“What does Your Highness mean by that?” Though Qin Wan felt displeasure in her heart, she didn’t show it on her face.
She was more bewildered than anything else. Although Yan Che was the Crown Prince, he shouldn’t be someone who would speak ill without reason. Moreover, what made him think she came here to seduce and curry favor with him?
Thinking this, Qin Wan glanced at the wine pot in her hand.
It was Madam Hu who had asked her to deliver the wine…
Qin Wan’s composure made Yan Che’s frown deepen. Qin Wan wasn’t a maid from the Eastern Palace. After his rebuke, he thought her fox’s tail would surely show. Now she was forcing herself to stay composed, did she think she could fool him?
“This is the Marquis’s study. How did you come here? Didn’t you know I was here?”
Qin Wan looked at the wine pot in her hand again. “This commoner only knew someone wanted to see me. I didn’t know the Crown Prince was here.”
Yan Che responded to Qin Wan’s reaction with a cold laugh. This stubborn denial skill didn’t match her gentle and elegant appearance at all! Thinking this, Yan Che thought of Feng Ling Su’s face.
The disgust in his eyes intensified. “Didn’t know I was here? The Marquis has dismissed all servants inside and out. If you didn’t know I was here, how did you manage to slip in at just the right moment?”
Looking at Yan Che’s expression, Qin Wan smiled instead of getting angry. By now, she had figured out what was going on.
She had been ordered to deliver wine here, but neither Qin Yan nor Madam Hu had told her the Crown Prince was waiting there, and it seemed the person the Crown Prince wanted to see wasn’t her. If so, what were Qin Yan and Madam Hu’s intentions? Where was Qin Shu?
Qin Wan couldn’t figure it out for a moment. The Marquis’s mansion wanted to send Qin Chao Yu into the Eastern Palace, so why would they send her?
Was it a test? Or did they deliberately want to create conflict between her and the Crown Prince?
Qin Wan had many questions in her mind, but she also felt this Crown Prince was very different from her impression of him.
Even if she came by mistake, why did he assume she was here to seduce and please him?
“Then what does Your Highness think this commoner came here for?”
When Qin Wan asked in her clear voice, Yan Che felt a breath stuck in his throat.
She even dared to question him?! Yan Che took a deep breath, “If you were such a person, I’ve seen many like you. If this were the Eastern Palace and you were so ignorant and greedy for wealth and status, I would have already sent you to the Imperial Punishment Office!”
Qin Wan quietly watched as Yan Che’s anger rose. After he finished, Qin Wan calmly said, “Could it be that Your Highness thinks this commoner came here to attract Your Highness’s attention? Or even to seduce Your Highness?”
Qin Wan’s words were direct. Yan Che narrowed his eyes. Not only could Qin Wan become famous throughout the capital in one night, but even after being exposed by him, she could still ask such brazen questions! Such determination, such thick skin, was truly rare in this world!
Since that was the case, why should he save face for her? “Since you have medical skills, you should be content with healing and saving people. Now you attempt to serve others with your looks, only to lower yourself. Let me tell you, even if the Qin family has a daughter who can enter the palace, it won’t be you. You needn’t play these scheming tricks anymore, lest people think you’re debasing yourself!”
The more Qin Wan listened, the more she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. These words might make sense if directed at someone truly unruly, but she had only brought a pot of wine and hadn’t said a single flattering word. How did this Crown Prince conclude she was here to debase herself?
“Your Highness’s status is noble, and indeed there may be many young ladies who wish to be by Your Highness’s side. However, Qin Wan is not among them. Although Qin Wan came with wine, it was under orders. Even if I have offended Your Highness, how can Your Highness assume I harbor improper thoughts? Compared to my unknowing offense that earned Your Highness’s scolding, Your Highness seems quite strange to me as well. Where does Your Highness get the confidence to assume that any woman who comes bearing wine must have intentions toward you?”
