Chapter 168: “Journey to the West” Released

Chapter 168: "Journey to the West" Released

Xin You returned to the eastern courtyard with He Qingxiao’s token of gratitude, and Xiaolian came forward to take it from her.

“Wait a moment.” Xin You placed the wooden box on the table and opened it, revealing a small monkey figurine.

“Oh, it’s the Twelve Zodiac Animals,” Xiaolian exclaimed, marveling at the lifelike jade carving.

Xin You placed the small monkey on the dressing table and asked with a smile, “Isn’t it interesting?”

Xiaolian nodded vigorously. “Did Miss buy it?”

“No, it was a gift from Lord He.”

Xiaolian took an extra look at the small monkey and praised, “This little monkey is the most interesting of the entire Twelve Zodiac Animals set. Lord He really knows how to choose gifts. He must have picked this set knowing Miss’s zodiac sign.”

Xin You, like Kou Qingqing, was born in the year of the monkey. She had specifically taken out the small monkey for this reason.

“Put the rest away for now.”

After instructing Xiaolian, Xin You looked at the dressing mirror.

The person in the mirror had delicate features and a serene expression.

Thinking of He Qingxiao’s question, she gently stroked the small monkey, a guess forming in her heart: Could Lord He be suspicious of her true identity?

To the world, she was Kou Qingqing, and no one would connect her with the distant Wanyang.

But Lord He knew she wasn’t Kou Qingqing, and her resemblance to Princess Royale Zhaoyang was the biggest flaw.

Yet, he hadn’t revealed anything.

Xin You gently touched her cheek, feeling a hint of relief.

Fortunately, the person who knew her secret was Lord He.

The next day, the first day of the twelfth lunar month, should have been the day for Xin You to return to Shaoqing Mansion. However, on this day, Mr. Songling’s new storybook "Journey to the West" was officially released. Not only did she not return, but Duan Yunlang also volunteered to help at the bookstore.

The elderly madam was pleased upon hearing the news.

Observing the situation, Duan Yunling, seeing that her grandmother was in a good mood, tentatively requested, “Grandmother, can I go to help our cousin?”

“Go ahead, but don’t wander off. Come back with your second brother after you’re done.”

“Thank you, Grandmother!”

After returning to her room and changing clothes, Duan Yunling left the house happily. On her way, she was intercepted by Duan Yunhua.

“Third sister, are you going to Qingsong Bookstore?”

Duan Yunling did not answer Duan Yunhua’s question. “Second sister, do you need something?”

Duan Yunhua sneered. “You and Kou Qingqing are indeed close.”

“It’s normal for cousins to be close. What’s so strange about that?”

Disdain flashed in Duan Yunhua’s eyes. “I’m curious. Why do you defend Kou Qingqing so much? What can she offer you? One of those dozen shops or some good fortune?”

Thinking of the wealth Kou Qingqing possessed, Duan Yunhua felt uncomfortable.

Next year, she was to marry into Count Gu Chang’s family. Her family was preparing her dowry, and it bothered her that Kou Qingqing had taken so many profitable shops.

And the heir of Count Gu Chang had even gone to drink with Kou Qingqing alone, completely disregarding his engagement to her. What a pair they were!

Observing the change in Duan Yunhua’s expression, Duan Yunling smiled meaningfully. “Cousin Qing has already given me a great advantage, but second sister can’t see it. Excuse me, I need to go.”

“Stop!”

Duan Yunling looked at her. “Second sister, is there something else?”

“I’ll go with you.”

Duan Yunling looked surprised. “Second sister wants to go too?”

“Why not? If you can go, why can’t I?”

“It’s not that. But the bookstore will be crowded today. As a future heir’s wife, if something happens to you or you get jostled, and it reaches Count Gu Chang’s family, it might affect you.”

Duan Yunhua’s expression changed slightly.

Smiling, Duan Yunling left gracefully.

Duan Yunhua wanted to follow but felt as if her legs had taken root. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and returned to her room.

At Qingsong Bookstore, as soon as the notice of the new book release was posted, people immediately gathered around.

“Mr. Songling has a new storybook!”

“Really? What’s the title?”

“The title is ‘Journey to the West.’”

“The title seems a bit plain, like a travelogue.”

Normal storybooks usually have titles like ‘Butterfly Immortal,’ ‘Apricot Immortal,’ or ‘Fox Immortal.’ ‘Journey to the West’ doesn’t sound interesting.

“But it’s a new book by Mr. Songling, and I still want to buy it.”

Most people had this thought, which was the advantage of a famous storyteller.

A crowd of people poured into the bookstore, wanting to buy *Journey to the West*.

"Two hundred wen a copy, esteemed customer, please take care of it." Liu Zhou handed *Journey to the West* to the customer paying at the counter, calling out loudly.

"What? Only two hundred wen? Why is it so cheap?" someone behind asked in confusion.

The market price for storybooks ranged from two hundred to five hundred wen, with the specific price depending on the number of words, paper quality, and the author, among other factors. The most common price was around three to four hundred wen.

It was unexpected that Master Songling's new book would sell for only two hundred wen.

"*Journey to the West* is a very long story; this is just the first volume, and it has fewer words than the usual storybooks," Liu Zhou explained loudly, his hands moving quickly as he worked.

Those who had the book in their hands nodded. "It is indeed a bit thin."

Although it had fewer pages, the price of two hundred wen was attractive enough to persuade some who had been hesitating due to the title to make the purchase.

For just two hundred wen, if it wasn't good, they simply wouldn't buy the next volumes.

Seeing more and more people pouring in, Liu Zhou shouted, "Don't crowd, don't crowd, esteemed customers, please line up, everyone will get a copy."

Duan Yunlang also helped maintain order.

"Meng Fei, Da Yuan, why are you here too?" Duan Yunlang's eyes lit up when he spotted his classmates in the line.

A scholar named Da Yuan sighed, "It's the holiday, of course, we wanted to see Master Songling's new book as soon as possible. I didn't expect so many people."

Meng Fei asked with a smile, "Yunlang, have you read it?"

Duan Yunlang waved his hands hurriedly, "Of course not, I only found out today that the new book was released."

His cousin had promised to give him a copy when the bookstore opened.

Feeling smug about getting a free storybook, Duan Yunlang spotted Duan Yunling hesitating in the crowd.

"Third younger sister, why are you here?" he squeezed through the crowd.

"I heard that our cousin Qing was releasing a new book today, so I came to see if I could help with anything."

She hadn't expected there to be so many people.

"Come inside first," Duan Yunlang pulled Duan Yunling in and shouted with all his might, "Xin You, Qing cousin, third younger sister is here to help."

Duan Yunling's face flushed red.

Xin You walked over with a smile, "Cousin Ling has come at the right time; we need someone to help with the accounts."

Once Duan Yunling had a pen and ledger in hand, the unease she had felt from the crowd suddenly dissipated.

It turned out that working confidently in front of so many people wasn't so bad.

The news of Master Songling's new book spread widely, and the people coming to buy the storybook didn't seem to lessen. Those who had bought it couldn't wait to start reading.

Meng Fei glanced at the title with disdain and opened the book.

He wanted to see what kind of story this travelogue-like book was about.