When Qin Wan saw the small character “Yao” clearly, her brows immediately furrowed. Yao… In the entire Qin Manor, only Yao Xin Lan had the surname Yao. Given the jade pendant’s exquisite craftsmanship and superior quality, it undoubtedly belonged to Yao Xin Lan. But how did her jade pendant end up in the water?
Qin Wan glanced around. Half Moon Lake wasn’t particularly scenic in autumn, and with the recent cooling weather, the family members had no reason to come here for enjoyment. However, even so, servants still passed by the lake regularly. If she and Fu Ling could find this jade pendant, others could too. If it had fallen three or four days ago, someone would have likely picked it up already…
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. Could Yao Xin Lan have visited Half Moon Lake yesterday?
“Young Miss, what is that thing?”
Seeing Qin Wan’s prolonged silence, Fu Ling couldn’t help but ask. Her question also brought Huo Ning back to his senses. Noticing Qin Wan’s serious expression, he looked at her hand. Though he couldn’t see clearly, it appeared to be a jade pendant. Huo Ning blinked, confusion rising in his eyes. “What did you find?”
Qin Wan clasped the jade pendant in her hand and held it behind her back. “This doesn’t concern Young Master Huo.” After saying this, Qin Wan examined Huo Ning for a moment. “Why did Young Master Huo come to borrow books from the Qin Manor today?”
Huo Ning turned slightly sideways, deliberately avoiding Qin Wan’s gaze. “Naturally, to read them.”
Qin Wan remained noncommittal and added, “Elder Brother will likely arrive soon. Young Master Huo should wait here for a while.”
As she was about to leave, Huo Ning turned around, his brows furrowed into a 川 shape. “Your Elder Brother asked you to keep me company. Is this how you treat guests?”
Qin Wan paused her steps and narrowed her eyes. “Young Master Huo came to borrow books, which means you’re seeking a favor from the Qin Manor. How dare you consider yourself an honored guest? If Young Master Huo wishes to experience proper hospitality, please go to the front hall. Someone there will properly attend to you.”
After speaking, Qin Wan left. Huo Ning’s expression turned extremely gloomy, but as he watched Qin Wan’s retreating figure, he seemed unable to express his anger, only tightening his fists. Fu Ling hurriedly followed Qin Wan, glancing back to see Huo Ning standing motionless in his original spot.
“Young Miss, why is Young Master Huo acting so strangely today?”
Fu Ling asked while walking. Qin Wan frowned but didn’t dwell on it much. She looked down at the jade pendant in her hand, then suddenly halted her steps. Qin Wan turned around, looking at Huo Ning who still stood by Half Moon Lake. After a moment’s hesitation, she strode back. Fu Ling was startled and quickly followed, not understanding what Qin Wan intended to do.
Huo Ning’s heart had grown cold watching Qin Wan leave, but seeing her return now, his eyes immediately brightened.
Qin Wan quickly walked up to Huo Ning and said in a low voice, “Don’t tell anyone you saw me pick this up!”
She waved the jade pendant in her hand as she spoke. Huo Ning wanted to say something but Qin Wan didn’t give him the chance, merely giving him a deep look before turning to leave. All of Huo Ning’s words got stuck in his throat as he watched Qin Wan stride away. He gritted his teeth in frustration. Not tell? Why not tell? And why should he follow her orders?!
While Huo Ning felt both puzzled and annoyed, Fu Ling asked, “Young Miss, why can’t Young Master Huo talk about it?”
Qin Wan paused her steps and, seeing no one around, said, “Take this jade pendant to Lin Feng Court and give it to Mo Shu. Tell her you found it on the small path outside the courtyard, and see what she says.”
Fu Ling was slightly surprised. The jade pendant was found at Half Moon Lake, so why say it was found outside the courtyard?
Though Fu Ling was confused, seeing Qin Wan’s serious expression indicated this was no joke. Fu Ling took the jade pendant from Qin Wan’s hand, nodded, and headed toward Lin Feng Court. Qin Wan watched Fu Ling walk away, then headed to Ting Lan Court while pondering what exactly had happened. Had Yao Xin Lan gone to Half Moon Lake herself, or had her jade pendant been stolen?
Qin Wan returned to Ting Lan Court deep in thought and went straight to the main room to wait for Fu Ling. Soon, Fu Ling entered the room.
Upon entering, Fu Ling immediately closed the door. “Young Miss, I gave it to Mo Shu. When she saw it, she was very relieved. She said she had just discovered the jade pendant was missing and was looking for it. She explained it was a Yao family heirloom, and the Young Madam was wearing it yesterday, but today it was gone. The Young Madam wasn’t feeling well so she didn’t want to ask too many questions, but she had been searching for a while without success. She was surprised it was found outside the courtyard and suggested the Young Madam might have dropped it when she went out for a walk yesterday.”
Qin Wan’s expression grew serious. “Did she mention where the Young Madam walked yesterday?”
Fu Ling shook her head. “She didn’t say, but she mentioned the Young Madam has been feeling tired these days and doesn’t walk far each day.”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes as a major question arose in her mind.
