Chapter 241: Golden Branch

Chapter 241: Golden Branch

In an elegant small courtyard of the Eldest Princess’s Residence, Kong Fu was speaking to Xin You: "Miss Kou, I saw the villain who bullied you. That person looks fierce and evil, not like a good person. But don’t worry, my uncle has already punished him."

"How was he punished by His Majesty?" Xin You asked cooperatively.

This was the day after Princess Zhaoyang had gone to the palace to seek justice for Xin You. Early that morning, Princess Zhaoyang had come to visit again and mentioned that Xiao Lengshi had been dismissed from office, though she didn’t provide as much detail as Kong Fu.

Hearing the young girl’s account, Xin You was somewhat surprised: "Marquis Jing'an has taken up the position of commander of the Southern Pacification Office?"

Xiao Lengshi being flogged and dismissed didn’t surprise her—it was a result she had helped bring about—but Marquis Jing'an taking over Xiao Lengshi’s position was unexpected.

"Yes, my older brother recommended himself for the position; he likes being in the Jinlin Guard," Kong Fu said, giving a simple explanation for her brother’s interest.

Xin You thought to herself, *His brother’s interests are certainly unique.*

"Miss Kou, you should focus on getting better. Once you’ve recovered, we’ll go see Big White and the others together."

Xin You had stayed at the Eldest Princess’s Residence for two days when, on the morning of the third day, someone from the Shaoqing Mansion arrived. It was Second Madam Zhu, who had come in person.

"The family has been really worried about you, and Grandma hasn’t been sleeping well," Zhu Shi explained, expressing her intention to bring Xin You back.

Princess Zhaoyang had wanted to refuse but decided it was better to ask Miss Kou for her opinion rather than make the decision herself. She then personally led Zhu Shi to the small courtyard.

"I should return. I don’t want to impose on the Princess any longer, and I’m also worried about my grandmother," Xin You said quietly, her demeanor gentle and obedient.

Seeing her determination, Princess Zhaoyang ordered a spacious and comfortable carriage to be prepared. Another carriage, filled with various items, followed behind as they headed toward the Shaoqing Mansion.

Xiaolian and Nanny Fang accompanied Xin You into the carriage, both feeling a sense of relief.

Xin You asked why, and Nanny Fang admitted, "While the Eldest Princess is kind, living in such a prestigious household can feel a bit stifling."

Xiaolian shared the same feeling: "Miss, how long will we be staying at the Shaoqing Mansion?"

In Xiaolian’s mind, the bookstore was their true home, and their real family were Boss Hu and Liu Zhou, not the people from the Shaoqing Mansion.

Xin You paused for a moment before softly replying, "We won’t be going back to the bookstore just yet."

Xiaolian and Nanny Fang exchanged surprised glances.

"I’ll recover at the Shaoqing Mansion first. Xiaolian, stay with me. Nanny, please take care of the shops."

"Miss should focus on getting better. Don’t worry, we’ve gradually replaced the staff in those shops with our own people. This old servant checks two or three shops every day; they wouldn’t dare misbehave," Nanny Fang said, recounting her management of the stores.

Xiaolian didn’t say anything more but had a lingering doubt in her heart. *When Miss had nothing, she still wanted to leave the Shaoqing Mansion. Now that we have people, money, and shops, why would we return?*

With Nanny Fang present, Xin You closed her eyes to rest and said no more.

Of course, she had her reasons for going back.

Since she had decided to have Mr. Songling appear before His Majesty, Miss Xin You couldn’t stay at the bookstore indefinitely. The Shaoqing Mansion would be the best cover.

Once she had wanted to leave, and now she wanted to return. Her goal remained the same: to bring her mother’s killer to justice and avenge her mother.

The carriage came to a stop; they had arrived at the Shaoqing Mansion.

The strong maids accompanying Zhu Shi carried Xin You into Ruyitang.

