Two days later, Yue Ning arrived at the Zhongyong Marquis Manor early in the morning.

Her first words to Qin Wan were, “Fifth Princess has agreed to marry into Northern Wei.”

Qin Wan felt dazed upon hearing this. How could Yan Zhen agree?

Yan Zhen had been a precious golden branch and jade leaf since childhood, pampered and never knowing fear. Thus, even when she defied the Empress, she had considerable confidence. The fact that she could provoke the Empress to the point of whipping her showed how determined she had been. Yet after just one day and night, Yan Zhen had surprisingly agreed.

Seeing Qin Wan’s expression, Yue Ning knew she was quite astonished and explained, “The Empress had Zhao Yu persuade the Fifth Princess. No one knows what Zhao Yu said, but the Fifth Princess stayed in the palace for one night and then agreed. When Grandmother heard about Fifth Princess’s situation yesterday, she went to the palace this morning and learned that Fifth Princess’s marriage to the Northern Wei Crown Prince would likely be set for the Eighth Month.”

Qin Wan’s gaze grew distant for a moment. The Crown Prince’s wedding would be in the Sixth Month, Prince Cheng’s wedding in the Seventh Month, and in the Eighth Month, Yan Zhen would leave Great Zhou to marry into Northern Wei. Everything was happening so fast – in the blink of an eye, these royal children would all be married.

These days, the entire Marquis Manor was busy preparing for Qin Chaoyu’s wedding, even more lively than the preparations for Qin Shuang’s wedding.

As an unmarried daughter, Qin Wan couldn’t help much. Qin Chaoyu had her childhood friends, and Wu Yi, though not a noble lady, came to the manor daily to accompany Qin Chaoyu. Qin Wan had been busy with the case earlier, and only now that she had free time did she realize these marriages that had caught all of Great Zhou’s attention were approaching.

“Well, Crown Prince Tuoba is upright in character and not an unsuitable match.”

Yue Ning sighed, “I still vaguely remember childhood events. I grew up in the capital and played with Yan Zhen. Once, when a cherry blossom tree bloomed in the palace garden, I had someone tie a swing to it, thinking it was beautiful and fun. When Yan Zhen saw it, she insisted on monopolizing my swing. We argued, and when the Empress saw this, she carried Yan Zhen away. Yan Zhen cried incessantly. I was young then and felt sorry seeing her cry so pitifully, so my heart softened. The next day, when I went to find Yan Zhen to play on the swing together at Jingning Palace, I discovered that overnight, the entire Jingning Palace had been filled with live, blooming cherry blossom trees. The largest was as thick as two people’s embrace, with a silk flower-adorned swing tied to it, looking magnificent. I was stunned, never imagining Jingning Palace could change so dramatically in one night.”

Yue Ning sighed, “Later I learned that although the Empress had carried Yan Zhen away, she didn’t want Yan Zhen to feel wronged. She sent five hundred guards overnight to requisition a cherry blossom garden outside the city, carefully digging up the blooming cherry trees with their roots and soil intact, sending them back to the palace, and renovating Jingning Palace’s courtyard to plant all the cherry trees.”

As Yue Ning spoke wistfully, Qin Wan could imagine how Yan Zhen, after being wronged, never expected to wake up to find her courtyard filled with cherry blossom trees. The sight of the crimson and snow-white flowers and the silk flower-adorned swing must have seemed like a fairyland dream to young Yan Zhen.

Yue Ning continued, “At that time, I couldn’t comprehend matters of power and status. I just felt that even if Yan Zhen wanted stars from the sky, the Empress would pluck them down for her. Later when I left the capital, Yan Zhen hadn’t grown too spoiled over these years, though she still got whatever she wanted. I originally thought that since the Empress had been in such a high position for many years but had grown somewhat distant from His Majesty, she would surely let Yan Zhen marry someone she approved of. Even if not from a noble family, Zhao Yu’s background isn’t low. But I never expected the Empress would still make Yan Zhen become Northern Wei’s Empress.”

Not only did Yue Ning think this way, but even Qin Wan, based on her memories, felt the Empress’s doting on Yan Zhen was extreme. The current situation was something she hadn’t anticipated either. However, given the Empress’s high position, Qin Wan admitted she couldn’t fully fathom her thoughts.

