“Young Miss, Mo Shu has arrived.” Just after finishing breakfast, Mo Shu, who served at Yao Xin Lan’s side, arrived at Ting Lan Court.
Qin Wan understood Mo Shu’s intention and nodded, “Let her in.”
Shortly after, Mo Shu entered the warm chamber and immediately knelt with a deep bow, “Paying respects to Ninth Young Miss, and expressing gratitude for saving my Young Miss’s life.”
Qin Wan sat elegantly by the window on a long couch, with an unfinished game of chess on the small table before her.
Hearing this, she glanced at Mo Shu, “It was a simple matter. Elder Brother already came to thank me last night. Please rise.”
Mo Shu didn’t stand up, but when she raised her head to look at Qin Wan, she was stunned.
The morning light filtered through the window lattice, casting a golden glow on Qin Wan’s silhouette.
Today she wore a peach-collared moon-white jacket and skirt, with a cyan silk ribbon tied across her chest, and a matching shawl draped over her shoulders. From Mo Shu’s angle, her nose was perfectly shaped, her eyelashes were like crow’s feathers, her beautiful eyes were clear as autumn water, and her delicate face was as white as congealed cream. Her swan-like slender neck had a gentle curve, and an extraordinarily pure and elegant aura surrounded her features, her entire being emanating a captivating subtle radiance.
Mo Shu had never known that this obscure Ninth Young Miss of the Qin family was so beautiful.
Perhaps Mo Shu stared for too long, as Qin Wan turned her head again, looking at her with slight puzzlement.
Realizing her impropriety, Mo Shu quickly lowered her head, “Ninth Young Miss, please come to Lin Feng Court to check Young Miss’s pulse. Although Young Miss has improved, everyone is still worried.”
Qin Wan was slightly surprised, as she had thought Mo Shu had only come to express gratitude.
Qin Wan looked at Mo Shu, her gaze somewhat deep, “What about Doctor Huang?”
Mo Shu’s face showed difficulty, “Doctor Huang came last night, but after seeing Ninth Young Miss’s prescription, he said his medical texts were no longer unique in Jin Zhou, and that he would never again treat patients in the Qin family.”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows, feeling somewhat amused inside.
She had never met Huang Jin Yuan and didn’t know his temperament, but since his medical skills were exceptional, having some peculiar rules was understandable. Huang Jin Yuan’s reaction was a strong affirmation of her medical skills, inadvertently helping to build her reputation.
Qin Wan frowned, wondering if this was intentional or not.
She hadn’t planned to take full charge of Yao Xin Lan’s illness. In her opinion, Madam Jiang wouldn’t let her handle Yao Xin Lan’s case again, but unexpectedly, Mo Shu had come.
“Whose idea was it to request me?”
Mo Shu immediately replied, “It was both my Young Miss and Young Master’s wish.”
Qin Wan frowned, “Did the Old Madam visit your Young Miss today?”
Mo Shu nodded again, “Yes…”
If Madam Jiang had visited yet they still came to request her, did that mean Madam Jiang had given tacit approval?
Fu Ling, standing beside her, listened and hesitated, “Young Miss—”
“Prepare things, let’s go take a look.”
Having practiced medicine for many years, if Qin Wan could save a stranger on the road, she could naturally save Yao Xin Lan. Leaving Ting Lan Court and heading south, they soon arrived outside Lin Feng Court. Just as they reached the entrance, voices could be heard from inside.
“They say she brought death to her parents and carries ill fortune, how inauspicious!”
“But I heard she did save the Young Madam yesterday, even Doctor Huang said her medical skills were as good as his.”
“Ahem, ahem, Ninth Young Miss, please come in—”
Mo Shu coughed a few times, leading Qin Wan through the courtyard gate.
In Lin Feng Court’s yard stood several finely dressed women. The earlier voices had come from them. These women were of varying ages but all beautiful. With just one glance, Qin Wan understood their status.
“Ladies, there’s no need to wait, you won’t be able to see her today, as you can see, we’ve invited Ninth Young Miss to check the pulse.”
Just as Mo Shu finished speaking, a woman wearing a scarlet silk dress stepped forward.
This woman was in her prime years, dressed brilliantly, with crimson lips, white teeth, phoenix eyes, and delicate eyebrows.
Unfortunately, her face powder was applied too thickly, hiding her natural beauty.
Watching her delicate steps, Qin Wan could almost see powder particles falling from her face.
Her jet-black hair was styled in a cicada bun, and when she smiled, she was alluringly bright. As she moved with small steps, her slender waist swayed, and with the scarlet handkerchief she was waving, though she exuded charm, she appeared somewhat frivolous.
“Who knew Ninth Young Miss was such a life-saving living Buddha? You’ve been in the mansion so long, yet never showed your skills, staying confined to your quarters.” She looked Qin Wan up and down, “Ninth Young Miss, at such a young age, where did you learn medicine?”
