Ci Jinzhi

  Chapter 4 debut

  The rain was violent and windy, and Xiao Lian's sobbing became louder under the cover of the wind and rain.

   Caressing Youlan on the soft pillow with her slender fingers, Xin You's heart sank: When Xiaolian had an accident, she wore white flowers and white clothes. Is it because Miss Kou died?

   And she is now... "Miss Kou".

  The chill crept up her back, and Xin You didn't feel afraid, but cold.

  From the moment she returned from a trip to witness the tragic death of her mother and the aunts who had watched her grow up, nothing frightened her anymore.

   "Xiao Lian."

   The movement outside was a little flustered. After a while, Xiao Lian walked in with her head down: "What do you want, Miss?"

  The room was dark, and suddenly a flash of lightning pierced through the dense night, bringing instant light to the room. Xiao Lian saw the girl sitting loosely, her eyes were astonishingly dark as if they were lacquered.

  A pair of eyes that were obviously similar to those of her own girl, but it frightened her for no reason.

   "Xiao Lian, tell me about Miss Kou." Xin You's voice was still calm, unlike the storm outside the window.

  Xiao Lian calmed down and said softly: "Yes."

  Xin You got up a little late the next day, and before she had time to have breakfast after washing up, the little maid reported that the three girls had arrived.

   Calculating the time, they should have come directly after saying good morning to the old lady. Xin You signaled Xiaolian to invite them in.

  The curtain was lifted, and three girls came in.

  The girl at the head is wearing a pomegranate skirt, with white skin and vermilion lips, like a blooming rose. Xin You learned from Xiao Lian that Duan Shaoqing had three daughters, and only the second daughter, Duan Yunhua, was born by the eldest wife Qiao, so she should be the girl in the red skirt.

  The two girls who are slightly behind, the older girl has slender eyebrows and is delicate and pleasant. It should be the eldest girl Duan Yunwan, and the other almond-eyed girl should be the third girl Duan Yunling.

  Kou Qingqing climbed mountains with these three cousins. As for Duan Yunyan, the fourth girl in the family, she was still young, and she never went out with her sisters that day.

  In Xin You's view, if Kou Qingqing's fall off the cliff was not an accident, the person who did it must be among the three.

  Duan Yunhua stood still by the bed, looking down at Xin You who was sitting on the pillow, his scrutiny was undisguised: "Cousin Qing, have you really lost your memory?"

   "When I touched my head, I can't remember clearly." Xin You answered honestly, secretly paying attention to Duan Yunhua's expression, and actually saw a fleeting joy in the other's eyes.

  Duan Yunhua sat down on the embroidered pier and smiled slightly: "Cousin Qing, don't worry, just take care of it slowly. Even if you can't remember anything, it won't affect your future life."

   "Sister Hua is right."

  The eldest girl Duan Yunwan said in surprise, "Cousin Qing lost her memory, how could she—"

  She looked at Duan Yunhua, implying that since she lost her memory, why did she recognize Duan Yunhua.

  Xin You focused on Duan Yunwan, and explained casually: "I asked about the looks of Xiaolian's sisters."

  Duan Yunwan glanced at Xiaolian, and smiled gratifiedly: "Fortunately, Xiaolian is here. In the future, if you have any questions, you can ask me anytime."

   "Thank you, Cousin Wan." Xin You nodded and looked at the third girl, Duan Yunling.

  Duan Yunling has not spoken since entering the room. At this time, Xin You looked over and was still in a daze.

   "Third Sister—" Duan Yunwan lightly touched Duan Yunling.

  Duan Yunling came back to his senses in a jerk, his eyes flickered: "Cousin Qing, how do you feel, are you feeling better?"

   "I drank the medicine yesterday, and I feel much better." Xin You answered every question, with a good-tempered look.

  Duan Yunling's gaze stayed on her porcelain-like face, and her eyes were a little complicated: "Then cousin takes good care of her body..."

