“Everything the Old Madam has used these past two days must be boiled in hot water first,” Qin Wan added to another instruction. Lu Xiu smiled and said, “Ninth Young Lady, please rest assured. We’ve been following your instructions since last night.”
Qin Wan nodded and only turned to leave after seeing that Princess Tai had fallen into a deep sleep after taking her medicine. Fling, who stood beside her, quietly asked, “Young Lady, why is this necessary?”
“Princess Tai’s constitution is weak. Even the slightest impurity could worsen her condition. We who are healthy need not be so careful,” Qin Wan explained, and Fu Ling nodded in bewildered understanding.
Just as they left the inner chamber, they saw Yue Qing standing outside, pacing back and forth as if waiting for someone. Though Princess Tai’s condition remained uncertain and the room couldn’t accommodate too many people, besides Lu Xiu, both Madam Jiang and Yue Qiong would come to check frequently but dared not stay long.
It was already noon, and Qin Wan wondered with slight suspicion what Yue Qing was doing there.
The sound of footsteps startled Yue Qing. When he turned and saw Qin Wan, his eyes brightened. “Ninth Young Lady!”
Seeing his reaction, Qin Wan gave a slight curtsy and stepped forward. “Does Second Young Master have something to discuss?”
Yue Qing and Yue Jia inherited the good qualities of Yue Qiong and Madam Jiang. While they shared Yue Qiong’s tall stature and commanding presence, they possessed an additional air of nobility and grace. Compared to Yue Jia’s steady and reserved nature, Yue Qing was more outgoing. With his bright, piercing eyes and straightforward, capable demeanor, he exuded youthful vigor.
However, facing Qin Wan, Yue Qing cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly before speaking, “Ninth Young Lady, I wanted to thank you this morning personally, but as soon as the Magistrate left, I went straight to Lin Da Xing’s house, which caused the delay.”
Yue Qing stepped back and bowed deeply to Qin Wan. “I, Yue Qing, thank Ninth Young Lady for stepping forward righteously and clearing my name. For this great kindness, please accept my bow.”
Qin Wan hurriedly stepped aside, “Second Young Master, please rise. Madam has already thanked me many times. If you continue like this, you’ll make me feel uncomfortable.”
Yue Qing paused, still bowing as he looked up at Qin Wan. Seeing her sincere expression, he finally straightened up and smiled sheepishly. “Well… to thank you, I especially…”
“Paying respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince—”
Before Yue Qing could finish, voices suddenly rang out from afar. Yue Qing turned to look and saw Yan Chi approaching with large strides.
Today, Yan Chi wore a narrow-sleeved long robe in deep black embroidered with golden qilin patterns. With his broad shoulders, long arms, trim waist, and long legs, his every movement carried an imposing presence. Even before he drew near, his commanding aura had already reached them.
Qin Wan quickly curtsied, while Yue Qing cupped his hands in greeting.
Yan Chi waved his hand dismissively. He glanced at Qin Wan before turning to Yue Qing, raising an eyebrow as he noticed Yue Qing’s guard standing not far away, naturally also spotting the small package in the guard’s hands.
“How is Great-Aunt? I went to the military camp this morning and returned late.”
Though Qin Wan the physician was present, Yan Chi directed his question to Yue Qing, who quickly responded, “Ninth Young Lady says Grandmother’s wound shows no signs of infection. If nothing happens tonight, Grandmother will have passed this critical period. Right now, Grandmother is sleeping, and Ninth Young Lady says we shouldn’t disturb her.”
Yue Qing was two years younger than Yan Chi and had met him in the capital during childhood, though he was too young then to remember now. Nevertheless, Yue Qing had long heard of Yan Chi’s military achievements in Shuo Xi. He knew that even with five more years, he couldn’t achieve what Yan Chi had accomplished, so when he looked at Yan Chi, besides familiarity, there was particular respect and admiration.
“That’s good.” Yan Chi’s expression softened slightly before continuing, “Since we can’t disturb her, I’ll discuss the Shuo Xi Army matters with the Marquis.”
