“Your Highness—”
When Fan Xin called out, Qin Wan hurriedly leaned forward and pressed down on Fan Xin’s shoulders. “Don’t move. Though your willpower is remarkable, you must endure for these few days. If you truly cannot resist moving, we’ll have to tie you down again.”
Fan Xin gave a bitter smile, but his gaze drifted to the space behind Qin Wan.
Yan Chi had not come with her.
Qin Wan sighed, “The Young Lord didn’t come. He has many matters to handle today, so I came alone.”
Fan Xin seemed to let out a sigh. “Now…”
Though Fan Xin’s position was that of the Rui Prince’s guard, after so many years of service, he could both lead troops in battle and assist in strategic planning. His knowledge and experience far surpassed that of ordinary guards. In the Northwestern Army, he could command thousands of troops. Therefore, he was not unaware of the current political situation in the capital.
Qin Wan knew what he was thinking. “You needn’t worry about these matters. His Highness will arrange everything properly. The urgent priority now is for you to recover. His Highness harbors much regret—if you were to fall ill and not recover, he would surely blame himself.”
With the Rui Prince’s incident and Yan Chi not by his side, now that Fan Xin had barely made it back alive, Yan Chi naturally didn’t want Fan Xin to die.
Moreover, Fan Xin was present when the Rui Prince was assassinated.
After checking his pulse, Qin Wan relaxed slightly. Sitting on a low stool nearby, she asked, “The Emperor announced to the court that the Rui Prince was assassinated by the Rong people. Is this true?”
Fan Xin’s face was pale. Though Yan Chi had never explicitly stated how important Princess Yongci was to him, the fact that Fan Xin’s survival needed to be kept secret from others, Yan Chi not only let Qin Wan treat his wounds but also allowed her to visit this small courtyard alone, showed Yan Chi’s trust in her.
Therefore, Fan Xin spoke directly, “They appeared to be Rong people. The short arrows and daggers used were common Rong weapons. However… His Highness didn’t bring many men this time, and our route was very secretive. On the day of the incident, His Highness and I were staying at a post station in Huaiqing County north of Liangzhou. Even within the Northwestern Army, no one knew we were staying there.”
Qin Wan frowned, “Did anyone in the army know where His Highness was going?”
Fan Xin could barely move as he said, “No, His Highness only said he was taking men to patrol.”
Speaking thus, Fan Xin continued with difficulty, “At the time, His Highness first received a letter from the imperial envoy sent to investigate the Northwest. Only after that did he lead people toward Liangzhou. Only that envoy and the Liangzhou officials knew His Highness was going there.”
Qin Wan’s pupils contracted slightly. Three months ago, the Northwestern Army’s grain corruption case had been exposed. Such massive corruption affecting the Northwestern Army had shocked the entire Great Zhou. When there was no progress in the case after a month, the Emperor sent an imperial envoy to investigate the corruption in the Northwest. The person sent was Lin Xugui, Left Minister of the Ministry of War and Deputy Commander of the Nine Cities Patrol. He came from a prominent family in Qingzhou in the Southwest and was one of the gentry recommended to the court fifteen years ago. The Emperor trusted him greatly, giving him not only the deputy position in the Ministry of War but also control of the Nine Cities Patrol. Though neither was the highest position, these deputy roles were already quite elevated. That he held both positions—one involving national military planning and one controlling the capital’s defense—showed his significant status.
Qin Wan suppressed her thoughts. “His Highness will probably come tomorrow. You should focus on recovering.”
Fan Xin responded with a sound of agreement, then said, “Thank you for saving my life, Your Highness.”
Qin Wan’s lips twitched. “I promised him I would save you, that I wouldn’t let you return to the capital only to lose your life.”
Having said this, Qin Wan didn’t delay further. After Fan Xin took his medicine, she changed his bandages.
As a grown man, Fan Xin had only ever received hasty treatment from army doctors when wounded in battle. He had never experienced such meticulous care as Qin Wan provided. He felt both grateful for her lifesaving kindness and unworthy—he hadn’t been able to save the Rui Prince’s life, yet here he was, the only survivor.
“These next fifteen days won’t be easy for you. Only after you endure them will you truly have survived. His Highness doesn’t want you to die. This matter… you know his personality. He still needs you.”
Fan Xin’s eyes reddened, surprised that Qin Wan had seen through his thoughts.
Qin Wan couldn’t stay long. After changing the bandages, she took her leave.
After seeing Qin Wan off, Xun Niang returned and said, “Brother Fan, you’re fortunate. If not for the Princess this time, I’m afraid…”
Fan Xin knew this well. He nodded with a sigh, “I never expected the Princess’s medical skills to be so remarkable.”
