“Fi… fire!” Mo Shu cried out in disbelief, suddenly running like a madwoman toward the Buddha Hall. “Young Miss! Young Miss is still there, Young Miss—”

Mo Shu ran while calling out, her voice already breaking into sobs. Qin Wan’s heart clenched as she turned to look at Yan Chi, “Let’s go check! This fire started strangely—”

After speaking, Qin Wan looked toward Xu He, “Take Fu Ling back!”

With that said, Qin Wan lifted her skirts and walked away. Xu He stood frozen while holding Fu Ling, wanting to follow but unable to put her down. Meanwhile, Yan Chi immediately followed along, “Put Fu Ling down and go notify the others in the mansion!”

Qin Wan followed Mo Shu, Yan Chi followed Qin Wan and walked at the front with a complex expression, Qin Chen also saw the great fire in the direction of the Buddha Hall. His feet faltered, his eyes slowly widening, and then he too tried to head toward the Buddha Hall, but just as he took a step, Bai Feng reached out to block him. “Young Master, where are you going?”

Qin Chen pointed toward the direction of the fire, “Can’t you see? The Buddha Hall is on fire!”

Bai Feng had certainly seen it, but Yan Chi’s orders were to take Qin Chen to the front courtyard and detain him.

Meeting Bai Feng’s indifferent eyes, Qin Chen’s eyes contracted violently, “Right now I’m not yet a criminal, my crimes haven’t been determined, I… no one knows the layout of the Qin Mansion better than I do. If we don’t fight the fire, do you want to watch the entire mansion burn to the ground?!”

Bai Feng frowned, his eyes showing traces of hesitation. Seeing this, Qin Chen pushed aside Bai Feng’s arm and headed toward the Buddha Hall. Bai Feng didn’t stop him but followed closely behind. Qin Chen’s expression was resolute, though in his heart he too wondered why the Buddha Hall had caught fire, and thinking of what Qin Wan had said earlier, his heart began to pound wildly with unease.

The storehouse was originally on the east side, and the Buddha Hall was also in the eastern direction of the Qin Mansion. Mo Shu, walking at the front, was the first to reach the Buddha Hall entrance. She had only been gone for a moment, but upon returning, the Buddha Hall had already become a sea of fire. Not just the courtyard, but even the main entrance was surrounded by tongues of flame. The autumn breeze swept through, and in the air, besides the scorched smell of burning wood, there was also a pungent smell of pine oil. Mo Shu stood helplessly at the doorway, her eyes immediately turning red!

“Young Miss! Young Miss!”

Mo Shu called out with all her might, and footsteps followed from behind. Mo Shu turned around to see Qin Wan and Yan Chi had followed. Tears rolled down Mo Shu’s face as she quickly grabbed Qin Wan’s arm, “Ninth Miss! Young Miss is still inside! Young Miss is still inside… Ninth Miss… what should we do…”

Before she could finish speaking, Yan Chi had already leaped onto the roof. Qin Wan gripped Mo Shu’s hand in return, her heart sinking slightly as she looked at this sea of fire. She watched Yan Chi’s figure on the roof, her lips pressed together anxiously.

From afar it wasn’t apparent, but up close, they could see how massive the fire was. Qin Wan had never seen such a large fire in her life, and for a moment she lost her composure. She anxiously watched Yan Chi, and soon, he landed back on the ground.

In just the time it took to go up and come down, his hem was covered in black soot. Brushing off his clothes, Yan Chi shook his head, “All the buildings in the back are burning, the courtyard is ablaze on all four sides, and even the courtyard itself is too hot to step foot in.”

Upon hearing these words, Mo Shu’s legs suddenly went weak. She helplessly pulled at Qin Wan, only able to mumble and cry, “Young Miss…”

Just as they were in despair, Mo Shu looked up to see Qin Chen and Bai Feng running over. Qin Chen’s face was deathly pale, his eyes full of urgency, and there were spots of blood on his body, his right hand hanging limply as if injured. Mo Shu didn’t know that Qin Chen had just tried to kill Qin Wan, nor did she have the mind to care why he was injured. Her thoughts were only of Yao Xin Lan as she frantically rushed to Qin Chen’s side.

“Young Master! There’s a fire! Please save Young Miss—”

Qin Chen had come for Madam Jiang and Cai He and was first surprised to see Mo Shu here. Hearing these words, he immediately exclaimed, “Xin Lan is here?”

