A flash crossed Qin Li’s eyes as he turned his gaze aside, “What I know, you also know now, it’s just that Ninth Sister doesn’t believe it.”
Qin Wan frowned, “Is Second Brother referring to the talk of the cursed well? Does Second Brother believe this?”
Qin Li turned back to look at Qin Wan, “Ninth Sister knows too, Second Concubine died by jumping into the well back then. The Qin Manor has been peaceful for all these years only because that demon-suppressing stone sealed the well mouth. Now that the stone has been moved, and Steward Liu has also died in the well – isn’t this proof enough? Ninth Sister, listen to my advice, don’t go to the Purple Bamboo Grove anymore.”
Qin Wan’s eyes narrowed slightly, “To be honest with Second Brother, I don’t believe in talk of ghosts and spirits. Real ghosts hide in people’s hearts. Second Brother believes in such supernatural talk – could it be that you have something to hide?”
Qin Li wanted to speak but held back, finally lowering his eyes.
“If Ninth Sister doesn’t believe it, so be it.” After a slight pause, Qin Li continued, “With Liu’s murder and the discovery of that illness, I’m grateful for Ninth Sister’s help in covering for me. My illness also relies entirely on Ninth Sister’s treatment. I simply don’t want anything to happen to Ninth Sister.”
Listening to this, Qin Wan suddenly asked, “Second Brother, do you know why Second Concubine jumped into the well back then?”
Qin Li’s already furrowed brows tightened even more as he shook his head, “Eight years ago, I was just a child, naturally I wouldn’t know about such things.”
Qin Wan didn’t quite believe this in her heart, but seeing Qin Li’s grave expression and complete unwillingness to say more, she knew she wouldn’t get anything out of him. With this thought, her gaze grew even more somber.
“Never mind then, if Second Brother doesn’t know.”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan rolled up her sleeve, “Give me your hand, Second Brother.”
Qin Li extended his wrist, and Qin Wan’s fingers touched it. After a moment, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed.
Qin Li noticed her expression change and immediately asked anxiously, “How is it, Ninth Sister?”
Qin Wan looked at his face, noting that the purple-red chancre was beginning to fade and heal, and then her gaze swept to his neck. Qin Li immediately said, “Using Ninth Sister’s medicine, the chancre has started to heal…”
Qin Li’s tone carried a note of relief, seemingly praising the effectiveness of Qin Wan’s prescription, but Qin Wan’s expression grew even more serious, “Second Brother doesn’t understand. The initial chancre of syphilis might heal on its own even without medicine, but this isn’t true healing. Once the chancre begins to heal, rashes will appear elsewhere on the body.”
Qin Li’s eyebrows trembled, “Ninth Sister means…”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “Second Brother’s body has too much damp heat. The medicine showed effects in the past few days, but today’s pulse shows the damp heat and evil fire rising again. When damp heat and evil fire transform into toxins, and these toxins move from inside to outside, they form rashes.”
Fear flashed in Qin Li’s eyes, “Then… what should we do? These days, I’ve been taking and applying medicine exactly as Ninth Sister prescribed, without any negligence. Ninth Sister…”
Qin Li looked earnestly at Qin Wan, who withdrew her hand with a grave expression, “This illness is terrible. Perhaps the prescription was too mild. Second Brother should go back for now and continue with the current prescription without letting up. Come back tomorrow night, and I’ll give you a new prescription.”
Hearing this, gratitude showed in Qin Li’s eyes, “Thank you, Ninth Sister.”
Qin Wan turned away, “Second Brother needn’t say such things. I would treat anyone who came seeking help.”
Qin Li looked at Qin Wan’s back, wanting to say something but holding back. Finally, he clasped his hands in respect and bowed before turning to leave.
As his footsteps faded away, Qin Wan turned to look at the vast night through the window and sighed.
Qin Li’s illness was indeed difficult to treat, though not impossible. But the stranger his attitude about the Purple Bamboo Grove became, the more suspicious it seemed. How exactly did the Second Concubine die? What secrets did that well hold?
After a night of light sleep, Qin Wan rose early the next morning and went to her small study after breakfast.
