When Qin Wan listened to Magistrate Huo Huaixin’s words, her eyes widened for a moment. There was nothing unexpected – it matched her deductions, all within logical reasoning and expectations. Perhaps due to the numerous unsolved cases she had worked on with her father before, Qin Wan felt somewhat unsatisfied with this result that was both logical and anticipated. However, as soon as this thought emerged, she shook her head at herself inwardly.
The world’s mysterious cases were varied and strange. Investigators should only follow evidence and facts. Making assumptions would naturally lead to bias. Qin Wan composed herself and asked, “So is the Magistrate planning to find the Wei family’s First Young Master now?”
Magistrate Huo nodded, “Indeed. We already had Young Master Wei draw a portrait of his elder brother. I will have it posted at all city gates soon. If we cannot find him in Jinzhou City, we’ll search in other counties.”
Since this was an official investigation, Qin Wan nodded, “Very well.” After a pause, she remembered the autopsy residue she had been drying overnight, “About what we brought back from the morgue yesterday, I haven’t yet identified what was extracted from the deceased’s stomach. I’ll inform Magistrate once I confirm what it is.”
Magistrate Huo smiled and nodded, “We are truly indebted to Ninth Miss this time. If not for your help, we would all still be in the dark. You were right – we should have done a thorough autopsy the first time. Rest assured, once this case is closed, this office will certainly present you with a grand gift…”
Qin Wan wasn’t doing this for any reward. Just as she was about to decline, Magistrate Huo clasped his hands and said, “This official must go attend to the case now. Ninth Miss, please go in – the Imperial Princess and Lady Marquis are inside.”
As Magistrate Huo was in a hurry, Qin Wan curtsied and watched him stride away. It seemed he was no longer interested in what she had brought back from the morgue – right now, the prime suspect was indeed the Wei family’s First Young Master.
Qin Wan slowly turned around, looking at the high walls and grand courtyard of the Anyang Marquis Manor. That day, the person wearing Song Rou’s second wedding dress moved freely through the manor, seemingly very familiar with its layout. Could First Young Master Wei have snuck in secretly?
“Miss, if Magistrate Huo catches First Young Master Wei, will this case be resolved?” Fuling asked softly.
Walking inside, Qin Wan shook her head, “Not necessarily. He needs to confess himself.”
Fuling frowned, “What if First Young Master Wei refuses to admit anything?”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, “Then we’ll have to let witness testimony and physical evidence speak. His denials will be useless.”
Fuling nodded, and Qin Wan entered the Imperial Princess’s courtyard. Lvyun led her into the main hall and directly to the inner chamber.
Upon entering, she saw the Imperial Princess sighing repeatedly. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, she quickly extended her hand, “Wan’er has come, quickly come sit beside me…”
Qin Wan curtsied and then sat beside the Imperial Princess. Madam Jiang spoke from the side, “Wan’er, please check on Mother. She hasn’t been feeling well since receiving news from Prince Ti.”
Qin Wan understood. Although Song Rou’s pregnancy had been confirmed earlier, now that Wei Yan’s words were proven true, the Imperial Princess was even more furious. The man who had been intimate with Song Rou was the State Duke Song’s grandson – the entire Song family held no respect for the Anyang Marquis Manor.
Qin Wan first checked the Imperial Princess’s pulse, then gently rubbed her back, “Madam, please don’t worry. The Imperial Princess’s condition has improved significantly. Her wounds have healed, and she should be fully recovered in seven or eight days.”
Madam Jiang finally relaxed slightly upon hearing this.
Many people were seated in the room. Yan Chi sat in the first position on the left, while the three Yue siblings were also present. Yue Qiong, sitting in the first position on the right, sighed, “We’ve been away from the capital for many years. The Anyang Marquis Manor has fallen from their view.”
