Chapter 133: Prepared

Chapter 133: Prepared

"The day after tomorrow?" Xin You mused after Duan Yunling finished speaking.

A glimmer of light appeared in Duan Yunling's eyes. "Cousin Qing, do you have a way?"

In the past, she wouldn't even have had the courage to ask for help. She knew her own insignificance and didn't believe she could help others, nor did she dare hope that others would help her.

It was Cousin Qing who brought about this change in her.

Xin You lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on her fingertips.

Her fingers had developed thin calluses from writing so much, but the hard work had been rewarding.

Duan Yunling's eyes dimmed at Xin You's silence, and she bit her lip. "Cousin Qing, I was just asking. If you can't think of a solution, it's fine—"

Xin You looked up, meeting the pale face of the young girl. "Cousin Ling, if we were to refuse this marriage, would you be willing to trade your comfortable life for it?"

"I don't care!" Duan Yunling blurted out.

Xin You smiled. "This isn't something to say lightly; it truly concerns your future life. Think carefully before you answer."

Duan Yunling thought for a moment and asked, "When Cousin Qing says losing my current comfortable life, does that mean having problems with food and clothing?"

"It won't come to that. Just that your clothes and jewelry won't be as expensive or varied throughout the seasons, and your dowry when you marry won't be as substantial," Xin You said, looking into Duan Yunling's eyes. "Would you still have no complaints, Cousin Ling?"

Duan Yunling sighed in relief after hearing Xin You's words. "I thought it would mean struggling for basic needs. What Cousin Qing is talking about is just the life of an ordinary official's daughter."

Most of her friends came from similar backgrounds, with fathers and brothers holding middle-ranking positions. Those from originally wealthy families were better off, but those who had studied hard from humble beginnings didn't live as comfortably as people imagined. They would indeed have new clothes and jewelry made each season, mostly small and pretty, but not many items suitable for public appearances.

Thinking about this, Duan Yunling paused, considering a question she had never seriously pondered before: Since her background was similar to her friends', why was her life so much more comfortable?

Where did all this money come from?

Meeting those clear, water-like eyes, Duan Yunling suddenly shivered, a chill spreading through her body.

Could it be—those rumors are true?

Duan Yunling opened her mouth, but her throat felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, unable to utter a word.

"Cousin Ling, if you can think like this, then I will help you." Xin You hadn't expected her words to stir such deep thoughts in Duan Yunling, and she patted her shoulder to comfort her.

These days, she wasn't just preparing for Mr. Songling's upcoming book release; she also needed to reclaim Miss Kou's family fortune. Dealing with Shaoqing Mansion, helping Duan Yunling should be manageable.

Duan Yunling's eyes brightened. "Cousin Qing, what should I do?"

"Cousin Ling, just don't change your mind. Leave the rest to me."

"Do I not need to do anything?" Duan Yunling felt uneasy, more out of guilt than anything else.

"For now, no. I'll let you know if I need anything," Xin You said, not wanting to make promises she couldn't keep. "I'll do my best. In case it doesn't work—"

Duan Yunling interrupted Xin You. "Then I'll accept it. Cousin Qing, please don't take risks for my sake."

She had tried to resist, and if it failed, it wouldn't be her fault, nor should she drag others down with her.

Duan Yunling left Evening Serenity Abode, feeling much lighter.

The early winter flowers and trees in Evening Serenity Abode had shed their leaves, giving the place a desolate look. Fortunately, the warm sunlight filtered through the windows, dispelling the darkness and cold inside.

"Miss, aren't you going to take a nap?" Xiaolian, who knew Xin You's routine well, asked softly.

She didn't know what the third miss had said, but it was clearly not for idle chat. Thinking about how hard Xin You had been working on her books recently, Xiaolian couldn't help but feel concerned.

"Xiaolian, go back to the Bookstore and bring me the manuscript from the second shelf of the bookcase against the west wall of the study," Xin You instructed carefully.

Xiaolian agreed and quickly left Evening Serenity Abode.

"Sister Xiaolian is leaving?" The gatekeeper, who guarded the corner gate, greeted her warmly.

Xiaolian smiled and responded, easily leaving Shaoqing Mansion.

Everything was orderly in the eastern courtyard of the Bookstore. When Aunt Fang saw Xiaolian return, she was surprised. "Didn't you go back to Shaoqing Mansion with the miss? Why are you back so suddenly?"

"The miss forgot something and sent me back to fetch it."

Aunt Fang relaxed. "That's good. I thought something had happened."

Xiaolian thought that something might indeed happen, but there was no need to worry Aunt Fang with such speculations. She quickly found the box containing the manuscript, packed it carefully, and rushed back to Shaoqing Mansion.

"Miss, I've brought the manuscript."

Xin You took the box and opened it in front of Xiaolian.

Inside lay a book, different from the storybooks sold at the Bookstore. Its cover was blank, and the binding was casual, clearly a privately compiled manuscript.

Xiaolian, who had never opened the manuscript, now stared at it curiously. "Miss, is this the new book the Bookstore will release?"

As someone who spent every day with Xin You, Xiaolian knew that while the stories were told by Mr. Songling, they were written by Xin You.

"No," Xin You placed her hand gently on the book, a slight smile on her lips. "This is to reclaim Miss Kou's family fortune."

Xiaolian's eyes widened, staring intently at the manuscript. "Can this really get back our miss's family fortune?"

The young maid's first reaction was disbelief, but seeing the calm and composed young lady before her, her doubts turned into hope.

Since she had started following the miss, she had seen her overcome crisis after crisis, turning the impossible into the possible.

"Miss, can I touch it?" Xiaolian's eyes remained fixed on the manuscript.

Xin You smiled and moved her hand away.

Xiaolian took a deep breath and tentatively extended her hand.

Xin You couldn't help but laugh, "Feel free to touch it; the manuscript won't bite."

The young maid's hand finally touched the book, and she broke into a wide smile, "What are you talking about, Miss? I'm not worried about the manuscript biting me."

She just wanted to absorb some of the divine aura first.

"Alright, come with me to see Duan Shaoqing," Xin You said as she put away the manuscript and stood up.

Xiaolian was taken aback, "Miss, aren't we going to see the old lady?"

Isn't it the old lady who holds all the wealth?

Xin You spoke with certainty, making it clear to Xiaolian that she hadn't misheard, "No, we're going to see Duan Shaoqing."

It's true that the old lady controls the finances of the mansion, but the true pillar supporting Shaoqing Mansion is undoubtedly Duan Shaoqing.

Reclaiming the majority of Kou Qingqing's family fortune would be a matter that could shake the foundations of Shaoqing Mansion, so naturally, they should seek out the true head of the Duan family.

Duan Shaoqing had just woken from his midday nap and was sipping hot tea to refresh himself when he heard from a servant that his cousin had arrived.

Surprised, Duan Shaoqing instructed the servant to bring her in.