Early the next morning, Yan Chi and Qin Wan left He Family Village. The journey there had taken more than a day, and the return would be the same. Fortunately, the previous night’s fierce storm had stopped by midnight. Though the roads were muddy the next day, the weather was excellent. After traveling for a day, by the second evening, they returned to their previous inn. Qin Wan and Yan Chi rested for a night before heading straight to the capital the next day.
Traveling quickly, they reached the capital by sunset. Qin Wan first went to Marquis Anyang’s mansion. After being announced, Yue Ning came out. To make it seem authentic, Yue Ning accompanied Qin Wan to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion.
In the carriage, Yue Ning asked, “Where have you been these past few days?”
Qin Wan replied, “I heard there was an old divine doctor in Cangshan County, so I went to seek him out, but couldn’t find him.”
Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan, and after a moment shook her head. “Never mind. If you want to tell me, you naturally will. If you don’t want to tell me, you’ll just make excuses even if I ask. I’ll just believe what you say for now – you must have your reasons.”
Qin Wan had suddenly left the capital for days yet wanted to keep it from Qin Shu. If she truly went to seek a divine doctor, why hide it from Qin Shu? Therefore, Yue Ning certainly didn’t believe her words.
Qin Wan smiled slightly – only Yue Ning could trust her like this!
Qin Wan held Yue Ning’s arm. “During my absence these past few days, how is Prince Yi’s heir’s eye condition?”
Yue Ning quickly replied, “Still the same. Doctor Sun is very attentive, don’t worry.”
Qin Wan nodded. “Good, I’ll go give him acupuncture tomorrow. Has anything happened in the capital these days?”
Yue Ning’s eyes rolled, and she shook her head. “Nothing much. The Crown Prince’s wedding is approaching, and Prince Cheng’s is next month. They’re both preparing for their weddings. The court officials are carrying on as usual. But you know me, I don’t pay much attention to these things.”
Qin Wan nodded slightly, though her heart was far less calm than her appearance suggested.
This time last year was when Prince Jin’s case broke. Consort Jin was the Emperor’s most beloved consort, and Prince Jin was the Emperor’s eldest son. When these two were involved in the same case, it immediately shocked the entire court.
Prince Jin was imprisoned, and her father was ordered by the Emperor to investigate the matter. It was originally just a murder case, but after Prince Jin’s downfall, there were many changes in the capital. Many people in court were implicated in Prince Jin’s case. Those who spoke up for Prince Jin or pleaded on his behalf all met bad ends. When old officials were demoted, new officials had to take their places. When their people occupied positions, it meant another share of power in their hands. If so, between the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng, who was the mastermind behind it all?
Lost in her thoughts, when she returned to the mansion with Yue Ning, Madam Hu was very pleased. Qin Wan was like family, while Yue Ning held an honorable status. After Qin Wan and Yue Ning had tea in the front courtyard, where Qin Wan only mentioned spending these days with the Grand Princess, Madam Hu didn’t suspect anything. After sitting for a while, Qin Wan took Yue Ning back to Pine Wind Court.
The mansion now had a new atmosphere. As they walked, Yue Ning smiled and said, “Speaking of which, there have been some interesting things happening in the capital these days…”
Qin Wan quickly asked, “What things?”
Yue Ning smiled, “The Crown Prince and Prince Cheng’s weddings are rare opportunities.”
Qin Wan didn’t understand, so Yue Ning explained, “The Emperor greatly despises factionalism and cliques, so all these years, even though the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng wanted to win people’s hearts, they didn’t dare do it openly. Those below who wanted to curry favor also didn’t dare approach carelessly. One wrong move could cause trouble for the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng. These past few years, the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng haven’t had any major celebrations, so people couldn’t find reasons to give gifts. During festivals and holidays, there were rumors that the Emperor had arranged spies, so no one dared act rashly.”
“But now, with both Their Highnesses getting married, people can openly give gifts. Not only must they give, but they also can’t fall behind others. However, this depends on the situation. Some people are eager for quick success but lack brains, just moving priceless items into the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng’s mansions. This is both eye-catching and foolish. But some crafty old hands know how to ‘hide gifts’ – on the surface, they might give a jade Guanyin statue, but inside that statue is hidden a Night Pearl from the Eastern Sea. On the surface, they might give an ordinary ancient painting, but the real painting inside is by a master painter from the previous dynasty, something both Their Highnesses have long desired…”
Yue Ning smiled and continued, “A few days ago, my second brother said his superior was also thinking about what gift to give. Hearing that the Crown Prince likes small-leaf redwood, that official offered up a family heirloom piece of small-leaf redwood. But thinking a Buddha statue too ordinary, he didn’t know what to have carved. Later, he happened to learn that the Crown Prince likes birds, so he had an eagle carved…”
Yue Ning was telling this as an amusing story, but Qin Wan’s heart stirred – the Crown Prince likes birds?