After chatting for a while, Qin Wan told Yue Ning about Yu Fangze’s matter. Yue Ning admired Yu Fangze’s loyalty and asked about Ning Buyi’s background. Qin Wan replied, “Young Lord is investigating, but news hasn’t returned yet. Yu Fangze only said that much that day, so the specifics of the case from back then and whether there were any inside stories remain unknown.”

In previous days, the two had been planning and strategizing for the case daily. Now that the case was concluded, they had free time. Thinking of what she’d seen entering the Marquis Manor, Yue Ning said, “The future Crown Princess’s wedding is indeed luxurious. I just saw them renovating the residence outside.”

“After all, she’ll be Crown Princess. The entire court and public are watching this marriage.”

Yue Ning suggested, “I see it’s quite noisy here too. Why not stay at my place for a few days?”

Qin Wan waved her hand, “It’s not good for me to leave the manor when I can’t even help with the preparations.”

Yue Ning sighed, understanding Qin Wan’s situation somewhat. She had been mistreated in Jinzhou, and even after returning with status and position, she wasn’t originally from the Marquis Manor. It was better when Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang were still around, but now they were gone, leaving Qin Wan all alone. Thinking this, Yue Ning resolved to visit Qin Wan more often.

Another day passed. While Qin Wan was in Songfeng Courtyard, Bai Feng came to invite her. Knowing there must be news from Huzhou, she immediately prepared to leave. Outside the Marquis Manor stood a carriage. Qin Wan thought it would be empty, but as she approached, her heart inexplicably began to race. When she lifted the curtain, sure enough, she saw Yan Chi sitting inside.

As the curtain lifted, revealing Qin Wan’s face as she peered in, Yan Chi’s lips unconsciously curved upward.

Qin Wan boarded the carriage and quickly asked, “Why did you come today?”

Yan Chi pulled Qin Wan to sit closer and said, “I know you’ve been anxiously waiting for news from Huzhou, so I came to accompany you to the office. Zheng Baishi is also waiting for my news.”

Qin Wan asked, “What did the news from Huzhou say?”

Speaking of this, Yan Chi explained, “The Huzhou flood disaster back then was managed by Prince Yu, and the corruption was related to him. Many subordinates were involved, including the Huzhou Prefect who was considered an accomplice. As for the Ning family… Prince Yu was in charge of the Ministry of Works, and this matter could only be traced up to him.”

This was from eight years ago. Qin Wan hadn’t expected it to involve royal relatives.

Previously, when attending Prince Yu’s birthday banquet in Yuzhou, she only knew that Prince Yu had retired from court in recent years, but hadn’t expected such an old case to exist.

“So back then, did Prince Yu push the blame onto the Prefect and the Ning family? Did the Ning family essentially take the fall for Prince Yu?”

When Qin Wan asked this, Yan Chi shook his head, “Prince Yu was the main culprit, but His Majesty issued the orders on how to handle this case. Considering brotherly feelings with Prince Yu, His Majesty minimized the matter. Later, others were sent for disaster relief, and because of this, Prince Yu no longer held real power in the Six Ministries.”

Qin Wan felt shocked. The inadequate disaster relief had caused many deaths, and the root cause was corruption. Prince Yu was the highest-ranking person involved in this matter and was protected by the Emperor. While the Prefect’s fate was understandable, Ning Buyi’s father had been wrongly accused. His father’s death indirectly led to his mother’s death and left him homeless. No wonder he had protested his innocence eight years ago.

Unfortunately, he probably didn’t know that his father’s conviction was impossible to overturn.

The image of Ning Buyi’s death state floated in Qin Wan’s mind, and she suddenly felt sympathy for him.

If this wrongful case hadn’t occurred, Ning Buyi probably wouldn’t have taken his final path. Was his setting up ritual altars meant to redress his father’s wrongful case? Thinking this way, Qin Wan felt it increasingly likely. Ning Buyi was very evasive about his reasons for setting up the altars; there must have been a deeply taboo cause.

“Then what? Were you able to trace Ning Buyi’s whereabouts afterward?”

Yan Chi continued, “After the case broke, Ning Buyi’s father was quickly beheaded, and the corruption in the flood disaster was considered settled with the people. Afterward, officials were busy with disaster relief, while Ning Buyi and his mother were driven out. At the end of that year, his mother died from illness. He spent half a year protesting their innocence but to no avail. Moreover, his uncles and other clan members reproached him for bringing trouble to the clan. Because of this, he angrily left Huzhou.”

