The young man’s face was like jade, adorned with a feathered crown. His almond-shaped eyes were clear and pure, and his white robes fluttered like frost and snow. Qin Wan stared at the youth, momentarily dazed, while the young man opposite her was equally stunned by her appearance.
“Wild vines grow in the fields, with glistening dewdrops upon them; There stands a beautiful person, graceful and gentle—” With a bright laugh, the young man suddenly curved his lips and recited four lines of poetry. Qin Wan glanced at him briefly, gripping her sleeve tightly to compose herself. Seeing her silence, the young man clasped his hands and bowed to her, “I apologize for my forwardness.”
Qin Wan suppressed the tumult in her chest, lowered her gaze, and curtsied, “Young Master need not be so courteous.”
The young man straightened up and looked Qin Wan up and down before turning his attention to the medicinal herbs on the counter. He stepped closer, lowering his voice, “Miss is not ill herself, so these medicines must be for someone at home. Did you write this prescription yourself?”
Qin Wan turned to look at the medicines on the counter, seemingly unwilling to converse further with the young man. Although Fu Ling could see that the youth was not of common status, he was still a stranger. Seeing Qin Wan’s silence, she stepped forward to block the young man’s view.
Seeing Fu Ling’s action, the young man realized he had been too forward with the lady and quickly said, “I am Sun Muqing, also a physician. I only spoke up because I noticed Miss seemed uncertain about her prescription.”
Also a physician? Fu Ling blinked at Sun Muqing. He appeared well-bred, with clear, bright almond eyes that made one feel he was as pure as clouds and cranes with crystalline thoughts. Fu Ling felt no ill will toward him and stepped back slightly.
Qin Wan turned to look at Sun Muqing, “Young Master is also a physician?”
Sun Muqing smiled, “Does it not seem so?” He looked again at the medicines on the counter, “Miss’s prescription is already excellent, but if you add some Tu Fu Ling, it will enhance the therapeutic effect. Within ten days, the patient will surely show improvement.”
Qin Wan’s heart stirred slightly. Despite her inner turmoil, she maintained her composure and nodded, “Thank you for your guidance.” She turned to the shop assistant, “Add five qian of Tu Fu Ling.”
The assistant acknowledged, and Qin Wan settled down, but the young man remained standing nearby.
Qin Wan looked questioningly at him, and he grinned, “Miss’s prescription rather resembles one I know. Did you develop this prescription yourself?”
Qin Wan’s heart sank slightly. She had never treated venereal diseases before and didn’t have time to experiment one by one. The prescription she was using now was one she vaguely remembered from her time studying medicine at Medicine Valley. That original prescription was more complex than the one she was using; Qin Wan had kept several medicines from the original formula and supplemented the rest with her research.
“No, I once saw a similar prescription in a medical text, but too much time has passed, and I hadn’t intended to memorize it then. This time, I just added a few medicines to the ones I remembered.”
The young man’s eyes brightened, “What was the medical text called?”
Qin Wan appeared thoughtful, but after a moment, she shook her head, “I can’t remember, perhaps it was some ancient fragment…”
Then she looked at Sun Muqing, “Does Young Master know the source of this prescription?”
Sun Muqing hurriedly said, “This prescription is…” Halfway through, he seemed to remember something and smiled somewhat embarrassedly, “I can’t recall either. I just thought Miss’s prescription was quite ingenious…”
Qin Wan looked at Sun Muqing for a moment and nodded without further comment.
Meanwhile, the shop assistant had wrapped up the medicines. As Qin Wan was about to leave, Sun Muqing asked again, “May I ask if Miss is a female physician practicing in this city? Do you have a clinic?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “I don’t practice medicine, I just enjoy reading medical texts in my spare time.”
The assistant handed over the medicine package, Fu Ling paid, and Qin Wan nodded to the young man before turning to leave. Sun Muqing watched her wistfully, taking two steps forward before stopping, watching as Qin Wan boarded her carriage and departed. Only then did he let out a sigh.
“Wild vines in the fields, glistening dewdrops…”
Sighing, Sun Muqing turned to the medicine counter and asked with a smile, “Assistant, I hear there’s a young medical prodigy in Jin Zhou City. Do you know where this prodigy practices?”
The shop assistant frowned, “Well… I don’t know, but I heard this medical prodigy cured the old madam of the An Yang Marquis Manor…”
Sun Muqing made a sound of acknowledgment, his face showing hesitation.
