“Ah, this must be your family’s Ninth Young Lady—” Before Qin Wan could reach the door, a somewhat shrill voice rang out. She quickened her pace to the entrance. Upon entering, she saw several eunuchs in dark palace robes alongside Qin Shu and the others.
Qin Wan first bowed respectfully to Qin Shu. Though she kept her eyes downcast, she still managed to glance at everyone’s appearance. While she didn’t recognize the minor eunuchs, she knew their leader well—though naturally, she couldn’t show any sign of recognition.
“Wan child, this is Chief Palace Eunuch Yuan,” Qin Shu introduced with a smile. Qin Wan immediately curtsied to Yuan Qing, “Greetings, Honorable Yuan.”
Yuan Qing was nearly fifty, with a pale, beardless face and graying hair. His slightly plump figure and round face with wide cheeks gave him a benevolent appearance like the Maitreya Buddha when he smiled, his eyes crinkling into crescents. However, anyone who met his gaze directly would notice the sharp glint behind that smiling facade.
Qin Wan kept her head lowered, feeling his gaze upon her crown. Though her face maintained a young lady’s innocent gentleness, she remained internally vigilant. This Chief Palace Eunuch had served two emperors, first the previous emperor and now the current one. Not only did Qin Wan dare not disrespect him, but even Qin Shu treated him with great courtesy.
“Please rise, Ninth Young Lady. This old servant doesn’t deserve such courtesy,” Yuan Qing said while studying her and slightly stepping aside to deflect her bow. He continued with a smile, “When the Imperial Princess’s letter reached the capital, His Majesty was quite surprised. He said that Marquis An Yang already had both sons and daughters, so why would he adopt another daughter? At the time, this old servant said that this young lady must be extraordinary—otherwise, how could someone as proud as the Imperial Princess casually accept someone as her granddaughter? Looking at her today, this old servant’s guess was quite right… Ninth Young Lady’s beauty is truly unmatched in the capital…”
Seeing Yuan Qing’s excessive praise, Qin Wan hurriedly responded, “You flatter me too much, Honorable Yuan. I dare not accept such praise.”
Yuan Qing smiled, “You deserve it, you deserve it. Ninth Young Lady may not know, but the Imperial Princess in her youth was even more unrestrained and free-spirited than the late emperor, with extremely high standards. Very few could meet her approval. Because of this, His Majesty mentioned wanting to see what kind of person the Ninth Young Lady is. This old servant thought, since His Majesty wishes to meet her, wouldn’t the New Year’s Banquet be perfect? His Majesty agreed this was exactly right—”
Qin Wan’s heart trembled slightly. New Year’s Banquet? They wanted her to attend the New Year’s Banquet.
Seeing Qin Wan’s slight daze, Qin Shu smiled, “Wan child, quickly thank His Majesty for this grace.”
Qin Wan came to her senses, “Thank you for His Majesty’s graciousness.”
Yuan Qing continued smiling, “Besides the banquet invitation, this old servant has come to deliver gifts. Apart from the rewards for the Marquis’s wife and the Young Master and Young Lady, there’s also one for the Ninth Young Lady. His Majesty already knows that Ninth Young Lady is no ordinary woman and greatly admires her. There’s still half a day left—I hope Ninth Young Lady will prepare well for tonight’s palace banquet.”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised, wondering about the true meaning behind this “great admiration.”
The Imperial Princess had mentioned she would send a letter to the capital, but Qin Wan had only thought she would instruct the servants in the capital to take care of her. She hadn’t expected the letter to go directly to the palace. Could the Imperial Princess have mentioned her medical skills?
Thinking this highly likely, Qin Wan bowed again in gratitude.
Yuan Qing smiled, “This old servant has delivered the rewards and imperial decree, so it’s time to return to the palace.”
Qin Shu naturally tried to detain him briefly and had someone bring a small gift for Yuan Qing before seeing him out. After Yuan Qing left, Qin Wan stood rooted to the spot, still processing everything. When Qin Shu returned, he remarked with feeling, “It’s truly unexpected. Who would have thought the Imperial Princess would send a letter back? She does treat Wan’s child as her granddaughter.”