Mo Shu kept nodding, “Old Madam said she wanted to speak with Young Miss, and I had just brought Young Miss over, then, in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, it caught fire, Young Master, Young Miss is with child! Young Master—”

Mo Shu cried with complete devastation, while Qin Chen’s body suddenly froze.

Everything Qin Wan had said earlier flooded into his mind, and even though he didn’t believe it, now faced with this tremendous fire, he had no choice but to believe. The fire was raging, and even standing four or five zhang away from the entrance, they could still feel the scorching heat of the flames. Sparks were flying everywhere, and black ashes floated in the wind, threatening to fall on them at any moment. Such a large fire wouldn’t start on its own—who had set it? Why did it start right after Yao Xin Lan had arrived?

Madam Jiang wouldn’t want to harm Yao Xin Lan, so the arsonist could only be her…

Yan Chi looked at Bai Feng, “Go call the people in the mansion to help fight the fire.”

Bai Feng responded and turned to disappear into the night. By now it was late, and many servants had already retired, but with such a large fire, it quickly alarmed various parts of the mansion. Xu He and Bai Feng only had to call out briefly before many servants came running with basins and jars filled with water. At the Buddha Hall, Qin Wan felt small and powerless for the first time.

“There’s a smell of pine oil—this fire was set deliberately.”

Qin Wan’s voice was harsh. Through the raging tongues of flame, she could faintly see the screen wall inside the Buddha Hall. That wall inscribed with Buddhist scriptures was now completely blackened, and Qin Wan couldn’t imagine what lay beyond it.

“Was it Cai He?” Yan Chi asked Qin Wan in a low voice, and Qin Wan nodded.

Yan Chi’s lips pressed together slightly, “Why would she suddenly set a fire? And even invited the Young Madam of the household to come…”

Qin Wan’s hand hanging at her side slowly clenched into a fist, her eyes becoming sorrowful, “She… revealed the case from years ago, fulfilling her greatest wish. Once this case comes to light, the Qin Mansion will lose its glory and wealth. As for why she invited her Sister-in-law over, the Sister-in-law’s family could save the Qin Mansion, and she’s carrying her Brother’s child. Perhaps… she wanted to ensure the Qin Mansion would have no chance of recovery…”

As Qin Wan said this, she suddenly remembered the scene from when Cai He first brought her to the Buddha Hall. Back then, Cai He had been pretty and charming, as gentle and friendly as the girl next door. Even when Fu Ling said she was the internal affairs manager, Qin Wan could hardly believe that such a young girl was a murderer harboring thoughts of revenge…

The red glow of the fire illuminated Qin Wan’s face, making her look even more sorrowful. Yan Chi watched from the side, his eyes deepening another shade. Meanwhile, Mo Shu had fallen to her knees crying.

“Young Master, please, please save Young Miss—”

Mo Shu looked at the dazed Qin Chen with complete despair in her eyes. She kept shaking Qin Chen’s arm, her eyes full of pleading, “Young Master, Young Miss is carrying a child, if not for Young Miss, then for the child…”

Qin Chen suddenly came to his senses. He pulled Mo Shu up, “I know, I know…”

Mo Shu held back her sobs, but when she turned to look at the fire again, her heart sank once more. With such a large fire, forget about Qin Chen—even the martially skilled Yan Chi couldn’t enter. What hope did her Young Miss have of surviving?!

“Quick! This way—the well is on the east side—”

Several shouts suddenly rang out. Mo Shu looked back to see Bai Feng and Xu He leading a crowd of people!

The servants of the Qin Mansion, both men and women, all carried wooden basins and buckets, along with the yamen runners who had arrived, all rushing toward the well. However, there was only one well, and so many people could only wait in line one by one. Qin Chen looked around, as if suddenly stimulated by the crowd that had appeared, and suddenly came to his senses, “There’s another well on the west side, don’t all crowd in one place!”

With Qin Chen directing, the servants immediately had direction, and soon people were bringing water over.

One basin after another of water was thrown at the entrance. Those who hadn’t gotten water either took brooms or hoes and joined in fighting the fire. Even so, the fire showed no signs of diminishing. The arsonist had used pine oil—as soon as the water put out the fire, it would ignite again. Seeing this wasn’t working, Yan Chi leaped onto the roof again by himself, but this time he came down even faster than before, “The fire is too intense, there’s nowhere to gain footing on the roof.”

