Xu He waited anxiously at the entrance of the Qin Manor, unable to resist asking the yamen runner beside him, “Why have they been gone for so long?”

The yamen runner, infected by Xu He’s anxiety, also looked down the long street, “I don’t know either, Brother Xu. What exactly is so urgent? Has something happened in the manor?”

Xu He naturally couldn’t speak directly about it, pursing his lips before saying, “It’s just a small matter.”

The yamen runner frowned disapprovingly, “Why such anxiety over a small matter? The Prefect and His Highness the Young Lord are arresting many people this time. The Qingyuan Pawnshop does significant business and has many informants – they could easily escape if we’re not careful.”

Xu He understood this logic, but the matters within the Qin Manor couldn’t be taken lightly either. “Ah, if only the Young Lord would return – we don’t need both of them to come back. Yet there’s still no news after all this time.”

He continued, “The Qingyuan Pawnshop is in the western part of the city, right? On East Fourth Street?”

The yamen runner nodded, “What, are you thinking of going to look yourself?”

Xu He had made a promise to Miss Qin Wan, and he thought that by now she might have already opened the scroll. His heart grew even more anxious.

He looked left and right, planning to borrow a horse from the manor’s gatehouse. But just as he turned around, the sound of hooves came from the end of the long street. Xu He stopped in his tracks and quickly looked toward the source of the hoofbeats.

“Are they heading our way?”

Night had already fallen heavily. Though there was no moon, sparse cold stars were scattered across the night sky. Occasional lantern light dotted the long street, and they could faintly see the shadows of several riders approaching.

“They seem to be coming toward us—”

The yamen runner had barely finished speaking when Xu He’s eyes lit up slightly. The several riders approached at lightning speed, and within moments they arrived at the Qin Manor. Xu He saw it was none other than Yan Chi.

Yan Chi, accompanied by Bai Feng and the yamen runner who had gone to deliver the message, arrived on horseback. At the manor gate, he suddenly pulled the reins and dismounted. Seeing Xu He still waiting at the gate, he frowned, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Xu He saluted with clasped hands and gestured inward, “Young Lord, please enter the manor first—”

Yan Chi tossed his riding crop to the yamen runner and entered the gate with Bai Feng.

As they walked, Xu He explained, “The Ninth Miss asked for your return. Earlier, Ninth Miss discovered who poisoned Master Qin. Additionally, she learned some other matters. Because it’s deeply related to the case, she wanted you to return to hear about it.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Chi quickened his pace toward the inner courtyard, “Where is she?”

“In Tinglan Court! Oh right, Ninth Miss also found what appears to be Second Madam’s portrait, but because it’s too old, she couldn’t open it. By now, Ninth Miss has likely managed to open the scroll—”

Yan Chi’s eyes brightened slightly, and he changed direction, heading straight for Tinglan Court.

Xu He followed closely behind Yan Chi, who moved with swift, graceful steps. He could only jog to keep up, panting as he ran. Before long, they arrived at Tinglan Court.

As usual, Bai Feng went forward to knock on the door, tapping twice. A round-faced, big-eyed maid opened the courtyard gate.

“Oh, Guard Brother—”

It was Wantao who opened the door. She recognized Bai Feng and looked at him, then past him at Yan Chi and Xu He standing behind. She blinked, and Bai Feng said, “The Young Lord wishes to see Ninth Miss—”

Wantao’s eyes widened, and she looked back at the dark main house, “Our Miss hasn’t returned yet.”

Bai Feng frowned, also noticing the unlit main house. If Qin Wan were in the courtyard, the main house couldn’t possibly be unlit. Bai Feng turned back to look at Yan Chi, who had heard the conversation and was frowning deeply.

He turned to look at Xu He, “Ninth Miss hasn’t returned? Didn’t you say she had come back?”

Xu He was slightly startled for a moment, “I parted ways with Ninth Miss in the front courtyard. At the time, she said this matter should be told to the Young Lord or the Prefect as soon as possible, so I took on the task of delivering the message and waited at the manor gate. When we parted, Ninth Miss indeed said she was returning to Tinglan Court, and Fuling was carrying the scroll then.”

Hearing this, Yan Chi’s eyes darkened, and somehow, an ominous feeling crept into his heart.

He stepped forward to look at Wantao, “If your Miss hasn’t returned, where is Fuling?”

