“She had given birth to a child?!” Huo Huaixin stared at the skeletal frame laid out on the ground by Qin Wan with great surprise. Though he wasn’t trained in medicine or forensics and couldn’t tell from bone markings whether someone had given birth, he deeply trusted Qin Wan’s words. However, he found it hard to believe that the Second Concubine had ever given birth.

Qin Wan’s brows were tightly furrowed. “When a woman is eight or nine months pregnant, her pubic bone begins to separate. During childbirth, the pubic joint opens completely. The original ligaments at the connection point become strained or embedded into the bone. After childbirth, these ligaments disappear, leaving permanent indentations on the posterior surface of the pubic bone. These indentations indicate whether a woman has given birth.”

As she spoke, Qin Wan picked up the pelvis, carefully wiping away the mud to examine it more closely. After a thorough look, she frowned slightly. “Perhaps she gave birth to more than one child.”

Huo Huaixin’s eyes widened even more. “More than one child?!”

Qin Wan shook her head. “I’m not certain. The scarring on her pubic bone is more pronounced than usual. It could also be due to her unique physical constitution.”

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. “But you said earlier that no one in the Qin Manor knew she was pregnant. How could she have given birth?”

Qin Wan set down the pelvis. “It seems we can’t bury her just yet.” She turned to Huo Huaixin. “Governor, please have someone clean these bones. I need to examine them carefully for other clues.”

After a pause, she added, “The bones appear to be complete. The men below can come up now.”

Qin Wan had already assembled most of the skeleton. Since the Second Concubine had died by jumping into a well, her bones weren’t shattered, remaining largely intact. A small pile of bone fragments on the felt blanket still needed to be assembled, but almost everything was there.

Huo Huaixin quickly nodded. “Very well, I’ll have them cleaned right away.” He walked to the side and called down the well, “Come up now, we’ve found everything!”

Muffled responses came from below, and those above pulled the constables up.

Huo Huaixin directed several men, “Take these bones to the courtyard over there and clean them thoroughly. Then find a suitable place to lay them out. Mind you, don’t damage them!”

Even the yamen runners weren’t accustomed to handling human remains daily. At Huo Huaixin’s command, several constables reluctantly stepped forward, wrapped all the bones in the felt blanket, careful not to miss a single piece, and carried them away.

Qin Wan stood up, her hands covered in mud. Fuling quickly came forward to help clean them.

Yan Chi watched with darkened eyes, then turned to look at the bamboo grove. “Now that we’ve excavated the remains, let’s check if there are any other clues in this grove.”

Huo Huaixin agreed and personally led people to search the surroundings.

Daylight proved much more convenient than night. Soon, the entire grove had been thoroughly searched.

“Your Highness, nothing obvious was found. This place is covered in dead branches and fallen leaves – any traces would have been blown away by the wind,” Huo Huaixin wiped the light sweat from his brow, his voice somewhat dejected.

Yan Chi shook his head. “No matter, let’s go check over there first.”

At this, everyone headed toward the western courtyard. Yan Chi continued, “If the Second Concubine didn’t give birth at the Qin Manor, she might have had children before entering the household. We need to thoroughly investigate her background.”

Huo Huaixin asked, “Who should we ask? The Old Madam?”

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. “Ask Madam Qin. Send for her.”

Walking behind them, Qin Wan glanced at Yan Chi. Compared to the shrewd and profound Madam Jiang, Madam Lin was indeed more likely to speak. Thinking this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but reflect that although Yan Chi was experienced in warfare rather than criminal law, he possessed extremely perceptive eyes that could see things others missed.

In the Buddha Hall, Caihe hurriedly entered with a male servant.

“Old Madam, He Xing is here.”

He Xing had previously been Liu Chun’s servant, running errands for him, essentially serving as a minor household manager. After Liu Chun’s incident, He Xing had been promoted and was now effectively the main steward of the manor’s outer courtyard.

“Let him in to speak,” said Madam Jiang.

Madam Jiang sat sternly on the long couch, still holding a string of prayer beads.

A figure flashed beneath the doorway curtain, and He Xing entered, immediately kowtowing three times. “He Xing pays respects to Old Madam and Madam.”

Madam Jiang’s eyes were barely open. “Speak, what did you see?”

