“Shen Yi’s only daughter?” Yue Qing strode in, “I wasn’t aware Shen Yi had an only daughter.”
He paused mid-sentence and turned to smile at the doorway, “Grandmother, Ninth Miss has arrived—”
Qin Wan had to bite her lip hard to suppress the grief welling up in her chest. Though half a month had passed since the incident, and she had been inhabiting this body for half a month, she still couldn’t remain calm whenever she heard anything about the capital and her father.
Forcing a slight smile, Qin Wan entered slowly, “Greetings to Imperial Princess, Lord Marquis, Madam, and Prefecture Governor.” Turning, Qin Wan looked toward Yan Chi standing by the bed, “Greetings to Young Prince.”
Everyone in the room held noble status, so Qin Wan first paid her respects to all upon entering. The Imperial Princess quickly beckoned to her, “Come here, come here. Why are you standing back there now that you’ve arrived?”
Qin Wan smiled faintly, “I wasn’t sure what the Imperial Princess and everyone were discussing. I feared I might disturb you all.”
The Imperial Princess laughed, “What could there be that you shouldn’t hear? The Qin Manor probably hasn’t received the news yet. Once they do, you’ll know anyway. Besides, this is Jinzhou—we’re all our people here, there’s no need for such formalities.”
Today, the Imperial Princess looked much better and was sitting up fully dressed. She pulled Qin Wan to sit beside the bed and continued their previous topic, “Shen Yi came from a humble scholar’s background and served as an honest official with an excellent reputation. He worked in criminal justice for many years without participating in court politics. You could say he was a respected official valued by the Emperor himself. Though he wasn’t from a noble clan, his worth was immense. Not only did many humble scholars look up to him as their leader, but the Emperor also trusted him greatly. When Prince Yong arranged to marry his daughter, it was precisely for this reason. If Prince Yong had married a daughter from a noble military family instead, it wouldn’t have been as favorable.”
Though the Imperial Princess didn’t explicitly state it, everyone present understood the logic behind Prince Yong proving his wisdom and lack of power hunger by marrying a woman from the Shen family. Sitting close to the Imperial Princess, Qin Wan kept her eyes lowered, darkness swirling within them.
“If that’s the case, why didn’t Prince Yong do anything when the Shen family got into trouble?”
Yue Qing, being pure-hearted, asked directly. The Imperial Princess glanced at him, “The Prince Jin case was extremely complicated. Prince Yong… was probably busy distancing himself. Besides, even if he wanted to do something, there wasn’t much he could do.”
Yue Qing raised his eyebrows. Seeing Qin Wan’s head lowered in silence, he assumed she didn’t understand these matters and said, “Since Ninth Miss is here, she should check Grandmother’s pulse.”
The Imperial Princess held Qin Wan’s hand and smiled, “My illness has improved greatly. Wan’er is here as a guest.”
Qin Wan finally looked up, “Of course, I must check your pulse. Only when Imperial Princess can walk again will I be at ease.”
The Imperial Princess smiled kindly and extended her wrist.
A moment later, Qin Wan withdrew her hand, “Your pulse is much healthier. Imperial Princess should continue taking medicine as scheduled, and the wound medication should still be changed once daily.”
With these words, everyone in the room relaxed.
Huo Huaixin remarked with feeling, “Ninth Miss truly lives up to her reputation as the Little Medical Fairy.”
Yue Qing quickly agreed, “Indeed, Grandmother’s recovery is all thanks to Ninth Miss…”
Huo Huaixin smiled warmly like an elder, “Ninth Miss is sixteen this year, isn’t she…”
Yue Qing’s smile froze. The Imperial Princess glanced at Huo Huaixin, “Yes, Wan’er is only sixteen. She can still stay with this old woman for a few years. Later on, I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
Huo Huaixin’s smile became somewhat strained. He had asked about her age with other intentions, but the Imperial Princess had blocked him without mercy. Though the Imperial Princess wasn’t Qin Wan’s relative, her words about keeping Qin Wan for a few years indicated she was preserving other options for the girl. Huo Huaixin glanced around the room—Yue Jia was steady and dignified, and Yue Qing was bright and proud. Just these two young lords from the Anyang Marquis Manor far surpassed Huo Ning, not to mention that formidable Young Prince standing there. Moreover, if the Imperial Princess took an interest, any noble son from the capital could be a possibility with her intervention.