  Duan Yunhua stood up: "Cousin take care of her, we won't disturb your rest."

   "Xiao Lian, send three girls for me."

  Xin You watched the three leave and raised her eyebrows slightly.

  The second girl, Duan Yunhua, showed joy at Miss Kou's amnesia, and the eldest girl, Duan Yunwan, was also quite concerned about Miss Kou's amnesia. The reaction of the third girl, Duan Yunling, was even more intriguing.

   It was the first time I dealt with the three girls from the Shaoqing Mansion, and I felt more and more that Miss Kou's fall from the cliff was not easy.

  Xiao Lian went back to the house, saw Xin You drooping her eyes in thought, and said, "My maidservant brings you breakfast."

  Xin You looked up and watched Xiao Lian walk to the door, almost bumping into someone.

   "Third Miss—"

   "Didn't you bump into it?" Duan Yunling, who went back and forth, smiled apologetically at Xiao Lian, explaining as he walked in, "I found an earring missing on the way, maybe it fell on Cousin Qing..."

   "The servant girl will help you find—"

  Duan Yunling waved his hand: "No, go get busy."

  Xiao Lian looked at Xin You, saw her nodding, and silently backed out.

  Duan Yunling bent down to look for it, his eyes lit up: "Sure enough, it landed here!"

   "Just find it." Xin You looked from Duan Yunling's empty right earlobe to the pearl earring in her hand, and said calmly.

   "Then I won't bother my cousin."

   "Ling cousin, walk slowly."

  Duan Yunling was about to turn around while holding the pearl earrings, but stopped suddenly: "Can I trouble my cousin to help me put them on?"

  Xin You was startled slightly, then bent her lips: "Of course."

  Duan Yunling sat down on the embroidered pier beside the bed and leaned slightly.

   It was the first time for Xin You to help someone put earrings on. Fortunately, she had a steady hand and helped Duan Yunling put them on easily.

"Thank you, cousin." Duan Yunling touched the warm pearl hanging down, and looked at Xinyou who was smiling slightly, hesitantly, "Cousin Qing, let's go to offer incense together in spring, the Taoist priest said that when you offend Suijun, it is easy to have disasters , as expected, it should have been a few days ago. You should also be careful in the future, try to go out as little as possible, even at home... pay more attention."

   "I see, thank you cousin for reminding me."

   "Then cousin, take a good rest." Duan Yunling got up to say goodbye, went outside and met Xiao Lian who came in with food.

  Xiao Lian turned sideways with a tray in her hand to avoid: "Third Miss, walk slowly."

  Duan Yunling nodded, and quickly left Wanqingju.

  Xin You thought about what Duan Yunling said, and when she saw Xiaolian coming in, she asked, "When Miss Kou went to offer incense in the spring, did a Taoist priest give her orders?"

  Xiao Lian showed a dazed face: "The girls went to offer incense together at the beginning of spring, but when they saw the Taoist priest, the servants were all waiting by the side, and they didn't know what the Taoist priest said."

   "Is that so." Xin You took the porcelain spoon that Xiaolian handed over, and drank the porridge slowly.

   That is to say, the "Miss Kou" who has lost her memory cannot judge from Xiao Lian whether the words of the third girl are true or false. But the reminder in the words of the third girl is obvious. Is it pure concern between the cousins, or does the third girl know something, or is it confusing the public by shouting "Stop the thief?"

   The three sisters are certainly not the only ones who are going to visit today, Xin You is not in a hurry to make a judgment.

   After eating the rice, the soup is ready.

  Xin You couldn't help but frowned when she thought of the bitterness of the bowl of concoction yesterday, but she didn't say much. She took the medicine bowl from Xiao Lian's hand and took a sip, her face changed slightly, and she spit the concoction on the veil.

   "Girl, what's wrong?"

  Xin You stared at the medicine bowl, her eyebrows tightened even more.

  This bowl of medicine seems a little different from yesterday.

  (end of this chapter)