Xun Niang continued, “In the capital, she’s known as the Little Medical Immortal. Not only that, she can also examine corpses and investigate cases. It was because she repeatedly achieved great merit that she was granted the title of Princess.”
Fan Xin’s eyes brightened slightly, surprised that a noble lady like Qin Wan would examine corpses.
…
…
After returning to the Marquis’s mansion, Qin Wan had Bai Ying send word to Yan Chi, simply saying she had visited Fan Xin.
At this hour, Qin Wan didn’t know what Yan Chi was doing, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to just go to the Prince’s mansion.
After Bai Ying left to deliver the message, Qin Wan felt somewhat relieved.
Early the next morning, just after Qin Wan finished breakfast, Yu Mama came to invite her to the main courtyard.
Qin Wan collected herself and walked out with Fuling.
In the main courtyard, Qin Shu and Lady Hu were present, with Qin Yan standing to the side. Qin Wan curtsied, and Qin Shu got straight to the point, “Wan’er, you know about the situation with the Rui Prince’s mansion. What do you think?”
Qin Wan replied calmly, “Naturally, we must wait for the Rui Prince’s coffin to return to the capital, then hold the funeral and burial.”
Hearing this, Qin Shu’s brows furrowed. Had Qin Wan not understood?
Clearing his throat, Qin Shu continued, “That’s not what I meant. You and the Rui Prince’s heir have been betrothed by imperial decree. What do you think about your marriage?”
Qin Wan responded, “Our marriage?”
Qin Shu and Lady Hu exchanged glances, and Qin Shu said, “Wan’er, with the Rui Prince’s death, Young Lord Yan must observe mourning for at least a year. Won’t this delay your plans?”
Qin Wan’s expression remained unchanged. “It’s only a year—how is that a delay? I’m only seventeen now. Marrying at eighteen after a year isn’t late at all.”
Hearing this, Qin Shu’s lips turned down, understanding Qin Wan’s meaning. “Wan’er, do you understand what the Rui Prince’s death means?”
Qin Wan blinked. “It means Lord Yan has lost his father?”
Qin Shu’s chest tightened, and he couldn’t continue speaking. Qin Wan continued to look at Qin Shu, her eyes so clear they made him somewhat uncomfortable. After a while, Qin Shu waved his hand, “Never mind, never mind. That’s all.”
Qin Wan smiled. “Then I’ll go to the palace to treat the Empress Dowager.”
After saying this, Qin Wan curtsied and withdrew.
Once Qin Wan left, Lady Hu sighed, “You heard that? What did I say? Wan’er is just like that. She understands everything in her heart, but we can’t influence her decisions.”
Qin Shu gave a bitter smile. “This child is…”
“She and Lord Yan have known each other for a long time, and this marriage was decreed by the Empress Dowager herself. With her personality, how could she possibly go to the Empress Dowager now and say she doesn’t accept this marriage?”
Lady Hu shook her head and sighed, “I suppose this is how it must be.”
Standing to the side, Qin Yan listened thoughtfully, glancing in the direction Qin Wan had left, but said nothing.
Meanwhile, Qin Wan entered the palace and went straight to Shoukang Palace. Upon entering, she heard Chen Mama giving instructions to servants, and after listening for a moment, realized the matters concerned the Rui Prince’s mansion.
“Lord Yan is in mourning, so it’s natural he’s not handling these matters. Tell the Internal Affairs Office to pay more attention. If anything goes wrong this time, the Empress Dowager will not forgive it.”
The young eunuch nodded repeatedly, and Chen Mama waved him away. “Go on.”
Looking up, Chen Mama saw Qin Wan and hurried to greet her. “The Princess has arrived!”
Qin Wan nodded and walked inside with Chen Mama. Glancing at the departing eunuch, she asked, “Is this about preparing the Rui Prince’s funeral arrangements?”
Chen Mama sighed, “Yes. Yesterday, Lord Yan spoke briefly with the Internal Affairs people, but he seemed quite listless. Soon after, he handed these matters over to his servant, but that servant only knew about military matters and didn’t understand these things at all. We had no choice but to keep an eye on things. Fortunately, there are precedents for these matters, and neither the Internal Affairs Office nor the Ministry of Rites dare be negligent.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Has the Young Lord come to the palace today?”
Chen Mama shook her head, “No. The Emperor told the Young Lord to take leave from the court to rest. He didn’t go to morning court today, nor has he come to see the Empress Dowager. However, the Emperor came by last night, worried about the Empress Dowager’s health.”
Qin Wan nodded and followed Chen Mama inside. Upon entering the inner chamber, they found the Empress Dowager lost in thought on her couch, not even hearing their footsteps as they entered.
Chen Mama sighed and stepped forward to announce their presence before the Empress Dowager turned around.
Seeing Qin Wan, the Empress Dowager sat up wearily, “Wan’er has come.”