Mo Shu hadn’t mentioned Yao Xin Lan going to Half Moon Lake, which meant she truly hadn’t gone there. But how did the jade pendant end up at Half Moon Lake? Did Yao Xin Lan not go, or did she go but Mo Shu didn’t know about it?
As this second possibility occurred to her, Qin Wan inexplicably felt a chill down her spine.
“Young Miss, what’s going on?”
Qin Wan took a deep breath. “Nothing, let’s continue making medicine.”
Hearing this, Fu Ling could only suppress her doubts and accompany Qin Wan in preparing medicine.
Meanwhile, when Qin Chen came from the inner courtyard library to Half Moon Lake, he only saw Huo Ning standing alone by the lake. Looking closer, Huo Ning’s expression seemed somewhat dejected. Qin Chen frowned and looked around but didn’t see Qin Wan. “Brother Huo, why are you standing here alone? Where did my sister go?”
Huo Ning laughed coldly in his heart but quickly concealed his emotions, curving his lips slightly as he said, “She left. You know how familiar I am with the Qin Manor, there’s no need for anyone to accompany me.”
Qin Chen frowned. “Did she leave on her own, or did Brother Huo not want her company?”
Huo Ning let out a light snort. “Of course I…”
Halfway through his sentence, Huo Ning felt somewhat guilty and didn’t finish. Qin Chen noticed something was amiss and smiled wryly. “Please forgive the rudeness, Brother Huo. Don’t take offense at my sister’s behavior.”
Huo Ning’s face showed no trace of emotion, but inwardly he was repeatedly snorting coldly. If he wanted to take offense, he would have done so countless times already. Why would he deliberately come here now? Yet after all he had done, she still treated him so coldly! Where exactly had things gone wrong?!
Thinking of this, Huo Ning recalled how Qin Wan had picked up something by the lake earlier. Looking at Qin Chen before him, Huo Ning’s lips moved as if to speak, but remembering Qin Wan’s warning, his throat felt blocked and he couldn’t say anything. After a few moments, Huo Ning sighed dejectedly. Never mind! Let it be!
In Ting Lan Court, Fu Ling ran in from outside. “Young Miss, Young Master Huo has left!”
Qin Wan turned away from the window. “Where did Elder Brother go?”
“The Young Master went to the front courtyard.” Fu Ling came in and closed the door, her expression puzzled. “Young Miss, what’s going on? Why are we keeping this from Young Master?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “That jade pendant was found by Half Moon Lake, but everyone in Lin Feng Court says the Young Madam never went to Half Moon Lake. I still can’t figure out whose words are true and whose are false.”
Fu Ling’s expression also grew serious. She had heard earlier when they were talking – Yao Xin Lan said she had dreamed of going to Half Moon Lake, but how could a dream be taken seriously? Even Mo Shu hadn’t mentioned Yao Xin Lan going to Half Moon Lake.
Fu Ling looked nervously at Qin Wan, who sighed and said, “Something strange is happening at Lin Feng Court. Pay attention to any movements there these days.”
Fu Ling nodded firmly, and Qin Wan returned to making medicine.
They continued until evening. After dinner, Qin Wan locked the main room’s door and waited for Qin Li in the warm chamber.
Last night, Qin Li had come after half of the Xu hour (7-9 PM). Qin Wan thought he would likely come at the same time tonight. Sure enough, just after three-quarters of the Xu hour had passed, there was a slight sound at the window. Fu Ling heard it and hurried to open the window. When it opened, Qin Li stood outside, still wearing a cloak and a face covering. Seeing Qin Li in this state, Fu Ling felt a shudder, and thinking of his illness, she felt even more uncomfortable, unconsciously taking a step back.
“Ninth Sister,” Qin Li bowed to Qin Wan with great respect.
Qin Wan had prepared the medicine package early. She stood up and handed it over while explaining softly, “This is for internal use – add to cold water, boil three bowls down to one, take four times daily. This is for external use – clean the affected area, twice daily, morning and night.”
Qin Li raised his hand to take the medicine from Qin Wan. Qin Wan lowered her eyes to glance at his hands, noting with slight relief that they appeared fine.
After taking the medicine package, Qin Li hesitated briefly before asking, “Ninth Sister, are you confident about this treatment?”
Qin Wan met Qin Li’s narrow eyes and shook her head. “No.”
A flash of pain crossed Qin Li’s eyes, quickly lowered and raised again, followed by a forced bitter smile. “Thank you, Ninth Sister. Should I come again tomorrow night?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Yes, come at this same time every night.”
Hearing this, Qin Li let out a sigh of relief. Qin Wan giving him medicine meant she had agreed to treat his illness, but there was a difference between treating with dedication and treating perfunctorily. Seeing that Qin Wan wanted him to come every night showed how seriously she was taking his condition.
Qin Li spoke gratefully, “Good, I’ll come at this time tomorrow night. Ninth Sister should rest early.”
After speaking, Qin Li didn’t linger. He pushed the window shut, and his footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
In the room, Qin Wan’s expression was somewhat dark. She truly wasn’t confident about treating Qin Li’s illness, and for her as a healer, this itself was a heavy burden.