“How did he suddenly go insane when he was perfectly fine?” Qin Wan asked while walking briskly outward.
Yan Chi, walking beside Qin Wan, responded in a grave tone, “We don’t know why yet. There were guards stationed outside Qin An’s courtyard, but about half an hour ago, Qin An suddenly ran out of the courtyard like a madman. The two yamen runners at the gate couldn’t stop him. Fortunately, after pursuing him, they managed to catch him, though his condition is quite serious…”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, “Has Qian Bairen been treating him these past two days?”
Yan Chi nodded, “Yes, Qian Bairen has been treating him, and the medicine was also handled by Qian Bairen.”
Qin Wan lifted her skirt slightly and quickened her pace. If Qian Bairen was treating Qin An and handling his medicine, Qian Bairen wouldn’t dare harm Qin An. So why did Qin An suddenly go insane?
Although venereal disease was serious, it couldn’t cause someone to go insane. Based on Yan Chi’s description, Qin Wan felt that Qin An either went mad from some shock or was poisoned…
Before they reached the outer courtyard from the inner courtyard, Qin Wan saw Madam Lin and Qin Chen standing in the front courtyard, with Madam Jiang at the forefront. Madam Jiang was supported by Cai He, who was arguing with the yamen runners at the courtyard gate.
“With all the yamen brothers watching, our Old Madam just wants to see the Master. The Master is critically ill, how can the Old Madam not see him? Please understand the Old Madam’s maternal love.”
Cai He spoke earnestly, but the yamen runners at the gate dared not relax at all. The orders came not only from Huo Huaixin but also from Yan Chi, and with such orders, none of the yamen runners dared to be careless.
Cai He looked back at Madam Lin and Qin Chen, then turned around again, “Everyone, this is still the Qin residence. The Old Madam’s every word and action is under your watch, what trouble could possibly arise? We truly just want to see the Master. We heard the Master suddenly took a turn for the worse, please have some sympathy for the Old Madam’s maternal love.”
No matter how Cai He pleaded, the yamen runners wouldn’t yield. Madam Jiang maintained her composure, though her face showed rare signs of gravity.
Qin Wan looked at Yan Chi, whose brows furrowed. Most of the servants had been released, which gave Madam Jiang an opportunity. Sure enough, news of Qin An’s madness had reached her ears so quickly.
“Hurry, hurry… Grandmother is right ahead…”
Before Yan Chi could approach, voices suddenly came from behind them. Qin Wan and Yan Chi turned around to see Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang walking over, led by a young servant.
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow – was Qin An about to die?
Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang were walking hurriedly, but upon seeing Yan Chi and Qin Wan ahead, they immediately slowed their pace.
The two sisters exchanged glances and immediately lowered their heads, only casting sidelong glances at Yan Chi’s back. Yan Chi’s brows furrowed momentarily as he strode toward the courtyard gate. Qin Chen was the first to see Yan Chi and hurriedly turned to bow.
“Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince…”
Madam Lin curtsied, and Cai He nudged Madam Jiang’s arm. Madam Jiang also turned and gave a slight curtsy to Yan Chi.
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, “What is the Old Madam doing?”
Madam Jiang kept her eyes lowered. Though wearing an elegant deep purple formal dress with not a hair out of place in her coiffure, Qin Wan noticed that Madam Jiang’s usual stern and rigid bearing seemed about to crack.
“With such events at the Qin residence, this old one has no complaints about the yamen keeping our residence under watch like a prison. However, now that my son is gravely ill, having heard he is at death’s door, how can this old one not see him one last time?”
Speaking thus, Madam Jiang raised her eyes to look at Yan Chi, “Therefore, I request Your Highness to grant passage.”
Yan Chi looked at Madam Jiang, then glanced at Madam Lin and Qin Chen beside her. Just when everyone thought he would refuse, he said calmly, “The Old Madam’s maternal love is admirable. Let them through.”
Only then did the yamen runners step aside. Yan Chi strode forward, entering the courtyard first. Qin Wan curtsied to Madam Jiang and Madam Lin before hurrying to follow. Behind them, Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang came forward, exchanging glances as Madam Jiang slowly turned around, gripping her walking stick. The grandmother and granddaughters all wore grave expressions, except for Qin Shuang, whose large eyes darted about showing no trace of sorrow.
Besides Qin Chen and Madam Lin, even Madam Jiang rarely came to the front courtyard, let alone Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang. Qin Shuang looked around and suddenly asked in a low voice, “Should we call Second Brother?”