Besides Qin Shu, Madam Hu and Qin Chao Yu were also present. Madam Hu seemed equally surprised by Yuan Qing’s visit and the emperor’s invitation for Qin Wan to attend the banquet. Originally, only Qin Yan and Qin Chao Yu could attend. Though Madam Hu’s feelings were mixed, she still smiled and said, “Indeed, indeed. His Majesty wanting to meet Wan’s child is truly her good fortune.”
Qin Chao Yu stood nearby, her lips curved slightly, her bright eyes showing a hint of deeper meaning. “Ninth Sister is truly fortunate. Just now, Honorable Yuan praised Ninth Sister’s beauty so highly. I imagine there will be more praise before His Majesty. Since His Majesty already admires Ninth Sister so much, perhaps he might even grant her a private audience tonight.”
Qin Shu nodded, “That’s quite possible. I know Wan’s child initially connected with the An Yang Marquis’s household because she happened to save the Imperial Princess with her medical skills. His Majesty probably knows about Wan child’s exceptional medical abilities as well.” Turning to Madam Hu, he continued, “Quickly help Wan child prepare—she’ll be attending the banquet tonight…”
Though it was still early, entering the palace for a banquet was no small matter. Madam Hu quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, fortunately, the dresses we ordered earlier had already been delivered to the manor. I’ll teach Wan child the proper etiquette.”
Qin Shu nodded. Seeing that Qin Wan’s face showed only her usual faint smile without any excitement or joy, he privately approved. Madam Hu, thinking time was of the essence, immediately led Qin Wan to her courtyard, with Qin Chao Yu following. Entering Madam Hu’s main room, still seeing no change in Qin Wan’s expression, Qin Chao Yu remarked, “Ninth Sister has received such joyous news, yet shows no happiness or excitement?”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, showing some discomfort, “Eighth Sister jests. I’ve never entered the palace before. At present, I feel only trepidation. I don’t know what the palace is like, and even if I feel joy, I dare not show it too freely.”
Madam Hu immediately broke into a smile, “I must say, Wan child’s temperament is truly admirable. If it were anyone else receiving this news, they would surely be jumping with joy, but Wan child can maintain her composure.”
Hearing this, Qin Wan’s smile widened, “Aunt is too kind. In truth, I don’t know how to handle this and need your guidance.”
Madam Hu considered, then said, “It’s not difficult. Many people will attend tonight’s banquet. As long as we follow protocol, nothing should go wrong. We’ll depart at the Hour of Shen, arriving at Zhenghua Gate by mid-Shen. Due to the crowds, we’ll likely queue for the guard’s inspection. After passing through Zhenghua Gate, minor eunuchs will guide us. Then we follow them through the Outer Ceremonial Gate. Today’s banquet is in Chongming Hall, which is in the outer court, so there aren’t too many rules. Just remember to keep your eyes down and speak little…”
Madam Hu explained in detail, covering all the specifics with Qin Wan. Having entered the palace several times before, Qin Wan realized the rules remained unchanged from previous years, helping her form a plan. After discussing the protocol, Madam Hu had servants bring out the delivered clothes. When they visited the Brocade Beauty Shop, each sister had ordered two sets. Madam Hu first had Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang’s sets sent to them, then personally selected Qin Wan’s two outfits.
Both outfits used the finest materials and most current styles from the Brocade Beauty Shop. One was a water-colored diagonal-lapel short jacket with white trim and orchid embroidery, paired with a crab-shell green pleated long skirt—graceful, cultured, and ethereal. The other was a rose-colored double-lapel short jacket with peach blossom embroidery, paired with a Xiang Fei-colored cloud-pattern silk long skirt—vibrant, noble, and magnificent. After careful consideration, Madam Hu chose the second set for Qin Wan.
“During the New Year, everyone dresses festively. Though you usually prefer subtle colors, entering the palace this time, you shouldn’t be too plain. I specifically requested this set from the Brocade Beauty Shop’s master for you. While the color is bright, the patterns are simple and elegant. It looks luxurious but maintains an essence of simplicity. Someone of ordinary beauty might not be able to carry it, but you’re different. This is perfect—most suitable for entering the palace…”
Qin Wan, generally indifferent to clothing, naturally agreed. Just as Madam Hu was about to sit down with Qin Wan to continue their discussion, Qin Yan suddenly arrived at Madam Hu’s room. After bowing, he urgently said, “Ninth Sister, Official Zheng has arrived. Come with me.”
Qin Wan’s eyes brightened slightly at this news. Qin Chao Yu asked puzzled, “Brother, the Prefecture Lord Zheng has come? Why does he need to see Ninth Sister?”
