A bright beam of light streamed through the tall window, partially illuminating the narrow, cramped library passageway. Despite this, the library remained dimly lit. Yan Chi stood behind Qin Wan, his gaze peering over her shoulder.
On the yellowed paper before them, a series of vivid spring palace scenes came to life. The artist’s technique was masterful, with meticulous coloring and sophisticated composition. In the courtyard scenes, one could see dewdrops on peony petals; by the stream, warm stones were visible through clear shallow water; on the grassland, the delicate veins of lush green leaves were apparent.
Given such attention to detail, the human figures were naturally rendered with equal precision. The two intertwined figures, both man and woman of striking appearance, were either nude or partially clothed. The man’s muscular definition was visible, the woman’s peaks tinted red, and where their bodies joined…
Yan Chi’s gaze suddenly shifted to Qin Wan’s face. The window’s soft light fell on her shoulder, and her snow-white cheeks were suffused with a light blush. Seeing this, Yan Chi’s eyes darkened.
With a “whoosh,” Qin Wan closed the erotic art scroll in her hands. She turned to face Yan Chi, intently searching his face for any telling signs. However, looking at him, she found no particular expression. Qin Wan’s heart relaxed slightly, and she hurriedly turned back to roll up the scroll. “This isn’t…”
After speaking, Qin Wan quietly released a breath.
“As a physician, surely you wouldn’t be affected by such artwork?”
Just as Qin Wan was about to completely relax, Yan Chi suddenly spoke. At this question, Qin Wan’s spine instantly straightened—he had seen!
Watching Qin Wan suddenly freeze, amusement crept into Yan Chi’s eyes. The light on Qin Wan’s shoulder suddenly brightened, dust motes dancing in the beam like golden sugar sprinkled in the air, bringing an inexplicable sweet fragrance.
Not wanting to embarrass Qin Wan further, Yan Chi turned away and walked toward the tall cabinet behind her.
Hearing his footsteps retreat, Qin Wan’s rigid spine finally relaxed slightly. “Of course not—”
Her tone was cool, but her ears were burning. As a physician, she naturally knew every bone and muscle of the human body, yet in all her years, she had never looked at such things!
Frowning slightly, Qin Wan quickly placed the scroll in the deepest part of the tall cabinet.
Silently cursing Qin An, it was indeed like him to collect such artwork…
Qin Wan composed herself and looked at other scrolls in the cabinet. To her great surprise, this cabinet contained either The Twelve Erotic Scenes or Bathing Beauty paintings, and even more shocking were scenes of men and women in bacchanalian revelry. Qin Wan would barely glimpse a corner before closing each scroll, fearing Yan Chi might come over again. As she looked, she muttered to herself, wondering if all the artwork in this cabinet was of this nature.
Qin Wan persisted in checking the final scroll, then closed the cabinet door with resignation.
Yan Chi listened to the sounds behind him, his eyes full of suppressed laughter, but he didn’t turn around. Soon after, when Qin Wan closed the cabinet door and glanced at Yan Chi, seeing his unaffected expression, she thought that someone of such strong military discipline naturally wouldn’t be easily distracted—which was for the best…
Qin Wan exhaled and opened another tall cabinet beside her. As soon as she opened it, she saw several yellowed paintings and calligraphy works, with small inscriptions and signatures that turned out to be from masters of the previous dynasty. Looking at this cabinet, then at the one containing erotic art, she couldn’t help but sigh. The Qin family had such a rich heritage, yet ended up with a family head like Qin An…
“These are all the Qin family’s collected works.”
After examining several more pieces, Yan Chi commented from nearby. They had finished looking through the cabinets at the end of the library, so Qin Wan had no choice but to walk outward, with Yan Chi standing opposite her, also taking a few steps out.
