“Young Lady, how should we arrange these four new maids?”
When Fuling returned, Qin Wan was grinding medicine. Without looking up, she asked, “Have they all settled in?”
Fuling nodded, “Yes, they’re all well-behaved.”
Qin Wan made a sound of acknowledgment, “We don’t need that many people working here. There’s not much to assign.”
Fuling glanced at the medicine in the room, “Who says there’s no work? Isn’t grinding medicine work?”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “This medicine is for His Highness the Crown Prince. No one else may touch it.”
Fuling acknowledged this with a hum, then added thoughtfully, “But Young Lady, it seems a waste to not use these four…”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, “How would you like to use them?”
Fuling’s eyes darted around, “These four are household-born servants of the Qin family, but we don’t know their temperaments yet. When Young Lady has important tasks to assign in the future, who should she trust?”
“What do you suggest?” Qin Wan kept her focus on the medicine.
Fuling smiled, “Naturally, we should observe them and select two reliable ones. But we can’t see much if they’re not given tasks. Young Lady, perhaps we could test them somehow?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “There’s no rush. Let’s keep things in our courtyard as they were before.”
Fuling sighed, “Young Lady, you’re truly patient.”
Qin Wan gave a faint smile without responding, keeping her attention on preparing the medicine.
It had been over half a month now, with her rushing between the Qin mansion and the Marquis’s residence. Both places had their troubles, but the most important was finding the killer who lurked in the shadows – the one who had killed her.
At this thought, Qin Wan’s heart sank. She had to visit the Purple Bamboo Grove again.
Qin Wan had returned late, and by the time she finished preparing the medicine, it was already getting late. As she was about to retire, Fuling entered and said, “Young Lady, Wan Tang, Wan Tao, and Wan Xing are waiting outside, but Wan Li is nowhere to be seen.”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow while removing her outer clothes, “Oh? Where is Wan Li?”
Fuling snorted, already showing displeasure, “Among these four, I noticed some things when they were choosing rooms. Wan Tang is steady and gracious, letting others choose first. Wan Tao is lively and active but still shows courtesy. Wan Xing timidly said she didn’t care where she stayed. But that Wan Li! Such a proud attitude, immediately choosing the quietest inner room.”
“I didn’t mention it to Young Lady then, but now she’s proving to be even more problematic! On their first day in Tinglan Court, though Young Lady hasn’t assigned any tasks, the other three still know to wait outside, but Wan Li simply doesn’t care. Who knows if she’s here to serve as a maid or act like a mistress herself.”
Qin Wan curved her lips, “When you have the chance, ask the other three about Wan Li’s background.”
Fuling nodded and began helping Qin Wan change.
After changing and washing up, Qin Wan lay down and instructed, “Tell them to retire, and you should rest too.”
Fuling quickly agreed, extinguished the corner lamp, and withdrew.
Under the soft silk quilt, Qin Wan quickly fell asleep.
In her dreams, she returned to that chaotic night.
Her usually steady father suddenly returned pale-faced, wordlessly telling her mother to pack their belongings. Her mother, who understood him perfectly, knew something was wrong just by his expression and only packed essential valuables.
But even that wasn’t fast enough…
Just as they left, the city was under martial law. Before they could walk a single street, Imperial Guards had already reached the Shen residence.
Then came the pursuit and indiscriminate shooting.
Qin Wan still couldn’t understand. Her father was a third-rank official – even if charges were confirmed, the case should have gone through the Ministry of Justice to the Court of Judicature before sentencing. But that shooting spree – they had come specifically to take their lives…
Qin Wan’s eyes snapped open, cold sweat drenching her forehead.
Her parents’ anguished faces from the dream still floated before her eyes. Her father’s furious expression before death must have been from the injustice. Who had wanted to harm him…
Qin Wan’s throat felt dry, her temples throbbing. She turned to look outside – the sky was barely beginning to brighten through the window lattice. Another night was passing, and her hope of returning to the capital remained distant.
Yet at this moment, thousands of miles away in the capital, the Yong Prince had ascended to the position of Crown Prince.
Thinking of this former fiancé whom she’d only met a few times, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed tightly.
What role had he played in the Shen family tragedy?
The cold sweat made Qin Wan shiver. She pulled the quilt tighter but couldn’t fall back asleep.
Too slow. If she just waited day after day like this, when would she return to the capital? Or perhaps, as she had joked with Fuling, should she marry into a capital family?
Qin Wan clenched her fists. Though it was the last resort, if there was no other way, it wasn’t impossible.