Qin Xiang glanced at Madam Jiang’s back, “Grandmother didn’t say anything, so it probably doesn’t matter either way.”
Qin Shuang sighed, “Then let’s not call him, Second Brother is sick too.”
“Ah— Let me go—”
Just as Qin Shuang finished speaking, a sharp shout came from the main hall!
Qin Shuang turned pale with fright and instinctively grabbed Qin Xiang’s arm. Though they were quarreling, Qin Xiang was the only one nearby she could grab onto. Qin Xiang was also startled but frowned deeply at being grabbed.
“What kind of behavior is this, let go of me!”
Qin Shuang wouldn’t let go, her chubby little hand tightly gripping Qin Xiang’s arm. After a moment’s reaction, Qin Shuang suddenly asked, “Was that Father? Was that Father shouting just now?”
Qin Xiang nodded with some disgust, “Who else would it be…”
Qin Shuang’s face showed pure confusion, “What’s wrong with Father…”
Before she finished speaking, Qin Shuang saw Yan Chi and Qin Wan stop at the main hall’s entrance. The doors were wide open, and inside, two servants were trying to restrain Qin An, but his strength was so great that he seemed about to break free.
On the other side, Huo Huaixin and Xu He stood in the corner. Huo Huaixin’s clothes were disheveled, perhaps from being grabbed by Qin An. While wiping his sweat, he said, “Brother Qin, stop making trouble. This time, you won’t get away with it.”
“Let go… let me go…”
“Do you know who I am? Why are you keeping me locked up?”
“I’m going to tell Big Brother to deal with you all!”
Qin An shouted until his voice was hoarse. His clothes were in complete disarray, and his hairpin had fallen out during the struggle. Now his hair hung loose like a madman’s, and combined with his wild raving, he truly appeared insane and possessed.
Huo Huaixin gave Yan Chi a bitter smile, and seeing his cold expression without speaking, sighed inwardly.
Yan Chi had come from the Northwest Army – he had no patience for dealing with madmen like Qin An. If he intervened, Qin An would likely lose half his life. Thinking this, Huo Huaixin made one final attempt at persuasion out of moral duty: “Brother Qin, stop making trouble. Your act of dying one moment and living the next is just trying to cover up what happened back then, but those children’s bones have all been found by us…”
As Huo Huaixin earnestly persuaded him, suddenly Qin An’s eyes lit up, “Children?”
He seemed not to have heard the word “bones,” but stopped struggling and looked around with a greedy, lustful expression. In an instant, Qin An spotted Qin Wan standing at the front.
Yan Chi frowned and stepped left, immediately blocking Qin Wan from view. Qin An’s eyes lifted to meet Yan Chi’s, and at their eye contact, Qin An stepped back as if frightened.
But as if possessed, unable to see Qin Wan, his gaze darted about until suddenly he caught sight of a light purple dress. His eyes lit up and, to everyone’s surprise, he suddenly broke free from the two servants’ restraints with a lunge, then charged like a madman toward Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang standing at the back…
The two servants who had been restraining Qin An were already exhausted. When he suddenly stopped struggling, they relaxed slightly, never expecting him to suddenly start fighting again, and carelessly let him slip away.
Seeing Qin An charge toward them, Qin Chen, being male, still had some agility.
He stepped forward to block Qin An’s path while shielding Qin Shuang, but Qin An seemed possessed and cleverly sidestepped around him. As he got past Qin Chen, the stunned Qin Xiang was left exposed. Qin An let out a lecherous laugh and lunged at Qin Xiang with outstretched arms—
“Ah—”
Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang were standing far back, and with everyone in front, they had only vaguely seen Qin An struggling against the servants’ restraints. They never imagined he would suddenly charge at them.
Though the former Qin An had been pleasure-seeking and uninvolved in household affairs, they still saw him regularly, and on those occasions, he had been well-dressed and somewhat dignified. But today, seeing him disheveled and hearing his ravings, Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang were already shocked and frightened. Before they could react, they saw Qin An lunging at them like some vulgar street ruffian…
Qin Xiang first saw a face covered in purple-red sores, and just as fear struck her, she felt a violent force slam into her shoulder, sending her whole body flying!