“His Highness the Crown Prince likes birds? How did I not know this?”
Yue Ning said, “When have you ever paid attention to the Crown Prince? The second brother said this Ministry of War official spent quite a bit of silver through various channels to learn these things. This information was bought from palace eunuchs and maids, and is said to be true.”
Qin Wan hadn’t paid much attention to the Crown Prince, but his personality didn’t seem like someone who would enjoy playing with birds. Qin Wan felt somewhat doubtful. The Crown Prince gave her an impression of being very steady, even to the point of being deep and gloomy. She couldn’t imagine what the Crown Prince would be like keeping birds…
“These two weddings are very close together, and the court officials are truly quite troubled. Now, while nothing is happening at the court, outside it’s extremely lively. One wedding is torment enough, let alone two. Everyone doesn’t like giving duplicate gifts, but finding two unique treasures is incredibly difficult.”
Listening to Yue Ning’s words, Qin Wan felt the difficulty. Fortunately, she didn’t need to consider these things.
Thinking of this, Qin Wan suddenly thought of Qin Xiang. Because of Qin Xiang, the relationship between Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion and Prince Cheng’s mansion was tense. After Qin Chaoyu’s marriage, Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion had become part of the Crown Prince’s faction. When the time came, they would probably prepare an unremarkable gift to send to Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng and Feng Chenbi’s wedding would be on the nineteenth of July.
The nineteenth of July… what a coincidence.
Shortly after Yue Ning left, Qin Wan went out again, heading to the house in the west.
Old Master Han hadn’t expected Qin Wan to come suddenly and was very pleased to see her with Er Bao. Qin Wan said, “Old Master Han, we have many shops – can we track the social interactions of officials in the city?”
Qin Yi had left considerable property, which now all belonged to Qin Wan alone. With many shops, they inevitably had to deal with officials. Moreover, with the comings and goings of business at the shops, the managers had a general idea of who bought what and what they planned to do. Sure enough, Old Master Han nodded, “Not to mention others, just the gold shop under Miss’s control can tell us about the social interactions of the capital’s ladies throughout the year. What would Miss like to know? This old servant can go to the shop and arrange it right away.”
Qin Wan pondered for a moment. “The person I want to know about is a third-rank official at court. You don’t need to investigate extensively – just learn about their general movements as unobtrusively as possible. If you can’t find out, it’s fine.”
Old Master Han quickly nodded, then looked at Qin Wan with a serious expression.
Qin Wan paused and said, “I want to know what Chief Justice Li Muyun has purchased recently. Tell me as much as possible about this person…”
Although Qin Wan didn’t have a specialized intelligence network, in a place like the capital, merchants’ eyes could see in all directions.
The Han father and son were old servants of the Qin family, with extremely broad horizons. Having managed Qin Yi’s businesses in the capital for many years, they were naturally incomparable to ordinary merchants.
Upon hearing it was Chief Justice Li Muyun, Old Master Han’s expression became even more solemn, clearly knowing who this person was. Seeing this, Qin Wan felt somewhat relieved – since Old Master Han knew, she didn’t need to say more, which was perfect!
Qin Wan left the house and got into her carriage, but instructed Bai Ying to drive around to another street. On that street was the old Shen family mansion. As the carriage moved slowly, Qin Wan lifted the curtain and immediately saw the dilapidated entrance of the Shen mansion. This place had been burned, and being the former residence of a criminal official, even if the government wanted to sell it, no one would buy it.
In the height of summer, the heat was making people drip with sweat, but Qin Wan felt waves of coldness in her heart.
Next month would be July. Time flew like a white colt passing through a crack, and in the blink of an eye, it would be a year. This year had finally given her some room for planning, no longer felt as desperate, helpless, and alone as when she had first returned to life.
Lowering the curtain, Qin Wan didn’t have Bai Ying stop by the old residence. The carriage passed by the door and quickly left the old alley. Leaving the alley for the main road, the carriage merged into the flowing crowds and soon was far from the alley.
Just after Qin Wan left, Sun Muqing’s figure appeared outside the old Shen family mansion. Beside him stood a middle-aged man who said, “Young Master, this is the former residence of the previous Chief Justice that you were looking for. This mansion has been empty for many years. Just take a look and leave – don’t get into any trouble.”
