“Princess, look at this. What do you see?”
“Hmm?” Yue Ning turned her head to look at the tray. “What am I looking at?”
Qin Wan blinked and carefully examined the tray. She lifted it up and tilted it back and forth. As she did so, perhaps due to a change in the angle of light, something on the previously dull paper fragments suddenly glinted.
Yue Ning noticed it too. “Ah, I saw it. What was that…”
She grabbed Qin Wan’s hand and slowly pressed down on the tray. With this pressure, Qin Wan located the shining object. She picked up the paper fragment and held it up toward the window. Looking at it this way, the shining object became more apparent. “Is this… gold powder?”
“Gold powder?” Yue Ning leaned in, joining Qin Wan in examining the paper fragment.
The gray paper had deteriorated to just a thin layer, having lost all its original texture. However, in the middle of the fragment, there was an extremely fine, dust-like gold speck embedded within. If not for Qin Wan’s chance discovery, it would have been missed entirely.
“Song Rou died from having her head cut off, not from swallowing gold. How could there be gold powder in her stomach?”
Qin Wan’s fingertip brushed over the paper fragment. Her brows furrowed tightly as she shook her head. “No, it’s not gold powder…”
Deep contemplation flashed in her eyes, and suddenly they lit up. “I know now!”
Yue Ning quickly looked at her. “What do you know?”
“I know what kind of paper this is!”
Yue Ning was slightly startled. “You know what paper this is?”
Qin Wan nodded. “This is Ye Jin Paper!”
Yue Ning tilted her head in thought. “You mean the Ye Jin Paper known as Small Gold-Sprinkled Paper?”
Qin Wan nodded, and Yue Ning continued, “How do you know?”
Qin Wan pointed to the golden speck on the paper fragment. “This isn’t gold powder. If it were gold powder, we would have easily seen it when we first took it out. Look carefully – the color isn’t as bright as gold powder. This is orpiment.”
Yue Ning knew nothing of such things, having never heard of orpiment before. Qin Wan continued, “You know about Gold-Sprinkled Paper – it’s used by nobility. Even in wealthy households like the Qin Family, it’s only used for writing invitation cards during grand banquets. It’s never casually used for letters or calligraphy practice. While Ye Jin Paper is also more expensive than ordinary bamboo paper, it’s much cheaper than Gold-Sprinkled Paper. Ye Jin Paper comes from the south, where orpiment is abundant. This orpiment is used in making gold lacquer.”
Qin Wan’s eyes narrowed as if recalling something. “I once read in a book that when making Ye Jin Paper, they don’t directly dye it with orpiment because orpiment is too hard to blend with paper. Usually, they mix raw gold lacquer into the wood pulp before making it into paper. This paper, besides having a color similar to Gold-Sprinkled Paper, also has a faint lacquer tree fragrance. This fragrance is much lighter than pure lacquer, and when combined with the wood pulp scent, it’s very popular among ordinary nobility. There was a poem from the previous dynasty that went ‘One sheet of gold paper fragrant beneath the pillow,’ praising students who sleep with paper under their pillows while studying hard. Because Ye Jin Paper has this special fragrance, even in dreams they continue their studies and writing. Many people who see this poem think it refers to Gold-Sprinkled Paper, but it’s actually about Ye Jin Paper.”
As Qin Wan explained in detail, Yue Ning looked at her and sighed at how little she herself had read and learned.
“This… there are so many intricacies. It makes sense then – Ye Jin Paper is more common in the south, so it’s reasonable for someone to use it for writing letters.”
Yue Ning exhaled and continued, “Now you can finally rest easy. You’ve learned everything you wanted to know…”
Qin Wan nodded slightly, looking at the bundle of Ye Jin Paper still in the white porcelain cup, and shook her head. “Alright, we can throw away the rest. The ink marks are gone anyway, and the case has been settled.”
Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan with admiration in her eyes. “You really need to understand everything completely, don’t you?”
Qin Wan called for Fu Ling and instructed her to take away the white porcelain cup, then smiled and said, “In practicing medicine, if one doesn’t have this mindset, how can one handle difficult and complicated cases? Anything unclear or doubtful naturally needs to be understood thoroughly.”
Yue Ning was quite impressed. “I’ve never met someone your age who knows so much. No wonder Grandmother likes you so much. With both talent and dedication to hard work and effort, you naturally achieve more than others.”