Moving outward, the artwork on the shelves appeared newer. Qin Wan could tell these weren’t from seven or eight years ago, but she still couldn’t help searching through them. Halfway through, Yan Chi suddenly stopped. “Come look at this…”
Qin Wan’s eyes lit up at his words, and she immediately went to Yan Chi’s side. She saw him opening a painting about two feet long halfway, though it wasn’t by a famous artist. It depicted the back view of a woman in red.
Though the artist’s technique wasn’t particularly outstanding, the painting’s artistic conception was extremely beautiful. Just looking at this painting, even just the back view, Qin Wan could sense the woman’s ethereal beauty. The woman’s silhouette was graceful, her black hair completely loose down her back. She walked among willows on a spring day, her skirts swaying with her movement, butterflies surrounding her—truly a portrait of an ethereally beautiful woman.
“This painting…”
The painting didn’t show the woman’s face, and even the Second Aunt’s account couldn’t help Qin Wan. Moreover, looking at this painting, Qin Wan instinctively felt something wasn’t quite right. Yan Chi continued, “This paper isn’t old enough; it must have been painted within the past year.”
Qin Wan nodded, running her hand over the paper. “Indeed, but…”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan simply pulled the scroll all the way open. As she did so, she found that the artist seemed unwilling to sign or date the work, but upon closer inspection, Qin Wan discovered a small, unclear seal in the lower left corner. Looking at it, she vaguely made out two characters. “Min Yu?”
Qin Wan asked puzzled, “Who is this? It seems to be someone’s style name…”
Yan Chi’s eyes focused slightly. “The characters Min Yu both describe beautiful jade and in the Qin family, only the eldest young master’s name contains characters for precious jade. If I’m not mistaken, this must be Young Master Qin Chen’s style name.”
Qin Wan’s eyelids immediately twitched. Yao Xin Lan had mentioned dreaming of Qin Chen’s painting, with a woman in the painting surrounded by love beans everywhere. Looking at this painting again, while there were no love beans, the artist had captured spring’s splendor on paper, as if offering all the world’s spring beauty to the woman in the painting.
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. “It must be from Elder Brother’s hand…”
Yan Chi, unaware of the situation between Yao Xin Lan and Qin Chen, instinctively asked, “Is this a painting of the Young Madam?”
Qin Wan didn’t immediately answer. Yan Chi glanced at her, largely seeing Qin Wan’s grave expression, and raised an eyebrow. “Not the Young Madam? Rumor has it they’ve been married less than a year—why would he paint someone else?”
Yan Chi also noticed the artist’s affection for the woman in the painting, immediately understanding Qin Chen’s feelings.
Qin Wan shook her head, not wanting to reveal too much of what she knew, yet trusting Yan Chi enough to say, “I’m not sure. My Elder Brother and Sister-in-law’s relationship isn’t as harmonious as people say.”
Yan Chi pondered silently for a moment, unable to connect this to the deaths of Liu Chun and Madam Liu, considering it merely a secret within the Qin family. Not wanting to pry further, he rolled up the scroll, but Qin Wan’s hands and feet had grown cold. Within the Qin household lay a third murder case, and she still hadn’t figured out why the Ninth Young Lady had entered the Purple Bamboo Grove that day. The most likely possibility was that she had learned something she shouldn’t have and thus invited deadly consequences.
For Qin Chen, would falling in love with someone else be considered a fatal matter?
“What’s wrong?” Seeing Qin Wan’s prolonged silence, Yan Chi suddenly asked. From his angle, Qin Wan’s expression was particularly grave. Yan Chi thought she must either have never imagined Qin Chen capable of this, or perhaps she was close to the Young Madam and thus disapproved of Qin Chen. He put the scroll back in its place. “Should we tell the Young Madam about this?”
Qin Wan came back to herself, shaking her head after a moment. “I haven’t thought it through yet.”
Yan Chi’s gaze deepened. “As I said before, that brother of yours has complex thoughts—you should be careful.”