Qin Wan curtsied and approached, “Empress Dowager, did you not rest well? You look worse than yesterday.”
The Empress Dowager shook her head, but Chen Mama said, “Her Majesty woke several times last night. She couldn’t sleep before dawn, and hasn’t closed her eyes for half the day, alas.”
Qin Wan looked at the Empress Dowager, “The weather is getting colder now. Your Majesty must rest well.”
Saying this, she stood and went behind the Empress Dowager to massage her shoulders and neck. The Empress Dowager closed her eyes slightly, “You’re always so thoughtful.”
Qin Wan’s lips twitched, “Your Majesty must ease your mind, otherwise this illness will linger. If it drags on until the weather turns cold, you’ll suffer daily, and then the Emperor and the princes will all worry.”
The Empress Dowager sighed, “Fine, I’ll listen to you.”
Chen Mama smiled, “Should Your Majesty take an afternoon rest later?”
The Empress Dowager nodded, and Chen Mama finally smiled with relief.
After letting Qin Wan massage her shoulders for a while, the Empress Dowager took Qin Wan’s hand and pulled her to the front. “You needn’t worry about me. I’m only concerned about Yan Chi now. I know you feel the same, but for now, I can’t let you go to the Prince’s mansion. Ah, after the funeral is over, I must ask Yan Chi’s thoughts. I still hope you two can marry soon, so I can be at ease.”
Qin Wan smiled, “Alright, you can discuss it with him then. I’ll do whatever you instruct.”
The Empress Dowager found Qin Wan so obedient that she hugged her, “Yan Chi is truly blessed to have you.”
Qin Wan dared not accept such praise. After talking with the Empress Dowager a while longer, she helped her lie down to rest.
After the Empress Dowager took her afternoon rest, Qin Wan came out and saw Yan Sui.
Yan Sui looked at Qin Wan expectantly. Due to the incident at the Rui Prince’s mansion, the entire Shoukang Palace had been quiet these past two days. Last night, the Emperor had stayed for a long time, and Yan Sui was somewhat frightened, remaining silent.
Qin Wan walked forward and led Yan Sui to sit under the corridor eaves.
Today was sunny, though clouds covered the sun. A few rays of light broke through from afar. Where they sat was warm, though the sunlight didn’t fall on them directly. Qin Wan seemed to smell the scent of winter.
“Is Imperial Grandmother very ill?” Yan Sui suddenly asked.
Qin Wan shook her head, “Not seriously.”
Yan Sui let out a breath of relief. “Is he afraid?”
Qin Wan looked at Yan Sui and saw his clear black and white eyes looking at her.
Qin Wan knew who “he” referred to in Yan Sui’s words. She shook her head, “He’s not afraid.”
Yan Sui looked away, his little head hanging low. “I’m very afraid.”
Yan Sui knew Yan Chi’s father had died, which made him think of his own mother’s death. He said quietly, “Mother was killed by someone. Was Uncle Rui Prince also killed by someone?”
Qin Wan was startled and quickly covered Yan Sui’s mouth.
“Ninth Prince, you cannot say such things.”
Qin Wan’s nervousness frightened Yan Sui, but it was precisely because of her reaction that Yan Sui blinked, seeming to understand something. After Qin Wan released him, Yan Sui lowered his head and murmured, “So it’s the same.”
After a pause, Yan Sui continued, “No wonder Mother wanted me to leave this place.”
Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat, “Your Highness, what did you say? You say Noble Consort Jin wanted you to leave the palace?”
Yan Sui nodded, and Qin Wan lowered her voice so only they could hear, “Why? When was this?”
Yan Sui thought for a moment, “Last year’s Dragon Boat Festival.”
Yan Sui couldn’t remember the exact date, only that it was near the Dragon Boat Festival. Qin Wan’s heart trembled at hearing this.
Noble Consort Jin had been killed at the palace banquet in early June, yet in early May she had wanted Yan Sui to leave.
“Mother was afraid. She was afraid someone would kill her.”
Yan Sui spoke quietly again, and Qin Wan found these words even more incredible.
“Did Noble Consort Jin often say such things? Did she seem very frightened when she told you?”
Yan Sui shook his head, “Only a few times. She was very afraid and had nightmares.”
For the favored Noble Consort Jin to say such things even a few times was shocking enough!
“Ninth Prince, did Noble Consort Jin tell you anything else?”
Yan Sui pressed his lips together, seeming either unable to remember or unwilling to say. His smiling face showed an unchildlike wooden silence, leaving Qin Wan unable to get anything more out of him despite her eloquence.
Qin Wan felt anxious. She looked around, then suddenly crouched down to look at Yan Sui.
“Ninth Prince, don’t you want to find out who killed your mother?”