Qin Wan shook her head and poured Yue Ning a cup of tea. “It’s not really like that. I simply enjoy studying medicine.”
Yue Ning picked up the teacup. “Indeed, when doing something you love, you’re always willing to put in the effort and attention. Though ordinary young ladies usually prefer elegant pursuits like music, calligraphy, and painting…”
As the topic shifted, Qin Wan smiled and said, “Princess, are you suggesting that you yourself are not an ordinary young lady?”
Yue Ning lifted her chin. “Am I not?”
Qin Wan laughed at this, and even Fu Ling, standing to the side, covered her mouth and laughed. The room was filled with cheerful atmosphere. Since they were on this topic, Yue Ning carefully asked Qin Wan what books she read. Qin Wan maintained a calm expression but kept her answers deliberately vague and simple, and soon skillfully steered the conversation elsewhere…
The two chatted pleasantly, and time passed unnoticed throughout the afternoon. Seeing that it was getting late, Yue Ning finally bid farewell, only reminding Qin Wan to come to the Marquis’s mansion early the next day.
Qin Wan had been going to the Marquis’s mansion for many days now, and if she didn’t go one day, Yue Ning would feel quite unaccustomed to it. Hearing this, Qin Wan could only smile and agree.
After seeing Yue Ning off, Fu Ling walked inside while saying with a smile, “The Princess is truly kind. When I first met her, I thought she had an intimidating presence, but now seeing her become good friends with Young Miss, this servant is happy for you.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, naturally agreeing with Fu Ling’s words.
Entering the room, Qin Wan looked once more toward the courtyard gate. “It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival season, yet the mansion is very quiet.”
Fu Ling, who was cleaning up the tea set, nodded and said, “Indeed, Madam hasn’t taken the Young Master and Young Ladies out of the mansion. The main courtyard has become forbidden ground, and these past few days, many servants have been sold off. Some were said to have sticky fingers, others accused of being lazy and neglecting their duties, but this servant guesses it’s mostly because of the Master’s illness.”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly, her suspicion growing stronger. Had Qin An’s illness become so serious?
Thinking this, Qin Wan asked again, “What about Second Young Master’s side?”
Fu Ling shook her head. “There’s been no movement from Second Young Master’s side. These past few days, Madam has been reorganizing the inner courtyard. The well-cleaning work from earlier days has stopped, and some of those who were sold off might have been because they discussed the Master’s illness.”
Fu Ling’s face showed traces of fear. “This servant has already instructed those four not to speak carelessly these days.”
Qin Wan smiled. “Fu Ling is becoming more and more like a head maid.”
Fu Ling stuck out her tongue sheepishly. “Naturally, I can’t bring shame to Young Miss.”
The mistress and servant chatted for a while longer, had dinner, and then Qin Wan began preparing medicine. However, after grinding only a small portion of the medicine powder, she suddenly came to her senses – she didn’t need to prepare medicine anymore! Yan Chi wasn’t in a hurry to leave, so why was she making medicine?
Putting down the mortar, Qin Wan felt annoyed with herself.
Fu Ling saw this and asked in surprise, “What’s wrong, Young Miss?”
Qin Wan had been making medicine every night for many days, showing great dedication. Why had she stopped today?
Qin Wan let out a light snort, got up, and walked toward the bathroom. “No more making medicine. We’ll do it when we have time later. Tonight, let’s retire early.”
Fu Ling blinked, not understanding where this change in Qin Wan’s mood had come from.
After bathing and lying down, Qin Wan casually asked, “Have you seen anyone lingering outside our courtyard these past few days?”
Fu Ling shook her head. “No, why do you ask, Young Miss?”
Qin Wan stared at the canopy in thought. Could there really be the killer’s spy among those four “Wan”s?
Thinking this, she shook her head again. “It’s nothing. Starting tomorrow, I want to make some tonic medicine for myself. Although doctors shouldn’t treat themselves, I can’t remember my past, so it wouldn’t be good to seek medical advice outside.”
Fu Ling felt somewhat distressed. “Are you feeling unwell, Young Miss?”
Qin Wan reassured her, “No, not really. I just can’t remember some things. Don’t worry, go to bed now.”
Fu Ling finally extinguished the lamp and settled down on the small couch outside.
