Chapter 238 – A Single Thought

Chapter 238 - A Single Thought

In the scene, Xiao Lengshi stood on the street with a stern expression as a foul egg flew towards him, landing on his body, with the egg liquid trickling down his robe.

He made no attempt to dodge, looking both miserable and disheveled.

The vision faded, and there he was again, dressed in his official robes, glaring at her with cold, calculating eyes.

Xin You’s steps faltered slightly, and her heart stirred.

Just before she had that thought, Commandant Xiao was perfectly fine, but after the thought emerged, the scene of him falling into misfortune appeared.

From the scene, it could be inferred that this man was likely dismissed from his post.

Did this mean that this man’s future lay in her single thought?

This speculation caused Xin You to involuntarily tighten her grip.

“Miss Kou, are you reluctant to leave?” Xiao Lengshi asked coldly as he noticed Xin You had stopped.

Xin You met his cold gaze and slightly raised her lips. “Commandant Xiao, goodbye.”

She had never seen a trace of human warmth in this man’s eyes; it was as if he was a born sadist, taking pleasure in inflicting pain.

A person like this, in the position of Jinlin Guard, would be the misfortune of many.

Xin You silently made her decision, and even the whip marks on her body didn’t feel too painful anymore.

Xiao Lengshi’s subordinates led her to a room instead of escorting her out directly.

“Miss Kou, change your clothes before you leave.”

Xin You looked around the room; there was a bed, a cabinet, and a screen. On the bed was a set of clothes folded neatly, the same color as what she had worn when she arrived.

Was it because they didn’t want anyone to see her in a state after being tortured?

This made Xin You more confident in her suspicion.

What this Commandant Xiao didn’t want people to know was exactly what she planned to expose.

Of course, she would change her clothes; there was no need to confront him directly while she was still on his territory.

Xin You removed her torn outer garment, changed into the prepared clothes, and tidied her hair before stepping out.

Xiao Lengshi stood nearby, giving her a thorough once-over before nodding to his subordinates to lead her away. He followed at a respectful distance, neither too close nor too far behind.

Xin You didn’t look back as she walked through the gates of the Northern Pacification Office.

Outside the government office, the sun shone brightly, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air.

The fresh scent of early summer lingered in the breeze.

“It’s Miss Kou!” someone in the crowd, sitting or lying nearby, shouted.

A commotion stirred in the crowd.

“Miss Kou is out, Miss Kou is out!” The people couldn’t help but move forward.

Xiaolian rushed over, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed Xin You’s hand. “Miss, are you alright!”

Following behind her were Liu Zhou and Nanny Fang. Behind them were Second Master Duan Wenbo of Shaoqing Mansion and Duan Yunling's maid, Xue Ying.

Duan Yunling had been confined for the past two days and wasn't allowed to leave, but worried about her cousin, she sent a maid to check on the situation.

"Cousin Qing, are you okay?" Duan Yunlang pushed through the crowd and ran over.

Xin You looked in the direction he came from and saw an elegantly dressed man walking ahead, followed by several students.

"I'm fine," Xin You's eyes showed confusion.

If she remembered correctly, today was a day off for the Imperial Academy. Why was Duan Yunlang with the other students?

Duan Yunlang quickly explained, "Yesterday, Gu Yu specially asked for leave and came here with the neighbors from North Tower Ward to ask the Jinlin Guard to release someone. The Jinlin Guard arrested Gu Yu and the ward chief, and Instructor Wen is here to pick him up."

"The ward chief, the ward chief is out!" The crowd buzzed again.

Xin You immediately turned to look and saw Gu Yu supporting the North Tower Ward chief as they walked out of the Northern Pacification Office.

Since the disaster in North Tower Ward, Xin You had donated a lot of money and goods, and had dealt with the elderly ward chief, who was nearly sixty.

Thinking about the fact that someone of his age had been detained because of her, Xin You felt both moved and guilty.

"I'm sorry to have implicated the ward chief." Xin You bowed deeply to him.

Although he had been detained for a night, the ward chief looked quite spirited. He quickly moved out of the way and said, "Miss Kou, you flatter an old man. Miss Kou is a great benefactor of our North Tower Ward. What we did is nothing."

"Thank you, Young Master Gu." Xin You turned around and bowed to the neighbors who had gathered around her. "Thank you all."

"Miss Kou, it's great that you're safe!"

"Yes, yes, it's good that you're out."

"Miss Kou, my family has built a new house. Come visit when you're free!"

Faces, some familiar and some not, filled Xin You's view. Her heart, which had grown cold in the interrogation room, began to warm.

She had considered that after spreading the news of her being taken by the Jinlin Guard through the release of her new book, with her reputation for generously donating to the Dingbei disaster area and the life-saving grace to the daughter of Princess Zhaoyang, she wouldn't disappear quietly under the watchful eyes of countless people in the capital.

She had also thought that perhaps someone would speak up for her in front of that person, maybe Princess Zhaoyang, or perhaps an official reporting on public sentiment.

But she never expected that it would be these ordinary neighbors who truly helped her out of her predicament. With their simplest yet bravest actions, they had helped her walk out of the Jinlin Guard and into the sunlight.

Her mother once told her that when you have the means to help someone in need, do so without expecting anything in return, because expecting repayment often leads to disappointment. But there will always be people who won't let your kindness go to waste, and that would be a small surprise in an otherwise ordinary life.

Now, she had truly tasted the flavor of surprise.

Tears welled up in Xin You's eyes as she turned to look at the gate of the Northern Pacification Office.

At some point, Xiao Lengshi had quietly appeared and stood there, his gaze on her as sharp and cold as a blade.

A Jinlin Guard came out and dispersed the crowd gathered in front of the Northern Pacification Office.

"Disperse, disperse, move along now!"

Amid the shouting, Xin You's body swayed, and she collapsed.

"Miss Kou!"

"Cousin!"

Shouts of alarm erupted. Xiaolian froze for a moment before bursting into tears and shouting, "Miss, what happened? Are you hurt? Did the Jinlin Guard—did they torture you?"

Torture?

Everyone who heard this went pale with shock. Even Xiao Lengshi, who had been brooding, paled.

At that moment, he was so enraged that he wanted to kill Xin You.

However, he didn’t get the chance.

Just as Duan Wenbo was instructing someone to help Miss Kou into the carriage, a well-dressed middle-aged woman walked over, followed by several guards.

The woman introduced herself to Duan Wenbo as the chief steward of Princess Zhaoyang’s residence.

"The princess is also worried about Miss Kou. Fortunately, we have a skilled female physician at the Eldest Princess’s Residence. It would be best to send Miss Kou there for a proper examination."

In the past, most skilled doctors were men, and women who knew medicine were often seen as midwives or healers of lower status. But during the chaos, Empress Xin established a team of female physicians, allowing women to practice medicine openly and with honor.

The female physicians who served the royal family were naturally highly skilled.

Duan Wenbo hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Xin You was accompanied by Xiaolian and Nanny Fang to Princess Zhaoyang’s residence.

Since leaving the palace, Princess Zhaoyang had been keeping an eye on the happenings both inside and outside the palace. When she learned that the emperor had agreed to release Xin You, she ordered her people to stand guard outside the Northern Pacification Office. As soon as they heard that Miss Kou had fainted and was being brought back to the residence, the princess immediately ordered the female physician to attend to her.

Shortly after, the female physician emerged to deliver her diagnosis.