When Fu Ling returned with the bird cage, tears streaming down her face, Qin Wan was talking with Qin Shuang.

Fu Ling rushed in and fell to her knees at the entrance of the warm pavilion, “Young Miss! I am guilty! I am guilty, Young Miss… the bird is dead, I am guilty…”

Fu Ling’s endless tears and words startled both Qin Wan and Qin Shuang.

Qin Wan abruptly stood up and walked to Fu Ling’s side to look. In the cage, the golden oriole lay lifeless, all vitality gone. Qin Wan picked up the cage, examining it while asking, “What happened?”

Fu Ling sobbed, “Young Miss said yesterday that hanging the cage in the garden would be better. Early this morning, seeing the weather was good, I took the cage there to hang it. The garden was empty, and I had other tasks to do, so after watching for a moment, I left. Just now, I thought the sun was getting strong and went to check if there was enough water and food, but when I got there, I found the bird lying motionless in the cage…”

Fu Ling wept uncontrollably. Not only was this bird from a prince in the palace, but she had also carefully tended to it for many days.

Though this little creature couldn’t speak, its daily chirping showed its spirit. Now that it had suddenly died, Fu Ling felt a pressure in her chest, both sad and frightened.

“It’s all my fault, I should have found a little maid to watch the cage. But I had seen the manor’s craftsmen also hanging their cages under tree shade, and this bird was perfectly fine, I don’t know how it suddenly…”

The more Fu Ling spoke, the more tears fell, “Young Miss, it’s all my fault. Please punish me.”

Qin Wan ignored Fu Ling’s words and opened the cage to take out the golden oriole’s body. The tiny bird was already stiff, lying silent and still in Qin Wan’s palm. Her brows furrowed deeper as she examined the bird. Among other things, there were obvious signs of bleeding around its eye sockets. She brushed the bird’s feathers, her expression growing increasingly cold, “Who went to the garden today?”

Fu Ling hadn’t caught on, but Bai Ying quickly stepped forward, “Young Miss, I’ll go inquire right away.”

Qin Wan nodded, and Bai Ying turned to leave. Fu Ling remained stunned, “Young Miss, what’s wrong?”

Qin Shuang walked over to Qin Wan, “What happened? This bird was…”

“It was squeezed to death by someone,” Qin Wan spoke, her voice now completely cold.

Fu Ling was startled, “Squeezed to death?! How could this be, who doesn’t know this is from Young Miss’s courtyard?”

Qin Shuang’s eyes flickered, “Not everyone in this manor respects your Young Miss, and besides, without catching them in the act, they can always deny it. Ah, what a pity for this little creature, suddenly gone, it feels strange.”

Though a bird’s life naturally couldn’t compare to human life, to deliberately kill something she was caring for, such behavior made Qin Wan’s anger surge, nearly bursting forth.

Moreover, this little bird belonged to the Ninth Prince. How sad he would be when told of its death.

Shortly after, Bai Ying returned to the room, “Young Miss, I’ve asked around. Apart from servants who must pass through the garden, only Eighth Young Miss went to the garden…”

Upon hearing this, Qin Wan immediately frowned. Of course—who in the entire manor would be bolder than Qin Zhaoyu?!

Qin Zhaoyu was the future Crown Princess; she could do whatever she wanted. What did one bird matter if she killed it?!

Qin Shuang’s expression changed slightly, “Could it be Eighth Sister? If so, it really can’t be pursued.”

Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, “Indeed, it can’t be pursued. What does a mere bird count for in her eyes?”

Qin Shuang pressed her lips together, “We can only swallow this grievance. After all, it’s just a bird, not something else…”

“Swallow it?” Qin Wan gave a cold laugh, looking toward Bai Ying, “Bai Ying, go find Nanny Yu and tell her the golden oriole from the Ninth Prince was squeezed to death. Everyone who went to the garden from morning to noon must be called out for questioning.”

Qin Shuang was slightly surprised, “What are you going to do? They won’t confess.”

Qin Wan’s face was ice-cold, “Then I absolutely cannot let this matter end here. Today they squeeze my bird to death, what will they do tomorrow?!” Speaking, Qin Wan lifted her chin slightly and said, “I remember Eighth Young Miss’s maids are just like their mistress…”

Qin Shuang didn’t immediately understand these words. Bai Ying had already left to find Nanny Yu. Qin Wan put the bird back in the cage and looked at the kneeling Fu Ling, “Get up, wipe your tears, we’re going to the main courtyard.”