Several thick medical books lay on the desk in the small study. Qin Wan had Fu Ling grind ink, then began writing a new prescription, “Gentiana, Fresh Rehmannia, Angelica, Plantago seed, Akebia… perhaps add Scutellaria and Licorice…”
As Qin Wan muttered and wrote, Fu Ling watched from the side and said, “Young Lady’s prescription is quite different from the previous days.”
Qin Wan replied, “The previous prescription was too mild, becoming ineffective after just a few days.”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan added several more herbs to the prescription, then put down her brush and carefully reviewed it. After a while, Qin Wan nodded, “This will do. Go to the medicine storehouse later.”
As she said this, Qin Wan suddenly hesitated, then stood up saying, “Never mind, I’ll go myself. Let’s stop by to see Old Lady Liu in the kitchen on the way.”
Fu Ling blinked, immediately understanding Qin Wan’s intention – seeing Old Lady Liu was just an excuse, and asking about the Second Concubine was the real purpose.
“Alright, Young Lady. Should we bring Wan Xing?”
At Fu Ling’s question, Qin Wan shook her head, “No need.”
“Good, this servant will get your cloak.”
Qin Wan nodded, folding the prescription and placing it in her sleeve pocket.
……
……
Though it was still early September, the southern region had turned unusually cold this year. Qin Wan pulled her cloak tighter, walking along the manor’s small path westward, soon reaching the servants’ quarters.
Fu Ling pointed to a row of main rooms ahead, “Old Lady Liu lives in the last room on the end.”
Qin Wan nodded and walked forward. Before they reached it, the door curtain lifted, and a middle-aged servant woman in green clothes with a somewhat plump figure walked out. Seeing Qin Wan and Fu Ling, she showed a moment of surprise before quickly walking up to them.
“Greetings to Ninth Young Lady. Why has Ninth Young Lady come here?”
Fu Ling stepped forward, placing two packages of pastries in Old Lady Liu’s hands, saying with a smile, “Ninth Young Lady just mentioned how delicious the ginseng soup has been lately and wanted to thank you for your efforts, so she came to see you.”
Lady Liu was startled, looking at the generous portions of pastries with a slight smile, “This… how could I…”
Fu Ling shook her head, “What’s there to be modest about? Young Lady’s health is delicate, and we’ll need to rely on you to take care of her in the future.”
Qin Wan also said gently, “Please accept them, Madam Liu.”
Lady Liu hesitated for a moment, then looking at Qin Wan’s gentle, harmless demeanor, she clapped her hands, “Alright then, this servant will accept them. Thank you, Ninth Young Lady! Rest assured, Ninth Young Lady, I’ll make sure to take good care of your health from now on!”
Fu Ling smiled broadly, and Lady Liu looked at the mistress and servant again, noticing that Qin Wan showed no sign of leaving. She hurriedly stepped aside and gestured, “If Ninth Young Lady doesn’t mind the simplicity of my room, please come in and sit. I’ve just been making osmanthus cakes these past two days – please come try them. They’re made with the first and freshest osmanthus blossoms of the year.”
In the September autumn days, it was the season for osmanthus flowers. The Qin Manor had osmanthus trees, though they were planted in somewhat remote locations. As a kitchen matron like Lady Liu would naturally prepare delicious seasonal dishes for her masters – when the masters were pleased, the rewards they gave were incomparable to other positions in the manor.
Qin Wan smiled, “I would love to try them.”
Qin Wan and her servant followed Lady Liu through the door curtain. At first glance, the room was indeed simple. This row of rooms was assigned to the inner court’s stewards, and as Lady Liu had some status in the kitchen, she had been given a room. Qin Wan’s gaze swept around, noting that while the room had little furniture, it was kept very clean and tidy, improving her impression of Lady Liu even more.
“Please sit, Ninth Young Lady. This servant doesn’t have any fine tea, please don’t mind.”
Speaking thus, Lady Liu poured hot tea and went to the inner room for a moment. Soon she returned with a white porcelain plate of osmanthus cakes. The white porcelain was flawless, and the golden, tender osmanthus cakes created a particularly pleasing sight against it.