Terror spread through Qin Xiang’s entire being. As she crashed to the ground, Qin An tumbled down with her. Qin Xiang screamed in fright and began crying uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Qin An tried crawling toward her, but Qin Chen rushed forward and yanked him up by the back of his neck—
Seeing Qin An still struggling, the two stunned servants finally came forward to restrain him. Meanwhile, Madam Jiang and Madam Lin both turned pale. Madam Lin went to help Qin Xiang with pained and angry eyes, while Madam Jiang stamped her walking stick hard, “You worthless creature! You worthless creature! In this state, you’d truly be better off dead…”
Madam Jiang was so angry she felt dizzy waves and could barely stand. Madam Lin helped Qin Xiang up from the ground as she cried, asking, “Mother, what was Father trying to do…”
Madam Lin was heartbroken and pulled Qin Xiang into her embrace, “Your father has gone mad from illness, don’t be afraid.”
Qin Xiang cried while thinking about something, and suddenly seemed to understand. Her eyes widened, “Father… Father likes children… those bones in the well were Father’s…”
Before Qin Xiang could finish, Madam Lin covered her mouth.
Beside them, Qin Shuang asked with reddened eyes, “Were those children all Father’s catamites?”
Qin Shuang had also been frightened. Though Qin Chen had saved her, her terror at that moment was no less than Qin Xiang’s. Now seeing Qin Xiang crying so hard she could barely breathe, she couldn’t help but cry as well.
“How dare you, what nonsense…” Madam Jiang, trembling and barely able to stand, snapped coldly, “You’re a young lady, where did you learn such words? Truly outrageous…”
Yan Chi’s eyes darkened as he stepped forward, “At this point, what is the Old Madam still trying to hide?”
Madam Jiang gripped Cai He’s hand tightly, half her body leaning on Cai He. She was about to collapse, about to be crushed by this exposed scene. Earlier when news of Qin An’s madness reached the Buddha Hall, she had only thought he was dying, and so rushed out regardless of propriety, even calling the other children, thinking only of parental bonds. Who could have imagined that Qin An was truly mad, and not only mad but had mistaken Qin Xiang for one of those children from years ago…
Madam Jiang’s hand holding the walking stick trembled, but her lips were pressed tightly together, “What is Your Highness saying? My son is ill and has lost his mind. He’s mad – how can the words of such a madman be taken seriously?”
Qin An was pinned down by the servants. One servant seemed to understand something and suddenly pulled out a handkerchief to stuff in Qin An’s mouth. Once gagged, Qin An could no longer shout, though he still stared with greedy eyes at Qin Xiang hiding in Madam Lin’s embrace. Qin Xiang trembled in her mother’s arms, wishing Qin An would just die right there.
At this moment, even Madam Jiang no longer wished to honor the mother-son bond, let alone the Qin Xiang sisters who had never received Qin An’s care. All the family dignity and propriety that Madam Jiang had always upheld collapsed into nothing at this moment. She knew she was making forced arguments and deceiving herself, but at this point, she could only completely abandon her dignity and try to delay this case one day at a time.
“Old Madam, you and the Madam should just tell us honestly what happened,” Huo Huaixin watched the scene with great sympathy. “Even these young ones can see what’s going on – how could you not understand? Master Qin has become like this, you need to teach the young ones right from wrong.”
Madam Jiang took a deep breath to steady herself, though her face was pale, “The Magistrate may continue investigating. Better to make him confess personally – use whatever torture necessary on him. If he confesses, then punish him accordingly.”
After speaking, Madam Jiang sighed, “This old one is also guilty. If the Magistrate wishes to imprison this old one, please do so. As for anything else, this old one knows nothing.”
Speaking thus, Madam Jiang turned to leave, but after a few steps she looked back, “In this state, Your Highness and the Magistrate may handle him as you see fit. The guilt lies with him alone, and has nothing to do with the other young ones.”
After speaking, she glanced at Qin Chen and the others, “Let’s go. There’s no need to come again in the future.”
After Madam Jiang left, Madam Lin carried Qin Xiang out. Afraid to stay in the courtyard, Qin Shuang hurriedly followed. Qin Chen sighed, bowed to Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin, and also left.
Once everyone had gone, the courtyard emptied. Huo Huaixin stepped forward, “Your Highness, what should we do? In his state, I fear the Review Court won’t accept his testimony.”
Yan Chi turned to look at Qin An, “Wasn’t he said to be dying?”
Yan Chi hadn’t seen what Qin An was like earlier, but it seemed Qin An wouldn’t die anytime soon.