Seeing Yan Chi’s question, Wantao immediately lowered her head, not daring to look directly at him, and respectfully replied, “Sister Fuling has always been attending to Miss. Since Miss hasn’t returned, Sister Fuling hasn’t returned either.”

Yan Chi’s heart sank another degree. He looked at the dark and quiet courtyard, then turned to look elsewhere in the manor. Night had fallen, and it was getting late. Where could Qin Wan have gone?

Yan Chi walked forward a few steps, and Bai Feng said to Wantao, “If Ninth Miss returns, tell her His Highness came looking for her.”

Wantao quickly agreed respectfully, and Bai Feng nodded before leaving. Wantao watched their retreating figures for a moment before gently closing the courtyard gate.

Meanwhile, Xu He anxiously said, “Could Ninth Miss have returned to the front courtyard?”

At this question, Yan Chi also thought it possible, and immediately headed toward the front courtyard, “You said earlier that Ninth Miss discovered who poisoned Qin An?”

Xu He’s eyes brightened at the question, “Yes, at dusk, I was collecting official documents and the letters and other files that Your Highness brought back from Yang County days ago. I was planning to take them back to the yamen, but Your Highness said to ask Ninth Miss, so I waited for her at the gate. Before long, I saw Ninth Miss coming from the east…”

“Ninth Miss exchanged a few words with me when she suddenly noticed something written on a letter. It mentioned that Second Madam’s husband had a color blindness condition. Previously, Your Highness and the Prefect might not have noticed this point. At that moment, Ninth Miss seemed to realize something and became suspicious of a servant named Caihe…”

Upon hearing the name “Caihe,” Yan Chi’s steps halted, “Caihe?”

Xu He nodded, “Exactly. It seems Ninth Miss had discovered something earlier, but she said this condition couldn’t be confirmed, and it would be better to find the portrait. So we went to the front courtyard to ask the two old servants if there were any more paintings of Second Madam. Then we saw a young servant who hadn’t properly cleaned a medicine pot. Ninth Miss noticed something was wrong and went to look. Upon inspection, she realized that the poisoner had put the poison in the medicine pot while the young servant was cleaning it.”

Yan Chi quickened his pace, “Did Ninth Miss say anything about making an immediate arrest?”

Xu He quickly shook his head, “No, no. Ninth Miss feared alerting the suspect and wanted to find more evidence. When we went to the front courtyard, the old servant led Ninth Miss to another study room there. Ninth Miss discovered a painting that seemed quite old, pressed at the bottom. However, due to its age, the painting paper was stuck together and couldn’t be opened directly. At that time, Ninth Miss told me she would return to open the scroll, then wait for either the Young Lord or the Prefect to return before making any arrests.”

Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. Qin Wan naturally considered things more thoroughly than others. Now that he and Huo Huaixin weren’t present, she had no authority to make arrests. Moreover, hasty action would indeed alert the suspect. She wouldn’t go to the Buddhist hall by herself, but on this late night, if there wasn’t some other incident, why wouldn’t she return to Tinglan Court as agreed and instead go somewhere else?

The Qin Manor was in the midst of many events, and now it was nighttime. The ink-like darkness enveloped the manor’s continuous pavilions, and although cold starlight shone from the sky vault, it still made one’s heart feel gloomy and heavy.

No matter what, Qin Wan absolutely could not come to harm—

Thinking thus, Yan Chi increasingly quickened his pace. Soon, the front courtyard was within reach, and the two yamen runners were still guarding the courtyard gate. The two had been guarding for so long that they were quite tired, and when they saw Yan Chi approach, they didn’t react immediately.

Only when Yan Chi reached them did they successively bow.

“Greetings to Young Lord—”

Yan Chi only asked in a deep voice, “Has Ninth Miss come by?”

The two were stunned, and one of them said, “Didn’t Ninth Miss leave the front courtyard not long ago? We haven’t seen her return.”

Yan Chi’s heart immediately sank. Meeting the yamen runner’s puzzled eyes, he didn’t want to say more and turned to head toward the inner courtyard. Seeing him walk quickly, Xu He hurriedly asked, “Where is Your Highness going?”

“To Linfeng Court—”

Xu He blinked, and Yan Chi turned to Bai Feng, “Go contact her, and ask the yamen runners stationed throughout the manor.”

Bai Feng nodded and vanished into the night. Xu He didn’t understand Yan Chi’s order but dared not ask more, only following behind Yan Chi toward Linfeng Court.