“Please try them, Ninth Young Lady. Not wanting to damage the later blooming period, we didn’t pick many in this first harvest. I’ve made two batches – this is the second one. Finally managed to match my usual skills from previous years. Please try them.”
Lady Liu held out the plate to Qin Wan, who smiled and took a piece. Upon tasting it, it indeed melted in her mouth with a sweet fragrance. “Truly worthy of your skill, Madam Liu. It’s deliciously tender and fragrant.”
Lady Liu smiled with satisfaction and gave two pieces to Fu Ling. Fu Ling glanced at Qin Wan and called to Lady Liu, “Please sit down too, Madam Liu. We came today with something to ask you.”
Since Qin Wan’s question wasn’t a simple matter, upon hearing this, Lady Liu knew she might as well understand what Qin Wan had come for. She showed no surprise and sat down on a small stool nearby.
With a gentle smile, Qin Wan asked, “How many years have you been in the Qin Manor, Madam Liu?”
Lady Liu sat up straight, somewhat nervously, “Over ten years… counting up, it must be fourteen or fifteen years.”
Qin Wan’s gaze remained gentle, her tone even more considerate, “Do you know about what happened in the Purple Bamboo Grove last night?”
At this question, Lady Liu became even more nervous, wringing her hands together uneasily, but nodded, “Of course I know. There was quite a commotion last night – the whole manor must know by now.”
Qin Wan sighed, “This matter has caused great unrest in the manor. Last night, the Old Madam mentioned Second Concubine’s old matter. His Highness the Prince and the Magistrate were present and became somewhat suspicious about Second Concubine’s case after hearing the Old Madam’s words, but they couldn’t very well ask her directly, so they’ve asked me about it.”
Qin Wan’s tone turned bitter, “Madam Liu knows my position – I can’t very well ask the Old Madam or Third Aunt about it, so I thought, since you’re a long-time servant of the manor, you might know something about this matter.”
Lady Liu’s expression changed several times, “This matter…”
Seeing Lady Liu’s troubled expression, Qin Wan smiled and said, “Don’t be nervous, Madam Liu. You probably don’t know the details of this matter – just tell me what was common knowledge in the manor at the time.”
After Qin Wan said this, Lady Liu felt somewhat relieved. Seeing Qin Wan’s clear, pure gaze and expression showing no hint of pressure, Lady Liu felt even more at ease. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Back then, Second Concubine was highly favored and very beautiful. When she died, she had only been in the manor for just over two years. None of us knows why she jumped into the well – no one saw it directly. But later we heard it had something to do with her child. However, thinking back now, this servant doesn’t remember Second Concubine ever being pregnant. Or perhaps she lost the baby very early in pregnancy, and maybe she couldn’t bear that and jumped into the well.”
Qin Wan frowned, “Since you didn’t see her jump into the well, who spoke about the child afterward?”
“Yes… it seems it was one of Second Concubine’s maids, who attended to her day and night and knew best why Second Concubine lost her will to live. After the Second Concubine jumped into the well, Old Madam invited a spiritual master to examine it, and then the well was sealed. After that, Second Concubine’s maid fell seriously ill and died not long after.” Lady Liu sighed and continued, “As Ninth Young Lady must know, our Master’s affections change quickly. After that maid died, no one mentioned Second Concubine again. After so many years, many who joined the manor later don’t even know about Second Concubine’s death.”
Lady Liu’s age showed in her wistful tone.
Qin Wan pondered briefly, “So Second Concubine must have had a child at the time?”
Lady Liu narrowed her eyes in thought, then nodded with certainty, “Indeed. I remember clearly, that it was that maid who once said in front of everyone that Second Concubine took her own life because she was heartbroken over her child. Those words seemed to displease Old Madam, who punished the maid. The Qin Manor is a great household – we servants dare not speak or listen much about such matters, though we’re not surprised by them. Most likely, Second Concubine’s child died very young.”
Qin Wan nodded at this, and Lady Liu apologetically said, “It’s been eight years after all, and this servant can’t remember everything clearly. This is all I can recall – please don’t blame me, Ninth Young Lady.”
