Chapter 152: Who Are You

Chapter 152: Who Are You

A loud bang, and the door was smashed open.

Xin You, hidden away, couldn't see what was happening outside and could only judge by the sounds that many people had entered.

Those people first rushed to the main house, carrying lanterns as they searched through the side rooms and the hall, then moved toward the wing rooms.

A familiar voice rang out, "She shouldn't be here. Let's go."

Xin You's eyes flickered.

It was Lord He.

Realizing that He Qingxiao was leading the search, Xin You felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

Every encounter with him seemed to end poorly, and she had grown accustomed to it.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Xin You let out a sigh of relief, her clenched hands drenched in sweat.

The courtyard gate was smashed open, and Xin You no longer had any intention of getting a good night's sleep. She endured the hunger and cold, waiting patiently for an hour before emerging from her hiding place and tiptoeing out.

The door was wide open, so there was no need to climb over the wall. Xin You pulled her cloak tighter and walked into the endless darkness.

To prevent anyone from noticing anything amiss, she left the gate as it was, planning to send someone to lock it during the day.

It was already deep into the night, and the commotion caused by the Jinlin Guard had dispersed, leaving the surroundings silent.

Xin You had barely taken a few steps when she sensed something was wrong. She drew her dagger from under her cloak and thrust it at the approaching figure.

After a brief exchange, a low voice whispered in her ear, "It's me."

Xin You paused, looking at the person who was now very close.

In the darkness, she couldn't make out his face, but the voice was unmistakably familiar.

"Lord He?"

"Follow me."

Her wrist was immediately grasped by a large hand, and Xin You soon realized that He Qingxiao was leading her back to the civilian residence she had just left.

The door closed behind them, and Xin You, pressing the wrist he had held, watched silently as he secured the bolt and approached her.

The night was too dark, even at such close range, his features were indistinct.

Xin You's eyelashes trembled, and she whispered, "Lord He, come inside and talk."

Without waiting for a response, she walked into the room, feeling her way around the familiar furnishings to light a lamp.

The room, though small, was instantly filled with light, and his features finally became clear.

He wore a narrow-sleeved black robe with dark red patterns, neat and crisp, exuding a chill.

Xin You, wrapped in a dark cloak, her pale face hidden under the hood, looked puzzled.

Even in the pitch-black night, or with starlight and moonlight, her appearance shouldn't have been easily recognized.

But as He Qingxiao looked at the girl entirely concealed in the dark cloak, his heart settled.

The moment she appeared, he knew it was her. And now, seeing her face clearly, the reality hit him.

Xin You pulled down her hood and spoke first, "Lord He, were you following me?"

She was fairly certain it was just bad luck that she had run into him, but she asked to confirm her suspicion.

Sure enough, He Qingxiao shook his head slightly, "Miss Kou, you misunderstand. Tonight's mission is official business."

As he spoke, his clear eyes fixed on her.

Xin You felt as if her secrets were being laid bare, and she tightened her fists, asking, "How did Lord He know it was me?"

The question hung in the air, followed by a moment of silence.

Outside, the wind howled, and He Qingxiao finally spoke, "When I came in to inspect earlier, I saw the dressing mirror in this room. Suddenly, I thought this might be Miss Kou's hideout."

He paused, then added frankly, "It was a hunch."

Perhaps it was because he had noticed Miss Kou's empty earlobes that day, or perhaps it was the fierce young man who had tried to take his life earlier. When he saw the simple room with the empty dressing table, the idea suddenly struck him.

Because of this hunch, he didn't let his subordinates continue searching, nor did he leave.

And it turned out his hunch was right.

"Hunch?" Xin You repeated the word, her feelings mixed.

He had already noticed her approaching Count Gu Chang's residence, and encountering her in this disguise tonight would only deepen his suspicions.

She sighed inwardly, not wanting to speak.

Next, she would likely face his questioning.

"Where were you going, Miss Kou, at this late hour?"

Xin You pressed her lips together and replied coolly, "Is that within the scope of Lord He's official investigation?"

He Qingxiao fell silent once more.

This time, his silence lasted longer, so long that Xin You's legs grew numb from standing, and the cold seeped into her bones despite the cloak wrapped around her.

Finally, the man’s deep voice broke the silence: “At first, it wasn’t.”

Xin You's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding rising within her.

What did he mean by that?

As she grew wary, He Qingxiao took a step forward.

Xin You retreated half a step, certain that the Lord He she encountered tonight was not quite right.

She moved her lips, intending to say it was too late and they could discuss matters tomorrow.

The Bookstore was a place she knew well and felt at ease in, unlike this lifeless room where she felt constantly on the defensive.

She didn’t doubt his character, but she had a gut feeling of danger.

She had a premonition that whatever he said next would be hard for her to handle.

What had he discovered? What did he know?

Under the dim light, the girl’s eyes were cold and bright, her resistance clear to He Qingxiao.

But this time, he couldn't pretend he knew nothing.

There were things he had to ask.

"Miss Kou."

His voice sounded different, perhaps due to the setting or something else.

Xin You steadied herself and replied calmly, "Lord He, please speak your mind."

She had seen worse horrors; why should she fear him?

A bitter feeling welled up inside her.

What she feared was not him, but the shattering of the surface calm, turning them into adversaries.

Indeed, falling for him was the most irrational and unwise thing she could do.

"Miss Kou." He Qingxiao called again.

Xin You lowered her gaze, her voice even calmer, "I'm listening."

After a brief silence, He Qingxiao finally asked, "Who are you?"

Who are you?

These simple words hit Xin You like a bucket of ice water, freezing her in place.

Her heart plummeted, sinking to the depths of a dark, icy pool.

Did He Qingxiao know her true identity?

That was her first thought.

No, in everyone's eyes, she was still Kou Qingqing. Even those at Shaoqing Mansion hadn't suspected that Kou Qingqing had been replaced. How could He Qingxiao have found out?

Was he trying to trick her?

Xin You bit her tongue, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Why does Lord He ask such a strange question?"

"Strange?"

Xin You smiled, her expression, numbed by the cold and pressure, becoming unexpectedly lively. "Isn't it strange? Lord He has known me for some time. I am the owner of Qingsong Bookstore, the cousin of Shaoqing Mansion, Kou Qingqing."

He Qingxiao looked at the gently smiling girl and shook his head.

Xin You's mind raced, and she showed a hint of confusion on her face.

He Qingxiao reached out, his hand stopping just short of her frosty cheek before dropping back down.

"You are not Kou Qingqing," he said softly.