Qin Wan spoke slowly, her voice like a clear spring. As she spoke, her face maintained a faint smile. She didn’t look like she was arguing with someone but rather seemed to be having a sincere heart-to-heart conversation.
After she finished speaking, Yan Che’s face alternated between pale and flushed. “You… you are too bold…”
Qin Wan blinked her eyes. “This commoner isn’t being disrespectful to Your Highness, just confused.”
At this, Yan Che became even more annoyed. After he exposed Qin Wan’s scheme, not only was she not flustered, but she turned the tables on him. Did she think this would make him feel guilty and pay more attention to her?!
Yan Che clenched his fist. “When one plan fails, you try another. Indeed, you’re the one who became the capital’s Little Medical Immortal in just a few days. But do you think this will make me feel guilty and pay more attention to you?”
Speaking thus, Yan Che gave a cold laugh. “I’ve seen many such tricks. You’re so ignorant and greedy for glory, speaking disrespectfully. If not for the fact that you’re a young lady of the Qin family, I would certainly hold you accountable. Now I’m pardoning your crime, but from now on, don’t appear before me again. Apart from entering the palace to treat the Empress Dowager, don’t even dream of becoming a mistress in the palace!”
Hearing these words, Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. Though annoyed, she felt more like laughing.
What kind of environment did Yan Che live in? Did people throw themselves at him daily? Did many people constantly perform various tricks to attract his attention?
If that was true, then these scenes were really…
As Qin Wan imagined Yan Che coldly rejecting the attention of palace maids and Eastern Palace concubines, righteously rebuking their performances, she found the scene increasingly amusing, and her smile grew wider.
Seeing Qin Wan smile instead of feeling ashamed, Yan Che became even more angry. He Yin, standing behind Yan Che, was secretly worried. This Ninth Miss had touched Yan Che’s sore spot, but since they were in the Marquis’s mansion, causing a scene would make things awkward for the household. As He Yin anxiously thought about stepping forward to mediate, he looked up and saw Qin Shu walking in through the courtyard gate carrying a purple sandalwood box. With one glance, Qin Shu spotted Qin Wan standing in the courtyard.
“Wan’er? You’ve come?”
Qin Shu was somewhat surprised, but He Yin keenly noticed there was no displeasure in this surprise.
Qin Wan turned around and curtsied to Qin Shu. “Uncle.”
Qin Shu nodded, seeing Qin Wan standing in the courtyard while Yan Che stood on the steps under the eaves, with He Yin behind him. Though somewhat strange, Qin Shu didn’t think much of it and just smiled, “What were Your Highness and Wan’er discussing?”
Qin Shu had assumed Yan Che already knew Qin Wan’s identity, but Yan Che just gave a cold snort without speaking.
Qin Shu’s smile faded slightly, feeling something was amiss. Perhaps Yan Che knew it was Qin Wan who helped examine the corpse and felt it inappropriate for a woman to interfere in government affairs.
Thinking this, Qin Shu probed, “Your Highness is…”
He Yin quickly stepped forward. “Haha, it’s nothing, it’s nothing, Marquis. Has the person you were looking for arrived? His Highness was just saying that when that person comes, His Highness must request them from you. If they could follow His Highness into the Eastern Palace, that would be perfect!”
Qin Shu was startled, looked at the confused Qin Wan again, and suddenly laughed!
“Wan’er, you didn’t say?”
Qin Wan didn’t know what Qin Shu was asking about and shook her head. “What does Uncle mean?”
Qin Shu couldn’t help but smile. He had asked Qin Yan to call Qin Wan but hadn’t said to tell her why. It seemed Qin Yan hadn’t said anything at all. Thinking of this, the smile in Qin Shu’s eyes deepened. So although Qin Wan had met Yan Che, neither knew why they were here! No wonder the scene earlier had been so awkward and silent.
“Lord He, the person has arrived—”
Qin Shu said with a smile. He Yin quickly looked toward the courtyard gate. “Where?”
