The figure seemed to have been standing there for some time, yet Qin Wan and her companions hadn’t noticed earlier. Now, as their lanterns cast a few dim beams of light, the person’s silhouette became somewhat more visible.
The night was as dark as ink. The figure had disheveled hair like a ghost, with an eerily sinister gaze. Fu Ling instinctively gripped Qin Wan’s arm, while Wan Xing stepped in front of Qin Wan, causing her immediate surprise.
Qin Shuang also huddled close to Qin Wan. The six young ladies clustered together, unsure whether the distant figure was human or a ghost.
At a distance of about seven or eight zhang, the person wore thin robes and had a tall, lean frame. The messy black hair covered half their face, but behind the strands of hair, those eyes were particularly deep and dark. In this old mansion at night, it created an especially eerie and frightening atmosphere.
The figure stared fixedly at Qin Wan and her group, as if ready to pounce at any moment…
Qin Shuang held her breath, clutching Qin Wan’s arm tightly, not daring to move. It was like facing a fierce crouching tiger, afraid that any movement would trigger a savage attack.
The cold wind howled past, making the lanterns flicker. The standoff was nerve-wracking. After what seemed like an eternity, sudden footsteps echoed from deep within the mansion. The tense silence broke, and the rigid figure suddenly moved. Instinctively, Qin Wan’s group stepped backward, but the person’s gloomy eyes merely swept over them before turning to flee—heading toward the main gate of the Hundred Herbs Garden.
Not toward the two of them. Qin Shuang’s tense body finally relaxed slightly. The footsteps from deep within the mansion grew closer, and soon they saw Steward Dong running over with a lantern.
Behind him were two elderly maids and two male servants, all wearing worried expressions as they searched the area. They immediately spotted Qin Wan’s group. Steward Dong started, glanced back at one of the elderly maids, then approached Qin Wan. “Miss Qin? Why are you all here…”
Seeing Steward Dong, Qin Shuang felt even more relieved and quickly replied, “We came to get something from the carriage.”
Steward Dong was out of breath from running. Upon hearing this, understanding showed in his eyes, and he asked, “Did you young ladies see someone run past here?”
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, but Qin Shuang spoke quickly, “We did! Gave us quite a fright—someone with disheveled hair, we weren’t sure who it was. They went toward the main gate…”
Though the main gate wasn’t far, one had to go around a corridor to reach it. Hearing Qin Shuang’s words, Steward Dong breathed a sigh of relief, looked at the people behind him, and after they nodded, they hurried toward the main gate.
The cold wind whipped at Qin Wan’s face, making it sting painfully, but she couldn’t forget the figure they’d just seen. This was the mansion where Master Sun treated his wife’s illness—how could such a person suddenly appear here?
While full of questions, Steward Dong explained, “It’s one of Young Master’s patients. The person is somewhat mentally unstable and usually kept confined in the courtyard. Earlier, when delivering food, the door wasn’t properly secured, and they escaped.”
Hearing this, Qin Shuang relaxed. “Oh, so that’s what happened. I was wondering why someone would be walking around with such disheveled hair.”
Steward Dong apologetically said, “That’s exactly it. I hope the young ladies weren’t too frightened?”
Qin Shuang waved her hand, “No, not at all—”
Steward Dong also relaxed. “That’s good. It’s too cold outside, young ladies should head back now.”
Qin Shuang nodded and pulled Qin Wan’s hand. Qin Wan also nodded and curtsied, while Steward Dong smiled as he watched them leave.
Qin Wan walked slowly, and so did Qin Shuang. Although they now knew it wasn’t a ghost, the earlier scene still left them somewhat shaken. As they walked, Qin Shuang said, “I didn’t expect there to be patients staying in this mansion. Divine Physician Sun even lets patients stay in his own home—most ordinary doctors wouldn’t do that…”
Qin Shuang’s voice was full of admiration. Qin Wan nodded inwardly. Although the Medicine King Valley had teachings about healing all who needed help, not everyone could be like Sun Haoyue. Thinking this, Qin Wan felt even more respect for this senior apprentice-brother.