When Qin Wan and Qin Shuang arrived at the main courtyard, Lady Hu was standing with Nanny Yu. Seeing Fu Ling following behind with red eyes and carrying the cage, Lady Hu frowned and stepped forward, “Wan’er, how did it die so suddenly?”

Qin Wan’s face was cold and showed traces of anxiety, “Aunt, this bird was the Ninth Prince’s beloved pet. He said the palace was too confining, so he let me help care for it. Now it’s suddenly dead, I really must investigate.”

Lady Hu hurriedly said, “Of course—”

Though the Ninth Prince was young, he was the Empress Dowager’s darling. Moreover, the Ninth Prince had lost his mother and was quite pitiful; having a beloved pet was especially precious. If the palace learned of the bird’s death, who knew what trouble might arise?

Lady Hu continued, “I’ve already had people call over the servants who passed through the garden today. We’ll question them thoroughly.”

But Qin Wan’s lips curved with cold intent, “No need to question. We just need to find who has the scent of roses.”

Lady Hu and Nanny Yu were stunned. Qin Wan took out the bird’s body from the cage and held it forward, “Aunt, just smell it and you’ll know…”

Lady Hu had initially been disgusted by the bird’s corpse, but after Qin Wan’s words, she felt she had to cooperate. She sniffed lightly, and indeed, the bird’s body had a faint fragrance.

Seeing Lady Hu’s expression, Qin Wan said, “I never use rose petals or rose cream, nor do any of my courtyard’s people use such things. This bird has always been tended by my courtyard’s people. Now it suddenly has the scent of roses, which clearly shows others have touched it. Whoever touched it is the one who killed it.”

Lady Hu’s heart tightened. Rose cream—she certainly knew that Qin Zhaoyu was most fond of rose cream!

Lady Hu felt this was inappropriate and instinctively glanced at the bird’s body, “This… how can you prove it was squeezed to death?”

Qin Wan immediately parted the bird’s feathers, “There are several purple marks on the bird’s body and blood around its eye sockets. If Aunt doesn’t believe me, I can open its beak, or I could even dissect it to see—its internal organs must all be crushed.”

Lady Hu’s hair stood on end—she had forgotten what Qin Wan was skilled at…

Lady Hu said no more. At this moment, one of Lady Hu’s household managers led in more than ten servants, either garden sweepers or those who tended the flowers, all who had passed through the garden in the morning.

When everyone was in place, Qin Wan glanced at Bai Ying, who immediately went forward to check each person. Finally, Bai Ying said disappointedly, “Young Miss, no one has the scent of roses…”

Qin Wan’s gaze shifted, “Then there must be others who went to the garden that we don’t know about. These people don’t know I discovered the rose scent, so they wouldn’t deliberately remove it. Bai Ying, who else went to the garden? Continue asking.”

Bai Ying hesitated, “Young Miss, Eighth Young Miss went to the garden this morning with her people.”

Lady Hu’s expression became somewhat unpleasant, but she could only force a laugh, “Wan’er, Zhaoyu certainly wouldn’t do such a thing. With her nature, she wouldn’t even bear to step on an ant…”

Hearing these words, Qin Wan laughed coldly inside but said, “Aunt, Eighth Sister is naturally good, but her maids might not be. This matter is serious, please ask Eighth Sister to come over. That way, when the Ninth Prince or Empress Dowager asks, I’ll have an explanation…”

Lady Hu’s eyes flickered several times. If Empress Dowager asked and Qin Wan said she didn’t know who in the manor had squeezed the Ninth Prince’s bird to death, Empress Dowager would surely blame the entire Marquis Manor. But if they found the perpetrator and had a proper excuse, or better yet, convinced Qin Wan not to mention this matter, then they could minimize it or make it disappear entirely.

Lady Hu sighed, “Very well, Yu—”

“Bai Ying, go invite Eighth Young Miss over.”

Lady Hu had meant to instruct Nanny Yu, but Qin Wan interrupted to send Bai Ying instead, clearly not wanting Nanny Yu to warn Qin Zhaoyu.

Lady Hu felt some displeasure, but now Qin Wan’s status was extraordinary, and even she couldn’t openly pressure her. Moreover, in this matter, Qin Wan was the victim, so her urgency was understandable.

Lady Hu waited anxiously in the main courtyard, and since others were not suspicious, she dismissed everyone.

Soon, Qin Zhaoyu arrived at the main courtyard with four maids, “Mother, why did you call me over?”

Qin Zhaoyu didn’t know why she had been summoned, but as soon as she finished speaking, she saw the bird cage to the side and the golden oriole lying inside, clearly dead…

Lady Hu smiled bitterly, “Your sister was helping the Ninth Prince care for the golden oriole, but today, someone squeezed it to death. The cage was hung in the garden early this morning. We just called over and questioned everyone who went to the garden today, but it wasn’t any of them. Then Bai Ying said you went to the garden this morning, so we asked you to come take a look.”