Qin Wan’s heart pounded hearing this. Meanwhile, in the corner of his eye, Yan Chi suddenly noticed a figure cowering at the back of the crowd. Unlike everyone else who was anxiously fighting the fire, this person just hid in the shadows watching, seeming afraid to come forward.

Yan Chi called out, “Bai Feng—”

Bai Feng followed Yan Chi’s gaze and also spotted that person. He walked over in a few steps and quickly brought the person over—it was a serving girl no more than thirteen or fourteen years old.

“What’s your name? Which section are you from?”

When the serving girl was brought over alone and saw Yan Chi’s imposing presence, she immediately fell to her knees with a “thud.”

“This servant is… is called Huan Er, I serve Old Madam…”

“Huan Er?” Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly, “You’re called Huan Er?”

Huan Er lifted her eyes to look at Qin Wan once, shrinking her neck as she nodded. Yan Chi turned to look at Qin Wan, and after a moment’s hesitation, Qin Wan asked, “Why are you outside? Shouldn’t you be serving inside?”

Huan Er’s expression changed slightly, “Today… today Sister Cai He said she didn’t need us to watch, told us to retire early.”

Qin Wan immediately looked at Yan Chi, whose eyes also darkened.

Huan Er continued, “Our servants’ quarters are in the western servants’ wing of the Buddha Hall. When the fire first started, we all ran out.”

Cai He had sent all the other servants to rest but specifically called for Yao Xin Lan to come—clearly, she had planned this.

Qin Wan frowned slightly and leaned down, “Was Cai He good to you?”

At this question, Huan Er’s eyes immediately reddened, “Yes, very good.”

Qin Wan made a sound of acknowledgment, “So you knew she was going to set the fire?”

Huan Er froze, then her eyes widened in shock, and she hurriedly shook her head, “I didn’t know, I didn’t know… this servant didn’t know…”

Qin Wan gave a cold laugh, “She could get you to poison the Master, yet you didn’t know she was planning to set a fire?”

Huan Er’s face turned white, and beads of sweat immediately appeared on her forehead. She pressed her lips tightly together, and tears rolled down her face, “This servant… this servant… didn’t know… this servant just…”

Yan Chi finally understood—this Huan Er was the one who had put poison in the medicine pot.

Yan Chi looked at Huan Er for a moment, “Take her away.”

Upon hearing these words, Huan Er immediately went limp, continuously crying and shaking her head, but not trying to defend herself. Two yamen runners came forward and half-dragged, half-supported her away. As Huan Er was being taken away, she kept looking back at the burning Buddha Hall. Seeing her behavior, Yan Chi asked Qin Wan, “Do you believe her?”

Qin Wan sighed, “Cai He set the fire with the intention to die—what Huan Er said might be true—”

Before she could finish speaking, Lady Lin appeared at the western pathway, supported by her maids. Lady Lin walked with a light sheen of sweat on her face, followed by Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang. All three rushed over with urgent expressions, their eyes filled with anxiety at seeing such a massive fire!

“How did it catch fire?! How did it catch fire!”

Lady Lin’s face was deathly pale, and her hands trembled as she looked at the entrance that was about to collapse from the flames, “Is Mother still inside?”

Her eyes turned and saw Qin Chen, “Chen Er! How did it catch fire out of nowhere!”

Qin Chen walked to Lady Lin’s side, “Mother…”

Qin Chen’s eyes were full of difficulty, and he could only lower his head when faced with Lady Lin’s confused and anxious gaze.

Lady Lin gripped his arm tightly, “How did it catch fire? What exactly happened!”

Lady Lin’s eyes reddened with anxiety, and she couldn’t help taking a step forward, “Mother still—”

Before she could finish, Lady Lin spotted Mo Shu crying nearby. Her expression immediately changed, “Mo Shu, why are you here…”

Mo Shu burst into louder sobs, immediately kneeling before Lady Lin.

“Madam, please save Young Madam. Half a shichen ago, Old Madam said she wanted to speak with Young Madam. This servant brought Young Madam over, and Cai He received us at the door. Cai He said she didn’t need this servant’s attendance and told me to go back, but before this servant could reach Lin Feng Court, this side caught fire. Madam, Young Madam is also inside the Buddha Hall…”

“What?!” Lady Lin gasped sharply in shock, her knees weakening so much she almost couldn’t stand. Having Madam Jiang in the Buddha Hall was one thing, but how could Yao Xin Lan be there too?! Everyone knew Yao Xin Lan was carrying Qin Chen’s child—that was the Qin family’s legitimate great-grandson!