“My men couldn’t trace what happened in the year after he left. Later, six years ago, he came to the capital and opened an art gallery. Six years ago, Ranmo Gallery was just a tiny art shop, though later it gradually became successful. After he and his mother left the Ning clan, they were completely destitute. Even though the shop was small then, in a place like the capital, it would still cost several thousand taels of silver to buy. What he experienced that year and where the money came from remain unknown.”

Qin Wan frowned deeply, “He must have come to the capital after failing to get results from setting up altars at Guanyin Town. He left alone then, so something else must have happened later, otherwise he couldn’t have bought the shop. Unfortunately, we can’t trace any of this now.”

Great Zhou was vast, and this was from seven years ago. Finding the traces of an unknown person was like searching for a needle in the ocean.

Yan Chi sighed, “So this case can be concluded now. Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang should understand.”

Qin Wan understood too. The case now involved Prince Yu’s old case, and even if they could investigate, they couldn’t pursue it further. Though she understood the logic, Qin Wan felt a chill in her heart.

In this world, power was supreme – whether involving Prince Yu or Prince Jin.

Prince Yu’s case couldn’t be touched, so what about Prince Jin…

From being a lonely girl bullied by the Qin family’s second branch to becoming Princess Yongci now, she had spent almost a year planning. Had she still not reached the point where she could touch her father’s case?

Qin Wan’s heart sank heavily. The carriage slowed down, and simultaneously, a group of fast horses galloped past their carriage, along with two inconspicuous small carriages guarded by many escorts.

Qin Wan glanced outside. This group moved extremely fast. She withdrew her gaze and asked, “If Ning Buyi hadn’t used this method but instead tried to overturn his father’s case, would it have been possible?”

Yan Chi held Qin Wan’s hand, seeming to know what she was thinking, but his lips pressed together and he didn’t answer immediately. Qin Wan gave a bitter smile, “I understand. It seems it would have been impossible.”

Yan Chi sighed, “If he had remained a painter his whole life, naturally it would have been impossible.”

Qin Wan wanted to speak but held back. If not a painter, what about entering officialdom? Would that have been possible?

The words reached her lips, but Qin Wan didn’t ask. The carriage moved slowly, and they were about to reach the office. Qin Wan exhaled, “Never mind, neither of us can do anything about this old case.”

Yan Chi squeezed her palm, “When it involves the royal family, His Majesty won’t compromise.”

These words made Qin Wan’s heart even heavier, but fortunately, they soon arrived at the office.

Zheng Baishi and Zhan Yang were waiting for Yan Chi’s news. Yan Chi dismissed the servants and explained the events from eight years ago, though he neither mentioned Prince Yu’s name nor confirmed that Ning Buyi’s father was wrongly accused. However, Zheng Baishi, having been in officialdom for many years, seemed to realize who was involved in this case, and after his expression changed several times, he remained silent.

Everyone was quiet for a moment. Qin Wan knew that with this, the case would be concluded.

Since there was no official business left, Yan Chi and Qin Wan didn’t linger at the office. Yan Chi had to return to the Ministry of Justice, so Qin Wan didn’t let him escort her. In broad daylight, Yan Chi wasn’t insistent, especially since Bai Ying was accompanying Qin Wan.

Once Yan Chi left, Qin Wan boarded the carriage and headed straight for the southern city.

After winding through the lower-class residential area in the southern city for a while, the carriage soon stopped outside a very old-looking courtyard. Bai Ying said, “Miss, this is the place. Zhao Xun lives here.”

Qin Wan got off the carriage, and Bai Ying went forward to knock on the door.

After knocking on the courtyard gate, someone quickly came to open it. As expected, Zhao Xun stood inside.

Zhao Xun initially thought the visitor was seeking work, but was startled to see Qin Wan standing outside. His expression changed instantly. “Why has Your Highness come?”

He stepped back to bow as he spoke.

Qin Wan said nothing, merely glancing at the courtyard. “Won’t you invite me in?”

How could Zhao Xun refuse? Though he first looked outside and only relaxed when he saw Qin Wan had brought only Bai Ying.

“Please enter, Your Highness.”

Zhao Xun stepped aside, and Qin Wan entered the courtyard.

