“Murder—there’s been a murder—!”
“Get a doctor—quickly, get a doctor—!”
The innkeeper slapped his thighs, crying out in both fear and distress. These two groups were not to be trifled with, and if someone died in his establishment, there would be serious consequences. The two servants at the door finally reacted, rushing out of the Zui Xiang Lou. Inside the main hall, the two fighting groups were momentarily stunned.
“Zhang Yuan!” Zhao Jing roared, his eyes fixed intently on Feng Zhang.
Feng Zhang frowned as he looked at the blue-robed soldier called Zhang Yuan, then turned his gaze to the “murderer.”
The murderer was nothing more than an ordinary attendant. They all carried daggers, but these weren’t meant for killing—while others used fists, they used blades merely to inflict superficial wounds to cause pain. Murder? Feng Zhang had never ordered such a thing, and every one of them knew it was impossible to kill Northern Manor soldiers in the capital. They simply couldn’t.
“No—I didn’t—”
The gray-robed attendant’s hand still gripped the dagger’s hilt as blood gushed from the blue-robed soldier’s body, quickly covering his hands. He mumbled repeatedly, slowly backing away. As his grip loosened, Zhang Yuan’s body swayed unsteadily.
The gray-robed attendant, face drained of color, watched as several blue-robed soldiers supported Zhang Yuan. He stumbled backward several steps, then turned trembling to look at Feng Zhang. “Young Lord… I… I…”
It wasn’t intentional—during the chaos, someone had bumped into him, and before he knew it, his dagger had plunged into the man’s chest. He never meant to kill anyone!
Feng Zhang’s alcohol-flushed face turned ice-cold, his eyes wide as if trying to obliterate the gray-robed attendant with his glare. Suddenly, Feng Zhang swayed, and those behind him quickly steadied him. A quick-witted attendant immediately stepped forward, “The Young Lord is drunk, the Young Lord is drunk—”
Zhang Yuan collapsed into the arms of the group, his eyes wide open, his body convulsing in pain.
Zhao Jing’s fists clenched so tight they crackled, his bloodshot eyes glaring at the pretending-to-be-drunk Feng Zhang. “You—murdered?”
At these three words, Feng Zhang looked over with a drunken expression. “You started this fight. In a fight, injuries are inevitable. The one who caused the injury is right here—handle him however you wish—”
His shameless manner clearly showed he intended to use his attendant as a scapegoat. How could Zhao Jing accept this?
The gray-robed attendant fell to his knees in fear. “Young Lord—”
Before he could say more, Feng Zhang’s cold glare silenced him. The attendant, terrified, dared not utter another word. Trembling on his knees, he broke into a cold sweat, glancing again at Zhang Yuan whose chest was now soaked with blood. The gray-robed attendant collapsed, the color drained from his face.
“Sir, what should we do?” asked a blue-robed man. Zhao Jing stood rigid as bamboo, his gaze growing more fierce as he fixed on Feng Zhang, looking as if he wanted to tear him apart. Just as he was about to give an order, a voice came from the second-floor staircase corner.
“Young Commander—”
Zhao Jing frowned, raising his eyes to look, and saw it was Qin Yan.
He was slightly surprised. “What are you doing here?”
Qin Yan quickly descended the stairs to Zhao Jing’s side. “I brought my family here for a meal.” He glanced at Zhang Yuan on the ground. “Young Commander, please remain calm. Saving him is the priority now.”
Zhao Jing gritted his teeth as he looked at Feng Zhang. “This is outrageous—”
Qin Yan frowned slightly as he looked at Zhang Yuan bleeding on the ground. He never expected to encounter Feng Zhang and Zhao Jing fighting while out for a meal. Although his Marquis’s manor had chosen the Crown Prince, he couldn’t intervene in today’s situation. His mere presence would be seen as favoring Zhao Jing, giving Feng Zhang more reason to cause trouble. Moreover, he had brought Qin Wan and Qin Shuang along today, which was why he had remained an observer without coming forward. He had thought it would end with just a fight, but unexpectedly, it had nearly resulted in death. Though Zhang Yuan was the one injured, Feng Zhang was the troublemaker.
“Young Commander, don’t be hasty. With Zhang Yuan’s injuries being this severe, we should report to the authorities immediately.”
At Qin Yan’s reminder, Zhao Jing seemed to suddenly remember. He turned and gave a look to the terrified innkeeper, who immediately pushed a waiter. Understanding the gesture, the waiter scrambled out.