“How could this… Mother has been so concerned about Xin Lan’s health, how could she ask Xin Lan to come talk so late at night, and not even let you attend?!” Lady Lin’s breathing was rapid, and she had to lean on Qin Chen to stand steady.

Mo Shu said through her tears, “This servant doesn’t know, this servant didn’t see Old Madam, this servant only saw Cai He…”

Lady Lin had no suspicions about Cai He and only looked at Qin Chen, “Chen Er, think of something, quickly think of a way to save Xin Lan!”

Though surrounded by a raging fire, Qin Chen felt ice-cold all over. He heard Lady Lin’s words and only nodded like a wooden puppet. Meanwhile, Qin Xiang stepped forward, also becoming extremely anxious, “No matter what, we must rescue Grandmother and Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law’s family just sent a letter today, if something happens to Sister-in-law…”

At these words, Lady Lin also remembered and immediately felt darkness before her eyes.

“Chen Er, Chen Er save them—quickly save them—”

Qin Chen nodded and turned to look at the entrance. Although it was like pouring a cup of water on a burning cartload of firewood, the fire at the entrance had been suppressed somewhat. Qin Chen grabbed a hoe from someone nearby, and disregarding the flying sparks, walked right up to knock down the burning, nearly-collapsed door frame. With several crashes, the once-dignified Buddha Hall entrance had a gap broken through it. Qin Chen looked around, grabbed a basin of water from a servant, and poured it over himself. Seeing this, Lady Lin cried out, “Chen Er!”

Lady Lin was worried about the child in Yao Xin Lan’s womb, but she was more worried about Qin Chen. However, before she could finish speaking, Qin Chen had already rushed into the courtyard.

Yan Chi frowned and followed. Though Qin Chen had intended to kill Qin Wan, he naturally wouldn’t care about Qin Chen’s life or death, but there was a pregnant woman inside—he couldn’t completely stand by and do nothing. “Break down the walls!”

After saying this, Bai Feng and Xu He immediately directed everyone to break the walls, while Qin Shuang suddenly said, “How did Big Brother get injured!”

Lady Lin wiped away her tears, only now noticing that Qin Chen’s right hand was hanging limply and powerlessly. She felt another stab of pain in her heart, but how could she care about these things now? She pressed one hand to her chest, looked at Qin Wan and Yan Chi for a moment, and unconsciously began reciting Buddhist scriptures.

At Yan Chi’s order to break the walls, Bai Feng led the yamen runners in a surge forward. Before long, they had broken an even larger hole in the burning wall. Servants carried water through the gap, heading straight into the Buddha Hall’s courtyard.

Once in the courtyard, they saw that the main reception hall was already engulfed in fierce flames, and in the sea of fire, there was no sign of Yao Xin Lan or Madam Jiang. The Buddha Hall was a sea of fire, with nothing but the crackling sound of burning.

“Young Miss—”

“Grandmother—”

As soon as Qin Wan entered the courtyard, Mo Shu and Qin Shuang followed. Inside the courtyard, the fire’s heat was suffocating and black ashes were flying everywhere. The scorching heat made their faces hurt, while the wooden beams on the surrounding corridor walls looked terrifyingly ready to fall at any moment.

Qin Xiang supported Lady Lin outside, but Qin Shuang wasn’t afraid. She just looked at the entrance with reddened eyes, “Grandmother—Grandmother, can you hear me? Grandmother—where are you—”

Qin Shuang’s calls were heart-wrenching, immediately casting a shadow over everyone’s hearts. Before the sound faded, another figure flashed through the gap—Qin Li entered the courtyard with a weak expression, standing beside Qin Shuang in shock.

“How could this… where’s Grandmother…”

Qin Shuang’s tears fell, “Grandmother hasn’t come out, Second Brother and sister-in-law are also inside!”

Qin Li’s brows trembled, “Sister-in-law is also inside?!”

Qin Li scanned the crowd, and seeing Qin Wan, hurried over to ask, “Ninth Sister, what happened?”

