“Miss, Third Young Master Wu has returned to the Viscount Weiyuan’s Manor. I heard Second Young Master Wu caused a scene, but Third Young Master Wu managed to suppress it. After resting for a few days, the Third Young Master has resumed his duties. However, the case involving their First Young Master is still pending at the magistrate’s office, and Captain Zhan is currently investigating the matter.”
After the case concluded, Qin Wan had stopped visiting the magistrate’s office. She was now focused on treating Yan Ze’s eyes and had no time for other matters. This news was gathered by Bai Ying at her request.
Qin Wan commented, “Second Young Master Wu has been living a wasteful life for many years. The Viscount Weiyuan’s Manor has long been under the Third Young Master’s control. Even if he wants to make trouble, he can’t accomplish much. Third Young Master is the only one in the family holding an official position – the entire family relies on his promotion prospects. It’s just that these matters don’t look good when brought to light.”
Wu Yu had secretly embezzled much of the manor’s public property. The family hadn’t known about this before, but now they were all aware.
Among the nobility, there were countless complicated matters both inside and outside the family. Qin Wan had no interest in sorting through them. Now that the case was over, her future interactions with Third Young Master Wu would be minimal.
Qin Wan sighed again, “It’s a pity Daoist Zhang didn’t leave any message before leaving.”
Daoist Zhang had departed silently, without even the magistrate’s office knowing when he left. Thinking back to his previous words, Qin Wan felt deeply uneasy, especially since there was still no progress regarding the military supplies matter.
Fu Ling walked in from the side room, “Miss, everything is prepared.”
Looking at the two medicine packages in Fu Ling’s hands, Qin Wan nodded and stood up. “Good, let’s go.”
Three days had passed in the blink of an eye. Today, Qin Wan was going to Prince Yi’s Manor to perform acupuncture on Yan Ze. Since she had been there once before, there was no need for Yan Chi to escort her. After getting into the carriage and arriving at Prince Yi’s Manor, servants were already waiting at the entrance.
The treatment would take place in the flower hall again. The hall was divided into outer and inner sections – the outer section for receiving guests, and the inner section for rest. When Qin Wan arrived at the flower hall, Sun Muqing was also present.
“The Princess hasn’t visited for three days. You must trust me!”
Qin Wan smiled, “My Eighth Sister is getting married soon. I’ve been helping with preparations at the Marquis Manor these past few days.”
Qin Zhaoyu’s marriage was a major event for the Marquis Manor. These past few days, Qin Wan had indeed helped Madam Hu handle some minor matters if only to avoid appearing uninvolved. Sun Muqing said, “I know! Your sister is marrying the Crown Prince!”
Qin Wan nodded and said to Yan Ze, “Please lie down first Your Highness. I need to apply some warm medicinal soup to your eyes.”
Yan Ze complied. Qin Wan asked, “Yue Ning hasn’t come today?”
Yan Ze smiled warmly, “She comes every day. Today she’s unusually late, probably due to some matter. I’ve told her she doesn’t need to come daily, but she won’t listen.”
The medicine packages were brought by Qin Wan herself. Yan Ze instructed his attendant Chen Xiang to prepare the medicinal soup. Qin Wan cleaned her hands and re-examined Yan Ze’s eyes. His pupils were bright, with some redness in the whites and irises, though not severe. Qin Wan considered for a moment and then asked Sun Muqing about the medications. Hearing nothing concerning, she made no further comment.
Soon Chen Xiang brought the prepared medicinal soup. Qin Wan soaked the medicinal cloth and, while it was still hot, applied it to Yan Ze’s eyes. After half an incense stick’s time, she began the acupuncture.
Acupuncture around the eyes required extreme caution. Yan Ze dismissed everyone except Sun Muqing.
Qin Wan maintained a serious expression as she used the silver needles – the Su Wen Nine Needles that Yan Chi had previously given her. Though young, her needlework was highly skilled. The area around the eyes had many blood vessels, yet her movements were quick, precise, and forceful without any mistakes. Sun Muqing watched from the side, deeply impressed.
After inserting the needles, Qin Wan instructed Yan Ze to rest with his eyes closed, and then stepped outside.
Sun Muqing followed her out. Tea and refreshments had been prepared in the outer hall, and the two sat down to drink.
Sun Muqing asked, “Did your father teach you these acupuncture skills too, Princess?”
Qin Wan nodded without hesitation, “Though Father isn’t well-known, he’s passionate about medicine. However, being from a noble family restricted him.”
Indeed, Qin Yi, as the Second Young Master of the Marquis Manor, couldn’t possibly become a doctor.
Sun Muqing nodded in complete agreement, “Watching Princess perform acupuncture reminded me of my little martial sister. Coming to the capital, I had wanted to visit her old home, but His Highness advised against it, saying the place has long been abandoned and no traces of the former residents remain.”