……
……
The night passed dreamlessly. In the morning, Qin Wan walked around the courtyard again, and after breakfast, she wrote a prescription. She only had Fu Ling take Wan Tang to get medicine from the mansion’s pharmacy. The prescription was just an ordinary tonic, mostly for brain nourishment. Once Qian Bai Ren saw the prescription, he would know where Qin Wan’s ailment lay, and within a few days, the whole mansion would naturally know about her condition.
After bringing back the medicine, Qin Wan first spent half an hour preparing it. When the doorman said people from the Marquis’s mansion had come to pick her up, Qin Wan finally left the mansion. Naturally, it was Bai Feng who had come, and Qin Wan got into the carriage and headed straight for the Marquis’s mansion.
Today, the Marquis’s mansion seemed quieter than usual. As Huo Huai Xin had found direction in the Song Rou case, the dark clouds that had hung over the An Yang Marquis’s mansion for many days were about to disperse. When they reached the Imperial Princess’s courtyard, the Imperial Princess was also in much better spirits.
“Good deeds bring good rewards. The An Yang Marquis’s family has been loyal for generations, and all family members practice kindness and accumulate virtue. If they were still being implicated in this matter, then heaven truly would have been blind.” The Imperial Princess held Qin Wan’s hand. “I heard the Qin family didn’t go to Li Shui Lake this year?”
Qin Wan replied, “We donated for the lantern boats, but Uncle fell ill, and the Old Madam being Buddhist doesn’t like bustling activities, so we didn’t go there for the festivities this year. The mansion has been very peaceful these days.”
The Imperial Princess nodded. “I see. What illness is it? Is it serious?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “This, Qin Wan doesn’t know, but it should not be an ordinary cold or fever.”
Hearing this, the Imperial Princess understood. The Qin family hadn’t let Qin Wan diagnose Qin An. Thinking of this, the Imperial Princess had a good idea of the situation and said, “Your uncle is in his prime years, I’m sure it’s nothing serious. He’ll be fine after a while.”
Qin Wan nodded in agreement. As they were speaking, Yue Ning suddenly strode in from outside. “I knew you’d be here. Have you finished checking Grandmother’s pulse?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, I have. What’s wrong?”
Yue Ning sighed, “Young Master Wei is ill. He’s been sick for several days but didn’t tell anyone. I only found out when I returned to the mansion yesterday. Since you’ve finished checking Grandmother’s pulse, why don’t you go to the East Garden to take a look?”
Qin Wan naturally had no objection and stood up, looking at the Imperial Princess.
The Imperial Princess asked, “What illness? Is it serious?”
Yue Ning shook her head, “It seems to be a cold, but colds can be either mild or severe. He only sent his subordinates to buy medicine, and after taking it for several days, it didn’t work. It’s so cold that they need to light the furnace.”
The Imperial Princess sighed, “Wan’er, go take a look then. It’s no trouble anyway.”
Qin Wan nodded, took leave of the Imperial Princess, and headed to the East Garden with Yue Ning.
“How did Princess learn that Young Master Wei was ill?”
Yue Ning, dressed in practical clothes with a slight flush on her face, replied, “I just went to the training ground but didn’t see Young Master Wei. When I asked the servants there, they said he hadn’t been there for several days. I became suspicious and had someone inquire about it. That’s when I learned that three days ago, Young Master Wei started experiencing alternating chills and fever, but he didn’t tell anyone. Even when Magistrate Huo came to investigate the case, he didn’t mention it. He only had servants bring a furnace to his room. Although autumn is cool, who needs a furnace at this time? I suspect his illness is quite serious.”
Magistrate Huo Huai Xin had come to ask Wei Yan Zhi to draw Wei Qi Zhi’s portrait just days ago, and she had seen Wei Yan Zhi three days ago as well. At that time, she hadn’t noticed his illness was so severe. Qin Wan felt something was strange but couldn’t quite figure out what.
Soon, Qin Wan and Yue Ning arrived at the East Garden. Yue Ning, familiar with the place, led her to Wei Yan Zhi’s quarters.
“Greetings, Princess—”
Two young men about Wei Yan Zhi’s age stood guard at the door. They were very respectful toward Yue Ning but looked questioningly at Qin Wan. Yue Ning said, “Is your master inside? I heard he’s ill, so I’ve come to check on him.”
The two guards’ faces brightened with joy, and one of them smiled, clasping his hands in greeting, “Please wait a moment, Princess. This humble one will inform the master. The master is unwell and currently lying down.”
