Chapter 174: Refusal

Chapter 174: Refusal

Xin You gazed at the teenager for quite some time, so long that even Zhang Xu noticed.

He looked at the teenager, who, although dressed in the robes of a student from the Imperial Academy, was unfamiliar to him.

"Miss Kou, is there something wrong with that person?"

Hearing Zhang Xu's question, the others turned their attention to the teenager. Someone recognized him and said, "Hey, isn't that Gu Yu? Do you actually have spare money to buy storybooks?"

Others laughed, "Really? You don't even have money to buy shoes, yet you're here to buy storybooks?"

The teenager's face flushed red. "I'm here to buy brushes and ink," he said before turning around and leaving.

"Wait," came the gentle and refreshing voice of the young girl from behind.

Xin You quickly walked over and stood in front of the teenager. "Esteemed customer, aren't you here to buy brushes and ink?"

This teenager named Gu Yu was dressed in the same clothes as Zhang Xu and the others. But upon closer inspection, one could see that the edges of his sleeves and collar were frayed and the color had faded from washing, indicating that his family was quite poor.

The Imperial Academy mainly enrolled the children of officials but also made exceptions to admit a very few students from ordinary backgrounds who excelled academically and provided them with subsidies. Gu Yu was such a student, which was why many people recognized him.

At any time, students who excelled academically tended to have a stronger presence in the academy.

"I'll come again another day," Gu Yu said, bowing to Xin You before quickly walking out the door.

Xin You hesitated for a moment and then ran after him.

Inside the book hall, Zhang Xu and the others looked at each other, finally turning their eyes to Hu Boss.

What's going on with Miss Kou? Could it be that she's smitten with Gu Yu?

Although these young people didn't ask directly, Hu Boss could read the meaning in their eyes.

Their boss hadn't been interested in Lord He or Marquis Jing'an, so why would she be smitten with an ordinary student at first sight?

Young people loved to daydream!

Outside, it had started snowing again, the flakes falling on the roofs and the remaining snow on the ground, covering the dirt.

"Young Master Gu, please wait."

Hearing the call, Gu Yu turned around, looking at the girl who was running towards him with a puzzled expression. "Miss Kou, is there something you need?"

"May I ask where Young Master Gu lives?"

The collapsed houses in that area were clearly not part of the Imperial Academy. Considering that it would be the students' holiday in two days, the most likely place for whatever was going to happen was Gu Yu's home.

Of course, there were other possibilities, but Xin You didn't have time to carefully recall the details of the scene.

Facing the beautiful and wealthy young girl, Gu Yu remained clear-headed. "Miss Kou, why do you ask about my residence?"

Xin You had considered approaching him by asking if he needed any copying work, intending to find out where he lived through that. But Gu Yu's attitude made her change her mind.

He was a sensitive person. If she broached the subject rashly, he might feel humiliated and become harder to approach.

She decided to be more direct. "Actually, besides being the boss of this bookstore, I have another identity."

Gu Yu looked at her with an even stranger expression. "I know, Miss Kou is also a cousin from Shaoqing Mansion."

"Yes, besides that, I can read faces, like those fortune tellers."

"I don't have money."

The words that slipped out of the teenager made both of them fall into silence.

After a brief quiet moment, Gu Yu tried to explain, "Miss Kou, please don't misunderstand. I'm not doubting you, but I really don't have money."

Xin You: ""

This feeling of being treated like a fraudster was somewhat novel.

"I don't charge money for reading faces."

Gu Yu looked at her, puzzled.

Xin You said seriously, "I see that Young Master Gu will have a blood calamity, and it will happen when you return home—"

Gu Yu interrupted her before she could finish, "I'm sorry, I don't believe in these things."

"Young Master Gu—"

"I said, I don't believe in these things, and I'm not worthy of being called 'Young Master.' Miss Kou, if you enjoy fortune-telling, you should do it for others." With that, Gu Yu left without looking back.

Xin You stood there, sighing as she watched the teenager's hurried figure disappear into the distance.

She was truly relieved that the one involved was Dai Ze, the heir of Count Gu Chang, and not this young master Gu Yu. That would have been troublesome.

