The carriage sped along as Yue Ning sat quietly within, not displaying the liveliness typical of girls her age.
Qin Wan looked at Yue Ning, naturally thinking of last night’s murder case at the An Yang Marquis Manor. Although her father was no longer in charge of investigating murders, Qin Wan still habitually paid attention to such matters. “Did the Imperial Princess suffer a shock from last night’s events?”
Yue Ning nodded, “Grandmother has seen many storms in her life, but last night…”
Yue Ning paused, looking at Qin Wan. Ordinary noble girls couldn’t bear to see even a chicken being killed, let alone witnessing someone whose head had been cut off, especially in an eerie and terrifying red bridal sedan chair.
Yue Ning had expected Qin Wan to show fear at this point, but when she looked over, she saw only clear composure in Qin Wan’s eyes. Those eyes, like a clear spring reflecting stars, showed no fear.
Yue Ning raised her eyebrows. Earlier at the Qin Manor, seeing her silently endure Qin Shuang’s bullying, she had thought her weak and timid. Only now did she realize she had misjudged – this seemingly gentle and beautiful young lady had some courage.
“Last night’s scene was one thing, but secondly, Grandmother had high hopes for this marriage. She wanted Elder Brother to settle down and have a happy life, but after yesterday’s events, not only is the marriage ruined, but the An Yang Marquis Manor is now involved in a murder case.”
Qin Wan’s eyes flashed with deep thought, “The bride was from the Song Duke’s Manor, and with the An Yang Marquis Manor involved, this is naturally no ordinary case. A night has passed – has there been any progress in the investigation?”
Yue Ning’s eyebrows raised again. Among Jin Zhou’s young ladies, few stood out in terms of etiquette and bearing, and even fewer in knowledge and insight, being confined to their inner courtyards with narrow perspectives. Qin Wan already stood alone with her noble bearing and excellent manners, and now she was asking about the case.
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes. Rumor had it that this Ninth Young Miss had once jumped into a lake for the Magistrate Ho’s son. How could a sheltered young lady who never left her courtyard, supposedly timid and only concerned with romance, take an active interest in criminal cases?
“Not yet. It’s been handed over to Magistrate Ho.”
Yue Ning gave a simple answer, wanting to see what else Qin Wan might say.
Qin Wan nodded but remained silent.
Yue Ning felt slightly disappointed but then remembered that Qin Wan was only sixteen, kind-hearted, and skilled in medicine, so she let it go.
The carriage traveled along Jin Zhou City’s main street. Although it belonged to the An Yang Marquis Manor, the curtains were drawn without ostentation.
Having practiced martial arts since childhood, Yue Ning naturally had a calm disposition. Even with the bustling crowds outside the carriage, she neither looked aside nor lifted the curtain to peek. But Qin Wan’s equally still composure surprised her again.
Though Yue Ning was grateful to Qin Wan for saving the Imperial Princess, after hearing about her situation in the Qin Manor and learning about her jumping into the lake for the Magistrate’s son, she had thought her life unfortunate and overly timid. At first, she felt only gratitude and sympathy without much admiration, but today’s journey gave her a new understanding of Qin Wan. Though she didn’t show it, she had begun to like Qin Wan’s character.
Though the carriage was quiet, there was a tacit harmony between Qin Wan and Yue Ning. The wheels rolled swiftly through Jin Zhou City’s ten-li-long street, and after less than half an hour, the carriage stopped before the Marquis Manor.
As soon as they alighted, they saw Lu Xiu waiting anxiously at the gate—
“Ninth Young Miss! You’ve finally arrived. Please hurry and take a look – the Old Madam fainted after vomiting!”
Qin Wan frowned as Yue Ning’s face darkened, “What happened? When I left, Grandmother could still eat and talk—”
Lu Xiu’s eyes flickered, “Princess, checking on the Old Madam is urgent. I’ll report the details to you later!”