Yue Ning nodded, understanding that Wei Yan Zhi, being a man, naturally needed to make himself presentable before receiving visitors.
Qin Wan stood to the side, her gaze sweeping over the East Garden’s layout. Although these were guest quarters, the buildings were spacious and grand, with elaborately carved beams and painted rafters. As her gaze swept around, Qin Wan noticed another guard who remained outside. This guard wore a blue robe and stood straight, keeping his head lowered respectfully before Yue Ning and Qin Wan, making it impossible to see his eyes. Qin Wan shifted her gaze, and just then, the door opened.
“Princess, our master invites you in…”
Yue Ning responded and immediately led Qin Wan inside.
Upon entering, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed. The room was even hotter than she had imagined, and she immediately spotted the furnace placed by the window. It was an exquisitely designed tall furnace with a gourd-shaped chamber. Since the room had no floor heating system, only such a furnace could generate enough heat to make the room this warm.
Qin Wan’s gaze shifted again. She noticed the front window was closed while the back window was open, yet the room was still this hot. Looking further, she saw a porcelain bowl nearby, apparently for decocting medicine. Indeed, such a furnace would make brewing medicine convenient.
Thinking this, Qin Wan listened carefully and immediately heard the roaring sound of the furnace fire. Her heart settled – so the fire was burning this intensely. Could Wei Yan Zhi’s illness truly be this severe?
Taking two more steps inside, Qin Wan finally saw Wei Yan Zhi standing fully dressed.
After not seeing him for several days, Wei Yan Zhi indeed showed signs of illness. He stood at the inner room’s doorway, wearing only his middle garments, with an outer robe and a cloak draped over them. In such a hot room, he still needed a cloak. With his black hair loose, he emanated an air of frailty. Upon seeing this, Yue Ning exclaimed, “How did Young Master Wei become so ill?”
Wei Yan Zhi’s lips curved in a bitter smile, “I apologize for my unseemly state. Greetings, Princess, Ninth Young Lady—”
He stepped forward, “Please, sit here.”
He led them to a small pavilion by the window, where the guard who had entered earlier served tea for the three of them.
As Qin Wan sat down, besides the tea fragrance, she detected the smell of medicine. Since Wei Yan Zhi was brewing his own medicine, it was understandable that the entire room would smell of it. From this scent, she could tell it was indeed a common cold remedy. Qin Wan’s eyes moved slightly, “How many days have you been taking medicine, Young Master Wei?”
Just as she finished asking, Wei Yan Zhi began coughing lightly, “Three days, I’ve taken two doses.”
Yue Ning frowned, “Where did you buy the medicine?”
Wei Yan Zhi looked toward the guard, who quickly replied, “From Tong Shan Hall in the east of the city.”
Yue Ning shook her head, “How can the old master at Tong Shan Hall compare to Ninth Young Lady? Since your illness is severe, and Ninth Young Lady comes here every day, why didn’t you send someone to ask her to examine you?”
Wei Yan Zhi coughed twice more and smiled bitterly, “Princess, what are you saying? Ninth Young Lady isn’t a practicing physician, how could I casually ask her to examine others? I wouldn’t dare trouble Ninth Young Lady.”
Yue Ning raised her eyebrows, while Qin Wan spoke slowly, “Young Master Wei is too formal. We are now acquainted, and as a medical practitioner, treating illness and saving people is my duty. How could it be any trouble?”
Yue Ning quickly added, “Exactly, you’re being too distant. I brought Ninth Young Lady here today specifically to have her examine you. Now that Ninth Young Lady is here, don’t refuse anymore. Let her check your pulse first.”
Qin Wan stood up. Wei Yan Zhi coughed twice more, his face full of apologetic expression. “This… thank you very much, Princess and Ninth Young Lady.” Saying this, he naturally couldn’t refuse anymore and rolled up his sleeve.
Qin Wan walked to Wei Yan Zhi’s side and placed her fingertips on his wrist.
While checking his pulse, Qin Wan observed Wei Yan Zhi’s complexion. His face was pale and his lips were dry, with visible bloodshot eyes – indeed the appearance of someone ill. She concentrated, carefully checking his pulse, and soon her brows knitted together.
Yue Ning watched with some concern, “What’s wrong? Is something amiss?”