Huo Huaixin felt bitter inside—Huo Ning was truly too incompetent…
Meanwhile, the Imperial Princess pulled Qin Wan close and asked, “Jingzhu mentioned you’ll be spending the Mid-Autumn Festival with Ning’er and the others in two days?”
Jingzhu was Madam Jiang’s maiden name. Qin Wan quickly nodded at the question, “Yes, Madam was kind to invite me, and I dare not decline.”
“That’s wonderful. The manor hasn’t been peaceful this year, but it’s fine for you young ones to enjoy yourselves together.”
Just as the Imperial Princess finished speaking, Luyun suddenly entered from outside, “Governor, Captain Qi requests an audience.”
This was the Imperial Princess’s private chamber—Captain Qi certainly couldn’t enter directly. Upon hearing Luyun’s words, Huo Huaixin immediately stood up, but before he could speak, the Imperial Princess spoke first, “Let him come in to report.”
Huo Huaixin hesitated, and the Imperial Princess raised an eyebrow, “What? Is this old woman not allowed to hear about the case now?”
Though ill, the Imperial Princess spoke with a hint of decisive authority. Huo Huaixin smiled bitterly, “How would I dare? I just feared these matters would trouble you, given your health…”
The Imperial Princess snorted, “No need for more words. Call Qi Lin in.”
Having been in Jinzhou for many years, the Anyang Marquis Manor and Huo Huaixin were familiar with Captain Qi Lin. With this command, Luyun immediately went out to call him. Soon after, a tall, square-faced man in a constable’s uniform entered.
Qi Lin had broad shoulders and a sturdy build, with dark skin, large eyes like bronze bells, and sword-like eyebrows, giving him quite a stern, upright appearance. He carried a long sword at his side and walked with vigor. Upon entering, he first paid his respects.
Huo Huaixin waved his hand crisply, “How did the interrogation go?”
Qi Lin stood up and said seriously, “Sir, Miss Song’s maids were all lying before.”
As soon as he spoke, everyone’s expression changed. The Imperial Princess anxiously asked, “What do you mean?”
Qi Lin bowed slightly toward the Imperial Princess, “The first time we questioned them, all four maids said they followed Miss Song’s bridal sedan chair all day during the wedding procession. They even said they asked Song Rou if she wanted food or drink during the noon rest, and Song Rou answered them, saying she didn’t want any. We believed them then, thinking Song Rou was still alive at that time, so she must have been killed between the noon rest and evening arrival in Jinzhou. Since Song Rou never left the sedan chair the entire journey, the only possibility was that she was killed inside it—”
He paused briefly, then continued, “However, yesterday, after Ninth Miss helped examine the body, she deduced that Miss Song wasn’t killed in the sedan chair, and when she was killed, she wasn’t even wearing her wedding dress. We found this inconsistent, so we conducted another interrogation today. During the first questioning, considering they had just lost their mistress, we were very polite. They probably didn’t take it seriously and gave false testimonies. Today when we questioned them again, we indeed found discrepancies…”
“Song Rou’s four maids never asked her anything that entire day, which means they never spoke to Song Rou at all that day…”
The Imperial Princess frowned, “How could this be? Is this how they serve their mistress?”
Qi Lin continued, “Imperial Princess, you don’t know—that day we didn’t suspect these maids at all. It was my negligence for not asking more questions. Only today did we learn that these personal maids were purchased just before Miss Song’s wedding. They hadn’t served her for years, and Miss Song extremely disliked these maids. She not only disliked them but often beat and scolded them, and without her orders, they weren’t allowed near her.”
“The four said that because Song Rou never called for them all day, they never went to ask her anything. Since it was a long journey, Song Rou disliked the coarse food at rest stops and often refused to eat or drink there, so they didn’t find it strange at the time and were relieved…”
The journey from the capital to Jinzhou was a thousand li, and they couldn’t always find prosperous towns along the way. To make good time, they only ate hot meals in the morning and evening, having dry rations at noon. It made sense that the pampered Song Rou would dislike dry rations.