Knowing Lady Liu wouldn’t say more, Qin Wan stood up, “How could I blame you? You’ve helped clarify things for me – I should thank you instead.” Saying this, Qin Wan glanced at Fu Ling, who immediately took out a small fragrance pouch from her sleeve.
Fu Ling smiled as she pressed it into Lady Liu’s hands, “We’ll be relying on you to take care of Young Lady.”
Lady Liu hesitated, but Fu Ling insisted on placing it in her palm.
Seeing this, Qin Wan turned and left the room, with Fu Ling following. The mistress and servant walked directly southeast.
Only after they left the servants’ quarters did Fu Ling say, “Young Lady, it seems Second Concubine was indeed pregnant back then, but lost the child soon after, and in her inability to bear it, jumped into the well.”
Qin Wan nodded, having come to the same conclusion. Miscarriage was no small matter – it harmed both body and spirit. If Second Concubine’s child wasn’t lost naturally but through someone’s malice, her resentment would have been even greater. And if Qin An couldn’t stand up for her then, it wasn’t impossible that she lost her will to live in despair.
Qin Wan sighed. As Lady Liu said, such matters were indeed common in great families.
“Young Lady, are we going to the medicine storehouse now?”
Qin Wan nodded, then looked toward the manor gate, “At this hour, His Highness and the Magistrate will likely arrive soon. We must hurry.”
After speaking, Qin Wan quickened her pace, with Fu Ling following. They took a shortcut to the medicine storehouse, got the prescription filled, and returned to Tinglan Court. Before they reached it, Fu Ling suddenly called out, “Young Lady…”
Qin Wan looked up to see Bai Feng standing at the courtyard gate – Prince Yan had arrived!
Qin Wan quickened her steps. Seeing her approach, Bai Feng quickly bowed, “Greetings, Ninth Young Lady.”
Qin Wan looked around, “Has His Highness arrived?”
Bai Feng nodded, “Yes, Master and the Magistrate have gone to the Purple Bamboo Grove. They’re excavating the remains from the well today. Master came by earlier, but when the servants said you weren’t here, he had me wait while he went to the grove.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Wait a moment, I’ll be right out.”
Qin Wan quickly entered the courtyard, set down the medicine package, and came back out with Fu Ling. Together with Bai Feng, the three headed to the Purple Bamboo Grove. The once-forbidden area was now full of voices – even from outside, Qin Wan could see figures moving about within. The presence of living people somewhat dispelled the grove’s eeriness. Qin Wan walked quickly inside.
“Your Highness, Magistrate…”
Yan Chi and Huo Xiaixin were looking toward the well when they heard her voice and turned around.
In their sight, Qin Wan was performing a graceful curtsy, the morning light filtering through bamboo leaves and casting dappled shadows on her shoulders. Yan Chi’s eyes brightened slightly, “Rise. Come look at this…”
Qin Wan stood and stepped forward, immediately seeing a light gray bone lying on a felt cloth by the well. Yan Chi said, “It was dug up a cup of tea’s time ago. Old Madam spoke true – the bones weren’t buried deep. They must have sealed the well with the demon-suppressing stone right after Second Concubine jumped in.”
Qin Wan nodded, “This is a woman’s tibia.”
Yan Chi showed subtle approval in his expression. Qin Wan then quietly related her earlier conversation with Lady Liu. Both Yan Chi and Huo Xiaixin frowned simultaneously. Huo Xiaixin said, “So she jumped into the well after losing her child?”
Qin Wan nodded, “It’s very possible…”
Huo Xiaixin’s lips trembled slightly, “Then… this makes it difficult. Eight years have passed – even if it was a miscarriage, we can’t determine the cause. Right, can Ninth Young Lady examine the bones to decide?”
Qin Wan’s eyes darkened as she shook her head, “Not possible. After eight years, we can only judge from the bone structure, and if the pregnancy was early, it wouldn’t have affected the bone structure.”
Huo Xiaixin sighed, “If that’s the case, we can only arrange for burial.”
Qin Wan and Yan Chi exchanged a glance, and after a moment’s thought, Yan Chi said, “That would be fine. This matter cannot be investigated further. Let’s focus on finding the killer of Liu and Liu Chun. The killer is still hiding in the manor, perhaps hoping we’ll focus our attention on Second Concubine’s matter, or perhaps… this case has some connection to Second Concubine’s affair.”
