When Qin Wan returned to the main courtyard of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s mansion, she saw Madam Hu discussing something with several nursemaids. Upon seeing her return, Rain Nursemaid immediately invited her into the main hall.
Madam Hu took her hand with a smile and said, “Wan’er, these are the best seamstresses from Jinxiu Workshop. They made your Eighth Sister’s wedding dress. Now that your wedding date is set, we must prepare your wedding dress early. It’s a bit late to start now, but with many people working on it, we can still make it in time.”
Qin Wan was somewhat surprised. Considering her attitude toward Prince Jin’s case, she felt slightly undeserving. She didn’t care about the grandeur of her wedding, but Madam Hu thought differently. In Madam Hu’s view, although Qin Wan wasn’t her biological daughter, everyone in the capital knew Qin Wan’s background. With so many eyes watching, any flaw in Qin Wan’s wedding would bring shame to the Marquis’s mansion.
Moreover, although Qin Wan wasn’t very obedient, she was now favored by both the Grand Princess and the Empress Dowager. For this reason alone, they needed to take her wedding seriously.
“Aunt, if there isn’t enough time, my wedding dress doesn’t need to be made like Eighth Sister’s.”
Madam Hu laughed immediately upon hearing this, “How could that be? Prince Chi… oh no, His Highness is now the Rui Prince, and you’re to be his Princess Consort. We cannot neglect any of these customs. Just relax and let these nursemaids take your measurements. You needn’t worry about anything else—your aunt will handle everything for you.”
Qin Wan wanted to speak but hesitated. Madam Hu waved her hand and insisted on taking her to the side room to change.
Several nursemaids came forward—some taking measurements, some asking about her preferences, and others bringing various patterns for her to choose from. Surrounded by so many people, Qin Wan hadn’t felt like a bride-to-be before, but now she suddenly sensed the reality of becoming someone’s wife.
Looking at the festive, bright patterns in the nursemaids’ hands, her heart began to race. But when she thought of her father’s unsolved case and Yan Chi’s predicament, her heart felt heavy again.
Madam Hu noticed Qin Wan seemed preoccupied. After the nursemaids left, she took Qin Wan’s hand again and asked, “What’s wrong? Why so worried when you’re about to be married?”
Qin Wan held no ill will toward Madam Hu, but thinking of how her schemes conflicted with the Marquis’s mansion’s interests, she couldn’t feel at ease accepting Madam Hu’s kindness.
Qin Wan forced a smile, “It’s nothing. Thank you for your troubles, Aunt.”
Madam Hu sighed, “Wan’er, with your parents gone, you’re just like our own child now. Taking care of these things for you is our duty.”
Qin Wan smiled bitterly inside but maintained her composure, staying to chat with Madam Hu for a while before returning to Pine Wind Court.
Her conversation with Yan Chi that day had shocked her considerably. She had been prepared to leave the Marquis’s mansion before, but now it seemed it wouldn’t be as simple as just moving out. After thinking for a moment, Qin Wan called for Fu Ling, “Go find Brother Han, and as I instructed before, tell him to hurry.”
Fu Ling was finally given an important task and left immediately. Qin Wan thought for a moment, then took Bai Ying and went out as well.
Leaving the Marquis’s mansion, Qin Wan and Bai Ying headed toward Prince Yi’an’s mansion. Yan Ze’s eyes might be approaching their recovery period, but the effects of acupuncture and medicine were diminishing. It wasn’t clear if there were other hidden concerns. If only for Yue Ning’s sake, Qin Wan dared not relax her vigilance.
As the carriage slowly traveled along the main street, Qin Wan thought of the news she’d heard in the palace that morning. Qin Xiang had harmed Prince Cheng’s child but had unexpectedly miscarried. Judging by Nurse Chen’s vague words, Qin Xiang’s miscarriage seemed quite suspicious. Without much thought, Qin Wan knew this must be related to the inner court struggles.
Entering Prince Yi’an’s mansion, Qin Wan was led directly to the flower hall by the doorkeeper, who was quite familiar with her by now. As they walked, he said, “The Princess is here too. At this hour, she should be talking with the Young Master in the flower hall.”
Qin Wan nodded with a smile, but when she reached the flower hall, Yue Ning wasn’t there. The room was quiet. The doorkeeper was startled and hurriedly said, “Ah, perhaps she went to the flower garden for a walk. Please wait a moment, Princess, I’ll go fetch her.”
Qin Wan was very familiar with this place, having come here many times, so she casually let him leave first.
Once the doorkeeper left, Qin Wan and Bai Ying stood quietly at the flower hall entrance. However, after just a moment, they heard a “clang” from inside. Qin Wan’s brows furrowed deeply—there was someone in the flower hall?!
