Chapter 120: A Sense of Déjà Vu

Chapter 120: A Sense of Déjà Vu

Duan Yunlang returned to the Imperial Academy and recounted Xin You's words.

Meng Fei, like Duan Yunlang, was impressed by these words and relayed them to his grandfather, Meng Jijiu.

A glint of surprise flashed in Meng Jijiu's eyes. "These words were said by Miss Kou, the owner of Qingsong Bookstore?"

"Yes. That’s why we didn’t get to know what kind of person Mr. Songling is."

Meng Jijiu waved his hand, dismissing his grandson, and the next morning, he strolled leisurely to Qingsong Bookstore.

Both Hu Zhanggu and Liu Zhou recognized Meng Jijiu, as the Imperial Academy was nearby, and they often saw this old official passing by.

However, Meng Jijiu rarely visited bookstores. After all, the Imperial Academy also printed books, which were of higher quality than those printed by civilians, mainly for use by the court, known as imperial editions.

Hu Zhanggu pushed aside Liu Zhou and respectfully greeted him.

Liu Zhou understood the old shopkeeper's excitement at seeing the Jijiu of the Imperial Academy. Yesterday, when he saw Meng Jijiu enter the bookstore, he was so nervous that he could hardly speak coherently.

"Is your esteemed owner here?"

Hu Zhanggu was puzzled: Meng Jijiu came looking for Mr. Songling early yesterday, and now he was looking for the owner today. Could there be something important?

"Our owner is here, please wait a moment." Hu Zhanggu immediately sent Shi Tou to inform her.

Xin You had been writing all day and, upon receiving Shi Tou's message, went to the front.

"Greetings, Lord Jijiu."

Meng Jijiu, with his white hair and beard but few wrinkles on his face, had a pair of phoenix eyes similar to Meng Fei's, making him look spirited.

As Xin You sized up Meng Jijiu, he was also observing her.

Yesterday, when he visited Mr. Songling and was told that he couldn't be contacted, he left. This was his first time meeting the legendary Miss Kou.

With so many curious young people at the Imperial Academy, Meng Jijiu often heard various gossips while walking around, including those about Qingsong Bookstore. Naturally, he had heard of Miss Kou.

The girl before him had clear eyes and a calm demeanor, showing no fear even in the presence of the Jijiu of the Imperial Academy, which was quite rare.

"There's no need for such formalities, Miss Kou. This isn't an official government office; just treat me as an ordinary guest."

Xin You smiled, indicating she understood, and asked about Meng Jijiu's purpose.

Meng Jijiu stroked his beard and got straight to the point: "Yesterday, I accidentally overheard some words from one of my students, which turned out to be from you, Miss Kou. I am truly curious how someone so young can express such profound truths so clearly and vividly, awakening the deaf and dumb. I couldn't resist coming to meet you."

Xin You awkwardly took a sip of tea.

She had only just spoken those words to Duan Yunlang, and they had already reached the ears of the Jijiu of the Imperial Academy. What a big mouth Duan Yunlang was.

What made her uncomfortable was not the praise but the fact that those words weren't hers.

Xin You gave an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I will disappoint you, Lord Jijiu. Those words were not mine."

"Oh, then who said them?" Disappointment flickered in Meng Jijiu's eyes.

His disappointment wasn't directed at the girl before him but at something else.

Just because an egg tastes good doesn't mean you have to see the hen that laid it. The words were indeed refreshing, but what intrigued him wasn't the words themselves but their familiarity.

A remarkable woman had once said something similar, the Empress Xin, who had been missing for years.

At that time, he was already serving the current emperor. During a debate among several strategists about the most suitable person to lead an attack on a city, due to the poor reputation of the best candidate, Empress Xin said, "Whether it's a black cat or a white cat, a cat that catches mice is a good cat. Why argue endlessly?"

A straightforward statement that even the illiterate could understand, yet it was enlightening.

When Meng Jijiu heard his grandson recount the words, he immediately thought of Empress Xin. Though he knew it was impossible, he followed his heart and came to investigate.

"It was Mr. Songling who said it," Xin You didn't have the audacity to claim it as her own, nor did she want to risk her mother having said something similar to others. It was best to attribute it to Mr. Songling.

Upon hearing it was Mr. Songling, Meng Jijiu's eyes flickered. "Yesterday, I came to visit Mr. Songling but unfortunately missed him. Is it convenient for Miss Kou to introduce us?"

Xin You blinked and smiled. "Lord Jijiu, think about Mr. Songling's words."

Mr. Songling's words—

Meng Jijiu was taken aback, then laughed heartily. "It seems I have been too demanding."

Xin You's respect for the old official grew significantly.

Many officials feigned approachability to show their grace, but if their subordinates refused them, they would be secretly furious.

But with this Jijiu, she sensed genuine sincerity.

Before leaving, Meng Jijiu still offered a reminder. "Mr. Songling is a man of great talent, and his brilliance may not remain hidden for long."

Xin You watched as Meng Jijiu left and returned to the eastern courtyard to continue transcribing her story.

She understood Meng Jijiu's meaning, but what she wanted was to use Mr. Songling's identity to convey her message to the person she needed to reach.

This was somewhat risky, but if her enemies were indeed the Count Gu Chang's household or even King Qing and his mother, facing such a formidable opponent, she had to leverage whatever resources she could.

Some risks had to be taken, and the worst outcome would be her life. She could do her utmost, and whether she succeeded or failed, she would have no regrets.

A drop of ink fell onto the rice paper, quickly spreading.

Xin You stared at the ink stain, lost in thought.

If it truly comes to that, though she would have no regrets, there would still be unfinished matters. One is the promise to Xiaolian to reclaim Miss Kou's family fortune, and the other is the considerable assistance received from Lord He, which has yet to be repaid.

It seems she must hasten to reclaim the family fortune for Kou Qingqing. As for Lord He—

Lord He is the imposing commander of the Jinlin Guard, a hereditary Changle Marquis. She, on the other hand, is merely the owner of a bookstore, and "Miss Kou" whose wealth is coveted by the Shaoqing Mansion.

Perhaps this debt will remain unpaid forever.

She grew up to sixteen years old, always being the one to help others due to her unique abilities. There are many in this world who owe her favors, but she owes only one person.

For a moment, Xin You couldn't quite discern what she felt, lightly pressing her lips together before continuing to write.

As night fell, Xin You soaked her hands in hot water for a long time to alleviate her fatigue.

Xiaolian, feeling sorry for Xin You's hard work, gently massaged her shoulders.

"Miss, our bookstore has made a lot of money. Don't overwork yourself; it's fine to release new books a bit later."

"It's not urgent, but I don't like delaying things, and there's nothing much going on recently anyway," Xin You said, closing her eyes to enjoy Xiaolian's massage. She asked softly, "Xiaolian, what do you plan to do once we reclaim Miss Kou's family fortune?"

Xiaolian's hands paused as she moved in front of Xin You.

"Miss, you have a way to get back the family fortune?"

"Tell me about it," Xin You smiled.

The plan has been there all along; what she's been waiting for is the right moment.

Xiaolian was stumped: "I don't know, I can't even imagine it right now."

Though she didn't get an answer from Xiaolian, Xin You suddenly felt a weight lifted off her heart.

"Then let's not think about it for now. We'll see when the time comes," Xin You said to Xiaolian, and also to herself.