The courtyard had only one entrance, with very low buildings and uneven bluestone slabs on the ground. Qin Wan observed briefly before saying, “I hear you’ve been doing manual labor lately.”

Helping the freight company transport goods was worlds apart from Zhao Xun’s former life.

At the mention of this, Zhao Xun’s expression darkened, but he said, “What of it? I’m just earning my living with my strength.”

Qin Wan looked him up and down. “With your education, you could be a teacher.”

Zhao Xun snorted coldly, “I tried that before, but whenever people learned I came from the Court of Judicial Review, they wouldn’t hire me.” He continued mockingly, “Why has Your Highness come to see this humble person today? How did you even know where I live? I’m just a laborer now, with no connection to that matter anymore.”

Qin Wan’s reputation had long spread through the capital. This Princess who associated with royal relatives wouldn’t come without reason.

Qin Wan smiled, “If I wanted to know where you were, of course I’d find out.”

These words made Zhao Xun’s expression change, unsure whether Qin Wan’s intentions were good or bad.

Seeing his wariness, Qin Wan said, “Actually, I came to ask if you still have any of Lord Shen’s remaining works.”

Zhao Xun hadn’t expected Qin Wan to come for this. After a moment of surprise, he said, “I have nothing here anymore, nothing related to Lord Shen. If Your Highness came for this, please leave.”

As Zhao Xun turned to enter the house, Qin Wan said, “You’ve already sold Lord Shen’s things, so why take them back? When Lord Shen met his end, these items should have been confiscated by the Ministry of Justice, yet you took them back. You must have wanted to preserve his belongings…”

Zhao Xun’s footsteps faltered. After a moment, he said coldly, “So what? My thoughts don’t matter. Lord Shen is dead, and when people die, their light is extinguished. Those few volumes – if Your Highness likes them, keep them. I’m just a commoner now. Your Highness needn’t lower yourself to come here again. That matter is taboo in the capital. I already lost my position over it; I don’t want to lose my life now.”

As if fearing Qin Wan wouldn’t believe him, Zhao Xun added, “I have an ill mother in the countryside. I just want to earn some silver to return home and treat her illness. Please spare this humble one.”

With that, Zhao Xun entered the house with a straight back, slamming the door behind him.

Suddenly, only Qin Wan and Bai Ying were left standing awkwardly in the cramped, dilapidated courtyard.

“Miss—”

Bai Ying started to speak but stopped. Qin Wan sighed, took out her money purse from her sleeve, walked forward two steps, and placed it on the low stool by the door.

Qin Wan looked at the tightly closed door. “Never mind, let’s go.”

They turned to leave. Bai Ying closed the courtyard gate before they boarded the carriage and departed.

Only after the carriage left the alley did Zhao Xun emerge from the doorway, his gaze obscure as he watched the direction where the carriage had disappeared.

……

……

Back at the Marquis Manor, Qin Wan had a headache.

She hadn’t found the files on Prince Jin’s case at the Court of Judicial Review, and Zhao Xun wouldn’t cooperate at all. She wasn’t someone who had been immersed in officialdom for many years – even if she could think of ways to pressure him, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. If it were just Zhao Xun alone that would be one thing, but he had a gravely ill mother. And if she didn’t handle it properly, Zhao Xun wouldn’t help her sincerely anyway.

Qin Wan rubbed her forehead. She needed to think, really think this through.

Zhao Xun was a lead she absolutely couldn’t give up, but how to make him willingly help her required careful handling.

Prince Jin’s case was taboo in the capital – everyone knew this. She could see that Zhao Xun still held some loyalty to her father, but how deep that loyalty ran and whether it would make him risk helping her was uncertain. Moreover, Zhao Xun probably didn’t trust her. Her identity seemed completely unrelated to her father, so suddenly inquiring about the old case would only make Zhao Xun wary.

But she could hardly reveal that she was the former Shen Wan!

Just as Qin Wan was deeply troubled, suddenly Yu Mama arrived outside Songfeng Courtyard, entering to announce, “Your Highness! Someone from the palace has come and is waiting in the front courtyard—”

Yu Mama’s words brought Qin Wan back to herself. Why would someone from the palace come? She had just been to the palace two days ago.

Thinking this, she went to the front courtyard. There she saw Yuan Qing standing outside. Seeing him, Qin Wan’s expression changed. “Eunuch, has something happened to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?”