Qin Wan nodded, pushing aside the complicated thoughts in her heart and turning to look at the bookshelf nearby. “Let’s continue—”
Qin Wan’s tone was heavy, her movements decisive. Seeing her thus, Yan Chi also began searching, but the subsequently opened cabinets contained only ancient texts and collections, with no recent paintings. Qin Wan closed the door of the last cabinet, her expression somewhat grave. “It seems it’s not here either—”
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes. “Could there be family paintings elsewhere in the mansion?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “All the paintings and ancient texts are here. I don’t know about other places; I’ll have to ask around.”
Qin Wan looked around. “Since it’s not here, let’s leave.”
Yan Chi naturally nodded, and the two left the library, heading toward Lin Feng Court.
Having just seen Qin Chen’s painting, though Yan Chi had no interest in the Qin family’s secrets, he couldn’t help but be somewhat concerned for Qin Wan’s position in the household. “Earlier when Qin Chen left, his expression was unusual…”
At Yan Chi’s words, Qin Wan knew what he wanted to ask. “They were arguing earlier.”
Yan Chi showed no surprise, but insisted, “Though this matter may not relate to the case, you should still avoid getting between them. Given the Qin family’s current situation, Qin Chen will likely become the head of the household.”
Living under others’ roof, if the Qin household truly came under Qin Chen’s control, Qin Wan would do better to maintain good relations with him.
Qin Wan understood this reasoning and knew Yan Chi was concerned for her, which warmed her heart.
“Your Highness need not worry, I know what to do.”
Just as she finished speaking, Bai Feng approached from the direction of the front courtyard. Seeing his expression suggested he had something to report, Qin Wan immediately stepped forward. Sure enough, Bai Feng went to Yan Chi’s side and whispered something.
Yan Chi’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He turned to Qin Wan and said, “Magistrate Huo has captured someone. One of them was brought back to the Qin mansion. I’ll go take a look. Bai Feng will stay here with you.”
Qin Wan both nodded and shook her head. “There’s no need. Your Highness should keep someone by your side. I’ll return the key to Lin Feng Court and then go back to my quarters. Your Highness need not worry.”
Yan Chi considered briefly. “Very well. If I obtain any useful information, I’ll come find you.”
Qin Wan acknowledged, and Yan Chi left without further delay. After watching his figure disappear, Qin Wan headed toward Lin Feng Court. After walking a few steps, she saw Fu Ling hurrying in her direction.
She had earlier instructed Fu Ling to find her at the library, but Fu Ling seemed to have arrived late.
“Miss, this servant arrived late…”
Qin Wan frowned. “What happened?”
Fu Ling caught her breath. “Just now, a maid from Second Young Master’s courtyard came…”
Qin Wan blinked, and Fu Ling continued, “The maid said that since Miss has been helping His Highness these past few days, Second Young Master hasn’t come by, but today his condition has worsened. He wishes to request your examination. This servant exchanged a few words with her before letting her return, saying Miss would come over after finishing her current business.”
“I should go see him. Given the current situation in the Qin household, we needn’t be so concerned with formalities.” Qin Wan’s heart sank slightly as she hurried toward Lin Feng Court. She had been planning to prepare medicine for Qin Li; she hadn’t expected his people to seek her out first.
Qin Wan headed straight for Lin Feng Court, somewhat anxious about whether Qin Chen had returned, but upon reaching the courtyard, he hadn’t. She handed the key to Mo Shu, whose previously reddened eyes had cleared.
“Ninth Young Lady, please go see the Young Madam. A letter just arrived from Jian Zhou, and the Young Madam has calmed considerably.”
Hearing Mo Shu’s words, Qin Wan naturally couldn’t leave immediately and hurried to the inner chamber. There, Yao Xin Lan had indeed calmed down. She held a paper in her hand, still sitting dazed at the bedhead.
Hearing movement, Yao Xin Lan turned her face. Upon seeing Qin Wan, her eyes reddened slightly again.