Huo Huaixin made a surprised sound, “No one said he was dying! They only said he had gone mad. Perhaps the message was misdelivered. Though he was quite frightening at first, and this sudden change – we don’t know what caused it.”
At this point, Qin Wan stepped out from beside Yan Chi. As she emerged, Qin An’s eyes fixed on her with undisguised greed. Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin grew concerned and were about to have someone drag Qin An away, but Qin Wan walked right up to him. As she approached, Qin An grew even more agitated, desperate to lunge at her.
Qin Wan remained calm, her eyes sharp as blades. After staring at Qin An for a moment, the burning in his eyes diminished slightly. Suddenly, Qin Wan raised her hand and precisely inserted a silver needle into the center of Qin An’s forehead.
Qin An seemed to freeze, then quickly collapsed.
The two servants breathed huge sighs of relief, glancing at Qin Wan with admiration in their hearts – her medical skills were truly real, and the way she stood before Qin An without fear showed great courage.
After Qin An collapsed and his eyes slowly closed, Qin Wan finally crouched down to examine him.
Compared to Qin Li, Qin An’s face, neck, and exposed wrists and hands were covered in many syphilitic sores. Qin Wan frowned deeply at the sight, while the servants supporting Qin An could barely contain their revulsion. If they hadn’t served Qin An for many years, no amount of money could have convinced them to care for such a master.
“The syphilitic sores have emerged – the venereal disease is very severe,” Qin Wan spoke slowly. “If it continues like this, soon the bones will show through his hands, and his internal organs will begin to fail.”
Huo Huaixin frowned, “Could this be why he went mad?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “No, syphilis itself doesn’t cause madness, though other stimuli could trigger it. If he couldn’t accept seeing his body begin to rot, that might be possible, but at his age, he’s not a child – he shouldn’t be so dramatically affected by it. Besides, these sores didn’t just appear today.”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan looked down at Qin An’s exposed hand. At this sight, she frowned slightly.
Qin An’s nails were darkened, with the white half-moons turning almost black. Qin Wan pondered briefly, “Who has been prescribing his medicine recently? Qian Bairen?”
Yan Chi stepped forward, “Yes, it was him…”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, “We’ll need to bring him in for questioning.”
Huo Huaixin nodded and immediately ordered the yamen runners outside. As the runners left, Qin Wan carefully examined Qin An’s other hand and parted his hair to look.
“What symptoms has he been showing recently?”
Qin Wan’s question was directed at the two servants before her. They exchanged glances, and one hurriedly replied, “The Master has been irritable lately and has vomited twice. He can’t sleep at night, and his temper is worse than usual, but with such an illness, who could remain calm? Master was used to a life of pleasure, and now with this sudden change, Old Madam won’t let him leave or visit the concubines. He’s feeling trapped, so we didn’t think much of his irritability.”
As soon as he finished, the other servant added, “Oh, and the Master often complains of headaches and says his vision sometimes blurs. We naturally called Doctor Qian to examine him, but Doctor Qian seemed frightened by Master’s symptoms. Whenever he came to treat him, he was very timid. We tried our best to make Master take the medicine, but it wasn’t very effective.”
The first servant added bitterly, “Previously, Master had feigned illness once or twice, deliberately making his condition sound severe. Later, we couldn’t tell if what he said was true or false…”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, “When did the headaches and dizziness start? What about the vomiting?”
The servants thought for a moment, and the first one spoke, “It seemed to start after Concubine Liu’s death. The vomiting and diarrhea came together, and the headaches began two days later. Also, the Master complained of chest tightness and stomach pain. Master had so many symptoms, different each time. Sometimes we thought he was just trying to deceive us, especially since Doctor Qian couldn’t find anything wrong.”
Qin Wan listened silently. Soon, the yamen runners brought Qian Bairen.
Though Qin Wan hadn’t seen Qian Bairen for several days, she noticed he had lost some weight, though he still maintained his prosperous appearance. Being specially summoned, Qian Bairen appeared nervous and immediately knelt before Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin.
“This humble one greets the Magistrate and His Highness…”
After speaking, Qian Bairen trembled as he lay prostrate, not daring to raise his head.
Knowing Yan Chi had no patience for formal interrogations like in court, Huo Huaixin stepped forward, “Raise your head. When did you start treating your master?”
