Chapter 215: Results Day

Chapter 215: Results Day

Even the guest rooms in the Northern Pacification Office were hardly relaxing.

After persuading Xin You, He Qingxiao said, "I'll have someone escort Miss Kou back."

"Since you brought me here suddenly, Lord He, there should be an explanation, right?"

"Miss Kou is the only person known to have interacted with Mr. Songling. It's not strange to summon you for questioning."

If he had a choice, He Qingxiao wouldn’t have dragged Miss Kou into this mess with Mr. Songling. But at that time, the situation was urgent. To prevent Miss Kou from assassinating King Qing without giving King Qing a reason to complain, this was the only option.

"I understand." With a ready explanation, Xin You decided to leave the Northern Pacification Office on her own without an escort.

The sun was shining brightly, and in the distance, the sounds of vendors calling out and laughter drifted over, noisy and full of life's mundane activities.

Suddenly, Xin You recalled the words He Qingxiao had used to persuade her.

"Boss!"

"Miss—"

Xiaolian, Hu Boss, and Liu Zhou ran over.

"Why are you all here?" Seeing familiar faces, Xin You asked.

It made sense that Hu Boss and Liu Zhou were worried, having seen her being taken away by the Jinlin Guard. As for Xiaolian, she had been kept in the eastern courtyard these two days to avoid being killed immediately if Xin You assassinated King Qing.

If she had killed King Qing, she and everyone from the bookstore would be interrogated by the authorities. Xin You planned to reveal her true identity, letting them know it was her, not Kou Qingqing, who had deceived everyone.

"We were worried about you!" Liu Zhou rushed to say, "Why did Lord He bring you to a place like that?"

Xiaolian’s eyes fell on the thin bandage wrapped around Xin You's hand, and her face instantly turned serious. "Miss, are you injured?"

Liu Zhou looked incredulous. "Did Lord He torture you?"

Hu Boss also frowned, somewhat angered.

Clearly, it was best to stick to their business and stay out of the young people’s troubles.

"Let's talk back at the bookstore."

Shitou was the only one waiting in the main hall of the bookstore. Seeing Xin You and the others return, he also ran over. "Boss, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Only then did Shitou show a relieved smile.

That night, Xin You tossed and turned, her sleep broken by fragmented dreams. In one dream, she relived the horrific moment of her mother’s death; in another, He Qingxiao held her hand, pleading with her to keep living.

The next day, Hu Boss came to ask about the release date of *Journey to the West* Volume 3.

"We'll have to wait a bit longer. No rush."

For Xin You, running the bookstore was never about making money. Especially now, with everything going on with King Qing, it was better for the bookstore to stay under the radar.

Hu Boss saw Xin You’s calmness as something deep and mysterious, and he didn’t even question her decision.

Without the buzz of new releases, the bookstore settled into a quieter rhythm, with fewer customers trickling in. Liu Zhou and Shitou found themselves with some downtime.

The sunlight outside was bright, accompanied by the chatter of two clerks. Xin You felt a bit drowsy.

"Boss, why don't you go rest in the eastern courtyard?" Hu Boss advised.

"Even if I go back, there's nothing to do. I'll observe the usual foot traffic."

Hu Boss was immediately touched by the boss's dedication and also began to seriously review the accounts.

By noon, Duan Yunlang rushed into the book hall.

"Cousin, are you okay?"

Seeing Duan Yunlang's hurried appearance, Xin You looked puzzled.

Duan Yunlang looked around to make sure no outsiders were present, then lowered his voice, "I heard you were taken away by the Jinlin Guard yesterday!"

Xin You smiled. "Who did you hear that from, cousin?"

"A classmate. What happened? Aren't you still on good terms with Lord He?"

"He just asked some questions. Cousin, there's no need to worry."

"As long as you're alright." Duan Yunlang sighed in relief, then brought up Duan Yunchen. "The exam results will be released soon, but even if I ask my brother how he did on the exam, he won't tell me."

This year happened to be the spring examination, held once every three years. The exams were in February, and it was uncertain which day in March the results would be posted.

Duan Yunchen's participation in the spring examination was the most important event for the Shaoqing Mansion. However, the mansion now had another concern due to Count Gu Chang's death.

Duan Yunlang's voice lowered even more. "Fortunately, that incident happened after my brother finished the exam, or else he would have been affected."

Duan Yunlang explained how Count Gu Chang's death affected everyone at the Shaoqing Mansion, but Xin You listened in silence, not really caring.

"Take care of yourself, cousin. I should head back."

After reassuring himself about his cousin, Duan Yunlang returned to the Imperial Academy.

Xin You resumed her drowsy state.

The assassination attempt from the previous day, though interrupted, had drained much of her energy.

She had been persuaded by Lord He, but the feeling of a failed plan was not a pleasant one.

The only certainty was that King Qing would come again.

On the third day, King Qing returned.

It happened to be the day the exam results were posted, and everyone in the capital had gone to see the commotion. Qingsong Bookstore's street became somewhat deserted for a while.

King Qing traveled discreetly, bringing only two bodyguards openly, though he certainly had many hidden guards.

"Visiting Miss Kou again," King Qing said with a half-smile, appraising the young girl in the green silk dress. "I hope the Changle Marquis won't have another reason to trouble you today?"

King Qing was indeed annoyed that his interrogation had been interrupted by Lord He that day.

However, considering the Jinlin Guard's recent actions and Miss Kou's claim that her uncle's death was related to him, King Qing did not doubt Lord He's decision to take Xin You to the Jinlin Guard. Instead, he became even more uneasy.

What exactly did this girl know?

In the reception room, the fragrant tea steam rose, and the sunlight poured in through the small window, casting a warm glow on her face.

"Miss Kou, you don't want me to keep coming and disturbing you, do you? Let's get to the point, what exactly do you know?" King Qing leaned forward, adopting a tone that brooked no refusal.

Miss Kou looked helpless and sighed, "I anticipated that Your Highness wouldn't believe it. I repeatedly told Dai Ze not to spread it."

King Qing gave a cold smile, "I need a reason to believe."

Miss Kou hadn't considered the aftermath when she maneuvered King Qing into the situation through Dai Ze. She hadn't expected He Qingxiao to show up, which led to unforeseen consequences she now had to face—the trouble of having lured the fish here.

Faced with King Qing's insistent demeanor, Miss Kou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, her luck held out, allowing her to 'see' something.

"Your Highness should be wary of water-related accidents in the near future."

King Qing sneered, "Is that really supposed to convince me?"

"Yes," Miss Kou replied.

"Then let's wait and see," King Qing stood up and brushed past her as he left.

Miss Kou silently saw him off from the bookstore.

Across the street, a tall young girl was walking this way, seemingly coming to buy books.

The girl was merely pretty, with nothing particularly special about her. The bookstore had seen countless customers like her.

Miss Kou glanced casually, then suddenly froze, before rushing over, lifting her skirt to run.

Her sudden movement alerted the two bodyguards following King Qing, who immediately placed their hands on their sword hilts, while the shadow guards also instantly surrounded her.

Although it seems like a lot happened, it all occurred in an instant.

Miss Kou acted as if she hadn't noticed, waving to the girl, "Miss, I've finally waited for you to come!"

The girl looked startled as Miss Kou approached her quickly and grabbed her hand firmly.