“We’ll know everything once the killer is caught.”
Qin Wan added in a deep voice, her gaze falling on the dark well opening.
“Ready! Pull up—”
A muffled shout came from the well, and the yamen runners standing at the edge immediately pulled on the rope. As more rope came up, a bamboo basket appeared. The runners brought up the basket, and Qin Wan saw mud-stained grayish-white bones inside. Looking at this, Qin Wan’s mind seemed to conjure the scene of the Second Concubine jumping into the well eight years ago.
“What are you suspecting?”
Lost in thought, she suddenly found Yan Chi standing beside her.
Qin Wan turned to look at him briefly, “I’m thinking about Second Concubine’s jump, and wondering if the killer in Liu and Steward Liu’s case might have some connection to Second Concubine’s death back then.”
“You suspect someone is seeking revenge for Second Concubine?”
Yan Chi immediately considered this possibility, but Qin Wan shook her head, “That doesn’t seem right either. Liu entered the manor four years ago when the Second Concubine was already dead. If it were revenge, Steward Liu might have been involved back then…”
“Yet Liu was the first to die.” Yan Chi said in a deep voice. Before he finished speaking, several figures suddenly appeared outside the bamboo grove. Yan Chi turned to look, and Qin Wan followed his gaze. Her eyebrows rose slightly – the arrivals were the sisters Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang, and between them, unexpectedly, was Yao Xinlan.
“Your Highness, I’ll go see—”
While Yan Chi didn’t know the Qin Manor’s women, Qin Wan couldn’t pretend not to see them. Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang were one thing, but Yao Xinlan was someone she had expended great effort to cure – what was she doing here?!
As Qin Wan walked out of the grove, Qin Shuang immediately snorted coldly, while Qin Xiang’s indifferent gaze swept past her without expression. Only Yao Xinlan stepped forward to take Qin Wan’s hand, “I heard His Highness and the Magistrate asked Ninth Sister to help, so it was true. No wonder you haven’t visited me these past two days.”
Qin Wan looked Yao Xinlan up and down, only relaxing when she saw her complexion was decent. “First Sister-in-law, why have you come? The yamen runners are conducting official business here, and if Old Madam learns of this, she will surely…”
Yao Xinlan was carrying the Qin family’s eldest grandson and was herself beloved by Madam Jiang. The Purple Bamboo Grove now held two deaths – it was a most inauspicious place in Madam Jiang’s eyes. If she learned Yao Xinlan had come here, she would certainly be displeased.
Yao Xinlan shook her head and looked back at Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang, “With such events in the manor, Frost, Fragrance, and I have been confined these past days. They say we’re not allowed to look or ask, but people become more curious when forbidden. Seeing the weather was fine today, I came out for a walk. We three were heading to the chrysanthemum garden but somehow ended up here. This place isn’t forbidden anymore – we’re just looking from outside, it’s no harm.”
With Yao Xinlan explaining this, Qin Wan had no response. Meanwhile, Qin Shuang stepped forward, “Why can you come but we can’t?” She looked into the grove, vaguely making out some figures, “Is that the Crown Prince’s son?”
Yan Chi stood deep in the bamboo grove, where the light was dimmer than outside. While Qin Wan could see outside clearly earlier, how could anyone see clearly into the grove from outside? Qin Shuang couldn’t have seen anything clearly – which figure was she asking about?
Qin Wan didn’t answer, only saying to Yao Xinlan, “First Sister-in-law, please return after a short while. This place is still quite unsuitable.”
Yao Xinlan patted Qin Wan’s hand, “I understand, don’t worry. Don’t treat me as weak and timid – if I weren’t carrying a child, I’d want to go look inside the grove.”
Qin Wan felt somewhat helpless, but Yao Xinlan lowered her voice to ask, “Did Liu Chun die in the well? How deep is it? I never knew there was a well in this grove…”
“Yes, he died in the well. I don’t know how deep it is – probably normal well depth. Before this happened, I didn’t know about it either.” As Yao Xinlan spoke in hushed tones, Qin Wan matched her volume.