Hearing this, Yuan Qing couldn’t help but smile. “Have I frightened Your Highness by suddenly appearing? Please don’t worry, the Empress Dowager is fine. This old servant came this time to invite you to the palace to treat an illness, though not the Empress Dowager’s.”

Qin Wan frowned. “May I ask which royal family member is ill?”

Yuan Qing looked around the courtyard and said very quietly, “Prince Yi has returned.”

It took Qin Wan a moment to recall who Prince Yi was—

The previous Emperor had seven sons, with five surviving infancy. Prince Yu was the eldest son of a concubine, the current Emperor was the second son by the Empress, Prince Gong was third, and the other two were Prince Rui and the youngest Prince Yi.

Prince Yu had held real power at court in earlier years, and Prince Rui had commanded the Northwest Army for many years. Only Prince Yi truly lived up to his title “Yi” (meaning pleasant/content) – though a prince, he lived contentedly, marrying and having children early with no interest in power struggles. After the current Emperor ascended the throne, he began studying Taoism and has been wandering outside the capital these past few years.

Prince Yi’s return should have been good news, so why did he need a doctor as soon as he returned?

As Qin Wan pondered this, Yuan Qing said, “You don’t need to prepare anything, just follow this old servant to the palace now.”

Qin Wan dared not delay. Seeing her attire was appropriate, she followed Yuan Qing directly to the palace without even returning to her courtyard.

As they left, Madam Hu quickly asked, “Did you hear clearly? Prince Yi has returned!”

Yu Mama hurriedly replied, “This servant heard clearly, that Prince Yi has returned.”

Madam Hu said, “With the Crown Prince’s wedding approaching, even if Prince Yi doesn’t like the capital, he still returned. And as soon as he returns, he has Wan’er enter the palace to treat an illness. Could it be for…”

Madam Hu seemed to think of something and shook her head with a sigh.

……

……

After entering the palace gates, Yuan Qing led Qin Wan toward Shoukang Palace.

Upon arriving at Shoukang Palace, they found it unusually lively today, with servants of the Emperor and various consorts all waiting outside the main hall.

“Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, the Princess has arrived—”

At Yuan Qing’s announcement, the Empress Dowager’s laughter immediately rang out, “Good, good, good, quickly let her in!”

Qin Wan steadied herself and entered with a lowered head. Upon entering the main hall, she saw the Empress Dowager smiling in the main seat, the Emperor seated to the left below, the Empress and Noble Consort Feng present, and opposite the Emperor on the lower right, a middle-aged man in grey Taoist robes sat smiling. Qin Wan knew at a glance this must be Prince Yi, Yan Xiang.

Qin Wan hurriedly bowed to each person in turn. The Empress Dowager waved for her to rise, and Prince Yi smiled at her, “Is this the renowned Princess Yongci? The young healing immortal who’s famous throughout Great Zhou?”

Prince Yi had the phoenix eyes common to the Yan imperial family. He was thin, with slightly hollow cheeks, appearing more refined and unrestrained than Emperor Yan Huai. However, his smile was gentle, his eyes clear and warm, and his voice carried none of the imperial family’s nobility – he seemed as approachable as a neighbor’s elder.

The Empress Dowager smiled, “Indeed it is. Her medical skills are extraordinary – she cured your Imperial Aunt’s illness.” She then said to Qin Wan, “Wan’er, this is Prince Yi – I’m sure you know already.”

Qin Wan curtsied, “Greetings to Prince Yi.”

Prince Yi raised his hand warmly, “Rise, rise. You look so young, yet possess such remarkable medical skills. I wonder where you studied?”

Qin Wan lowered her eyes, “My father taught me.”

The Empress Dowager added, “Her father loved medicine since childhood. Oh yes, her father was the Zhongyong Marquis’s second brother.”

Prince Yi’s eyes brightened slightly, “So you’re Qin Er’s daughter.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, “Indeed. You knew each other back then, didn’t you?”

The Qin family was noble, and since Qin Yi loved medicine, music, and calligraphy, he naturally had some private friendship with Prince Yi. Previously, Prince Yi had only known that Princess Yongci was from the Marquis’s family, but didn’t realize she wasn’t born there but was the daughter of his old friend. His gaze grew more affectionate as he looked at Qin Wan, “Your father indeed loved these pursuits in his youth – I knew this well. He and your mother… what a pity. But seeing you now like this, he would surely be proud.”