Qin Wan closed her eyes lightly, but her mind was in chaos. The killer she sought remained elusive while she was entangled in the Marquis’s household’s troubles. The truth she tried to see remained unclear while shrouded in the Qin family’s mist. If Father were still here, Lady Song’s case would surely be simple. If Father were still here, the Qin family’s mysteries would certainly be cleared.
When Fuling helped Qin Wan dress in the morning, she noticed her tired expression, “Did Young Lady not sleep well last night?”
Qin Wan shook her head without elaborating. After finishing her morning routine and breakfast, she began preparing medicine again. Working with medicine naturally made her think of Yan Chi, which reminded her of his left-handedness.
The entire Marquis’s household was searching for a left-handed person. He was the only known left-handed person, so Yue Ning’s suspicion was understandable. But Qin Wan’s intuition told her Yan Chi wasn’t the type to take a woman’s life, especially not in such a cruel way.
Given his position, even the Grand Duke Song himself wouldn’t dare to cross him lightly, let alone someone as insignificant as Song Rou. Even if there were grievances, he had plenty of clean and efficient ways to handle them. He wouldn’t leave obvious clues for others to find.
Thinking this way, Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. Yan Chi certainly wasn’t righteous, but he wasn’t stupid enough to think that frightening her with a wedding dress would make her leave the Marquis’s household and abandon this case…
“Young Lady, I think Wan Tang is reliable,” Fuling entered from outside, looking pleased.
Qin Wan turned to look, “What makes you say that?”
Fuling smiled, “Early this morning, Wan Tang was already up. Instead of entering the main hall, she first tended to the orchids in the courtyard, then waited at the gate to receive your breakfast. When I got up, I saw she had arranged the orchids on the trellis very neatly. She seems to know flower arrangement too – she trimmed several pots beautifully.”
Qin Wan smiled, “If that’s true, she could be quite useful.”
“Indeed! You won’t have to tend to all those orchids yourself anymore.”
After the first frightening incident in the orchid garden, Qin Wan moved more than ten pots of orchids into the courtyard and locked the side door. Since then, tending to the orchids daily has become her habit.
Qin Wan asked, “What about the others?”
Fuling pouted, “When Wan Tao saw Wan Tang doing that, she followed along, but I noticed she was not steady enough. She kept asking me what Young Lady was doing, saying she wanted to serve closer to you. Hmph, I ignored her. As for Wan Xing, she just stands there quietly, clearly not capable of important tasks. And Wan Li… I haven’t even seen her face this morning!”
She continued, her lips curving up, “But I did learn about her background!”
Fuling’s eyes showed a hint of mockery, “Wan Li’s parents are managers at an outer estate, quite respected in the Qin household. She was pretty since childhood and was originally meant to serve as Fifth Young Lady’s senior maid, but for some reason, Fifth Young Lady didn’t choose her. Later, she was to be sent to Sixth Young Lady but wasn’t selected then either. Unable to become a lady’s maid, she tried to serve the young masters, but Elder Young Master doesn’t like having many female servants besides those chosen by Old Madam, and Second Young Master already had several more beautiful serving girls. One thing after another, she couldn’t get the positions she wanted, and now that she’s older, her parents were about to arrange her marriage when the household needed to select people again…”
Qin Wan smiled at this. She had seen the senior maids serving Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang – they were only ordinary-looking. Wan Li was pretty, and if she outshone her mistresses, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?
That must be why Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang hadn’t chosen her. But she never expected that after all these delays, she’d end up in Tinglan Court. Qin Wan was an outsider to the Qin family, with an uncertain future, so naturally, Wan Li was unwilling, hence her current attitude. Qin Wan shook her head, her smile deepening.
“Young Lady still smiles! Didn’t Sister Caihe say earlier that if you’re unsatisfied with any of them, you could tell her? I think Wan Li is too ill-mannered, acting like she’s half a mistress herself! Young Lady, should we tell Sister Caihe to send her away?”
Qin Wan lowered her head to continue grinding medicine, smiling, “I just find her story both frustrating and amusing. Rejected several times, unable to reach the positions she wanted. Ah, heaven truly likes to play tricks on people.”
Though Fuling felt Wan Li disrespected Qin Wan, she saw that Qin Wan didn’t mind, “Young Lady, shall we still tell Sister Caihe?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “Let it be. Keep her for now. We don’t need that many people working anyway.”
Fuling pressed her lips together, muttering, “Young Lady is too kind-hearted!”
