Chapter 398: Coincidence

Chapter 398: A Coincidence

Emperor Xingyuan had spoken, and Sun Yan dared not delay. He changed into clothes typical of wealthy commoners, took two eunuchs disguised as servants, and made his way discreetly to Qingsong Bookstore.

The street where Qingsong Bookstore was located was bustling with lively activity. Amidst the crowd, Sun Yan felt a mix of nostalgia and resistance toward such everyday hustle and bustle.

Many eunuchs who gained power liked to establish households outside the palace or even "marry," but he disliked it.

He rarely ventured outside the palace, unwilling to let himself be affected by the ordinary, commonplace bustle.

The eunuch leading the way pointed and said, "Master, this is the place."

Sun Yan glanced over and walked forward with his hands behind his back.

At this time, Qingsong Bookstore was busy with customers, with Hu Boss and others efficiently helping customers.

"How may I help you, honored guest?" Shitou smiled as he greeted him as soon as Sun Yan entered.

Upon seeing Shitou, Sun Yan froze.

"Esteemed guest?"

Coming to his senses, Sun Yan managed a smile and asked Shitou, "What's your name, young man?"

The two eunuchs behind him exchanged glances.

To others, it might not be noticeable, but they could instantly tell—their master's voice had changed.

Though Shitou found the guest a bit odd, he still answered, "I'm called Shitou."

"Shitou? And what's your surname?"

Shitou gave Sun Yan a puzzled look but, fearing he might offend the guest, hesitated before replying, "My surname is Sun."

Since when did book buyers need to know the background of the shop assistant? What a strange guest.

Sun...

Sun Yan's lips quivered. He forcibly tore his gaze away from Shitou's face and turned it toward the rows of bookshelves.

"What does the esteemed guest need?" Shitou asked.

"I—I want a set of *Journey to the West*."

"A complete set?" Shitou's eyes lit up with surprise.

Not many people bought the complete set these days. Fans would snap up each new volume as soon as it was released.

Shitou quickly brought out a complete set of *Journey to the West*, wrapped it up, and handed it to Sun Yan.

The eunuch behind him took the books.

After paying, Sun Yan gave Shitou a long, searching look. His plan to casually ask about He Qingxiao was abandoned as he quickly exited the bookstore.

The carriage departed, making straight for the Hanlin Academy at Sun Yan's instruction.

"Go and ask if Lady Xin is at the Hanlin Academy. If she is, invite her over," Sun Yan ordered one of the eunuchs as the carriage halted a short distance away from the academy.

The eunuch obeyed and left, while the other, trying to hide his curiosity, stole a glance at Sun Yan, only to find him resting against the carriage wall with his eyes closed, silent.

After leaving the palace, Xin You returned to the Hanlin Academy—the imperial academy. She should have gone to thank Chancellor Xie, but the events she had just experienced left her emotions in turmoil. She sat lost in thought in her office.

Earlier outside the Meridian Gate, she hadn’t dared to look at Lord He, unsure how badly he was hurt.

The Emperor already knew of her feelings for Lord He—might he suspect that Lord He’s refusal of the marriage was because of her? Would he then question whether Lord He had long been aware of her true identity?

No ruler tolerated deception—least of all a confident, domineering emperor. If the Emperor discovered Lord He had also committed such an act—

Xin You couldn't stay put any longer. She decided to go to Qingsong Bookstore, but as soon as she stepped out of the Hanlin Academy, someone called out to her.

A eunuch approached and bowed. "I was just sending someone for you. How fortunate to meet you right at the gate."

Xin You studied the eunuch dressed as a servant and recognized him. "You’re from Eunuch Sun’s side?"

"You've a good memory, Lady Xin. You may call this servant Xiao Pingzi."

"What does Eunuch Ping need?" Xin You asked gently.

Though she was eager to get to Qingsong Bookstore, given the sensitive timing, she couldn’t ignore the arrival of someone close to Grand Eunuch Sun Yan.

"Eunuch Sun needs to speak with you. He’s waiting not far away."

"Please lead the way, Eunuch Ping."