Huo Huaixin clenched his fist, “Well done! I knew some of them were lying! Now it’s clear! Song Rou might have been dead early on, but no one checked, and it wasn’t discovered until they lifted the sedan chair curtain at the Marquis Manor gate.”
Qi Lin nodded, “Yes, during rest stops, all of Song Manor’s escorts gathered together, and normally Song Rou wouldn’t leave her sedan chair, so when her maids didn’t check on her that day, others didn’t find it strange either.”
“What about the morning?” Yue Qing suddenly asked, “Surely those four maids helped Song Rou dress in the morning?”
Qi Lin’s expression tensed, “That’s the strangest part. Everyone was exhausted from travel and slept deeply. These four personal maids had attended to Song Rou the previous night, but halfway through she cursed and drove them out. They were used to this and spent the night guarding outside her room. However, when they woke early the next morning, they found Song Rou already fully dressed and seated in the bridal sedan chair. One maid said she lifted the curtain and asked something then, but Song Rou sat perfectly still under her bridal veil without responding. They all feared her and didn’t dare ask again. Later, when they started traveling, they paid even less attention to what was happening in the sedan chair.”
“Song Rou was already dead by then.”
Qin Wan suddenly spoke. Qi Lin nodded in agreement, “Yes, that’s what I think too. But it’s strange—when they saw Song Rou then, she had her head covered by the bridal veil, and there were people around the bridal sedan chair all along the way. They don’t know how, when they lifted the curtain at the Marquis Manor gate, Song Rou had become a headless bride…”
The Imperial Princess’s eyes narrowed, seemingly recalling the scene from that night, “So that’s how it was. Strange indeed—all four of Song Miss’s maids were newly purchased… Didn’t you say people were sent to the Ten Li Temple?”
Qi Lin nodded, “Yes, we’ve sent people there, but they haven’t returned yet.”
The Imperial Princess nodded, then suddenly looked at the pensive Qin Wan, “Wan’er, what do you think of this?”
Qin Wan looked up, meeting the Imperial Princess’s warm, trusting eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Wan said, “I suspect the killer used some method to create an illusion. Song Rou was likely already dead in the morning, and perhaps her head had already been cut off then. After deceiving the maids, the killer took away Song Rou’s head somewhere along the way. Or perhaps what the maids saw as Song Rou’s head was just some trick by the killer…”
“You mean… the killer was among Song Manor’s escorts?”
According to Qin Wan’s theory, the killer had taken Song Rou’s head away during the journey, but people had surrounded the bridal sedan chair the entire way. Anyone who could have done it must have been from the Song family.
Qin Wan nodded, “That’s the only explanation that makes sense.”
Huo Huaixin looked at Qi Lin, “Is it just the maids who are suspicious? What about the others? What about her nurse?”
Qi Lin replied glumly, “That’s another strange thing—none of Song Rou’s nurses were the ones who had raised her since childhood. Though they were all from Song Duke Manor, they had been serving elsewhere before.”
Madam Jiang and the Imperial Princess exchanged glances, having keenly noticed the issue.
They understood wedding arrangements best—when a woman marries, those who attend her closely are usually those who have served her for many years. This is firstly because she trusts them, and secondly because the servants are loyal and can be entrusted with important tasks. Yet the most important personal maids and nurses accompanying the bride weren’t those who had served her for years…
Madam Jiang and the Imperial Princess shared the same question in their hearts: where were the people who used to serve Song Rou?
Huo Huaixin’s eyelid twitched as he recalled the “teeth marks” Qin Wan had mentioned, and asked, “What about those escorts?”
Qi Lin shook his head, “These escorts rarely saw Miss Song before. Though we interrogated them more harshly this time, we didn’t find any inconsistencies. We can set them aside for now.”
