Fuling stared at Qin Wan with wide eyes, taking a moment to process her words. “A child’s bones?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Indeed. I had been thinking all this time that these bones belonged to Second Concubine’s remains. I examined them for so long but couldn’t determine their origin. Since Second Concubine’s skeleton was nearly complete, it wasn’t until I heard you discussing flower varieties that I realized I might have been wrong from the start. If these were bones from a child who hadn’t fully grown, naturally they wouldn’t fit anywhere on Second Concubine’s body. Or even when considering them against an adult’s skeleton, it would be impossible to determine which part they came from.”
Fuling understood and her face lit up. “Miss has finally figured it out! Do you now know which part this bone is from?”
Qin Wan looked at the bone in her palm, frowning slightly. “It resembles a metacarpal bone. Given its shape and width, it should be the second or third wedge bone of the palm…”
Fuling glanced at the bone in Qin Wan’s palm and furrowed her brows. “But Miss, how did a child’s bone end up in that well?”
Qin Wan clutched the bone tightly, her expression growing solemn. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. Not only should there not be any child’s bones, there shouldn’t be any extra bones at all.”
Qin Wan paced around the room for several steps before suddenly turning to face Fuling. “Earlier when we saw Caihe, didn’t she say they had already filled in the well?”
Caihe nodded. “Yes, Miss, the well has been sealed up.”
Qin Wan gripped the bone tightly in her palm and took a shallow breath. “Since it’s already been filled, let’s not rush. We’ll wait for news from His Highness the Young Master. Second Concubine’s identity is also crucial.”
Though Qin Wan said this, she understood in her heart that if there were indeed other remains buried at the bottom of the well, Madam Jiang’s hasty filling of the well must have been to cover something up. If she rashly demanded to reopen the sealed well, it would likely alert the culprit. Qin Wan pondered this with furrowed brows, then turned to look outside. “At this hour, His Highness the Young Master probably won’t come.”
Fuling also grew worried. “Should we send someone to check? Or should we go to Marquis Manor to find Young Master?”
Shaking her head, Qin Wan decided to remain calm. “Let’s wait a bit longer.”
She glanced toward the doorway. “Never mind, bring in the flowers and let them rest.”
Fuling responded with an “Mm” and turned to leave. Qin Wan watched the drizzling rain through the window, inexplicably feeling uneasy. She lowered her gaze to her palm, where the small white bone suddenly felt heavy in her hand.
The first autumn rain in the Southern Kingdom fell continuously for three days. During this time, yamen runners remained stationed at the Qin Manor. Huo Huaixin visited once but didn’t stay long, and Qin Wan hadn’t seen Yan Chi since.
Qin Wan felt anxious, and Fuling beside her wore a worried expression. However, Qin Wan knew that if Yan Chi had found nothing, he would have returned to the Qin Manor immediately. His absence likely meant he had discovered something.
“It’s been four days now, why hasn’t Young Master appeared?”
Fuling sighed, looking at the blooming Snow Sea flowers on Qin Wan’s study desk. Turning her head, she saw Qin Wan still reading two medical books she had bought from the market. The bone had been placed in a drawer beside her. Qin Wan continued reading, responding, “He must have discovered something.”
Fuling blinked. “If he found something, why hasn’t he come to the manor? Surely the murderer is still here?”
Qin Wan sighed, closing the book and setting it aside. She pushed open the window lattice to see the rain growing lighter. Qin Wan stretched out her hand, feeling the fine rain falling diagonally onto her palm. “Something must have delayed him.”
Hearing this, Fuling murmured, “I wonder if the murderer will try anything else.”
This immediately caught Qin Wan’s attention, but after thinking for a moment, she shook her head. “Without knowing the murderer’s identity or motive, we can’t guess. But with yamen runners in the manor these past few days, the killer likely won’t dare act.”