The Imperial Princess held Qin Wan’s hand, indicating she need not continue rubbing her back, and smiled slightly, “I’m still here. They may have risen to power, but I want to see how they handle this matter! Just send a letter to the capital, straight to His Majesty’s desk. Let him see the cause and effect of this situation. If there’s no satisfactory explanation, I’ll personally return to the capital to question him!”
“Mother, are we going to inform His Majesty?” Yue Qiong showed some hesitation. The Imperial Princess laughed coldly, “I want to ask whether this was his intention or someone else’s. The Anyang Marquis Manor has been loyal for generations – is this how he chooses to shame us?”
Hearing this, Yue Qiong knew the Imperial Princess had made up her mind and nodded, “Son understands.”
The Imperial Princess exhaled, “If His Majesty is reasonable, he will settle this matter himself…” She turned to Yan Chi, “Little Seven, you were nearly implicated in this, and we used your people. This favor, your Grand-Aunt owes you… If you ever need anything from me, just ask.”
Yan Chi’s lips curved upward, his phoenix eyes gleaming with cunning mischief, “Grand-Aunt’s words, Yan Chi will remember well.”
The Imperial Princess broke into a smile and let out a breath, “Though these words shouldn’t be said, in the end, this marriage didn’t happen. Let Magistrate Huo investigate their State Duke Manor’s dirty business. We’ve fulfilled our proper etiquette. Once this matter is concluded, we’ll have nothing more to do with the Song family!”
Yue Qiong and Madam Jiang both agreed. The Imperial Princess, still recovering from illness, grew tired after speaking briefly. Qin Wan and the others immediately withdrew, and Yue Ning naturally invited Qin Wan to her courtyard.
“Did you meet Magistrate Huo when you came in earlier?”
“Yes, I did,” Qin Wan nodded. “The Magistrate seems very confident.”
Yue Ning nodded, “Indeed. Prince Ti’s information came at just the right time. If we can find Young Master Wei, things will become much clearer.”
After entering the courtyard, Lvqi, Yue Ning’s attendant, went to brew tea. Yue Ning invited Qin Wan to sit on the long couch by the window and noticed her slightly furrowed brows as if troubled by something. “What are you thinking about? The case is about to be solved, why do you still look worried?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “During the previous autopsy, I took something back to the Qin residence. I spent all night thinking but couldn’t figure out what it was. I’m just a bit troubled about that.”
Lvqi brought the tea, and Yue Ning handed Qin Wan a cup, “What kind of thing?”
Qin Wan didn’t answer immediately, waiting until Lvqi had left before saying, “Something extracted from Song Rou’s stomach.”
Yue Ning’s hand paused her motion to drink tea stopping momentarily. After a moment, she lowered her head and took a small sip, “What do you think it is? Is there something suspicious about it? Now that Prince Ti’s information has arrived, the case seems clear. You needn’t worry about these things.”
Qin Wan smiled and took a sip of tea as well, “The case is the case. I just need to make everything I’m responsible for absolutely clear. If I can’t figure this out, I’m afraid I’ll always have this knot in my heart.”
Yue Ning’s eyes flickered, “What’s your reasoning about this? Tell me.”
After spending so much time together, Yue Ning had grown very fond of Qin Wan’s personality. Having grown up in the capital before coming to Jinzhou, and disliking those delicate noble ladies, she, like Qin Wan, had no close female friends. Now that she had found a friend in Qin Wan, she naturally wanted to help share her burden when seeing her troubled.
Qin Wan, meeting her eyes, felt warmth in her heart. She put down her teacup and said, “There’s no grand logic to it. It’s just that the food people eat usually gets digested quickly and disappears. But Song Rou had been dead for nine days, and there were still remnants in her stomach. I suspect those things couldn’t have been food, but if not food, then what were they?”
Yue Ning’s eyes flickered, “Could it be poison?”
Qin Wan laughed, “Certainly not poison. I can at least distinguish that much.”
Yue Ning sat upright with casual grace, tapping the table edge rhythmically. Suddenly, she lifted her chin, “Where is this thing now?”