Qin Zhaoyu immediately understood, and her expression changed, “Mother! Do you think I killed this little creature?”

Lady Hu naturally shook her head. Qin Zhaoyu looked at Qin Wan, “Ninth Sister, do you suspect me?”

Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, “I already have evidence. I just need to follow the evidence to find the person. I suspect everyone who went to the garden.”

Qin Zhaoyu’s brows rose, “What are you saying? What evidence do you have?”

Qin Wan glanced at the cage, “This bird has the scent of roses. We just need to see which person who went to the garden has the rose scent…”

After Qin Wan finished speaking, she glanced at Bai Ying, who walked close to Qin Zhaoyu’s group, sniffed, and turned back to say, “Young Miss, both Eighth Young Miss and Miss Mo Yi’s group have the rose scent.”

Qin Wan’s dark eyes narrowed, “Oh? Then I must ask Eighth Sister to explain.”

As Qin Wan spoke, her sharp gaze turned to Mo Yi and the others. The other three maids first felt indignant upon hearing this, then looked at each other accusingly, but Mo Yi alone kept her head down, looking at no one, her hands clasped in front, very nervous.

Qin Zhaoyu was the pearl of the manor, and her chief maids were very well provided for. Rose cream was quite precious, but Qin Zhaoyu felt that the maids serving her should be both talented and beautiful, so she often rewarded them with such trinkets. All four chief maids wore fragrances that enhanced their natural beauty.

Normally, applying cream wouldn’t leave a lingering fragrance, yet Qin Wan deliberately used this point to accuse Qin Zhaoyu. From this, it was clear Qin Wan already knew who had killed the golden oriole.

Qin Zhaoyu’s gaze quickly swept over Mo Yi. Having spent day and night together, she naturally noticed Mo Yi’s extreme nervousness. After going to the garden that morning, Mo Yi was the last to return. What she had done during her lingering in the garden was obvious, but how could her maid be subject to Qin Wan’s punishment?!

Qin Zhaoyu lifted her chin, “So what if there’s a rose scent? The manor has roses, and craftsmen make their rose cream. The kitchen maids make rose pastries, and the little maids who pick flowers have a rose scent on their hands. To accuse my maids based on this alone is too far-fetched!”

Qin Wan had expected Qin Zhaoyu to argue. She smiled coldly, “If that’s the case, then Eighth Sister should ask who entered the garden today without admitting it. In this vast Marquis Manor, as Eighth Sister says, would just any little maid dare to squeeze the Ninth Prince’s beloved pet to death?”

Qin Zhaoyu frowned, “Who even knew it was the Ninth Prince’s beloved pet?”

Qin Wan smiled with perfect dignity, “Even if they didn’t know it was the Ninth Prince’s, everyone in the manor should know it was mine. If the Ninth Prince’s things can’t be touched, does that mean mine can be killed at will?”

“You…” Qin Zhaoyu was momentarily speechless. Though she looked down on Qin Wan in her heart, such words could not be spoken openly, especially now that Qin Wan was the imperially appointed Princess Yongci…

Seeing the two about to argue, and that Qin Wan was determined not to back down, Lady Hu hurriedly stepped forward, “Alright, alright, this matter is indeed inappropriate. Regardless of whose it was, it shouldn’t have been killed like this.”

Lady Hu looked at Mo Yi and the others, “Who followed Young Miss to the garden this morning?”

Mo Yi trembled hesitantly for a moment, then stepped forward, “Madam, it was this servant…”

Lady Hu’s gaze sharpened, “Then do you know what happened?!”

Mo Yi glanced up at Qin Zhaoyu, then hurriedly said, “When Young Miss went to the garden, she saw this bird. The bird was chirping noisily, and Young Miss lost her mood for walking in the garden and quickly left. This servant… when this servant was leaving, I saw Zhen’er from the courtyard staying behind last, perhaps… it was her…”

Qin Zhaoyu’s brows furrowed slightly. That morning, Zhen’er had caught up early; it was Mo Yi who returned last.

Though she knew Mo Yi was lying, Mo Yi was her chief maid, so Qin Zhaoyu said nothing.

“Come, bring Zhen’er here—”

As soon as Lady Hu gave the order, Qin Zhaoyu hurriedly said, “Mother, wait. Zhen’er is my maid. Since this matter might be Zhen’er’s doing, I’ll question her myself. If it was her, I’d have her sold off.”