Qin Wan looked at Qin Li and said flatly, “Cai He is the Second Concubine’s daughter.”

Qin Li froze, his eyes gradually widening, then stepped back in shock…

“Cai He… this fire… was set by Cai He?”

Basin after basin of water was thrown at the main hall’s entrance. The fire changed from large to small, seeming about to be extinguished, yet not quite dying out. Just then, a weak cry suddenly came from inside the main hall—

Everyone froze, and at that moment, the cry grew slightly louder!

“Save me—save—”

Mo Shu stood dumbfounded for a moment, then immediately shouted, “Young Miss?! Young Miss, where are you?!”

The fire was intimidating, with flames licking up the pillars. Even the roof was a mass of fierce flames and choking smoke. Yet through the “roaring” chaos, Yao Xin Lan’s weak, crying voice came through, “I, I’m tied up… I…”

Yao Xin Lan’s voice was hoarse and distant as if she were confined in a location far at the back. Mo Shu began crying silently, anxiously pacing back and forth, “Young Miss, wait, we’re coming right away!”

Qin Chen’s eyes reddened too—not just his eyes, but even his pupils reflected the red of the great fire.

He turned and shouted, “Quickly! Quickly bring more water—”

The servants moved faster, but Yao Xin Lan’s crying voice came through again.

“Chen Ge? Is Chen Ge outside—”

“Xin Lan! I’m here—” Qin Chen suddenly rushed forward several steps, about to charge into the sea of fire.

Yao Xin Lan suddenly began coughing, but still asked, “Chen Ge… was it… *cough cough*… for whom did you come…”

Qin Chen froze, bitterness immediately flooding his eyes. Since Yao Xin Lan asked this way, she must already know. Qin Chen hesitated, only saying hoarsely, “Don’t be afraid, Xin Lan, I’m coming to save you right away…”

Lady Lin had also been helped inside by Qin Xiang. Upon hearing Yao Xin Lan’s voice, her eyes immediately moistened, but hearing Yao Xin Lan’s words left her confused. Not just Lady Lin—except for Qin Li, everyone else was bewildered.

From inside the room, Yao Xin Lan seemed to give a loud, bitter laugh, “Chen Ge… you deceived me so cruelly… I…”

Yao Xin Lan’s bitter words cut off abruptly after “I.”

Lady Lin anxiously stepped forward, “Xin Lan?! Xin Lan, what’s wrong?”

Inside the room, there was only the roaring of fierce flames. Even Qin Wan’s heart was in her throat as she listened intently to the sounds inside. Soon, a cold voice rang out—

“What is Madam anxious about? Are you anxious about Young Madam, or about the child in Young Madam’s womb?”

This voice was crystal clear. Lady Lin’s eyes widened as she said in disbelief, “Cai He?! Cai He, you’re still alright? Cai He! Quickly protect Young Madam… where’s Old Madam? Protect them, once the fire outside lessens we can break through the door!”

Lady Lin gave urgent instructions, but inside, Cai He just laughed several times, “Protect?”

Cai He gave a mocking laugh, “Madam, don’t you know that I set this fire?”

Lady Lin froze, as did all the servants outside. Qin Chen’s eyes blazed red and his fists clenched tight as he suddenly roared, “Go get water! What are you all standing around for—”

This shout finally snapped everyone back to their senses. Inside the room, Cai He continued speaking to herself, “Madam didn’t expect this, did you? Do you ask about Old Madam? Oh, Her Ladyship drank some medicine and is already asleep…”

Lady Lin cried out in shock, nearly falling to the ground, “You… why…”

“Why?” Cai He kept laughing, her tone even carrying a hint of innocence, yet the more she spoke this way, the more it seemed she had gone mad, “Madam asks me why? Why don’t you go ask Master—when he burned my father to death back then, did my father have a chance to ask why?!”

Cai He suddenly erupted in fury, her usually gentle and pretty voice rising to become sharp and frenzied!

“Qin An! What a noble son of a prestigious family Qin An is! Qin An, who forcibly took other men’s wives and had a predilection for young girls! When he committed these heinous acts, did any of you ever ask why?!”

“The Qin Mansion claims to be a house of poetry and propriety, yet inside it harbors such filth and evil. Old Madam chants Buddhist scriptures daily, but she does so out of fear! Because she has ghosts in her heart—she fears those children and my family will return as vengeful spirits to claim her life!”

