In the cool night air, as soon as Qin Wan entered the mansion gates, she saw Butler Wu waiting before the screen wall. His eyes brightened upon seeing her arrival.

Qin Wan felt a slight stirring in her heart. The next moment, Butler Wu came forward to greet her, “Welcome back, Princess!”

Qin Wan smiled, “Butler Wu, were you waiting for me?”

Butler Wu quickly bowed, “The Marquis is waiting for you.”

What must come will come. Qin Wan steeled herself internally, “Very well. In the main hall?”

Butler Wu shook his head, “No, in the study.”

Although Qin Wan had already guessed what this was about, she was still startled. Usually, when Qin Shu had matters to discuss, he would speak in the main hall and would include Madam Hu. This was the first time he had summoned her to the study, showing how seriously he took this matter.

With this thought, Qin Wan’s heart sank slightly, but she still nodded and walked toward the study.

The autumn night was penetratingly cold. Because Qin Shu was in the study, dim lamps lit the entire corridor leading there. As Qin Wan walked, she observed the mansion’s courtyards.

Though not particularly outgoing by nature, she wasn’t heartless either. Unfortunately, Qin Shu would never understand her convictions.

Qin Wan sighed as the study’s courtyard gate came into view.

This wasn’t her first visit to the study, but it was the first time she approached with such a heavy heart. She wasn’t the Ninth Young Lady, yet she had taken everything that belonged to the Ninth Young Lady. Now, she was truly and completely Qin Wan – you couldn’t write two different “Qin” characters with one brush stroke.

Qin Wan composed herself and stepped forward.

The door was half-closed. Qin Wan knocked, and Qin Shu’s deep voice came from within, “Enter.”

Qin Wan entered with a perfectly calm expression, “Uncle, you asked for me?”

Seeing Qin Wan walk in so gracefully, Qin Shu suddenly found it difficult to say what he had planned. His niece was too composed, her bearing seemingly unremarkable yet possessing a unique power to shake people’s hearts as if her delicate frame contained the confidence to overcome any opposition.

Qin Shu cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping toward the left wing before quickly withdrawing. He lifted his chin, “Sit down and let’s talk.”

The calmer she appeared, the more determined she must be.

Qin Wan sat down obligingly, smiling as she looked at Qin Shu, “What’s happened, Uncle?”

Qin Shu pondered for a moment, “Wan’er, normally your uncle shouldn’t interfere in your affairs, but… some things aren’t as simple as you think. You have the spirit of a woman who can match any man, but at court, while appearances may be simple, the underlying motives aren’t something you can fully comprehend…”

Qin Wan laughed softly, surprised at Qin Shu’s indirect approach, “Uncle, what are you trying to say?”

Qin Shu looked at Qin Wan, his eyes darkening slightly. Without a doubt, his niece was clever, but she wasn’t going to easily understand his meaning. This wasn’t a good start. Since that was the case, he would have to be more direct, “These past few days, you’ve been helping Prince Cheng investigate the Prince Jin case. You do know this case involves Her Majesty the Empress?”

“Of course I know, but there’s no issue with the Empress now. Her palace servants didn’t reveal anything, and they’ve already been sent back.”

Qin Shu frowned, “Even so, there’s already considerable talk at court. Many who don’t know the truth will use this to maliciously slander the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Qin Wan appeared somewhat helpless, “Then what would Uncle have me do?”

Qin Shu contemplated briefly, “You performed the autopsy. For major cases like this, it’s normal to conduct four or five examinations. Let me ask you first, are you certain the deceased was Prince Jin’s guard?”

Qin Wan’s pupils contracted quickly. With Qin Shu’s question reaching this point, she could almost guess what he wanted her to do. She nodded, “Yes, it was Prince Jin’s guard.”

Qin Shu narrowed his eyes, “Then what if I asked you to overturn your previous conclusion and tell everyone this person wasn’t Prince Jin’s guard?”

Though this was within Qin Wan’s expectations, facing Qin Shu made her stiffen her spine, “Why?”

This “why” was exactly what Qin Shu feared most.

He sat up straight, “There is no why. The marquis’s household needs you to do this now, Wan’er. It only requires some minor manipulation on your part.”