He Xing straightened up but dared not look at Madam Jiang, speaking softly, “Your servant had people watching outside. It seems the Crown Prince had Ninth Miss accompany them not only to ask about manor affairs but also because of her medical knowledge. Just now, when the yamen runners dug up Second Concubine’s remains, Ninth Miss wasn’t afraid at all. She even discovered from the bones that the Second Concubine had given birth before. The Crown Prince and Governor originally planned to check if the bones were complete before burial, but now finding this strange, they’ve ordered the bones to be cleaned for Ninth Miss to examine more carefully.”

After a pause, He Xing glanced at Madam Lin. “Additionally, the Crown Prince has requested Madam’s presence in the west wing, likely to inquire about this matter. This is all your servant has observed so far.”

Madam Jiang frowned slightly, then nodded after a moment. “I understand.”

He Xing glanced up briefly, and Caihe said, “You may withdraw.”

He Xing quickly kowtowed again before rising and leaving.

As soon as He Xing left, Madam Lin looked at Madam Jiang and said, “Mother, what should we do? That girl Wan’er discovered this…”

Madam Lin’s words conveyed both amazement at Qin Wan’s medical expertise and some annoyance, but mostly uncertainty and helplessness. Madam Jiang’s expression remained calm. “Why are you panicking? They’ve summoned you simply because the Second Concubine was a concubine of the Qin household, and no one else knew she had given birth, so they want to know when this happened. Just tell them what you know, and what you don’t know, just say you don’t know. When An’er was foolish enough to take in someone with an unclear background, what could you have done about it?”

Hearing this, Madam Lin understood Madam Jiang’s meaning and steadied herself. “Yes, I understand.”

Madam Jiang nodded. “Go now, and while you’re there, ask the Governor if they’ll continue investigating the well in the bamboo grove. If not, we should have it filled in.”

Madam Lin responded and curtsied before leaving.

Madam Jiang sighed and slowly closed her eyes. Caihe brought her a cup of tea and softly consoled her, “Old Madam needn’t worry, Madam will handle everything properly.”

Madam Jiang opened her eyes and took the teacup, but shook her head at these words. “How can she handle things properly? Sometimes she’s not even as careful as you are. Fortunately, Chen’er is good – though young, he keeps his composure.”

Caihe quickly shook her head. “Madam is the mistress, and I am but a servant – we cannot be compared. Young Master is indeed excellent. With Young Master here, the Qin family will surely prosper for generations.”

Madam Jiang set down her teacup, her eyes showing a trace of satisfaction. “Yes, with Chen’er in the Qin family, this old woman can rest easy.”

In a small courtyard not far from the western rear courtyard, Qin Wan was reassembling the Second Concubine’s remains.

All the excavated bones had been cleaned, the mud washed away to reveal their natural color. Since the building housed a spirit hall currently holding the bodies of Liu Liu and Liu Chun, Qin Wan chose to work in the courtyard.

Two constables brought out a long table from a nearby storage room and dusted it off. Qin Wan placed Second Concubine’s skull on it, followed by the shoulder blades, then the spine and sternum. She was carefully reconstructing the skeleton she had arranged earlier. Just as she was about to place the pelvis, Madam Lin appeared at the courtyard entrance.

Madam Lin knew that Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin were waiting for her in this courtyard, but she never expected to enter and find Qin Wan arranging human bones. By then, Qin Wan had already assembled most of the skeleton. Upon seeing the skeletal frame, Madam Lin’s knees weakened, and she nearly lost her composure. Fortunately, the servant behind her was quick to catch and steady her.

Hearing the commotion, Qin Wan turned around, holding a white bone as she curtsied to Madam Lin. “Third Aunt—”

Madam Lin looked at Qin Wan, then at the skeleton behind her, pressing her lips together. “Wan’er, why are you doing this…”

Qin Wan glanced back. “Oh, when I studied medicine, I learned about human bones and vessels from medical texts. It’s proving useful now, and I can help His Highness and the Governor solve the case sooner.”

Madam Lin tried to smile but couldn’t. Meanwhile, Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin emerged from the main hall, where they had been examining Liu Chun’s body. Hearing voices, they realized Madam Lin had arrived. Upon seeing Yan Chi, Madam Lin immediately curtsied.

“Greetings to Your Highness and Governor…”

Yan Chi’s expression remained neutral. “Madam Qin, no need for formalities.”

Walking toward the long table in the courtyard, he continued flatly, “These are Second Concubine’s remains.”

Madam Lin’s expression changed slightly, and she carefully glanced at the table before looking away. Yan Chi continued, “Ninth Miss is skilled in medicine. From the markings on these bones, it appears this Second Concubine had given birth before. Is this true?”