Hearing this, Qian Bairen obediently lifted his head and thought for a moment, “It was… after Concubine Liu’s death. Only then did I learn that she had earlier begged for medicine to treat herself. Later, Master also fell ill – it must, must have been contracted from Lady Liu.”
Seeing him speak of this, Huo Huaixin frowned, “Bring out all the prescriptions you’ve written.”
Qian Bairen seemed to have anticipated this question and immediately pulled several prescriptions from his sleeve, “Here, here… they’re all here. I’ve changed his prescription three times these past few days, they’re all here…”
Huo Huaixin took the prescriptions and handed them directly to Qin Wan. She looked them over for a moment, then raised her eyes to Qian Bairen, “The prescriptions aren’t seriously wrong, but… he’s been poisoned now. How did this happen?”
“Poisoned?!” Qian Bairen cried out in great surprise, “I… I don’t know… how could he be poisoned?”
Qin Wan frowned, “He complained of headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea – didn’t you find that strange?”
Qian Bairen’s eyes flickered. He hadn’t wanted to treat Qin An at all, knowing he couldn’t cure him. These prescriptions were merely copied from medical books to fulfill his duty. He had attributed all of Qin An’s symptoms to venereal disease, and besides, he still didn’t even know what all the symptoms of venereal disease were…
“Weren’t those… weren’t those symptoms of venereal disease?”
Qin Wan’s gaze sharpened, but seeing Qian Bairen’s timid manner, she didn’t know what to say. Qian Bairen was an incompetent doctor – Madam Jiang must have known this, yet she had hired him.
Folding the prescriptions, Qin Wan handed them to Huo Huaixin and continued, “These symptoms indicate poisoning.”
“Poisoning?” Huo Huaixin smiled bitterly, “He’s a suspect – who would want to poison him? Ninth Miss, can you determine what kind of poison it might be?”
Qin Wan looked back at Qin An again, “Most likely mineral poison.”
Huo Huaixin frowned in confusion and turned to look at Yan Chi, who seemed to have realized something. Qin Wan explained, “In the capital, some people were fond of alchemy, believing they could create elixirs for immortality. Your Highness must know of this…”
Yan Chi nodded, and Qin Wan continued, “The so-called alchemy always involved refining minerals. These substances usually harm the human body rather than grant immortality. They cause poisoning – victims might develop digestive problems, experience dizziness and hair loss, become irritable and angry, or in more severe cases, develop tumors in their organs and die directly.”
Qin Wan glanced at Qin An, then looked at the servants, “Did Master have a habit of taking elixirs?”
The two servants exchanged glances again and both shook their heads.
Qin Wan frowned, “Where is his medicine bowl? Where do you usually decoct the medicine?”
“Over there… I’ll get them right away…”
In Qin An’s courtyard, everything was readily available. Soon, the servant brought a medicine bowl and a medicinal pot from the side hall, “Ninth Miss, here are the medicine bowl and pot. Usually, the servants would fetch the medicine and decoct it here in the courtyard, then we would serve it to Master.”
Qin Wan took the bowl and examined it first. Finding nothing unusual in the bowl, she checked the pot, which still contained herbs. Unable to see clearly, she poured the contents into the bowl. The servant looked regretful, but Qin Wan said without looking up, “This prescription is useless anyway – drinking it or not makes little difference…”
The servant looked sheepish, but suddenly Qin Wan said, “No, that’s not quite right.”
Looking up, her eyes darkened, “There’s a layer of black powder settled at the bottom, seemingly left by dissolved elixirs. This ingredient isn’t in the prescription – who added it? Did you notice anything while decocting the medicine?”
At this, both Qian Bairen and the two servants became alarmed.
Qian Bairen protested, “It’s wrong to accuse me! If it’s not in the prescription, I absolutely wouldn’t add it. I truly didn’t put it in – how could I risk others discovering it? I wouldn’t do such a thing…”
The two servants exchanged glances, and one shook his head, “We didn’t notice. Each time we just dumped everything into the pot. We don’t recognize these herbs and can’t tell them apart. Even if it was right before our eyes, we’d probably mistake it for a tonic.” Saying this, they both glared at Qian Bairen.
Qian Bairen turned pale, sweat breaking out as he repeatedly bowed to Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin, begging for mercy, “Great lords, it truly wasn’t me. I’m the household physician – if anything happens to the master, I’m the first one suspected of the wrong medication. I’ve always been extremely careful, how would I dare to poison him?”