“Linfeng Court is where her elder brother and sister-in-law live. Her sister-in-law is with child and needs her help with medical care.”

Yan Chi explained, and Xu He immediately understood, his lips curving slightly, “That makes perfect sense. So late at night, Ninth Miss must have been called to attend to someone’s illness. Where else could she have gone?”

Xu He hadn’t been worried initially, but seeing Yan Chi’s demeanor made him inexplicably uneasy. His words seemed to be reassuring both himself and Yan Chi, but after speaking them, he felt even more unsettled.

Yan Chi had been to Linfeng Court before, and they arrived at its gate after about half an incense stick’s time.

The maidservant at the gate didn’t recognize Yan Chi but sensed his imposing presence. Remembering that a noble person was investigating cases in the Qin Manor these days, she quickly knelt, not daring to be careless. Yan Chi asked directly, “Is the manor’s Ninth Miss here?”

The maidservant quickly shook her head, “No, she was here in the afternoon…”

Yan Chi certainly knew Qin Wan had been here in the afternoon – he had accompanied her then. But if Qin Wan wasn’t in Linfeng Court, where could she be?

Yan Chi said nothing more and turned to leave. The maidservant was stunned for a moment before daring to raise her head.

“Young Lord, could Ninth Miss have gone to the manor gate? Did we miss each other?”

Yan Chi shook his head, his steps suddenly slowing, “No, we took the shortest route.”

As his pace slowed, his thoughts raced quickly. Qin Wan wasn’t one to act rashly. She had the scroll, which could be the Second Madam’s portrait. Her priority should have been to open that scroll. But what reason prevented her from returning to her courtyard? Thinking this, Yan Chi swept his gaze around. Though the night was deep, the Qin Manor had yamen guards, and Fuling was with her – there was no reason she would be randomly abducted…

Yan Chi’s expression darkened, but the more anxious he became, the more cold and rational his thoughts became.

Suddenly, Yan Chi frowned. Qin Wan had the scroll, seeking to uncover the most crucial part of the case. Whatever caused her to leave must be related to the case’s clues. Her urgent task was to find Second Madam’s portrait – could she have opened the scroll midway, found it wasn’t what she sought, and gone somewhere else to look?

Thinking this highly possible, Yan Chi headed back toward Tinglan Court. After walking for another quarter hour, Bai Feng suddenly darted over from the east, “Master, I couldn’t contact her. Half the yamen runners in the manor have been withdrawn. I asked the others – none have seen Ninth Miss—”

“Not in Tinglan Court?!”

Yan Chi asked darkly, and Bai Feng nodded, “No.”

Yan Chi’s brows immediately knotted together. If even his most secret arrangements couldn’t be of use now, then perhaps Qin Wan hadn’t left of her own accord…

This thought made Yan Chi’s spine grow cold.

“Your Highness, where could Ninth Miss have gone?” Xu He was also shocked into a cold sweat by Bai Feng’s words.

Yan Chi’s eyes were deep and dark. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw a star slowly rising from the eastern direction of the Qin Manor. Yan Chi’s eyes changed color, and Bai Feng also called out in a low voice, “Your Highness—”

…

…

Watching the door close, a chill crept up from Qin Wan’s feet.

Qin Chen stood at the door with a stern expression, walking step by step toward Qin Wan. She stepped back, but behind her was the tall cabinet filled with scrolls. With nowhere to retreat, she could only force herself to stay calm.

“What is Elder Brother doing…”

Qin Chen’s usually gentle eyes showed not a trace of warmth, now coldly regarding Qin Wan as if looking at a dead thing.

“Little Ninth Sister hasn’t answered me yet – what did you go to ask at the gatehouse?”

Qin Wan’s brows furrowed tightly. Her gaze swept across the room and saw Fuling lying on the ground, deathly pale. She couldn’t help but ask first, “What did you do to Fuling? What are you trying to do? Did you deliberately bring me here tonight?”

Qin Chen stopped five or six steps away from Qin Wan. This storeroom was in a remote location, and with the yamen runners having been withdrawn and both Huo Huaixin and Yan Chi absent, he had plenty of time.

“Does Little Ninth Sister remember that night?”

Qin Wan’s heart tightened, though her face remained unchanged, still looking at Qin Chen in surprise, “What is Elder Brother talking about? Which night?”