Qin Wan looked at Wei Yan Zhi, “Young Master Wei’s cold came on quite suddenly. His pulse is agitated and floating, with severe internal cold.” After a pause, Qin Wan asked, “Did Young Master Wei perhaps bathe in cold water?”
Wei Yan Zhi’s eyes showed slight surprise, “Ninth Young Lady… truly has divine insight!”
He continued with a bitter smile, “This is indeed my fault. Three days ago, after returning from the training ground, I was drenched in sweat and couldn’t wait for hot water, so I simply used cold water. Pardon my impropriety, but when I was in the capital, I could even bathe in cold water during winter, so I didn’t think much of it at the time. But somehow, this time I fell ill.”
Yue Ning listened with surprise filling her eyes, “How… could it be that the mansion’s servants weren’t attentive enough?”
Yue Ning thought the servants had been negligent in serving Wei Yan Zhi, but he quickly waved his hands, “No, no, no, it’s not that at all. It was my recklessness, thinking I was strong enough.”
Yue Ning sighed, “Young Master Wei has traveled from the capital, which was already taxed, and then you’ve been deeply troubled. Your body probably isn’t as strong as before, so naturally you can’t do things as you used to.”
Qin Wan withdrew her hand, “Let’s change the prescription. The medicine you’re currently taking is for common colds, but your condition is somewhat different.” Turning to the guard, she said, “Please bring paper and brush…”
The guard looked at Wei Yan Zhi, and seeing him nod, quickly went to the inner room. Soon, he returned carrying paper and writing implements.
Qin Wan looked up, and her eyes suddenly constricted. What the guard was holding was Ye Jin Paper.
Having just identified the Ye Jin Paper in Song Rou’s stomach the day before, Qin Wan was instantly alert upon seeing it. But thinking again, Ye Jin Paper was common in the south – it could have been provided by the Qin mansion or bought by himself.
Thus, Qin Wan composed herself and said calmly, “I’ll dictate, you write. Platycodon, Asarum…”
Qin Wan listed eight or nine medicines in one breath, then continued, “Take this prescription three times a day. If you start sweating after taking it, that’s good. If not, continue taking it. For these two days, your diet must be light, warm porridge would be best.”
Wei Yan Zhi quickly nodded, and the guard at the side also recorded these instructions before retreating to one side.
Yue Ning smiled, “With Ninth Young Lady here, the medicine will surely cure the illness immediately.”
Qin Wan swept her gaze around the room, looking again at the furnace, “Young Master Wei has chilled, so warming the room with the furnace is fine, but this temperature is a bit too hot. Although the window is open for ventilation, it’s still not good for your condition.”
Wei Yan Zhi’s face showed embarrassment, “I’ve made Ninth Young Lady laugh at me. It’s just that I feel waves of chills every night, and since this room is so spacious, I had the servants add more charcoal. Don’t worry, I’ll have them reduce the fire shortly.”
Qin Wan nodded. Just as she was about to look away, her eyes suddenly caught sight of the iron tongs placed beside the furnace.
The tongs were naturally for adding charcoal, but now they were coated with a layer of black residue. Looking at it, Qin Wan thought it looked like something had melted and adhered to them.
“That’s right since you’re staying in the Marquis’s mansion, don’t be so formal.”
Yue Ning spoke warmly, then asked, “Has the Magistrate asked you to draw your brother’s portrait again?”
Wei Yan Zhi shook his head, “No, he just asked about my elder brother’s preferences yesterday.”
Yue Ning nodded, then after some thought, still said, “They won’t ask you to draw anymore.”
Wei Yan Zhi nodded instinctively, but then his brows furrowed, “Princess, do you mean… has my brother already been…”
Yue Ning smiled, “Not yet, but Magistrate Huo has learned of your brother’s whereabouts and has a way to make him surrender. He’ll probably be captured in a day or two.”
Wei Yan Zhi was stunned for a moment, then lowered his eyes and let out a long sigh.
His expression was genuine, and Yue Ning looked at him with sympathy, “I know you brothers are close, but this involves human life. Think about the deceased Song Rou – your brother must be held accountable no matter what.”
Wei Yan Zhi gave a bitter smile, his voice extremely pained, “I naturally understand this reasoning. One is my cousin, and the other is my brother who grew up with me. If only… if only this had never happened…”
Yue Ning and Qin Wan exchanged glances, and even Qin Wan felt moved by Wei Yan Zhi’s tone.