The elderly lady was waiting at the entrance of Ruyi Hall when, upon seeing Xin You, she urgently asked, "Are you still in pain?"

Xin You, being carried by the maidservant, looked at the elderly lady, whose eyes were red with emotion.

Whether the elderly lady had genuine affection for her granddaughter or was merely putting on a show didn’t matter to Xin You. Either way, acting was something she excelled at.

Xin You felt her own eyes redden as she said, "I’m still in quite a bit of pain, Grandmother. I’ve been unfilial and made you worry."

The elderly lady was taken aback, unaccustomed for a moment to her granddaughter's tearful state.

Her granddaughter used to be quite fond of weeping.

Duan Yunling, standing nearby, also had red eyes. "Cousin Qing, I heard they used torture on you."

When Grandmother and Father give orders, she couldn’t even leave the house. At times like these, she realized just how capable her cousin was.

"It's alright, I’m out now," Xin You gave Duan Yunling a smile, then showed a painful expression. "But my wounds will take time to heal, and I’ll be troubling you, Grandmother."

"What kind of talk is that? It’s no trouble when you’re staying at home."

"Grandmother, I was able to come out safely this time thanks not only to the neighbors in North Tower Ward but also to some officials who spoke on my behalf. Has the family thanked them?"

The elderly lady’s expression changed subtly. "Your eldest uncle went to thank them in person."

He only managed to speak with the Deputy Minister of Revenue, who was somewhat helpful, but couldn’t meet with Meng Jizuo, the Imperial Academy’s chief scholar.

This also indicated that these officials spoke up for Qingqing independently of Shaoqing Mansion, purely for Qingqing’s sake.

"That’s a relief," Xin You said.

Once she was fully recovered, Xin You planned to personally thank Meng Jizuo and the others, but not right now.

After a few more words, the elderly lady noticed Xin You looking exhausted and had the maidservant take her back to the Evening Serenity Abode to rest.

When Xin You returned to the Evening Serenity Abode, she asked Nanny Fang to return to Qingsong Bookstore first, so that Hu Boss and the others could be at ease.

Later that night, after Xiaolian helped Xin You apply some medicine, she finally asked, "Miss, do you really intend to stay at Shaoqing Mansion long-term?"

"I won’t be staying long-term at Shaoqing Mansion. It’s Miss Kou who will be returning to stay."

Xiaolian’s confusion was evident.

Xin You lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the whip marks on her arm.

After several days, the wounds had scabbed over, but the piercing pain from when the whip struck her body was something she would never forget.

"Qingsong Bookstore isn’t just where Miss Kou stays; it’s also where Songling lives," Xin You murmured, offering an explanation.

"Miss, are you really going to appear as Songling in front of others?" Xiaolian asked, stunned.

The Jinlin Guard has been hunting for Songling for months. Would Miss have to cross-dress and face many high-ranking officials, even the Emperor?

Just thinking about Xin You appearing before the Emperor in men’s clothes made Xiaolian’s heart race.

After nearly a year together, Xin You felt she could trust Xiaolian enough to share some of the truth.

"Xiaolian, have you heard the rumors about Songling? They say Songling is connected to the missing Empress."

Xiaolian hesitated and nodded.

She had naturally heard the rumors, and she had a secret that no one else knew: Miss was actually Mr. Songling in disguise.

She had also wondered that if the rumor were true, Miss’s true identity would be related to the missing Empress. But since Miss hadn’t mentioned it, she didn’t press for details.

"The rumor is true."

When Xin You confirmed it, Xiaolian’s expression changed, and she blurted out, "So what’s your connection to the Empress?"

"Just know that I came to the capital because of the Empress. Once I’ve rested for a couple more days, I’ll have a task for you."

Xiaolian didn’t push any further, but she tossed and turned all night, then suddenly sat up.

Miss works for the Empress and looks strikingly like Princess Zhaoyang—

Could it be… Miss is the princess?