The eunuch led Xin You forward. While still some distance away, the carriage curtain stirred, and another eunuch helped Sun Yan step down.

Sun Yan quickly approached and bowed to Xin You. "Lady Xin."

Xin You returned the courtesy. "Eunuch Sun was looking for me?"

Sun Yan glanced around and lowered his voice. "Would Lady Xin join me at a discreet teahouse for a conversation?"

Xin You nodded.

Sun Yan dismissed the two eunuchs and accompanied Xin You to a quiet teahouse.

Once seated in a private room and after the attendant serving tea had withdrawn, Sun Yan clutched his cup and spoke. "Lady Xin, there’s a clerk at Qingsong Bookstore named Shitou. What can you tell me about him?"

Asking Xin You directly wasn’t recklessness on Sun Yan’s part—it was calculated.

Qingsong Bookstore belonged to Xin You. Even if he investigated discreetly, he would eventually have to involve her. Rather than beating around the bush, it was better to be straightforward.

"Shitou?" Xin You hadn’t expected Sun Yan to seek her out for reasons unrelated to He Qingxiao but rather for Shitou.

Considering that Shitou’s circumstances were easy to inquire about, Xin You guessed at Sun Yan’s intentions and replied, "From what I know, Shitou is from out of town. Many years ago, he came to the capital with his mother to search for his father, but they never found him. The two of them have been working at Qingsong Bookstore ever since."

Sun Yan’s hand trembled slightly around the teacup as he battled his excitement. "Shitou’s mother is at Qingsong Bookstore?"

Xin You nodded. "She does sewing and mending work there."

Sun Yan set the cup down only to pick it up again. Even in front of Xin You, he couldn’t conceal his turbulent emotions.

"Lady Xin, what is Shitou’s mother called?"

"She said her husband’s surname was Sun. We all call her Sister-in-Law Sun." Xin You gave Sun Yan a meaningful look.

Eunuch Sun’s surname was "Sun," and Sister-in-Law Sun had come to the capital years ago with Shitou to search for her husband, who had disappeared after leaving to seek work in the capital. Now, Eunuch Sun was persistently inquiring about Sister-in-Law Sun and her son—could he be the very man she had been searching for?

"Lady Xin, I must ask a favor of you."

"No need for formalities, Eunuch Sun. What’s the matter?"

"Could you arrange for me to see the stone-carver's mother? We don’t need to meet properly—just letting me catch a glimpse of her quietly would suffice."

"Of course, that's no problem." Xin You lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea, refraining from asking about the relationship between Eunuch Sun and the stone-carver's family.

Eunuch Sun, however, felt somewhat embarrassed and volunteered, "Thank you, Lady Xin, for your kindness. Once I’ve seen her, I’ll fill you in."

"You're too polite, Eunuch Sun. It’s nothing." Xin You paused, then asked casually, "Were you at Qingsong Bookstore earlier?"

Eunuch Sun hesitated. After a subtle silence, he nodded in admission. "Yes, I was there."

This amounted to admitting that Emperor Xingyuan was keeping an eye on Qingsong Bookstore.

Given that He Qingxiao had nearly been sentenced to death by caning just that day, Emperor Xingyuan sending Eunuch Sun to Qingsong Bookstore undoubtedly confirmed Xin You's suspicion: Emperor Xingyuan suspected that He Qingxiao had been hiding something since she was still "Kou Qingqing."

Xin You breathed a quiet sigh of relief at the coincidence of Eunuch Sun encountering the stone-carver and immediately realized that whether He Qingxiao could escape this calamity now depended on Eunuch Sun.

She soon went to Qingsong Bookstore and asked Zhu Xiaoyue to bring Mother Stone over from the backyard.

Before long, Mother Stone, wearing an apron, arrived in the bookstore's main hall and gave a nervous bow. "Boss."

"No need for formalities, Sister Sun. Madam Fang’s embroidery workshop is working on new designs, and I’d like to trouble you to accompany me to take a look."

Mother Stone naturally didn't refuse and followed Xin You out of the bookstore.