Qin Wan blinked at Prince Yi. On the surface, Prince Yi seemed completely fine…

Qin Wan looked at the Empress Dowager, then back at Prince Yi. “Your Highness, did Their Majesties summon me to the palace to treat your illness?”

At this question, Prince Yi smiled, and both the Empress Dowager and Emperor laughed.

Prince Yi said with a chuckle, “Not me, but my son…”

The Empress Dowager instructed Chen Mama, “Take her to the Water Pavilion.”

Chen Mama acknowledged, and the Empress Dowager said, “Go take a look. You don’t necessarily need to diagnose anything specific today, but you’re my most trusted and widely acknowledged best physician, so you must take this matter seriously.”

Qin Wan nodded and followed Chen Mama out of the main hall. Prince Yi’s son? That would be the Young Lord of Prince Yi!

But in Qin Wan’s memory, she had never heard anything about Prince Yi’s Young Lord.

She thought about how Prince Yi had been away for years, just like Prince Yu – she had no impression of Prince Yu’s Young Lord either.

As she pondered this while walking to the Water Pavilion, which was the best place for summer cooling and which Qin Wan had never visited before, she suddenly heard Yan Li’s voice from inside as she reached the door.

Yan Li said, “I see that after spending these years outside, Third Brother, you didn’t even want to return to the capital. If not for the Crown Prince’s wedding, you probably wouldn’t have come back. You’ve been gone for who knows how many years, but now that Seventh Brother is back and you’re back too, I won’t be the only one in the capital anymore!”

A clear, gentle voice responded, “This time I’ll certainly stay for quite a while. As for you, after these years, you must be even taller than me now…”

Yan Li laughed, “Stand up and let’s compare!”

Hearing this exchange, Qin Wan found it somewhat strange. Chen Mama stepped forward at this moment, “Your Highnesses, Princess Yongci has arrived.”

Yan Li smiled, “Quick! Quickly invite her in—”

The room fell silent for a moment as Qin Wan stepped inside. As soon as she entered, she saw three people standing there.

Yan Li needed no introduction, and Yan Chi was surprisingly present too. Next to Yan Li stood someone wearing a moon-white wide-sleeved robe. Today Yan Chi still wore his black robes, while Yan Li wore a dark red round-collared long gown with black patterns. In contrast, this white-robed man whom Qin Wan had never seen before stood out particularly, causing her to look twice.

What made Qin Wan look again, besides the unfamiliarity, was the white cloth covering the man’s eyes.

She hadn’t known what illness she was coming to treat, but seeing Prince Yi’s Young Lord at that moment, Qin Wan understood – he suffered from an eye ailment!

Qin Wan was startled but quickly composed herself and bowed, “Greetings to Your Highnesses—”

Seeing Qin Wan, Yan Chi’s lips curved slightly, naturally noticing her surprise at the Young Lord’s eye condition.

He stepped forward and said, “This is Third Brother, Young Lord Yan Ze of Prince Yi. Have you met Prince Yi?”

Qin Wan nodded, and Yan Li said with a wry smile, “Grandmother really couldn’t wait, calling you in so quickly. But there’s no rush – Third Brother’s eye condition isn’t new. It’s good timing though – you can get to know Third Brother, and we can all look after each other in the capital. Grandmother probably told you already, it would be best if you could help Third Brother!”

Yan Ze had a jade-like complexion and a temperament as clear and gentle as his voice. Though Qin Wan couldn’t see his eyes, she could imagine he must have the phoenix eyes common to the Yan family. With his high bridge nose and soft jawline, his every movement carried an effortless nobility. Combined with his frost-white flowing robes, and perhaps due to practicing Taoism with Prince Yi, he had an otherworldly air about him, quite different from Yan Chi and Yan Li.

“Greetings to Young Lord—”

Qin Wan bowed again separately, as a way of greeting Yan Ze.

Yan Ze’s lips curved slightly, “I’ve long known of the Princess’s reputation as a young healing immortal. Please, no need for such formality.”

Though blind, Yan Ze’s body accurately faced Qin Wan. Though she didn’t know him well, Qin Wan could tell he must have been afflicted for many years, to maintain such composure and normalcy despite his condition.