Yan Che was already dissatisfied with Qin Shu’s slowness, but remembering what he had said to He Yin earlier, he frowned and said, “If the person has arrived, I intend to take them back to the Eastern Palace. Would the Marquis allow them to leave?”
Yan Che felt his pleasant mood had been disturbed and had no desire to stay long in the mansion, only wanting to see the person and take them away.
Hearing this, Qin Shu’s expression became somewhat awkward. “This, this might be—”
Qin Shu glanced at Qin Wan as he spoke. Though Qin Wan was still confused, seeing Qin Shu’s manner, it seemed her arrival wasn’t strange. Could it be that she was indeed the person the Crown Prince wanted to see, only he didn’t know it?
Seeing Qin Shu’s hesitation, Yan Che said, “What? The Marquis is unwilling to let them go. I know the Marquis cherishes this talented person greatly, but since they know the art of examining corpses, staying in the Marquis’s mansion offers no benefit. Let me take them back to the Eastern Palace. In the future, they could enter either the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review. Wouldn’t that give them a place to apply their skills?”
Qin Shu glanced at Qin Wan again, and by now, Qin Wan had understood.
In the entire Marquis’s mansion, who else besides her knew how to examine corpses?
Thinking this, Qin Wan couldn’t help but laugh. She looked at Yan Che and said, “I’m afraid that person won’t follow Your Highness to the Eastern Palace.”
Yan Che was discussing important matters, but Qin Wan suddenly interrupted. This annoyed him further, but in front of Qin Shu, he couldn’t truly show his anger. So he coldly looked at Qin Wan and said, “Ninth Miss doesn’t know the details, it’s better not to speak.”
Qin Shu smiled bitterly, “Your Highness, this, Wan’er she…”
Qin Wan said, “Never mind that person’s status being unsuitable. Even if they could enter the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review, they still wouldn’t follow Your Highness to the Eastern Palace, because… Your Highness yourself said they would never be allowed to enter the Eastern Palace.”
Yan Che’s frown deepened, and Qin Shu finally couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, the person you want to see is Wan’er!”
At these words, both Yan Che and He Yin’s expressions froze.
The two looked at Qin Shu in disbelief, as if checking whether they had misheard.
Qin Shu had deliberately concealed this slightly, wanting to see the shocked expression on Yan Che’s face. Seeing it now, he felt quite satisfied and smiled again, “Your Highness, it’s true. Minister Zheng and Minister Li both know about this. This morning, they came to the mansion specifically to discuss the case details with Wan’er. It was all because Wan’er helped them examine the corpse initially, and it was Wan’er who helped discover the existence of the spy.”
Qin Shu smiled broadly. Although he and the Crown Prince were ruler and subject, seeing Yan Che’s surprised expression still made him feel proud.
He Yin stammered, “So… so… Ninth Miss came here because…”
Qin Shu smiled and glanced at Qin Wan, “I had someone ask her to come.” Then looking at the wine pot in Qin Wan’s hand, he asked, “Is this wine your aunt asked you to bring?”
Qin Wan nodded, “Aunt said since I was coming this way, to bring it first. The dishes will arrive shortly.”
Qin Wan spoke casually, her eyes catching Yan Che’s expression, the amusement in her eyes growing deeper.
Yan Che probably never imagined she was the one who helped examine the corpse. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so certain that she harbored improper intentions.
He Yin, seeing Yan Che’s rigid back, seemed to understand his current embarrassment. He coughed lightly and said, “Marquis, what’s this about? We only knew Ninth Miss had medical skills, but didn’t know she could examine corpses.”
Qin Shu hurriedly explained, “Because Wan’er knows medicine, she can examine corpses. The two skills have many connections.”
He Yin glanced at Yan Che, seeing he still had no intention of speaking, and continued, “So… so it was Ninth Miss who helped?”
Qin Shu laughed, “In front of His Highness, would I dare deceive Lord He? Minister Zheng knows about this too!”