Qin Wan laughed coldly inside, though her exterior remained calm, “Is this the Crown Prince’s order? Or the Empress’s? This case indeed involves the Empress now, but if Her Majesty has a clear conscience, shouldn’t we continue the investigation? That would truly put the rumors to rest. If I step forward now to overturn my previous statement, I can sacrifice my reputation, and the Emperor can punish me, but Uncle, do you think this will settle the matter? Or perhaps, is this guard’s death truly connected to the Empress?”

“Wan’er! You’re too young!” Qin Shu began to anger, “The court isn’t as straightforward as you think…”

Qin Wan was indeed young and certainly didn’t understand court politics as well as Qin Shu, but she understood all too well the purpose behind his words.

“The court is indeed complex, and I have no intention to harm anyone, but I cannot comply with Uncle’s request.”

Qin Shu’s request was not only unreasonable but would put Qin Wan in danger. The Prince Jin case had massive implications. It was because of her autopsy results that they began their extensive investigation, leading to Zhu Yucheng’s death. Now, asking her to say she made a mistake – what position would that put her in?!

She held the title of Princess and had the Empress Dowager’s protection, so she might avoid punishment, but the reputation she’d built over the past year would be destroyed. Would she ever have the chance to perform autopsies or handle criminal cases again?

Qin Wan didn’t resent Qin Shu’s choice to sacrifice her reputation, as she had never held any expectations. But she wasn’t someone who could be pushed around at will. The more Qin Shu tried to sacrifice her, the more mysteriously calm she felt inside.

Seeing Qin Wan’s resolute response, Qin Shu’s face darkened, “I know what you’re worried about. I’ll arrange everything. The problem will be traced to the yamen runners. When it’s done, you won’t be involved, and others will still praise your keen insight, maintaining your reputation.”

Qin Wan looked at Qin Shu with disbelief, then suddenly understood – yes, this was the true Qin Shu, a politician.

Such a major error might spare her life if blamed on her, but what about the yamen runners?

Qin Wan didn’t need to think much to know their fate. A living, breathing person’s life was being used so casually and self-righteously in Qin Shu’s eyes! Qin Wan immediately thought of the Northern Army commander who died at the醉仙楼 earlier that year!

“Uncle, I cannot help with this matter.”

Qin Wan suddenly lost all desire to argue. Her concerns would probably mean nothing to Qin Shu.

Qin Shu’s brows furrowed tightly, his expression growing particularly dark as he looked at Qin Wan, “You’re part of the Marquis’s household. Are you going to side with outsiders against the household and the Eastern Palace? Don’t you understand Prince Cheng’s intentions?”

Qin Wan looked at Qin Shu, “It seems Uncle knows the truth behind Prince Jin’s case. Then please tell me, is there any connection between this case and the Eastern Palace and the Empress?”

“Insolent!” Qin Shu rebuked, “Do you know what you’re saying?! You’re just a pawn in Prince Cheng’s hands – he’s using you as a blade to harm your own family. How can you not see this?!”

Qin Wan pressed her lips together, her voice particularly firm, “I understand Prince Cheng’s intentions, but I don’t understand Uncle’s. I know your concerns, but if you have nothing to hide, then trust me. I won’t blindly follow your orders, just as I won’t let Prince Cheng manipulate me.”

“You…” Qin Shu wanted to shout, but a shadow flickered past the left wing, making him swallow his remaining words. Looking at Qin Wan with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and helplessness, Qin Shu gritted his teeth, “Fine, remember what you said. Prince Cheng’s intentions aren’t good – don’t follow in Qin Xiang’s footsteps! You may go now—”

Qin Wan breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of the reason, she had temporarily passed this hurdle. Qin Wan nodded and withdrew without further words. As she reached the door, she suddenly felt something amiss. She looked back toward the left wing but saw nothing unusual, so she left without lingering.

After Qin Wan left and her footsteps had completely faded, Qin Shu immediately stood up. Simultaneously, a figure emerged from behind the treasure cabinet screen.

Qin Shu looked apologetically at Yan Che, “Your Highness, this…”

Yan Che raised his hand to stop Qin Shu’s words. Although things hadn’t gone as he’d hoped, he felt perhaps this was how it should be. If Qin Wan had simply agreed, he might have been more disappointed.

Yan Che exhaled, leaving through the side door without further comment. At first, Qin Shu was confused, but soon he realized something wasn’t right…