Qin Yan waved his hand, “Don’t ask about this now. Ninth Sister, let’s go.”
Qin Wan knew that Prefecture Lord Zheng likely came about the case. Compared to discussing today’s attire with Madam Hu, the case was more urgent. Seeing this, Madam Hu said, “Alright, alright, hurry along then.”
Qin Wan curtsied and followed Qin Yan out of Madam Hu’s main door.
After they left, Qin Chao Yu glanced at the outfit, frowning slightly, “Mother, do you know what this is about?”
Though Qin Shu didn’t keep political matters from Qin Chao Yu, this was a murder case, and Qin Chao Yu had been asking about it these past days. Therefore, she didn’t know about Qin Wan helping with the autopsy. Seeing her curiosity, Madam Hu held her hand and briefly explained about Qin Wan assisting with the autopsy. Upon hearing this, Qin Chao Yu’s expression changed slightly, “She has such abilities?”
Madam Hu nodded, “Indeed, not only did you not expect it, but neither did your father and I.”
Qin Chao Yu pondered briefly, then shook her head with a cold smile. “Studying medicine is one thing, but the work of a coroner is for lowborn servants. As a young lady of the Qin family, how could she engage in such work?”
Madam Hu shook her head, “We only let her try because we had no choice. See now, Prefecture Lord Zheng found her helpful enough to return to our manor. Regardless, it’s good that she can help. Besides, no one outside knows about this, so it won’t harm her reputation or our marquis’s household. With His Highness the Crown Prince concerned about this case, we can’t refuse help from someone capable.”
Qin Chao Yu nodded, “That’s true—”
Naturally, she also hoped the case would be solved quickly. However, the fact that Qin Wan could contribute to such matters surprised her. Not only surprised, but she felt a vague unease. Though Qin Wan was a noble lady of the Qin family, even if an orphan, she engaged in work that clan families would consider beneath them. This wasn’t good, yet she proved helpful…
Madam Hu watched Qin Chao Yu’s expression closely, “What’s wrong, Yu child?”
Qin Chao Yu came to her senses and glanced at the clothes prepared for Qin Wan. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and said, “Nothing. It’s good the household has someone useful.” Then she suddenly asked, “Does His Highness the Crown Prince know about this?”
Madam Hu frowned, “I don’t know about that. Your father hasn’t seen the Crown Prince these past few days, and I can’t be sure if Prefecture Lord Zheng mentioned it or not. Why? Yu child, do you think we shouldn’t tell the Crown Prince?”
Qin Chao Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in them. After a moment, her lips curved into a smile with a sharp edge, “It doesn’t matter either way. What difference does it make if the Crown Prince knows?” She stood up and took Madam Hu’s hand, “Mother, come with me to the Chao Yi courtyard to see what your daughter should wear today…”
Madam Hu rose, beaming with pride, “My daughter looks beautiful in anything.”
By the time the mother and daughter left, Qin Wan had already met Prefecture Lord Zheng Bai Shi in the study. Besides Zheng Bai Shi, Officer Zhan Yang was also present, and they had brought a bundle with them.
Zheng Bai Shi spoke with deep anger in his eyes, “Such audacity! He seemed like such an honest person, serving in the Lin’an prefecture office for many years. Who would have thought he could interfere with official duties like this? He said a stranger approached him over half a month ago, offering a hundred taels of silver just to obstruct the investigation.”
Qin Shu frowned, “Two people were already dead half a month ago.”
“Indeed,” Zheng Bai Shi said irritably. “Two people were dead, and His Majesty knew about it. That’s when he urged the Crown Prince to personally oversee the matter. We had already secured the evidence from the first two victims, so that person couldn’t get to it. When the third victim appeared, they simply stole the victim’s clothes. Fearing we might find the clothes en route, they hid them in the most unexpected place—the Yamen dormitory. They said they planned to burn everything but couldn’t find the opportunity because there were too many people around. That’s how we discovered it now.”
Pointing, Zheng Bai Shi continued, “Ninth Young Lady, look—the clothes and sachet are all here.”
Qin Wan had been summoned specifically to examine these items. She stepped forward and opened the bundle, first looking at the sachet on top. She shook her head, “There’s nothing special about this sachet.”