“It’s in my room. I haven’t had time to examine it carefully yet.”
Yue Ning immediately stood up, “Let’s go to the Qin residence and take a look. You’ve made me curious about what this strange thing could be.”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised, “Princess, you want to go? Aren’t you… disgusted?”
It was something taken from a dead person, not to mention extracted from someone’s stomach – truly unclean and inauspicious. But Yue Ning couldn’t help but laugh, “What’s there to be disgusted about? If you could extract it and bring it home, how could I not bear to look at it?”
Qin Wan felt relieved and nodded, “Alright then, Princess can come with me.”
Yue Ning was a person of swift action. Once the idea occurred, she immediately ordered a carriage prepared. This time, instead of having Bai Feng escort Qin Wan, Yue Ning directly instructed the manor’s gatekeepers, and the marquis’s guards would escort them.
In the carriage, Yue Ning asked, “Where is your family’s Sixth Miss?”
Qin Wan smiled slightly, “Princess need not worry. The Old Madam truly punished her – she’s confined to her quarters now.”
Yue Ning snorted lightly, “That’s more like it.” Then she sighed, “But speaking of which, I did wrongly suspect Prince Ti. It was my fault. When I saw him writing with his left hand, I was stunned for a moment. I clearly remember him using his right hand when sparring with my second brother. I wondered why he suddenly used his left hand and thought perhaps he was trying to conceal something…”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, “Most people are naturally right-handed, but there are also very few who are naturally left-handed.” After a pause, she continued, “But this isn’t absolute. With practice, one can train either hand. Some people can even use both hands equally well. Such people might be more clever than average – Prince Ti might be one of them.”
“What’s so good about using the left hand?” Yue Ning pulled back the curtain to survey the street outside. “I once heard Lu Qi say that in her hometown, left-handed children weren’t allowed to attend school. They could only do the most menial work. And according to the servant-buying matron in our household, no matter how skilled a left-handed girl might be at her work, wealthy families wouldn’t take her.”
Being left-handed already made one an oddity, and according to Da Zhou customs, it also carried connotations of being inauspicious and improper. Any child from a wealthy family who was left-handed would certainly be corrected, like the eldest young master of the Wei family. The sad truth was that social customs weren’t always right, but sometimes one had to conform even knowing they were wrong.
“For Prince Chi, using either left or right hand probably makes no difference.”
Having previously misunderstood Yan Chi, Yue Ning’s tone was now much friendlier. “Perhaps so. Besides, with his status and position, no one would dare criticize him. And given his personality, he probably wouldn’t care anyway.”
The carriage sped through the main street of Jin Zhou City, soon stopping in front of the Qin residence. When Qin Wan led Yue Ning into the mansion, the doorkeeper immediately went to the main courtyard to announce the Young Princess’s arrival upon seeing her. Yue Ning paid no attention to this and went straight to Ting Lan Court with Qin Wan. Upon entering the courtyard, Yue Ning clicked her tongue and asked, “I hear this is your new courtyard?”
Qin Wan nodded, leading her into the main room. “Yes, it’s much better than before.”
Yue Ning snorted and sat down, waiting for Fu Ling to serve tea. Meanwhile, Qin Wan went into the inner chamber and soon emerged with a small silk-wrapped package. Qin Wan had Fu Ling close the door before opening the silk wrapper.
After a night had passed, the silk still carried an unpleasant odor, but Yue Ning maintained a neutral expression. When Qin Wan opened it, she leaned in to look. Inside the white silk was a black mass, its true nature indiscernible from the color alone.
