Chapter 344 Visiting Duan Yunlang

Chapter 344 Visiting Duan Yunlang

"What am I supposed to know?" Xin You asked, staring into Meng Fei's eyes.

The young man had phoenix eyes, with dark, sparkling pupils.

Though rumored to often rank at the bottom in exams, the grandson of the Imperial Academy's chancellor had eyes that clearly showed intelligence.

"Duan Yunlang hasn't come since the holiday, claiming to be on sick leave. When I visited him the day before yesterday, I found out he was injured."

"How did he get hurt?" Xin You calculated the time; it had been a few days.

Meng Fei's expression turned peculiar: "He said he got hurt from a fall."

Xin You felt a pang of concern.

Meng Fei's tone suggested he doubted it was just a fall.

"Miss Xin, if you have time, you could visit him—" Meng Fei paused, then continued, "Miss Xin, since you're no longer connected to the Shaoqing residence, Duan Yunlang has been feeling quite down."

"Thank you for informing me, Mr. Meng. I understand."

Meng Fei smiled and pointed to Qingsong Bookstore: "I was just about to buy some books. Would you like to join me, Miss Xin?"

"Sure. Mr. Meng, you go ahead. I'll take advantage of the early hour to visit the Shaoqing residence first."

Meng Fei chuckled and reminded her: "Miss Xin, please don't mention that I told you, or Duan Yunlang will be upset."

Xin You smiled and got back into the carriage: "To the Shaoqing residence."

Visiting the bookstore was just a ruse; her real aim was to let the thief know she planned to widely disseminate policies for governing and benefiting the people. Visiting Duan Yunlang didn't really delay anything.

On the way, she stopped at a shop to buy some tonics, and it didn't take long to reach the Shaoqing residence.

"Miss, we're here," the coachman called from outside.

Xin You stepped out of the carriage, glanced at the door plaque, and walked forward.

"Cousin—" The gatekeeper was startled to see Xin You, but quickly corrected himself, stammering as he struggled to address her properly.

"Just call me Miss Xin. I heard the second young master is unwell, so I came to see him."

"Oh, oh, please wait a moment." The gatekeeper led Xin You into the guest parlor and went inside to report.

Duan Shaoqing had already returned from his duties. When he heard Xin You had arrived, he hurried over.

Seeing the quietly seated young lady, Duan Shaoqing was at a loss: "Greetings—"

Xin You stood up: "Lord Duan, you can call me Miss Xin or Lady Xin."

"Miss Xin, please come in."

This small parlor near the gatehouse was just a temporary waiting area for visitors, not a proper reception room.

Duan Shaoqing gestured for her to enter, his whole body tense.

What is this troublemaker here for again!

Could she be here to collect a debt?

As they walked inside, Duan Shaoqing wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead and whispered, "We’ll soon have the four hundred thousand taels ready. I hope Miss Xin can give us a bit more time."

Xin You wasn’t used to seeing Duan Shaoqing act so meekly.

She preferred the Duan Shaoqing who was frantic and at a loss.

"Lord Duan, you’re joking," she said. "That’s the property Miss Kou left behind, and it’s only natural for your household to decide how to handle it. By the way, I still have some of Miss Kou’s family assets—"

Duan Shaoqing quickly interjected, "Xiaolian and Nanny Fang spent the most time with Qingqing. They know her best. It’s only right for Miss Xin to manage this money."

Seriously, he couldn’t even hold onto the four hundred thousand taels, let alone dare to ask for what this girl had taken before.

If he actually tried that, the Duan household would be doomed sooner or later.

Xin You gave Duan Shaoqing a deep look.

Faced with imperial power, even the greedy Duan family could come to their senses. Their earlier cruelty and greed were just them exploiting Kou Qingqing’s helplessness as an orphan.

She wasn’t after wealth, but she had no plans to part with this fortune. Even if the Duan household set up a charity in Miss Kou’s name, its sincerity, impact, and longevity were all questionable.

She had a clear plan for the money, and once it was done, countless commoners would benefit. Even if her mother’s reforms didn’t come to pass, this wouldn’t end too badly.

"Hearing Lord Duan say that puts me at ease."

A vein pulsed at Duan Shaoqing’s temple.

He talked so sweetly, but when she’d pretended to be his niece, she hadn’t seemed concerned about getting caught.

Thinking back, Duan Shaoqing felt even worse.

She was the one who’d impersonated someone, yet after learning her true identity, he was the one constantly fearing exposure!

"This visit isn’t about anything else," Xin You said. "I’m here to see Second Young Master Duan."

"Yunlang will be thrilled to hear Miss Xin is here to see him," Duan Shaoqing said, turning to lead Xin You to Duan Yunlang’s residence.

Xin You did not refuse Duan Shaoqing’s company. With her new status, she naturally had to act like a proper guest.

"Yunlang, Miss Xin has come to see you," Duan Shaoqing called out as soon as they entered the room.

Duan Yunlang, half-reclining on the bed, strained to look up. Seeing that it was indeed Xin You, his eyes lit up, wanting to greet her, but then he suddenly remembered that she was no longer his cousin.

The young man’s face fell, and his wounds seemed to hurt even more.

Duan Shaoqing coughed, "Yunlang, why aren’t you greeting Miss Xin?"

Duan Yunlang glanced at Xin You and pursed his lips tightly.

Duan Shaoqing quickly explained, "Yunlang hasn’t been feeling well these past few days, and his reactions are slow—"

"I would like to speak with Second Young Master Duan alone."

"You two talk," Duan Shaoqing said, turning and leaving the room, heading to the courtyard.

Xin You was a little taken aback by Duan Shaoqing’s quick decision.

Duan Shaoqing stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, calm and composed.

Things can't get any worse. If my nephew can get along well with this girl, it won't be bad for the Shaoqing residence.

The room was quiet for a moment. Duan Yunlang was really torn, wanting to talk to Xin You but feeling like it would be a betrayal to his cousin. He could only remind himself repeatedly in his heart: This is not my cousin, not my cousin.

Xin You wasn't one to beat around the bush. Seeing him like this, she straightforwardly asked, "Is Second Young Master Duan resenting me for impersonating Miss Kou?"

Duan Yunlang shook his head immediately. "No, it was my father who mistook you for her. Later, I heard from my father that you had said it was a mistake at the time, but he didn't believe you."

"So, seeing me reminds you of Miss Kou, and it makes you uncomfortable."

Duan Yunlang's eyes flickered.

That's about right.

"I get it," Xin You said, placing the gift she had bought on the table. "I heard you were under the weather, so I dropped by. But if seeing me makes you uncomfortable, we don't have to see each other again. I wish Second Young Master Duan a speedy recovery."

Duan Yunlang panicked, grabbing Xin You's sleeve. "Cousin, that's not what I meant!"

Xin You stopped and looked at the anxious young man.

Duan Yunlang wasn't the most sensitive guy, but at that moment, he suddenly realized that if she left like this, they would truly become strangers in the future.

Even if it was embarrassing, the young man spoke his mind: "I can't help seeing you as a sister, but I feel it's unfair to Cousin Qing."

Xin You was taken aback.

So that's what it was.

Her eyes softened, and she smiled. "Can't someone have more than one sibling?"

Duan Yunlang suddenly understood. "Then I'll call you—"

"You can call me Ayou."

The young man smiled. "Then you can call me Second Brother from now on."

The title 'Second Cousin' would still be just for Cousin Qing.

Having broken the awkwardness of meeting again after the change in identity, Xin You finally asked, "Second Brother, you're not actually sick, are you?"