"Miss Kou, what's going on with that Gu Yu?" Zhang Xu asked as he walked over.

Xin You looked at the students coming out of the book hall and gave Zhang Xu a polite smile. "Young Master Zhang, do any of you know where Young Master Gu lives?"

Zhang Xu had only just learned of Gu Yu's existence and naturally didn't know where he lived, so he looked at his entourage.

The others looked at each other, clearly confused as well.

One person hesitated and said, "Wang Tianqi is quite close to Gu Yu; he should know. Should I go back and ask him?"

Zhang Xu looked at Xin You. "Miss Kou, why do you want to know Gu Yu's address?"

It couldn't be that she took a fancy to Gu Yu at first sight and was going to track him down to his home, right?

The thought flashed through Zhang Xu's mind, and he immediately dismissed it.

Impossible. If Miss Kou were that easily swayed, she would have fallen for him instead, and wouldn't have waited for that poor scholar Gu Yu.

Noticing several pairs of expectant eyes on her, Xin You smiled. "I can only tell Young Master Zhang alone."

Feeling quite flattered, Zhang Xu hurried his companion to go and inquire, then followed Xin You to a place where they could speak privately.

"I hope Young Master Zhang can keep it confidential."

Zhang Xu immediately patted his chest in assurance.

"Young Master Gu will soon face a bloody disaster, and it will happen at his home. Qingsong Bookstore operates near the Imperial Academy, and we rely heavily on the patronage of the students there. I really can't bear to see such a young student lose his life."

Zhang Xu looked surprised. "Miss Kou, you can read faces?"

"A little."

"Then take a look at mine."

Xin You gave Zhang Xu a deep look. "Young Master Zhang has been quite smooth sailing lately."

Not quite believing that Xin You could really read faces, Zhang Xu couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks for the kind words, Miss Kou."

Seeing his disbelief, Xin You didn't mind and simply smiled.

The student who ran back found a classmate who was close to Gu Yu and indeed found out the information. He didn't make Xin You wait long before returning.

Upon hearing the address, Xin You thanked him. "When the second volume of 'Journey to the West' comes out, I'll send each of you a copy."

A copy of a storybook wasn't worth much, but getting it ahead of time was a different matter. Zhang Xu hadn't forgotten how Dai Ze flaunted getting an early copy of the second volume of 'The Painted Skin.'

At that moment, Zhang Xu no longer saw Miss Kou's habit of playing fortune-teller as a flaw. This girl knew how to handle things!

"We'll wait for it then."

On the way back to the Imperial Academy, several young men asked Zhang Xu curiously, "Brother Zhang, what did Miss Kou tell you in private? Why is she so concerned about Gu Yu?"

Thinking of Xin You's words, Zhang Xu smiled again. "Miss Kou said—no, I promised not to spread it."

But Miss Kou said she could read faces; it was too funny!

Seeing Zhang Xu chuckle from time to time, the others became even more anxious.

"Brother Zhang, just tell us. We promise not to tell anyone."

"Only if you keep it to yourselves."

"Absolutely."

Zhang Xu was also dying to share. Once he had their promise, he blurted it out. "Miss Kou said she can read faces and that Gu Yu will face a bloody disaster."

"Can read faces? Hahahaha, that's hilarious."

The young men laughed and walked away.

Xiao Lian walked up to Xin You and whispered, "Miss, is that Gu young master in danger?"

Xin You looked at Xiao Lian.

Xiao Lian smiled faintly. "Your maid overheard those students discussing and felt that Miss must have seen something unusual from that student's face—"

Otherwise, could it be like what those people thought, that Miss had taken a liking to that Gu student?

Pah! Her miss was a fairy from heaven; no one was worthy of her!

In front of Xiao Lian, Xin You had nothing to hide. "Indeed, that student named Gu Yu will have a life-threatening situation. Xiao Lian, go arrange a carriage. We'll go take a look near Gu Yu's home."

Xiao Lian quickly called for a driver. On the way to Gu Yu's home, the road was a bit bumpy. "That Gu Yu really doesn't appreciate your kindness, Miss. You're just too kind-hearted."

"It's not just for him." Xin You closed her eyes, and a bloody scene flashed in her mind. "There are many others."