An Yang Marquis Manor – just hearing the name suggested a formidable place. Should he go or not?
In the carriage, Fu Ling remarked with surprise, “Miss, that young master looked either wealthy or noble, yet he’s a physician. Which wealthy family in Jin Zhou City would have their son study medicine?”
Qin Wan sat straight against the carriage wall, her eyes slightly closed.
Sun Muqing was certainly not a wealthy young master from Jin Zhou City. His surname was Sun, and he was from the main line of the Sun family in Medicine Valley. When she studied medicine at Medicine Valley, Sun Muqing had been her senior fellow apprentice. Qin Wan hadn’t expected him to come to Jin Zhou City.
“I don’t know. It was just a chance encounter, don’t think too much about it.”
Qin Wan’s voice was indifferent, but her heart felt sorrowful. Meeting a familiar person who didn’t recognize her was both her advantage and her hardship. Worldly connections were all precious, but in his heart, Shen Wan was dead, so naturally, their bond as fellow disciples was broken.
Qin Wan heaved a long internal sigh, “Let’s return to the manor.”
Fu Ling noticed Qin Wan’s sudden melancholy but didn’t know why. Seeing Qin Wan’s somber expression, she dared not ask more.
The carriage moved steadily and soon returned to the Qin Manor.
Although Qin Wan hadn’t said much about Sun Muqing during the journey, his every word and smile kept floating in her mind, causing ripples in her heart. She couldn’t help but think that although she was no longer Shen Wan, she might meet more people from Shen Wan’s past in the future. Qin Wan had never considered this before, but after meeting Sun Muqing, her thoughts naturally turned to her father’s wrongful case.
“Miss, should I take the medicine to Second Young Master now?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Take three doses daily, and continue applying the previous White Apricot Ointment to the ulcerated areas.”
With her mind in disarray, Qin Wan gave casual instructions and went to her warm study. She walked behind her desk but had no heart for practicing calligraphy. She turned to stand by the window instead. Time had reached the end of the ninth month, autumn’s chill had intensified, and the desolation in the courtyard had grown more profound. In the blink of an eye, she had been dead and reborn for two months.
Qin Wan stood motionless, and soon Fu Ling returned from her task.
“Miss, it’s getting late. The memorial hall in the front courtyard has been arranged, and Second Young Master asks everyone to go pay their respects together.”
Fu Ling announced this as soon as she entered. Upon hearing this, Qin Wan quickly responded. She was wearing a white jade-colored pleated dress that wasn’t too bright, suitable for paying respects. Qin Wan smoothed the wrinkles in her dress, removed the jade hairpin from her hair, and then left with Fu Ling.
The evening sky was ablaze with sunset, its golden light falling upon the Qin Manor’s flying eaves and pavilions, coating them in a layer of luminescence. As Qin Wan walked along the small path in the Qin Manor, she heard Fu Ling say, “Originally, the Old Madam’s passing should have warranted a grand ceremony, but given the current circumstances of the Qin Manor, Second Young Master couldn’t arrange that. So he just said we should go pay our respects now, and he won’t notify the other clan members. He’ll just invite a few masters to perform a ceremony, keep the body for three days, and then leave the city for burial.”
Qin Wan listened, knowing this was the only option. She took the direct route to the front courtyard, and before reaching it, she saw white mourning clothes everywhere. In front of her, Lin Shi wore hemp mourning clothes, supported by Qin Xiang as they walked ahead.
Qin Li stood at the entrance of the memorial hall, waiting for Lin Shi and the others. Qin Wan frowned slightly and walked over as well.
“Mother is unwell. Pay your respects with incense and then go rest,” said Qin Li.
In just one night, Lin Shi seemed to have aged more than ten years. The wrinkles on her forehead had deepened, and streaks of white had appeared at her temples. Hearing Qin Li’s words, she nodded expressionlessly and let Qin Xiang support her into the memorial hall.
Watching Lin Shi enter, Qin Li turned and saw Qin Wan. He stepped forward, “Ninth Sister…”
Qin Wan nodded, “The medicine has been delivered to Second Brother’s courtyard. Follow this prescription for ten days.”
Qin Li hurriedly nodded. Qin Wan looked around, “Sister-in-law probably doesn’t need to come, right?”