Huo Huaixin took a shallow breath, “All these irregularities with Miss Song—there must be something we don’t know, which might be related to her murder. Right now, there are three things to do: First, re-interrogate those maids and nurses to see if we can uncover any hidden circumstances. Second, wait for the people returning from Ten Li Temple, hopefully with concrete leads. Third, thoroughly question the escorts about their activities that night, clarifying every detail. Though the maids’ testimonies were false and the nurses suspicious, we mustn’t forget that Song Miss’s killer was a man, and the one wearing the wedding dress that night to frighten people was also a man.”
Qi Lin quickly nodded in agreement, bowed, and withdrew.
The Imperial Princess nodded as she listened—Huo Huaixin was quite methodical…
After Qi Lin left, the Imperial Princess didn’t hide anything from Huo Huaixin and asked, “All of Song Miss’s servants were replaced with new ones before her wedding. Jingzhu, what do you make of this?”
Madam Jiang’s expression darkened slightly, “Usually when personal servants are replaced, it’s because they’ve committed some wrongdoing.” She paused before continuing gravely, “But since all of Song Miss’s attendants were replaced, I fear the issue lies not with the servants but with the mistress herself.”
Yue Qiong frowned, “The capital is too far—sending people to investigate now would take many days.”
Though unsaid, everyone in the room had reached the same conclusion: Song Miss must have had some unknown secret. Even if this secret wasn’t related to the case, it was still extremely important. For the Anyang Marquis Manor, if the Song Duke Manor had married off a problematic daughter to them, it showed extremely ill intentions.
“What does the Marquis want investigated? I can help.”
Unexpectedly, Yan Chi suddenly spoke up. Yue Qiong looked at him, “Your people are meant to—”
“No matter. Marquis, just tell me what you want to know.”
Yue Qiong glanced at the Imperial Princess, who said with a slightly dark expression, “Very well, let Little Seven help with this. I want to see just how bold the Song Duke Manor is to treat us with such disrespect!”
Yan Chi’s expression tensed, “Aunt, just wait. Seven days at most, five days at least.”
The Imperial Princess nodded, “Find out everything about why Song Miss’s attendants were replaced. I want detailed information. Don’t rush to meet the five or seven-day deadline—prioritize your matters first.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly, “Rest assured, Aunt, I know my limits.”
After saying this, Yan Chi turned and left, presumably to make arrangements.
The Imperial Princess’s brows remained furrowed. What started as just investigating a case had uncovered these strange circumstances. It seemed her initial reluctance to accept this marriage was correct. “Song’s daughter must have been quite active in the palace…”
Though the Imperial Princess’s voice was still weak, these words made Qin Wan’s heart inexplicably tighten.
She suddenly realized that this silver-haired elderly woman before her was no ordinary person—she was a royal princess of Great Zhou, the current Emperor’s own aunt.
At the mention of the palace, the room fell silent.
Though they were in Jinzhou, even Huo Huaixin dared not casually discuss the royal family and palace affairs. As for Qin Wan, thinking of that place of privilege that was once so close now only filled her heart with cold dread. Her father’s case had started in that luxurious palace. That place appeared to be the pinnacle of power and glory on the surface, but in reality, it was a place that devoured people whole. To this day, Qin Wan still couldn’t understand which hand in that golden cage full of demons had pushed her family into hell.
After a moment of silence, Yue Qiong stepped forward, “Mother, don’t think about this matter now. Wait until Prince Chi brings news. The Song Duke Manor is a reputable clan in the capital—they wouldn’t act recklessly.”
Though Yue Qiong said this, the Imperial Princess and Madam Jiang understood inner court matters best and were almost certain the Song family was hiding something. Now they just needed to know how significant this concealed matter was.
The Imperial Princess nodded and turned to chat with Qin Wan, which finally lightened the atmosphere somewhat. Soon after, Huo Huaixin took his leave first, with Yue Qiong following to observe the questioning of the manor’s servants. Just as they left, Yue Ning appeared in training clothes, her face flushed from sweating. One look and Qin Wan knew she must have been practicing martial arts.
The Imperial Princess said tenderly, “Why didn’t you wear an outer robe? It’s autumn now and quite cool. You’ll easily catch a cold when you’re sweating.”
“Don’t worry, Grandmother, I know.”
Before the Imperial Princess, Yue Ning acted even more like a young girl.