Just then, several sounds suddenly came from behind them. Qin Wan stopped and looked back. She saw the two elderly maids supporting the patient who had escaped earlier, with the two male servants guarding them and Steward Dong leading with a lantern. They had taken another path, heading eastward.
Qin Shuang was also watching and whispered, “Fortunately they caught him. Such patients might harm others.”
Wan Qing beside them touched her chest and said, “Yes, it must be some kind of mental illness—”
At the mention of “mental illness,” Qin Wan immediately thought of Yao Xinlan. Even when she left, she hadn’t been able to determine whether Yao Xinlan showed signs of mental illness. If she didn’t have any episodes, that would be good, but if she did, how could it be treated?
Qin Wan had read many medical books but hadn’t seen any that discussed curing mental illness. She had only occasionally seen mentions of using acupuncture methods from the meridian classics to treat such ailments. However, Qin Wan wasn’t skilled in acupuncture; she was better at pharmacology and pulse diagnosis.
Watching Steward Dong and the others disappear in another direction, Qin Wan suddenly had a thought. If Senior Brother Haoyue knew how to treat mental illness, perhaps she could ask him for guidance. Not just for Yao Xinlan’s sake—if she could learn something, it would help her treat other patients in the future…
As soon as this thought arose, Qin Wan shook her head. Aside from how abrupt such a request would be, it would be disastrous if Sun Muqing and Sun Haoyue discovered she had studied medicine at Medicine King Valley.
Sighing, Qin Wan quickly suppressed this idea.
“Let’s go,” said Qin Shuang after Steward Dong’s group disappeared, turning to continue walking. She added, “It seems they were right not to let us wander around. Who knows if other patients are staying in this mansion?”
Qin Shuang’s question made Wan Qing and the others uneasy. If there were several mentally ill patients staying here, it could be dangerous. Qin Wan shook her head—she didn’t know if other patients were staying in the mansion. She only felt that the snow showed no signs of stopping. If it continued like this, who knew how long they would be trapped here?
When they returned to the courtyard, Qin Wan’s hands were painfully cold. Qin Shuang hesitated for a moment before saying somewhat embarrassedly, “Um… thank you…”
Qin Wan waved her hand. “Get some rest early.”
Qin Shuang responded and then returned to her wing room with Wan Qing and Xiu Yun. Meanwhile, Fu Ling said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, “Sixth Young Lady has learned well now. Who would think she was the same person who pushed Young Lady into the lake before?”
Only after entering the room did Qin Wan feel some warmth. She rubbed her hands and said, “It’s good that she can learn. Before, no one taught her properly.” Not only was there no one to teach her but some people instigated and provoked her.
Fu Ling smiled and said “Yes,” then added, “She seems good now, but I hope she doesn’t act foolishly again in the future. I still remember the past grievances. Since she’s treating Young Lady well now, I won’t say anything, but if she turns bad again, we’ll settle both old and new scores together.” Fu Ling said this with puffed cheeks as she went out to add charcoal to the brazier.
There was a slight charcoal smell in the room. Qin Wan opened her medicine bag and threw some old atractylodes and aged tangerine peel into the brazier. Soon, the room filled with the medicinal fragrance and the sweet smell of tangerine peel. Fu Ling opened the window to look at the heavy snow outside and sighed, “Why hasn’t this snow stopped yet? It would be terrible if the mountain passes ahead get blocked.”
Qin Wan was also worried about this issue. Turning her gaze, she saw Wan Xing standing quietly to the side, not having said a word for so long. Qin Wan suddenly remembered how Wan Xing had protected her earlier, and her heart warmed. She beckoned to Wan Xing, “Wan Xing, come here—”
Wan Xing thought Qin Wan had some instructions and quickly walked over. “Young Lady…”
Qin Wan sighed, “You don’t need to be so formal. Look at Fu Ling—although we are mistresses and servants, when we’re in private, we can be more relaxed. Though you came to me later than Fu Ling, there isn’t much difference. You are both my most trusted and closest people. I know you don’t talk much, but seeing you always standing to the side with your head down makes me feel you’re too constrained.”