Speaking thus, Qin Zhaoyu looked coldly at Qin Wan, “Rest assured, I understand that wrongdoing must be punished. Even if it’s my person, I won’t show favoritism. I’ll handle my people—what does Ninth Sister think?”

Qin Wan gave a derisive laugh, her smile growing more gentle, “Eighth Sister is to be the Crown Princess, I naturally trust Eighth Sister’s fairness. However, Zhen’er presumably acted this way for Eighth Sister’s sake, so selling her off seems unnecessary. Still… a servant is after all a servant. Even if she felt the bird was problematic, she should have reported it to Eighth Sister before taking action. To act so unilaterally, how does that show any regard for Eighth Sister? If even Eighth Sister’s most trusted person can act this way, what of others? When Eighth Sister becomes Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace later, if servants are truly spoiled, who knows what they might do behind Eighth Sister’s back…”

As Qin Wan spoke, Mo Yi’s expression grew increasingly nervous, while anger surfaced on Qin Zhaoyu’s face.

She knew Qin Wan had seen through everything. Unwilling to let Zhen’er take the blame for others, Qin Wan had spoken these words to warn both her and Mo Yi. Qin Zhaoyu took a deep breath, “I naturally trust my people. You need not worry about me.”

Qin Wan pointed to the cage, and Fu Ling immediately picked it up. Qin Wan then said, “I’m certainly not worrying about Eighth Sister. This bird is dead, and I need to worry about how to explain this matter…”

Lady Hu hurriedly said, “Wan’er, this matter… it’s better to minimize it.”

Qin Wan smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ll keep this matter quiet for now and find an appropriate time to speak of it.”

Hearing Qin Wan’s change in tone, Lady Hu couldn’t help but feel relieved. Qin Wan curtseyed, took her leave from Lady Hu, and left with her people and Qin Shuang. Just as they left the main courtyard, Qin Shuang let out a long breath, “Heavens, you’re too brave, actually confronting Eighth Sister like that. Seeing Eighth Sister’s manner, I was scared…”

Qin Zhaoyu had been pampered since childhood, inevitably developing a sense of superiority. When her confrontational demeanor emerged, it was indeed frightening, but Qin Wan had never feared her. Previously, she had endured many of her doubts and verbal sparring, but now even her maid dared to bully her—how could she continue to endure?!

“Some people, the more you fear them, the more they think they’re faultless.”

Qin Wan’s voice was calm, and Qin Shuang swallowed, looking at Qin Wan with even more admiration.

……

……

As soon as Qin Zhaoyu entered her chambers, she turned and slapped Mo Yi.

Mo Yi covered her face and quickly knelt, “Young Miss, this servant knows her wrong. Thinking of how you were reprimanded by the Crown Prince last time, this servant was truly angry, so…”

Qin Zhaoyu narrowed her eyes, anger churning within, “Because you were angry? For my sake?! You truly have great courage! Qin Wan was entirely correct—you dare to act without even asking me?! It’s been half a day since this happened, did you tell me about it?! Seeing Qin Wan catch us in this trap, don’t you feel ashamed?!”

Mo Yi prostrated herself, “This servant didn’t say anything because I thought the bird was just a small matter. I quietly vented anger for you, that’s all. I didn’t dare deliberately deceive Young Miss! Young Miss, don’t listen to Ninth Young Miss’s nonsense, this servant hasn’t…”

Qin Zhaoyu gave a cold laugh, “Absolutely haven’t?! You committed the wrong yourself, yet tried to make Zhen’er take the blame! Today you dare to make Zhen’er take the blame! Tomorrow, might you not think of betraying your mistress?!”

Qin Zhaoyu was truly angry. She hadn’t expected Mo Yi to do something so foolish. She would never have cared about the bird’s death, but killing a bird had instead given the other side leverage—what substantial harm did it do to Qin Wan?!

“No, no, no! Young Miss! This servant wouldn’t dare! This servant absolutely wouldn’t dare… This servant was just afraid… This servant still needs to accompany Young Miss to the palace and still needs to serve Young Miss. Compared to that, how could Zhen’er’s usefulness compare to mine, so…”

“How wonderful! You’ve outdone yourself!” Qin Zhaoyu was so angered by Mo Yi’s words that she felt choked. Though her words weren’t entirely unreasonable, for a servant to speak so presumptuously…

“Do you think I, your mistress, must have you accompany me to the palace? Can I not use others? Just for your private acts of revenge, I absolutely won’t take you to the palace. Get out!”