Feng Zhang hadn’t expected to run into Qin Yan again. Though the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s stance wasn’t officially declared, who in the capital didn’t know? Moreover, Qin Yan’s immediate suggestion to report to authorities clearly showed he wanted to escalate the matter.
Feng Zhang gave a cold laugh. “What perfect timing, Lord Qin.”
Qin Yan looked at Feng Zhang. “Indeed, quite a coincidence. We just met yesterday.”
As they spoke, Zhang Yuan suddenly began coughing violently on the ground. A blue-robed man immediately shouted, “Sir, Zhang Yuan won’t last—”
Both Zhao Jing and Qin Yan frowned. They watched as Zhang Yuan’s hand instinctively pressed against his chest. The dagger was embedded too deeply, and no one present dared to pull it out. They could only watch Zhang Yuan while waiting for the doctor.
Zhao Jing’s voice darkened, “We can’t wait any longer. Let’s take him to find a doctor. Lift him!”
“Don’t move him—”
Just as Zhao Jing gave the order, a woman’s clear voice rang out.
Qin Yan started, quickly turning to look. Sure enough, Qin Wan had come down from the third floor. Behind her, Qin Shuang stood somewhat uneasily. Seeing Qin Yan look over, she gave him a pleading look. Earlier when the two groups were arguing, they had heard everything about Noble Consorts, Princes, Empress, and Crown Prince. Qin Shuang felt both groups were far too prestigious for them to get involved with, and wasn’t sure if Qin Wan should intervene.
Sighing inwardly, Qin Yan nodded slightly without saying anything.
Qin Wan walked down quickly, and except for Qin Yan, everyone else in the room seemed stunned as they watched her.
Today, Qin Wan wore a lotus-patterned pleated skirt in pale pink, topped with a lilac-colored short jacket, and still wore yesterday’s snow-white long cape. Because her inner clothes were changed to more delicate and elegant colors, today’s Qin Wan appeared much more gentle and refined than yesterday. Her jet-black hair was still simply styled in a hanging horse-tail bun, adorned only with a white jade hairpin. As she descended the stairs, her figure was graceful and her features were like a painting. When she reached the bottom step, her exquisite features became even more striking to everyone in the main hall. Zhao Jing pressed his lips together, his clenched fists slightly loosening, unable to recover for a long moment.
Until Qin Wan walked up to them, her gaze fixed only on Zhang Yuan, directly bypassing Zhao Jing to stand before Zhang Yuan.
Zhao Jing suddenly came to his senses. “This… this lady, who are you?”
Qin Yan quickly said, “Young Commander, this is my sister.” After a pause, he added, “My ninth sister, who knows medical arts.”
Zhao Jing naturally knew Qin Chaoyu and knew this wasn’t the eighth daughter of the Marquis’s manor. With Qin Yan’s addition, he recalled that Qin Yan hadn’t been in the capital earlier, then raised an eyebrow, “Knows medical arts?”
His tone carried a hint of uncertainty, and though not malicious, the doubt was still unpleasant.
Qin Shuang spoke up from the side, “Ninth Sister is the Little Medical Immortal of Jinzhou. If she can’t save this person, even the Great Luo Immortal couldn’t preserve his life.”
Usually, Qin Shuang wouldn’t dare talk back to this Young Lord Zhao, but seeing him doubt Qin Wan, she couldn’t help herself. Zhao Jing turned to look at her, and Qin Yan quickly explained, “Young Commander, this is my sixth sister.”
Zhao Jing understood and turned back to look at Qin Wan. “Ninth Miss, you—”
“Lay him flat, step back a bit.”
Before Zhao Jing could finish, Qin Wan had already given orders quickly. Her tone was unlike her gentle and refined appearance, instead carrying a certain coldness and an inexplicable commanding presence. The blue-robed men immediately loosened their grip and laid Zhang Yuan flat on the ground. Qin Wan rolled up her sleeves and immediately crouched down.
Zhao Jing looked at Qin Yan, who nodded and said, “Don’t worry.”
Zhao Jing said no more but kept his gaze fixed intently on Qin Wan.
On the other side, the seemingly drunk Feng Zhang had been staring at Qin Wan with bright eyes for quite some time.