“Sister-in-law, news from Jian Zhou?”
Yao Xin Lan nodded, pulling Qin Wan to sit beside her. “More than ten days ago, a clan member came to Jin Zhou to handle business matters. Initially, there was just a death in the mansion, but then so many skeletons were unearthed, changing everything. The clan member sent word back to Jian Zhou, and Father learned of it. He wrote a letter.”
Qin Wan nodded. “What did Lord Yao say?”
A warmth appeared in Yao Xin Lan’s eyes. “Father said that the Qin family’s matters aren’t related to Brother Chen, but with this incident, the Qin family can’t stay in Jin Zhou. Father means that Jian Zhou is the Yao family’s ancestral land, and I’m about to give birth. Though the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household in the capital would help, the journey to the capital is too far—my body couldn’t handle it. Father has already sent people here. Once the case is concluded, they’ll immediately take Brother Chen and me to Jian Zhou. After the new year, he’ll return to the capital to serve as an official and do his best to arrange things for Brother Chen. With the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household’s help, Brother Chen can at least secure a future. Jin Zhou is now a place of trouble—neither I nor Brother Chen should stay long.”
Even Qin Wan felt warmth in her heart. Yao Xin Lan’s father showed great righteousness. With such events at the Qin mansion, while Lin Shi and Jiang Shi were in despair, Lord Yao was thoughtfully considering Qin Chen’s future. Currently, the authorities haven’t reached a final verdict, but once they do, everyone in Jin Zhou would likely turn against the Qin family. When reported to the imperial court, the Qin family’s descendants would naturally have no good prospects.
At this time, countless people would want to distance themselves from the Qin family. Though Lord Yao acted for his daughter’s sake, he was truly doing his utmost. Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly. “Lord Yao cares for Sister-in-law and Brother. This arrangement couldn’t be better.”
A dazed look appeared on Yao Xin Lan’s delicate face. “But I haven’t thought it through.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan immediately thought of the painting she’d seen in the library. Looking at Yao Xin Lan’s confused eyes, she almost couldn’t help but speak of it, but ultimately held back, only asking, “What does Sister-in-law want to do? If you decide, just send someone to call me. I can help.”
Yao Xin Lan’s face showed gratitude, but she shook her head. “I haven’t figured it out. My mind is too chaotic.”
Speaking thus, Yao Xin Lan said with a mix of tears and laughter, “I’m too weak, not like you, Ninth Sister. I need to think more… Go attend to your matters. When I’ve thought it through, I’ll have Mo Shu call you.”
Thinking of examining Qin Li, Qin Wan nodded. “Very well, I’ll head back first.”
After bidding farewell to Yao Xin Lan, Qin Wan quickly returned to Ting Lan Court with Fu Ling.
“Miss, shall we go to Second Young Master’s place now?”
Fu Ling asked as soon as they entered the room, but Qin Wan’s expression grew serious as she slowed her steps. The door was partially closed, and Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. “Fu Ling, where was Elder Brother the night I fell into the lake?”
Fu Ling was stunned briefly, tilting her head in thought before saying, “That night… That afternoon, I heard people in the mansion saying Young Master was about to set out for Jian Zhou.”
Qin Wan turned to look at Fu Ling. “Are you certain?”
Under Qin Wan’s serious gaze, Fu Ling couldn’t help but shrink back. “Now that Miss asks, this servant daren’t be certain, but we can ask at the gatehouse—they would surely know!”
“Miss, shall we go ask now?”
Qin Wan shook her head, harboring suspicions but unwilling to act rashly for fear of alerting others.
Collecting herself, she still said, “Let’s go see Second Brother first.”
Just as she finished speaking, there was suddenly a “crack” sound outside the door. Qin Wan frowned. “Who’s out there!”
Fu Ling quickly ran to the door and opened it, but both the corridor outside and the courtyard were empty. Fu Ling said puzzledly, “What was that? This servant also heard it, like someone’s step suddenly grew heavy.”