Qin Li quickly replied, “Of course not. Ninth Sister, go in and offer incense. We have no choice but to keep everything simple now. I hope Grandmother won’t blame us.”
“In these extraordinary times, this is all we can do.”
After speaking, Qin Wan entered the memorial hall. In half a day, Madam Jiang had been laid in state. The coffin lay cold in the memorial hall, with eternal lamps burning. Several elderly servants who had followed Madam Jiang for years were burning paper money nearby, creating a desolate atmosphere.
Lin Shi had just finished offering incense, and Qin Xiang supported her as she turned to leave, not looking at anyone.
Seeing Lin Shi’s appearance of utter despair, Qin Li sighed and gestured, “Ninth Sister, please offer your incense.”
Qin Wan stepped forward and respectfully offered three sticks of incense to Madam Jiang.
Although she couldn’t truly regard Madam Jiang as family in her heart, she couldn’t neglect the proper rituals.
After offering incense, Qin Li accompanied Qin Wan outside. He coughed lightly and said, “I hope Ninth Sister can look after Sister-in-law. With Elder Brother gone, Sister-in-law cannot have anything happen to her.”
“You can rest assured about that.”
Qin Wan nodded, took leave of Qin Li, and went to Lin Feng Court to visit Yao Xinlan.
Upon entering the courtyard, Qin Wan heard Qin Shuang’s voice from inside, cooing as if playing with a baby. A servant went in to announce her arrival, and soon Mo Shu came out, “Ninth Young Miss—”
“Is Sister-in-law awake?” Qin Wan stepped forward and asked directly.
Mo Shu sighed, “She woke for a while but fell asleep again.”
Having already checked her pulse during the day, Qin Wan didn’t check again. She just went to the inner chamber to look, then turned to the warm room to see Qi Qi. Qin Shuang already knew Qin Wan had come, and when she entered, asked, “Did you pay respects to Grandmother?”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. Fu Ling and Mo Shu, following behind Qin Wan, exchanged glances, also startled.
This was the first time Qin Shuang had initiated a conversation with Qin Wan, and the first time her words held no rejection or mockery.
“I just went, and met Madam and Fifth Sister there.”
Since Qin Shuang had softened her attitude, and Qin Wan had never actively provoked her, in Qin Wan’s view, this change in Qin Shuang was good.
“Madam and Fifth Sister…” Qin Shuang snorted disapprovingly, then looked down at Qi Qi with pity, “If Madam couldn’t get out of bed, that would be one thing, but since she could go to the front courtyard, she should have come to visit, yet she didn’t.”
Speaking thus, Qin Shuang tapped Qi Qi’s nose, “Your Fifth Aunt and Grandmother don’t treat you well.”
Mo Shu hurriedly said, “Sixth Young Miss shouldn’t say such things… though the Young Miss is small, she might understand!”
Qin Shuang laughed, “How foolish, she’s only a day old. Even if she could understand, it doesn’t matter. This is how things are…”
As Qin Shuang spoke, she sighed. Watching her, Qin Wan understood somewhat – Qin Shuang’s mother had also died shortly after giving birth to her, and few people had truly cared for her since childhood.
Mo Shu wanted to speak but held back, finally saying nothing. She naturally had grievances and felt sorry for Yao Xinlan, but she was just a servant. Even Yao Xinlan couldn’t speak openly about such things. With Qin Chen gone, Yao Xinlan was a widow with a child, truly struggling to live in the Qin Manor. Mo Shu dared not easily offend anyone.
After thinking, Mo Shu still said, “It’s fine, the Young Miss has a Sixth Miss and Ninth Miss who loves her.”
Seeing this situation, Qin Wan couldn’t say much either. She sat in Lin Feng Court for a while longer and checked the pulse again before leaving. On the way back, Fu Ling sighed, “The Young Miss is truly pitiful, born without a father and no brothers to inherit the family business. If Madam maintains this attitude, the Young Madam will have such a difficult time.”
Qin Wan understood this and also worried for Yao Xinlan. However, she was like duckweed floating on water in the Qin Manor, let alone being able to help Yao Xinlan. By comparison, Yao Xinlan wasn’t without options.
“Don’t forget, Yao Xinlan still has her maiden family.”
The next morning, Qin Wan was awakened early by a commotion in the courtyard, something that had never happened before in Ting Lan Court. Qin Wan collected herself and lifted the bed curtain to see Fu Ling carrying a cyan porcelain vase into the room.
