Chapter 208: Disappointment

Chapter 208: Disappointment

He knew about "Master Xin"?

Xin You picked up her teacup and took a sip.

He Qingxiao looked at her with concern in his eyes. "His Majesty suspects that Songling is Master Xin."

Xin You tightened her grip on the teacup.

That person was more intelligent than she had imagined.

"Miss Kou."

Xin You looked at the man who called her softly. "Hmm?"

"His Majesty suspects that Songling is still in the capital and has ordered me to search every corner of the city to find him."

Xin You was silent for a moment, then asked, "Do you think you can find him?"

"That's what I want to ask you as well, Miss Kou. Do you think I can find Songling? And do you want me to find him?"

If anyone else had said this, Xin You would have taken it as a threat. But the man in front of her was sincere, his eyes gentle, and she knew he was genuinely asking for her thoughts.

He knew that Songling was Master Xin, and Master Xin was her.

"Lord He, there's something I don't know if you'll find convenient to answer," Xin You said.

"Miss Kou, please go ahead."

"Why did His Majesty act so swiftly to execute Count Gu Chang by caning? Did he reveal any thoughts about Consort Shu and King Qing?"

He Qingxiao shook his head slightly. "The emperor's intentions are hard to fathom. His Majesty hasn't shown any intentions regarding Consort Shu and King Qing."

"For now, he doesn't plan to make public the involvement of Count Gu Chang's mansion in the plot against Auntie Xin, does he?"

He Qingxiao looked apologetic. "Perhaps because His Majesty now knows about Master Xin's existence and wants to wait until we find him."

A mocking smile appeared on Xin You's lips. "If we find the legitimate prince, perhaps he'll punish Consort Shu and her son. If not, can King Qing, being such a grown son, still be considered useful?"

Either way, it’s a no-lose situation for him.

He Qingxiao saw Xin You's anger but didn't fully agree with her. "It could be as you guess, or it could be that His Majesty is worried that news of Master Xin's existence might leak, causing some people to harm him. The existence of a legitimate prince does affect many people."

"In that case, it's probably for the best that you find Songling soon." Xin You's tone was light.

He Qingxiao looked at her deeply, his eyes as clear and pure as spring water. "If possible, I hope Songling stays far from this place of right and wrong, living freely among the mountains and rivers."

To return to being the carefree young man that those witnesses spoke of.

Hearing this, Xin You smiled. "But that's not possible."

Since he was only willing to execute Count Gu Chang, she decided to handle the rest herself.

At this moment, He Qingxiao had no idea what decision Miss Kou had made. He felt a little regretful but mostly understood.

"If no one in the capital knows Songling's appearance, will His Majesty trouble you for failing to find him quickly?"

"No, he won’t."

"Even if it does, it's not something Miss Kou should be worrying about."

"That's good then."

Noticing that Xin You remained calm, Lord He Qingxiao asked, "What are your plans now, Miss Kou?"

Xin You didn't want to involve Lord He Qingxiao and smiled faintly. "For now, I'll wait and see. I'll keep an eye on Count Gu Chang's funeral proceedings and see what happens if they can't find Mr. Songling."

Hearing that Xin You planned to wait and see, Lord He felt slightly relieved. He took out a scroll from his sleeve and unfurled it.

Seeing the young man in the painting, Xin You's eyes widened slightly.

That was her, disguised as "Master Xin."

"His Majesty ordered the painter to create this based on the descriptions of several witnesses."

Xin You looked at it a few more times. "It's truly accurate; the painter's skills are exceptional."

Lord He Qingxiao rolled up the painting and subtly reminded her, "The Jinlin Guard, who are searching for Mr. Songling, have all seen this portrait."

"I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Lord He."

"Then I shall take my leave."

Lord He Qingxiao's eyes lingered on the girl's slightly thinner face. He swallowed the words of comfort he had been about to say and only added, "If you need anything, Miss Kou, don't hesitate to reach out to me."

Xin You stood up and gave a slight bow. "Thank you, Lord He. I have no immediate needs for now."

Since she couldn't count on that person, she decided to take matters into her own hands. The path ahead was one of death, and there was no need to involve innocent people.

Xin You personally saw Lord He Qingxiao off outside the bookstore.

In the bright spring sunshine, the man in crimson robes looked as radiant as the season itself.

Lord He really is quite handsome.

Xin You gave him a deep look and waved with a smile.

Lord He Qingxiao nodded in response and rode away.

Seeing that Xin You hadn't moved for a while, Xiaolian called out, "Miss?"

"Xiaolian, let's take a walk."

The grass by the roadside was lush, and the weeping willows cascaded like waterfalls. Flower-selling girls walked through the streets, calling out sweetly.

After walking for a while, Xin You stopped and gazed toward Count Gu Chang's mansion in the distance.

At that moment, the gates of Count Gu Chang's mansion stood wide open, adorned in white mourning cloth. People were moving in and out, busy with preparations. Several riders arrived on horseback and stopped in front of the mansion. The leader was none other than King Qing.

Xin You leaned on the old, leafy Sophora tree and watched intently as King Qing entered Count Gu Chang's mansion.

Faint cries of grief carried through the air.

Xin You stood silently for a while, and on the way back, she said to Xiaolian, "Tomorrow, let's go to Thousand Sakura Mountain."

Once Kou Qingqing is laid to rest, I can focus on my own affairs.

After the news of Count Gu Chang's death spread among the officials and nobles, people discreetly inquired but couldn't find out much, leaving them in a dilemma. Should they pay their respects, or would it be better to stay away?

Not attending the funeral would offend King Qing. Attending the funeral, however, could risk angering the emperor, given the suspicious nature of Count Gu Chang's death.

Even in death, Count Gu Chang continues to create complications.

Thus, some who were close to the family hesitantly visited to offer condolences, while those with less direct ties sent their household managers instead. Compared to what would be expected for someone of his rank, the funeral arrangements seemed unusually modest.

The officials didn’t have time to dwell on the mood of those in Count Gu Chang’s mansion. They soon noticed the Jinlin Guard’s presence everywhere on the streets, seemingly searching for something.

This only heightened everyone’s anxiety, and those with connections to the Jinlin Guard’s commander began to discreetly probe for information.

The commander of the Jinlin Guard, surnamed Feng, was a middle-aged man in his forties. Upon hearing the inquiry, he sighed, "These matters are handled by Lord Marquis He. As this commander, I can't get involved."

Ask Lord Marquis He Qingxiao for information?

No, no. If the emperor hears about it, they might end up like Count Gu Chang.

Xin You paid no attention to the undercurrents of tension that Count Gu Chang’s death stirred among the officials and nobility. The next morning, she took Xiaolian and boarded a carriage heading for Thousand Sakura Mountain.

As before, they first visited the small village to see the elderly couple who had saved her.

"Miss, you're a noble person. Coming to see us old folks so often, it's too much trouble for you," the old woman said.

The old man also chimed in, "Yes, during festivals, you always send someone to bring us rice, flour, meat, and eggs. We don’t know what we did to deserve such kindness—"

Xin You held the old woman's hand. "Granny Wang, don't say that. It's my luck to have met you both."

They chatted warmly for a while before Xin You left the supplies she had brought. The elderly couple accompanied Xin You all the way to the village gate.

The carriage rejoined the main road and soon turned toward Thousand Sakura Mountain.