Qin Shuang frowned, “First Sister-in-law, what are you whispering about with her?”
Qin Shuang’s outburst had indeed caused Lady Lin to lift her confinement after she recovered, but it seemed her terrible experience of falling into the well hadn’t tempered her character at all.
Yao Xinlan straightened up, “I was asking Ninth Sister how deep the well in the grove is.”
At this, Qin Shuang’s expression finally changed. She turned, unconsciously looking toward the distant flower trellis. Though that well had been filled in, the terror of falling in hadn’t completely faded. Moreover, she knew that on the very night she fell in and was rescued, someone had died under that trellis – and it was the Eighth Concubine whom she despised most.
A chill ran down Qin Shuang’s spine, “How deep… naturally as deep as that well… deep enough that a fall wouldn’t kill you.”
Speaking thus, Qin Shuang suddenly paled and said, “Wait, I said I felt human bones at the bottom of the well then, and Mother’s expression changed several times. Thinking about it now, perhaps it was because Mother thought of the well in the Purple Bamboo Grove – didn’t a concubine jump into that well?”
Qin Shuang looked shocked, while Qin Xiang frowned, “Sixth Sister, don’t talk nonsense. Mother was worried about you then. What bones or no bones – Mother wouldn’t know about that.”
Qin Xiang’s tone was indifferent, carrying that superior, lecturing air that made Qin Shuang furious inside. That day she had been pursued so, otherwise she wouldn’t have fallen in. Her cries for help had been useless, and this Fifth Sister, who usually treated her so well in front of others, had remained silent. Naturally, she was helping her mother, but it was her mother who had imprisoned Qin Shuang – thus proving that this mother and daughter’s concern for her wasn’t genuine!
Qin Shuang snorted, “How could Mother not know? Grandmother knew! When that concubine entered the manor, Fifth Sister and I were still children, but thinking back now, Mother didn’t like that concubine much then…”
Qin Xiang glanced at Qin Wan, her face instantly growing angrier!
“Qin Shuang! What nonsense are you speaking? How dare you slander Mother!”
Qin Shuang’s eyes widened, her already plump cheeks puffing out even more, “Slander! I just said Mother didn’t like that concubine! What’s wrong with that?! Father favored that concubine so much then, it’s normal Mother didn’t like her. I didn’t say Mother harmed that concubine, why are you so nervous? How am I slandering Mother?!”
Qin Xiang grew anxious, watching Qin Shuang’s mouth open and close, wishing she could tear it off, “Qin Shuang! Shut your mouth! How dare you! You still say you’re not slandering Mother?!”
“I’m not! I am not! You’re the one with a guilty conscience!”
Qin Shuang put her hands on her hips, no longer following behind Qin Xiang as before. As they argued, her voice grew louder and louder. Qin Xiang, usually maintaining the manner of a refined lady, found herself momentarily unable to handle her!
Qin Wan supported Yao Xinlan as they stepped back. Yao Xinlan sighed, “Enough, enough… Fifth Sister, Sixth Sister, stop arguing. There are servants around and yamen runners in the grove. Stop quarreling, it’s too unseemly.”
Qin Shuang’s chest still heaved with anger, but at these words, Qin Xiang’s eyes reddened. Stamping her foot, she said, “First Sister-in-law should scold Qin Shuang! With so many people here, what kind of things is Qin Shuang saying? If others hear, they’ll think Mother did something!”
As Yao Xinlan sighed and was about to speak, Qin Shuang thrust out her chest again, “What did I say? I clearly said nothing, yet you accuse me of slandering Mother! How dare I slander Mother! You’re misinterpreting my words!”
Qin Xiang had always thought Qin Shuang was hot-tempered, impulsive, and quite stupid, easy to manipulate, which was why she had repeatedly instigated her to be her vanguard. But she never imagined that one day Qin Shuang would shout at her like this. More infuriatingly, Qin Shuang wasn’t stupid at all now, but rather quick-witted, each sentence leaving Qin Xiang without justification.
