The Jinxiu Workshop in Jinzhou shared the same prestigious reputation as its counterpart in the capital. As soon as the Qin family alighted from their carriage, servants came forward to welcome them. Upon entering the shop, the shopkeeper emerged from behind the counter.
“Oh, Madam Qin has arrived! Please, sit here. Bring tea—”
Lady Lin was escorted to the guest seats. The shopkeeper then proceeded to shower Master Qin and Qin Chen with compliments. Suddenly, he asked, “Young Master, how does the Young Mistress like the sapphire headdress ordered here last time?”
Qin Chen’s lips curved into a slight smile as he turned to look at Qin Wan. “I haven’t seen Ninth Sister wearing it.”
The shopkeeper appeared puzzled. Qin Wan pressed her lips together and said, “It was too precious, so I haven’t worn it.”
Being shrewd, the shopkeeper immediately understood. “Ah, so Young Master and Young Mistress gifted it to this beauty. That sapphire set was of the finest quality, worthy of adorning either Young Mistress or Ninth Miss.”
Qin Chen smiled broadly. “Today, my siblings and I are here to have autumn clothes made. Shopkeeper, please arrange the staff.”
The shopkeeper readily agreed and turned to instruct the shop assistants.
Meanwhile, Lady Lin said, “After measuring for clothes, Chen’er, go arrange tomorrow’s lake boat.” She then turned to Qin Wan, “Tomorrow afternoon, Wan’er will join Xiang’er at Lishui Lake. This will be your first Mid-Autumn Festival celebration.”
Qin Wan, unaware that Lady Lin would let her accompany Qin Xiang this year, quickly said, “Third Aunt, yesterday at the Marquis’s mansion, the Marquis and his wife also invited me. I had already accepted, not knowing the family’s arrangements.”
Lady Lin looked slightly surprised. “Wan’er will be joining the An Yang Marquis’s boat?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes, they will come to pick me up tomorrow afternoon.”
Just as Lady Lin was about to nod, Qin Xiang interjected, “Mother, others have already climbed up to the high branch of the Marquis’s family, why bother considering her for our arrangements? Since she has the Marquis’s invitation, she surely won’t look down upon our small boat.”
“Xiang’er!” Lady Lin reprimanded softly. Qin Xiang merely snorted and turned away.
Lady Lin smiled at Qin Wan, “Since you’ve accepted the Marquis’s invitation, you should certainly go. Start preparing early tomorrow.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, I understand.”
Lady Lin seemed quite satisfied and curved her lips without further comment.
Knowing the discord between Qin Xiang and Qin Wan, Lady Lin first sent Qin Xiang in for measurements. Meanwhile, Qin Chen was invited to the men’s fitting room. As Lady Lin sipped tea nearby, Second Young Master Qin slowly approached Qin Wan.
“Where did Ninth Sister go earlier?” Second Young Master Qin immediately pressed Qin Wan.
Qin Wan maintained her composure. “Naturally, I went to the medicine storage to get medicine.”
Second Young Master Qin smiled, his narrow eyes slightly squinting. “Really? Your maid left quickly, and when you returned, there was still sweat on your face. If you had both walked quickly, it wouldn’t have taken us so long to wait.”
Qin Wan remained unperturbed. “Second Brother notices such details. You’re not wrong, but it wasn’t because I went elsewhere. After my maid came to inform me, I waited a while before heading to Tinglan Court.”
Second Young Master Qin raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lady Lin nearby. “When an elder summons, you dare to delay?”
Qin Wan’s eyes showed indifference. “I assumed it wasn’t urgent, so I prioritized getting the medicine.”
Second Young Master Qin raised his eyebrows again, clearly not expecting such a response from Qin Wan. He laughed softly, “I thought you would keep playing the obedient one. You’re not entirely without resentment.”
Qin Wan lifted her chin slightly. “If it were Second Brother, would you be without resentment?”
Second Young Master Qin shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t just feel resentment, I might even seek revenge.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, but she remained silent.
When Qin Chen came out, he saw Second Young Master Qin and Qin Wan talking. He frowned and approached them. “Second Brother, it’s your turn.”
Second Young Master Qin seemed unafraid of Qin Chen. After glancing at Qin Wan one last time, he responded and went to the inner room. Qin Chen walked to Qin Wan’s side. “What was he saying to you just now?”
Qin Wan smiled wryly. “He asked why I was so late earlier.”
Qin Chen blinked. “Earlier? Oh, we did wait a while. Was he scolding you?”
Shaking her head, Qin Wan spoke with some lightness in her tone. “No, he just asked where I went. I explained that after hearing from Wan Xing, I waited a while for Doctor Qian before coming out.”
She continued, showing some discomfort, “I didn’t know why Madam was looking for me, and I wanted to prepare the medicine quickly.”
Qin Chen’s smile widened. “You…” He glanced at Lady Lin and lowered his voice, “Though, in the past, I also liked to dawdle when Mother called for me.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan felt genuine amusement towards her eldest brother.
But in the next moment, Qin Chen suddenly fixed his gaze on her and said, “Your Second Brother usually lacks proper behavior. You should keep your distance from him.”
A strange thought flashed through Qin Wan’s mind, but before she could grasp it, it vanished. Qin Wan felt a moment of emptiness, recalling Eighth Concubine emerging from the bamboo grove that morning. Could that fleeting thought have been connected to Eighth Concubine?
“Ninth Sister, what’s wrong?”
Seeing Qin Wan lost in thought, Qin Chen asked again.
Qin Wan quickly came back to herself, shaking her head. “It’s nothing, Elder Brother. Don’t worry, I understand.”
Qin Chen’s eyes showed satisfaction. Meanwhile, Qin Xiang had finished her measurements, and the assistant invited Lady Lin in. Seeing Qin Wan talking with Qin Chen, Lady Lin went in supported by Qin Xiang. As Lady Lin entered, Second Young Master Qin came out while putting on his outer robe.
Second Young Master Qin walked towards Qin Wan while dressing. Qin Wan glanced at him casually but suddenly frowned.
Second Young Master Qin wore a standing-collar diagonal-front male robe today. While the robe covered his neck completely when properly worn, as he approached while dressing, Qin Wan saw a flash of red swelling on his neck. The swelling appeared ulcerated, strongly resembling a disease Qin Wan had studied before.
Qin Wan’s brows remained furrowed as she watched Second Young Master Qin approach.
But how could Second Young Master Qin have contracted such a disease?