His eyes were wide open, filled with surprise and delight, as if he’d completely forgotten about his subordinate’s murderous act. He stared at Qin Wan’s face for a long while, then turned his attention to her hands. He clearly remembered that when he met Qin Yan yesterday during his return to the capital, someone had secretly watched him from the lead carriage. Though he couldn’t see their face clearly, he had caught sight of those delicate, fair hands. Looking at Qin Wan’s hands as she examined Zhang Yuan’s wound, he felt certain they were the same hands he’d seen. Mysteriously, Feng Zhang felt as if he and Qin Wan shared some sort of destiny—
Feng Zhang’s meaningful gaze made Qin Wan particularly uncomfortable, but what concerned her more was Zhang Yuan’s wound.
The dagger had penetrated three inches deep, precisely to the left of the heart. The Zui Xiang Lou had no medical supplies, and she dared not rashly remove the blade. Though the knife remained in place, Zhang Yuan was convulsing in pain, and blood continued to pour from his wound. Qin Wan frowned, quickly taking out her needle case from her sleeve. She first used the thickest needle to cut away the clothing around the wound, then with a ripping sound, tore open Zhang Yuan’s clothes, revealing his bare chest with the protruding dagger.
Though this was a routine medical procedure, Qin Wan’s swift and decisive actions appeared somewhat fierce. Zhao Jing’s eyelid twitched as he watched Qin Wan take out the finest needle and skillfully insert it several times into Zhang Yuan’s chest. She then turned to the owner, “Innkeeper, bring your strongest alcohol—”
At Qin Wan’s command, the shell-shocked innkeeper immediately responded, ducking behind the counter. Soon, he emerged carrying a wine jar. Qin Yan took it and crouched beside Qin Wan. She accepted the jar, removed the lid, and immediately poured the alcohol over Zhang Yuan’s chest. The sharp smell of alcohol mixed with the thick scent of blood, creating an unbearably pungent odor.
The distant waiters all covered their noses, and Qin Shuang instinctively stepped back, but Qin Wan, who was closest, remained completely unfazed. She watched as the blood was washed away, as the alcohol gradually seeped into the wound. The red flesh torn by the dagger became particularly horrifying, but Qin Wan merely bent closer to examine it more carefully. As everyone waited to see what she would do next, the half-closed door of the restaurant was suddenly pushed open.
A waiter entered, announcing, “The doctor is here!”
The doctor, a white-haired elderly man, was being pulled along by the waiter. Having been dragged so roughly, he was still catching his breath at the doorway. “What’s the matter… why such urgency… ah, is this the patient?”
The old man entered, panting. Though he sensed the unusual atmosphere in the room, he showed no fear. After glancing at Zhang Yuan on the ground, he expressed surprise and asked, “Who poured this alcohol?”
No one spoke, but a waiter pointed at Qin Wan. Zhao Jing barked, “Why aren’t you treating him?”
Despite Zhao Jing’s hostile tone, the old man stepped back, “This person cannot be saved.”
“What did you say?!” Zhao Jing’s eyes blazed. “As a doctor, how can you declare him beyond help without even examining him?!”
The old man, frightened by the glare and realizing everyone present was either wealthy or noble, explained, “If I examine him and he dies, wouldn’t I be blamed for his death? His injuries are too severe. I dare not treat him—please seek someone more skilled.”
Zhang Yuan, who had been conscious earlier, now lay unconscious in the pool of blood. Zhao Jing glanced at him, then pointed at the old man and said harshly, “Either you treat him, or you’ll end up like him—”
At these words, the old man smiled bitterly, about to explain, when Qin Wan suddenly turned to look at his medicine bag. “Let me borrow your medicine bag. Do you have hemostatic powder?”
The old man started slightly, then nodded, “Yes, I do.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Just lend me your medicine bag.”
After a moment’s hesitation, the old man removed his shoulder bag and handed it over. Qin Yan stood to accept it, bringing it to Qin Wan and opening it. She looked inside, saw it was well-stocked with cotton, ointments, and other supplies, and nodded. Turning back to Zhang Yuan’s wound, she said, “The dagger is three inches deep. I’m not entirely confident I can save him. Should I remove it or not?”
After speaking, she looked at Zhao Jing, who stepped forward, “Of course it must be removed. Can you do it, Ninth Miss?”
Qin Wan glanced at him, “I’m eighty percent certain.”
Zhao Jing’s eyes brightened, “Do it!”
Qin Wan turned back, first dipping her hands in the alcohol, then taking out cotton from the medicine bag. She folded the cotton carefully and sprinkled hemostatic powder on it. After these preparations, she carefully gripped the dagger’s handle.
Among those present, except for Qin Shuang and Wan Qing, all were martial artists who could tell Zhang Yuan would likely die from such a wound. As Qin Wan gripped the dagger handle, even Feng Zhang’s heart was in his throat.