Even standing alongside Yan Chi and Yan Li, if not for the white cloth on his face, one couldn’t tell Yan Ze was blind and unable to see. He showed none of the uncertainty common to blind people; instead, with his white robes and black hair, he maintained an imposing bearing.

Qin Wan smiled lightly, “It’s just an empty reputation, not worth taking seriously.”

Seeing Qin Wan and Yan Ze being very polite, Yan Li seemed unable to bear it and said, “Alright, alright, we’re all familiar here, let’s sit and talk. Third Brother, since you know about Qin Wan, you must also know that besides medical skills, she can examine corpses too.”

Yan Ze had been standing, and when Yan Li pulled casually, most people might have had trouble finding their seats, but Yan Ze stepped back with perfect composure and sat down accurately.

Standing opposite the three of them, Qin Wan observed this detail clearly and couldn’t help being amazed.

Only someone blind for many years could develop such keen awareness through sheer willpower. Ordinary people would likely lose their sense of direction just by closing their eyes briefly.

Yan Chi raised his chin slightly to indicate Qin Wan should sit, and she took a seat on the same side as him.

When Yan Li asked, Yan Ze nodded, “On my way back, I heard all about it. In solving the Northern Wei case, the Princess also made great contributions—”

Yan Li immediately smiled, “That’s not all – Qin Wan is truly an extraordinary woman.”

Yan Ze smiled slightly. As Qin Wan hadn’t spoken, he didn’t know where she was and smiled somewhat uncertainly toward the opposite side. Qin Wan said, “I hear Young Lord has been wandering outside the capital these years. Where did you return from?”

Yan Ze found Qin Wan’s direction and turned slightly toward her, “From Lian Province.”

Yan Li exclaimed, “Lian Province?! Why did you go there?”

Lian Province was considered quite far to the east of Great Zhou.

Yan Ze replied very calmly, “Father took me to Medicine King Valley.”

Qin Wan’s heart trembled upon hearing this – Yan Ze had gone to Medicine King Valley—

Yan Chi naturally knew of Medicine King Valley too and quickly asked, “Did you have any success?”

Of course, Yan Ze had gone to Medicine King Valley seeking medicine. If he had truly obtained miraculous medicine to cure his eyes, that would be wonderful.

Yan Ze nodded, “They said there’s hope for curing my eye condition, but it will take time. One of their people accompanied me back to the capital and has been sent to Prince Yi’s manor to specifically treat my eyes.”

Medicine King Valley’s reputation resounded throughout the Central Plains continent. Not just in Great Zhou, but even in Western Liang and Northern Wei, people sought treatment there. However, given the remote location, many people couldn’t make it there after falling ill. Now Yan Ze had not only gone to Medicine King Valley and received hope for a cure, but someone had even come to the capital with him – this was truly a great achievement!

Yan Li couldn’t help saying, “Really?! They say Medicine King Valley’s physicians are the most skilled in the world. Since they said this, the Third Brother’s eye condition must surely have hope for recovery! And someone came with you too – I say, why not have Qin Wan work together with that physician to treat Third Brother? That way the results would be twice as good!”

Yan Ze’s face maintained its smile, showing no sadness or regret when discussing his condition, and simply said, “It’s not my first visit after all, and that doctor is quite young too. If the Princess doesn’t mind, that would naturally be good.”

Even if Yan Ze hadn’t said this, Qin Wan wanted to meet someone from Medicine King Valley, though she didn’t know who had come.

Qin Wan immediately wanted to ask who had come, but that would have seemed too eager, so she suppressed her impulse and simply said, “Of course, I don’t mind. Medicine King Valley’s physicians are highly skilled, and if I can help, that would be excellent.”

Yan Li clapped his hands, “Good! Then it’s settled – tomorrow! Tomorrow Qin Wan will go to Prince Yi’s manor to help treat Third Brother! I’ll go too, to see what this Medicine King Valley doctor is like!”

Yan Ze’s smile deepened. Though he hadn’t been back to the capital for many years, Yan Li seemed unchanged, which gave him a sense of warmth. “That would be wonderful, I brought gifts for you too.”

Hearing this, Yan Li was even more delighted and looked at Yan Chi, “Seventh Brother, let’s all go tomorrow!”

Yan Chi nodded, “I’ll escort Princess Yongci.”