Madam Lin pressed her lips together. “This matter, I do not know.”

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, his gaze suddenly turning cold. Madam Lin quickly added, “It’s not that I’m making excuses, but back then… when the Master brought her back from outside, we didn’t even know her name. She was extremely beautiful, and the Master loved her for this. Later we only learned her surname was Yang. The Master cherished her deeply, and although I was the primary wife, I never even received her formal greeting. The Master even argued with Mother about this. Afterward, Yang Shi lived separately from us. She had her kitchen in her courtyard and rarely came out. I never heard anything about her being pregnant or giving birth.”

After a brief pause, Madam Lin continued, “However… when she entered the household, she wasn’t a young girl in her teens. Though beautiful, she appeared to be at least in her twenties. We asked the Master about her background, but he wouldn’t say. Later, Mother and I speculated that perhaps she was a widow from somewhere. Even until she jumped into the well, I never received her formal greeting.”

Yan Chi frowned. “So it seems we can only ask Master Qin about Second Concubine’s background?”

Hearing this, Madam Lin lowered her eyes with some bitterness. “The Master is critically ill. If Your Highness can get any answers from him, that would be for the best.”

Yan Chi raised his eyebrows – Qin An was critically ill? With this thought, he looked toward Huo Huaixin, who sighed and nodded, “When this official visited this morning, Master Qin seemed confused and showed signs of mental deterioration.”

Qin Wan, who was assembling bones nearby, paused briefly at these words. While syphilis could indeed cause mental deterioration, that usually occurred after chancres appeared, taking at least two months to develop such symptoms. Why had Qin An become confused so quickly?

Qin Wan had finished assembling the major bones, leaving a pile of smaller bones like finger bones and teeth untouched. Upon careful examination, she truly couldn’t find any signs of injury. She straightened up, knowing that once a body decomposed to bones unless there was poisoning or obvious injury marks on the bones, it was extremely difficult to determine the cause of death.

With no new injury marks discovered, they could only accept the story that the Second Concubine had died by jumping into the well.

“Hasn’t Master Qin seen a doctor?” Yan Chi asked with a questioning tone.

Madam Lin sighed, “Of course, we called for doctors, but this illness is difficult to treat. We had planned to invite Imperial Physician Huang, but he isn’t currently in Jinzhou City. Mother and I are worried sick, but there’s nothing we can do.”

Madam Lin’s voice was sorrowful and quite grief-stricken. Yan Chi frowned and glanced at Qin Wan. Although Qin Wan was right there in the manor, the Qin family hadn’t considered asking her to treat Qin An. Were they planning to let him fend for himself?

“In that case, we’ll wait until Master Qin is better.”

As Yan Chi’s tone softened, Madam Lin’s tense shoulders also relaxed. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, “By the way, now that the remains have been excavated from the well, do Your Highness and the Governor need to examine anything else? If not, that’s well… people are rather superstitious about it. Mother thinks we should have it filled in.”

Huo Huaixin looked at Yan Chi, who in turn asked him, “Governor Huo, has everything below been thoroughly searched?”

Huo Huaixin nodded, “Yes, every corner has been checked.”

“Very well, the Qin family may handle it as they see fit.”

Hearing Yan Chi’s words, Madam Lin’s lips curved slightly. “Yes, thank you, Your Highness. And thank you for your hard work, Governor.”

Huo Huaixin waved his hand, “As officials, this is our duty.”

Madam Lin looked at them both briefly. “If Your Highness and the Governor have no further instructions, I shall take my leave.”

Huo Huaixin made a sound of acknowledgment, and Madam Lin curtsied before departing.

Yan Chi walked over to Qin Wan. “Have you found anything?”

Although Qin Wan had her suspicions, without evidence, she could only answer honestly, “Nothing new. We can only tell that the Second Concubine had given birth but can’t determine if she truly died from jumping into the well. For now, we can only accept that she did indeed die by jumping.”

Huo Huaixin also came over. “Unfortunately, Master Qin is mentally unclear, or we could ask about Second Concubine’s background. Also, whoever moved the demon-suppressing stone and killed Liu Chun must have been an exceptionally strong man. Perhaps we should investigate the male servants in the manor?”

Yan Chi nodded, “That’s feasible. Regardless, whoever killed Liu Liu and Liu Chun must be someone from the Qin manor.”

