Chapter 333: The Persevering Bandits

Chapter 333: The Persevering Bandits

The words "Nanny Fang" completely shattered Nanny Fang's illusions.

Nanny Fang could no longer hold back and covered her face, weeping bitterly.

Xiaolian gently held Nanny Fang's shoulder and sobbed, "Nanny Fang, Miss Ayou has avenged Miss Qingqing."

"I know, I know," Nanny Fang wiped her tears, but they kept flowing.

She had heard about it these past two days, but she still held onto a sliver of hope. What she saw was clearly Qingqing, how could it be someone else? Now she knew, the capable young lady she saw after a long separation was not her beloved Miss Qingqing.

Her beloved Miss Qingqing had long died in the lair of wolves and would never marry or grow old.

After expressing her grief, Nanny Fang wiped her tears and bowed to Xin You, "Miss, I’ve embarrassed myself."

Xin You comforted her gently, "It’s only natural for Nanny Fang to mourn Miss Kou. However, I believe Miss Kou, if she knew in the afterlife, would not want you to be too sad and harm your health. You and Xiaolian are the closest people to her in this world, she would surely want you both to be well."

"This humble servant understands," Nanny Fang gradually calmed down, "Miss, where is Miss Qingqing buried?"

"She is buried in the farmstead owned by Miss Kou."

Nanny Fang's tears flowed again, "So that’s where she rests..."

She had been to that farmstead and had seen an unnamed grave, but she never knew that beneath that small mound lay the child she had nursed.

Her beloved Miss Qingqing was only sixteen when she died.

"Tomorrow morning, we will go there to offer paper money for Miss Kou."

Nanny Fang looked at Xin You in surprise.

Although she knew Miss Xin was compassionate, Miss Xin was the Emperor's daughter. How could she be willing to accompany a servant like her to pay respects to Miss Qingqing?

Xin You thoughtfully reminded, "Should we prepare some paper ingots? I’m not very familiar with these things—"

"This humble servant knows," Nanny Fang was successfully distracted.

That night, Xin You stayed in the eastern courtyard of Qingsong Bookstore, and Xiaolian even shared a room with Nanny Fang, whispering late into the night.

The following morning after breakfast, Xin You and her party traveled by horse and carriage out of the city to the farmstead under Kou Qingqing's name.

In the Qianqing Palace, after handling some state affairs post the court session, Emperor Xingyuan called for Jinlin Guard Commander Feng Nian to inquire about Xin You's activities.

Although He Qingxiao's punishment had been waived at Xin You's plea, Emperor Xingyuan still felt somewhat uneasy but couldn't help but pay attention to his daughter's situation, so he assigned this task to Feng Nian.

"Her Highness left the Eldest Princess’s Residence yesterday and returned to the residence bestowed by Your Majesty. In the afternoon, she visited Qingsong Bookstore and spent the night there. This morning, she traveled to the outskirts."

Emperor Xingyuan was pleased by Feng Nian's use of "Her Highness" and couldn't help but smile, "What is she doing in the outskirts this early?"

"It’s not clear yet, I’ve sent someone to investigate."

"Warn the investigator not to be seen and upset Ayou," Emperor Xingyuan, feeling uneasy, added a reminder.

"I understand," Feng Nian was secretly surprised.

This level of attention and surveillance was unlike that given to the officials; it was the Emperor's deep concern for his newly recognized daughter. Tsk, even the former King Qing was not so favored. Yesterday, there were rumors that Miss Xin had not been recognized and enfeoffed as a princess because the Emperor was disappointed that the son he expected turned out to be a daughter.

Feng Nian had no intention of reminding those fools and vaguely felt that by leveraging this information gap, he might turn his fortunes around and earn the Emperor’s favor.

After Feng Nian left, Emperor Xingyuan asked Sun Yan, "The palace banquet is in two days, right?"

Sun Yan replied, "Yes," thinking, *He’s asked this several times already.* If he wants to see Princess Ayou, why doesn’t he just summon her?

His newly recognized daughter was living outside the palace, and Emperor Xingyuan naturally wanted to summon her. But he knew kids her age could be stubborn, and Ayou held a grudge against him, so he couldn’t rush things.

At the isolated grave on the outskirts, Xin You paid her respects and stood back, silently waiting as Xiaolian and Nanny Fang grieved.

The wind blew hard across the open field, carrying their sobs far into the distance.

Xiaolian stopped crying first and helped Nanny Fang up. "Nanny Fang, let’s get up."

Nanny Fang, struggling to stand on her numb legs, said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss."

The closeness that had grown from their time together changed once Nanny Fang realized the young girl before her was not Kou Qingqing but a royal princess. Their old relationship couldn’t continue.

Nanny Fang understood this, and Xin You even more so.

"Nanny Fang, you head back to the bookstore first. I’ll head to Wuyun Village."

Although she had just met the Sixth Boss yesterday, with her new identity, she needed to visit the village. Since she was already outside the city today, she decided to take the chance.

Xiaoba was thrilled to be returning to Wuyun Village, especially accompanying Xin You.

What was this? A triumphant return!

The moment they reached the village entrance, Xiaoba shouted, "Go let the Sixth Boss know Miss is here!"

At the shout, people came running, and the Sixth Boss shoved his way through the crowd. "Miss, you’ve come."

"I’m here to see everyone."

The Sixth Boss smiled broadly and raised his hand. "Ring the gong for assembly!"

As the gong sounded, the people surrounding Xin You quickly dispersed and ran to an open area in the middle of the village.

The Sixth Boss led Xin You inside. "That’s where we usually train. We have a rule that whenever the gong sounds, everyone must gather there."

"That’s a good rule."

Xin You praised, and the Sixth Boss’s eyes lit up even more. "We don’t want others to laugh at us for being disorganized and embarrass you, Miss."

The Sixth Boss was tall, handsome, and fiercely loyal, which made Xiaolian secretly roll her eyes.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the open area was filled with people, lined up in formation.

"Some brothers are still in the fields and won’t be back so quickly."

"How do you usually train?" The Sixth Boss’s performance surprised Xin You and piqued her curiosity.

The Sixth Boss shouted at the top of his lungs, "Brothers, Miss is here to see us. Show her how we usually train!"

"Yes!"

Although not everyone was present, nearly a hundred people responded in unison, their voices deafening.

The Jinlin Guard observing from a distance was nearly frightened to the ground, exchanging uneasy glances with his companion.

"If we get discovered, we should be fine—right?"

The voices behind grew softer, and the Jinlin Guard who was speaking leapt up and ran.

The two Jinlin Guards were not slow, but Qian Feng and Ping'an were even faster, and in the blink of an eye, they were engaged in a fierce fight.

As close guards—essentially sworn protectors—gifted to Xin You by Princess Zhaoyang, Qian Feng and Ping'an were top-notch fighters, and they easily subdued the two Jinlin Guards.

While Xin You watched intently as the former bandits, now farmers, practiced their drills, Qian Feng and Ping'an silently stood behind her, each holding a Jinlin Guard.

When the drills ended, all eyes turned eagerly to Xin You.

She was the benefactor who had given them a new life. Whether addressed as Young Master Xin or Miss Xin, they would follow her and serve her loyally.