The killer’s previous targets were Eighth Concubine and Manager Liu, both of low status in the manor, suggesting the culprit was still cautious. Thinking of this, Qin Wan frowned. When the Eighth Concubine died, she had a handkerchief with her. Coming out late at night, she must have mistaken the killer for Manager Liu, while the killer had used Manager Liu’s name to lure her out. But what about Liu Chun?
Liu Chun died in the Purple Bamboo Grove after the Eighth Concubine was already dead. The killer couldn’t have used Eighth Concubine’s name to trick Liu Chun into the grove. Liu Chun had been missing for a day and a night, with his time of death at the hour of Xu on that day. Could it be deduced that the killer had appeared in person to coax Liu Chun to the Purple Bamboo Grove?
Or perhaps, since the killer knew of Liu Chun’s affair with the Eighth Concubine, they either befriended or threatened him, leading Liu Chun to hide in the Purple Bamboo Grove thinking he could escape. Then at the hour of Xu, the killer brought food to meet Liu Chun and killed him!
Qin Wan’s eyes sharpened. If it were just an ordinary servant, even using this affair to threaten or entice him, Liu Chun might not have complied. Conversely, if the person held some position of authority in the manor, they might have been able to make Liu Chun obey…
People of status in the manor… besides the masters, there were the other stewards.
Madam Jiang and Madam Lin had no reason to kill Liu Chun. If Qin An wanted him dead, he could have used more straightforward methods. As for Qin Li and Qin Chen… Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. They could both command Liu Chun and if they wanted to kill him, they could have set a trap. Luring him to the Purple Bamboo Grove to strangle him seemed too likely to expose themselves. But besides them, who else could it be?
“Miss… yamen runners just arrived at the manor, saying Liu Chun and Concubine Liu’s bodies can be buried now.”
Qin Wan had been lost in thought by the window for a long while when Fuling went out and returned. Qin Wan turned to look at her, and Fuling continued, “I went out to check. Young Master hadn’t come, but I saw several yamen runners heading to the inner courtyard. They said it was the Magistrate’s order that Concubine Liu and Liu Chun could be buried now. It’s not right to leave the bodies there indefinitely.”
Qin Wan nodded. “They must have investigated everything they could.”
Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. Qin Wan took a few steps forward, standing by a window with a clear view of the gate. She saw Wantang go to open it, and Moshu entered with a grave expression.
Fuling immediately said, “Moshu looks troubled, could something be wrong with the Young Madam…”
Qin Wan turned and headed for the door. By the time she reached it, Moshu had already arrived at the bottom of the steps.
It was raining lightly, and Moshu had come through the rain. Her shoulders were slightly damp, and her upswept hair seemed covered in a layer of white frost. Seeing Qin Wan emerge, Moshu immediately curtsied. “Ninth Miss, our Lady isn’t well. Please come see her…”
Qin Wan didn’t ask further, nodding and instructing Fuling to fetch umbrellas.
Fuling brought two umbrellas, giving one to Moshu and holding the other over Qin Wan’s shoulder.
As the three walked out of the courtyard gate, Qin Wan asked, “What’s wrong with Sister-in-law?”
Moshu’s eyes reddened slightly. “Our Lady had another strange dream.”
Qin Wan frowned, feeling uneasy. When she had seen Yao Xinlan a few days ago, she had seemed in excellent spirits. The previous troubles seemed masked by her smile and good condition, almost giving Qin Wan the illusion that nothing had happened. But now Yao Xinlan was dreaming again, and Qin Wan immediately thought of the jade tablet inscribed with the character “Yao.”
“Why is she having strange dreams again? What did she dream about?”
Moshu sighed. “Our Lady dreamed… she dreamed that the Young Master had someone outside. She said she saw him paint a portrait of a woman, but it wasn’t her. She said the painting showed mountains covered in red love beans…”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. “What did your Young Master say?”
Moshu shook her head. “The Young Master naturally denied it. He even took our Lady to his study. Our Lady looked around the study, but she still says the dream felt very real. She’s deeply troubled.”