As soon as this thought occurred, Qin Wan realized something was wrong.
Her conversation with the doorkeeper hadn’t been particularly quiet. If Yue Ning and the others were inside, they surely would have heard, yet no one had come out to greet them…
Qin Wan glanced at Bai Ying, who also frowned suspiciously!
Someone was hiding in the flower hall!
Bai Ying stepped forward to shield Qin Wan. Regardless of who was inside, when guests arrived outside, there was no reason to hide instead of greeting them. With this thought, Bai Ying’s eyes took on a murderous glint. “Who’s in there?! Come out!”
Bai Ying shouted, but there was no response from inside. As Bai Ying found this strange, rustling sound emerged from within.
This wasn’t right—there was someone inside!
Bai Ying pushed the door open forcefully. Despite the loud noise, the rustling continued. Bai Ying could hear clearly that the sound came from the western warm chamber of the flower hall. Frowning, Bai Ying walked ahead toward the western chamber and soon froze at its doorway.
Seeing this, Qin Wan walked curiously to Bai Ying’s side and looked in. She too was startled.
There was indeed someone inside—one of Yan Ze’s servants. Qin Wan narrowed her eyes; if she remembered correctly, it should be Tan Xiang, the one who read books to Yan Ze.
But looking at Tan Xiang’s back as he organized books, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed.
She hadn’t expected that Tan Xiang was deaf.
As if to confirm this, she knocked on the door frame—”knock, knock, knock”—but Tan Xiang continued organizing books.
Bai Ying also understood now and showed surprise.
Usually, noble households would never employ someone with disabilities as a study companion.
As Bai Ying moved to step forward, Qin Wan shook her head and turned to leave. Bai Ying naturally followed. As they left the flower hall and saw that Yue Ning and the others hadn’t returned yet, Qin Wan instinctively closed the flower hall door—
This action was purely instinctive, and only after closing the door did she realize what she had done.
She didn’t want Yan Ze to know that she had discovered his study companion’s secret.
Seeing Qin Wan’s actions, Bai Ying understood her meaning and concealed all doubts.
Soon, Yue Ning came supporting Yan Ze’s hand outside the flower hall. Yan Ze had medicine wrappings over his face but walked quite naturally and casually. Behind them followed the servant Chen Xiang. Yue Ning smiled and said, “Why did you come today? There’s no acupuncture treatment today—Divine Physician Sun has returned to his residence and isn’t here now.”
Qin Wan blinked, “Could it be that you think I’m disturbing you?”
Yue Ning’s cheeks reddened slightly, while Yan Ze gave a low laugh. Yue Ning huffed, “You only come during acupuncture treatments, so I can’t help but say so.”
Finally, Yan Ze spoke, “We’ve kept the Princess waiting. Please come in.”
Qin Wan responded with an “mm” and followed them inside. They entered the main hall, and there was no more sound from the western warm chamber. As they walked, Qin Wan said, “The acupuncture treatments aren’t very effective now anyway, so I just came for a casual visit, especially since I don’t need to help investigate the case these days.”
Yue Ning immediately asked, “Hasn’t Prince Cheng caught you to help?”
Qin Wan laughed, “The leads have temporarily dried up and with the Kunning Palace situation… we can only remain at a stalemate.”
Yue Ning sighed. Seeing no one else in the room, she said, “His Majesty is still good to the Empress, protecting her like this. Even if they want to investigate, they can’t find anything. I also heard there was an incident at Prince Cheng’s mansion—the Empress Dowager was quite angry.”
Qin Wan sighed, “Yes, the Ninth Concubine in his mansion accidentally miscarried. It was kept very secret, but the Empress Dowager still found out. I entered the palace this morning because the Empress Dowager was so angry that her cough worsened.”
As they sat down, Chen Xiang busied himself serving tea. Yan Ze asked, “Is Grandmother all right now?”
“She’s fine now, but with the weather getting colder, the Empress Dowager isn’t feeling well…”
Before she finished speaking, footsteps approached. Qin Wan turned to look and saw Tan Xiang coming out of the western warm chamber. He seemed surprised to find guests outside, quickly lowered his head in greeting, but didn’t speak. Chen Xiang’s expression immediately changed, “Why are you still here? Be careful not to offend the Princess!”
He went forward and pulled Tan Xiang away.
Yue Ning remained noncommittal, and Qin Wan’s face revealed nothing.
Soon Chen Xiang returned, “Tan Xiang doesn’t know proper manners, please forgive him, Princess.”
Qin Wan waved her hand, indicating it was fine. Meanwhile, Yan Ze said, “Tan Xiang fell ill and lost his hearing. Please excuse his rudeness.”