Qin Wan had no desire to look at her heavily powdered face, but since she insisted on coming forward to ask questions, Qin Wan gave her another glance. With this look, Qin Wan’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Meanwhile, Mo Shu’s brows furrowed, “Eighth Concubine, Ninth Young Miss was invited by the Young Master and Young Madam to check the pulse. We must take our leave.”
Qin An, the master of the Qin Family’s Third Branch, was known for his romantic nature and had many beautiful concubines. Qin Wan had heard about this. In the Great Zhou Dynasty, concubines held the same status as servants. Although these beautiful concubines were favored, Qin Wan had no intention of dealing with them.
Hearing Mo Shu’s words, Qin Wan gave the Eighth Concubine another look before heading straight inside.
“Since Ninth Young Miss knows medicine, are you planning to open a practice? I wonder how much you charge for consultations?”
The Eighth Concubine’s voice carried a laugh but contained contempt and disdain. Though doctors were respected, they were still craftsmen. How could Qin Wan, a legitimate daughter of the Qin family, consider publicly practicing medicine?
Mo Shu found these words somewhat difficult to handle, and Qin Wan paused her steps.
She turned around, smiling at the Eighth Concubine, “Is Concubine asking because you need medical attention?”
The Eighth Concubine’s smile instantly vanished. Though her status was low, everyone knew this Ninth Young Miss lived even worse than her. Relying on her favored position, she had meant to mock her a few times but didn’t expect such a response.
The Eighth Concubine stopped smiling, but Qin Wan’s smile deepened. She remained calm and composed, yet kept her eyes fixed on the Eighth Concubine.
The Eighth Concubine’s expression became somewhat strange. She gripped her handkerchief tightly and forced a smile, “How… how could that be? Ninth Young Miss must be joking.”
Qin Wan raised her lips in a smile but said nothing more, turning to enter the inner chamber.
Outside, everyone exchanged glances, not understanding how the usually sharp-tongued and inconsiderate Eighth Concubine had suddenly become so docile…
Inside the room, Yao Xin Lan, lying on the bed, looked at the entering Qin Wan and apologetically said, “Liu Shi has always been ill-tempered, Ninth Sister, please don’t take offense…”
Yao Xin Lan had indeed improved significantly. Though she looked haggard, at least there was color in her face, and her breathing was much stronger.
Qin Wan shook her head and sat down, reaching out her hand.
Yao Xin Lan then said, “Brother Qin wanted to wait for you, but there have been many letters from the capital these days, so he just went to the outer study. Later, we’ll call Xiang’er and Shuang’er to join us. Won’t you stay for lunch with us?”
Qin Wan’s eyes deepened – many letters from the capital these days?
With waves stirring in her heart, Qin Wan met Yao Xin Lan’s sincere eyes and shook her head, “There’s no need—”
Before she could finish saying “need,” footsteps were heard outside, followed by Qin Shuang’s voice, “Why should Sister-in-law keep her for lunch? Grandmother has given her a new courtyard, and Elder Brother has given her priceless gifts, that’s more than enough consideration for her!”
Qin Wan turned her gaze as Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang entered together.
After the previous two incidents, Qin Shuang still hadn’t learned her lesson. Though she had been somewhat afraid of Qin Wan last night, she was now reverting to her old ways.
Yao Xin Lan quickly said, “Sister Shuang, don’t say such things. Ninth Sister saved both my life and my child’s, no amount of gifts could repay that…”
Though Qin Shuang’s words were harsh, when she met Qin Wan’s gaze, her heart still trembled slightly. She instinctively looked toward Qin Xiang, meeting her encouraging eyes. Qin Shuang quickly puffed up her chest, “Sister-in-law, you’re too indulgent with her. She’s been living off our Qin family for four years, eating our food and drinking our water. Now checking your health is already an honor for her, yet she’s acting like she’s some divine doctor?”
Qin Wan withdrew her hand from Yao Xin Lan’s wrist and frowned slightly.
Qin Shuang appeared domineering and liked to talk too much, but she was just a paper tiger. As for Qin Xiang…
“What are you looking at? Am I wrong?” Qin Shuang had suffered at Qin Wan’s hands twice, feeling wronged and frustrated inside. Originally, she didn’t dare speak much in front of Qin Wan, but having received Qin Xiang’s instructions, she took the opportunity to act out.
“Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because the Imperial Princess favors you. What’s so special about the Imperial Princess? She can’t interfere with our Qin family’s internal affairs. I heard she’s old and seriously ill, probably doesn’t have many days left—”
“Silence!” Just as Qin Shuang was speaking proudly, a stern shout suddenly rang out at the door!
Qin Shuang was startled to her core. When she realized what she had said and who had ordered her to be silent, her small face instantly turned pale. She turned around, “Grandmother, I just—”
Her voice broke off, and Qin Shuang froze as if plunged into an ice cellar.
Cold sweat poured down as Qin Shuang knew she had made a grave mistake this time.
Standing beside Madam Jiang, coldly staring at her, was Princess Yue Ning from the An Yang Marquis Manor!