Qin Wan also walked to the door and looked around, shaking her head. “Perhaps it was a bird. Never mind, quickly get the medicine. We’ll go look and then return—”
Fu Ling hurriedly complied, and Qin Wan stood alone at the door, staring absently at the empty courtyard for a moment.
“Miss, it’s ready. I’ve got all the medicine.”
Qin Wan nodded and walked out first. Fu Ling closed the door as usual and followed behind Qin Wan without distraction.
As they walked out of the courtyard gate, Qin Wan looked back once. Through the half-closed gate, a corner of the courtyard was visible, showing it remained as quiet as before without anyone present. Qin Wan withdrew her gaze and walked quickly toward Qin Li’s courtyard.
Qin Li’s courtyard was also behind the front court, but much more secluded than Lin Feng Court. Qin Wan had never been there before and walked in the general direction Fu Ling indicated. At the courtyard gate, it was locked from the inside. Fu Ling stepped forward to knock, and only then was it opened. As the gate opened, Qin Wan saw that the layout was much smaller than Lin Feng Court.
Though Qin Li had previously been fond of romantic pursuits, while his courtyard wasn’t large, it was arranged quite elegantly. The maid who opened the door was pretty and, upon seeing Qin Wan, quickly bowed. “Greetings, Ninth Young Lady. Our Master is waiting for you.”
Qin Wan nodded and walked inside. After a few steps, she saw another servant waiting at the door.
This second servant was also strikingly beautiful. Fu Ling couldn’t help but look twice, whispering to Qin Wan, “Miss, the ladies in Second Young Master’s quarters are indeed all very beautiful…”
Qin Wan did not comment. The second servant lifted the curtain and respectfully invited Qin Wan inside.
A faint medicinal fragrance permeated the room. To Qin Wan’s surprise, the room’s arrangement was quite refined, seemingly unlike Qin Li’s character. Qin Wan didn’t look around much, being led by the servant into the warm chamber.
“Ninth Sister—”
Upon entering the warm chamber, she saw Qin Li lying on a couch by the window. After not seeing him for several days, Qin Li had grown even thinner. The chancre at his lip corner had slowly improved, but Qin Wan immediately noticed the syphilitic sores on his neck.
Qin Wan hurried over, sitting on the small stool beside Qin Li.
“Give me your hand—”
Qin Wan didn’t exchange any pleasantries, truly acting like a visiting physician.
Qin Li extended his wrist, and Qin Wan’s fingertips touched it to check his pulse…
“I’ve taken the medicine Ninth Sister gave me, and used the ointment as well, but…”
As he spoke, Qin Li unconsciously moved to touch the sores on his neck. Qin Wan’s gaze shifted to his hand; perhaps her look was too sharp, as Qin Li’s movement suddenly stopped.
“The chance seems healed, but in reality, the transformed damp-heat toxins are only now manifesting. How many sores have erupted on your neck? Where else have they appeared?”
Qin Wan’s voice was emotionless. At this question, Qin Li lowered his eyes, seemingly somewhat ashamed. “Not many. One on the neck, two on the lower abdomen, and the thigh and…”
Qin Li’s words stopped, but Qin Wan understood. She nodded and withdrew her fingers, turning to take the medicine package from Fu Ling’s hands. “This is the decoction. Take it four times daily—three during the day and once at night. Here’s the White Apricot Ointment, though it’s missing two ingredients. When using it, grind these two packets into powder and add them in. Use it as previously instructed.”
After speaking, Qin Wan’s brows remained slightly furrowed. Qin Li couldn’t help but ask, “How is Father?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “Someone poisoned him with mineral toxins a few days ago, which triggered his symptoms. His condition is very severe now. You’re just beginning, but he is beyond help…”
Qin Li’s eyelids twitched, seemingly imagining his future. His face showed hints of panic and despair, but he controlled himself to ask, “Poison? Who would poison him?”