Qin Wan felt anxious. Before they reached their destination, she could see Lingfeng Court shrouded in rain mist, hazy like the relationships of its inhabitants, impossible to see clearly.
Just as they reached the courtyard gate, Qin Wan spotted Caihe waiting outside.
Moshu’s expression changed slightly, and she hurried forward. “Sister Caihe, has the Old Madam arrived?”
Caihe nodded and curtsied to Qin Wan. “Old Madam heard the Young Madam wasn’t well, so she came to check. Ninth Miss is here to treat Young Madam, correct?”
Qin Wan responded with an “Mm,” and Caihe said, “Then please hurry in, Ninth Miss. Old Madam is keeping Young Madam company.”
As Qin Wan headed toward the inner chamber with Moshu and Fuling, she heard Madam Jiang’s dignified voice before reaching the door.
“You’re carrying the Qin family’s eldest grandson, the future of our family rests with you and Chen’er. This great-grandson will need your guidance, and Chen’er will need your support. I’ve already told Chen’er that marrying you was his blessing. Though our Qin family isn’t among the elite scholarly families, starting with him, I won’t permit him to take concubines.”
Madam Jiang sighed and continued, “You know his father. Chen’er is entirely different from him, and I won’t let him be like that. Look at those long-established families in Da Zhou – none of them indulge in women. Though it’s not unusual for great houses to have a few concubines, I want to follow the example of the An Yang Marquis Manor. A peaceful household helps men advance in their careers. Besides, I’m fond of your temperament and won’t let you suffer any grievances.”
Hearing these words, Qin Wan immediately thought of Madam Lin. Compared to Madam Lin, Yao Xinlan had truly won Madam Jiang’s heart. She couldn’t bear to see Yao Xinlan suffer, but how had Madam Lin endured all these years?
Lost in these thoughts, Qin Wan slowly approached the doorway. Moshu announced beside her, “Old Madam, Ninth Miss has arrived.”
Madam Jiang paused mid-sentence and turned around. As she did, her heavy gaze fell upon Qin Wan’s face. Meanwhile, Yao Xinlan perked up at seeing Qin Wan. “Ninth Sister, please come in…”
Qin Wan entered slowly and curtsied. “Old Madam, Elder Sister-in-law.”
Madam Jiang nodded but didn’t speak, only looking at Yao Xinlan saying, “My dear child, remember what I said. Don’t overthink things. A happy heart is most important.”
Standing up, Madam Jiang continued, “Let Qin Wan examine you properly. I’ll head back now.”
When Yao Xinlan tried to rise, Madam Jiang gently pressed her back down.
Qin Wan stepped aside and curtsied again as Madam Jiang walked out without a sideways glance.
After Madam Jiang left, Yao Xinlan’s weak voice rang out, “Ninth Sister, you’re here.”
Qin Wan sat beside Yao Xinlan. “What’s wrong, Sister-in-law? Moshu said you had nightmares again?”
Yao Xinlan slowly lay down, staring blankly at the ceiling. “Yes, I dreamed again… Ninth Sister, I feel my spirit is very weak. Sometimes I don’t know if I’m dreaming or awake.”
Qin Wan focused intently. “Sister-in-law, give me your hand.”
Without looking at Qin Wan, Yao Xinlan extended her hand. Qin Wan’s fingers touched it, and soon her brows furrowed slightly. She looked around with an odd expression. Moshu noticed and quickly asked, “What is Ninth Miss looking for?”
Qin Wan replied, “Sister-in-law’s spirits are troubled, and she shows signs of virtual heat and shortness of breath. I’m checking if there are any harmful plants in the room.”
After speaking, Qin Wan scanned the room but saw no flowers or plants.
Moshu explained somewhat helplessly, “We used to have several pots of orchids, but because of that medicine… the orchids deteriorated, so all the plants were sent away.”
Qin Wan gathered her thoughts. “It might be that Sister-in-law is overthinking things. I’ll make her some more calming pills.”