Cai He gave two cold laughs, “She thought by chanting Buddhist scriptures daily, the Qin Mansion would be safe, but she forgot—Buddha doesn’t embrace those burdened with sin! Karma comes due, and now! This is the Qin Mansion’s retribution!”

Lady Lin trembled with anger. Though the servants outside were still carrying water to fight the fire, they were all shocked senseless by Cai He’s words. Cai He had been in the mansion for many years, most valued by Old Madam, but who could have imagined her identity was…

“Cai He… you…” Lady Lin had no power to rebuke Cai He’s words. In front of so many servants, Cai He’s words were tantamount to tearing away the Qin Mansion’s last shred of dignity…

At a loss, Lady Lin could only look to Qin Chen, “Chen Er… how could she…”

“Don’t call Young Master anymore, Madam.” Cai He’s voice was filled with sighs and mockery. “Young Master naturally knows.”

Lady Lin’s eyes bulged, her hand pressing harder against her chest, but Cai He wasn’t finished, “Young Master is the only upright person in this mansion. He knew of my tragic background and showed me great care, even being willing to kill his sister for me. Did you all think Ninth Miss fell into the lake by accident? On the night of July twenty-first, it was our Young Master who personally strangled Ninth Miss, then threw her corpse into Half Moon Lake…”

Cai He couldn’t see the expressions of those outside, but she seemed able to imagine them. Through the roaring flames, Cai He’s tone carried both sighs and pleasure, “Perhaps even Heaven couldn’t bear to watch the Qin family’s evil deeds, for Ninth Miss didn’t die completely. Madam, your beloved son has nearly gotten away with murder…”

Like a thunderbolt striking from clear skies, Lady Lin could never have imagined that Second Concubine’s old case would be connected to Qin Wan, and that behind Qin Wan’s suicide attempt lay such hidden truths…

Lady Lin’s eyes hardened as she struggled to defend Qin Chen, “You’re talking nonsense! You vicious snake, Mother treated you like her own child, and this is how you repay the Qin family! Now… now you even try to sully my son’s reputation…”

“Sully his reputation? If Madam doesn’t believe me, why not ask Young Master himself?”

Cai He’s tone was leisurely, as if watching an entertaining show. Outside, Lady Lin anxiously looked at Qin Chen, “Chen Er! Tell them!”

Qin Chen’s hands were shaking. His face was baked red by the heat, but he clenched his jaw, unable to speak. Lady Lin, unwilling to give up, shouted again, “Chen Er! Speak for yourself! Say something—”

Qin Chen stared hard at the great fire before him, as if he could see Cai He’s expression through the wall of flames. He stared fixedly, and after a long while, finally ground out a few words through his teeth, “The Qin family owes you, but she doesn’t owe you anything!”

“Ha—” Cai He gave a great laugh, “Yes, she doesn’t owe me, but she’s carrying your child. Her greatest sin was conceiving a Qin family child. The Qin family’s crimes are so great that even Buddha would curse you! People as evil as you should suffer lifetime after lifetime should die without descendants…”

Cai He’s tragic shrieks were like a demon’s, cackling throughout the sea of fire. The pain finally showed on Qin Chen’s face, but Cai He hadn’t finished, “This fire—I’ve wanted to set it for so long. Every day as I faced you all, every time I diligently served you, I would think of the torture my mother and sister endured in this mansion. Night after night I dreamed of setting this fire, but I knew if I set it too early, the world wouldn’t know of the Qin family’s evil. Now, the world knows, Qin An won’t die by fire, but from the most shameful disease. He’ll rot into a pile of putrid flesh, dying in the most painful, most degrading way!”

Lady Lin clutched her chest and collapsed to the ground. Qin Xiang cried out, “Mother!”

Lady Lin sat crookedly on the ground. Qin Xiang held Lady Lin, her eyes already red. She looked at Qin Chen with some resentment, “Big Brother! How can you let her keep talking like this? Tell everyone! What she’s saying isn’t true!”

Qin Chen still couldn’t speak, but Cai He continued, “Actually, all this… isn’t enough… but my time is running out… Now, I’m going to check on Old Madam, she might be waking up soon. When she wakes, she’ll personally witness her most beloved daughter-in-law and legitimate great-grandson die before her eyes. This will be far more effective than chanting Buddhist scriptures…”

Cai He’s voice was drifting and becoming more distant. Everyone suddenly realized that Cai He’s voice and Yao Xin Lan’s voice had been coming from the same location, and now, Cai He seemed to be leaving Yao Xin Lan.