“Since things have come to this, Young Master Wei needn’t be too sad. Get well first, perhaps you can still see your brother.”
Yue Ning tried to comfort him, but Wei Yan Zhi started coughing, “Yes, I… I will try to stay positive… *cough cough cough*…”
Seeing him so unwell, Yue Ning didn’t want to stay too long, so she stood up, “Quickly get the medicine according to Ninth Young Lady’s prescription. Getting well is the priority. I’ll send someone to tell you if there’s any news about your brother.”
Wei Yan Zhi repeatedly expressed his thanks. Qin Wan glanced once more at the strange iron tongs before following Yue Ning out.
After Qin Wan and Yue Ning left, the guard looked at Wei Yan Zhi and asked, “Master, shall we change the prescription?”
Wei Yan Zhi coughed once more, standing by the window and gazing deeply at Qin Wan and Yue Ning’s figures disappearing through the courtyard gate. He nodded, “Of course, we must change it. Ninth Young Lady is a divine healer, naturally more skilled than the doctor at Tong Shan Hall.”
Speaking thus, Wei Yan Zhi closed the window, tightened his cloak, and walked toward the inner room.
The guard asked again, “Master, are you still feeling cold? Should we reduce the furnace fire?”
Wei Yan Zhi paused in his steps but shook his head, “Let’s wait until after I take Ninth Young Lady’s medicine. Right now I still feel cold.”
The guard quickly acknowledged this, then looking at Wei Yan Zhi’s back, couldn’t help but nervously ask, “Master, it’s been two days since that matter. Will the Magistrate trace it back to us?”
Wei Yan Zhi turned around, his pale face showing a stern expression, “Of course not. Remember, we did this for the Duke’s mansion and the Wei family’s good.”
“But, but they still found out…”
Wei Yan Zhi sighed, “At least we tried our best. Now, there’s nothing we can do about brother’s fate.”
The guard nodded silently, then couldn’t help saying, “Master has done everything for the Duke’s mansion and the Wei family. If the First Young Master is caught, he deserves it. How could he kill Young Lady Song!”
Wei Yan Zhi sighed repeatedly, his lonely figure walking into the inner room.
……
As Qin Wan and Yue Ning left the East Garden, they had only walked a few steps when they saw two servants carrying a large basket. Upon seeing Yue Ning and Qin Wan, they quickly set down the basket and bowed.
Yue Ning glanced at the covered basket, “What’s this?”
The lead servant hurriedly replied, “Princess, these are charcoals for Young Master Wei. We’ve been delivering charcoal to him at this time every day these past few days.”
Yue Ning nodded, “Very well, carry on.”
The two servants lifted the basket and headed toward the East Garden. While Yue Ning thought nothing of it, Qin Wan watched as they carried the charcoal basket through the East Garden gate.
“What’s wrong? What are you looking at?”
Qin Wan shook her head and turned to continue walking. “Coming at this time every day, always with such a large basket… Princess, don’t you think it’s too much?” She paused, then added, “Or rather, Young Master Wei keeps his room’s furnace burning too intensely…”
Yue Ning nodded, remembering the temperature in the room. “His room was indeed quite hot. But isn’t he sick? You checked his pulse – did you notice anything unusual about his illness?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “It is indeed a cold.”
After a slight pause, Qin Wan continued hesitantly, “However… he has a strong constitution. How did he suddenly develop such severe chills? It was not winter yet, and the cold in his body came on extremely quickly. Could he have stayed in the cold water too long?”
Yue Ning frowned, “How can we inquire about a man’s bathing habits?”
Qin Wan understood this reasoning and immediately shook her head to clear away these stray thoughts.
Knowing her tendency to overthink, Yue Ning put an arm around her shoulders, “Alright, don’t think too much about it. However he got sick, as long as the illness is real, that’s what matters. I worry about you being too concerned.”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, thinking perhaps she was being too suspicious, so she didn’t pursue the matter further.
She returned to the Imperial Princess’s courtyard with Yue Ning, chatted briefly with the Imperial Princess, then took her leave. Yue Ning saw her to the mansion gate where Bai Feng was already waiting. Looking at Bai Feng, Qin Wan found it somewhat strange – he was Yan Chi’s guard, yet now he had become her driver…
After boarding the carriage, Qin Wan sat inside and said, “Guard Bai, next time please let the Marquis’s carriage driver come instead.”