Qin Wan shook her head and narrowed her eyes at Qin Li. “Wasn’t Second Brother unwilling to talk? Why ask now?”
Qin Li lowered his eyes, smiling bitterly. “I’ve told Ninth Sister everything I can…”
“Second Brother only told me not to go near that well or the Purple Bamboo Grove,” Qin Wan said with a cold laugh.
“Not letting Ninth Sister go to that well was because Grandmother said it was an ill-omened well. I didn’t know there were so many corpses hidden below, only about Second Aunt’s…”
“Then why did Second Brother tell me not to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove?”
Qin Wan stared intensely at Qin Li, who moved his lips several times but said nothing.
Qin Wan’s tone grew more pressing. “At this point, Second Brother isn’t even afraid of others knowing about your illness, what else is there to hide? Could it be that there are other secrets in the Purple Bamboo Grove?”
Qin Li’s face showed great difficulty. Qin Wan immediately frowned. “What other secrets are in the Purple Bamboo Grove?!”
Qin Li smiled bitterly. “Don’t ask anymore. The Qin family is in such a state now, that we can’t afford more turmoil. Though I’m not a legitimate son, I know the family can’t withstand any more upheaval. We younger generation must understand this…”
As Qin Li spoke to himself, Qin Wan pondered his words: legitimate son… younger generation…
Her breath caught as she said coldly, “Could it be related to Elder Brother?!”
Qin Li’s eye corner twitched, his hand at his side suddenly gripping a corner tightly, his gaze lowering even further to avoid Qin Wan’s eyes. Seeing these small reactions, Qin Wan’s eyes narrowed. “What secrets does Elder Brother have?”
Qin Li simply turned his head away, saying, “Elder Brother has no secrets. He and his Sister-in-law are loving, he’s well-educated, and he’s the future pillar of the Qin family. What secrets could he have?”
Watching Qin Li’s behavior, Qin Wan gave a cold laugh. “Then why would he paint pictures for another woman?”
Qin Li was startled, turning to look at Qin Wan in disbelief. “How does Ninth Sister know?!”
Qin Wan maintained a composed and cold demeanor. “If one doesn’t want others to know, then don’t do it in the first place. Others think he treats Sister-in-law well, but I’ve spent much time with her lately and understand that Elder Brother doesn’t truly love her! Moreover, I found his painting of that person in the library. How preposterous, to be so bold!”
It was just a back view—Qin Wan hadn’t recognized who it was, but she hadn’t forgotten Yao Xin Lan’s jade pendant. Since she had personally seen Qin Chen meeting someone in secret, that person must be from the Qin household…
Being from the Qin household, how dare they be so bold?!
Speaking thus, her tone carried more anger. “Sister-in-law is the future mistress of the Qin family, yet they dare… Sister-in-law told me she saw them meeting in secret. That person dared to seduce Elder Brother…”
Listening to Qin Wan’s words, Qin Li assumed she already knew the details. Hearing this, he shook his head with a bitter smile. “What can be done when Grandmother dotes on and relies on her? Everyone in the inner courtyard knows she’s Grandmother’s most valued person.”
Qin Wan’s pupils trembled violently. If not for her excellent self-control, her eyes would have widened in shock.
Cai He… Among those favored and relied upon by Madam Jiang, who else could it be but Cai He?!
Qin Wan’s heart pounded wildly. Qin Chen… Cai He… it was them…
Gritting her teeth hard, Qin Wan finally spoke. “If Elder Brother likes her, why doesn’t he take her as a concubine?”
