Chapter 423: The Secret

Chapter 423 Secret

The sky had darkened, and the streets were almost empty except for government soldiers. Despite it being summer, the air held a midwinter's harshness.

Xin You walked back to the Xin residence on foot, stepping beside He Qingxiao as if treading on cotton, her head spinning with disbelief.

The day's wild swings, the narrow escape from death, the loss and recovery—all had hit her like a tidal wave.

Her hands trembled until a man’s large hand reached out and grasped hers.

She turned her head, lifting her gaze to look at him quietly.

“Ayou, I’m back.”

Xin You pursed her lips and nodded.

“I’m sorry I didn’t return sooner…” Gazing at the girl who'd become so gaunt under the moonlight, He Qingxiao felt his heart clench painfully. Unable to resist, he raised his hand and lightly brushed her cheek.

Where his fingers touched, Xin You felt a shiver that instantly spread through her entire body.

She collapsed into his arms, clutching him tightly.

He wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin gently against her forehead.

He sensed her fear, and she sensed his. No words could comfort like this solid embrace.

In the mingling of their breaths, in the warmth passed between their skin, their panicked hearts finally calmed, confirming that the one they loved deeply was still safe.

The embrace was brief, yet it calmed the two exhausted souls.

Still holding hands, they walked all the way to the Xin residence before letting go.

Jiang Shuang stood outside the gate holding a lantern and dashed over as soon as she spotted Xin You.

“Miss, you’re back!” The little maid broke down crying when she saw the unharmed girl.

At first, she hadn’t known her mistress was in danger. By the time she heard the news, it was already too late. She had rushed to the Eldest Princess’s Residence for help, only to be told that the Princess Royale was not at home.

At that moment, she thought—if only Sister Xiaolian were here, maybe she could have found a way?

But all she could do was fret like a chicken with its head cut off and wait helplessly.

“Don’t cry. Go prepare some food for me and—” Xin You glanced at the man beside her, “—for me and Lord Marquis. We haven’t eaten all day.”

“I'll go right to the kitchen,” Jiang Shuang wiped her tears and smiled through them.

Xin You led He Qingxiao into the parlor, where they washed their hands, wiped their faces, and drank tea to wet their dry throats.

The hall was glowing with candlelight, quiet and peaceful.

“Ayou, you’ve lost so much weight.”

Xin You was quiet a beat before saying softly, “Because I worried about you every waking moment.”

“Me too.” He Qingxiao’s response held more guilt than Xin You's openness.

He had worried for her, yet he couldn’t drop everything to rescue her. Though she occupied the most important place in his heart, in reality, what mattered most didn't always come first.

They lived under imperial authority, tied by society's rules, and thus faced many hard choices.

This often made him blame himself and feel feelings of inadequacy, making him feel he didn't deserve Ayou's love.

Xin You inquired about the events after the drowning, and indeed, Emperor Xingyuan had been rescued by He Qingxiao, who concealed his identity all the way back to the capital.

He Qingxiao also asked about Xin You's experiences in the palace that day, growing more alarmed as he listened.

Outside the door, Jiang Shuang's voice came: "Miss, dinner's ready."

"Bring it in."

The door opened, and Jiang Shuang entered with a tray, setting down the dishes.

They stopped talking, quietly eating their dinner, just like back at the southern farm.

After the gathering, Emperor Xingyuan wasn't hungry and headed straight to Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager also had no interest in eating and was anxiously waiting for her son.

"Son, is everything settled?"

Emperor Xingyuan nodded: "We've pretty much figured out the imposter who pretended to be me. We've locked up most of those involved. We'll interrogate them thoroughly to see if any escaped."

"Who was the fake emperor?" The Empress Dowager was dying to know.

"It was Kou Tianming, Kou Qingqing's father."

Due to Xin You, the Empress Dowager was well acquainted with the name "Kou Qingqing" and was stunned: "Wasn't her father dead?"

Emperor Xingyuan told Kou Tianming's story.

"How strange that someone could resemble you so closely," the Empress Dowager said, getting chills hearing about it.

Had her son not returned and the imposter taken the throne, after killing Xin You, it wouldn't have been long before she, the Empress Dowager, was eliminated as well.

Thinking of Xin You, the Empress Dowager's feelings began to change.

Actually, they owed their safe escape today largely to that girl.

"I also find it unbelievable. I'll have someone look into Kou Tianming's hometown later."

"Look into what?"

"To check if there's anything odd about where he came from," Emperor Xingyuan said, looking at the Empress Dowager. "Mother, do we have any long-lost close relatives in our family?"

"No—" The Empress Dowager stopped short.

There were no long-lost close relatives, but there was a deceased son.

That child was unlucky, dying soon after being born. To spare her grief, the child's father quickly got rid of the body.

When she asked later, she was told the body had been thrown in the river.

In their region, babies who died were either water-buried like this or discarded in mountain gullies—never buried in the family tomb.

Because it was a twin birth, to avoid gossip and harsh words from elders, they bribed the midwife to say only one child was born.

Could the child have survived—? The idea made the old Empress Dowager's heart pound.

"Mother, have you remembered something?"

The Empress Dowager snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her concerned son, shaking her head slowly. "It's been too long. I was just trying to recall carefully. We truly have no missing relatives in our family."

"Then you should get some rest too, Your Majesty. I'll have the imperial physician prepare a calming tonic so today's events won't disturb you."

"You should rest well too, Emperor. The rebels have all been captured, so take your time with the rest. No need to rush."

After this tender moment between mother and son, Emperor Xingyuan departed.

"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal."

The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "I don't feel like eating today. I'd like to turn in early."

After washing up and changing clothes, the Empress Dowager lay down on her soft, comfortable bed.

As soon as she closed her eyes, what came to mind wasn't the terrifying events at Fangning Palace, but that child who had died at birth.

That child, just like Erbao, had been exceptionally beautiful.

Unable to sleep, the Empress Dowager opened her eyes and gazed intently at the bed curtains.

In this world, no one but her remembered that child had ever existed. It had been far, far too long—so long she could no longer imagine what it would feel like to have another son.

She already had the most filial and capable son in the world. Why would she need another?

Especially one who looked identical—what if another impersonation of Erbao happened in the future?

Erbao was the emperor now. He didn't need a brother who looked exactly like him.

The Empress Dowager felt a twinge of sadness, but only slight. Her determination to bury this secret forever didn't waver in the slightest.

In times like these, what family hadn't lost a few children? To her, that child had died fifty years ago.

The next day, Emperor Xingyuan, who had been absent from morning court for days, sat regally on the dragon throne. Looking down at the many empty spaces in the grand hall, he began conducting the day's business.

Officials to be arrested were apprehended, while those who had contributed during the turmoil would now be rewarded.