Qin Wan frowned as well. “It seems we’ll need to wash it several more times…”
“Wash it?” Yue Ning’s expression showed some disappointment. “This color looks like kitchen waste left unattended for days… It’s so rotten you can’t even tell what it is…”
Qin Wan shook her head and instructed Fu Ling to bring a white porcelain bowl. She placed the unidentified mass inside, added clear water, and after stirring, the filth slowly seeped into the water. She poured out the water and repeated this process several times, but even then, it remained difficult to identify…
Suddenly, Qin Wan’s eyes lit up. “Let’s use alum.”
Yue Ning blinked. “Alum? What can alum do?”
Qin Wan stood up and instructed Fu Ling, “Go tell Wan Ying to get some alum from the medicine room.”
Fu Ling didn’t understand why Qin Wan sent Wan Ying, but such errands weren’t a big deal. After Fu Ling left, Qin Wan returned and said softly, “Alum can purify water. I’ll soak this thing in alum – if one night isn’t enough, I’ll soak it for two. It will make the color fade more.”
Yue Ning blinked at Qin Wan. “Will this work?”
Qin Wan smiled, “It doesn’t hurt to try—”
Yue Ning thought for a moment and smiled too. “Alright, I’ll help you soak it. I’ll come to see tomorrow, and the day after too, to see what this thing is. Though speaking of which, Song Rou is a noble lady – she wouldn’t carelessly eat something strange, would she?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “We’ll only know once our method works.”
Yue Ning wasn’t one for typical feminine pastimes or activities, but she found herself intrigued by Qin Wan’s unusual method of investigating the mysterious substance. Wan Ying returned quickly, and when Fu Ling brought in the alum, Qin Wan had already prepared a larger white porcelain bowl. She first washed the alum, then placed both it and the mysterious substance together in the bowl, covered it with a lid, and waited until the next day to see if it worked.
After finishing these preparations, Yue Ning and Qin Wan finally sat down for tea. Yue Ning asked curiously, “How did you know alum could purify water? I only knew it was used in nail dye for women, but I don’t understand the principle.”
While pouring tea for Yue Ning, Qin Wan explained, “I learned it from medical texts. Alum is used in nail dye to help extract more color from henna or other plants. Similarly, when cooking mung bean soup, adding alum helps the beans break down more easily, making the soup thicker – it works the same way as with nail dye.”
She paused briefly, then furrowed her brow. “However, long-term use can cause poisoning, so mung bean soup with alum shouldn’t be consumed. It has a sour taste and cold nature, being astringent and drying. It can treat heat toxins, diarrhea, women’s discharge, malignant sores, and eye pain, and can even strengthen teeth and remove nasal polyps. It’s a valuable medicine commonly stocked in pharmacies.”
Yue Ning’s eyes widened, looking at Qin Wan with admiration. “Can you explain any medicine in such detail?”
Qin Wan laughed helplessly. “Of course not. Medicine is vast and profound – I only know a fraction.”
Yue Ning shook her head and sighed, “I see I was too arrogant before. Most noble ladies are well-versed in ‘Female Virtues’ and ‘Female Precepts,’ at most reading the Four Books and Five Classics. Even those who study medicine rarely know as much as you do at such a young age. Qin Wan, I truly underestimated you…”
Given Yue Ning’s straightforward personality, speaking this way meant she was being completely open with Qin Wan. Qin Wan smiled while pouring her more tea. “Princess’s martial prowess is admirable – it’s natural to have some pride. Perhaps I simply spent more effort on medicine because I enjoy it, just as you excel in martial arts because you enjoy them.”
Yue Ning smiled, her expression bright and forthright. This was her first visit to Qin Wan’s chambers. After setting down her teacup, she explored the rooms, from the warm chamber to the study, asking various questions about medicine along the way. Seeing Qin Wan answer everything with ease, she grew even more impressed, developing a respect quite different from the typical friendship between young ladies.
After spending over an hour this way, seeing it was getting late, Yue Ning finally bid farewell. Qin Wan personally escorted her out. Just as they left Ting Lan Court’s yard, they saw Lady Lin waiting outside with Qin Xiang. Upon seeing the mother and daughter, Yue Ning was slightly surprised. Though she held high status, she still gave a slight curtsy out of respect for Lady Lin as Qin Wan’s elder.
