Chapter 190: Xin You Enters the Palace

Chapter 190: Xin You Enters the Palace

In the parlor, He Qingxiao and Duan Shaoqing sat facing each other, each holding a cup of tea.

When the servant announced "Miss Xin," Duan Shaoqing felt relieved.

He couldn’t understand why He Qingxiao wasn’t feeling awkward sitting in silence.

"Auntie," Xin You gave a slight bow to He Qingxiao, "Lord He."

"Auntie, Lord He needs to speak with you on official business."

He Qingxiao stood up, "Lord Duan, may I speak with Miss Kou privately?"

His request was polite, but his tone brooked no refusal.

Duan Shaoqing also stood, "Of course, go ahead."

He Qingxiao looked at Xin You and smiled, "I’ll have a few words with Miss Kou in the courtyard."

The open courtyard is a good place to discuss confidential matters.

The two went to the courtyard and stood under the corridor.

Snowflakes fell outside the corridor as Xin You looked quietly at He Qingxiao.

He Qingxiao came straight to the point, "Just now, His Majesty summoned me and ordered me to bring Mr. Songling to the palace."

"Just now?"

"Yes, just now."

Xin You’s eyes flickered.

So, after leaving He Garden, seeing me reminded him of *Journey to the West*.

"Miss Kou, do you know where Mr. Songling is?"

Ever since Emperor Xingyuan asked about Mr. Songling, the Jinlin Guard had been keeping an eye out for any news about Mr. Songling. But Mr. Songling's whereabouts remained a mystery. Without the publication of *Painted Skin* and *Journey to the West*, one might even doubt if he existed at all.

"The last time I saw Mr. Songling, he handed over the remaining manuscripts of *Journey to the West*. From what he said, it seems he plans to leave the capital for a while." Xin You spoke the words she had long prepared.

"Leave the capital?" He Qingxiao’s expression was unreadable.

Xin You calmly said, "Please report this to Lord He."

He Qingxiao felt a slight stirring in his heart and reminded, "If His Majesty doesn’t see Mr. Songling, he might summon you to the palace."

Xin You smiled, "I understand, Lord He."

He Qingxiao’s eyes deepened, and he began to doubt Mr. Songling’s identity.

After a moment of silence, he nodded, "Very well, I will report this to His Majesty."

"Take care, Lord He." Xin You offered to see him off but was stopped.

"It’s still snowing, Miss Kou, no need to see me off."

He Qingxiao left in a hurry, and Duan Shaoqing came over to inquire, "Miss Kou, what did Lord He ask you?"

Xin You said coldly, "Uncle, are you trying to inquire about the matters of His Majesty?"

Duan Shaoqing's face turned grim. "Be careful what you say. Uncle is just concerned about you."

Xin You raised her eyebrows. "If you really care about me, Uncle, how about giving me more money? After all, there are still four hundred thousand taels of our family's wealth left in Shaoqing Mansion."

Duan Shaoqing involuntarily shuddered.

This girl is always asking for money!

Seeing Xin You leave with a cold expression, Duan Shaoqing, forgetting his anger, felt relieved instead.

Returning to the Wanqing Residence, Xin You sat in front of the dressing mirror.

The girl in the mirror was a picture of beauty, seemingly more mature than at the beginning of the year.

"Xiaolian, redo my hair."

Xiaolian picked up the comb and asked with a smile, "Miss, what hairstyle would you like?"

Today, for the banquet, Xin You had styled her hair in a Suoyun Knot.

"What hairstyle does Miss usually prefer?"

"Our miss often wears her hair in a Double Ring Knot," Xiaolian answered without hesitation.

"Then give me a Double Ring Knot too."

Her hair was thick and smooth like silk. Xiaolian's dexterous fingers flew as she tied the knot. She took two delicate floral hairpins and inserted them into the knot. "Done."

Xin You stood up and smiled. "Thank you."

Xiaolian was momentarily taken aback.

"What's wrong?"

"Miss, I— I subconsciously tried to suppress my thought, but my trust in you made me say it. After all this time, I feel that you and Miss Qingqing aren't as similar as before, but just now, for a moment, you looked very much like her."

"Is that so." Xin You glanced at the mirror again.

"Miss, are you going out?"

Xiaolian had accompanied her to the flower hall but stood far away, not knowing what He Qingxiao had told Xin You.

Xin You looked out the window. "Maybe."

In the study, Emperor Xingyuan paced back and forth, circling the room, until an attendant announced that the Changle Marquis had arrived.

"Let him in!"

Soon there was movement at the door, and seeing that He Qingxiao had come alone, Emperor Xingyuan asked urgently, "Where is Mr. Songling?"

"Your servant inquired at Qingsong Bookstore, but no one knew Mr. Songling's whereabouts."

Emperor Xingyuan was highly dissatisfied with this answer. "Then how did the script come to be? Mr. Songling's manuscripts couldn't have just flown to Qingsong Bookstore, could they?"

He Qingxiao hesitated for a moment and repeated what Xin You had said, "Each time Mr. Songling submits a manuscript, he only meets with the owner of Qingsong Bookstore. Your servant asked Miss Kou, and she said that when Mr. Songling met her, he hid his face, so she doesn't know what he looks like."

"Absurd! A famous author in the capital, and no one knows his appearance or residence, not even the Jinlin Guard can track him down!" Emperor Xingyuan was furious, but as his eyes fell on the "Journey to the West" book, which he had almost torn apart, his rising anger cooled like water had been poured over it.

Given that Mr. Songling and Xinxin know each other, it’s understandable why this person is concealing themselves.

"When was the last time Miss Kou saw Mr. Songling? Did Mr. Songling mention the next meeting time—" Emperor Xingyuan raised his hand. "Never mind, bring Miss Kou to the palace. I will ask her myself."

"Certainly."

He Qingxiao visited Shaoqing Mansion again, and Duan Shaoqing was neither surprised nor entirely at ease.

Could something have happened to her?

Xin You soon received the message and came over.

"Miss Kou, please accompany me."

"Certainly." Xin You walked to He Qingxiao's side.

Duan Shaoqing couldn't help but ask, "Lord He, where are you taking her?"

He Qingxiao looked deeply at Duan Shaoqing, his tone carrying a warning. "It’s better if Lord Duan remains unaware."

Duan Shaoqing felt a chill and managed a nervous laugh.

"By the way," He Qingxiao stopped, "today, the matter of Miss Kou’s departure is best not mentioned to others."

"Understood, my lord." Duan Shaoqing's mouth twitched slightly, thinking to himself, *I’m not a fool. Would it be wise if people knew my niece was taken away by the Jinlin Guard?*

The snow continued unabated as Xin You sat in the carriage and He Qingxiao rode ahead, heading straight for the imperial palace.

The red walls and golden tiles, with the gentle snowfall, created a serene scene. A young eunuch had been waiting at the palace gate for some time and hurriedly went forward to guide them to the study.

"Your Majesty, Miss Kou has arrived."

"This commoner greets Your Majesty."

Xin You had worn a Suicui bun for the banquet, appearing graceful and elegant, but now with a Shuanghuan bun, she looked more youthful.

Emperor Xingyuan’s urgency inexplicably paused upon seeing the face that resembled his so much, giving rise to a strange thought: gifting pearl flowers seemed more fitting than gifting gold hairpins.

Realizing this, Emperor Xingyuan cleared his throat. "Miss Kou, do you know Mr. Songling’s whereabouts?"

Sun Yan, standing in the corner, looked at Emperor Xingyuan in shock.

Seeing the Emperor's previous haste and anger, he had expected Miss Kou to be reprimanded, but instead, he was surprisingly gentle.