Qin Wan had already noticed this but had deliberately not shown it. She hadn’t expected Yan Ze to bring it up voluntarily. The strange feeling in her heart dissipated, “He must have served you for many years for you to keep him by your side.”
Yan Ze smiled slightly. Qin Wan’s gaze drifted to the incense burner in the corner. Though no smoke was visible, she could smell the faint aroma of sandalwood and agarwood in the room—not pure sandalwood or pure agarwood, but a perfect blend that was fragrant and clear without being cloying. Yan Ze’s two servants, one named Tan Xiang (Sandalwood) and one Chen Xiang (Agarwood), revealed his appreciation for incense. This thought flashed by as Yan Ze nodded, “Yes, he has served me for many years.”
After a pause, Yan Ze asked, “Is there no connection between the Empress and Prince Jin’s case?”
When Yan Ze asked this, Qin Wan didn’t know where to begin, only saying, “I think… there is a connection. Two senior eunuchs have died in the palace nearby.”
Yue Ning listened with trepidation. Yan Ze sighed but said nothing. Yue Ning then said, “Third Brother, you don’t involve yourself in court politics, these matters don’t concern you. Prince Cheng’s purpose isn’t just investigating the case.” She then cautioned Qin Wan, “Do you understand? Yan Chi should remind you of these things.”
How could Qin Wan not understand? Thinking that she came to check on his illness today, she changed the subject and spoke of other matters, completely avoiding mention of court affairs.
Qin Wan stayed at Prince Yi’an’s mansion for nearly half a watch before leaving. After she left, Yan Ze’s expression became somewhat melancholy. Yue Ning noticed and felt her heart tighten, “What are you thinking about, Third Brother? Court affairs don’t concern us.”
Yan Ze shook his head, “I’m thinking about Prince Jin. The people who died in the palace were all connected to the Empress, showing she must have played a significant role in last year’s events. Prince Jin lived half his life virtuously—it’s truly a shame…”
Yue Ning wanted to speak but hesitated, “Third Brother thinks the Empress harmed Prince Jin?”
Yan Ze didn’t speak, only saying, “I just feel… Prince Jin wouldn’t have harmed Consort Jin, much less had an affair with her.”
Yue Ning stepped forward and held Yan Ze’s hand, “I think so too. Don’t worry, Third Brother. Even if Prince Cheng can’t uncover anything, Heaven is watching. Those who have done evil will face their karmic retribution—”
Yan Ze was silent for a moment, “Later, let’s go to the palace to see Grandmother.”
Although he hadn’t returned to the capital for many years, Yan Ze was still very filial toward the Empress Dowager. Yue Ning agreed immediately.
After leaving Prince Yi’an’s mansion, Qin Wan got into her carriage and ordered it to return to the Marquis’s mansion. After leaving the district of Prince Yi’an’s mansion and just getting onto the main road, Qin Wan spotted a very familiar figure—none other than Li Muyun!
Qin Wan’s heart stirred, and she quickly had Bai Ying follow. They saw Li Muyun emerge from a teahouse and board a carriage waiting at the door. The driver cracked his whip, and the carriage immediately started moving. Li Muyun’s carriage headed south, immediately raising Qin Wan’s concerns.
The last time, Li Muyun had gone to the south city alone, and now it was already afternoon, the quietest time on the streets. Why wasn’t Li Muyun at the Court of Judicature, and where was he going?! Qin Wan had a suspicion and then watched as Li Muyun took the same route south as before. She furrowed her brows tightly. Li Muyun rarely had close friends or acquaintances, yet she had seen him go to the same place twice. Who exactly was he going to meet?!
As questions arose, suspicions couldn’t be suppressed. Qin Wan sat in her carriage, and after two incense sticks’ worth of time, they arrived at that alley entrance again. The carriage couldn’t enter, and in broad daylight, even if Bai Ying wanted to climb over walls to investigate, she couldn’t. Just as Qin Wan was feeling frustrated, Li Muyun’s carriage unexpectedly emerged from the alley.
Qin Wan was surprised, and just as she was trying to figure out what game Li Muyun was playing, his carriage headed in her direction! She had parked her carriage at the street corner, and if Li Muyun intended to leave, he wouldn’t have noticed her, yet he deliberately came toward her!
Qin Wan’s last hope vanished when Li Muyun’s carriage blocked her path.
The curtain of that rather shabby blue cloth carriage lifted, revealing Li Muyun’s slightly smiling face. His gaze, which could almost be called kindly, looked at Qin Wan as he smiled and said, “What a coincidence to find the Princess here.”
Looking at Li Muyun’s expression, Qin Wan was so embarrassed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to slip into. Even her cheeks grew slightly warm. However, thinking of what Li Muyun had done to the Shen family, her eyes quickly turned cold, “Not a coincidence—I was following Master Li here.”