Moshu felt grateful, but when she looked over, Yao Xinlan frowned and said, “Could it be… because people died in the manor? Has this room been tainted by something evil? Is that why I’m having so many troubled dreams?”
Qin Wan smiled wryly. “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. Today Lady Liu and Manager Liu will be buried. You’re just slightly weak with some excess liver fire. The calming pills I’ll make should help.”
Yao Xinlan’s expression remained wooden. “Is that so? Well then, I’ll take your calming pills…”
As she spoke, footsteps sounded outside, and soon Qin Shuang rushed in.
“What’s wrong with Elder Sister-in-law?” As she spoke, Qin Shuang spotted Qin Wan sitting by the bed. Unusually, she didn’t show her typical disdain, but quickly walked to Yao Xinlan’s bedside. “Elder Sister-in-law?”
Yao Xinlan turned to look at Qin Shuang and tugged at the corner of her lips. “Sixth Sister has come?”
Qin Shuang nodded and sat directly on the bed. “I heard Sister-in-law wasn’t feeling well, so I came to check. Is it because the rain these past few days has made you feel stifled? The rain is already getting lighter. Cheer up a bit, and when the rain stops, we can go look at flowers.”
Hearing this, Yao Xinlan sighed. “This body of mine is truly useless.”
Qin Shuang comforted Yao Xinlan, then glanced at Qin Wan. “Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. Don’t we have a medical immortal in our manor?”
Her words carried a mocking tone, but she turned back and added, “You’ll feel better after taking the medicine.”
Yao Xinlan nodded. “Ninth Sister’s medical skills are unmatched.”
Seeing Qin Shuang had arrived, Qin Wan stood to leave. “Rest well, Sister-in-law. I’ll go prepare the medicine now and send it over later.”
Qin Shuang pursed her lips without speaking, while Yao Xinlan quickly asked Moshu to see Qin Wan out.
Upon leaving Lingfeng Court, Qin Wan immediately returned to Tinglan Garden to prepare medicine, working from noon until afternoon. Once finished, she had Fuling deliver it. Whether due to her fondness for Yao Xinlan’s temperament or her frequent treatment of her, Qin Wan now deeply cared for both Yao Xinlan and her unborn child.
“Miss, Official Huo, and Young Master have arrived…”
Fuling delivered this news as soon as she returned from delivering the medicine. Qin Wan’s eyes brightened momentarily. “Where did they go?”
Fuling quickly replied, “They went to the front courtyard first, seemingly to meet with the Third Master.”
Qin Wan stood up, hesitated for a moment, then sat back down, her eyes constantly darting toward the courtyard gate.
After waiting for nearly half an hour, Qin Wan finally heard a gentle knock at the gate.
Fuling quickly went to open it, and sure enough, Bai Feng stood outside.
“Miss, Young Master wishes to see you—” Fuling turned back excitedly, knowing that although Qin Wan hadn’t shown it, she had been waiting for news from Yan Chi these past few days.
Fuling held an umbrella as she escorted Qin Wan out. The master and servant quickly walked to the gate, where they saw Yan Chi wearing a black cloak.
In the rainy weather, with the hour growing late, the sky was a dark, gloomy gray. Yan Chi stood imposingly in his black cloak embroidered with faint gold patterns, emanating an inexplicable air of authority. However, when Qin Wan looked closely, she noticed dark stubble around his lips and mud spots on his boots.
Qin Wan approached and curtsied, then looked up and asked, “Where did Your Highness go?”
Looking into Qin Wan’s eyes, Yan Chi’s face showed fatigue, but his lips curved slightly. “I went to Yang County.”
“Yang County?” Qin Wan looked confused. Though she had been in Jin Zhou for over a month, she wasn’t familiar with the surrounding counties.
Yan Chi’s smile widened. “We went to check the records. For people who disappeared ten years ago, we found five case files. Two were men, so we set those aside. Of the other three, one was a twelve-year-old girl, and the other two were twenty-two and twenty-four years old. The twelve-year-old couldn’t be Madam Yang, so the remaining two caught our attention.”