Mo Yi was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly grabbed Qin Zhaoyu’s skirt, “Young Miss! This servant has followed you for so many years and has never done wrong before. Just this one time, please, this servant begs you not to abandon me!”

Qin Zhaoyu yanked her skirt away and pointed at the other maids, “What are you all standing there for?! Drag her out! From today on, stay in your room, and don’t come out to offend my eyes!”

Mo Yi began wailing, “Young Miss, Young Miss… This servant knows her wrong, please, Young Miss…”

Qin Zhaoyu turned and entered her inner chamber, her face cold as ice. Mo Yi had indeed followed her for many years. If Mo Yi had told her about this matter earlier, she wouldn’t have been so angry. But learning of Mo Yi’s private actions through Qin Wan’s challenge had planted a thorn in her heart. Qin Wan had simply used Mo Yi’s hand to slap her face!

Qin Zhaoyu coldly laughed at Qin Wan’s cunning while hating Mo Yi’s stupidity. Thinking of Qin Wan’s proper, false smile made her feel increasingly mocked. Qin Zhaoyu kept taking deep breaths—only this way could she suppress her hatred for Qin Wan.

Her wedding date was approaching. At this time, there absolutely could not be any mishaps! Absolutely not!

……

……

After burying the golden oriole in Songfeng Court’s flower bed, Qin Shuang said, “What can be done? It’s just a bird, we can’t arrest a servant for punishment…”

Qin Wan sighed, “Given the Ninth Prince’s temperament, it’s better not to let him know about this for now. He wanted the bird to be raised outside and hadn’t planned to take it back. Let’s keep it quiet for now.”

Qin Shuang sighed in relief, “Thankfully. I thought it would have to be returned in a few days.”

Qin Wan didn’t elaborate. Perhaps everyone thought so, but without saying it this way, how would Lady Hu and Qin Zhaoyu feel wary?

In this world, ah, status, power, and wealth truly were more effective than anything else.

Fu Ling cried nearby, “Too much, it’s too much! Such a grown person, taking anger out on a bird. When this little one was brought back, this servant thought of it day and night, fearing it would die. Later when it lived, I thought the courtyard would have a little creature to enliven it, but who knew… it would be squeezed to death like this!”

Seeing Fu Ling crying pitifully, Qin Wan also sighed inwardly and couldn’t help taking Fu Ling’s hand, “Alright, if you like, go buy two more to raise. This matter can’t be brought before the Empress Dowager. Even if the Empress Dowager sympathizes with our being bullied, she won’t do anything over a bird, and if it’s made into a big issue, everyone loses.”

Fu Ling knew these principles, but knowing them only made her feel more bitter.

Qin Shuang sighed, “Alright, Fu Ling. Seeing how angry the Eighth Sister was, Mo Yi would certainly be punished when she returned. In the eyes of the powerful, even a servant can be beaten to death at will, let alone a bird. Now this bird was the Ninth Prince’s possession, and Ninth Sister has been titled Princess, which is why Aunt handled this matter. If this had happened when we first arrived in the capital, forget about birds—even if it were you all, if Aunt found some fault and said to sell you off, who could have stopped it?”

Fu Ling had started feeling sad for the bird but now felt sad for herself. Thinking of the past hardships in Jinzhou, Fu Ling felt even worse. Previously, Qin Wan had also been the precious eldest daughter of the second household, but what kind of life had she lived? She had nearly lost her life. Thinking of these things, Fu Ling finally stopped crying, “Ah, this servant is being too emotional. After just a short time of good days, I’m heartbroken over a bird. Back when things were bad for this servant and Young Miss if a bird died, we might have thought of roasting it to eat.”

When Qin Shuang heard Fu Ling mention the past, she felt guilty, but hearing Fu Ling’s last sentence, she couldn’t help letting out a “pfft” of laughter, “You girl, you dare to say anything…”

Fu Ling wrinkled her nose and muttered, “Back then we couldn’t even see a drop of oil, if there was meat to eat of course we’d roast it.”

Qin Wan also laughed, poking Fu Ling’s forehead, “Craving meat? Then tonight we’ll have the kitchen make something good to reward you for your hard work lately!”

Fu Ling said sheepishly, “I was still feeling sad, how can I feast now.” Then she added, “But if Young Miss really wants to reward us servants, then I’ll go give instructions right away…”

Qin Shuang burst out laughing, “Ninth Sister, look at Fu Ling! She’s already gained weight since coming to the capital, yet still thinks about eating!”

Bai Ying also laughed. Ban Xia and the others, who had been sad and somewhat scared about the bird’s death, also began laughing. Seeing everyone cheerful, Qin Wan finally let out a breath, her lips curving slightly.