Qin Chen narrowed his eyes, his refined face darkening slightly, “Why does Little Ninth Sister pretend to be confused? The night you fell into the lake – haven’t you remember what happened?”

Qin Wan blinked, “That night I accidentally fell into the water. What does Elder Brother mean by asking this?”

Qin Chen raised his hand, his long fingers brushing past the landscape screen beside him, then methodically adjusted his clothes, “If that’s what Little Ninth Sister thinks, then why ask at the gatehouse? You wanted to know if I had left the Qin Manor that night, didn’t you?”

Looking at Qin Chen’s manner, Qin Wan knew he had decided to confront her, and this meant he harbored killing intent toward her. Qin Wan unconsciously gripped her sleeve tighter, the Cold Moon blade pressing painfully against her palm.

“How did Elder Brother know?” Qin Wan knew she couldn’t keep pretending. Qin Chen had knocked Fuling unconscious – once he had started taking action, he wouldn’t stop. A dangerous aura pressed upon Qin Wan, and she inwardly sighed at her carelessness.

From her position to the door was twenty paces, but with Qin Chen blocking the middle, she had no way to escape.

Hearing Qin Wan’s words, Qin Chen sighed softly, “Why did Little Ninth Sister have to remember?”

His tone carried deep melancholy as if Qin Wan had destroyed something truly beautiful, “How much better it would have been if Little Ninth Sister truly couldn’t remember anything.”

Qin Wan lowered her eyes for a moment, showing a hint of fear on her face, “I… I only remembered the bamboo grove…”

Qin Chen’s lips curved slightly, “No wonder… no wonder you kept going to the east.”

Qin Wan looked directly at Qin Chen, and after a moment, spoke with pain in her eyes, “So… so that night, the person I encountered was you?”

Seeing Qin Wan’s shock and heartbreak, Qin Chen’s tone softened, “Yes, it was me.”

As these two words fell, Qin Wan’s heart trembled slightly. He had admitted it before she had even gone to ask at the gatehouse, Qin Chen had admitted it! That night it was him – he had killed Ninth Miss, and the other person could only have been Caihe!

Qin Wan had been wondering why Ninth Miss was killed, thinking and speculating that she must have stumbled upon something that provoked someone’s murderous intent. She had previously suspected Liu Chun and Lady Liu, but now, it truly was Qin Chen.

Qin Chen, the pride of the Qin Manor, this outwardly refined and elegant eldest young master, could kill someone for the sake of a Caihe. Her brow twitching, Qin Wan looked at Qin Chen and smiled bitterly for a moment, “How could Elder Brother be so heartless?”

Qin Wan’s face showed pain and disappointment, as if unable to accept that Qin Chen had harmed her. Qin Chen’s eyes also showed some resignation, “I originally pitied your loneliness, but you had to follow me into the bamboo grove. Little Ninth Sister, you can’t blame me.”

Qin Wan instinctively leaned back, appearing increasingly weak and frightened, “Does Second Brother love Caihe that much?”

At these words, Qin Chen was stunned for a moment, but quickly, his expression returned to cold indifference, “You don’t understand these things. But you’ve learned what you shouldn’t have. Little Ninth Sister, don’t blame your Elder Brother.”

As he spoke, Qin Chen suddenly began walking forward. Qin Wan’s heart jumped, and the scroll she was holding fell to the ground with a “thud.” As it fell, the scroll roller tumbled across the floor, and the half-opened scroll suddenly unfurled. As it opened, the painting revealed a young woman in cyan robes. The woman was in her early twenties, with beautiful features, bright eyes, and delicate features, her ink-black hair like clouds. She stood gracefully by a lake in her cyan dress, like a lotus fairy emerging from the water. Though the figure was static, the artist’s exceptional skill made her windblown hair appear to move like wisps of cloud, so captivating that anyone who saw it would be entranced.

Qin Wan held her breath. The woman in the painting had a pure and ethereal quality, but those beautiful eyes were strikingly familiar, as were the contours of her features. Qin Wan’s eyes widened slightly… Caihe… truly another Caihe…

Second Madam wore fine clothes and gauzy garments, her expression pure yet alluring. In comparison, Caihe, perhaps accustomed to being a submissive servant, dressed very simply and thus lacked much of Second Madam’s bearing. But looking at the painted woman’s features, it wasn’t hard to imagine that in a few years, Caihe would grow equally beautiful.

Caihe… could Caihe truly be Second Madam’s daughter?!