Wan Xing still kept her eyes lowered but straightened her back slightly before saying, “This servant understands.”
Qin Wan knew that habits formed over time couldn’t be changed quickly, so she didn’t say more. Meanwhile, Fu Ling came over and grabbed Wan Xing’s arm. “Dear sister, our Young Lady is the most kind-hearted. Sometimes I even tease the Young Lady, and she never gets angry. Now that you’re with Young Lady, the three of us are our people—don’t be so formal.”
Wan Xing nodded, her tone showing some life, “Yes, I understand…”
Fu Ling looked at Wan Xing and sighed, then flicked Wan Xing’s wooden expression on the forehead. “Why are you still calling yourself ‘this servant’ when talking to me? From now on, we’re sisters who serve Young Lady together with one heart.”
Wan Xing’s forehead made a “dong” sound when flicked. She pressed her lips together. “Yes, I understand…”
Fu Ling finally smiled, and seeing this, Qin Wan’s lips also curved up.
Because of the heavy snow and cold weather, Qin Wan soon washed up and went to bed. Qin Wan slept on the bed while Fu Ling and Wan Xing slept on the couch in the room. Perhaps because the room’s dampness hadn’t been fully eliminated, or because of the earlier fright, although Qin Wan felt extremely tired, she couldn’t fall asleep no matter what. Suddenly, Qin Wan remembered the disheveled mental patient.
At the time, that person had wanted to go to the main gate, possibly trying to escape. But Steward Dong had said they were mentally unstable—how could someone mentally unstable find their way to the main gate?
Thinking this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but feel doubtful.
Qin Wan’s past experiences had taught her that everything should make sense. If something didn’t make sense, it was probably false. But what reason would Steward Dong have to lie? And if that person wasn’t a patient, who could they be?
Qin Wan closed her eyes and sighed, wondering if she had developed an overly suspicious nature. Senior Brother Sun came from Medicine King Valley and had a reputation as a divine physician in Three Yuan Village. Although this mansion was somewhat empty and eerie, there couldn’t be anything wrong with him.
Qin Wan exhaled, forcing herself to calm down. After tossing and turning for a long while, she finally fell into a light sleep. When she woke up, the sky was still a murky blue, neither bright nor dark.
Feeling somewhat fatigued, Qin Wan lay there for a while longer before opening her eyes. She listened quietly but heard no sounds from outside. Suddenly alert, she immediately got up and dressed, walking to the window to open it. Outside, everything was covered in a blanket of pristine white snow, and the heavy snowfall from the previous night had finally stopped.
The courtyard, which had been swept just yesterday, was now covered in a thick layer of snow. The tree branches, flower trellises, and ornate roof eaves were all adorned with flawless white. Though daylight hadn’t fully arrived, Qin Wan’s mood was bright and clear. With the snow stopped, once it began to melt today, perhaps they could depart tomorrow!
Energized by this thought, Qin Wan felt refreshed, all traces of lethargy vanishing. However, turning around, she saw Fu Ling and Wan Xing sleeping sweetly on the couch. Qin Wan sighed—at the Fortune Inn, the servants had been sleeping on floor mats, so they probably hadn’t rested well last night. She quietly added two pieces of charcoal to the brazier. Looking out the window again, she noticed the sky growing brighter. Gazing at the pristine snow, she suddenly felt an urge to go for a walk.
After glancing once more at Fu Ling and Wan Xing, Qin Wan put on her cloak and went out.
Daylight had fully arrived, and not only had the snow stopped, but the wind had died down too. The old mansion, covered in white snow, seemed renewed. Thinking that the east wing was where Madam Sun was recuperating and shouldn’t be disturbed, Qin Wan followed the main path northward into the deeper parts of the compound.