Zheng Bai Shi and Qin Shu exchanged glances, and Zheng Bai Shi smiled wryly, “If we’d known the sachet wasn’t important, that person probably wouldn’t have stolen it. Fortunately, Ninth Young Lady suggested examining the sachet that day, or we might never have discovered this person’s existence.”
In just one night, Zheng Bai Shi and Zhan Yang had uncovered the mole, which confirmed Qin Wan’s suspicions. Zheng Bai Shi increasingly felt that consulting Qin Wan had been correct. Just as he thought this, he saw Qin Wan examining the third victim’s short jacket intently. He stepped forward, “Ninth Young Lady, what about these clothes?”
Qin Wan glanced at the bundle, “These clothes have been stored too long and have grown moldy. Besides some dust and stains, there’s another type of stain on the victim’s jacket sleeves and hem.”
As she spoke, a cold glint flashed in her palm as a small dagger appeared. Qin Wan leaned forward, carefully using the blade to scrape off the stains stuck to the jacket sleeve. Soon, several pale yellow flakes appeared on the blade’s edge. The others were blocked by Qin Wan’s bent posture, but Zheng Bai Shi saw her dagger’s sharp edge and quickly said, “Ninth Young Lady’s dagger is quite intimidating.”
Qin Wan’s expression remained unchanged, though her lips curved slightly, “A friend gave it to me. It’s often useful in medical practice.”
Zheng Bai Shi said no more. Qin Wan placed the flakes in her palm and quickly tucked the dagger back into her sleeve.
She rubbed the flakes between her fingers and brought them to her nose for a sniff. Soon, her eyes brightened.
Zhan Yang was even more anxious than Zheng Bai Shi, “Ninth Young Lady, what is it?”
Qin Wan looked at Zhan Yang, her eyes bright as stars, “It’s medicine—”
“Medicine? What kind of medicine?” Zheng Bai Shi quickly asked.
Qin Wan sniffed again, then thought carefully. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her, “It’s an ointment for chilblains. It contains aconite, fritillaria, aconitum carmichaelii, cinnamon twigs, saposhnikovia, and dipsacus, among more than ten other herbs. If I remember correctly, it should be a specific chilblain treatment called Yang He Jie Ning Ointment. The third victim had no chilblains on their hands or body, so this ointment couldn’t have been theirs. With the ointment on both sleeves and hem, it must have been left either by the killer or carelessly by someone from the yamen. Are there any yamen runners who suffer from chilblains?”
Zheng Bai Shi immediately looked at Zhan Yang, who shook his head, “None.”
Qin Wan nodded, “Then it most likely belongs to the killer. This ointment is very effective, especially for treating large areas of chilblains, but it’s also expensive. Usually, only moderately wealthy families use it regularly, though someone desperate for treatment might spend the money. All the murders occurred in the South City. If we assume the killer’s regular activities are also in the South City, we can investigate the medicine shops there. This ointment uses expensive ingredients but spoils easily—it must be used within half a month to be effective. Therefore, ordinary small pharmacies wouldn’t dare stock it, as unsold inventory would result in significant losses. Not every pharmacy in South City would sell such an ointment.”
After saying this, Qin Wan thought for another moment, “Since this ointment wasn’t found on the second victim’s clothes, the killer must have started using it after the second victim’s death, and their chilblains must be severe. Following this logic, the killer’s condition probably hasn’t healed yet, and they must have bought this ointment at least two or three times by now. The chilblain ointment, the hiding place with stairs, and the large area Young Master previously mapped out—Captain Zhan, first checks the pharmacies, then sees who lives nearby, and looks at their workplaces and homes. You’re sure to find something.”
At this point, Zhan Yang knew exactly how to proceed with the investigation, and Zheng Bai Shi felt sudden clarity, “Ninth Young Lady is truly remarkable. Fortunately, you studied medicine and could identify this substance. Others would have been completely in the dark.”
Qin Shu quickly asked, “Brother Zheng, there’s only half a day left. Will there be enough time?”
Zheng Bai Shi sighed, “We’ll do our best. I’ll go with Zhan Yang to make arrangements now—we won’t stay longer—”
Knowing time was pressing, Qin Shu didn’t detain them. He and Qin Yan saw Zheng Bai Shi and Zhan Yang out. After they left, Qin Shu turned to look at Qin Wan in the room and said, “Wan child, if this case is solved, you’ll deserve the main credit!”