A bitter smile appeared on He Yin’s face. This was quite a misunderstanding, and what made it worse was that the Crown Prince had spoken so harshly earlier. He Yin coughed lightly, “Well… this is truly unexpected, that it was Ninth Miss. Marquis, you should have said something earlier. We thought Ninth Miss had come to the wrong place.”
Qin Shu looked at Qin Wan, then at Yan Che, and felt something wasn’t quite right.
“Well, I thought His Highness wouldn’t have expected this, so I wanted Wan’er to come and explain. His Highness would surely have questions like Lord He just did, and it would be better for Wan’er to answer them herself.”
He Yin forced a smile, “Since… since that’s the case, His Highness won’t be able to have Ninth Miss enter the Ministry of Justice or Court of Judicial Review.” Then looking at Qin Wan, he said, “Ninth Miss, earlier… earlier was all a misunderstanding…”
Qin Wan’s lips curved slightly, and she glanced again at Yan Che standing rigidly under the eaves, feeling somewhat satisfied.
At this point, without her saying more, Yan Che must be feeling quite mortified. Qin Wan spoke as if nothing had happened, “So that’s how it is. Since that’s the case, and we’ve met, this commoner will take her leave.”
Saying this, Qin Wan curtsied and handed the wine to Qin Shu, “Uncle, I’ll go back first.”
Qin Shu took the wine cup, watching Qin Wan’s calm demeanor with unspoken words. However, Qin Wan showed no desire to linger and turned to leave. Watching Qin Wan walk out through the courtyard gate, He Yin’s bitter smile deepened. Meanwhile, Yan Che glanced at Qin Wan’s retreating figure, his frown deepening until a “川” character formed between his brows.
Qin Shu hurriedly said, “Crown Prince, please don’t stand outside, come in—”
After saying this, Yan Che didn’t move. He Yin looked at Yan Che, inwardly lamenting. Given Yan Che’s temperament, he surely wouldn’t stay at the Marquis’s mansion now. Just as he thought this, he saw Yan Che painfully move his feet and turn toward the door.
He Yin’s mouth fell open in surprise. Meanwhile, Qin Shu followed with the wine pot. As soon as they entered the room, they heard Yan Che say in a low, stiff voice, “Tell me exactly what happened with the corpse examination!”
…
…
After leaving the study’s courtyard, Qin Wan had walked halfway when she saw Qin Yan approaching with two servants carrying two food boxes. Seeing Qin Wan, Qin Yan frowned, “Why are you coming out?”
Qin Wan’s smile was faint, “I’ve met them, so I left.” Then she added, “Wasn’t Uncle supposed to be here?”
Qin Wan understood that if Qin Shu had been there initially, no matter how presumptuous Yan Che was, this misunderstanding wouldn’t have occurred. Now she just wanted to know if this was a coincidence or deliberately arranged.
Qin Yan was somewhat surprised, “Father isn’t in the study?”
Qin Wan maintained her composure, “He wasn’t there when I first arrived. I didn’t expect it to be the Crown Prince, and almost offended His Highness.”
Qin Yan hurriedly asked, “Nothing went wrong?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “Of course, nothing happened to me…” The person who had problems wasn’t her, but Yan Che. This Crown Prince probably rarely encountered such an awkward situation as today.
Qin Wan carefully observed Qin Yan for a moment, seeing his expression was normal without any evasiveness, she realized he had no deliberate intention in this matter. She stepped aside, “Third Brother, you should go quickly.”
Qin Yan seemed somewhat puzzled by how quickly Qin Wan had left, and asked again, “Did His Highness say anything?”
Qin Wan shook her head, “No, His Highness had planned to recommend the person who examined the corpse to the Ministry of Justice, but since it’s me, my status naturally makes it quite inconvenient. The recommendation is naturally impossible now.”
Qin Yan nodded and finally bid farewell to Qin Wan before heading to the study.
Qin Wan watched Qin Yan’s figure disappear, then turned toward the main courtyard. When she reached the back hall, Madam Hu was indeed still inside. Seeing Qin Wan return, Madam Hu showed some surprise, “Wan’er, why are you back so quickly?”
