Qin Shuang lowered her voice and spoke with hatred, “Grandmother! It’s impossible! She knows nothing – how could she be a divine healer? She couldn’t possibly have saved the Imperial Princess!”
Qin Xiang nodded in agreement, “Yes, Grandmother, we never knew she had any medical skills!”
Qin Shuang let out a cold snort, her fists clenched tight, “The Imperial Princess must have mistaken her for someone else! Just wait, she’ll be thrown out soon enough!”
Madam Jiang sat in silence. She wasn’t sure what skills Qin Wan possessed, for since Qin Wan’s arrival in Jin Zhou, she had never paid her any attention. But she thought the same as Qin Xiang – if Qin Wan knew medicine, why had she never shown it?
Just as Qin Shuang finished speaking, Lu Xiu appeared at the flower hall entrance.
After this commotion, everyone in the flower hall had been watching for movement outside. As soon as Lu Xiu arrived, she was immediately spotted.
“Look, it’s the Imperial Princess’s head maid!”
“Are they going to summon other members of the Qin family now…”
In an instant, the Qin family members also looked over. Qin Shuang spoke softly with a bitter expression, “She must be coming to condemn us! Grandmother, Qin Wan is going to be the death of us…”
While Qin Shuang thought Lu Xiu was coming to condemn them, Madam Jiang could see at a glance that Lu Xiu was in excellent spirits.
Sure enough, as Lu Xiu drew closer, her smile grew wider. “Greetings to the Elder Madam. Ninth Miss is being kept by the Imperial Princess for conversation. Her Highness specifically sent me to let you know not to worry.”
All doubts vanished in that moment!
The Imperial Princess hadn’t mistaken anyone’s identity. Moreover, she had kept Qin Wan to talk!
Many distinguished officials and nobles were present today, yet the Imperial Princess had only kept Qin Wan!
After delivering her message, Lu Xiu added apologetically, “The auspicious time is approaching, but the bride is still on her way. I’m afraid we must trouble everyone to wait a while longer. Please forgive any shortcomings in the wedding feast hospitality.”
Though Lu Xiu was only a servant, she was the Imperial Princess’s attendant, giving her status equal to half a master.
As soon as she finished speaking, a chorus of “We wouldn’t dare” arose.
Lu Xiu smiled and bowed before departing.
After Lu Xiu left, Qin Shuang and the others were stunned – it was true! Qin Wan was the Imperial Princess’s savior!
Madam Lin was the first to understand the implications. “Mother, regardless of how Qin Wan learned medicine, given what Miss Lu Xiu just said, the Imperial Princess couldn’t have mistaken her identity. Mother, now that Qin Wan has become the Imperial Princess’s savior, our Jin Zhou Qin family has gained another path forward. It seems the Imperial Princess is quite fond of Qin Wan!”
What Madam Lin said matched Madam Jiang’s thoughts exactly. Her eyes narrowed – could it be that Qin Wan truly possessed extraordinary skills that she had overlooked?
At this thought, Madam Jiang’s spine unconsciously straightened.
The person despised and mistreated by the Qin family now held their fate in her hands…
A chill ran down Madam Jiang’s spine as deep unease arose in her heart.
While the Qin family members in the flower hall sat restlessly due to Qin Wan’s change in status, in the inner courtyard, Lu Xiu was reporting, “This servant has conveyed your meaning. The Qin family’s Elder Madam and other masters were initially surprised and confused. After hearing my words, they all seemed quite shocked. It was clear they were somewhat anxious.”
The Imperial Princess sighed, looking at the demurely lowered head of Qin Wan before her. “The Qin family’s Elder Madam was quite a passionate person in her youth, but with age she’s become somewhat inflexible, allowing such a bright pearl of her own family to gather dust.” After a slight pause, she continued, “Wan’er, don’t think this old woman is meddling. The internal affairs of the Qin family are easy enough to inquire about – you’ve suffered these past two years.”