After a brief pause, Yan Chi continued, “Of these two, one was in Yang County under Jin Zhou’s jurisdiction, and the other was in Si Ping Village just outside Jin Zhou City. I took some men to look into it, then went to Yang County.”
Qin Wan frowned. “How far is Yang County from Jin Zhou City?”
“Over a hundred li,” Yan Chi answered frankly.
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed. “Over a hundred li, and in the rain… Your Highness must have traveled day and night.”
Yan Chi didn’t answer directly, instead saying, “The missing person from Si Ping Village was surnamed Zhang. When she disappeared, she was already a mother of three children. After they reported it to the authorities, they never found her all these years. Moreover, we asked around – the missing woman wasn’t particularly beautiful, just had the appearance of an ordinary village woman. Then we went to Yang County and found the family who reported the case, but strangely, that household had disappeared after a big fire ten years ago…”
Qin Wan watched Yan Chi’s increasingly solemn expression, feeling a sense of foreboding.
“They disappeared over ten years ago?”
Yan Chi nodded. “According to the records, it was in September of Zhou Calendar year 229, around this time of year. But when we inquired in Yang County, the locals said that around New Year of that year, a fire broke out in the street where that family lived. The fire burned for several days and nights, also catching a nearby tavern. While people from the tavern escaped, the male head of that household and his daughter vanished. They were presumed to have burned to death, with no remains found. Too much time has passed, and the neighbors can’t remember clearly. They only recall that the family ran a small silk shop and had two daughters. Then one day, the lady of the house suddenly didn’t return home for several days, which caused quite a stir.”
Yan Chi finished in one breath, his eyes heavy. “There was no portrait in the case files, so we couldn’t confirm. However, the lady of the house was indeed surnamed Yang, though neighbors said she rarely went out and they can’t remember her appearance.”
Qin Wan hadn’t expected Yan Chi to personally go to Yang County, but why did that family happen to suffer a fire?
“It’s too coincidental. Did the officials never conclude that fire?”
Yan Chi shook his head. “We went to Yang County’s yamen. The magistrate is still the same one from ten years ago. He said the fire was caused by New Year fireworks and firecrackers.”
Qin Wan pondered briefly. “You just went to ask Third Uncle?”
Yan Chi nodded. “To ask where he bought Second Concubine…”
“What did Third Uncle say?”
“Master Qin said he bought her outside Jin Zhou City.”
Qin Wan thought for a moment. “If she was kidnapped, they would typically take her far away before selling. And since all Jin Zhou Prefecture’s nobility is in Jin Zhou City, bringing her here makes sense.”
As she spoke, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. “If Second Concubine was that missing lady of the house, and her husband and daughter died in that fire, who else would know of her existence and have a connection to her?”
Yan Chi shook his head. “That’s the strange part, unless someone survived that fire.” Then he added regretfully, “Time was too tight this time. I’ve sent people back to Yang County to investigate further – whether at the yamen or among the missing person’s parents and siblings. There’s still much to check. We should have news soon.”
Qin Wan nodded, suddenly remembering the bone. Her expression turned serious.
“Young Master, there’s something…”
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, but Qin Wan looked toward her courtyard. “Your Highness, please come inside to talk.”
Tinglan Garden was Qin Wan’s courtyard, and Yan Chi had always waited outside, never entering. Hearing Qin Wan’s invitation, his eyes widened slightly before his lips curved into a smile, and he strode toward the gate.
Qin Wan followed behind as they entered the courtyard one after another.
Upon entering, Yan Chi discreetly surveyed the surroundings. When they entered the main room, his eyes showed even more interest. Qin Wan followed and led Yan Chi into the warm chamber. “Please, Your Highness…”
Yan Chi removed his cloak, which Bai Feng quickly took. Seeing Yan Chi’s damp clothes, Fuling hurriedly went to brew hot tea, then withdrew without saying more.