Huo Huaixin might be courteous to Madam Jiang and others, but not to servants like Qian Bairen. He coldly snorted, “You wrote the prescriptions – are you trying to deny it?!”
Hearing this, Qian Bairen became even more anxious, continuously kowtowing, “Please, My Lord, judge fairly! It truly wasn’t me, it truly wasn’t me! Even with ten thousand lives, I wouldn’t dare! Please, My Lord, judge fairly…”
Huo Huaixin didn’t relent, only looking at Qin Wan. Watching Qian Bairen kowtow until a bump was forming on his forehead, she finally shook her head, “Doctor Qian indeed has no motive.”
Hearing this, Qian Bairen’s heart stirred, and he hurriedly kowtowed to Qin Wan, “Ninth Miss sees clearly, it truly wasn’t me…”
Huo Huaixin snorted lightly, “Since Ninth Miss speaks for you, I’ll let you off for now. Stay in your courtyard these days and don’t leave – we may call you for questioning at any time!”
Qian Bairen wiped the sweat from his face and kowtowed several more times before rising and retreating. As he left the courtyard, his legs were trembling. Fu Ling, who had followed Qin Wan and had been standing at the gate, felt deeply satisfied seeing Qian Bairen in such a state.
“If Qian Bairen had no motive, then who could it be?” Huo Huaixin shook his head, feeling that one case was entangled with another, truly giving him a headache. “And why would someone want to kill Qin An?”
“Was it to kill him, or for something else?”
Qin Wan glanced at Yan Chi, seeming to want his answer. Yan Chi shook his head, “I don’t think so. If the intention was to silently kill Qin An, this poison’s effects are too dramatic – others would quickly notice his symptoms. It would have been better to use a different poison that would work quickly and leave no trace.”
Qin Wan’s eyes brightened slightly hearing this, clearly sharing the same thoughts.
“Your Highness’s theory is most likely correct, so the perpetrator must have had a different purpose.”
Qin Wan looked at Qin An’s current wretched state, her eyes brightening slightly, “This poison causes impulsiveness, irritability, and mental confusion. Could someone have anticipated that if he was poisoned, he would end up like this today?”
Hearing this, Huo Huaixin immediately saw the logic, “Exactly! Without the poisoning, we wouldn’t have seen such an obvious loss of composure. Though his words came during his madness today, they certainly confirm that the past crimes were his doing!”
Qin Wan nodded, and Huo Huaixin told the two servants, “Take him inside.”
As the two complied and carried Qin An inside, Huo Huaixin lowered his voice, “If this was the perpetrator’s purpose, could it be the same person who killed Liu and Liu Chun earlier?”
Yan Chi and Qin Wan exchanged glances, and Yan Chi nodded, “That’s certainly possible.”
Huo Huaixin’s eyes lit up, “Hmph, I thought she was done after killing those two, but she had another move planned. This time, only a few people could have accessed the medicine – it should be easy to investigate!”
Clenching his fist, he continued, “I’ll investigate right away. Please await my good news, Your Highness, Ninth Miss.”
Yan Chi nodded, and Huo Huaixin strode out to instruct the yamen runners. After he left, only Qin Wan and Yan Chi remained in the courtyard. Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan, “You haven’t had breakfast yet. You should go back.”
But Qin Wan asked, “Shouldn’t we keep Qin An alive?”
Yan Chi’s eyes focused, “What do you mean?”
Qin Wan glanced toward the room, “Without medicine, he’ll suffer terribly. The mineral poison will likely accelerate his condition. At this rate, he won’t live much longer – perhaps not even until his sentencing.”
Given the number of lives involved in this case, it would certainly be reported to the Ministry of Justice. Once reported, who knew when the verdict would come? Qin An would have to be escorted to the capital, but he might not survive the long wait.
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, “In that case, write him a new prescription.”
Qin Wan nodded, and Yan Chi accompanied her into the room. After a few steps, he suddenly asked, “For someone like him, in his current state, does he want to live or die?”
“Most likely die,” Qin Wan replied coolly.
A cold glint flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes, “Good, then let’s keep him alive.”
Meanwhile, Cai He and Madam Lin supported Madam Jiang from both sides as they walked toward the Buddha Hall. Madam Jiang’s face was deathly pale, her steps unsteady. Madam Lin’s eyes were reddened as she asked, “Mother, are you alright? Should we call Wan’er to examine you?”