Qin Wan felt a slight pain in her heart. Sun Muqing had followed Yan Ze to the capital, likely thinking of her. Unfortunately, both Prince Jin’s case and her father’s case had become taboo subjects in court.
“His Highness speaks wisely. Master Sun should not dwell on this matter.”
Sun Muqing’s face showed disappointment, “Ah, Princess says this too? But my marital sister died for nothing, and we don’t even know where her remains are in the capital. Her father was such an upright person…”
As Sun Muqing was about to continue, Qin Wan had to interject, “I recall the Medicine King Valley traditionally stays out of court politics.”
Sun Muqing’s expression changed slightly, and his voice weakened, “I understand. I don’t want to do anything else, I don’t understand such matters either. I just heard my martial sister’s entire family was executed, so I wanted to come to the capital to pay my respects.”
The fate of executed criminals was typically the mass graves outside the city – the lucky ones might have a burial mound, while the unlucky ones had long since turned to bones in the mud. Qin Wan’s heart sank, “If Master Sun wishes to remember them, you can simply burn some paper offerings during festivals. I’m sure your martial sister’s family would appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
Sun Muqing knew little of politics or even worldly affairs. Compared to Yan Ze, he felt closer to Qin Wan, and now that she spoke this way, it was like being doused with cold water, and he fell silent.
Qin Wan felt sympathetic but could only ask, “When does Master Sun plan to leave the capital?”
Sun Muqing was surprised, “Ah? I’ve only just arrived.”
Qin Wan smiled bitterly inside, “The capital… has many complications. Someone of Master Sun’s nature isn’t suited to staying here long.”
Sun Muqing looked disappointed, “I thought Princess would be happy to see me. I’m just a doctor – could I get caught up in trouble? Don’t worry, Princess… I’ll leave after treating His Highness’s eyes. His mother had some connection to Medicine King Valley, so I won’t abandon this halfway.”
Qin Wan could only reply, “Of course.”
When it was time, Qin Wan went in to remove the needles. Yan Ze had his eyes closed, seemingly almost asleep. After removing the needles, Yan Ze stirred, “Thank you for your trouble, Princess…”
“How does Your Highness feel?”
Yan Ze smiled, “There’s a warm sensation around my eyes, but nothing else.”
Qin Wan nodded, “That’s normal. Using both medicine and acupuncture, it will take at least a month or two to see results.”
Yan Ze sat up, “I’m not in a hurry. Princess can treat it gradually.”
As they were speaking, Chen Xiang entered and announced, “Your Highness, the Princess has arrived—”
As the words fell, Yue Ning strode in, “Oh, is the acupuncture finished already?! I rushed here but still arrived late.”
Qin Wan smiled, “Why are you late today?”
Yue Ning replied somewhat helplessly, “It’s because of Wei Qizhi. His pony is still sick, so he brought a doctor over.”
“Who is Wei Qizhi?” Yan Ze asked instinctively.
Yue Ning waved her hand, “Third Brother, don’t worry about it. Just a friend.” She stepped forward, “How do you feel, Third Brother? Any discomfort? Did the needles hurt?”
Seeing Yue Ning like this, Qin Wan shook her head.
Yue Ning, who normally wouldn’t care about her injuries or bleeding, was now concerned about Yan Ze’s acupuncture.
Yan Ze also smiled, “Of course, it doesn’t hurt. It feels quite comfortable and warm.”
Yue Ning sighed in relief, “That’s good, that’s good.”
Sun Muqing also noticed Yue Ning’s care for Yan Ze and smiled, “The Princess and His Highness have such a good sibling relationship, it makes me envious—”
Yue Ning smiled, “Master Sun speaks truly. Though Third Brother and I aren’t blood siblings, we might as well be.”
Yan Ze smiled warmly, appearing to completely agree.
Qin Wan soaked the medicinal cloth again, and Yue Ning took it to personally tie it for Yan Ze.
Looking at Yue Ning, Qin Wan noticed she had been smiling more frequently lately, and her whole person seemed less cold and proud, as if a layer of shell had been shed, revealing a gentle softness inside.
The previous Yue Ning was martial and would never do such caring tasks.
Qin Wan sighed again. Having finished the acupuncture, she didn’t plan to stay longer. When she bid farewell, Yue Ning was reluctant but understood the Marquis Manor was busy these days, so she let her leave.
Leaving the Prince’s Manor, Qin Wan didn’t immediately return to the Marquis Manor. It was now the hottest part of noon, but she got into her carriage and headed toward the southern part of the city – she needed to find Zhao Xun.
Reaching the southern district under the blazing sun, Qin Wan’s carriage had just reached the alley entrance when she heard arguing from inside.
“Prices are rising everywhere! Stay or leave, it’s up to you! If you won’t stay, get out right now!”
