Early the next morning, a carriage stopped outside the side gate of the Marquis’s mansion. The gatekeeper opened the door and was surprised to find that it was Young Lady Qin Shuang who had returned.
At a time when the servants of the mansion were in a state of anxiety, seeing Qin Shuang brought warmth to the gatekeeper’s heart, and he respectfully welcomed her in.
When Qin Wan received the news, she was about to enter the palace. Upon hearing that Qin Shuang had returned, she hurried to the front courtyard.
In the front courtyard, Madam Hu sat with Qin Shuang, looking haggard. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, Madam Hu stood up and said, “You two sisters should talk.”
Madam Hu had dark circles under her eyes, clearly showing she hadn’t rested well the previous night. Qin Wan and Qin Shuang nodded quickly.
After Madam Hu left, Qin Shuang immediately grabbed Qin Wan’s hand, “Come, let’s go talk in your courtyard.”
Many things happened during this period, and Qin Shuang didn’t return to the mansion for a long time. Qin Wan hadn’t expected her to return today, “Why did you come back today?”
As they walked, Qin Shuang’s gaze swept around, and seeing that all the servants in the mansion had lost their usual vigor, she sighed softly, “Didn’t I get news that something might have happened at the mansion? A few days ago, I accompanied my mother-in-law out of the city to burn incense, and we just returned recently. Yesterday, Qingshan came back and told me that something seemed wrong at the mansion, and Fourth Brother hadn’t gone to the patrol garrison either. When I heard this, I became worried.”
Compared to Madam Hu’s haggard appearance, Qin Shuang now had a rosy complexion and seemed to have gained a bit of weight since her marriage, making her even more radiant. Although she wore plain-colored clothes today, she still resembled a blooming April crabapple flower, showing that she had been living quite happily at the Xue residence.
Two months ago, Xue Qingshan had been promoted within the patrol garrison. Moreover, since the patrol garrison was the main force for city inspections in the capital, Xue Qingshan naturally knew some other news.
Hearing this, Qin Wan sighed, “Things aren’t good, but it’s not appropriate to tell you the details. Just coming to check is enough.”
Qin Shuang had been doubtful before, but hearing Qin Wan’s words, she immediately understood that Xue Qingshan’s words were true, and she became somewhat nervous.
When they entered Pine Breeze Court, Fujing and others hurried to welcome Qin Shuang when they saw her return. After exchanging playful banter with everyone, Qin Shuang went into the warm room with Qin Wan, “What’s going on? Why can’t you tell me the details?”
Qin Wan sighed. The Empress and Crown Prince leaving the palace was a major event, and telling Qin Shuang would only make her worry. Qin Wan could only reassure her, “It’s about court matters. The capital isn’t peaceful these days, just keep that in mind.”
Qin Shuang caught the hint, and her eyes darted around, “But your wedding is in ten days, surely this won’t affect that?”
Qin Wan nodded, “It shouldn’t.”
Hearing this, Qin Shuang finally relaxed, “Alright, alright, I don’t understand court matters anyway. But your wedding is the biggest event right now. Time flies – in the blink of an eye, you’re getting married too. After you marry into Prince Rui’s mansion, I’ll often come to visit you!”
After thinking for a moment, Qin Shuang’s expression changed slightly, “On second thought, maybe not. His Highness Prince Rui is too intimidating.”
Qin Wan looked at her with amusement, “You look well. Have you been taking a lot of supplements lately?”
At this, Qin Shuang sighed, “It’s all my mother-in-law’s doing. She says I’ve been married for half a year with no movement in my belly yet, says I’m too thin…” At this point, Qin Shuang stuck out her tongue, “I don’t know how she sees it that way. When we went out of the city to burn incense, it was to pray for a child…”
Qin Wan frowned, “Why are they already praying for a child? It’s only been half a year. Are they giving you a hard time?”
Qin Shuang quickly waved her hands, “That’s not it at all. They’re not praying because they think I can’t have children – they’re praying for a smooth and safe pregnancy. They don’t give me a hard time at all. His parents are very sincere people and never put on airs. His mother is very fond of me and doesn’t even require morning and evening greetings. Qingshan and I just live our own simple life.”
Qin Wan felt relieved, “That’s good then. Don’t worry about having children.”
With the “Little Medical Immortal” of the capital speaking, what was there for Qin Shuang not to believe? Her face reddened slightly, “I’m not worried. I don’t even want children right now, it’s just the elders, you understand…” Her eyes darted around, and Qin Shuang asked, “With the mansion in trouble, where’s Eighth Sister?”
Qin Chaoyun was the Crown Princess, and by rank, she was higher than Qin Wan. With the Crown Prince and Qin Chaoyun around, what trouble could the mansion face?
Qin Wan gave a bitter smile, not daring to say that it was Qin Chaoyun who had implicated the mansion in this trouble, only saying, “Her position is delicate. This matter mainly concerns the Empress and Crown Prince.”
Qin Shuang clicked her tongue. Although the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s mansion was a noble family, the royal family was still too distant for Qin Shuang. Hearing this explanation, she didn’t ask further and instead inquired about Qin Wan’s wedding preparations. They went to look at the dowry prepared for her, and roughly counted everything, and only then was she satisfied. Knowing that Qin Wan needed to enter the palace to see the Empress Dowager, Qin Shuang didn’t stay long and left before noon…
Qin Shu hadn’t been seen all day, only Madam Hu came out to see them off a few steps. Learning that Qin Wan was going to enter the palace, Madam Hu seemed to want to say something but ultimately said nothing.
Now that they couldn’t count on Qin Chaoyun, they only had Qin Wan. If Qin Wan truly became the only person who could save the Empress Dowager’s life, then the mansion would surely benefit from her protection.
