The Double

The maidservants and the alerted people quickly ran to Xiao Deyin’s side.

Xiao Deyin had fallen to the ground, her veil had dropped, and her face was filled with panic. The maidservant was shocked and said, "Mr. Xiao! Mr. Xiao, what’s wrong with you?"

"Someone," Xiao Deyin gasped for air, her face deathly pale, "someone wants to kill me!"

"Who?" The nearby residents who had heard and come running all turned their heads to look around and said, "We didn’t see anyone. Could it be a bandit? Perhaps Mr. Xiao should report this to the authorities, let the official’s residence handle this."

Everyone here lived in the alley and knew Xiao Deyin. They now all enthusiastically offered their advice.

The maidservant also said, "Yes, Mr. Xiao, perhaps we should report this to the authorities now!"

Upon hearing the suggestion to report to the authorities, Xiao Deyin instinctively wanted to refuse. She coughed a few times and said, "I’m feeling terribly unwell right now and would like to go back to my room to rest for a bit. Once I feel a little better, I’ll go to report it."

Seeing her pale and unsteady, everyone nodded in agreement. Some women came forward to comfort her, and Xiao Deyin was then supported by the maidservant as she went back inside.

The maidservant was also worried that it was still unsafe outside, so she asked the mansion’s guards to stand watch at the gate for the night, locked the main gate, and then set about making some ginger soup to calm Xiao Deyin’s nerves.

Although the alley was usually quiet, there had never been any incidents with robbers or bandits. This encounter Xiao Deyin had was a first.