Qin Wan frowned, “Where did this come from?”
Fu Ling had already lightened her steps but was startled at the question. She put down the vase and came over excitedly, “Miss, what you said was true…”
Half-awake, Qin Wan asked puzzledly, “How so?”
Fu Ling’s face was full of joy, “Young Madam’s maiden family has sent people!”
Looking at the porcelain vase on the window table, she continued, “This time, Young Madam’s family prepared gifts for everyone, and sent especially many to our side. This vase is from them.”
Qin Wan’s eyebrows rose – the Yao family had come so quickly?!
Yao Xinlan had only received the letter two days ago, and today the Yao family members had arrived at the manor.
Qin Wan got up from bed, beginning to understand. Upon learning of the Qin Manor’s situation, the Magistrate of Jian Zhou must have given urgent orders, especially since Yao Xinlan was near her due date and couldn’t be neglected.
While dressing, Qin Wan asked, “Who came?”
Fu Ling quickly replied, “Two elderly maids came, said to be from Old Madam Yao’s side. When they came, they only knew something had happened at the Qin Manor. Only after arriving today did they learn that both Old Madam and Young Master had passed.”
Fu Ling sighed, “Indeed, who could have imagined such great changes in the Qin Manor all at once?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Yes, but it’s good that capable people have come to assist Sister-in-law.”
“Indeed. Hearing that people had come from the Yao family, Madam went to Lin Feng Court early this morning.”
Fu Ling spoke with a bitter smile. Qin Wan shook her head, “We’ll see what plans Sister-in-law makes.”
Fu Ling didn’t respond to this. Given Yao Xinlan’s personality, they couldn’t expect much from her.
After Qin Wan finished dressing and washing up, she had breakfast before heading to Lin Feng Court. At the courtyard entrance, she met Lin Shi and Qin Xiang leaving. Lin Shi’s expression was still cold, and Qin Xiang’s brows were tightly furrowed. Seeing their apparent displeasure, Qin Wan lowered her gaze as if she hadn’t noticed, curtsied in greeting, and Lin Shi left without a word, quickly departing Lin Feng Court with Qin Xiang.
After they left, Qin Wan straightened up. She watched their retreating figures for a moment before entering the courtyard. Mo Shu was discussing something with several servants, but upon seeing Qin Wan, hurriedly came forward with a smile.
“Ninth Young Miss—” It was evident that the arrival of the Yao family members had improved Mo Shu’s mood considerably and given her a sense of support.
Mo Shu led Qin Wan inside, and upon entering, announced, “Two Elder Madams, Ninth Young Miss is here!”
Mo Shu’s voice carried excitement. Shortly after, two elegantly dressed elderly maids emerged from the inner chamber. Both were in their forties and though servants, their clothing and ornaments were refined. Their manner revealed the dignity and appropriate respectfulness of those raised in a great household.
The two came forward one after another, bowing before reaching Qin Wan.
“Greetings to Ninth Young Miss. Thank you for saving our mistress’s life.”
After speaking, they both kowtowed to Qin Wan, who hurriedly stepped forward, “Elder Madams, this isn’t necessary. Please rise. How can I accept such deep respect from you?”
But the two wouldn’t rise, kowtowing three times before straightening up.
Qin Wan looked at Mo Shu, “Please help the Elder Madams up…”
Before Mo Shu could speak, one of them said, “This courtesy may not be appropriate for others, but it is for Ninth Young Miss. Mo Shu has told us everything. We’ve watched our Young Miss grow up since childhood and came knowing she was due in a month, but we never imagined she would face such chaos during childbirth. If not for the Ninth Young Miss’s intervention, our Young Miss might not be alive now. For this life-saving grace, we bow on behalf of our Old Madam and Master to thank Ninth Young Miss.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan sighed lightly, “You’re too kind. It was only right. Please rise.”
At this, the two finally stood up, and the same elder maid continued, “Mo Shu also told us that Ninth Young Miss saved our Young Miss during her last visit home, and has been caring for her daily. We will certainly report all these kindnesses to Master when we return. The Yao family remembers its debts of gratitude.”
Qin Wan shook her head with a slight smile, “I didn’t do those things expecting anything in return. Elder Madam need not dwell on it. Rather, Sister-in-law has been weak these days and needs your good care.”