“We had an agreement! I paid for a year, and now you suddenly change your mind – where’s the justice in that?! If you insist on this, we can go to the magistrate’s office to settle it!”
“Oh my, going to the magistrate’s office, are you?! Still, think you’re an official?! Look at your poor appearance! Fine! You’ve stayed for half a year, I’ll refund half the money, now get out! I don’t need you staying here, and you don’t need to spend extra money. Go find wherever’s cheaper and stay there…”
“What… what are you doing?!”
Qin Wan got off the carriage to see three men throwing Zhao Xun’s belongings out of the courtyard one by one. The middle-aged man in charge pulled some silver pieces from his sleeve and threw them at Zhao Xun’s face, “Here, now you can leave. Go ahead and look around, see who will give you such a cheap courtyard to stay in!”
Zhao Xun’s face showed anger, but he forcefully suppressed it. His gaze was more intense than the sun above, making the middle-aged man somewhat afraid, but with his men beside him, he sneered, “Still not leaving?! Just a homeless dog from the Ministry of Justice, still thinking you’re an official!”
Zhao Xun stared at the man for a long while, then turned to pick up his clothes and belongings one by one. As he held an armful of items and turned around, he saw Qin Wan standing not far away.
Zhao Xun’s face reddened and only then did the feeling of shame surge up violently.
……
……
In a teahouse in the southern district, Zhao Xun stared at the cold tea bowl before him with a complex expression.
Qin Wan sat across from Zhao Xun, “Didn’t you use the silver I left last time?”
Zhao Xun suddenly lifted his head, as if just remembering this, and turned to take out a money pouch from his bundle – the same one Qin Wan had given him that day. “Not a single piece is missing, Princess can count it.”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, “Why do this?”
Zhao Xun lowered his head, “One shouldn’t accept rewards without merit. I have no relation to Princess, and though Princess generously offered silver, I dare not accept it. Please take it back.”
Qin Wan sighed, “You don’t even have a place to stay now, how will you get silver to treat your mother’s illness?”
Hearing these words, the redness that had just faded from Zhao Xun’s face reappeared. He buried his head almost into the tea bowl, his entire back tense, fists clenched, as if Qin Wan was deliberately belittling him. Qin Wan sighed again and said, “Zhao Xun, have you thought about why you’ve ended up in this situation?”
Qin Wan only meant to say his personality was too unyielding, but Zhao Xun misunderstood. He suddenly raised his head, “Of course, it’s because the Emperor is foolish—”
Zhao Xun seemed to have been pushed to his limit when he burst out, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake. His face instantly turned pale. He alertly looked around, cold sweat breaking out – he had been Officer Shen’s subordinate back then, and if others heard such words, he wouldn’t be able to keep his life!
Qin Wan hadn’t expected Zhao Xun to say this either, but she quickly realized something was wrong.
For Zhao Xun to speak this way, he harbored deep resentment toward the Emperor, but why?
From the case back then, Zhao Xun must know quite a bit about the inside story. He must know the truth about the case!
Qin Wan leaned forward for a moment, “Zhao Xun, what do you mean by those words?!”
Zhao Xun’s lips were tightly pressed together, “I didn’t mean anything, Princess didn’t hear anything—”
But Qin Wan wouldn’t let Zhao Xun evade, “What you just said – if I tell the officials, they could arrest you immediately. Tell me, what’s the inside story of that year’s case? Officer Shen was wrongly accused, wasn’t he?!”
Zhao Xun suddenly looked up, his eyes both terrified and probing as he looked at Qin Wan. What he said was indeed disrespectful to the Emperor, but Qin Wan asking this way clearly showed she also suspected Shen Yi was wrongly accused!
However, Zhao Xun couldn’t understand – Qin Wan had no connection to Shen Yi!
Zhao Xun gritted his teeth, “Don’t ask me, Princess. I don’t know anything…”
As he spoke, Zhao Xun grabbed his bundle and rushed out of the teahouse. His steps were extremely quick as if being chased by some terrible beast. Qin Wan watched his retreating figure with furrowed brows.
Bai Ying asked, “Miss, should we follow him?”
Qin Wan looked at the money pouch left on the table and nodded, “Just find out where he’s staying.”
Seeing the heat outside was intense, Bai Ying said, “Then Miss should return to the Marquis Manor first.”
Qin Wan stood up and left the teahouse, returning to the Marquis Manor first.
After returning and waiting for over an hour, Bai Ying came back, “Miss, Zhao Xun is staying at the warehouse of the shop where he works. I’ve inquired clearly – they needed someone to watch the warehouse, and he can just stay there, though the conditions are poor.”
Zhao Xun was stubborn and unyielding – using force wouldn’t work with someone like him.
Qin Wan thought briefly, “Go find out what illness his sick mother has…”