“On the right side, at a distance of ten zhang, now she’s at least fifteen zhang away.”

Yan Chi suddenly spoke, having determined Yao Xin Lan and Cai He’s positions from their voices.

Qin Wan hurriedly said, “There’s another Buddha Hall behind this main hall—she must have gone there now!”

“She’s mad… she’s gone mad…” Lady Lin was still on the ground, refusing to give up her resentment, “She’s mad, don’t pay attention to her crazy talk, with such a big fire… surely they can’t be saved… Chen Er…”

Lady Lin’s words made Mo Shu’s face turn white. Mo Shu quickly knelt and begged through tears, “Madam! Please don’t say such things, Young Miss is carrying Young Master’s child! No matter what, you can’t abandon Young Master’s child…”

The fire was still intense. Lady Lin could no longer hear Mo Shu’s words. To her, Cai He had to die, and as for Yao Xin Lan and Madam Jiang, they would do what they could, but Qin Chen couldn’t be harmed at all.

Just as she had made up her mind, Qin Chen suddenly moved. He grabbed another basin of water and poured it over himself, then charged toward the half-burned door. Lady Lin’s eyes bulged in horror, “Chen Er—”

“Big Brother—” Qin Xiang cried out, tears streaming down her face.

Qin Chen’s figure disappeared in a flash, his blue silhouette like a robe consumed by the great fire. With such an intense fire, even throwing ten robes in would hardly cause a ripple. Watching Qin Chen’s actions, Qin Wan finally felt a touch of sympathy in her heart.

Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed, though coldness still filled his gaze.

“Chen Er… my Chen Er… my Chen Er…” Watching Qin Chen dash inside, Lady Lin finally broke down sobbing. Not knowing what else to do, she caught sight of Yan Chi. Lady Lin crawled up and hurriedly knelt before him, “Your Highness, Your Highness, please save them, please think of something…”

Yan Chi’s brows furrowed slightly as he watched Lady Lin’s pitiful crying, “With such fierce fire, it’s beyond human capability…”

As Yan Chi spoke, Bai Feng was in the distance vigorously directing servants to carry water. Hearing this, Lady Lin’s eyes filled with sorrow. She turned to look, then suddenly said, “Your Highness, let them, let them go in too, to extinguish the fire inside!”

Yan Chi’s gaze immediately darkened. The main hall had the fiercest flames, likely where the fire had started. The main door was barely standing, and the beams were charred black. The roof looked ready to collapse at any moment—how could he let others go to their deaths? Yan Chi looked at Lady Lin coldly, “Madam has a son, but they have mothers too. With fire this fierce, going inside is certain death. If there are casualties, how will Madam take responsibility?”

Lady Lin was utterly desperate and immediately cried, “I can give them money, lots and lots of money… as long as they’re willing to go in… Your Highness…”

Yan Chi’s expression grew even colder, “With such thoughts, Madam, no wonder Young Master’s mind is twisted.” Speaking thus, Yan Chi lifted his chin toward the distance, “Everyone do your best quickly, save who you can, but if you can’t save them, the responsibility isn’t yours.”

Whether servants of the Qin family or yamen runners, hearing these words brought immediate relief. Though their movements became more efficient, their looks toward Lady Lin lost all sympathy. Lady Lin collapsed in despair, sobbing greatly, while Qin Xiang stood dumbfounded, tears flowing as she stared toward the main hall. The wooden doors and windows had all burned away, and inside several roof beams had burned through and collapsed. Seeing this scene, Qin Xiang felt certain Qin Chen couldn’t possibly come out alive, and her tears flowed like springs!

This was a fire of revenge. Though Qin Wan didn’t care about Qin Chen’s life or death, she kept seeing Yao Xin Lan’s porcelain doll-like face in her mind. Her heart was heavy with grief, her delicate fists clenched, hoping only that Qin Chen could truly rescue Yao Xin Lan.

Her anxiety and tension were noticed by Yan Chi. He glanced at the fiercely burning window, then suddenly walked to the side. Two servants were each carrying a bucket of water, and Yan Chi went over to take their buckets, then walked toward the windowframe-less window. He left so quietly that by the time Qin Wan noticed, he was already at the window.