The elder maid nodded, “Of course. We are most experienced in caring for women in confinement and will take excellent care of Young Miss. The birth of the Young Miss is joyous news. Although we’re in mourning for Old Madam, we still must inform Master. We came for Young Miss’s sake and will certainly stay for now.”
Qin Wan only cared about Yao Xinlan’s health and didn’t want to interfere in how the Yao household communicated. Moreover, Qin Wan understood that seeing Yao Xinlan’s situation, the two elder maids would naturally report everything to her father, which involved much more.
While exchanging pleasantries with the elder maids, Qin Wan went inside. The arrival of the two elder maids immediately put everyone in Lin Feng Court at ease. With the present, even head maid Mo Shu could only wait on the side. Seeing this, Qin Wan felt relieved for Yao Xinlan – if nothing else, getting her health back in order would be best.
With people in charge at Lin Feng Court, Qin Wan only needed to check on Yao Xinlan. However, after two days, though Yao Xinlan’s lochia had decreased and her complexion improved, she still wouldn’t speak.
She would wake for only brief moments each day before falling asleep again. The first two days, Qin Wan’s medicine had a calming effect, but even after changing the prescription, Yao Xinlan still slept constantly. Yet when Qin Wan checked her pulse, she could find nothing wrong.
Gradually, everyone in Lin Feng Court realized this was an illness of the heart. Mo Shu and the two new elder maids all wore worried expressions, though they dared not show it in front of Yao Xinlan. Qin Wan spent time talking with Yao Xinlan daily, but it had no effect.
Early on the third day, Madam Jiang’s funeral procession began.
Though the Qin family’s reputation in Jin Zhou City was ruined, as the matriarch of the Qin family, Madam Jiang’s funeral procession was naturally grand. Except for Yao Xinlan, all the younger generation, including Lin Shi, wore hemp mourning clothes and followed the procession. Spirit banners waved, funeral music played, Qin Li carried the ancestral tablet at the front, with Qin Wan and others following closely behind, and behind them came all the Qin household servants in mourning clothes, wailing in grief. Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang walked in front crying until their faces were covered in tears, but Qin Wan couldn’t cry.
Qin Wan lowered her gaze, suddenly remembering her parents’ unclaimed remains.
On that bloody, cruel night, her family’s bodies all fell outside the Imperial City.
And after that? Qin Wan thought deeply. According to the patrol division and imperial guard’s customs, the bodies of executed criminal clans were usually abandoned outside the mass graves. Qin Wan’s heart suddenly ached…
Paper money is scattered all over the ground. Though Qin Li had chosen a secluded main road, before long, the funeral procession reached a crowded area. Upon seeing it was the Qin family’s funeral procession, discussions immediately arose among the crowd.
“This is the Qin family? Is this the Qin family’s Old Madam?”
“Indeed it is. That big fire burned the Old Madam to death…”
“How did the fire start? I saw it, it was unnaturally fierce!”
“It was a murderer hidden in the Qin Manor. Do you all remember someone who died at the Qin Manor earlier? They say the Qin family did too many evil deeds, and someone came back for revenge, hiding in the manor for years just to take revenge, then set a fire that killed two of the Qin family’s masters.”
“Besides the Old Madam, who else…”
“Seems it was the Qin family’s eldest young master. Look, the one carrying the tablet in front is the Qin family’s illegitimate son.”
The discussions from the crowd filtered through the gaps in the funeral music to the Qin family’s ears. Amid such discussions, the funeral procession slowly left the city. Once outside, all the Qin family members seemed to let out a long-held breath.
In a teahouse near the city gate, Sun Muqing grabbed a guest beside him, pointing at the passing funeral procession, “Which family has had a death?”
The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows, “You’re not from around here?”
Sun Muqing chuckled, “Indeed, I just arrived a few days ago. Brother, is this family prestigious?”
Hearing this, the middle-aged man curved his lips with a meaningful smile, “Can’t say prestigious. A month ago, they were counted among Jin Zhou’s noble households, but in less than a month, they first had a murder case, then uncovered a scandal from ten years ago. Now, this household is notorious.”
Sun Muqing frowned, his mind still on the glimpse he’d caught of Qin Wan’s profile…
He thought for a moment, increasingly certain he hadn’t remembered wrong, and asked, “How did a murder case occur? And what scandal?”
