The next day, Qin Wan didn’t need to enter the palace. After lunch, she brought Bai Ying and Fu Ling to the Meng residence. Today she wasn’t performing an autopsy, so Qin Wan came dressed as a lady, saying only that she wanted to check the pulses of the Meng Yao siblings.

At the gates of the Meng residence, upon hearing this, the doorkeeper hurriedly went to announce her arrival. Soon, Meng Yao came out to welcome them.

Meng Yao hadn’t expected Qin Wan to visit. “You didn’t mention yesterday that you’d come today. What’s the matter?”

Qin Wan took out a medicine pouch from her hand. “A medicine pouch for Young Master.”

Seeing this, Meng Yao immediately smiled. “Zichen was so excited when he heard you were coming that he wouldn’t even take his afternoon nap. He’s changing clothes right now.” As she finished speaking, sure enough, they saw Meng Zichen running over.

Meng Yao quickly called out, “Zichen, look what this is—”

Meng Zichen ran up and immediately spotted the medicine pouch in Qin Wan’s hand, his eyes instantly brightening.

“Ninth Sister, what is this?”

“It’s like your sister’s—a medicine pouch. Keep it with you for emergencies.”

Qin Wan handed it to Meng Zichen, whose face showed increasing delight. He took a light sniff and looked completely satisfied. Meng Yao quickly said, “Don’t stand here, let’s go to my place for tea.”

Qin Wan’s eyes shifted slightly as she said, “You’ve toured the Marquis mansion’s garden, shouldn’t you let me tour your family’s garden?”

Meng Yao smiled. “If you’d like to, why not? Come, the weather is perfect right now.”

The afternoon sun hung high, and the cold of the first month had diminished considerably. Meng Yao led Qin Wan toward the lake, sharing stories of Meng Zichen’s childhood as they walked. When they reached the lakeside, a warm breeze gently caressed them, and ripples glittered on the lake’s surface. Meng Yao said, “Our mansion’s scenery can’t compare to the Marquis’s residence. Please don’t laugh.”

Qin Wan smiled at this. “How can you say such things?”

Meng Yao covered her mouth and laughed, but as her eyes swept around, she saw several people walking out of the second branch’s courtyard. She quickly said, “Second Aunt, where are you going?”

It was indeed the Second Madam of the Meng family. Qin Wan hurriedly curtsied as well.

Second Madam looked at Qin Wan and Meng Yao briefly, her expression unchanging. “To the Buddha hall.”

Meng Yao quickly said, “This is Ninth Miss from the Qin family, here to check on me and Zichen’s health.”

Second Madam’s gaze swept over Qin Wan, and somehow, it made Qin Wan’s heart sink. Second Madam wasn’t yet thirty, but her eyes were like dried-up wells. When looking at others, there wasn’t a trace of emotion in them.

“Second Madam—”

Qin Wan nodded and curtsied. Second Madam also nodded slightly before saying, “I’ll go to the Buddha hall first.”

After speaking, the Second Madam left without waiting for Meng Yao to respond.

Seeing her leave, Meng Yao sighed again. “With Second Uncle and Big Brother gone, things will be difficult for Second Aunt from now on.”

With Meng Jin’s death, Second Madam had become a widow with no children. Moreover, as a second wife, her tablet in the ancestral hall would be placed in a later position. The rest of her life was destined to be lonely and desolate.

Qin Wan watched Second Madam’s silhouette disappear at the end of the corridor and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

“Fortunately, Master Meng is in charge of the household. He will surely ensure Second Madam lives without worry.”

“It’s just freedom from worrying about food and clothing.”

After just a few words, the atmosphere inevitably became heavy.

Meng Yao sighed again. “Fourth Uncle is still detained at the prefecture office. Fourth Aunt comes every day to plead with Father, but until this case is solved, Father can do nothing. Who knows how long it will take to get to the bottom of this…”

Qin Wan looked at Meng Yao, then at Meng Zichen, and suddenly said, “Do you want the case to be solved soon?”

Hearing this, Meng Yao naturally nodded. “Of course. If this continues, Second Uncle can’t rest in peace, our household remains in turmoil, and outside, who knows how many rumors are spreading.”

Qin Wan sighed and glanced up at the third branch’s courtyard. “May I visit Third Madam?”

At these words, Meng Yao was immediately surprised. She was a clever person and instantly sensed that Qin Wan’s visit today had two purposes: delivering the medicine pouch was one, and more importantly, she seemed to have come specifically to visit the third branch.

Meng Yao stared at Qin Wan’s composed face, momentarily unable to process this.

Qin Wan had mentioned earlier that she knew Zheng Baishi and others. Could she know some inside information?

Seeing Meng Yao’s hesitation, Qin Wan smiled. “I know your Third Brother injured his hand, so I wanted to take a look. Also, his stutter isn’t incurable. Don’t you want him to receive treatment?”