“Madam, why are you here—”
“This humble one greets the Princess.” Lady Lin curtsied, then looked at Qin Xiang, who lowered her eyes and stiffly gave Yue Ning a bow.
Lady Lin then said, “Learning that the Princess had entered the mansion with Wan’er, I wanted to come to pay respects immediately but thinking you two might have private matters to discuss, I dared not disturb. Princess, are you leaving now? Why not stay for dinner?”
Yue Ning’s lips curved slightly, finally showing some warmth. “I wouldn’t dare impose. I’ve talked with Ninth Miss for quite a while, and should return now – Father and Mother are waiting for me.”
Hearing this, Lady Lin couldn’t insist further. Qin Wan, knowing Yue Ning disliked such formalities, stepped forward and said, “Third Aunt, the Princess isn’t particular about such ceremonies. I’ll see her to the gate – please go about your business.”
Lady Lin hesitated for a moment before nodding.
As soon as Qin Wan accompanied Yue Ning toward the west gate, Qin Xiang stomped her foot. “Mother, I told you there was no need to come pay respects. The Young Princess is about the same age as me, yet you had to bow to her!”
Lady Lin’s expression darkened. “What do you know?! Your Ninth Sister is now on good terms with the Marquis’s household. We need to take this opportunity to establish good relations with them for your brother’s future career. With your father in such poor health, can we rely solely on the capital’s Marquis household? I see that An Yang Marquis’s household treats your Ninth Sister much better than those in the capital. Your brother said the other day that your Ninth Sister mentioned Princess Tai Long is willing to write a letter for him when he enters the capital!”
Qin Xiang listened impatiently to Lady Lin’s words. She wanted to argue but held back for Qin Chen’s sake.
Lady Lin continued, “All of this is due to your Ninth Sister’s influence. Remember this – from now on, don’t give your Ninth Sister any trouble. Your grandmother feels the same way. Please give your mother some peace of mind.”
Qin Xiang bit her lip. “I understand. For brother’s sake, I won’t cause trouble.” After a pause, she added, “But what illness does father have? Why haven’t we called for a doctor? Or don’t we have a medical expert in our family?”
Lady Lin’s brows furrowed deeply, her tone carrying a hint of cold mockery, but she gave her daughter a warning look. “This is adult business. Don’t get involved and don’t ask questions.”
Qin Xiang protested, “Then, can I at least visit father? How can a daughter not visit when her father is ill?”
Lady Lin grabbed Qin Xiang and pulled her toward the east. “Your father’s illness is contagious. None of us can visit him!”
The harshness in her voice made Qin Xiang’s eyes tremble. She pressed her lips together, looking back at Ting Lan Court with complex emotions before being reluctantly pulled away by Lady Lin…
Qin Wan escorted Yue Ning to the gate. The carriage waited at the street corner, and Qin Wan walked with Yue Ning toward it. “Princess Tai Long’s illness isn’t serious now, she just needs proper care. It’s autumn, and the south isn’t too dry yet. If she were in the capital, that would be more worrisome.”
“Grandmother is overly worried because of this case. Once it’s resolved, she’ll be fine.” Yue Ning responded to Qin Wan’s words. Just as they were about to reach the carriage, she suddenly stopped. Qin Wan looked up in confusion, only to see Yue Ning staring intently at the corner of the street. Qin Wan frowned, “What’s wrong?”
As she asked, Qin Wan followed Yue Ning’s gaze. Upon looking, her brows also furrowed.
At another street corner about ten lengths away, a man in an azure-blue robe stood there, half-hidden behind the wall, showing only half his body and face. They were too far to make out his features, but Qin Wan could feel his gaze, almost tangible, fixed upon her and Yue Ning.
“Who is that—”
Before Qin Wan could finish speaking, the man had already alertly withdrawn behind the corner.