Qin Li’s bitter smile deepened. “Elder Brother married Sister-in-law because her father is the Magistrate of Jian Zhou. The Qin family’s third branch had fallen, and the capital wasn’t very concerned about Elder Brother’s future, so Grandmother had this idea. It happened that my Sister-in-law also liked my Elder Brother, which seemed perfect. But Lord Yao had one requirement for Elder Brother—he couldn’t take concubines, and Grandmother agreed.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan was stunned. Hadn’t Yao Xin Lan said that Qin Chen married her because he loved her and was tired of Qin An’s promiscuous ways, so he decided to have only her for life?
Thinking of how Yao Xin Lan had spoken of this with hidden sweetness made Qin Wan feel pity.
Lord Yao cherished his daughter and made this requirement. Qin Chen went along with it and made it seem like his own willing choice, thereby winning Yao Xin Lan’s heart, while still harboring feelings for another…
Qin Wan felt a chill. Qin Chen had deceived Yao Xin Lan…
Thinking this, her suspicions about Qin Chen grew stronger.
Qin Wan also lowered her eyes to hide the calculation in them. “The Old Madam probably doesn’t know about this. What would happen if the Old Madam and Sister-in-law found out?”
Qin Li narrowed his eyes, shaking his head sarcastically. “What would happen? If this became known, what life would Cai He have left to live? No matter how much she’s relied upon and loved, she’s still just a servant. Even if Sister-in-law could swallow this grievance, her father couldn’t. Grandmother would sacrifice Cai He for the Qin family’s future.”
Speaking thus, Qin Li said mockingly, “Everyone thinks Elder Brother is heaven’s chosen one, but in this matter, he’s truly foolish.”
Qin Wan’s lips pressed tightly together. Qin Li was right; this matter indeed couldn’t be revealed.
From Qin Chen’s perspective, if this matter were discovered, since he truly loved Cai He, he might even kill to protect her. As Qin Wan thought this, a chill slowly crept up her spine.
“Ninth Sister, this matter… let Elder Brother handle it himself. The current Qin family cannot afford to lose Lord Yao’s support. Creating discord now would bring nothing but harm to the family.”
Qin Wan suddenly raised her head, looking at Qin Li with frighteningly cold eyes.
“If the Qin family treated Sister-in-law well, accepting Lord Yao’s support would be reasonable. But now, treating someone else’s daughter like a fool while shamelessly accepting their help?”
Qin Li was stunned by Qin Wan’s words. She continued, “Second Brother mocks Elder Brother, but aren’t you the same?”
Speaking thus, Qin Wan stood up. “Above there’s Third Uncle, below there’s Elder Brother and Second Brother—how could the Qin family not fall? Second Brother, take care of yourself…”
Qin Wan left after speaking. Qin Li hurriedly sat up straight. “Ninth Sister!”
Qin Li called out urgently, but Qin Wan had no intention of stopping, instantly leaving with Fu Ling.
Qin Li sat dazed for a moment before weakly lying back down.
Once outside the courtyard gate, Fu Ling whispered in disbelief, “Miss, did this servant hear wrong… or misunderstand? Young Master harbors feelings for another? That person… is… is Cai He?”
Qin Wan walked swiftly ahead, only stopping after going quite far. She regulated her breathing, forcing herself to calm down.
“It’s Cai He… I never thought…”
As Qin Wan spoke, her heart began to pound. She had been wondering who had harmed Yao Xin Lan. Both Madam Jiang and Qin Chen had musk, but neither seemed possible. But what if Cai He was added to the equation?
If Cai He and Qin Chen were lovers, and she had the opportunity to tamper with Yao Xin Lan’s medicine, could she have added musk and angelica to cause a miscarriage?
Thinking this way, Qin Wan became certain—it was highly possible!
Though Qin Wan had never experienced such things herself, she had heard many stories from great families: wives and concubines fighting, family feuds, and poisonings were common occurrences, let alone adding two medicinal ingredients.
“Miss, how could it be Cai He? So… so what Young Madam saw was true?”
Fu Ling hadn’t yet processed it all. Qin Wan nodded. “The jade pendant we found last time proves it. My Sister-in-law did go to Half Moon Lake, she just forgot. When Elder Brother saw her confused state, he simply said she was dreaming.”