Qin Wan smiled and said, “After meeting the guest, there wasn’t much else to say, so I took my leave.”
Hearing this, Madam Hu’s smile grew, “The guest didn’t say much?”
Qin Wan asked somewhat surprised, “What should they have said?” Then after a slight pause, “Aunt must have known who today’s guest was, right? When I went to the study earlier, I was quite startled.”
Madam Hu’s eyes flickered slightly, “Of course I knew.”
Qin Wan nodded and looked around the room, “Is Eighth Sister not here?”
Madam Hu, hearing her suddenly ask about Qin Chao Yu, instinctively replied, “She went back to her courtyard.”
Qin Wan made an “oh” sound, “Alright, then I won’t disturb Aunt anymore. I’ll go back first.”
Madam Hu nodded and saw Qin Wan out of the back hall. After watching her figure disappear, she turned to instruct Rain Nanny, “Go tell Yu’er that she needn’t worry about the matter she was concerned about.”
Rain Nanny acknowledged and left, soon arriving at Chao Yi courtyard. Not far from Chao Yi’s courtyard, Qin Wan watched as Rain Nanny quickly entered through the gate. Qin Wan pondered for a moment, then returned to Song Feng’s courtyard.
As soon as Qin Wan returned to her courtyard, Fu Ling came to greet her, “Young Miss, what was the mysterious matter that made the Crown Prince summon you?”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, “Crown Prince came to the mansion and called me to discuss helping with the corpse examination.”
Fu Ling was startled, “Crown… Prince…”
Qin Wan nodded, taking the hot tea Bai Ying brought and sitting by the window.
Today’s events weren’t particularly significant, but now everything was clear. Qin Shu and Qin Yan’s behavior had been completely normal, showing no signs of pretense. However, in the main courtyard’s back hall, Madam Hu had seemed somewhat nervous. The arrangement was Madam Hu’s doing, but the instruction must have come from Qin Chao Yu. Neither Madam Hu nor Qin Chao Yu would deliberately send her before the Crown Prince, so there was only one possibility—Qin Chao Yu was still unsure about her and wanted to test her again.
Qin Wan felt helpless. Why was Qin Chao Yu so distrustful of her?
“Young Miss, what are you thinking about?” Qin Wan came back to herself as Fu Ling said, “Those ladies in the front courtyard haven’t left yet. Will Young Miss see them for treatment? Who knows how long they’ll stay.”
Qin Wan shook her head, “I’m afraid this isn’t something I can decide.”
Speaking of medical treatment, if someone truly had an illness that others couldn’t cure, she naturally wouldn’t refuse. But now others had approached the Marquis’s mansion, with Madam Hu handling it. Madam Hu might feel obligated to agree to others’ requests, and once Madam Hu agreed, how could she refuse? Now she only hoped Madam Hu wouldn’t accept everyone who came to the mansion today. If she did, once others heard about it, even more would come…
As Qin Wan worried helplessly, Fu Ling also felt that while her mistress’s fame was good, having so many people come at once was overwhelming. At dusk, Rain Nanny came to Song Feng’s courtyard with an invitation. Since it was the first evening of the New Year, everyone in the Marquis’s mansion would gather for dinner, considering it a New Year’s Eve feast.
With Qin Yi’s return, the dinner table had more joy and laughter. Soon, Madam Hu mentioned the ladies who had come today, “Wan’er, all these people came because of your reputation. Though they all claimed to seek medical treatment, only two truly have illnesses that need attention. Wan’er, among them, is the elderly Lady of the Wu’an Marquis’s household, who has suffered from heart palpitations for years. The other is the daughter of the Left Vice Minister of Revenue, who suffers from asthma. As for the others, they either have common ailments like headaches and fevers, or they’re just being dramatic. So I refused them all for you. These two people have some connection with our household, and I can see they’re truly suffering. Would you be willing to see them?”