Qin Wan didn’t think the Imperial Princess was meddling; on the contrary, she was rather moved.
She had only provided emergency treatment, yet she had encountered the Imperial Princess. Moreover, the Imperial Princess intended to repay her – not with simple gold and jewels, but by lending her influence to help Qin Wan establish herself in the Qin family.
“Qin Wan wouldn’t dare. Thank you, Imperial Princess, for your kindness.”
The Imperial Princess patted her hand. “Not only did you save me, but more importantly, I like you, child. Among our family’s three younger generation members, even Ning’er likes to dance with spears and swords. Though I also love their Yue Army temperament, I’ve hoped for a gentle and refined granddaughter to keep me company. Don’t worry, I’ll make some arrangements for you.”
Listening to the Imperial Princess’s gentle words, Qin Wan felt an inexplicable pang in her heart. In the more than ten days since her rebirth, though her face showed nothing, her heart had been filled with desolation and loneliness. In her nighttime dreams, there was more hatred, heartache, helplessness, and despair.
Though the Qin family was now her “home,” it not only harbored the Ninth Miss’s killer but was also filled with contempt and disdain for her throughout the household. Besides Fu Ling, she found it truly difficult to feel any warmth there.
Qin Wan raised her eyes to look at the Imperial Princess, her deep, melancholic eyes gleaming with moisture.
“Qin Wan only provided trivial assistance that day, Imperial Princess really needn’t…”
The Imperial Princess took Qin Wan’s hand and smiled. “Alright, alright. Though you are kind-hearted and well-mannered, perhaps due to your difficult years, you seem rather heavy-hearted, as if hiding something inside. Don’t think too much – from now on, I’ll still need your attention for my health.”
Qin Wan nodded, accepting the Imperial Princess’s goodwill without further words.
The Imperial Princess was right – she did indeed harbor a secret in her heart that could never be revealed to others.
Though she was enjoying her conversation with Qin Wan, the Imperial Princess hadn’t forgotten that today was the wedding day of the An Yang Marquis’s heir. Seeing the sky growing darker, the Imperial Princess also furrowed her brow.
“What’s happening? The auspicious time has passed, yet they haven’t arrived?”
Madam Jiang sighed. “Yesterday’s letter said they had reached the Ten Li Temple. Calculating the distance, they should arrive by nightfall at the latest. After all, it’s a long-distance marriage – it’s extremely difficult to time the auspicious hour precisely.”
The Imperial Princess exhaled, clutching Qin Wan’s hand. “Missing the auspicious time makes me somewhat uneasy.” After a pause, she continued, “When His Majesty first indicated this marriage, I already felt it was inappropriate…”
Madam Jiang shook her head. “Mother needn’t worry. It’s just a slight delay. Today is an auspicious day – whenever they arrive will be fortunate and auspicious. Please don’t worry.” Looking out the window, she added, “Night has fallen; they must be arriving soon.”
Though she was trying to reassure her, the Imperial Princess couldn’t sit still.
“Wan’er, help me up. Let’s go out and wait…”
Qin Wan quickly helped the Imperial Princess up, while Madam Jiang also rose to support her other side. Together they walked toward the ceremonial hall.
Today was the wedding day of the An Yang Marquis’s heir. The bride came from the prestigious Song Duke’s family in the capital, and this marriage carried the Emperor’s implicit approval, nearly equivalent to an imperial decree. Combined with the Imperial Princess’s status, the ceremonial hall was decorated with particular nobility and grandeur.
When Qin Wan helped the Imperial Princess to the ceremonial hall, it was already crowded with people. Everyone knew the bride was arriving and wanted to witness this once-in-a-century grand wedding in Jin Zhou City.
“Grandmother is here! Grandmother—”
As they reached the ceremonial hall, two young men came forward to greet them. Both had sharp eyebrows and high bridges to their noses, cut striking figures, and carried themselves with dignity. One wore formal red wedding attire – he was the An Yang Marquis’s heir!