Qin Wan firmly grasped the dagger with one hand while holding the powder-treated cotton near the wound with the other. She took a shallow breath, then suddenly pulled out the dagger. The crowd heard a soft “chi” sound, followed by a spray of bloody foam. Before anyone could react, Qin Wan had pressed the cotton against Zhang Yuan’s wound.
The blood flow from a chest wound after removing a blade was predictably intense. Almost instantly, the white cotton in Qin Wan’s hands was completely soaked. She turned to look at Qin Yan and commanded sharply, “Press down!”
Qin Yan, still stunned by Qin Wan’s composed removal of the blade, hadn’t yet recovered his senses. At her shout, he quickly leaned forward to press down on Zhang Yuan’s chest. Meanwhile, Qin Wan took out several long needles, inserting them one by one into Zhang Yuan’s chest until his bare chest was covered with silver needles.
Qin Yan watched as the cotton became completely saturated with blood. He could feel successive spurts of bloody foam beneath his palm. His brow furrowed, his heart tightening. Though he didn’t know Zhang Yuan, one look told him he was one of Zhao Jing’s military officers. While it was still a human life, given his relatively low position in the Northern Manor army, his death wouldn’t be an earth-shattering matter. Yet now, helping Qin Wan save him, his heart was tied in knots. In all his years, he had witnessed many accidental deaths, but never had he hoped so desperately for someone to survive as he did now for Zhang Yuan!
“It’s still bleeding. Is he not going to make it?”
Qin Yan’s voice was dark. He felt as if all the blood in Zhang Yuan’s body was about to drain out.
Qin Wan shook her head without speaking, only moving quickly to prepare another piece of cotton with more hemostatic powder. She gestured, and Qin Yan took the cotton, swiftly replacing the blood-soaked one.
Qin Wan remained silent, preparing yet another piece of cotton. The onlookers all wore grave expressions, and even Feng Zhang’s roguish demeanor had vanished. He looked at Zhang Yuan, then at Qin Wan, his earlier lecherous gaze becoming somewhat more respectful.
He knew Qin Yan had gone to receive relatives, and after some inquiries last night, learned he had brought back three cousin sisters. While he was somewhat wary of Qin Chaoyu’s status, he considered Qin Yan’s cousin sisters of no particularly high birth. Yet seeing her today, he realized he had never encountered such a beautiful woman in all his years in the capital, naturally arousing his greed. However, in these moments, he realized his error. Even if she was just a cousin, her composure in this crisis and her coolness in removing the blade had caused even him, a local tyrant of the capital, to feel a chill. Feng Zhang narrowed his eyes—who would have thought Qin Yan had such a cousin sister—
Though each person present had different thoughts, all eyes were fixed on Qin Wan.
After all this chaos, the customers had dispersed and the doors were tightly shut. In the dimly lit room, Qin Wan’s slightly furrowed brow seemed to hold a fatal attraction. She seemed to emit a moonlight-like glow that purified the room of its alcoholic and bloody stench. Looking at her face, elegant as autumn orchids defying frost and snow, all the rage, bloodthirst, and brutality in their hearts seemed to dissolve into nothingness. Half of Zhao Jing’s anger had dissipated, and he was already thinking about how to thank this Ninth Miss of the Qin family if she truly saved Zhang Yuan.
“It’s stopped! The bleeding has stopped!”
Qin Yan suddenly called out in a low voice. Even someone as composed as him had excitement and relief in his voice. Qin Wan’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly, her tense back easing somewhat.
Though she relaxed, her movements remained swift. She prepared another piece of cotton, had Qin Yan hold it in place, and carefully cleaned the remaining blood around the wound with alcohol-soaked cotton. Only then did she remove the silver needles. Finally, when blood barely seeped out anymore, she bandaged the wound. After the bandaging was complete, a light sweat had broken out on Qin Wan’s forehead, and Qin Yan felt sore all over.
Zhao Jing stepped forward, overjoyed, “He’s alive? You saved him?”
Qin Wan stood up, shaking her head. “He won’t die from blood loss, and the dagger didn’t pierce his heart chamber, but the wound is very deep. He’ll need careful medical attention these next two days. If the wound becomes infected, death won’t be far off.”
Zhao Jing frowned slightly, seemingly not understanding, but the old doctor looked at Qin Wan with eyes full of admiration. “This young lady is incredibly skilled. Her removal of the blade was both swift and steady, and her needlework technique was remarkable… Young Sir, what this lady means is that the worst danger has passed. As long as he’s well cared for, his life should be saved.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jing was overjoyed. He raised his hands in a clasped fist salute to Qin Wan, “Many thanks to Ninth Miss for saving his life.”