Qin Wan patted her reassuringly. Fuling wanted to say more, but there was a knock at the door. She went out, and soon there was faint conversation. Though the four “Wan” maids had only spoken when bowing yesterday, Qin Wan still remembered their voices. The one coming now was Wan Tang.
The voice was distant, and Wan Tang kept it low, showing she truly understood proper etiquette.
Soon, Fuling returned, “Young Lady, someone came from the front courtyard. For the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, each courtyard needs to send someone to collect items. Who should we send from our courtyard?”
Qin Wan thought briefly, “Did anyone volunteer?”
Fuling looked slightly surprised, “How did Young Lady know… Wan Tao said she wanted to go…”
Qin Wan smiled and nodded, “Good, let her go then. Have her go with Wan Tang.”
When Fuling heard Qin Wan mention Wan Tang, she felt pleased that her recommendation had proven useful. She happily went out to relay the instructions. Soon, the sounds in the courtyard faded from near to far, then quieted down.
Fuling returned saying, “Previously, the Mid-Autumn Festival had nothing to do with us, but things are different now.” She added expectantly, “The servant from the front court said all the servants have been gathered there. The mansion must be planning grand decorations.”
Qin Wan’s hands paused, “Everyone’s gathered in the front court?”
Fuling nodded, “Yes, what’s wrong, Young Lady?”
Qin Wan glanced at the medicine powder before her, “I’m running low on medicine. I need to get more.”
“Oh? What do you need, Young Lady? I’ll go get it.”
Qin Wan stood up, “I’ll get it myself. You stay here and grind this Red Peony for me.”
Fuling hesitated to speak, but Qin Wan rubbed her neck, “I’ve been sitting too long and my neck is stiff. I’ll take a walk.”
Fuling started to protest, “Then let me accompany you. We can grind the medicine later.”
“Your Young Lady knows the way.” Qin Wan laughed, patted the creases in her dress, and walked out. “Make sure to grind the Red Peony very fine. No slacking off – I’ll check when I return!”
Fuling gave a brief acknowledgment, thinking that since it was broad daylight and the medicine storehouse wasn’t far, she swallowed her concerns.
Leaving the main hall, Qin Wan noticed the side room’s door was half-closed. Her expression turned serious as she quickly left the courtyard. Though her face remained calm, her steps were rapid as she surveyed her surroundings. Indeed, the usually busy inner courtyard was empty of servants. Qin Wan’s mind focused – her footsteps quickened further. With so many people and affairs in the Qin mansion, the servants couldn’t be gathered for long. They would likely return to their posts soon. She had to hurry!
Qin Wan walked briskly. Given the Ninth Young Lady’s still-weakened body, she soon began to sweat. Ignoring this, she headed straight east. Though she’d said she was going for medicine, when she reached the fork leading to the medicine storehouse, she didn’t turn as before but continued further east. Soon she passed the Concubines’ Court but still didn’t stop. She chose a secluded path heading straight for the Purple Bamboo Grove… This path she’d discovered when following someone to check on the well cleaning!
Having missed the previous opportunity, she was determined to seize this rare chance no matter what.
Qin Wan’s eyes darted around, fearing someone might suddenly appear. Being discovered here now would be even more suspicious than during her normal visits. Though the chance of discovery was lower, if she was found, the consequences would be severe. Qin Wan’s heart was in her throat.
The bamboo fragrance wafted gently. Before reaching the Purple Bamboo Grove, Qin Wan saw some yellowed bamboo leaves blown by the wind. Soon the grove was before her. Qin Wan steeled herself, about to stride in when suddenly a figure flashed out from the distant grove. Qin Wan stopped abruptly, hastily retreating…
Qin Wan hid in a side corridor not far from the Purple Bamboo Grove. The figure emerging from the grove became gradually clearer. Among the verdant bamboo, the figure in a water-red dress appeared delicate yet vulgar. Though no one was around, the person still walked with an affected sway, and Qin Wan could imagine the white powder falling from their face with each step…
The person coming from the Purple Bamboo Grove was Eighth Concubine Liu!
The Purple Bamboo Grove was forbidden ground in the mansion – Liu couldn’t possibly know this after years in the household. So why would she take advantage of all the servants being in the front court to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove?
Qin Wan watched intently. Concubine Liu’s face showed anxiety as she walked quickly, eyes carefully scanning her surroundings, appearing frightened of discovery. Qin Wan pressed her lips together – she had come to the grove to find the killer, but what was Eighth Concubine doing there? Frowning, Qin Wan suddenly noticed something odd about the Eighth Concubine’s hands…
One hand was curved before her body, while the other tightly gripped her sleeve pocket… Qin Wan was certain Eighth Concubine must be hiding something in her sleeve. Had she gone to the Purple Bamboo Grove to retrieve something?