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed, while beside her, Yue Ning had already darted forward like a leopard. Seeing this, Qin Wan hurriedly followed, having to run while Yue Ning reached the corner in an instant. But Qin Wan only saw Yue Ning standing motionless at the corner. She quickly caught up, only to find four or five pedestrians moving about on the street beyond, but no man in an azure-blue robe.
Slightly out of breath from running, Qin Wan asked, “Princess, did you recognize that person?”
Yue Ning shook her head. “No.”
She then added puzzledly, “When I first noticed him, I felt his gaze was too strange. It wasn’t exactly malicious, but it wasn’t the look of a regular passerby.”
Qin Wan frowned, turning to look at the Qin mansion’s gate.
From her angle, she could see people entering and leaving the mansion’s side gate.
“Could it be someone who has a dispute with the Qin family?”
Yue Ning looked back as well, then nodded. “That’s certainly possible.” She then looked at Qin Wan seriously. “Tomorrow morning, still have Bai Feng come pick you up. I’ll tell Prince Chi about this when I return – don’t go out alone.”
Qin Wan nodded, “I understand, Princess. I definitely won’t.”
Only then did Yue Ning relax. “Also tell your gatekeepers to be more vigilant.”
Qin Wan agreed again, and Yue Ning turned to walk to the carriage. After Yue Ning left in her carriage, Qin Wan’s expression grew serious. Fu Ling, who had been following all along, finally spoke, “Miss, was that man bad?”
“I don’t know if he’s good or bad,” Qin Wan turned back toward the gate, “but such sneaking around usually isn’t a good sign.”
Before reaching the gate, Qin Wan instructed the gatekeepers as Yue Ning had suggested. Though they didn’t dare disrespect Qin Wan, they wouldn’t treat her words as imperial edicts either – they merely showed superficial respect before returning to their lazy ways. Anticipating this result, Qin Wan didn’t place much hope in these gatekeepers and headed straight to Ting Lan Court.
Back in her courtyard, Qin Wan went to the inner chamber and lifted the white porcelain bowl’s lid – sure enough, the mass had lightened somewhat in color.
Seeing Fu Ling follow to look, Qin Wan asked directly, “What does this look like to you?”
Fu Ling blinked. “Like crumpled willow catkins… or like a dirty, rotten cotton rag, or maybe something moldy… ah, this servant can’t describe it…”
Qin Wan shook her head. “Song Rou wouldn’t swallow willow catkins or rags.” She replaced the lid. “Let’s soak it another night. It should be lighter tomorrow and might break apart more. It’s too difficult to tell now.”
Setting that aside, Qin Wan went to make new medicine for Yan Chi. Making his medicine had become routine these past few days. Though she thought he probably hadn’t used up his wound medicine yet, she was going to the Marquis’s mansion tomorrow, so making extra couldn’t hurt. Besides, hadn’t Yan Chi said he’d only stay in Jin Zhou for seven days? Was this the fourth or fifth day already?
She would return to the capital, but these might be among the last few times she’d see Yan Chi. He would surely go to guard Shuo Xi, and she didn’t know when she’d return to the capital. They were two unrelated people, after all, so there was nothing worth sighing about. As she thought this, Qin Wan looked up and saw her orchid lantern hanging in the warm chamber.
Where had her Xie Zhi mask gone?
After dinner, Qin Wan read for a while before retiring. Before bed, Fu Ling went out to check the courtyard. When she returned, she said, “Miss, they’re performing rituals in the main courtyard again…”
Qin Wan was already lying down. Hearing this, she frowned. “Which day of rituals is this?”
“The third day,” Fu Ling answered while extinguishing the corner lamp. “The Old Madam loves these things. Back then, when you escaped great misfortune – which was a good thing – she still had them perform seven full days of rituals for us.”