Yue Ning naturally understood this reasoning. She grabbed Qin Wan’s hand and rushed through the gate straight toward the Imperial Princess’s courtyard. After last night’s events, all the wedding decorations had been removed from the An Yang Marquis Manor, leaving only piles of red silk lanterns in the corners of the courtyards. Qin Wan’s heart grew heavier as she scanned them all. Just as they entered the Imperial Princess’s courtyard, they saw Madam Jiang walking out with red eyes.
Seeing Qin Wan, Madam Jiang’s eyes brightened, and she rushed forward as if grasping at a lifeline!
“Wan’er, you’ve finally come. Please hurry and take a look, Mother is unwell…”
“Madam, don’t panic. Quick, take me to the Imperial Princess!”
Qin Wan frowned, already anticipating that the Imperial Princess’s condition would not be good.
She followed Madam Jiang inside, and upon reaching the inner chamber’s doorway, she saw the room was full of people. Marquis Yue Qiong and Yue Jia were present, though Second Young Master Yue Qing was notably absent. Seeing her arrive, Yue Qiong hurried forward, “Ninth Young Miss, my mother—”
Qin Wan saw the Imperial Princess on the couch at a glance. She had no time for pleasantries with the Yue family members and raised her hand to stop Yue Qiong’s words, “Marquis, please be patient. Let me examine her first—”
Though Qin Wan’s steps were quick, her expression remained very composed. However, when she got closer, her eyes still contracted slightly.
The Imperial Princess lay fully clothed, but her eyes were rolled back, her body trembling, her face dark, her lips purple, and her breathing as thin as a thread. Qin Wan leaned forward and gripped the Imperial Princess’s cheeks. The Imperial Princess’s lips parted slightly, revealing yellowed teeth. Qin Wan applied some pressure, and murky bile foam could be seen in her mouth. Qin Wan frowned, her hand moving down the Imperial Princess’s chest and abdomen, finding them swollen and soft to the touch…
Qin Wan’s hand paused as beads of sweat formed on her forehead.
“Ninth Young Miss, how is she? Can she be saved?”
The Imperial Princess’s condition was so severe that even those without medical knowledge could see she was critically ill, let alone the Yue family who had long known about her condition.
Qin Wan straightened up, showing gravity in her expression for the first time since entering the room.
“The Imperial Princess’s five organs are severely damaged. It will be difficult to extend her life.”
As soon as Qin Wan spoke, tears rolled down Madam Jiang’s face, “Marquis, what are we to do…”
After yesterday’s chaos at the An Yang Marquis Manor, would the Imperial Princess pass away today?
After a slight pause, Qin Wan bit her lip and said, “However, I can try my utmost.”
Upon hearing this, both Madam Jiang and Yue Qiong stared at her intently. Yue Qiong even said, “Ninth Young Miss, if you can save my mother’s life, whatever you ask for, this Marquis will grant it—”
Qin Wan had already made up her mind in that instant. She showed no reaction to Yue Qiong’s words but instead bent down to undo the Imperial Princess’s clothes. “Please, Marquis and Young Master, step outside. I need some medicines – would Madam and the Princess help prepare them!”
After a moment’s pause, she added, “And prepare a thin, sharp short knife!”
At such a crucial moment, these words were all orders concerning the Imperial Princess’s life and death. The Yue family dared not take them lightly, but though the An Yang Marquis Manor had plenty of weapons, where could they find such a thin, sharp short knife?
Yue Jia stepped forward with pain in his heart, “Ninth Young Miss, I’m afraid the manor doesn’t have the kind of short knife you described. If we go to the city craftsmen now, would there be enough time…”
Qin Wan frowned deeply, “I’m afraid there won’t be—”
“Use my knife!”
Before Qin Wan could finish speaking, a man’s voice rang out.
Everyone in the room was startled and turned to look – it was Yan Chi striding in. He drew the short blade from his waist, stepped forward, and solemnly offered it to Qin Wan.