This situation was much better than Qin Wan had anticipated. Moreover, since Madam Hu had already agreed, how could Qin Wan not see them?
“Alright, when did Aunt arrange the appointments?”
Madam Hu quickly smiled and said, “The day after tomorrow, after half past shen time.”
Qin Wan nodded, “That’s fine. The Emperor has entrusted the Empress Dowager’s illness to me, so I need to enter the palace at noon these days. The day after tomorrow, I’ll return to the mansion early…”
Madam Hu and Qin Shu exchanged glances, both smiling.
Qin Shu said, “The Emperor has entrusted the Empress Dowager’s illness to you, showing great trust. You must take good care of the Empress Dowager’s health. Other people’s illnesses are minor matters…”
Qin Wan nodded, and Madam Hu added, “Indeed, our Wan’er is the Little Medical Immortal. That’s why I refused all those with headaches, backaches, and such today. Our Wan’er treats the Empress Dowager—she’s not someone who can be casually consulted. They need to understand that seeking treatment from Wan’er isn’t easy!”
Everyone at the table wore faint smiles, but hearing these words, Qin Wan’s smile didn’t reach her heart.
Though she also didn’t want everyone rushing to seek her treatment, hearing that Empress Dowager’s illness was major while others were minor made her uncomfortable. However, she understood this was just Qin Shu and Madam Hu’s most instinctive thinking because, in the capital, everyone yearned for power and understood hierarchy.
“Thanks to Ninth Sister, our mansion has gained some prominence.”
Qin Chao Yu smiled brightly, her gaze toward Qin Wan somewhat warmer, but Qin Wan couldn’t accept these words straightforwardly.
She had already made her intentions clear to Qin Chao Yu, yet Qin Chao Yu didn’t believe her.
These hidden thoughts and small schemes—she could pretend not to know about them, but in her heart, she knew Qin Chao Yu was like Qin Shu and Madam Hu, focused only on the most noble position. Now that she could bring benefits to the Marquis’s mansion, they could treat her with kindness and care, but what if one day she brought no benefits and instead became a hindrance?
Though everyone in the Qin family appeared happy during this meal, Qin Wan felt somewhat melancholy. Because of this, she even ignored Qin Xiang’s thorny glances. After the meal, Qin Wan returned directly to Song Feng’s courtyard, feeling no joy from today’s glory. Qin Shuang followed Qin Wan to Song Feng’s courtyard as usual, wanting to hear about the palace affairs and her newly gained fame as the Little Medical Immortal, but seeing Qin Wan’s poor spirits, she left after less than half an hour.
Thinking of having to treat the Empress Dowager tomorrow, Qin Wan retired early.
The next day, after breakfast, Qin Wan began preparing. Though she had already prescribed medicine for the Empress Dowager, she still made some medicinal pills to bring to the palace. Today she again brought Fu Ling, with Qin Yan escorting them. At the palace gate, they showed their tokens and entered.
Inside the gate, servants from Shou Kang Palace were waiting, leading Qin Wan along the same palace path as yesterday.
Upon reaching Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager had just taken her medicine and appeared in better spirits than yesterday. Qin Wan paid her respects and checked her pulse. While doing so, the Empress Dowager said hoarsely, “Yi’er, in such cold weather, stay here with Mother for a while.”
Hearing these words, Qin Wan felt a twinge of sadness.
When elderly people are confused, those they remember must be the ones they care about most deeply. The Emperor had said this princess had passed away, yet the Empress Dowager still thought of her deeply.
Chen Nanny leaned close to the Empress Dowager’s ear and said, “Don’t worry, the Princess still needs to see the Emperor later.”
“Oh? The Emperor? Oh, tell your father not to be so strict with Huai’er.”
Chen Nanny smiled, “Rest assured, the Princess will speak to him, and the Emperor will understand.”
The Emperor the Empress Dowager spoke of was naturally the late Emperor. Qin Wan quietly continued checking the pulse and examining the illness, not taking these words to heart.