Qin Wan walked very slowly, thinking as she went. She had been investigating Liu Chun and Madam Liu’s deaths but instead discovered this secret. Did this matter have any connection to Ninth Young Lady’s death?
If there was a connection, Cai He must have known their affair was discovered, yet Qin Wan recalled that whenever Cai He saw her, she showed no hostility—rather, she seemed somewhat warning.
Or perhaps, while Qin Chen and Cai He were indeed involved, it had nothing to do with Ninth Young Lady’s death?
Then who killed Ninth Young Lady in the Purple Bamboo Grove…
Qin Wan’s mind settled slightly. “Come, let’s go to the gatehouse now!”
To know whether Qin Chen had any connection to Ninth Young Lady’s death, they first needed to know if he was in the mansion that day. If he was, his suspicion would greatly increase…
Qin Wan hurried toward the west side gate with Fu Ling following, who anxiously asked, “Miss, since we know now, should we tell Young Madam?”
Qin Wan collected herself. “Wait for her to think it through. If she comes to me, I’ll tell her.”
Fu Ling sighed deeply, her mouth turning down. In her heart, Qin Chen had been the model husband, believing his learning, character, and appearance were all of the highest quality. She never imagined Qin Chen would be like this!
Fu Ling held back her anger, thinking of Yao Xin Lan with pity, and couldn’t help saying resentfully, “A gentleman must keep his word. He promised Young Madam’s father, yet couldn’t follow through.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan smiled bitterly. “He did follow through—he didn’t take a concubine. He just used hypocritical means to deceive his Sister-in-law. He wants both a good future and the beauty he desires. Men of the world…”
Qin Wan was full of sighs. From Qin Li’s courtyard all the way west, they had to pass by Ting Lan Court. Qin Wan took her usual familiar path, and though they were approaching Ting Lan Court, she hadn’t planned to enter. However, from afar, she saw Xu He waiting at the courtyard gate with a bundle. Qin Wan’s steps halted, and she had to walk toward him.
Xu He had been left in the west rear courtyard by Huo Huai Xin, and waiting at Ting Lan Court now meant he was looking for her.
“Coroner Xu—”
Qin Wan called out. Xu He, who had been looking down, immediately turned around. “Ninth Young Lady!”
Qin Wan walked closer. “Why is Coroner Xu waiting here?”
Xu He’s lips curved slightly as he waved a stack of files in his hand. “These were retrieved from Yang County by His Highness’s men. Today, the bones and records are to be sent to the magistrate’s office. Looking at these, I wasn’t sure whether to take them along, so someone asked the Magistrate, who said to ask Ninth Young Lady.”
Qin Wan thought for a moment. The deaths of Madam Liu and Liu Chun were the killer’s means of exposing past events, showing these two cases were already entangled. “Keep them for now. This matter isn’t settled yet; there might still be clues in these.”
Xu He nodded. “Very well, I understand…” As he spoke, he began putting the files and letters into his side bundle while asking, “Where is Ninth Young Lady going in such a hurry?”
Qin Wan didn’t plan to say much. “Going to the gatehouse to ask about something.”
As she spoke, she saw Xu He accidentally drop two letters.
Standing nearby, Qin Wan quickly bent to pick them up. Xu He apologetically reached to take them, but Qin Wan’s eyes fell on the writing on the letters, and her brows furrowed. She didn’t immediately return them to Xu He.
“What’s wrong, Ninth Young Lady—”
As Xu He questioned, Qin Wan remained fixated on a line of small text in the letter. The letter contained what Yan Chi’s men had heard from residents, and what caught Qin Wan’s attention was a description of how a household’s master sold silk. Everything else was fine, but Qin Wan particularly noticed the letter mentioned that the master frequently confused colors.
He mistook indigo for crimson, azure for black.