“I just saw Young Master Wei practicing with his sword at the training ground and couldn’t help but spar with him a couple of times. That’s why I’m sweating a bit, but it’s fine—I’m very healthy.”
The Imperial Princess lovingly touched her face, “Silly child, why compete with the Wei boy? He’s from the capital’s patrol division—naturally, his martial arts are strong. Be careful not to hurt yourself.”
Yue Ning said somewhat helplessly, “Grandmother, my martial arts aren’t bad either…”
“Yes, yes, our Ning’er is a capable woman indeed…”
Qin Wan, listening, sided with the Imperial Princess, “Princess should also be careful. Autumn weather is unpredictable, alternating between cold and hot, making it easy to catch cold.”
The Imperial Princess smiled broadly, “See? Wan’er’s medical skills are excellent—you should listen to her.”
Yue Ning glanced sideways at Qin Wan, “Fine, fine, I’ll listen since Grandmother says so.”
The three of them—grandmother, granddaughter, and Qin Wan—chatted and laughed naturally and lively. To the side, Yue Qing watched the scene, his gaze falling more often on Qin Wan. Madam Jiang observed this, her eyes deepening.
After talking a while longer, the Imperial Princess’s energy waned. Madam Jiang and Luyou attended to her as she retired to rest. Yue Ning led Qin Wan out of the courtyard, and just as they left, Yue Qing followed behind.
Yue Ning turned back with a glare, “Second Brother, why are you following us?”
Yue Qing smiled brightly, “What are you going to do? Second Brother has nothing to do—I’ll accompany you.”
Yue Ning gave him a meaningful look, “Why does Second Brother always want to accompany us ladies? Doesn’t Second Brother have his affairs? Isn’t Second Brother supposed to go to the military camp today?”
Yue Qing was stumped by these questions, and not being thick-skinned enough, he coughed lightly and said, “Of course, I must go, I’m leaving now.” After a pause, he added, “Take good care of Ninth Miss.”
After Yue Qing left, Yue Ning thoughtfully watched his retreating figure before turning to look at Qin Wan.
Qin Wan was puzzled, “What is Princess looking at?”
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow, then asked seriously, “What do you think of my Second Brother?”
Qin Wan was startled, “Second Young Master? Second Young Master… is naturally very good.”
Yue Ning stared at Qin Wan for a moment, then suddenly smiled somewhat regretfully. Fuling, following behind Qin Wan, heard Yue Ning’s question and couldn’t help feeling anxious for her mistress. Even she understood Yue Ning’s meaning—why couldn’t her mistress understand?
Yue Ning sighed, “Never mind, it’s nothing. The Mid-Autumn Festival celebration is in two days. Get ready—I’ll pick you up at 5:30 in the evening.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Thank you, Princess.”
Yue Ning pursed her lips, then suddenly asked, “What’s that in your hand?”
Qin Wan looked down—in her hand was indeed the ointment she’d made for Yan Chi. She quickly said, “Do you know where Prince Chi is now? This is an ointment for him…”
Yue Ning’s eyebrows rose again, seemingly finding this strange.
Qin Wan’s lips tightened slightly, “Prince Chi’s injuries aren’t light—they’ll take at least half a month to heal. Besides, he gave me generous payment for the treatment last time, so I…”
Yue Ning naturally didn’t know about the Nine Needles of Su Wen and asked in surprise, “Payment? What did he give you?”
Qin Wan replied directly, “He gave me a set of medical needles.”
Yue Ning shifted her gaze, “He should be in Pine Garden now. Come, I’ll go with you.”
Qin Wan nodded and followed Yue Ning toward Pine Garden. Along the way, Yue Ning frowned, lost in thought, then suddenly said, “The Prefecture Governor’s re-interrogation today must have yielded some direction. I suspect the person who frightened you by pretending to be a ghost and Song Miss’s killer are the same person, and this person is likely among the Song family’s escorts in the manor.”
Qin Wan looked at Yue Ning, “Has Princess been investigating on her own?”