As soon as Qin Wan entered the warm chamber, she walked behind her desk and pulled open a drawer, taking out a small white bone.
“Your Highness, please look—”
Looking at the bone in Qin Wan’s palm, Yan Chi frowned. “What is this?”
Qin Wan stepped closer, raising her hand higher. “After Your Highness left that day, seeing it was about to rain, I went to bring the bones inside. When I got there, I saw the two yamen runners had already started collecting them. I felt relieved and just watched, but then they accidentally dropped some bone fragments. When I went to help pick them up, I found this bone in my hand…”
Qin Wan looked at her palm. “Your Highness must remember, among Second Concubine’s remains, there were many bone fragments I left untouched. Though those bones weren’t assembled into the skeleton, I knew which parts of the body they came from. But that day, when I picked up this fragment, I couldn’t identify it. Later, I carefully pieced together all the fragments – finger bones, teeth, everything – but after finishing, this one bone had nowhere to fit.”
Yan Chi quickly asked, “This isn’t from Second Concubine’s remains?”
Qin Wan’s eyes brightened slightly as she nodded. “Not only is it not from Second Concubine’s remains, this bone is likely from a child. Because it hadn’t fully grown, its size differs from an adult’s. I didn’t recognize it at first, only realizing it by chance. Your Highness, this bone was dug up with Second Concubine’s remains, and I’m certain it’s human.”
Yan Chi’s fingers, resting on the table edge, tapped lightly. “There’s only one possibility – there are more remains in that well.”
Qin Wan nodded. “Although the Magistrate had people search thoroughly that day, the well bottom was full of mud, so they might have missed something. However, a few days ago, the manor’s people sealed up the well.”
Yan Chi frowned. “Even if it’s sealed, we can dig it up again. We just need a reason.”
Qin Wan composed herself, then remembered something else. “Also, that day when Sixth Sister fell into the well under the flower trellis, she said she saw bones there. Manager Liu went down and threw up a dead branch, but thinking about it now, could what she saw have been human bones?”
Yan Chi stood up. “I understand. Wait here.”
After speaking, he turned and left. Qin Wan looked down at the small bone, hoping she hadn’t guessed wrong.
As soon as Yan Chi and Bai Feng left Tinglan Garden, Qin Wan instructed Fuling, “Go out and watch where Young Master and his people go.”
Fuling left as ordered, while Qin Wan waited anxiously in the room.
The rain continued steadily, and darkness fell quickly. Soon, Fuling returned hurriedly. “Miss, Young Master first went to find the Magistrate, then they returned to the western courtyard together. After staying there briefly, they went to the Purple Bamboo Grove with some people.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan’s heart settled slightly, and she sent Fuling out again to gather more news.
After waiting for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Fuling returned. “Miss, Young Master wants to dig up that well again. Old Madam heard about this and rushed to the Purple Bamboo Grove. The Eldest Young Master has also returned from the front courtyard, and Madam – they’ve all gone there.”
Qin Wan frowned. Things were unfolding as she expected. Madam Jiang must have gone to stop Yan Chi, but how could she stop his actions? Qin Wan nodded. “I understand. Keep watching.”
Fuling left the courtyard but quickly returned. “Miss, Young Master sent someone to tell you not to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove.”
Qin Wan was briefly startled but quickly understood. Madam Jiang would surely be unwilling, and if she went there, Madam Jiang would likely direct her anger at her. Qin Wan felt warmth in her heart. “I understand. Go on.”
After Fuling left, Qin Wan stood and walked to the window. The sky had completely darkened, and lanterns had been lit in her small courtyard. Outside, there were lights everywhere, with distant warm glows penetrating the misty rain curtain and reaching into her heart.