Meng Yao naturally trusted Qin Wan’s medical skills completely, but Qin Wan’s sudden proposal to treat Meng Ziyi still felt very strange. However, she believed Qin Wan wouldn’t harm the Meng family. At most, Qin Wan might know something, or perhaps Master Zheng or His Highness the Crown Prince had sent her. Whatever the reason, the purpose was likely to solve the case sooner.

Meng Yao quickly understood the connection and nodded. “Alright, I’ll take you there. It’s been a while since Zichen visited too.”

Qin Wan felt slightly relieved. She couldn’t keep things from Meng Yao forever, and this way she had at least given her a hint.

She could see the change in Meng Yao’s expression. She was a clever girl, as was Meng Yao, so no more words were needed. As for other matters, there would be time to tell Meng Yao when the opportunity was right.

“Did His Highness the Crown Prince say something to you?”

Meng Yao couldn’t help but ask. Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, he told me some details.”

Hearing this, Meng Yao became even more certain of her thoughts. The day before yesterday, Yan Chi had brought people to investigate the three members of the third branch. Perhaps still feeling unsure after the investigation, he had sent Qin Wan for this visit.

Though Meng Yao now understood the situation, she still felt doubtful. She hadn’t forgotten Meng Zichen’s words. Although she hadn’t believed them at the time, the current situation was becoming increasingly mysterious.

Having made up her mind, Meng Yao led Qin Wan toward the third branch’s courtyard.

Walking through an alley lined with holly trees on both sides, they soon reached the third branch’s courtyard. While other parts of the Meng residence still showed signs of life, the second branch was desolate due to the deaths of Meng Jin and his son. However, when Qin Wan reached the third branch, she found their courtyard even more quiet—when they reached the courtyard gate, there wasn’t even a servant to welcome guests.

Meng Yao and Meng Zichen exchanged glances, and Meng Zichen stepped forward. “Third Brother? Third Sister-in-law?”

At this call, there was finally some movement from inside. Soon, a maid ran out. Seeing Meng Yao and her brother, she immediately bowed in greeting, then glanced at Qin Wan with suspicion before quickly passing through the entrance hall into the inner courtyard.

Meng Yao’s lips curved slightly. “Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law prefer quietness, so this courtyard is particularly peaceful.”

As she spoke, Meng Yao led them inside. While walking, Qin Wan observed the courtyard’s scenery. She saw that the courtyard was lush with greenery; despite being winter, there wasn’t a trace of desolation. What surprised Qin Wan more were the small flower pots under the windows, eaves, and in the corners of the walls.

It seemed someone living in this courtyard was extremely fond of growing flowers, and even in winter, many flowers were still blooming. Qin Wan carefully observed the placement of these flower pots and felt that despite it being winter, there was a spring-like freshness and warmth about it, elegant and full of interest. Although Qin Wan had come with some heaviness in her heart, at this moment, her mood lightened somewhat.

Soon, a group of people emerged from the entrance hall into the central courtyard.

Meng Ziyi walked in front, while Madam Xu stood under the corridor after coming out, seemingly nervous about the arrival of the Meng Yao siblings. Just as Qin Wan had this thought, she noticed that Madam Xu’s gaze fell more on her, and she realized that Madam Xu wasn’t nervous because of the Meng Yao siblings, but because of her arrival.

“Sister— Zi— Zichen—”

Meng Ziyi’s face also showed signs of nervousness, though he tried hard to control it. He first greeted Meng Yao and her brother, then looked at Qin Wan with confusion.

Meng Yao smiled and said, “Third Brother, this is Ninth Miss from the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household. She came to the mansion today to check on me and Zichen. She mentioned she’s very skilled at treating meridian injuries, so I thought to have her examine you.”

Meng Yao’s voice was gentle and soft. After she spoke, Meng Ziyi was first surprised, and his hand unconsciously pressed closer to his side. Qin Wan carefully observed his behavior and already understood something of Meng Ziyi’s nature—he was very self-conscious, so upon hearing Meng Yao’s words, he wanted to hide his hand.

“I… I… it won’t… get better…”

As Meng Ziyi spoke haltingly, Madam Xu came forward from behind. Qin Wan curtsied, and Madam Xu returned a slight curtsy. “Thank you, Ninth Miss, for making this trip, but my husband’s hand is an old injury.”

Madam Xu spoke very softly, even more gentle and refined than Meng Yao, matching her appearance.

Hearing this, Qin Wan smiled. “It’s alright. If you don’t want to have it examined, that’s fine too.”

“Let Ninth Miss take a look at you.”

Just as Qin Wan finished speaking, another voice rang out. Qin Wan looked up to see Third Madam walking out from the back hall. Qin Wan quickly bowed, and Third Madam came forward saying, “Is this Ninth Miss the young medical prodigy who treated the Empress Dowager?”