Perhaps because the mansion was truly understaffed, although servants should have been up by this hour, no one had come to sweep. The main path was layered with snow, and each of Qin Wan’s steps sank into the thick accumulation, making crisp “crunch-crunch” sounds.
Qin Wan walked very slowly, step by step. After about a dozen steps, she looked back to see her footprints forming a meandering trail in the pristine snow. She felt a sense of leisure, the fatigue from days of travel beginning to lift.
Though the mansion appeared empty and old, its courtyards contained many ancient trees—something new mansions couldn’t match. As Qin Wan walked slowly, she noticed all the courtyard trees were evergreens typical of the south. Their umbrella-like canopies were pressed down by snow as if reaching into the clouds. Walking deeper into the compound, she discovered that while the mansion appeared continuous from the outside, inside it contained hundreds of interconnected courtyards and buildings. As she walked, she noticed all the courtyard gates were locked, which made her somewhat disappointed. This place must have been the ancestral home of a great family—if every courtyard had been occupied, it would surely have been bustling with life. Now that Senior Brother Haoyue had bought it for treating patients, though peaceful, it felt too empty.
Qin Wan walked very slowly, and though she hadn’t gone far, considerable time had passed. Just as she was about to turn back, an unlocked courtyard gate appeared in her view. Of the nearly ten courtyards she had passed, this was the only unlocked one. Her heart stirred—perhaps someone lived here?
But was it servants or patients?
As she pondered this, she hesitantly looked at the gate a few more times. Naturally, she wouldn’t enter uninvited. After observing for a moment and seeing nothing unusual, she turned to leave. But just as she turned, a loud “CLANG” suddenly rang out from inside the courtyard. Even through the wall, the sound made Qin Wan jump—it sounded like something heavy had fallen.
Qin Wan frowned and listened carefully but heard no human voices. How strange!
Her eyes turned to the snow-covered roof—could the snow have caused the roof to collapse?!
With this thought, she headed toward the gate. Lifting her skirts slightly, the snow on the path reached past her deerskin boots to her ankles. She quickened her pace, and just as she was about to reach the gate, a voice called out from behind.
“What is Miss Qin doing?”
Qin Wan froze and turned around to see Steward Dong had somehow appeared at the corner not far behind her, coming from the east.
Worried that Steward Dong might think she was trespassing, Qin Wan apologetically said, “Good morning, Steward Dong… I woke up early and came out for a walk. When I got there, I heard some noise from this building, like something falling, but no human voices. I was concerned and came closer to check…”
A warm smile spread across Steward Dong’s wrinkled face as he shuffled toward Qin Wan. When he got close, he said in a hoarse voice, “Don’t worry, Miss Qin. This courtyard is empty except for some dogs brought in from outside. The sound you heard was probably just the dogs knocking over their cages again.”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. “Dogs? Why couldn’t I hear any barking?”
Steward Dong sighed. “The dogs were bought by Madam’s brother, Young Master Bai. At first, they made a lot of noise, but it disturbed Madam’s recovery. We couldn’t just throw them out—they wouldn’t survive in these wild mountains—so we used medicine to make them mute. Now they’re quiet and at least don’t have to worry about food.”
Steward Dong’s tone was gentle, and his smile made his eyes narrow to slits—an extremely kind expression. But when Qin Wan heard his words, her heart inexplicably chilled. Looking at him again, she felt his wrinkles resembled dried chicken skin, and his entire face carried an indifference that didn’t match his smile.
Wealthy families often cared little for human life, let alone dogs’ lives, and merely making them mute wasn’t that serious. But Qin Wan suddenly realized that from when she first met Steward Dong yesterday until now, he always wore this same smile when speaking. This smile didn’t seem like an expression of joy, but rather like a mask he wore.
Qin Wan’s impression of Steward Dong’s kindness and warmth immediately diminished. She cast another dubious glance at the building. “I see. I must have been overthinking it. I thought there might be patients staying here.”