Yue Qing’s eyes immediately lit up. “What about the Shuo Xi Army?”
The Shuo Xi Army, one hundred thousand strong, was commanded by Prince Rui Yan Lin. It was an undefeated force that kept the Western barbarians at bay, preventing them from encroaching even an inch into Great Zhou’s territory. Yan Chi had previously led troops in the Shuo Xi Army, and the several hundred soldiers who came with him this time were also his guards from the Shuo Xi Army.
Yan Chi curved his lips. “Just some minor matters. If you want to hear about it, you’re welcome to join.”
After speaking, Yan Chi started walking. Yue Qing’s eyes immediately filled with excitement – it was the Shuo Xi Army he had long admired—
However, looking at Qin Wan and thinking of the gift he wanted to give, he found himself in a dilemma.
Yan Chi stopped after two steps and turned back to look at Yue Qing, seemingly waiting for him to come along. Under these circumstances, Yue Qing couldn’t give the gift in front of Yan Chi. After some thought, he decided to find another time in the evening.
“Ninth Young Lady, I’ll go find Father first. Thank you for taking care of Grandmother.”
Qin Wan nodded and gave a slight curtsy. Yue Qing hurriedly followed after Yan Chi.
Yan Chi caught a distant glimpse of Qin Wan’s bowing figure, his eyes flickering several times before he turned and left.
After Yan Chi left, Fu Ling, who had been standing aside, let out a long breath. “Young Lady, His Highness the Crown Prince’s presence is truly intimidating. But why didn’t he say even a word to you? It’s as if he didn’t see you at all…”
Fu Ling’s voice grew increasingly quiet, obviously somewhat afraid of Yan Chi. However, Qin Wan wasn’t particularly concerned. “He is the Prince’s heir after all. It’s not unreasonable for him to be somewhat proud. It doesn’t matter.”
Though she said this, Qin Wan recalled that glance from last night… She found it somewhat strange but shook her head to dismiss the thought. There was indeed no need for many words between two people who could never have any connection.
As Qin Wan turned, she inadvertently touched her sleeve pocket, feeling its weight, which caused her brow to furrow slightly.
His Han Yue was still with her…
“Young Lady, what’s wrong?”
When Fu Ling asked, Qin Wan shook her head. “Nothing. Let’s go to the medicine room to prepare Princess Tai’s medicine, and I’ll teach you some medical principles along the way.”
Fu Ling nodded eagerly, and the master and servant pair turned down the corridor, heading straight for the medicine room in the small courtyard.
Qin Wan temporarily set aside her thoughts to care for Princess Tai. As darkness fell, Madam Jiang came over with a worried expression. Seeing her face, Qin Wan consoled her, “Madam, Princess Tai’s condition appears stable now. You needn’t worry too much.”
Madam Jiang shook her head and took Qin Wan’s hand, saying, “It’s not about Mother. With you here, I’m mostly at ease about Mother’s condition.” After a slight pause, Madam Jiang continued in a grave tone, “It’s about the matter of Young Lady Song.”
Qin Wan frowned slightly. “This matter can only be left to the Magistrate.”
Madam Jiang sighed. “The Magistrate has no leads at all. The Duke’s estate’s wedding escort is still staying at our manor, and in these past two days, many of Young Lady Song’s dowry servants have become dissatisfied. This is still manageable, but when the people from the Duke’s estate arrive from the capital…”
Qin Wan understood. The Duke’s daughter’s wedding was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but the daughter died at the An Yang Marquis Manor’s doorstep. This account, if encountered by unreasonable people, might be blamed on the An Yang Marquis Manor.
Just as Qin Wan was about to speak, Yang Xi suddenly ran over with a panicked expression!
“Madam, His Highness the Crown Prince is injured!”
Madam Jiang’s expression changed. “Injured?! How could His Highness be injured?!”
Yang Xi looked extremely anxious. “His Highness went to the training ground to practice with the young masters, but we didn’t know His Highness had an old wound. Second Young Master didn’t know this and struck too hard, injuring His Highness!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Xi hurriedly bowed to Qin Wan. “Ninth Young Lady, please come and take a look!”