In that great fire years ago, Second Madam’s daughter hadn’t died after all?!

Qin Wan was filled with shock. Turning her gaze, she saw Qin Chen approaching her. Her heart leaped, and she quickly pointed at the scroll on the ground, “Elder Brother… look… you must have seen Second Madam before. Is this her portrait? But Elder Brother, look carefully, doesn’t the person in this painting look very much like someone in the manor?”

Qin Wan spoke urgently, but Qin Chen seemed unwilling to discuss it further. He took another step forward, his foot mercilessly stepping on the scroll. Seeing him ignore her, Qin Wan hurriedly said, “Elder Brother, it’s Caihe! Caihe is the Second Madam’s daughter! Look—”

At these words, something flickered in Qin Chen’s eyes. Seeing him listening slightly, Qin Wan continued, “Elder Brother, wake up! Caihe entered the manor with other motives. The deaths of Liu Chun and Lady Liu are very likely connected to her. Even… even Elder Brother is just a pawn she’s using. The medicine in Sister-in-law’s pregnancy tonic was poisoned – Caihe did it…”

A light flickered in Qin Chen’s eyes, “What is Little Ninth Sister saying? At this point, are you still trying to influence me with these words?”

As he spoke, Qin Chen’s fists were already clenched. Seeing his growing murderous intent, Qin Wan truly had no intention of fighting him, only urgently pointing at the scroll, “I’m not lying to Elder Brother. Look at this portrait! Second Madam’s fate was so tragic – how could Caihe truly love Elder Brother? She’s using you—”

“Silence—”

Two steps from Qin Wan, Qin Chen gave a light shout, his figure suddenly erupting into motion. His clenched fist transformed into a claw, violently reaching for Qin Wan and seizing her throat.

Qin Wan felt a sharp pain in her throat, and in the next moment, her body was firmly pinned against the tall cabinet by Qin Chen. His fingers applied force, causing Qin Wan such pain that her vision darkened. In that instant, Qin Wan seemed to experience the terror that Ninth Miss had felt on that deep night of July 21st – the fear of facing a murderer head-on, with one’s life firmly in their grasp.

Cold sweat seeped from Qin Wan’s forehead as she struggled, both hands clawing at Qin Chen’s grip, “Cough cough… why would I… lie to Elder Brother… Lady Liu… Liu Chun’s… deaths… were… to expose… what happened… back then…”

Despite the intense pain in her throat and her face turning red from suffocation, Qin Wan still struggled to speak. As their eyes met, the murderous intent in Qin Chen’s eyes was replaced by hesitation, his gaze moving down to the scroll on the ground.

At the same time, Qin Chen’s hand loosened slightly. Qin Wan’s heart steadied, and she continued with effort, “She… came… for revenge… Elder Brother… has been… deceived by her…”

Qin Chen’s brows immediately knotted tightly. While still choking Qin Wan, he stared intently at the scroll on the ground, his entire being plunged into extreme shock and struggle. At this moment, Qin Wan gripped the Cold Moon blade in her sleeve and suddenly stabbed at Qin Chen’s wrist…

Qin Chen was tall with long limbs and considerable strength. With one hand choking Qin Wan, he had left her powerless to struggle. As he focused on the portrait, trying to determine if Qin Wan’s words were true or false, he never expected that the seemingly weak and struggling Qin Wan would attack him. With a “rip,” his robe was torn, and his wrist experienced a piercing pain. In an instant, Qin Chen’s right hand went numb and weak, instinctively withdrawing. In that split second, Qin Wan slipped away like a fish. Qin Chen’s injured hand tried to grab her but had no strength, and he could only watch as Qin Wan ran toward the door.

Though one hand was injured, Qin Chen, having started his attack, wouldn’t stop. Seeing Qin Wan running toward the door, he grabbed a nearby scroll roller with his uninjured hand and threw it at her. Qin Wan, already weakened from being choked, was caught off guard and struck behind her knees. Her entire body immediately fell forward with a “bang.” Qin Wan fell to her knees in excruciating pain, and more terrifyingly, the Cold Moon blade slipped from her hand.

Qin Wan immediately tried to get up, but her dress was complex and her knees were in severe pain, making her rise slower than expected. At that moment, a hand suddenly gripped her ankle, violently pulling her backward. Qin Wan fell unexpectedly back to the ground, while Qin Chen jumped forward. When Qin Wan looked up again, he held the Cold Moon blade in his hand.