Since they would begin investigating the male servants, it meant the case’s progress would slow down. Qin Wan sighed inwardly and walked into the room. Despite the ice basins placed inside, Liu Liu and Liu Chun’s bodies had begun to emit a putrid odor. As Qin Wan carefully examined their bodies, her eyes suddenly darkened as she looked at Liu Chun’s hands.

Another day had passed, and the injured area on Liu Chun’s fingers had begun to crack and peel. Qin Wan was now examining the debris under his fingernails. Last night, in the torchlight, it looked like dried leaves and dirt, but today it appeared different.

Qin Wan frowned and looked around, spotting some scattered white joss paper nearby. She went over, picked up a piece, and returned to Liu Chun’s side. Taking out her needle case from her sleeve, she selected the smallest needle and carefully scraped out the debris from under Liu Chun’s fingernails. After examining several fingers, a small pile accumulated on the white paper. Qin Wan carried it to the doorway’s natural light and used the needle tip to carefully spread out the debris.

Seeing her cautious movements, Yan Chi didn’t dare disturb her and only asked softly, “What is it?”

Qin Wan frowned, “When I looked last night, I thought it was just dirt, but now it seems different…”

“What is it?” Yan Chi stepped forward, still keeping his movements minimal.

The piece of joss paper was small, and the debris on it was so fine it could blow away with a breath. Qin Wan held it close to her eyes and suddenly said, “It looks like… some kind of pastry…”

Having eaten Madam Liu’s osmanthus cake that morning, Qin Wan found these fragments increasingly similar.

Yan Chi reacted quickly, “Did Liu Chun eat something before he died?”

Qin Wan frowned, “Very possible, but even though he was hiding in the manor, he wouldn’t have dared move around freely. Would he have been bold enough to go to the kitchen for pastries?”

“That seems impossible,” Yan Chi shook his head. “He must have been hiding in the bamboo grove at the time. The manor was full of constables that entire day and the Governor led a search later. He wouldn’t have risked moving around.”

His phoenix eyes narrowed as his tone deepened, “So… could someone have brought him food?”

“The killer?” Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi quickly. Their eyes met, and she could see his confirmation of her thoughts. Her expression brightened, “Liu Chun went into hiding after learning about Liu Liu’s death that morning. Perhaps the killer helped him hide and then used the opportunity of bringing food to kill him!”

Though Qin Wan was usually focused and solemn when analyzing cases, her eyes now sparkled with excitement at discovering a new lead. Her clear, bright eyes were as pure as a deer’s, black and white distinctly defined like drops of ink, making it impossible for Yan Chi to look away.

“If that’s the case, the killer never intended to frame anyone. The killer knew Liu Liu’s death would implicate Manager Liu, but that wasn’t enough – they had to kill Manager Liu too. Either the killer deeply hated Manager Liu, or they wanted to use his death to reveal something.”

As Yan Chi spoke, his eyes brightened, and almost simultaneously, Qin Wan’s eyes widened.

“Second Concubine—”

“Second Concubine—”

They spoke the three words in unison. Qin Wan looked up at Yan Chi, her lips unconsciously curving into a smile. “This is the second hypothesis, but currently it seems the most likely. Liu Chun had been in the manor for many years, firmly holding the position of manager. Although he was often overbearing, he had never plotted to harm anyone. Additionally, the Governor’s inquiries revealed no one in the manor bore him deep grudges, so the possibility of a revenge killing is very low. His most egregious sin was his affair with Concubine Liu…”

Yan Chi continued, “But Qin An didn’t know about Manager Liu’s affair with Concubine Liu. When the Governor informed Master Qin of this matter the other day, he nearly fainted from anger. The Governor said his reaction didn’t seem feigned.”

Qin Wan nodded, “If Third Uncle had known about this, given his position as head of the household, he would have had a hundred ways to deal with Concubine Liu and Liu Chun. Moreover, since Liu Chun was a bound servant who had signed away his life, Third Uncle could have simply executed him under household law.”

“Although Liu Liu was quite flamboyant in the manor, she hadn’t made enemies with anyone. Madam Qin should have disliked her the most, but according to the servants, although Liu Liu was showy, she was very politically astute and maintained a respectful demeanor before Madam Qin. At least on the surface, no one hated her enough to kill her.”

Yan Chi continued from Qin Wan’s words, and she nodded, saying, “And for the killer to murder both Liu Liu and Manager Liu in succession, hatred alone doesn’t quite explain it.”