Compared to the previous two times, Fuling took longer to return. Just as Qin Wan was wondering if something had gone wrong, Fuling suddenly came running back in small steps. “Miss, Old Madam has fainted…”
Qin Wan was startled. Fuling, breathless, continued, “Old Madam went there with the Eldest Young Master and Madam to question Young Master about why he wanted to dig up the well again. She said this ill-fated well, once sealed, shouldn’t be reopened – it would harm the Qin family’s fortune and shorten their lives. Young Master didn’t believe this at all and said directly that some of Second Concubine’s remains were still not recovered. If the Second Concubine were buried without her complete remains, that would surely disturb the manor’s peace. Then Young Master gave the order. Old Madam, seeing she couldn’t stop Young Master, became so angry she fainted. She’s been taken back to the Buddha Hall now.”
Fuling finished speaking and took a deep breath. “Then the Eldest Young Master went to the front courtyard to fetch a doctor.”
Qin Wan had been listening with a grave expression but suddenly frowned. “You said he went to the front courtyard to fetch a doctor?”
Fuling nodded, then suddenly realized something was amiss. “Wait, why would Eldest Young Master go to the front courtyard for a doctor… there’s no doctor there… unless Qian Bairen is currently in the front courtyard?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “No, something’s not right.”
She reached for her cloak and instructed, “Let’s go to the front courtyard.”
Fuling was slightly startled and instinctively tried to dissuade Qin Wan, but seeing her expression, she knew she couldn’t stop her. Sighing inwardly, she hurried to get an umbrella and lantern. Once Qin Wan had donned her cloak, they headed briskly toward the front courtyard.
Perhaps due to the commotion in the back, there were few people near the front courtyard.
After brief consideration, Qin Wan decided to head directly toward Qin An’s quarters. Fuling watched, asking, “Where are we going, Miss?”
“To see Third Uncle—”
Qin Wan spoke rapidly, her feet never slowing. At this moment, Old Madam’s illness was most urgent, yet Qin Chen had gone to the front courtyard. There was no doctor there – only Qin An!
Thinking this, Qin Wan became increasingly certain of Qin Chen’s intentions, but what did he want with Qin An?
Was it to warn him or something else…
Just then, Qin Wan suddenly halted. She had reached the corridor of the front courtyard, not far from the gate. At that moment, about twenty or thirty feet away at the gate, she saw Qin Chen leading five people out, and one of them was carrying someone on his back.
One person carried the burden while the other four – two carrying bundles and two holding umbrellas – headed toward the manor gate after leaving the front courtyard. Qin Wan immediately furrowed her brows. Were they helping Qin An escape?!
Old Madam had just fainted, yet Qin Chen was arranging Qin An’s departure…
Qin An had been ill for so long without seeking treatment at a separate residence, surely he wouldn’t choose to leave in the rain now?
And from the looks of it, they had just learned something and hadn’t had time to pack properly, taking only two bundles before attempting to leave. Qin Wan’s eyes turned cold as she immediately thought of four words: fleeing from criminal charges…
Qin An was trying to escape… If it were merely an insignificant secret, why would he need to flee?
“Elder Brother—” Qin Wan ran several steps and suddenly called out.
Qin Chen turned around, never expecting Qin Wan to appear in the front courtyard at this moment.
His eyes darted around, seeing only Qin Wan and Fuling. He waved his hand, signaling the others to continue ahead, then walked toward Qin Wan. “Ninth Sister, why are you here?”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, standing on tiptoe to look at the people heading toward the gate. “Who are they? And who are they carrying?”
Qin Chen stepped forward to block her view, saying, “It’s so late and raining. Aren’t you worried about catching a cold? Go back quickly, this doesn’t concern you…”
Watching the group getting further away, Qin Wan grew anxious.
But with Qin Chen here, she, a young girl, had no hope of stopping all those people.
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. “Second Brother, why are you sending Third Uncle away so late?”
At this question, Qin Chen’s expression immediately turned serious, with a hint of severity. “Don’t concern yourself with these matters. It’s too late – return to your courtyard at once. The manor has been chaotic these days, how dare you come out alone?”
