Despite her strong character, Qin Wan was startled by the man’s sudden appearance.

The man seemed equally surprised by Qin Wan’s turn, yet showed no embarrassment at being caught watching. Instead, his smile widened as he joked, “Ah, Ninth Sister has discovered me!”

As the man walked forward, Qin Wan realized he had a naturally smiling face. His long, slender phoenix eyes, even when not speaking, gave the impression he was smiling.

But in this gloomy light, his smile only struck Qin Wan as false and eerie.

The man was tall, slim, and elegant, wearing fine-quality noble robes. He had called her “Ninth Sister”—Qin Wan’s brows furrowed. Was this the Qin Manor’s First Young Master or Second Young Master?

Why was he in the Purple Bamboo Grove?

He stood to her right rear—had he followed her in? Or was he already here?

Remembering that Ninth Young Miss’s killer was a man, Qin Wan immediately grew wary and slowly stepped back half a pace.

The man keenly noticed her movement and snickered, continuing to approach. His phoenix eyes flashed with mockery and subtle disdain. “Is Ninth Sister afraid of me? I heard Sixth Sister push you into the lake. Second Brother has been quite concerned about you.”

Second Brother… Qin Wan’s eyes contracted slightly—this was the Qin Manor’s Second Young Master, Qin Li!

As Qin Li drew closer, seemingly getting a clear view of Qin Wan’s face, his eyes sparkled. “After not seeing you for days, Ninth Sister has grown even more delicately beautiful. I heard you were ill—are you better?”

Qin Wan lowered her eyes and stepped back again. “Much better.”

Qin Li smiled with great pleasure as if thoroughly enjoying Qin Wan’s tension and unease in his presence.

“Truly much better? Lift your head, let Second Brother have a good look…”

As he spoke, Qin Li’s hand reached frivolously toward Qin Wan’s chin. She quickly retreated a step and raised her gaze to stare directly at Qin Li. Caught by her sharp look, his hand froze, and his heart tensed.

Something was wrong—this feeling wasn’t right. Such a gaze was impossible from the Ninth Sister who used to let him tease her!

Qin Li began examining Qin Wan up and down.

The current Qin Wan stood alone and aloof. She was still that frail and pretty Qin Wan, the type of woman who easily stirred men’s protective instincts. But the former Qin Wan always had a lifeless timidity between her brows. In men’s eyes, this might be novel at first, but over time, it became irritating.

Now it was different. The pride and inviolable dignity between her brows suddenly made her whole person come alive with nobility. This Qin Wan even made him, a connoisseur of women, feel somewhat impressed.

While Qin Li examined Qin Wan, she also observed his expression.

Qin Li’s features naturally suggested a smile, and his gaze was frivolous, but as he looked at her, there was no malice or questioning. If he were the killer, wouldn’t he wonder why she came to the Purple Bamboo Grove?

Qin Wan clearly remembered that when she woke up, there were no intimate injuries on her body, suggesting the killer’s motive wasn’t passion or lust. But why was he so coincidentally here in the Purple Bamboo Grove?

“Why is Ninth Sister so guarded against Second Brother? I heard after that incident, that Ninth Sister can’t remember past events. Has Ninth Sister forgotten Second Brother’s kindness too? It pains my heart… I wanted to visit Ninth Sister earlier, but Grandmother ordered us not to come to the back area…”

Qin Li withdrew his hand, his face showing distress. However, with his naturally smiling countenance, this expression seemed fake.

Qin Wan’s lips turned down slightly—today wasn’t a good time to investigate the truth.

“Thank you for Second Brother’s concern. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”

Qin Wan made a quick decision and stepped toward the grove’s exit, but as soon as she moved, Qin Li’s arm blocked her path.

Qin Li smiled at her. “Why is Ninth Sister in such a hurry? Second Brother saw you send Fuling away at the lotus pond. Why did you deliberately come alone to this Purple Bamboo Grove?”

His tone lowered. “Don’t you know this place is haunted?”

Qin Wan’s eyes narrowed—this person had followed her in!

“Since this place is haunted, Second Brother should leave early too.”

Qin Wan tried to walk around Qin Li, but he moved to block her path firmly. “What secret does Ninth Sister have? Today, if Ninth Sister doesn’t tell me, Second Brother won’t let you leave…”

Qin Wan frowned, growing angry. “You—”

“What is Second Young Master doing here?”

Just as Qin Wan spoke one word, a clear, cold call rang out. Qin Wan looked up toward the voice and saw Fuling standing with a woman in yellow at the grove’s entrance.

Qin Wan vaguely felt the woman’s appearance was familiar but couldn’t recall where she’d seen her.

Hearing the voice, Qin Li’s back seemed to stiffen before he withdrew his hand and turned around.

“Ah, it’s Caihe. Why have you come here?” Qin Li’s voice had changed dramatically. Though still attempting a casual, joking tone, his words carried a hint of tension.

The yellow-robed young woman named Caihe curved her lips slightly, her smile polite but distant, neither servile nor arrogant.

“Unlike Second Young Master’s leisure, I’m here on Old Madam’s orders to invite Ninth Young Miss to the Buddha Hall.”

Old Madam? Qin Wan’s heart brightened—she remembered!

The day she first woke up and met Madam Jiang, standing closest to Madam Jiang’s side wasn’t Madam Lin, but this Caihe!

“Grandmother?” Qin Li seemed surprised. He turned to look suspiciously at Qin Wan and snickered reluctantly. “Since it’s Grandmother’s order, Ninth Sister, you should go quickly. We siblings can catch up another day.”

At these words, Qin Wan immediately headed for the exit. As soon as she came out, Fuling grabbed her. “Young Miss, why did you come here, and… and why were you with Second Young Master?”

Fuling was very nervous and clearly showed wariness and dislike toward Qin Li.

Qin Wan reassuringly squeezed Fuling’s hand, then turned to look at Caihe.

Fuling also belatedly said, “Young Miss, Sister Caihe just came looking for you, saying Old Madam had instructions.”

Only then did Caihe smile and speak to Qin Wan, her smile much warmer. “Ninth Young Miss, Old Madam requests your presence at the Buddha Hall.”

Madam Jiang wouldn’t summon her without reason. Was it about leaving the manor? Or about pulling Qin Shuang into the lake?

But after these few days, why summon her only now?

Fuling stood anxiously beside her, unable to help asking, “Sister Caihe, Old Madam is…”

Seeing both mistress and maid somewhat frightened, Caihe covered her mouth and smiled. “Don’t worry, Ninth Young Miss. It’s good news.”