Meng Yao nodded. “Third Aunt, she’s the medical prodigy you mentioned.”

Qin Wan respectfully said, “Greetings, Madam. It’s just an undeserved reputation, nothing special.”

Though the Third Madam appeared withered, compared to the Second Madam’s emotionless eyes, she had bright, determined eyes. She looked Qin Wan up and down for a moment, then said to Meng Ziyi, “Ziyi, let Ninth Miss examine you.”

Though Meng Ziyi had been hesitant, hearing this he could only nod.

Third Madam turned, “Ninth Miss, please.”

The group entered the room, first sat down for tea, then Qin Wan began examining Meng Ziyi.

Meng Ziyi sat nervously in the chair, his sleeve rolled up to his elbow. His left arm was very thin, and his skin was unusually fair for a man, showing he stayed mostly indoors and didn’t practice martial arts or ride horses bare-chested. Qin Wan first examined him point by point, then moved Meng Ziyi’s elbow, checked his pulse, and finally took out silver needles.

The others didn’t know what she was doing, but since Meng Yao had brought her and trusted her, Third Madam and the others couldn’t say much. Soon, Qin Wan inserted the first needle, and Meng Ziyi immediately cried out in pain.

Third Madam and Madam Xu stood up beside Meng Ziyi, looking somewhat anxious, but Qin Wan’s expression remained unchanged. After a moment, she inserted another needle, and Meng Ziyi let out another soft cry, his brows tightly knitted.

Only then did Qin Wan remove the needles, looking puzzled. “When Meng Yao told me, I thought Third Young Master had an old injury affecting his meridians. But after my examination, I found no signs of illness or old injury in his arm. The previously misaligned bone has healed well, and while the meridians may have been damaged before, they’ve repaired themselves.”

Qin Wan looked at Meng Ziyi. “By all rights, Third Young Master’s hand should be able to exert force.”

Third Madam frowned. “Then why?” As she spoke, she handed a teacup to Meng Ziyi.

When Meng Ziyi took the teacup from Third Madam, his arm began to tremble slightly. Not only that, but his shoulders suddenly tensed up, and his relaxed legs drew inward, indicating his entire body was straining. Qin Wan’s observational skills when investigating cases were extraordinary, but at this moment, she couldn’t detect any signs that Meng Ziyi was pretending. She even reached out to touch Meng Ziyi’s arm and found his arm muscles all tensed and protruding, with veins bulging on the back of his hand.

This made Qin Wan even more puzzled. Yesterday, Bai Feng had tested him, but compared to that, her examination was certainly more thorough and accurate. Yet she also couldn’t find anything unusual, but paradoxically, she also couldn’t find any evidence of an old injury.

Meng Ziyi’s hand continued trembling, and soon beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Madam Xu took the teacup, and Meng Ziyi let out a big sigh of relief.

Qin Wan frowned. “I’ve never seen symptoms like this before. Does Third Young Master feel soreness and unbearable pain?”

Meng Ziyi nodded, with no hope in his eyes, as if he had accepted his arm’s weakness and had no intention of trying to remedy it.

Qin Wan looked carefully for another moment. “I’ve never seen symptoms like Third Young Master’s. I’m afraid I can’t determine a treatment today, but if Third Madam wants to cure Third Young Master, I can thoroughly search through ancient medical texts after I return. Perhaps I can find a solution.”

Third Madam’s face showed kindness. “If it can be treated, that would be good. But we’ve seen many doctors before, and none could help. If Ninth Miss is willing to think about it for Ziyi, that would be good.”

Qin Wan quickly agreed, and Meng Yao added, “Ninth Miss said she can treat speech impediments too.”

This time, Third Madam’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Ninth Miss?”

Qin Wan saw Third Madam’s bright eyes suddenly light up and felt something wasn’t quite right. Seeing Third Madam looking at her expectantly, she quickly thought seriously about Meng Ziyi’s speech impediment and nodded. “It can indeed be treated, but we must first know the cause. If it’s a condition of the throat or tongue, it can be treated, but if it’s psychological, then it cannot.”

“Psychological?” Third Madam’s brows furrowed.

Qin Wan nodded. “For example, if it’s caused by some trauma or fright… these types usually depend on the patient’s efforts.”

Third Madam looked anxious. “Then can Ninth Miss examine Ziyi?”

Qin Wan naturally agreed, but before she could begin the examination, a male steward suddenly walked in from outside, saying, “Third Madam, people from the Lin’an Prefecture Office have come. They say today is the Fourth Master’s last visitation day. After today, the Fourth Master will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice’s prison, and you won’t be able to see him afterward. They suggest going today if possible. The Master has already agreed, and we’ll depart in an hour.”

Hearing this, Third Madam’s expression froze for a moment.