What treasure could be hidden in that gloomy bamboo grove?
As Qin Wan pondered this, she saw the Eighth Concubine walking in her direction…
Qin Wan’s heart sank – the Eighth Concubine was also using this secluded path. She had no choice but to retreat further. Qin Wan moved even faster, as the Eighth Concubine, despite her affected gait, was moving much quicker than her. Qin Wan jogged backward until she reached south of the Concubines’ Court before stopping to catch her breath.
Turning to look, she saw the Eighth Concubine sneaking back to the Concubines’ Court.
With all this going and waiting and retreating, Qin Wan had missed her best opportunity. She caught her breath, still unwilling to give up as she watched the distant Purple Bamboo Grove. Was it just the Eighth Concubine? Would anyone else emerge?
Qin Wan stood quietly waiting behind a flowering wall. After waiting another half hour or so, the Purple Bamboo Grove remained silent. Hadn’t Eighth Concubine gone to meet someone? Had she just gone to retrieve something?
Qin Wan’s heart raced. She desperately wanted to run over and look now, but too much time had passed, and the grove was vast. After a moment’s consideration, Qin Wan abandoned the idea of returning to the Purple Bamboo Grove now.
This visit wasn’t entirely fruitless – at least she’d discovered another person who went to the Purple Bamboo Grove.
Though everyone said the Purple Bamboo Grove was haunted and forbidden, people still went in…
As Qin Wan pondered this while turning around, she suddenly froze mid-turn!
She saw someone who shouldn’t have been there…
She had been hiding behind the flowering wall, watching the Purple Bamboo Grove rather furtively, yet at the corridor corner five zhang ahead of her, Wan Xing stood in her blue dress.
She still had her hunched shoulders and lowered eyes, appearing wooden and nervous.
Seeing Qin Wan turn, Wan Xing curtsied, “Ninth Young Lady, this servant came to find you to return…”
Qin Wan’s heart pounded as she pressed her lips together and walked toward Wan Xing. Stopping before her, she asked, “Who sent you to follow me…”
Her voice carried a chill, and Wan Xing lowered her head even further.
“Madam arrived just after you left. Sister Fuling sent this servant to find you.”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes at her for a moment before stepping toward Tinglan Court. As she walked, she glanced back at Wan Xing, who kept her head so low it seemed she wanted to bury it in the ground.
Qin Wan said nothing and strode back to Tinglan Court. As she approached the entrance, she paused again.
At Tinglan Court’s gate stood not only Lady Lin, but also Qin Xiang, Qin Chen, and Qin Li. Fuling stood nervously to the side, her face brightening upon seeing Qin Wan’s return.
“Wan’er, you said you went to get medicine. Why were you gone so long—”
Lady Lin questioned as soon as she saw Qin Wan, though her tone wasn’t harsh despite the mild rebuke. Qin Wan hurried forward and curtsied, “I apologize for keeping Madam waiting. I was preparing medicine for the Princess of the Marquis’s household, so I didn’t dare be careless.”
Qin Li’s narrow eyes narrowed further as he glanced at Qin Wan, while Qin Xiang looked at her with slight displeasure.
Qin Chen stepped forward with a smile, “Why are you sweating? Did you rush back?”
Qin Wan’s heart tightened, but before she could speak, Wan Xing woodenly said from behind, “Ninth Young Lady was waiting for Doctor Qian at the medicine storehouse. When she heard Madam had arrived, she hurried back without delay.”
Qin Wan’s back stiffened. She hadn’t gone to the medicine storehouse at all, nor had she waited for Qian Bairen.
She knew this, and Wan Xing should have known it too.
Qin Chen smiled, “Doctor Qian also went to the front court. Your timing was off.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, her voice remaining calm and composed, “I’m afraid I’ll have to make another trip later…”
Lady Lin stepped forward gracefully, “No need to go yourself. Let a servant go later. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Old Madam has instructed new autumn clothes to be made for all of you. We’re going to Jin Xiu Workshop in the city now.”
Being taken by Lady Lin to Jin Xiu Workshop for clothes was no ordinary treatment!
Fuling’s eyes already sparkled with excitement. Qin Wan curtsied and smiled, “Thank you, Madam.”
Lady Lin smiled without speaking and walked ahead with Qin Xiang. As Qin Wan followed, she glanced back.
Wan Xing stood in place, still looking as if she wanted to bury her head in the ground.