Yan Li was used to hearing this, but Yan Ze’s brow twitched slightly – he could hear that Yan Chi treated Qin Wan quite differently.

As they were talking, a palace maid announced from outside, “Your Highnesses, Princess, Princess Yongning has arrived.”

Hearing that Yue Ning had come too, Yan Li smiled, “What’s there to announce? Quickly invite her in! Now it’s lively! Ah, it’s only good when you all come back. Third Brother, Yue Ning just returned recently too. When she was little, she used to love running after you. Now she’s grown up…”

Yue Ning entered and immediately looked at Yan Ze. Having grown up in the capital, she was naturally very familiar with these princes and young lords, and as Yan Li had just mentioned, Yue Ning and Yan Ze had been quite close in the past.

“Third Brother—”

Yue Ning had never called Yan Li or Yan Chi “brother,” but upon seeing Yan Ze, she immediately called him Third Brother.

Qin Wan could see that Yue Ning regarded Yan Ze very highly.

Yan Ze stood up, turning toward Yue Ning’s direction, “Ning’er…”

This intimate address made Yue Ning’s eyes redden slightly as she stepped forward, “Third Brother, your eyes…”

To those who didn’t know her well, Yue Ning often seemed cold and proud. Even Qin Wan, as close as she was to Yue Ning, rarely saw her eyes redden. Her voice trembled slightly as Yan Ze smiled and said, “It’s the same as before, I’ve been treating it all these years.”

Yue Ning could see no one else, her eyes fixed only on Yan Ze. “Third Brother, I haven’t been back these past years. I knew you were wandering with Prince Yi, and I thought your eyes must have improved greatly by now. Back then…”

“Ning’er.” Yan Ze raised his hand, tentatively reaching for Yue Ning’s shoulder. He reached too high at first, then slowly lowered his hand until it finally rested on her shoulder. He smiled, “You’ve grown so tall. These years, I knew Seventh Brother was commanding troops in the Northwest, knew Eighth Brother was living freely in the capital, and knew you were skilled in martial arts. You take after your father. How is Aunt? Has she gone to the palace too?”

Yue Ning nodded, caught between wanting to cry and laugh, “She’s well, she’s at the palace. She’s in the main hall now, saying we young ones should talk amongst ourselves, so she didn’t come.”

Yan Ze patted Yue Ning’s shoulder lightly as if comforting her, then withdrew his hand.

When he tried to do something, it showed some difficulty, but once he withdrew his hand, his natural dignity returned. He smiled, “You’re a grown lady now, how can you still cry? Since Aunt is here, I must go pay my respects to her, otherwise it would be discourteous.”

Yue Ning took a deep breath and nodded, “Alright—”

As he spoke, Yan Ze moved sideways one step and reached out his hand, immediately finding a purple sandalwood cane.

The purple sandalwood was smooth and glossy, with a jade handle at the top. The white jade was lustrous and translucent, clearly used for many years. He turned toward the door and walked, tapping the ground with his cane as he went. Seeing Yan Ze like this, Yan Chi and the others fell silent – no matter how good his bearing and manner were, at this moment the inconvenience of his blindness was finally revealed.

Yan Li was the first to follow. Yan Chi glanced at Qin Wan, indicating she should follow too. Qin Wan nodded, and Yan Chi went ahead. Qin Wan stepped forward to hold Yue Ning’s hand and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yue Ning took a deep breath, her expression finally returning somewhat to normal.

Qin Wan wiped her eyes, and Yue Ning smiled bitterly, “Unexpected, isn’t it?”

Indeed, Qin Wan hadn’t expected it – she thought Yue Ning was not the type of woman who would shed tears.

Yan Ze walked very slowly, barely reaching the door by now. Yan Li and Yan Chi followed, afraid he might stumble and fall. Yue Ning stared at Yan Ze’s slightly bent posture as he walked.

Seeing her emotional state, Qin Wan tugged her hand, “Just now Young Lord said he went to Medicine King Valley, and their doctors said his eye condition can be cured. One of their doctors even came back with him, so don’t worry too much.”

Yue Ning’s eyes brightened slightly, and then she murmured, “I thought he wouldn’t come back this time either…”

Her voice was wistful as she spoke as if lost in some memory.

Qin Wan listened quietly without trying to console her. After a moment, Yue Ning suddenly said, “Do you know? Third Brother’s eyes… they were ruined because of me…”