Qin Xiang felt stifled, unable to shout back or strike out. Seeing Yao Xinlan supporting her pregnant body with such helplessness, she stamped her foot hard and turned to leave, “I’m going to tell Mother, just you wait!”
“Fifth Sister…” Yao Xinlan called out, but Qin Xiang ran faster, clearly not heeding her.
Yao Xinlan shook her head helplessly. Meanwhile, with Qin Xiang gone, Qin Shuang grew somewhat afraid and grabbed Yao Xinlan, “First Sister-in-law, save me, will Mother lock me up again…”
Yao Xinlan felt a headache coming on, “Now you’re scared? Weren’t you arguing so enthusiastically just now?”
Qin Shuang snorted softly, mumbling with her head down, “I’ve had these grievances for a long time. Fifth Sister accused me of slandering Mother when I didn’t… I think she’s the one with a guilty conscience!”
“My dear sister, please say less.” Yao Xinlan smiled bitterly, “You can’t say such things anymore. You’re a junior, these words are extremely disrespectful. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have brought you here. Xiang will certainly tell Mother. Come back with me first, I’ll speak up for you later, but you must also apologize to Xiang.”
“I won’t… why should I apologize…” Qin Shuang’s eyes were full of unwillingness and reluctance.
“Because your words were indeed disrespectful. Or do you want to remain confined?”
Yao Xinlan remained patient and gentle, but at the word “confined,” Qin Shuang immediately pressed her lips together. Yao Xinlan pulled her along, “Alright if you want to get through this, do as I say. No disobedience.”
She then looked at Qin Wan, “Ninth Sister, this situation has become unpleasant, I must return.”
Qin Wan nodded, “First Sister-in-law, take care of yourself.”
Yao Xinlan made a sound of acknowledgment and pulled Qin Shuang away. As they walked, Qin Shuang muttered, “I used to listen to her in everything, now that I don’t, she resorts to tattling to Mother…”
Qin Wan stood still, Qin Shuang’s complaints growing fainter, while Yao Xinlan continued speaking softly to her. Watching Yao Xinlan’s retreating figure, Qin Wan thought she made an excellent sister-in-law and would surely be a good mother.
After standing for a moment longer, waiting until Yao Xinlan and Qin Shuang were far away, Qin Wan turned around. As she turned, she saw Yan Chi standing at the grove entrance, watching her. Qin Wan hurried over, smiling wryly, “Your Highness must find this amusing.”
Yan Chi said nothing, only glancing in the direction Yao Xinlan and the others had left, “They say the Qin family maintains strict propriety, but now it seems somewhat undeserved.”
Qin Wan’s wry smile deepened, “They are just juniors after all…”
Yan Chi showed no agreement with Qin Wan’s explanation, merely turning and nodding toward the grove’s interior.
Seeing this, Qin Wan stepped forward, and they walked together deeper into the Purple Bamboo Grove. “If the juniors are like this, the elders may not be much better. What Sixth Young Lady just said fits with our deductions.”
“We only deduced based on common situations, but the reality might be different.” Qin Wan’s voice was detached. While common situations could be referenced, in reality, many cases defied logic. The specific truth would depend on the evidence.
“That’s true.” Yan Chi nodded, then suddenly asked, “Where did you live before?”
Qin Wan’s steps faltered at this question. Why had he suddenly shifted the topic to her? “I lived in the Western Rear Court before, not far from Liu and Steward Liu’s quarters. Why does Your Highness ask?”
Yan Chi couldn’t say he had long known she lived in the Western Rear Court, and that only yesterday, seeing the desolate state of that area had made him uncomfortable. “Why did they have you live there?”
Qin Wan lowered her eyes, but her faint smile showed no bitterness, her tone remaining light, “Alone and useless, having walls and tiles to shelter from wind and rain was good enough.”
“Then why did you fall into Half Moon Lake?”
Qin Wan raised her eyes to look at Yan Chi. Given his character, he wouldn’t normally be interested in others’ past experiences. Had he noticed something?
“It was raining that night, I slipped and fell into the lake.” Qin Wan’s gaze was frank, her tone calm, speaking with utmost sincerity.
But Yan Chi said, “Was someone trying to push you in?”