Both Qin Wan’s sleeves and hands were stained with blood, as were Qin Yan’s. Seeing Zhao Jing’s gesture, Qin Wan stepped back and looked at Qin Yan, who quickly said, “Young Commander, no such formality is needed. It was just a small effort from my sister.”
Hearing this, Zhao Jing bowed to Qin Yan as well. “Thank you, Brother Qin, for helping save his life.”
As Qin Yan stepped back half a step and waved his hand, about to speak, the door was pushed open. It was the waiter who had gone to report to the authorities. He entered saying, “I met the Ninth City Patrol, they’ll be here shortly.”
Qin Yan frowned, looking gravely at Qin Wan and Qin Shuang. Zhao Jing understood his concern and quickly said, “For today’s kindness, I will certainly come to express my gratitude another day. Brother Qin, it would be inconvenient for you with the two Qin family sisters here. Let the innkeeper arrange for you to clean up and leave through the back.”
As he spoke, Zhao Jing cast a wary glance at Feng Zhang.
Though such a rogue as Feng Zhang knew the Marquis’s manor supported the Crown Prince, Zhao Jing feared he might drag Qin Yan into this messy affair. However, to his surprise, Feng Zhang had lost his drunken appearance and showed no intention of causing trouble despite hearing his words.
Relieved, Zhao Jing quickly instructed the innkeeper. Qin Yan pondered for a moment, “Very well, since my sister is here, I won’t stay longer.”
Zhao Jing clasped Qin Yan’s arm firmly, “Your leaving is for the best.”
Their eyes met, and Qin Yan understood Zhao Jing’s meaning. He led Qin Wan’s group toward the back courtyard of Zui Xiang Lou. The trembling innkeeper led them to a side room where water was quickly brought. The siblings washed the blood from their hands, and Qin Yan left an attendant to watch at the restaurant before departing through the back door, not even taking time to clean the bloodstains from their clothes.
Qin Yan wore a silver robe, now stained with blood at the hem. Unable to ride horseback, he sat in the carriage with Qin Wan. Knowing Qin Yan had something to say, Qin Shuang didn’t want to leave, so all three siblings rode back to the Marquis’s manor together.
“Third Brother, did I cause you trouble today?” Qin Wan asked as the carriage began moving.
Qin Yan smiled, “Not at all. Rather than causing trouble, you’ve done a great service.”
Both Qin Shuang and Qin Wan looked at him expectantly, so he explained, “The two men we saw earlier—Feng Zhang is the heir of the Loyal Duke, and his aunt is Noble Consort Su in the palace. Noble Consort Su has a son, Prince Cheng, who is the Crown Prince’s greatest rival.”
“What about that Young Commander?” Qin Shuang asked eagerly.
Qin Yan glanced at her, “He is the son of the Supporting State General who commands a hundred thousand Northern Manor troops. He joined the Northern Manor Army three years ago to assist his father, only returning to the capital this New Year. His father stays in the north year-round, so he manages the Supporting State General’s Manor here in the capital. He’s the General’s late-born son, and though young, he is the current Empress’s brother—the Crown Prince’s uncle.”
Qin Shuang’s eyes widened in surprise, “Ah, I didn’t expect to encounter such important figures just by going out.”
Qin Yan sighed, “They’re not such important figures. Feng Zhang is just a local tyrant in the capital, relying on Noble Consort Su’s favor to act lawlessly. The Young Commander may be somewhat impulsive, but he doesn’t commit evil deeds like Feng Zhang.”
These names weren’t unfamiliar to Qin Wan, and she understood the relationships between these powerful figures as Qin Yan explained.
Feng Zhang was arrogant and unruly, truly like a ruffian, while the Young Commander Zhao, though possessing a soldier’s fierceness and valor, was ultimately straightforward and impulsive. Such people couldn’t tolerate provocation and easily fell into others’ traps. Judging by his attitude toward the old doctor, he wasn’t someone to be trifled with either…
“It’s good we didn’t cause trouble. I hope that man survives.”
Qin Wan nodded, unwilling to think about the court factions Qin Yan’s words revealed. Though the Crown Prince had been named heir, Prince Cheng and the Feng family weren’t resigned to it. This flourishing capital was far less peaceful than it appeared on the surface.
“Don’t worry, saving someone is always good, especially since it was someone from the Northern Manor Army.”