Madam Jiang coughed lightly twice and shook her head, “No need, no need. These old bones don’t have many days left. I just feel sorry for Chen’er Xiang’er and the other young ones. Qin An has truly ruined everything!”
Madam Lin’s nose stung with emotion as she looked back at Qin Chen, who followed with a lowered head.
Once a youth as bright as the sun, Qin Chen had a beautiful wife and a family background that, while not illustrious, offered some support. If he had just worked hard, the Third Branch of the Qin family would have had limitless potential. But now, once Qin An’s case was settled, the Third Branch would be marked as a criminal family, and Qin Chen’s life would be ruined…
Thinking this, Madam Lin utterly despised Qin An. Today’s events had exposed all his ugliness before the younger generation. Even she felt as if her face had been stripped away, let alone Madam Jiang.
“Mother must take care of herself. The entire Qin household depends on you now.”
Madam Jiang sighed, “I’m guilty too, but… I don’t want to face his father in the underworld without dignity. At this point, let this old woman bear all the evil deeds. Let the Magistrate investigate as he wishes. Qin An is so ill, who knows how many days he has left? Now… now I feel his death would not be worth pitying…”
Speaking just these few sentences had exhausted Madam Jiang, with a thin layer of sweat appearing on her temples. Madam Lin sighed, “Mother, I’ve sent out the letter as you instructed, but I don’t know when we’ll receive a reply. Though messenger birds fly quickly to the capital, the return is slow. I don’t know if Master can hold on. If he confesses everything, the case will be settled, and then…”
Madam Jiang sighed deeply, “This case must be reported to the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review. With various departments reviewing and investigating, the final verdict won’t come for at least half a year. By then, he’ll have to be escorted to the capital. It depends on his fate – perhaps in the capital, we could borrow the Marquis’s influence, but who knows if his illness will allow…”
Madam Jiang’s voice trailed off. No matter how bad Qin An was, he was still flesh of her flesh. At this point, she had to consider the Qin family’s face and the future of these young ones, so she could only abandon him. Besides, with such grave crimes, even if she wanted to save him, she was powerless. Unconsciously, she pulled out her prayer beads from her sleeve but lacked even the strength to turn them. Supported by Cai He and the other, she entered the Buddha Hall. The moment she sat down, all strength left her body, and she fainted as her vision went black.
Those in the room immediately became anxious. Cai He hurriedly said, “Madam, don’t worry…”
She went to the inner chamber and brought out a small bottle, holding it under Madam Jiang’s nose for her to smell, then took out several pills to feed her. Within a quarter hour, Madam Jiang slowly regained consciousness.
Madam Lin sighed and said to Cai He, “The Old Madam hasn’t loved you in vain.”
Cai He quickly responded “I dare not,” “This is what this servant should do.”
Upon waking, Madam Jiang understood that the Qin family couldn’t escape this calamity. She reached out to Qin Chen, “Chen’er…”
Qin Chen stepped forward, and Madam Jiang grasped his hand tightly, “Chen’er, this time Grandmother has no solution. Your father’s state is due to my poor teaching. Chen’er, remember, never be like your father. In a while, the Qin family won’t be able to stay in Jinzhou City anymore. If people come from the capital, let them help arrange a new residence. You can go to the capital or Jianzhou. Xinlan is a good child, now carrying your child – you must treat her well.”
Qin Chen’s eyes reddened, feeling as if Madam Jiang was making final arrangements, “Grandmother, save these words for when the time comes…”
Madam Jiang closed her eyes and shook her head, “How many days can I hold on? I’m telling you now so you’ll be prepared. Your mother and I don’t matter anymore. Xinlan carries your child – she is most important. And your sisters, and your second brother. The Third Branch won’t fall as long as you all remain. Chen’er, Grandmother has watched you grow up and knows you’re kind and upright. You must support the Third Branch in the future. No matter how difficult, never stray from the right path. No matter how honored you become, never forget the lesson of your father’s example.”
Qin Chen nodded repeatedly, and Madam Lin couldn’t help but sob. Having said so much, Madam Jiang was utterly exhausted. She just waved her hand, “Alright, you all go now. Wait, endure, and then let fate decide…”
Qin Chen bowed to Madam Jiang, and Madam Lin curtsied, before letting Qin Chen support her as they left.
The room was dim, and though Cai He saw Madam Jiang closing her eyes to sleep, she didn’t nod. She just stood silently nearby. Soon, Madam Jiang’s breathing became so faint it was barely audible, making her appear almost lifeless.