Being a regular at the teahouse, he had heard many stories. Seeing Sun Muqing’s genuine curiosity, the middle-aged man, having nothing better to do, began telling him. However, he said, “There are many strange things about this household. Let me start with their ‘back-from-the-dead’ Ninth Miss…”
Sun Muqing was startled again, “Ninth Miss? Back from the dead?”
The middle-aged man chuckled, “I don’t know the whole truth, but there are only so many noble households in Jin Zhou, and word gets around. It went like this: at the end of July, their Ninth Miss…”
The middle-aged man vividly recounted the strange events at the Qin Manor. Sun Muqing ordered him a pot of tea, and the man told the story even more thoroughly. Half an hour later, Sun Muqing stared at the middle-aged man with wide eyes, “What? The Qin family’s master had such proclivities. He even killed all those young girls?!”
The middle-aged man sighed while drinking his tea, “Indeed. Who could have imagined? The Qin family is a branch of the capital’s Loyal and Brave Marquis Manor, and they had some reputation in Jin Zhou. Noble families always try to maintain an appearance of moral uprightness. Outsiders didn’t know and believed it was true, but who knew there were such unconscionable evil deeds…”
Sun Muqing frowned deeply, “This is truly… unconscionable!”
The middle-aged man nodded and glanced out the window, “That’s why people normally wouldn’t discuss others’ funerals, but when it’s the Qin family’s funeral, didn’t you hear all the pointing and discussion?”
Sun Muqing nodded, “Indeed.” Then his eyes turned thoughtful, “However, the later events just show human evil, but what you mentioned at first, about their Ninth Miss coming back from the dead and having incredible medical skills… that seems rather unbelievable.”
“How is it unbelievable?!” Storytellers hate having their tales doubted. The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows, “This caused quite a stir in the Qin Manor, and many people there know about it. They’re still discussing it privately.”
Sun Muqing quickly asked, “What does the Qin family’s Ninth Miss look like? Is she beautiful?”
The middle-aged man stared at Sun Muqing with wide eyes, “You young man, why are you asking about a young lady’s appearance? You asked so many questions, I thought you were just curious about the Qin family’s affairs, but you…”
He stood up, “You look decent enough, I didn’t expect you to be such a base lothario, wanting to know about a young lady’s appearance! Why don’t you go to their door and look for yourself!”
The middle-aged man drained the last of his tea, flicked his sleeve, and left. Sun Muqing helplessly watched his retreating figure, “I… going directly to their door would truly make me seem like a lothario…”
Heaving a long sigh, Sun Muqing blinked and said, “So she’s a Young Miss of the Qin family… but I wonder which one. Surely she couldn’t be that Ninth Miss…”
After the funeral, by the time Qin Wan returned from outside the city, it was nearly dark. She went straight to Ting Lan Court. Fu Ling, who had accompanied her, was also exhausted and immediately prepared for Qin Wan’s bath upon entering.
As Qin Wan undressed and entered the bathtub, Fu Ling remarked curiously, “When we returned just now, Wan Tang, Wan Xing, and Wan Li were all outside. Wan Tang is one thing, but why was Wan Li out there? Miss, have you noticed she’s been showing her face these past few days?”
Qin Wan rested against the bathtub to gather her thoughts before responding, “With the Qin Manor in its current state, even the masters can’t feel at ease, let alone the servants. Wan Li is proud and ambitious, thinking she should serve more favored masters, but now, favored or not, the Qin Manor is falling apart. These servants are all worried about their fates.”
Qin Wan spoke softly, slowly closing her eyes. Fu Ling’s eyes brightened slightly, “I hadn’t thought of that. I heard this scandal is so big that many of their businesses will be liquidated. Being labeled a criminal clan is bad enough, but their future lifestyle can’t remain as before. They’re worried about being dismissed, aren’t they?”
Qin Wan gave a light “mm” of agreement. Fu Ling was not at all stupid and understood things quickly.
“Then Miss, if you had to choose one of them to keep, who would you choose?”
Without opening her eyes, Qin Wan asked softly, “If you were choosing, who would you pick?”
Fu Ling tilted her head in thought, “I’d choose Wan Tang. She’s the best trained and can do the work of three people. Wan Li aside, though Wan Xing is also good, she’s too quiet and dull. In the future, Miss will need capable managers who can socialize and gather information. Wan Xing probably couldn’t handle that.”