As she said this, Qin Wan’s eyes suddenly brightened, “Liu Liu first died under the flower trellis, and there was originally a well under that trellis too. Could it be that the killer wanted to bring attention to this well from the very first murder?”

Yan Chi pondered deeply – indeed, both Liu Liu and Liu Chun had died near wells. Was the killer truly trying to draw attention to this cursed well?

“It’s possible. With deaths by the well, the manor’s elders might mention the cursed well-killing people, thereby bringing up Second Concubine’s old matter…”

After speaking, Qin Wan carefully wrapped the debris in the joss paper and handed it to a nearby constable. Yan Chi followed behind her, saying, “Now we need to wait for Master Qin to regain clarity and ask about Second Concubine’s background.”

Qin Wan paused, then said softly, “While syphilis can indeed cause mental deterioration, it wouldn’t happen so early. It would take at least two months to show such symptoms. Even if Third Uncle had a weak constitution, it would still take at least a month. There’s no reason for him to be so confused already…”

Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, “Are you suggesting he’s feigning confusion?”

Qin Wan pressed her lips together, “From a medical perspective, that seems to be the case.”

Yan Chi’s lips curved into a slight, cold smile.

That cold smile made Qin Wan feel as if the surrounding air had suddenly chilled. Then Yan Chi looked at her and said, “You go back first. I’ll pay Master Qin a personal visit.”

Qin Wan blinked. Although Yan Chi’s gaze toward her was still warm, she hadn’t forgotten his cold smile just now.

“Your Highness… you…”

Yan Chi gave her a reassuring look, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

With that, he called for Bai Feng and several constables before striding out of the courtyard.

Watching Yan Chi’s rapidly departing figure, Qin Wan found herself worrying for Qin An for some reason.

After Yan Chi left, Fuling came forward, “Miss, shall we return?”

Qin Wan glanced at the skeleton on the long table and, thinking of the medicine she needed to prepare for Qin Li that evening, nodded, “Let’s go back and wait for news from His Highness…”

Qin Wan could treat Qin Li, and naturally could also treat Qin An, but given her position in the Qin manor, she certainly wouldn’t volunteer to treat anyone. Madam Jiang and Madam Lin knew of her presence yet remained silent – she understood well enough the calculations behind this.

Since Qin An was an elder and suffering from such an embarrassing illness, it was understandable. If Madam Jiang could set aside her pride, it wouldn’t matter to Qin Wan, but Madam Jiang simply couldn’t. When even the patient’s closest family prioritized face over health, Qin Wan only wished to heal and save lives – she hadn’t reached the point of interfering in others’ family affairs to lecture them about life being more precious than face.

Back at Tinglan Court, Qin Wan carefully considered Qin Li’s pulse reading from the previous night and soon drafted another external medicine prescription. “Fuling, go to the medicine storehouse again… get more of these ingredients…”

After Fuling left with her instructions, Qin Wan began grinding white apricot kernels alone with her mortar and pestle.

In treating syphilis, the most crucial aspect was removing heat, eliminating dampness, and suppressing toxins. Unfortunately, this disease’s poison was stubborn by nature – it was one of the terminal illnesses Qin Wan had known about since beginning her medical practice. If she could cure Qin Li this time, it would mark significant progress in her medical skills.

Qin Wan had always loved researching medicine, and with this mindset, she became even more dedicated. She prepared both internal and external medicines, but in today’s external prescription, one particular ingredient posed a challenge.

“Human milk…” Qin Wan frowned at her prescription. Where could she find human milk for Qin Li? Since she had prescribed it, he would have to find this ingredient himself.

Thinking of this, she carefully wrote the preparation method below the prescription: Take one cup of human milk, simmer until half remains, add the previous medicines, and simmer until dry, grind into powder, and apply.

After writing these lines, Qin Wan looked outside. Fuling had been gone for two cups of tea’s worth of time – usually, she would have returned by now. Could something have happened?

With this thought, Qin Wan began to worry. The Qin manor was experiencing troubled times, and although it was broad daylight, Fuling wasn’t one to dawdle. Could she have encountered some trouble that delayed her?

Just as Qin Wan folded the prescription and was about to get up to check, the courtyard gate was pushed open!

Hurried footsteps approached, and as the door opened, Fuling rushed in carrying two packages of medicine.