Soon, Qin Wan finished her examination. “Nanny, the Empress Dowager is much better today. Follow my prescription for another day, and after tomorrow’s examination, we’ll consider changing to a different prescription.”
She then took out the prepared pills, “Take one of these pills when the Empress Dowager’s legs feel numb.”
Chen Nanny quickly accepted them. Seeing she had finished the examination, Qin Wan didn’t plan to stay longer.
Chen Nanny politely asked Qin Wan to stay a while longer, but Qin Wan knew there were many palace rules, and being someone who disliked trouble and understood propriety, she naturally took her leave. Chen Nanny had no choice but to personally escort Qin Wan to the palace gate.
Along the way, Qin Wan didn’t see the Ninth Prince. After a slight hesitation, she still asked, “Nanny, did the Ninth Prince catch a cold after returning yesterday?”
Chen Nanny smiled and said, “Thank you for your concern. The Ninth Prince is fine. Today being the second day of the New Year, he was taken to Kun Ning Palace to pay his respects.”
Qin Wan nodded and then left Shou Kang Palace, heading toward the gate.
Though Qin Wan remembered the way, Chen Nanny still had a young maid follow along. On this second visit to the palace, Fu Ling was braver and dared to look up and observe the palace’s magnificent scenery.
As the three walked along the palace corridor, just as they turned a corner, Fu Ling gave a light exclamation.
“Young Miss, look, what’s that…”
Qin Wan looked where Fu Ling pointed and saw a small yellow spot struggling in the snow-covered ground of the courtyard beside the corridor. The young palace maid following them was also lively and looked with surprise, “A bird? Is it a bird?”
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes, then looked more carefully, suddenly curving her lips. She looked around, went around the corridor, and personally walked into the courtyard. Fu Ling followed closer and watched as Qin Wan picked up the small yellow bird from the snow.
Fu Ling was somewhat surprised by Qin Wan’s expression. Qin Wan seemed to recognize this bird, treating it with great care and tenderness. Fu Ling didn’t understand but didn’t think too much about it, only saying, “Ah, how did it fall in the snow?”
Qin Wan gently stroked the bird’s wings, “Its wing was injured before. It probably fell from above.”
As she spoke, Qin Wan opened her hands, and the bird fluttered a few times before flying away.
Qin Wan looked up and smiled, “Fly away, fly away. Don’t fall this time.”
A soft chirping sound rang out, and the golden yellow bird indeed disappeared without a trace. Fu Ling sighed, “This little bird is so beautiful. Could it belong to someone in the palace?”
Qin Wan walked out of the snowy courtyard and curved her lips but said nothing.
The young palace maid said, “There are indeed masters in the palace who keep birds, but this servant doesn’t know whose it is.”
Qin Wan then said, “No matter whose it is, its wing was injured, yet it can fly so high and far—that’s already quite remarkable.” As she spoke, her eyes grew cold, “But sadly, it seems it still can’t fly beyond these high palace walls.”
Half an hour later, Tang Fu from the Eastern Palace carried a birdcage into the side hall. “Your Highness, Your Highness, it flew back!”
Yan Che, who was writing at his desk, suddenly raised his head. Looking carefully, he indeed saw a golden-winged finch in the cage. His eyes brightened slightly as he walked out from behind his desk and took the cage from Tang Fu’s hands. “It flew back on its own. I thought this time it would never return.”
Tang Fu smiled and said, “It won’t. Its wing was broken before, and since it was saved, it won’t casually leave Your Highness.”
Yan Che turned around with the birdcage, sighing, “I rather hoped it would fly out of the palace and never return. Following me, isn’t it just like me, a bird in the palace?”
His voice lowered, “Perhaps she saved you hoping you could fly far away.”
Tang Fu hadn’t heard clearly, “Your Highness, what did you say?”
Yan Che raised his head and shook it, then suddenly seemed to think of something and asked, “Has the Qin family’s Ninth Miss entered the palace?”