Qin Wan remained silent, but she understood that her Third Uncle’s illness must not be minor. Not only was it serious, but it was also an “unclean” illness.
The Qin family head’s illness didn’t affect Qin Wan’s sleep. She hadn’t had nightmares for several days and slept soundly, her spirits improving. This morning she rose early with the dawn and walked around the courtyard until she worked up a light sweat before resting. The Ninth Miss’s body was too weak – she needed to find ways to strengthen it.
After breakfast, just as Qin Wan finished preparing the medicine for Yan Chi, the gatekeeper announced that someone from the Marquis’s mansion had arrived to escort her.
As usual, Qin Wan took Fu Ling and headed out. Before leaving, she checked the white porcelain bowl one last time. As expected, in the clear water, the unknown substance – whether willow catkins or cotton rag – had grown lighter. Reassured, Qin Wan hurried to the gate.
Sure enough, Bai Feng stood outside. Qin Wan felt relieved and quickly walked out. Bai Feng greeted her respectfully and invited her into the carriage. Only after boarding did Qin Wan’s heart settle. After a moment’s hesitation, she lifted the curtain to look toward the distant corner. With a sigh of relief, she saw no one watching today.
Bai Feng knew nothing of these matters and simply cracked his whip, leaving the Qin mansion as usual. Along the way, Qin Wan kept thinking about whether the mysterious substance would reveal its true nature today. She only came to her senses when the carriage stopped at the Marquis’s gate. As she alighted, Lu Xiu was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing Qin Wan appear, she warmly came forward to greet her.
Today Qin Wan wore a smoke-blue pleated dress embroidered with orchids and kingfisher feathers, with a matching shawl. Her jet-black hair was styled in a crescent bun with a white jade ornament from the Jiang family slanted through it. She looked elegant and dignified, her skirts flowing like mist as she moved. Qin Wan carried an inexplicable air of ethereal grace. Lu Xiu had been stunned by Qin Wan’s beauty when they first met, and even after seeing her many times, she still needed a moment to react.
Qin Wan was only sixteen, just like a flower beginning to bloom. When they’d first met on the street, she’d carried an air of cold frailty, but now, though the change was subtle, her entire bearing had become more noble and striking.
“Ninth Miss, please come in. Princess Tai Long has been waiting.”
Qin Wan smiled. After many visits and with the care shown by the Marquis’s household, she felt much more at ease now.
As Qin Wan stepped onto the stairs, about to enter, she suddenly stopped.
That feeling of being watched had returned!
She whirled around to look at a teahouse not far from the Marquis’s mansion. She felt certain that uncomfortable gaze came from there, but when she looked, both the first and second floors had their doors and windows tightly shut. The moment she turned, that unsettling sensation of being watched vanished.
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed tightly.
“Ninth Miss, what’s wrong?”
Lu Xiu asked uncertainly. Qin Wan turned back, shaking her head. “Nothing.”
She entered the gate with a slight smile. Lu Xiu glanced at the teahouse but, seeing nothing amiss, followed her in.
Qin Wan headed toward Princess Tai Long’s courtyard as usual, but passing through the front courtyard, she saw Xu He carrying a large box!
Xu He spotted Qin Wan immediately and hurried forward to bow and greet her.
“Greetings to Ninth Miss! This humble one pays his respects—”
Qin Wan couldn’t help but smile. “Why are you here? Is the Magistrate here too?”
Xu He nodded quickly. “Yes, yesterday the Magistrate had Wei family’s eldest young master’s portrait posted around the city, but there haven’t been any leads. So today he came to have Young Master Wei draw a new one and to question Song family’s guards again, this time all about Young Master Wei’s matters. I’m here to help.”
Though Xu He was a coroner, he was inexperienced and often worked as a general helper in the yamen. When they were short-handed, he would be called to help. Unlike ordinary yamen runners, he could read and write, which allowed him to help organize and copy official documents. Even though this autopsy had relied entirely on Qin Wan, Huo Huai Xin hadn’t dismissed him.