“Miss, Third Master has recovered…”

Fuling was breathing heavily from running, her forehead covered in light sweat. Qin Wan raised an eyebrow at these words, “Did His Highness arrive?”

Fuling shook her head, setting down the medicine packages before smiling, “His Highness hasn’t come yet. When I was returning just now, I met two young servants from the front courtyard who guard the Third Master’s quarters. They were going to request Old Madam’s presence because something had happened at the Third Master’s place. I stopped them to ask, and learned that His Highness had gone there…”

Seeing Fuling’s barely contained smile, Qin Wan grew curious. “What happened?”

Fuling caught her breath and continued, “When His Highness arrived, he first asked Master Qin about Second Concubine’s background. Master Qin was lying in bed, unable to speak or move, just rolling his eyes and breathing shallowly. The attending servants said Third Master had been like this for two days, too ill to respond.”

“His Highness then said that was perfect – he had come specifically to treat Third Master!”

Fuling’s eyes sparkled as she continued animatedly, “The attending servant was a steward from the front courtyard who was momentarily stunned by these words. Then His Highness said he had learned a method from the barbarians in Shuoxi specifically for treating mental confusion. He said it involved inserting an iron needle as thick as a little finger into the person’s head, leaving it there for seven days. After seven days, when the stagnant blood had drained, the mental confusion would be cured.”

Fuling laughed, “Miss, can you imagine how frightening this method sounds? That old servant was terrified, immediately kneeling and begging for mercy, but not daring to defy His Highness. His Highness said he had come to heal, how could he be misunderstood as wanting to harm someone? Then he ordered Guard Bai to find a needle. Would you believe it, Guard Bai brought back an iron nail!”

Qin Wan smiled at this, and Fuling continued, “That old servant turned pale with fear, saying it would kill him. His Highness said the Third Master might as well be dead already, unable to speak or move, and besides, they needed his testimony for the manor’s case. Although the method looked frightening, they had to try it. As he spoke, he ordered Guard Bai to proceed with the head-piercing, and at that moment, Third Master suddenly regained his ability to move – he not only moved but sat up in bed…”

Qin Wan’s smile widened as she shook her head with a sigh. This wasn’t Shuoxi, and although Yan Chi had been somewhat cold these past days, he hadn’t done anything extreme. Even Qin Wan had momentarily forgotten his reputation as the “Demon King”! While others dared not do anything about Qin An’s feigned illness, Yan Chi had no such reservations. This scare had effectively cured Qin An’s confusion!

If Qin An had dared to continue pretending, Qin Wan did not doubt that Yan Chi would have driven that nail into his head, and might even have brought out some of the punishments used on the barbarians in Shuoxi!

“Miss! His Highness is truly amazing! Third Master thought he could avoid everything by pretending to be confused, but he probably didn’t expect His Highness would use force. The servant said the Third Master was quite frightened. His illness was real though, and after sitting up, he was questioned by His Highness. Now he’s not feeling well…”

Qin Wan shook her head, “Although syphilis is stubborn and malignant, it progresses slowly and rarely causes sudden death. Watching oneself gradually become disfigured, rotting to death – that’s what makes this disease so terrifying.”

Fuling nodded, “The servant said His Highness was still there when they left, so he must have gotten some information.”

Qin Wan felt somewhat relieved, “He’ll certainly get answers. In Shuoxi, even the barbarians would tell His Highness everything without reservation, let alone Third Uncle.”

With these words, Qin Wan picked up the medicine packages from the table and went to grind the medicines.

Two cups of tea’s time later, the courtyard gate creaked, and soon Wan Tang announced from outside, “Miss, there’s a visitor.”

Qin Wan brightened and immediately stood up to go out. Outside the gate stood Bai Feng, and Qin Wan quickened her pace, seeing Yan Chi standing not far away. “Your Highness—”

Qin Wan walked up to him and curtsied, “Did Your Highness learn anything?”

Yan Chi replied, “Your Third Uncle is inexperienced in such matters. Though his confusion has cleared, he fainted just now. He said that Second Concubine was bought from kidnappers. He kept her in an outer residence for a few days at first, and seeing her beauty and gentle nature, brought her into the manor as a concubine. He knew when he bought her that she had been married before, but didn’t mind because of her appearance. She must have had children before – she never became pregnant after entering the Qin manor.”

Qin Wan frowned slightly at this, “Could it be that Second Concubine missed her children after entering the Qin manor and thus jumped into the well? The third Uncle knew she had been kidnapped but didn’t let her return. Didn’t he know where her family was or who they were?”