Bai Feng smiled outside, “It’s no trouble, Ninth Young Lady. These are my master’s orders.”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
Returning to the Qin mansion, everything was still calm and peaceful. In the past two days, Qin Wan had only visited the Lin Feng Court once, and Yao Xin Lan’s condition had improved. Thinking of this, Qin Wan didn’t go there again.
“Young Lady, it seems we go to the Marquis’s mansion every day.”
“Once the Imperial Princess’s health improves significantly, we won’t need to go daily.”
Fu Ling tilted her head and said, “Strange, why didn’t we see Second Young Master today?”
Qin Wan laughed, teasing, “What? Disappointed not to see Second Young Master?”
Fu Ling blushed and complained, “This servant was only thinking of it for Young Lady’s sake, yet Young Lady speaks of me this way…”
Qin Wan smiled, “Didn’t the Imperial Princess say yesterday? She wanted the Second Young Master to spend more time in the military camp. Second Young Master is young and needs experience.”
Fu Ling sighed, “This servant hasn’t mentioned it yet, but the Young Lady showed no consideration for the Second Young Master yesterday. Everyone could tell he prepared those painting books for you, yet you said you had no time.”
Qin Wan looked innocent, “Wasn’t I truly busy? I’m taking medicine every day!”
Fu Ling’s lips twitched, “Young Lady makes medicine all because…” She nearly said “Prince Chi” but swallowed the words back. Even though Yan Chi wasn’t present, just thinking about it made Fu Ling’s heart tremble – better not to speak ill of that demon prince behind his back.
Qin Wan could tell what she was thinking from her expression and found it quite amusing. She lifted her skirts and strode toward her Ting Lan Court. Qin Wan was in good spirits, but as soon as she entered the courtyard, her brows furrowed.
She stopped in her tracks, and Fu Ling stopped with her. Noticing Qin Wan’s sudden change in mood, she quickly followed Qin Wan’s line of sight. When she saw it, anger rose in her face as well. “What’s going on? Who opened the door?!”
Fu Ling rushed past Qin Wan toward the side door leading to the orchid garden!
Since that first night when they encountered that strange shadow in the orchid garden, they had kept the side door locked. Usually, it was only opened when they needed to move orchids and then locked again afterward. Although the key hung with the main door key in the side room, who would dare open it without Qin Wan’s orders?!
This was why Qin Wan was angry, and Fu Ling was naturally even more angry! The events of that night still made her shudder!
Fu Ling strode toward the side door, “Who opened this door? Without Young Lady’s orders, how dare you—”
Fu Ling approached the side door aggressively, but her words suddenly cut off. Qin Wan, walking a few steps behind, hadn’t yet seen what Fu Ling had spotted, but she first heard a voice.
“Sister Fu Ling, it was me, I opened it…”
Wan Tao? A question rose in Qin Wan’s mind, and then she caught the smell of something burning. She took two quick steps to the door, and when she saw the scene behind it, she was somewhat surprised.
In the orchid garden outside the door, Wan Tao was kneeling in the corner. In front of her sat a small charcoal brazier, currently burning something that was the source of the burnt smell.
Qin Wan frowned and walked over. When Wan Tao saw Qin Wan approach, she became even more flustered, her eyes reddening.
“Greetings, Young Lady. Young Lady, I know I was wrong. Please, please don’t sell me off.”
Seeing this round-faced, rosy-cheeked girl who was usually lively and smiling about to cry, Qin Wan raised an eyebrow without answering, first going to look at what was burning in the brazier. She saw it was some scattered spirit money and two sets of clothes made from cloth scraps.
“Are you making offerings to your relatives?”
“Yes, I know I was wrong.”
Wan Tao kowtowed repeatedly to Qin Wan.
“Today is my mother’s death anniversary. I… I saw Young Lady hadn’t returned for a while, so I had this thought. I was afraid the smell would linger in the courtyard, so I took the key secretly and opened the door, planning to lock it again after burning everything, but…”
Wan Tao began to sob in earnest. Qin Wan had only been angry about someone opening the door without permission, but seeing it was Wan Tao, she had already calmed somewhat. Now, learning the reason, how could she still be angry?
“If it’s a death anniversary, why didn’t you tell me and make your offerings properly?”