Qin Wan nodded, then looked at Xu He’s box. “You made a new box so quickly?”
Xu He had been wearing a normal expression, but hearing Qin Wan’s words, his eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. “Ninth Miss doesn’t know! This box wasn’t newly made by me – the thief had a change of heart and returned it!”
Qin Wan was startled. “Returned it?!”
Xu He nodded eagerly, and to prove it was the original box, he opened the lid.
“Look, you’ve seen all these tools before. It’s the original box, everything’s inside, even… even this humble one’s personal belongings, the thief returned those too…”
As he spoke, Xu He pulled something from his sleeve. “My personal belongings were returned, so I have money now. I can repay the money Ninth Miss gave me.”
He held out several taels of silver with both hands. “Thank you for your generosity, Ninth Miss.”
Qin Wan studied him for a moment, and seeing his sincerity, nodded to Fu Ling. Fu Ling stepped forward to take the silver, and Xu He finally relaxed and straightened up. “I was afraid Ninth Miss wouldn’t accept it. Thank you, Ninth Miss.”
Though Xu He was somewhat simple and straightforward, he was still a man who could read and write, and most educated men valued their “integrity.” So Qin Wan had never intended to simply give him the silver – since it was called a loan, she naturally accepted when he came to repay it. But what puzzled her was why his box had been returned.
“This thief seems quite chivalrous. Perhaps he realized that Coroner Xu isn’t wealthy and so returned the box?”
Qin Wan said teasingly. Xu He’s eyes sparkled. “That’s what I think too! He must have seen the contents and realized I’m just a poor man, took pity, and returned my box.”
Qin Wan nodded, but her doubts remained. “When was it returned?”
“Just this morning! My box was left at the Yamen gate. When the brothers on morning duty saw it, they said, ‘Isn’t this Xu He’s box?’ When I arrived at the yamen, they immediately returned it to me.”
Xu He looked delighted, but Qin Wan frowned. “Left at the yamen?”
Xu He nodded. “That’s right, he must have seen my autopsy reports and the official documents I copied for the yamen.”
Qin Wan’s frown deepened. The thief had stolen Xu He’s box in the busy market but returned it. Did Jin Zhou have some sort of noble thief? If so, how could they not tell poor from rich? Xu He’s box wasn’t exactly made of gold and jewels – there was no reason it would attract thieves. Yet Xu He had been targeted, and then had his box returned.
“Nothing at all was missing?”
Qin Wan couldn’t help but ask again. Xu He shook his head. “Nothing, I checked – the autopsy reports, documents, and tools are all there! But I find it strange that they dared to leave the box at the yamen gate. They weren’t afraid of being caught at all!”
Qin Wan nodded slowly. Xu He had a point – thieves traditionally feared and hated officials. Knowing Xu He was from the yamen, why would they return the box right to the yamen gate? Was it a taunt?
Seeing Qin Wan deep in thought, Xu He grew serious too. The incident was indeed strange, and Qin Wan must be pondering the details. Thinking this, Xu He suddenly remembered something. “Ninth Miss! Nothing is missing, but there is one odd thing – my box has many tools, but only the autopsy report has some strange substance on it. It smells quite peculiar, somewhat like medicine, but also like something rotten…”
Qin Wan’s eyebrows rose. “Let me see it—”
Xu He hurriedly opened the box for the report. Nearby, Lu Xiu and Fu Ling exchanged glances. Though they didn’t understand why Qin Wan was so interested in this matter, they didn’t dare interrupt. A moment later, Xu He handed the report to Qin Wan.
Qin Wan took it, and as soon as she caught the scent, her expression darkened…
Xu He quickly asked, “Does Ninth Miss recognize this smell?”
A dark light flashed in Qin Wan’s eyes, and her voice became unprecedentedly cold.
“It’s the smell of Jin Yu Xu Gu Gao.”