Qin Wan knew that Qin Shu and Madam Hu had been greatly shocked by recent events, so she didn’t say much before leaving the mansion for the palace.
As soon as the carriage drove out onto the main street in front of the mansion, Qin Wan saw two squadrons of patrol garrison soldiers riding past on horseback. Although the sky had cleared today, the accumulated snow hadn’t yet melted. The patrol garrison soldiers galloped past, their horses’ hooves splashing mud and snow. Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain to look out, only to see the two squadrons quickly disappear around the street corner. Lowering the curtain, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed.
It wouldn’t be easy for the Empress to leave the palace, and the Emperor had reacted extremely quickly. The city gates were now heavily guarded. The Empress, Crown Prince, and Qin Chaoyun, even with numerous guards, how could they possibly leave without the patrol garrison noticing? What was the Empress planning?
There were three of them, and the longer they stayed in the capital, the more disadvantageous it would become.
The carriage arrived at the palace gates, and Qin Wan entered, heading straight for Shoukang Palace.
As soon as she entered Shoukang Palace, Qin Wan heard several palace maids discussing.
“How could Changxin Palace suddenly be haunted?”
“Who knows? Otherwise, why would a Noble Consort be possessed? Even the Imperial Observatory’s ritualists have gone there.”
“Don’t talk about such things, the Empress Dowager is most wary of…”
Although these were just a few short sentences, they made Qin Wan’s heart skip a beat. How could Noble Consort suddenly be possessed?!
Qin Wan didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits, but her relationship with Feng Ling was too distant, so this thought only flashed through her mind.
When she reached the main hall, the Empress Dowager was reclining on her bed, eyes slightly closed in rest. Granny Chen, who was at the door, came to meet Qin Wan and sighed, “The Empress Dowager has been like this for the past two days, either staring out the window lost in thought, or falling asleep at random. Last night, when the Empress Dowager suddenly fell asleep, it gave me quite a fright.”
After her previous serious illness, the Empress Dowager had become more vigorous and could even join the large party for spring hunting at Mount Wei. But now, the Empress Dowager was truly like a dim lamp running out of oil, with none of her former vitality and spirit. Qin Wan frowned, “In that case, let’s not wake the Empress Dowager. Where is the Ninth Prince?”
As they spoke, Granny Su brought Yan Sui over. Seeing Qin Wan, Yan Sui’s face brightened slightly. Granny Su smiled and said, “His Highness has been wanting to play in the snow, but it’s so cold now – winter has truly arrived. It took a lot of persuading to keep His Highness from going out.”
Yan Sui pressed his lips together, seeming somewhat disappointed, his eyes looking expectantly at Qin Wan. Understanding his meaning, Qin Wan smiled and said, “Indeed, we must be careful…”
At these words, the light in Yan Sui’s eyes dimmed, clearly disappointed.
Qin Wan continued, “Since the Empress Dowager is still sleeping, I’ll take His Highness to play for a while.”
Granny Su and Granny Chen naturally had no objections. On the contrary, they felt completely at ease when Yan Sui was with Qin Wan.
Qin Wan dismissed the others and took Yan Sui to the side courtyard. The side courtyard was usually a place for recreation, but now that winter had arrived, few people came here. The snow in the flower beds covered the flowers and trees beneath, thick like a piece of white sugar cake. Qin Wan took out a chestnut candy wrapped in oil paper from her sleeve pocket and gave it to Yan Sui, then pointed to a snow pile nearby, “Don’t get your clothes wet. If Granny Su finds out, I’ll be scolded.”
Yan Sui was already overjoyed when he got the candy, and hearing Qin Wan say this, his eyes sparkled even more brightly.
So when Qin Wan spoke earlier, it was just so she could bring him here to play in the snow!
Yan Sui stuffed the chestnut candy into his mouth in one bite, his cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel. Qin Wan couldn’t help but laugh, while Yan Sui had already run to the edge of the flower bed to play in the snow. Qin Wan watched as Yan Sui gathered snow together, trying to make a little snow person. His hands were red from the cold, but his face was full of childish excitement. Tenderness grew in Qin Wan’s eyes – how much longer would Yan Sui have such carefree days to play?
Soon, Yan Sui made a round little snow person. He cupped it in both hands and ran to Qin Wan, “Is it pretty?”
Qin Wan smiled and nodded, “Very pretty, just like you.”
Yan Sui tugged at his lips, his gaze flickering as he noticed the attendants in the distance. He thought for a moment, turned around and placed the little snow person in the corner, then patted the snow off his sleeves and walked back to Qin Wan. Qin Wan asked in surprise, “What’s wrong? Done playing?”
Yan Sui made a sound of agreement, “Playing for a while is enough.”
Qin Wan felt very uncomfortable inside. Yan Sui was also heaven’s favored child, but at such a young age, he was already so sensible.
Qin Wan took Yan Sui’s hand to warm it and led him to a nearby covered walkway. As they walked, Yan Sui said quietly, “They say Noble Consort is possessed.”
Yan Sui’s voice was very low. Qin Wan turned to look at him, and he continued, “They say Changxin Palace is haunted… they say it’s my mother’s ghost that has returned… they say my mother went to find Noble Consort…”
Qin Wan crouched down and stroked Yan Sui’s head, “Who said these things?”
Yan Sui lowered his eyes, unwilling to answer this question, clearly having overheard the palace servants gossiping.
Qin Wan’s heart softened, “These are all baseless rumors, don’t believe them.”
Yan Sui raised his head and looked straight at Qin Wan, “My mother wasn’t killed by Noble Consort, right?” After a pause, Yan Sui continued, “You already know who killed my mother, don’t you?”