As Qin Wan finished speaking, Wan Tao was stunned. Fu Ling also exclaimed, “Young Lady, how could servants in the mansion make offerings to their relatives here? This… if Old Madam found out, it would be inauspicious.”
Qin Wan suddenly understood. The Shen family wasn’t from high nobility, and even after Shen Yi became the Minister of Justice, they didn’t have many servants, so their rules weren’t as complex and strict. Qin Wan lacked the awareness of a young lady from a great house and had forgotten that Wan Tao wouldn’t dare come to report this to her. She coughed lightly, “Although this action wasn’t appropriate, you were being filial, and filial piety is never wrong.”
Qin Wan said this seriously to maintain her image, then added, “Let this matter be known only within our courtyard. Continue burning your offerings, then lock the door when you’re done.” After a pause, she added coldly, “However, next time, do not open the courtyard door without permission, regardless of the reason.”
Wan Tao kowtowed joyfully, “This servant thanks Young Lady, thanks Young Lady! This servant will never do it again!”
Satisfied, Qin Wan nodded and prepared to leave, but as she turned, she suddenly felt she had seen something familiar. Frowning, she looked carefully at the brazier burning the clothes. She saw a dried branch beside the brazier, presumably used by Wan Tao to move the burning items, and on that branch was a layer of burnt residue.
Suddenly, lightning flashed in Qin Wan’s mind!
In Wei Yan Zhi’s room, the residue on the iron tongs was from burnt cloth!
Was Wei Yan Zhi not only burning charcoal in his furnace but also burning some clothes?
Qin Wan’s heart began to race. She had suspected Wei Yan Zhi before, but the sudden appearance of Wei Qi Zhi had diverted her attention. Later, when Huo Huai Xin listened to Wei Yan Zhi’s words and determined the case, preparing to arrest Wei Qi Zhi, almost everyone believed Wei Qi Zhi was Song Rou’s killer. But the more Qin Wan thought about it, there were still things that didn’t make sense.
How did Wei Qi Zhi get past the Marquis’s mansion’s heavy security to plant the headless female corpse to scare her?
If Wei Qi Zhi wanted to scare her, at that time she hadn’t yet gone to the morgue – how would he know she would examine the corpse?
Qin Wan’s face was deeply contemplative, walking outside almost in a daze. Wan Tao and Fu Ling saw Qin Wan’s sudden change in expression and found it strange, but neither dared to ask. Fu Ling followed behind Qin Wan, confused and somewhat worried.
Wei Qi Zhi and Song Rou were in love, but he was proud and didn’t maintain good relations with the Duke’s mansion…
Wei Qi Zhi had traveled thousands of miles to follow her, using Ye Jin Paper as a signal to lure Song Rou out, and then either intentionally or accidentally killed her…
He cruelly killed Song Rou, and instead of returning to the capital to create an alibi, he followed Jin Zhou.
What did he come for? To see the chaos in the An Yang Marquis’s mansion? To watch Huo Huai Xin’s investigation progress?
He cut off Song Rou’s head, but how did he manage to take her head from the wedding procession without anyone knowing?
Qin Wan walked and thought, too many puzzles remained unsolved in her mind, making her quite anxious. After a few moments, Qin Wan suddenly raised her head, staring straight ahead into space, “I must have missed something! Something must be wrong!”
Fu Ling watched nervously from behind, “What are you saying, Young Lady?”
Qin Wan kept shaking her head, “Too many things don’t make sense. I must have missed something, there must be something crucial I’ve overlooked…”
Fu Ling was about to speak when voices came from the courtyard gate.
“Ninth Young Lady, Coroner Xu from the magistrate’s office has sent you a letter!”
Qin Wan turned sharply, seeing a male servant from the gatehouse standing outside the courtyard. Qin Wan had to stop her train of thought and walked quickly to the gate. “Coroner Xu sent a letter? Where is he?”
The servant held out a letter with both hands, “He’s already left, just saying that Ninth Young Lady would want to know about this matter, that he was just coming to inform Ninth Young Lady.”
Qin Wan took the letter and turned to walk while opening it. After three steps, she stopped abruptly, her brows tightly furrowed.
Fu Ling carefully approached, “Young Lady, what did Coroner Xu say?”
Qin Wan continued staring at the letter, her gaze so cold it was frightening.
“The Wei family’s First Young Master was captured an hour ago.”