Yue Ning shook her head, “Not really. I just asked Young Master Wei a few questions while practicing. Even he thinks Song Rou’s killer is someone from the Song family. He said only Song family members would know about her second wedding dress and likely its location. He also mentioned that Miss Song’s temperament had been spoiled by indulgence, and she usually didn’t treat servants and escorts well. He suggested she might have made enemies among the lower-ranking staff…”
Qin Wan was startled, “What was Young Master Wei doing on the wedding day?”
“Young Master Wei said he was with the escorts all day. Though they were cousins, they hadn’t interacted much in the capital before. Knowing her bad temper and being in public, he didn’t pay much attention to Song Rou.”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows, “Song Rou was unkind to servants—was she unkind to him as well?”
Yue Ning nodded, “Yes.” She sighed and continued, “Young Master Wei is a concubine’s son in the Wei family. His birth mother died, and he was raised under his stepmother’s name. Though his stepmother, who is a daughter of the Song Duke Manor, treated him well, there was still a barrier. Although he could freely enter the Song Duke Manor, the Song family didn’t welcome him much. His legitimate elder brother was supposed to escort the bride, but a month ago, his brother broke his leg in a horse-riding accident, so he was chosen as a last-minute replacement.”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised, “I had no idea about this…”
Yue Ning nodded, “Indeed. We’re so far from the capital—if he hadn’t told us, we wouldn’t have known. That’s why when Song Rou died, he felt both guilty and worried. When he returns, the Duke’s Manor will likely hate him.”
Qin Wan understood—the Duke’s Manor had him escort the bride, but Song Rou died tragically. Naturally, the blame would fall on the escort leader. Given his status as a concubine’s son raised by the main wife, his future would likely be difficult.
“He earned his position as Deputy Commander of the Patrol Division through his efforts. After this, he’ll probably be stuck at that rank forever. It’s quite tragic.”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, “In noble families, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is clear. His position is indeed awkward, but he’s someone who strives to better himself. Once the truth of this matter is revealed, surely there will be people in the Song Duke Manor who can see clearly.”
Yue Ning sighed, “Let’s hope so. His martial arts are excellent—it would be a shame if this incident buried his talents.”
Qin Wan’s heart sank. Before this, she’d had terrible suspicions, since there wasn’t enough evidence to clear Wei Yanzhi of suspicion. He had been within her range of suspects, but since Yue Ning said Wei Yanzhi had little previous interaction with Song Rou, that suspicion could be reduced somewhat.
Pausing her steps, Qin Wan asked, “Why did Young Master Wei tell you so much?”
Knowing her words carried doubt, Yue Ning explained, “It’s not like that. I had intentions to probe when sparring with him. We agreed casual fighting was boring, so whoever lost had to answer the other’s question.”
Qin Wan was surprised, “Princess won? Didn’t you say his martial arts were excellent?”
Yue Ning coughed lightly, “He saw Second Brother injure Prince Chi before. This time my moves were very fierce, and he was afraid of hurting me, so he was too careful and restrained. That’s how I won three rounds.”
It was a clever trick, though Yue Ning felt somewhat embarrassed admitting it so directly.
Qin Wan covered her smile, “I see, that makes more sense…”
Yue Ning lifted her chin, “What else? Why would he just tell me these things? Wouldn’t that be strange? I’m not easily fooled—I’m much more strong-willed than you!”
Qin Wan laughed repeatedly. Looking up, she saw they had reached Pine Garden.
At the entrance, there were no guards. Qin Wan and Yue Ning exchanged glances before entering together. The courtyard was quiet. As Qin Wan hesitated, she caught sight of Yan Chi’s figure at a window.
The window was wide open, and Yan Chi sat behind a desk inside, with Bai Feng standing before him. Master and servant were discussing something while Yan Chi held a brush, writing something.
This scene should have been perfectly normal, but both Qin Wan and Yue Ning frowned.
Something seemed wrong…
Qin Wan focused her gaze, looking carefully. At a certain moment, her eyes suddenly darkened.
She had found what was wrong—Yan Chi was holding the brush… in his left hand!
Yue Ning’s brows also furrowed tightly. She suddenly spoke quickly, “That night after you left Pine Garden, we were waiting outside the whole time, not knowing what was happening inside. Later, only when a little maid from Plum Garden came to report did we prepare to leave together. It was at this time that he walked out from inside. That quarter hour was exactly when you were frightened…”
“Princess—” Qin Wan called out softly, stopping her words.