Qin Wan felt as if her heart had been pricked by a needle. After all this time, Yan Chi was the first person to suspect her fall might have been attempted murder. The former Ninth Young Lady had been lonely and helpless, and later she had been desperate and helpless. Whether it was the Ninth Young Lady or herself, their life or death had seemed insignificant. Qin Wan hadn’t expected Yan Chi to consider this possibility.
Shaking her head, Qin Wan maintained a composed expression, “No, Your Highness is overthinking.”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan looked deeper into the bamboo grove, “They should be almost done digging. Let’s go look.”
With these words, Qin Wan strode toward the well. Yan Chi watched her intently for a moment before following.
“Nothing more? Look again, since we’re retrieving the remains, we can’t leave anything behind.” Huo Xiaixin was looking into the dark well, instructing the yamen runners below to check again. Muffled voices came from the well as the runners responded.
Huo Xiaixin straightened up and turned to see Yan Chi following behind Qin Wan, his eyes immediately deepening.
“Your Highness, Ninth Young Lady, the men below say they’re almost done digging. They can’t find anything further down, but I’ve asked them to check again, to make sure nothing’s left before coming up.”
On the felt cloth by Huo Xiaixin’s feet lay a large pile of mud-covered bones. Qin Wan glanced at them, walked forward, and crouched down, saying, “I can tell if anything’s missing by looking.”
The bones had been buried in the well for eight years, mostly covered in thick, putrid-smelling mud. Even Huo Xiaixin said, “Ninth Young Lady needn’t trouble herself, let them look more carefully.”
Qin Wan shook her head and began rolling up her sleeves, “It’s no trouble. I might as well check if anything’s amiss.”
Huo Xiaixin glanced at Yan Chi, and seeing him merely watching Qin Wan without stopping her, didn’t pursue the matter further. “Alright, then please look, Ninth Young Lady. If there are any broken bones or wounds, this case won’t be simple.”
This was exactly what Qin Wan was thinking. Though the Second Concubine’s remains were in the well, it didn’t necessarily mean she had died by jumping in. The maid who had witnessed it was dead, and they couldn’t rely solely on Madam Jiang and the others’ one-sided accounts.
With this in mind, Qin Wan began working, first roughly cleaning the mud from the bones, identifying which part each bone was from, then arranging them in human form on the ground – skull, thoracic vertebrae, leg bones…
Huo Xiaixin and Yan Chi had seen Qin Wan reconstruct a human skull before, so they weren’t surprised to see her arranging a complete skeleton now. Qin Wan remained as focused as ever. This beautiful, gentle young lady handled human bones that even grown men found frightening with complete composure, thoroughly terrifying the nearby yamen runners.
Huo Xiaixin glanced around and laughed, “Ninth Young Lady truly deserves her reputation as a young medical immortal, knowing human bones and meridians like the back of her hand.”
These words were meant for the yamen runners’ ears. Qin Wan remained concentrated on her task, and soon the head, upper body, lower body, and both hands took shape. Shortly after, Qin Wan took the pelvis from nearby. Thus, the upper and lower body were connected. As she filled in the other bones, she said, “There are no injuries, all bones are intact.”
Huo Xiaixin exhaled. If this concubine had also died unnaturally, they would have an eight-year-old murder case to solve.
Just thinking about it gave him a massive headache.
As she finished speaking, Qin Wan took two ribs and fitted them in. As she moved her hand, she accidentally knocked the previously placed pelvis out of position. Qin Wan quickly set down the ribs to move the pelvis back, and at this moment, her brows suddenly furrowed.
An adult woman’s pelvis is wide and short, with relatively light bone density. Due to the mud coating, Qin Wan hadn’t noticed the condition of the pubic bone earlier, but now, her accidental touch had knocked away the mud there, suddenly exposing the pubic bone, and making her pupils tremble violently…
“We were wrong.” Qin Wan suddenly spoke.
Yan Chi, who had been watching Qin Wan, immediately stepped forward, “Wrong about what?”
Qin Wan stared intently at the scarring on the pubic bone, “Second Concubine didn’t just have a pregnancy, she… had given birth to a child.”