Qin Yan offered reassurance, genuinely pleased in his heart. Though Qin Wan had saved the man, he deserved some credit too, and saving someone from the Northern Manor Army meant saving one of the Crown Prince’s men.
Listening to this, Qin Shuang suddenly blinked, “Is Eighth Sister going to be the Crown Princess?”
Qin Shuang had been asking questions of the maids in her courtyard. At these words, Qin Yan first gave both Qin Wan and Qin Shuang a deep look before saying, “That matter… is still undecided.” He added, “This cannot be discussed with outsiders.”
Qin Shuang smiled, “Of course, we won’t discuss it freely even within the manor.”
Seeing Qin Shuang understood, Qin Yan nodded and instructed further, “Father must be informed of today’s events, but don’t worry. Just return to your courtyards for now.”
Qin Wan quickly asked, “Will there be trouble?”
Qin Yan nodded, “A fight between the Loyal Duke’s Manor and the Supporting State General’s Manor, with someone injured, and the Ninth City Patrol involved—this will reach the palace sooner or later.”
Qin Wan understood—this incident would inevitably “escalate” because the Feng family was responsible for the injury.
Both Qin Wan and Qin Shuang understood. Seeing their comprehension, Qin Yan said no more. Soon the carriage arrived at the Marquis’s manor. Qin Yan got out first and escorted Qin Wan and Qin Shuang back to their respective courtyards before going to see Madam Hu. Mother and son spoke privately, and at dinner time, a calming soup was added to Qin Wan and Qin Shuang’s meals.
When Huan’er brought in the evening meal, she said, “The Marquis and Young Master are not in the manor. Madam is tired from reviewing the New Year’s accounts today, so she won’t be dining together. She insists that Young Miss must drink this soup.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan instinctively wondered where Qin Yan and Qin Shu had gone. After considering it, she pushed these thoughts aside—these matters weren’t for her to ponder, nor did they concern her for now. She had gone out today first to help Ninth Miss pay respects to her parents, and second, to find an opportunity to visit the Shen Manor, though ultimately there had been no chance.
Qin Wan ate her evening meal with a heavy heart, drank the calming soup, and seeing it was late, washed up and retired for the night.
After a night of both sweet and troubled dreams, Qin Wan woke to broad daylight.
After breakfast, Qin Wan was about to tell Madam Hu she wanted to go out, but before she could put on her cape, Qin Shuang came to her courtyard. Qin Shuang sighed, “Elder Uncle’s wife is busy with New Year’s preparations these days, terribly busy. I was thinking of going out today, but Third Brother isn’t here, and Elder Uncle’s wife says she’s not comfortable letting us out when he’s away.”
Hearing this, all of Qin Wan’s plans were put to rest. With no choice, she had to stay in the courtyard.
This stay lasted four days. As the New Year approached, Madam Hu grew busier. When she and Qin Shuang went to pay their respects to Madam Hu, they only saw various stewards reporting to her. Qin Yan was never in the manor, while Qin Chaoyu had numerous New Year’s tea parties to attend. In those four days, she only briefly crossed paths with Qin Wan once in Madam Hu’s courtyard. They hadn’t seen Qin Shu even once. Seeing Madam Hu so busy, Qin Wan didn’t want to add to her troubles, so she just paid her respects and didn’t mention going out.
In the blink of an eye, it was the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth month.
Qin Wan had thought she wouldn’t be able to leave the manor before the New Year, but unexpectedly, on this day, Madam Hu herself proposed taking the three sisters out. Early in the morning, Nanny Yu informed them one by one, and soon the three sisters arrived at Madam Hu’s quarters.
Entering Madam Hu’s courtyard, they found both Qin Yan and Qin Chaoyu present.
Looking at the three sisters, Madam Hu smiled, “Look at these three flowers, each more beautiful than the last. Today, we’ll all go shopping together. We’ll buy all your rouge, powder, silks, and satins today.”
Madam Hu was all smiles as she pointed to Qin Yan, “And your Third Brother will be your escort.”
After four days without seeing him, Qin Yan looked refreshed and in good spirits. Soon, Madam Hu led the way with Qin Chaoyu, Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang followed behind, and Qin Wan walked with Qin Yan at the rear as the group majestically left the courtyard.
Since Qin Wan and Qin Yan were at the back, Qin Wan asked softly, “Third Brother, how did that matter turn out?”
At her words, Qin Yan’s faint smile vanished. After a moment, he said, “Zhang Yuan still died.”
Qin Wan’s feet faltered. She had saved him—how could he have died?