Chapter 153: Who Am I

Chapter 153: Who Am I

His voice was soft, yet without a hint of hesitation.

Xin You's eyes turned cold as she met his gaze.

His eyes were calm and inscrutable.

Xin You struggled for a moment but then calmed down. "Why do you say that, Sir He? If I am not Kou Qingqing, then who am I?"

He Qingxiao looked at the girl who appeared calm but whose every hair seemed to write resistance. His eyes softened, but his words sent Xin You into a chill.

"What is your connection to Empress Xin?"

The candlelight flickered, casting a dim yellow hue on the pale face of the girl.

Xin You's fingertips trembled, trying to grip tightly but numbed by the cold.

She was unsure how much he knew, weighing the options between denying everything and revealing the truth.

But she had to admit that once she became involved with the Jinlin Guard and entered the sight of this Jinlin Guard Commander, he was destined to be a boulder on her path to revenge.

Their first encounter marked the beginning of trouble.

He Qingxiao knew that bringing up the matter tonight would face her cold resistance, but he was still pierced by her gaze.

In his line of work, he had encountered countless hateful glares and had long become indifferent, but it seemed she was different.

But he had to continue.

"Is Wanyang where Empress Xin lived in seclusion?"

Xin You's heart jolted, but her face remained expressionless as she looked at him.

He Qingxiao continued, "Initially, I sent people to investigate in the south because Miss Kou showed particular interest in Wanyang, leading me to suspect that her father's death might not have been an accident. Later, I discovered that the Zhou family, whom Miss Kou had contact with, had recently moved from Wanyang to the capital."

Xin You listened silently to He Qingxiao, sensing something amiss.

At such a time, whoever spoke first and said more was essentially showing their hand to the other.

He Qingxiao couldn't be unaware of this.

So why did he do it?

She raised her eyes and fixed her gaze on his face.

He Qingxiao's eyes flickered, and he continued, "Miss Kou has shown particular interest in the Count Gu Chang's residence, and Zhou Tong has also visited there. Zhou Tong lived in Wanyang for many years in a lowly position, which should not have brought him into contact with the Count Gu Chang's residence. As for Miss Kou, an orphan living with her maternal grandparents, there is no reason for her to be entangled with the Count Gu Chang's residence."

"Is there more?" Xin You asked.

At this point, she stopped guessing and simply waited for him to reveal everything.

"There is more," He Qingxiao said, looking at her. "Someone from the Count Gu Chang's residence went to Wanyang in early summer."

Upon hearing this, Xin You's face remained unchanged, waiting quietly for him to continue.

"These pieces together are unlikely to be coincidences. What is in Wanyang?" He Qingxiao paused and then continued, "My people have been investigating in the south for a long time. They didn't find anything about Miss Kou's father, but they unexpectedly uncovered a tragic case."

Xin You's eyes tightened, and her fingertips clenched.

"According to nearby villagers, some people live in the mountains and occasionally venture out. Most of these people are women, skilled in medicine, and have helped many. However, when someone goes into the mountains seeking medical help, they cannot find these people," He Qingxiao recounted the findings. "From the time of their appearance and their various actions, they seem to resemble Empress Xin, who has been missing for many years."

This was speculation based on the survivors of the tragic case.

She had buried her mother and others herself; finding evidence to confirm her mother's identity would have been difficult.

And when the investigation pointed to a conclusion, even without evidence, it wouldn't change his mind.

What puzzled Xin You was why he revealed all this without concrete proof, which would undoubtedly put him at a disadvantage.

Xin You looked at the man before her.

His eyes were gentle and clear.

Xin You's heart stirred.

Perhaps—she didn't need to hide everything?

He Qingxiao, as the Jinlin Guard Commander, would report these findings to the emperor. By telling her this, he was already showing a certain attitude.

An attitude that favored her.

Xin You quickly made her decision.

She was going to take a gamble.

There was never a perfect plan in this world, only choices made based on the situation.

"It seems nothing can escape Sir He. I am indeed a survivor of the valley tragedy."

Xin You's admission caused a wave of emotions to surge in He Qingxiao's eyes, and he had countless questions he wanted to ask.

Xin You was straightforward. "Sir He, if you have any questions, ask them."

"How should I address you, miss?"

This question made Xin You look at him deeply. "My childhood name is Ah You."

Ah You—He Qingxiao's expression was somewhat uncomfortable.

This appellation is too intimate.

The girl opposite clearly had no intention of revealing her full name.

He Qingxiao had never felt so awkward before. After much deliberation, he tentatively asked, "Then should I call you Miss You?"

Miss You?

Xin You’s lips twitched.

Fortunately, her mother hadn’t given her an even stranger name.

"Lord He, you can still call me Miss Kou. At least for now, I need this identity."

He Qingxiao let out a sigh of relief and asked again, "Was the incident in the valley related to Empress Xin?"

Xin You nodded slightly.

With his suspicion confirmed, He Qingxiao did not feel any joy.

He had lost both parents at a young age. Though the marquis's mansion was filled with servants, they were all distant from him. The only person who showed him familial affection was Aunt Gui.

Aunt Gui was specially assigned by Empress Xin to take care of him because she pitied his loneliness.

From Aunt Gui, he heard many stories about Empress Xin and deep down, he regarded her as a close relative.

That was why, when he investigated the tragedy in the valley and suspected it might involve the reclusive Empress Xin, his first thought was not to report it to the Emperor but to talk to Miss Kou.

Even if they hadn’t met tonight, he would have sought her out tomorrow.

Xin You was taken aback by He Qingxiao’s reaction.

Is Lord He grieving over Mother’s death?

This realization brought a bit of warmth to her cold heart.

It seemed she had made the right bet.

"Then what is your relationship with Empress Xin?"

Xin You paused for a moment before softly saying, "My mother was a maid to Empress Xin. She always treated me like her own daughter. I managed to escape and came to the capital to find the murderer of Empress Xin and my mother."

He Qingxiao looked into her eyes and asked a crucial question, "When Empress Xin left the palace, she was pregnant. Did she give birth to a prince?"

The people sent out by Count Gu Chang’s residence had yet to return to the capital, seemingly searching for someone.

And his informants had unexpectedly learned that among those living in the mountains was a young man whose age matched up.