Qin Wan’s expression showed fatigue, “Your reasoning is very sound.”
Fu Ling smiled but, seeing how exhausted Qin Wan was, stopped talking. Qin Wan stayed in the bath a while longer before getting out to change clothes and soon went to bed. After Fu Ling finished tidying the inner chamber, she went out to find Wan Tang and the others still waiting outside.
Having a better impression of Wan Tang, Fu Ling told her to take the others to rest.
That night, Qin Wan slept deeply, so much so that when she woke the next day, it was already bright outside.
Gathering her thoughts, Qin Wan got up. Hearing movement, Fu Ling entered and smiled, “Miss finally got to sleep in for once.”
Qin Wan smiled wryly, but the full night’s sleep had indeed improved her spirits considerably. She thought for a moment, “It’s been many days since we’ve been to the Marquis Manor. I wonder how the Imperial Princess’s health is, and Young Master Wei’s leg injury…”
Hearing this, Fu Ling couldn’t help but smile, “Miss truly never stops.”
After breakfast, Qin Wan made her usual visit to Lin Feng Court. Yao Xinlan’s pulse was stable and her complexion had improved, but like the previous days, she still wouldn’t speak. Little Qi Qi’s face no longer showed wrinkles, and her delicate newborn features somewhat resembled Yao Xinlan’s. Qin Wan sat for a while when suddenly Qin Li hurriedly arrived at Lin Feng Court.
Mo Shu welcomed Qin Li in, and he immediately looked at Qin Wan, “Ninth Sister, you’re here!”
Qin Wan stood up, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Qin Li’s brows were deeply furrowed, “The magistrate’s office just sent word that Father is failing in prison. They want someone to go see him, saying… saying it might be the last time… Ninth Sister, could you come with me?”
With these words, Qin Wan understood. Qin Li wanted her to accompany him in case she could save Qin An if necessary. Qin Wan didn’t care about saving Qin An’s life, but seeing the pleading look in Qin Li’s eyes, her heart softened and she nodded.
Qin Li’s eyes brightened, “That’s wonderful! Ninth Sister, let’s go now! The carriage is ready!”
Qin Wan said nothing more, just had Fu Ling return to fetch the essential Nine Needles of the Yellow Emperor, then left with Qin Li. Once in the carriage, Qin Li looked at Qin Wan and said, “I’m sorry, Ninth Sister. I shouldn’t have asked you to come.”
Qin Wan looked at Qin Li with an unchanging expression, “If you knew you shouldn’t, why did you ask? Since I’m already here, there’s no need to say such things. I don’t want to save his life; I’m only doing this because Second Brother cares about filial duty.”
Qin Li looked embarrassed at Qin Wan’s words, “Ninth Sister has a kind heart, I know. Although he deserves his punishment, he is still my father, and I think in his condition, even Ninth Sister might not be able to save him.”
Qin Wan also felt she probably couldn’t change anything. Qin An’s venereal disease had reached its late stage and was beyond medical help, but as a physician, she couldn’t make a definitive judgment without seeing the patient.
Qin Wan didn’t respond to Qin Li’s words, and the carriage fell into silence. This wasn’t Qin Wan’s first time at the magistrate’s office. When the carriage stopped, she was the first to get out and walked straight to the entrance. Qin Li followed behind, spoke with the guards at the entrance, and someone immediately led them inside.
These guards recognized Qin Wan and knew her status with Huo Huaixin and Yan Chi, showing her great respect. Along the way, they explained to Qin Wan why they had come, barely acknowledging Qin Li. Qin Li smiled bitterly a few times. As they walked deeper into the magistrate’s office and approached the prison cells, suddenly a voice rang out!
“Miss Qin—”
Qin Wan’s steps faltered, and she froze.
Sun Muqing was coming from another intersecting path. Seeing Qin Wan, he was overjoyed and walked directly up to her, “Miss Qin, it is you. I never thought we’d meet again. After our last parting, I kept thinking of your grace. If I hadn’t seen you in mourning clothes yesterday on the street, I wouldn’t have known you were of the Qin family…”
As Qin Wan frowned slightly at Sun Muqing’s warm smile, a dark figure emerged from the prison entrance. Qin Wan looked up to see Yan Chi with a cold smile of displeasure at the corner of his lips.