“Little Ninth Sister, you carried such a sharp blade?”

Blood dripped from Qin Chen’s right hand, splattering onto his blue brocade robe, instantly spreading into a deep black stain. He held the Cold Moon blade in his left hand, his right hand hanging powerless, a mocking smile on his lips as he stared unblinkingly at Qin Wan.

“That night, Little Ninth Sister only knew how to cry and scream. This time is different.”

Having tried playing the fool and showing weakness, faced with Qin Chen who was several times stronger and now held a blade, Qin Wan’s heart sank, though her expression suddenly became calm. Qin Chen continued staring at her, suddenly narrowing his eyes in apparent confusion, “That night, Little Ninth Sister died completely. I even watched over the corpse for so long. Later the body sank into the lake – even if not dead, you should have drowned. Yet later, Little Ninth Sister came back to life…”

Qin Chen gripped the Cold Moon blade tightly, then slowly walked to Qin Wan, who was still lying on the ground. He slowly brought the blade to Qin Wan’s neck. Qin Wan’s counterattack had been futile – now she had attacked and lost her best weapon. Qin Chen felt Qin Wan had no more tricks left, so he was in no hurry to finish her off.

“Little Ninth Sister? You’ve changed too much…”

The dagger was at Qin Wan’s neck, but she only lowered her eyes slightly, neither crying nor screaming, not even trembling. Except for her slightly tight breathing, Qin Wan’s composure was beyond Qin Chen’s expectations.

He looked deeply at Qin Wan, casually voicing the doubts he had harbored for so long.

“Even if injured and amnesiac, one’s personality wouldn’t change so drastically. Sometimes, I even felt you weren’t the former Little Ninth Sister. The former you were weak and easily bullied, looking at you made people despise you. But now you’re different. You mysteriously acquired exceptional medical skills, and you have such a calm and steady temperament. Little Ninth Sister, who exactly are you?”

Qin Wan’s heart suddenly jumped, but her tone remained indifferent, “What does Elder Brother think?”

Qin Wan didn’t look into Qin Chen’s eyes, but answered thus, hoping to pique his interest to buy time. Yet she couldn’t figure out what good buying time would do, though deep in her heart she still held a faint notion, a hope.

Qin Chen narrowed his eyes, “You truly aren’t Little Ninth Sister—”

Perhaps because there was no need to hide anymore, Qin Chen’s words carried a hint of manic obsession. He stared at Qin Wan, forgetting that killing her was the most important thing, and continued, “You’re not Little Ninth Sister? Then who are you!”

This was indeed a shocking and puzzling matter. Qin Chen brought the dagger closer, “Who are you?!”

Qin Wan raised her head, her eyes clear as a stream as she looked at Qin Chen. She truly wasn’t afraid. If Qin Chen were to plunge the dagger into her neck, she would only consider all these days as a dream. She was originally meant to die and had lived these extra days borrowing Ninth Miss’s body. Besides being unable to help her father get justice, Qin Wan had no regrets.

Their eyes met, and Qin Chen was struck by the coldness in Qin Wan’s eyes. In that instant, he suddenly felt that the person before him, though wearing the same face, was a stranger. He no longer concealed himself, and neither did she. Her gaze looked at him as if at a strange murderer, her tone frighteningly cold, “Will killing me today let Elder Brother escape? Caihe wants to bring the Qin Manor to complete ruin. Elder Brother is of the Qin Manor – how can you escape? Everything that has happened in this manor is her doing. She won’t kill you; she only needs to destroy you.”

Qin Chen’s hand trembled, and the crescent blade tip of Cold Moon immediately pierced Qin Wan’s skin. Her frost-white neck yielded a crimson stain, as striking as a red plum blooming in snow. Qin Chen heard Qin Wan’s words, but they only confirmed his thoughts. If the Little Ninth Sister before him were still Little Ninth Sister, she would have laughed off his words as fantasy. But she didn’t. Her demeanor and tone had shed the gentle and warm disguise of daily life – she was now completely like a stranger.

Qin Chen seemed stung by Qin Wan’s clear gaze. He suddenly felt that compared to Caihe entering the Qin Manor for revenge, the fact that the Little Ninth Sister before him wasn’t Little Ninth Sister was even more chilling. He brought the dagger even closer, almost piercing Qin Wan’s neck again, asking in an eerie voice, “Who are you, who exactly are you… You’re not Little Ninth Sister, why have you become Little Ninth Sister?!”

Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, her smile cool and somewhat resigned.

This dream had been so long, not just long but thrilling. She had inherited her father’s legacy, truly taking up the work of a coroner solving cases. She only wondered if she could see her father and mother now in the underworld.

Qin Wan was still on the ground, her knees and elbows injured. She supported herself with one hand and slowly sat up, her gaze somewhat distant as she looked toward the latticed window behind. Outside was a deep sea of ink-black darkness. She had drifted like duckweed in this vast ocean – if she were to die now, she would neither owe nor be owed. Thinking this, Qin Wan looked back at Fuling lying by the door.

A flash of pain crossed her eyes. Qin Wan understood that once she died, Qin Chen would likely not spare Fuling either.

Qin Wan’s heart ached slightly. If she owed anyone anything, it was Fuling—

“Will you speak or not—” Qin Chen suddenly grew anxious watching Qin Wan’s exceptionally calm face. The calmer Qin Wan appeared, the more flustered he became. This person who had returned from death, who possessed exceptional medical skills – what was her origin? What was her purpose?

The unknown filled Qin Chen with fear. He suddenly steeled himself, “If you won’t speak, don’t blame me!”

Speaking thus, Qin Chen gritted his teeth, “No matter who you are, you’ve learned what you shouldn’t have, so there’s only death—”

As he spoke, Qin Chen raised Cold Moon horizontally—

Qin Wan suddenly closed her eyes. She could almost imagine how Qin Chen’s gesture would make Cold Moon slice across, cutting through both her windpipe and the blood vessels in her neck. The blade was so sharp it might even sever her cervical vertebrae. As for the cause of death, it would either be asphyxiation or excessive blood loss… Perhaps from examining too many corpses lately, she was even determining her cause of death.

Thinking of this, a shadow suddenly flashed through Qin Wan’s mind—

In that instant, this was all Qin Wan could think of. However, just as Cold Moon was about to cut into her neck, a low whistling sound suddenly rang out of nowhere, followed by a muffled grunt. Then came a “clang” as something fell to the ground. Afterward, a powerful gust of wind suddenly swept into the room with lightning speed. Qin Wan instinctively opened her eyes, seeing only a shadow flash before her. The next moment, she was pulled up from the ground, and a broad embrace held her. When she steadied herself, Qin Chen stood seven or eight steps away, Cold Moon fell to the ground, while she was half-supported near the doorway…

Qin Wan turned her head and met Yan Chi’s dark phoenix eyes, the faint light in them gleaming like winter stars.

Yan Chi…

Qin Wan stared at Yan Chi’s eyes, momentarily dazed as if unable to react.

Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s waist tightly, his gaze falling on the equally stunned Qin Chen. The moment Qin Chen saw Yan Chi, his face turned deathly pale. He looked down at his empty palm, his lips curving bitterly. When he raised his eyes again, they were filled with undisguised unwillingness…

“Young Master taking my knife to kill someone seems to have been done without my permission.” Yan Chi’s voice was icy cold. As he spoke, a cool breeze swept through the hall. Though it was only autumn, it suddenly felt like the depths of winter.

Qin Chen lowered his eyes, looking at Cold Moon. Behind him, an osmanthus branch with golden flowers was embedded in the wooden door of the tall cabinet. Qin Chen smiled bitterly, “So it was Young Lord’s knife—”

Speaking thus, Qin Chen looked at Qin Wan standing in Yan Chi’s embrace, his gaze complex and still filled with doubt.

Yan Chi’s lips held a cold smile, “The Qin Manor is in ruins and about to collapse, yet instead of trying to clean up the mess, Young Master is here killing his sister. Could it be that Ninth Miss has discovered some secret about Young Master?”

As he spoke, Yan Chi saw the painting behind Qin Chen. He turned to look at Qin Wan, who said, “Caihe… should be Second Madam’s daughter. The poisoning of Qin An was likely done at her instruction.”

Then, Qin Wan looked at Qin Chen again, “He… has been involved with Caihe… The person in the painting we saw in the library that day was Caihe…”

Understanding dawned in Yan Chi’s eyes. As his gaze lowered, his expression suddenly changed. In his earlier rush to enter, he hadn’t noticed the blood on Qin Wan’s neck. “You’re injured.”