Yan Chi sighed, “He probably wouldn’t let her go. He said he truly didn’t know her family background, only wanted to keep her by his side because of her beauty…”

“I’ve seen many cases of people forcibly taking others for their beauty, but could someone in the manor have felt sympathy for Eighth Concubine’s fate and used these murders to expose this matter?”

Seeing the doubt in Qin Wan’s eyes, Yan Chi said, “The Governor’s investigation of the male servants has yielded no results so far. Besides them, there are only the two young masters and Qin An himself. Qin An is seriously ill, as is Qin Li, and although Qin Chen is of age, he’s not skilled in martial arts and has only ordinary strength – likely not our person of interest. This is a difficult point.”

After a brief pause, Yan Chi said, “I plan to visit the yamen to see if there are any records of missing persons from ten years ago in Jinzhou. If there are, we might be able to determine Second Concubine’s exact identity.”

Qin Wan had just thought of this too, and nodded slightly, “Your Highness is very thorough in your thinking.”

As she spoke, her brows furrowed slightly as if remembering something, and she hurriedly said, “Your Highness, please wait a moment—”

With that, Qin Wan turned and hurried back into the courtyard. Yan Chi watched her figure disappear through the gate, not knowing what she was doing. Soon, Qin Wan returned.

She held a note in her hand, “This is the book list Your Highness requested.”

Qin Wan walked up to Yan Chi and handed him the note. Yan Chi lowered his eyes to look at it, and his already brilliant eyes showed an even more dazzling light, like starlight on a winter night, emitting a radiance that amazed Qin Wan.

Yan Chi reached out to take it, “This time, you didn’t forget.”

Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi without speaking. Yan Chi put the note in his sleeve, “Go back now.”

Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi for another moment before turning to enter the courtyard. Although her back was to him, she could feel his gaze on her back, which only disappeared when she passed through the gate.

Qin Wan paused her steps and suddenly turned back to look. In her view, Yan Chi was striding away, his robes billowing at his legs as if his steps created their wind…

Qin Wan stood for another moment before turning back. Before she reached the door, a cold wind blew in from outside the courtyard.

Qin Wan frowned at the swaying lantern under the eaves, then looked at the cloudy sky – was it going to rain?

Fuling urged Qin Wan inside, “Miss, please come in quickly. It looks like it’s going to rain. Autumn rain brings more cold – the weather will probably get even colder.”

Qin Wan took a few steps forward, then suddenly froze, “The bones in the courtyard haven’t been collected yet.”

As soon as she spoke, Qin Wan turned to go outside, “Bring an umbrella, let’s go check.”

Fuling smiled wryly, “Oh, my dear Miss, how can you still be thinking about that pile of bones…”

Despite her words, Fuling went back to get an umbrella and then ran to catch up with Qin Wan. As master and servant hurried along, the autumn weather changed suddenly – halfway there, a light, cool rain began to fall.

Fuling held the umbrella as they reached the gate of the courtyard where the bodies were kept, and they saw two constables collecting the bones from the long table. Fuling sighed in relief, “Look, Miss, these constable brothers will take care of it. You almost got caught in the rain!”

Qin Wan shook her head and, since she was already there, went forward to help. The constables recognized Qin Wan, and seeing how respectful Governor Huo was toward her, they dared not be negligent, “Ninth Miss need not help, just watch from the side…”

As they spoke, the two constables lifted the long table and headed toward the spirit hall. One walked in front and one behind, but they were of different heights. Just in that moment of lifting, the table tilted, and several bones of various sizes rolled unstably to the ground. Qin Wan smiled and stepped forward, “I’ll pick them up, you carry the table inside…”

The two constables quickly adjusted their positions and carefully carried the table full of bones inside. The table was set down inside, and fortunately, the human form Qin Wan had arranged hadn’t scattered much. Meanwhile, Qin Wan walked in holding a leg bone and four or five small bones, about to place them on the table when her gaze suddenly fixed.

The leg bone was fine, but the four or five small bones in her palm were all joint fragments that couldn’t be fixed in place. Qin Wan had set them aside rather than incorporating them into the skeleton. But now, she stared at the smallest bone with full suspicion.

This was because while she could immediately identify where all the other bones belonged on Second Concubine’s body, she couldn’t tell where this tiny piece came from. Could it be that it wasn’t from Second Concubine’s body at all?