I realized that women could be like that too. Not long after the new dynasty was established, Empress Xin obtained the new Emperor's permission to release us former palace servants and even provided us with money to start anew. Before leaving the palace, I mustered the courage to kneel and ask Empress Xin for a new name. I thought, since I was starting a new life outside the palace, I should have a new name."

At this point, she widened her eyes slightly, as if the celestial woman was still before her.

"Empress Xin looked at me and said, 'My heart is now at peace, like a tranquil river. Your name shall be Susu.' After leaving the palace, thanks to the new dynasty's policies that were more lenient towards women, I managed to live well despite having no family. Later, I married Zhou Tong."

Miao Susu spoke about her marriage to Zhou Tong, and Xin You listened quietly.

"At the beginning of the year, Zhou Tong stayed in the capital for his duties. He wrote to me, asking me to bring Yue'er to join him there. I was thrilled to return to the capital, but on the way, Yue'er broke her leg. We were in dire straits when we met a kind person. She seemed familiar, and later, I realized she looked like Empress Xin. When I met Zhou Tong, I told him about it."

Miao Susu's pale face showed regret and anger, "I kept wondering if that kind person was Empress Xin and repeatedly asked Zhou Tong. One night, after he had drunk, he suddenly flew into a rage during a casual conversation, saying that Empress Xin was already dead and that I should stop asking. Cough, cough—"

Miao Susu coughed a few times, her eyes red, "He revealed that he had always hated Empress Xin for leaving without a word, believing she had hurt the Emperor's dignity. So whenever he received news about her, he would send someone to verify her identity and kill her on the spot."

Xin You clenched her fists tightly, speaking calmly, "Since Zhou Tong was forced to do so, why did you argue again?"

"Because I found out he might have lied to me."

"Lied?" Xin You was taken aback.

Miao Susu's eyes burned with anger, "In the study, I accidentally discovered a stack of silver notes and a letter confirming the information he provided. Though not explicitly stated, I knew it was about Empress Xin. I became suspicious. If what he said was true, and he only reported the situation, why would they give so much money to a mere hundred-household officer? Even as an ordinary woman, I knew this was illogical."

Hearing this, Xin You suddenly thought of someone.

The person often wore vermilion robes and read quietly by the bookshelf at dusk.

Could it be that Zhou Tong reported the news to someone else?

But why was He Qingxiao in Wanyang at that time?

Did she blame the wrong person?

Miao Susu coughed twice, a bitter smile on her lips, "Due to the money and the letter, I confronted him. I asked if he had been lying all along, not reporting the news but selling it to those who wanted to harm Empress Xin. He flew into a rage and strangled me. By the time I reacted, a dagger had already pierced his abdomen. Then, Miss Kou knows what happened."

Xin You's eyelids trembled slightly, asking, "Did he say who he sold the information to?"

Silence filled the room for a long while, and Miao Susu asked, "Why are you so interested in this, Miss Kou?"

Xin You met her gaze steadily, "Auntie, you are distressed over Empress Xin's death and your once-loving marriage ending this way. Don't you want the real culprit to face justice?"

Miao Susu bit her lip, "Of course I do. But why are you so interested? Are you merely curious, or do you have some hidden connection to Empress Xin?"

Xin You was silent for a moment before nodding, "I do have a connection to Empress Xin, but I cannot reveal it."

Miao Susu looked at Xin You intently, forcing a smile, "Your words reassure me. Zhou Tong said Empress Xin foolishly abandoned her position and that many people wanted her dead. He sold the information to Count Gu Chang for a large sum of money, supposedly for our future security."

She remembered that it was at this moment that she erupted with incredible strength and stabbed the despicable man.

"Count Gu Chang—" Xin You murmured these three words.

Miao Susu continued, "He is the father of Consort Shu and the maternal grandfather of Prince Second, King Qing."

Her past as a palace maid made her instinctively pay attention to such important figures.

"Miss Kou, I have a request."

"What is it, Auntie?"

"My health is failing. Yue'er is not as wise and strong as you. She has lost her father and will soon lose her mother. I beg you to look after her a little in the future."