Steward Dong chuckled and coughed lightly. “The patients are all in the east back courtyard. It’s the most secluded and quiet area.”
Qin Wan’s eyes flickered slightly, and she adopted Fu Ling’s manner of speaking. “With Madam Sun recuperating here, it seems inappropriate to have other patients staying here too. It might bring bad luck.”
Steward Dong maintained his smile. “That’s true in principle, but Young Master is a doctor, and treating patients is his duty. Don’t worry, Miss Qin, the patients’ quarters are far from Young Madam’s—they won’t interfere.”
Qin Wan nodded, and Steward Dong continued, “Breakfast has already been sent to your courtyard. You should go back and eat. Your skirts are wet—be careful not to catch a cold.”
Qin Wan forced a smile. “All right, I’ll head back then…”
Lifting her skirts, she walked back along her path, moving faster this time, making her footprints messier. As she walked, she could feel Steward Dong’s gaze following her like a physical weight. Qin Wan fought the urge to look back.
Only after turning a corner did his gaze finally leave her. Qin Wan stood still and caught her breath. In just that short time, she felt slightly feverish, and for some reason, her mind kept returning to the courtyard where she’d heard the noise.
“Ninth Young Lady—why are you out here?!”
Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out. Qin Wan turned to look and saw Sun Muqing approaching from the west where they were staying. She composed herself and said, “I woke up early and came out for a walk.”
Sun Muqing’s face showed his usual natural smile. “Waking up so early—did you not sleep well last night?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “No, I usually wake up early.”
Sun Muqing didn’t mind. “It’s too cold outside. Ninth Young Lady, don’t catch a chill.”
Qin Wan smiled and shook her head. Seeing that Sun Muqing was also out, she asked, “Where is Young Master Sun heading?”
Sun Muqing pointed east. “I’m planning to visit my senior brother. When I came yesterday morning, I hadn’t met my sister-in-law yet. Now I can properly pay my respects. Although her family is from Yizhou, the Bai family and my senior brother’s branch have been close for generations. When she was young, my sister-in-law stayed briefly in Lianzhou, and I met her then. It’s been over ten years since I last saw her. When my senior brother got married, I had just become Master’s disciple and couldn’t attend their wedding.”
As Sun Muqing spoke freely, Qin Wan looked at his bright face and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. No matter how much sorrow he held inside, his eyes and smile always contained a fresh, vigorous spirit.
Qin Wan suddenly remembered Sun Muqing’s many kindnesses when they were at the same school, and recalled their innocent appearance when studying medicine. Back then, both their smiles were genuine, without a trace of bitterness.
Perhaps pleased by Qin Wan’s attentiveness, when she didn’t respond, Sun Muqing suddenly said, “Would Ninth Young Lady like to come with me to see Senior Brother Haoyue? You can also meet my sister-in-law, the greatest beauty of Yizhou!”
Qin Wan should have declined, but her mind was in such turmoil that she unconsciously nodded.
Sun Muqing’s smile immediately brightened. “Wonderful! I thought Ninth Young Lady would refuse. Let’s go—I visited yesterday, so I know the way. You don’t know, but my sister-in-law is truly exceptionally beautiful—”
At this point, Qin Wan could only follow Sun Muqing. She felt some hesitation, but even more excitement. Perhaps heaven felt things were unfair and allowed her to reunite with old acquaintances as compensation. How could she remain unmoved?
Meanwhile, Sun Muqing was clearly in high spirits and became quite talkative. “Sister-in-law is from the Bai family of Yizhou. Ninth Young Lady, do you know of them? They were one of the greatest noble families of the previous dynasty. Though they declined somewhat under the Great Zhou, they’re still a prestigious family in the East. The Bai family are all scholars, excellent in literature and calligraphy, producing many masters. My sister-in-law is accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her name is Fei Yan. She played the qin at five and wrote compositions at seven. Suitors from the east lined up to Cloud Mist Mountain, but she and Senior Brother Haoyue grew up together and shared a deep bond…”