Qin Wan raised her hand to touch her neck, about to say it was nothing, but Yan Chi had already called out, “Come in—”

As soon as he spoke, Bai Feng entered from outside. Yan Chi didn’t even look at Qin Chen, “Take him out! Confine him in the front courtyard to await punishment!”

Bai Feng responded and immediately walked to Qin Chen’s side. At this point, Qin Chen understood he had no room for resistance. He smiled miserably and walked out, dragging his injured hand in a sorry state.

“Young Lord need not worry, I’m fine—”

Qin Wan took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her wound herself. Yan Chi watched her, his expression momentarily grave. Before he could speak, Qin Chen, who had walked to their side, suddenly said to Qin Wan, “Who exactly are you?”

At these words, Yan Chi turned his gaze, only to see traces of madness appear on Qin Chen’s face. As he walked out, he continued to look at Qin Wan obsessively, “Little Ninth Sister was already killed by me, who are you… You’ve deceived us by pretending to be Little Ninth Sister… You’re not her!”

Qin Wan continued wiping her neck while looking at Qin Chen, saying coolly, “Elder Brother has gone mad—”

Bai Feng pushed Qin Chen, who stumbled out the door. Qin Wan pressed the handkerchief to her wound, glancing briefly at Yan Chi before looking at Fuling on the ground. Fuling had a small bump on the back of her head, but her breathing was still steady. Qin Wan checked a few times and felt slightly relieved. Yan Chi walked behind her, “How is it?”

“It’s nothing, she’s just been knocked unconscious. She’ll be fine after some rest.”

“I meant you.” Yan Chi’s tone was somewhat dissatisfied.

Qin Wan collected herself before turning around, “Thank you for saving me, Young Lord. It’s just a scratch, I’m fine.”

Yan Chi was looking at Qin Wan with a complex expression and was about to speak when Xu He came running in, out of breath, “What happened! How is it the Young Master of the Qin Manor… Ah, Ninth Miss is here, how did Ninth Miss get injured…”

Xu He was shocked, and then saw Fuling, “Heavens, what happened to Miss Fuling!”

Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan but spoke to Xu He, “Coroner Xu, take Fuling back.”

Xu He was slightly stunned, then quickly nodded and went forward, bending down to pick up Fuling. Qin Wan watched, then went to pick up Cold Moon from the ground, while throughout all this, Yan Chi’s gaze remained fixed on her.

“You should go back too. Even a small wound shouldn’t be taken lightly.”

After a moment, Yan Chi instructed thus. Qin Wan agreed, and Xu He carried Fuling out first, saying as he walked, “Thank goodness Ninth Miss is alright. How did Ninth Miss come here? And the Young Master…”

As Xu He walked and talked, the group headed back toward Tinglan Court. But after walking a few steps, they saw a figure in the distance. Xu He called out, “Who’s there—”

This shout startled the figure, who stopped. When the person turned around, Qin Wan was surprised to see it was Mo Shu.

Mo Shu also saw Qin Wan and hurriedly came over to bow. She first saw the unconscious Fuling, then noticed the blood on Qin Wan’s neck, and asked in surprise, “Ninth Miss, what… and Fuling…”

Qin Wan found it difficult to explain, “It’s nothing. Why are you here?”

At this question, Mo Shu said somewhat helplessly, “I don’t know what happened, but tonight the Old Madam wanted my Miss to go keep her company and talk. After I escorted Miss there, the Old Madam sent me back but kept Miss there.”

Qin Wan’s expression changed slightly, “The Old Madam asked your Miss to go talk? What exactly did the Old Madam say to you?”

Mo Shu herself seemed confused, “A little maid came with the message. When we went over, we only saw Sister Caihe…”

Qin Wan had already found it strange that Madam Jiang would summon Yao Xinlan to the Buddhist hall so late. Hearing this, she immediately sensed something was wrong, “Only saw Caihe?! Caihe is Second… your Miss is in danger—”

In her urgency, Qin Wan didn’t know where to begin explaining, finally just stating this last decisive sentence. Upon hearing this, Mo Shu’s face turned pale, “What? How could there be danger? I only left after escorting her to the door…”

Qin Wan didn’t want to explain so much and grabbed Mo Shu’s hand, intending to head to the Buddhist hall. But as she turned around, Qin Wan froze in place.

Under the pitch-black night sky, in the direction of Madam Jiang’s Buddhist hall, a bright flame accompanied by billowing black smoke now painted half the sky red…