Sun Muqing smiled gently, “Thank you. I’m just looking around, I won’t cause any trouble.”
The man was a passerby whom Sun Muqing had paid to guide him here. The man shook his head at Sun Muqing, seemingly thinking Sun Muqing looked too foolish. However, Sun Muqing held him back and asked, “Can this mansion be bought now?”
The man’s expression changed several times. “Young Master, of course, it can be bought, but this mansion is called a haunted house by everyone. This family all died, and there was a fire here. Young Master, even if you have money, don’t buy this mansion. Where can’t you buy a good mansion in the capital?”
Sun Muqing asked, “This mansion is currently held by the government?”
The man nodded, and seeing Sun Muqing’s delighted expression, shook his head. “Ah, if Young Master insists on buying, I won’t say anything more. I’ll take my leave.”
Sun Muqing nodded, and as the man turned to leave, he sighed, “Rich fool!”
Early the next morning, Qin Wan went to Prince Yi’s mansion.
A small servant led her toward the flower hall, but before reaching it, Qin Wan heard the clear sound of a xiao. So early in the morning, Qin Wan hadn’t expected someone in the mansion to be playing the xiao. Her footsteps suddenly paused.
The early summer morning was cool and pleasant, but this xiao sound was even colder than the cool breeze. In the ethereal and deep melody, there was a loneliness so thick it couldn’t dissolve. The player seemed trapped by something yet powerless, full of ambition but unable to display it. After listening for a moment, Qin Wan knew who was playing.
After waiting for half an incense stick’s time, the xiao sound finally faded away, and Qin Wan entered the flower hall.
Upon entering, Qin Wan saw a figure in flowing white sleeves standing by the west wing window. Yan Ze had white silk covering his eyes, and though he couldn’t see anything, he looked as if he were appreciating the scenery outside. If not for having just heard the xiao, Qin Wan would have believed Yan Ze was as unrestrained and carefree as he appeared.
Qin Wan curtsied, “Greetings, Your Highness…”
Yan Ze seemed to have known Qin Wan was coming and smiled slightly. “I’ve made you laugh at me.”
Qin Wan quickly shook her head but then realized Yan Ze couldn’t see, so she said, “How could that be? Your Highness’s xiao playing was far-reaching and prolonged, very pleasant to hear.”
Yan Ze smiled and turned toward Qin Wan’s direction. “What kind of person is the Princess?”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, not understanding at first. Yan Ze then said gently, “I still remember what Ning’er looks like. Now that she’s grown up, she should be more angular than before. When I hear her speak, I feel she’s capable but still has some girlish ways. She’s probably still like she was as a child. Doctor Sun’s voice is like scattered jade when he speaks, with a pure laugh, so I guess he’s a handsome, kind, and pure-hearted person. So I wonder, what kind of person is the Princess?”
After listening, Qin Wan understood – since Yan Ze couldn’t see, he imagined people’s appearances from their voices. Qin Wan felt somewhat emotional, but said, “Then what kind of person does Your Highness think I am?”
Yan Ze said, “The Princess’s voice is like clear spring water flowing over stones. Usually gentle and clear, but when treating patients, your voice becomes mature and calm. I guess the Princess is a very persistent and tough person. On the surface, you appear delicate like a tender flower, but in your heart, you have a self-control and calmness that others can hardly match. In this, you’re the opposite of Ning’er.”
Qin Wan couldn’t help but smile. Yan Ze had been blind for so many years, yet his ability to judge people by their voices was quite good. She did indeed give people an impression of being gentle and graceful on the outside, but those who had seen her perform autopsies knew what kind of personality she had. As for Yue Ning, she was typically tough on the outside but soft inside. Though Yan Ze was blind, the eyes of his heart were bright.
“Whether Your Highness’s description is accurate or not, you’ll have to see for yourself when your eyes are better.”
This was encouragement. Yan Ze smiled slightly. “Does the Princess have confidence?”
Qin Wan said, “I dare not claim complete confidence, but I believe Heaven won’t be so cruel to Your Highness. Let’s forget about the past – from now on, things will only get better for Your Highness.”
Yan Ze’s smile deepened. “The Princess must be a very beautiful person.”
He hadn’t mentioned whether she was beautiful or not before. Qin Wan made a sound of surprise, “Oh? What makes you think so?”
Yan Ze walked a few steps toward her, stopping about three steps away. Qin Wan didn’t know what he was going to do but saw Yan Ze suddenly raise his hand. His hand searched the air, suddenly touching the top of Qin Wan’s head. Yan Ze immediately broke into a smile, “I know now – the Princess is only slightly shorter than Ning’er.”