Qin Wan looked at Qin Chen and finally couldn’t help saying, “Elder Brother if Third Uncle has truly committed some crime, have you considered that arranging his escape will only make his offense more serious? The Magistrate has connections with the Qin family – even if something happened, he would handle it fairly and with consideration. If Third Uncle leaves like this, he becomes a fugitive…”
Qin Chen’s brows knitted tighter, and Qin Wan continued, “Moreover, with Young Master Yan here, how could Third Uncle possibly escape?”
Whether speaking as the Ninth Miss of the Qin family or considering Qin Chen’s past care for her, Qin Wan felt she had done her utmost duty by saying this. She need not stop those escorting Qin An from the manor.
In the vast Jin Zhou City, in the great Da Zhou – even if he could flee Jin Zhou, what then?
If Yan Chi wanted to, he could certainly catch Qin An!
The severity in Qin Chen’s eyes turned to hesitation, and he looked at Qin Wan with a trace of scrutiny. “What does Ninth Sister know? Did you already know Young Master’s plan?”
Qin Wan gathered her thoughts. “Young Master? What plan?”
Seeing Qin Wan feign ignorance, Qin Chen shook his head, his expression growing complex. He turned to look in the direction the others had gone, and seeing they had vanished, he lowered his eyes and sighed. “I’m only following orders. Once he passes through that gate, his life is in his own hands!”
Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Qin Wan felt that at this moment, Qin Chen was filled with an air of defeat.
He was following orders – in the entire Qin Manor, whose orders could he be following?
Qin Wan sighed. Madam Jiang not only believed in superstitions but also seemed unable to read the situation. With Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin in the manor, how could she so openly arrange Qin An’s escape? Or perhaps she knew it was hopeless but still wanted to do something?
Qin Wan didn’t understand. At this moment, Qin Chen looked up with a bitter smile. “Does Ninth Sister find this contemptible?”
Qin Wan sighed. “The word ‘escape’ always makes one seem weak and contemptible. As for other contemptible matters, I don’t yet know of them.”
Qin Chen met Qin Wan’s gaze. As their eyes met, he grew deeper, and his face showed traces of helplessness. “I originally thought Ninth Sister only revealed her extraordinary medical skills after the Half Moon Lake incident, but I never imagined you had hidden such a resilient and clever nature all these years. I truly didn’t know you were like this before…”
Qin Wan was momentarily at a loss for words. Right now, she only wanted to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove to see what was in that well.
“Young Master is still at the Purple Bamboo Grove. Would Elder Brother like to go see?”
Qin Chen lowered his eyes again, shaking his head dejectedly. “No need to look. It’s just those things that can’t bear the light of day.”
Qin Wan’s heart tightened. First urgently arranging Qin An’s escape, then Qin Chen speaking like this – what secrets of the Qin family were hidden in that small square abandoned well?
Qin Wan took a deep breath. “In that case, I’ll return to the inner courtyard.”
After speaking, Qin Wan turned and left, determined to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove. She walked quickly, her figure disappearing into the ink-black night. Only after she vanished did Qin Chen slowly raise his eyes, a bitter smile spreading across his handsome face, while his eyes contained deep unwillingness and resentment.
Meanwhile, just as Qin Wan reached the inner courtyard entrance, she saw Bai Feng, who seemed to be looking for someone. His eyes brightened upon seeing her. “Ninth Miss, where have you been?”
Qin Wan urgently said, “Qin An is trying to escape, heading toward the east gate.”
Seeing her anxiety, Bai Feng quickly said, “Ninth Miss need not worry. His Highness has arranged people around the entire Qin Manor – no one can escape.” After a brief pause, he continued, “I’ve been ordered to invite you to the Purple Bamboo Grove…”
“Have they found something?” Qin Wan’s gaze was sharp.
But Bai Feng’s expression grew solemn as if this discovery was nothing to rejoice about.
“Yes, they have, and… there’s more than one set of remains…”