Almost simultaneously, Yan Chi’s gaze turned toward them through the window.
From seven or eight zhang away, Yan Chi’s gaze was frighteningly dark. Yue Ning instinctively grabbed Qin Wan’s wrist. Qin Wan was already surprised, and with Yue Ning’s action, her heart began racing wildly.
However, thinking carefully, Song Rou and Yan Chi… had absolutely no connection!
A battle raged in Qin Wan’s mind. While one part thought it impossible, another part recalled the many case files she had seen with her father—in those strange and mysterious murder cases, the killer was initially always the least suspected person!
Thinking this way, Qin Wan suddenly saw something of a killer’s quality in Yan Chi. He was imposing and intimidating, had killed countless people on battlefields, and could end life with one stroke. More importantly, among everyone in the manor, he was currently the only left-handed person they’d discovered. Even without finding a motive yet, this point alone was suspicious…
Qin Wan felt her scalp tingle as she watched Yan Chi stand up and walk out.
“Why are you here?” Yan Chi strode out, frowning at their somewhat tense expressions. His gaze was penetrating and sharp, his imposing manner suddenly chilling.
“Your medicine, Your Highness.” Qin Wan held out the ointment. “Use this for your next dressing change. The prescription is the same as before.”
Though Qin Wan tried to keep her voice steady, Yue Ning’s tight grip on her hand made it impossible to stay calm. When Yan Chi’s gaze swept over them, she unconsciously adopted a defensive attitude.
“Oh?” Yan Chi took the ointment and handed it to Bai Feng, then turned back to look at Yue Ning and Qin Wan leisurely.
“What’s wrong with you two?”
Yue Ning stepped back, “We’ve delivered the medicine. We’ll leave now.”
Saying this, she pulled Qin Wan toward the exit. Qin Wan had no choice but to let Yue Ning drag her out.
Watching their figures disappear, Yan Chi’s brows furrowed tightly.
Bai Feng also found it strange, “What’s wrong with the Young Princess and Ninth Miss?”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a dangerous edge, “The way they looked at me… as if they were guarding against a heinous villain…”
Outside Pine Garden, Yue Ning pulled Qin Wan toward the front courtyard, “The Prefecture Governor is still here. We must tell him immediately!”
Another battle raged in Qin Wan’s mind. As they got closer to the front courtyard, Qin Wan suddenly exerted force, pulling Yue Ning to a stop. “Princess, we can’t be hasty…”
Yue Ning urgently said, “Everyone in the manor is looking for a left-handed person. Now that we’ve found one, we shouldn’t tell the Prefecture Governor? The timing matches perfectly, and his build and characteristics are undeniable!”
Qin Wan took a breath, “But Princess, there’s no reason! Prince Chi just returned from the West—he probably had never even met Song Rou before. What grudge could there be between them? Besides, that night, Prince Chi arrived at the manor first.”
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes, “They rode fast horses, of course, they could be faster than the wedding procession. And how do you know he didn’t know Song Rou?” She paused, “No, we don’t need to discuss these things. We just need to tell the Prefecture Governor and let him investigate.”
Qin Wan smiled bitterly, “Has Princess considered Prince Chi’s status? How could the Prefecture Governor investigate him?”
At this, Yue Ning calmed down.
She wasn’t sure about Huo Huaixin’s temperament—perhaps he would indeed suppress the matter out of fear of authority?
Yue Ning released Qin Wan, “Then what should we do?”
Qin Wan’s eyes darted about, finding the situation thorny. However, she quickly recalled all the previous details, especially Yan Chi’s behavior during Song Rou’s autopsy, which had shown no abnormality whatsoever. Though he was a military man from the battlefield and she didn’t doubt his ability to take lives, would he kill a young girl?
Qin Wan swallowed hard, “Perhaps… we should observe more?”
Seeing the usually calm and composed Qin Wan’s difficult expression and hesitant words, Yue Ning immediately crossed her arms and spoke seriously, “Qin Wan, have you developed feelings for Prince Chi?”