“Your Highness—”

Qin Wan called out urgently, and in that instant, Bai Feng also saw Qin Chen!

“Master—”

The two called out one after another but didn’t stop Yan Chi’s steps. Carrying the water buckets, Yan Chi leaped into the room. Like Qin Chen before him, his figure disappeared in a flash of flames, as if swallowed by the fierce fire.

Qin Wan hurriedly took two steps forward, her expression immediately changing. Xu He and Bai Feng also came forward, with Bai Feng lifting his robe hem to go in, but Xu He grabbed him, “Guard Bai! You can’t go in!”

Bai Feng’s expression had already changed. He waved his hand and pushed Xu He away!

He was always swift and silent—breaking free, he flashed through the burning window.

Qin Wan’s eyes trembled violently, her heart immediately clenching tight. Xu He cried out in distress, “What… what should we do… if something happens to His Highness, what then!”

Qin Wan didn’t know why Yan Chi had gone in, but cold sweat immediately broke out on her temples. Even when Qin Chen had held her at knifepoint, she hadn’t felt like this. Now, though she desperately tried to stay calm, she couldn’t calm down at all.

“Let everyone… let everyone pour water into this room… quickly!”

Qin Wan’s voice trembled. At these words, the surrounding yamen runners were the first to gather around. Having seen Yan Chi enter, they were all on edge, terrified something might happen to him…

Qin Wan tightly gripped her sleeves, pacing back and forth helplessly.

Xu He also wore a bitter expression, but looking at the roaring fire, he knew that if he went in, it would truly be certain death!

Qin Wan could hardly bear to look inside, but suddenly, with a “crash,” a beam nearest the window fell from the ceiling inside the room. The beam broke into two pieces, flames blazing on it.

Xu He was so frightened he trembled, “It… it can’t collapse…”

Qin Wan suddenly stopped in her tracks, her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the room. The flames raged, but there was no sign of Yan Chi or Bai Feng. She felt her heart was about to jump out of her throat, yet there was nothing she could do. Not only was Qin Wan anxious, but everyone in the courtyard had been affected. Just moments ago, Yan Chi had said the yamen runners and servants needn’t go in to save people, yet in an instant, he had personally entered the fire—he was the noble Crown Prince of the Rui Prince’s mansion!

“Ninth Miss…” Xu He’s voice also carried tears, “If—”

Xu He was about to ask “What if His Highness can’t get out,” when he saw Qin Wan’s anxious eyes suddenly brighten. Xu He whirled around to see two figures stumbling out of the flame-engulfed window…

Xu He hurriedly called out, “Your Highness! Your Highness—”

At this call, the figures came closer, and they saw it was Qin Chen carrying Yao Xin Lan who had appeared in everyone’s sight. Outside, Lady Lin rushed to the window sobbing, but Qin Wan’s eyes remained fixed, looking behind Qin Chen.

Seeing Qin Chen appear, people outside poured water into the room. Soon, Qin Chen carrying Yao Xin Lan reached the window. Qin Wan’s gaze shifted, seeing both Qin Chen and Yao Xin Lan covered in black soot, their hair wet and plastered to their faces. Seeing their appearance, Qin Wan knew without thinking that Yan Chi must have poured most of the water over Qin Chen and Yao Xin Lan.

“Chen Er… my son…”

“Big Brother… Sister-in-law…”

With help from outside, Qin Chen soon carried Yao Xin Lan out of the fire. Lady Lin and Qin Xiang rushed over crying. Most people outside breathed sighs of relief, but Qin Wan stood dumbfounded by the window, not moving an inch!

Where was Yan Chi?! Where was Bai Feng?!

Qin Wan was burning with anxiety when suddenly, with a “crash,” two more beams collapsed inside. Xu He cried out in shock, his face already showing grief, “His Highness—His Highness he—”

Before he could finish, though there was no movement in the room by the window, two figures suddenly leaped out from the rolling smoke above the roof. Xu He let out an “ah!” and Qin Wan held her breath. She looked up to see two figures vault through the thick smoke, then descend one after another from the sky.

Qin Wan stared blankly at Yan Chi, covered in black soot, as he landed before her. Her hand still gripped her sleeve tightly, but seeing Yan Chi alive and well, a bittersweet feeling of survival after disaster welled up in her heart.