Chapter 144: Aunt Gui’s Heartache

Chapter 144: Aunt Gui's Heartache

Xin You didn't beat around the bush: "Xiaolian, I want to entrust these two small seals to you."

Xiaolian was dumbfounded: "To, to me?"

Xin You nodded.

"No, no, no—" Xiaolian took a big step back as if the seals in front of her were not worth forty thousand taels of silver but were ferocious beasts.

"Miss, this is forty thousand taels of silver! How can it be entrusted to a servant like me!"

Xin You looked at the seals and asked seriously, "Then what do you plan to do with them?"

She should have also consulted Mama Fang, but due to the secret of her identity, she couldn't reveal it for now.

"I—I—" Xiaolian opened her mouth but was stumped by the question.

The young lady had already asked her this question before, and at that time, she couldn't even imagine what to do with so much money.

Now, she still couldn't imagine it.

After a while, Xiaolian suggested, "Miss, why don't you keep the seals yourself?"

Xin You shook her head: "This is Miss Kou's property."

The task she was about to undertake was fraught with danger; the five thousand taels of silver and several shops on display were one thing, but if anything happened to her, she couldn't let Miss Kou's fortune of forty thousand taels go to waste.

"But my young lady has already gone," Xiaolian said helplessly, "No matter how much wealth she has, my young lady won't be able to use it. Can't you make arrangements for my young lady? You are the most capable person I've ever seen."

"That's not the point," Xin You patted Xiaolian's shoulder, speaking gently but firmly, "Whether I am capable or not has nothing to do with this money. If everyone thought like that, then wouldn't it be right for the old lady to hold onto the Kou family's wealth because Miss Kou is too young? After all, compared to the inexperienced Miss Kou, the old lady is more capable and experienced."

Xiaolian was convinced, but her heart was still heavy: "Your meaning is that I should arrange this money?"

"You grew up with Miss Kou and should understand her the most. I believe your arrangement would best meet Miss Kou's expectations."

Xiaolian fell silent after hearing Xin You's words. After a long while, she reached out and picked up the two small seals, taking a deep breath: "My young lady always pitied the poor and weak. One year, when we encountered refugees, she was so saddened by their plight that she donated all her pocket money. Miss, I've made up my mind. In the future, if there are any disasters, this money will be used to help the victims."

She slowly raised her head and looked at He Qingxiao.

"Lord Marquis, you helped Miss Kou and still accepted payment?"

He Qingxiao was a bit embarrassed and explained, "Miss Kou insisted on giving it to me."

Aunt Gui held her forehead and asked in a trembling voice, "How much is inside?"

"Six thousand taels."

Aunt Gui's hand trembled, her mind filled with flying silver notes: six thousand taels, six thousand taels, six thousand taels.

Lord Marquis helped Miss Kou once and received six thousand taels from her!

"Aunt Gui, are you okay?" Seeing Aunt Gui's pale face, He Qingxiao asked with concern.

Aunt Gui looked at the child she had watched grow up with a sense of despair, thinking only one thing: What a waste of that roast duck!

Aunt Gui didn't sleep well that night. The next day, she brought homemade wine and freshly made pastries to Qingsong Bookstore.

"Here comes Auntie," Liu Zhou greeted Aunt Gui warmly, though he looked listless.

Seeing the young apprentice who seemed somewhat dazed, Aunt Gui asked with concern, "Not feeling well?"

"No, just a bit blurry-eyed," Liu Zhou supported himself on the counter and said slowly.

"Where's your boss?" Aunt Gui glanced around and noticed that the old boss, who always seemed wary of her, was not there.

Liu Zhou rubbed his eyes: "The boss has an eyeache and hasn't gotten up yet."

"He should see a doctor. Why is everyone having eye problems?" After exchanging pleasantries, Aunt Gui stated her purpose, "I made some pastries for Miss Kou to try."

Thinking of this, she became a bit worried: "Is Miss Kou doing well?"

Could she also have an eyeache?

"Our boss is fine. Stone, go tell the boss that the aunt who brought the yellow bean pastries has come."

How could the boss not be fine, with fifty thousand taels of silver all handed over to him and the boss!

The young apprentice thought resentfully, suddenly catching a whiff of fragrance.

In front of him were pastries the size of teacups, with flaky edges and a soft, white center, a sight he had never seen before.

"Try Auntie's cooking," Aunt Gui smiled.

These pastries looked incredibly delicious; being polite would be foolish. Liu Zhou thanked her and immediately took a big bite.

After two bites, the young apprentice was so delighted he felt dizzy: "Auntie, what are these pastries called?"

What aunt, this is like a dear aunt!

Before Aunt Gui could answer, Xin You arrived: "Aunt Gui, you're here."

"Miss Kou." Aunt Gui lifted the basket in her hand, "The wine I mentioned is ready, I brought it for you to try."

"Let's go to the eastern courtyard, Aunt Gui," Xin You was also happy to see Aunt Gui.

Hearing this, Aunt Gui secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Miss Kou must know she is close to Lord Marquis, yet she is still so warm and welcoming. It seems Lord Marquis still has a chance.

Before heading to the eastern courtyard with Xin You, Aunt Gui took out a few pastries and offered them to Liu Zhou and Shitou.

The eastern courtyard was divided into front and back sections, and Xin You invited Aunt Gui to sit in the front flower hall.

Aunt Gui took out the pastries: "These pastries taste best when freshly made; Miss Kou, please try them."

Xin You looked at the pastries, each about the size of a teacup, and suppressed the turmoil in her heart: "Is this flaky milk cake?"

Aunt Gui was taken aback, her eyes showing a hint of surprise: "How did Miss Kou know these pastries are called flaky milk cake?"

She herself hadn't noticed that her voice trembled slightly as she asked this question.