“Mother, why did you come out? They haven’t arrived yet…”
As they spoke, another well-dressed man approached. He was over forty, tall and robust with an imposing presence – someone who practiced martial arts and served in the military. This was undoubtedly the An Yang Marquis. As the group approached, they noticed Qin Wan and were startled – since when had such a young lady appeared at the Imperial Princess’s side?
Seeing the situation, Qin Wan immediately bowed. “Greetings to the Marquis and Young Master.” Then, looking at the Imperial Princess, she said softly, “Your Highness, Qin Wan will take her leave now.”
The Imperial Princess smiled with satisfaction. “Very well, go on. Go watch the ceremony from the side.”
Qin Wan nodded and quickly departed through a side passage, heading into the crowd.
The An Yang Marquis Yue Qiong and his heir Yue Jia took note but didn’t inquire immediately. They only helped the Imperial Princess to the seat of honor. The ceremonial hall was decorated with red silk and golden candles in celebration, with a red carpet stretching straight from the wide-open mansion gates. Sitting in the place of honor, one could see directly out the gates into the vast night. The cool night had already spread like spilled ink, yet the bride had not arrived!
“Why are they so late? Could something have happened?”
“Have people been sent ahead to check?”
The Imperial Princess was anxious and asked repeatedly. The An Yang Marquis hurried to reassure her, “Mother, please don’t worry. Nothing will go wrong. The Song Duke’s guards are escorting her. We’ve sent people to check – please rest assured.”
The Imperial Princess was anxious, Madam Jiang was anxious, and the surrounding guests were also anxious. Many had arrived early in the morning and had waited until now. If they hadn’t known the importance of this wedding and been unwilling to miss it, they likely would have left long ago.
“Report—” Suddenly, a guard arrived on horseback. “Reporting to the Marquis, torches have been spotted outside the city! The Young Master’s bride has arrived!”
Upon hearing this, the entire ceremonial hall erupted – she’s here! The bride had finally arrived!
The Imperial Princess’s spirits lifted, the An Yang Marquis and his wife also beamed, and the heir Yue Jia was both excited and somewhat nervous. The surrounding guests were also intrigued, all pushing forward to see the broad street outside the mansion gates.
Soon, a point of light appeared on the street shrouded in darkness.
First one point, then dozens, and finally they merged into a great mass. Seeing the magnificent torchlight, everyone’s hearts lifted – indeed worthy of a bridal procession from the capital, truly grand in scale!
The lights drew closer, and the uniform sound of hoofbeats gradually became distinct. The hoofbeats were thunderous, carrying an overwhelming presence like they could trample mountains and rivers, surging toward the An Yang Marquis’s mansion like an unstoppable tide.
The guests’ hearts trembled – this bridal procession was not only magnificent in scale but also carried a domineering aura. It didn’t seem like a joyous wedding procession but rather like an army of thousands facing battle.
Yue Qiong was the first to notice something was wrong. Having led troops for many years, his perception was naturally exceptional.
He stepped forward, fixing his gaze on the mass of torchlight…
In the vast darkness, the mass of torchlight resembled two fierce dragons of fire charging forward. In an instant, they reached the mansion gates – a sea of coldly gleaming dark armor, carrying the dust and blood of battle, entering everyone’s view with an indomitable royal presence. They arrived at the mansion gates like ghosts, reining in their horses with impressive might, then swiftly and neatly lined up in formation before the mansion gates.
Yue Qiong’s eyes trembled violently, and all the guests stared in shock.
This wasn’t a bridal procession, but rather…
As the earth-shaking commotion subsided, only a final set of unhurried hoofbeats remained.
From the end of the long street, a completely black warhorse approached with light steps. In the blazing torchlight, the man on horseback held a horizontal spear, his voice elegant as a night flower, carrying an air of supreme dominance—
“By Imperial decree, I come to offer congratulations. Yan Chi arrives late!”