“Madam and Ninth Young Lady have arrived!” Yang Xi announced, and everyone in the room turned toward the door.
Though Yan Chi came as a junior to offer congratulations, he was still the Prince’s heir, of undoubtedly noble status. Not only Madam Jiang but even Yue Qiong didn’t dare to be careless. When Qin Wan arrived, Yue Qiong, Yue Jia, Yue Ning, and Wei Yan Zhi were all present.
Yue Qing approached with his head hanging low. “Mother—”
Madam Jiang glared at him. “You’re always causing trouble!”
Looking around the room and seeing Yue Qiong standing by the window, she hurried over and asked, “How is His Highness?”
Yue Qiong frowned slightly but didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Qin Wan who had followed behind. “Ninth Young Lady, everything has been prepared. Please go to the inner chamber to examine His Highness’s injuries.”
Madam Jiang’s heart sank, and Qin Wan’s expression also grew serious.
Qin Wan curtsied. “I shall do as commanded.”
Yue Qing quickly stepped forward. “Ninth Young Lady, this way—”
With a face full of guilt and apology, Yue Qing led Qin Wan to the inner chamber. This place, called Pine Garden, was Yan Chi’s residence in the Marquis Manor, similarly decorated with noble elegance. At the doorway, Yue Qing bowed to Qin Wan. “Ninth Young Lady, His Highness has suffered new injuries on top of old ones. We entrust everything to you.”
Qin Wan nodded but noticed Yue Qing wasn’t entering. Yue Qing gave a bitter smile. “His Highness is injured and only allowed Father to see him. For some reason, Father won’t let us disturb him. It must be very serious…”
As Yue Qing spoke, his expression grew increasingly troubled. He had just escaped his ordeal, never expecting to injure Yan Chi!
Qin Wan nodded, but then the door opened from inside with a creak. Bai Feng, with a solemn expression, respectfully nodded and gestured. “Ninth Young Lady, His Highness has been waiting for you. Please—”
Qin Wan felt a strange sensation in her heart. Just as she was about to step inside, Bai Feng suddenly looked at Fu Ling behind her.
“Ninth Young Lady, His Highness requests your presence alone.”
Qin Wan had planned to teach Fu Ling medicine and intended to bring her along while practicing medicine, but unexpectedly, Bai Feng stopped her. However, Fu Ling seemed greatly relieved, as if not having to see Yan Chi was a huge comfort.
Qin Wan gave Fu Ling a reassuring look before entering.
As soon as she entered, Bai Feng closed the door. Qin Wan’s eyes flashed with deep thought as she walked past the six-panel landscape screen. After just a few steps, her brows furrowed.
The room was filled with a heavy smell of blood.
Past the screen, Qin Wan immediately saw the bed against the far wall.
Yan Chi was half-reclining against the headboard, fully clothed. He looked over at the sound of footsteps, his expression grave and gaze dark. His muscular arms and legs in that reclining posture gave off an intimidating aura that warned others to keep their distance. If not for the smell of blood, Qin Wan would have thought he wasn’t injured at all.
Qin Wan quickly approached, examining Yan Chi for a moment before saying, “Please turn around, Your Highness.”
Yan Chi raised his eyebrows. “Ninth Young Lady is indeed quick-witted.”
Qin Wan’s gaze swept over the tear in his shoulder. “The external wound on Your Highness’s shoulder, though bleeding, is minor and was likely caused by Second Young Master. However, the strong smell of blood in the room indicates Your Highness must have other injuries. There are no blood stains on your front or legs, and you’re currently supporting yourself with your waist against the headboard. Most likely… there’s a serious injury on your back.”
The corner of Yan Chi’s lips curved upward. He sat up straight, his long fingers nimbly unfastening his collar.
Bai Feng stood guard at the door. At this moment, only Qin Wan and Yan Chi were by the bed. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the rustle of Yan Chi’s clothes breaking the silence. As a grown man who had fought on battlefields, he showed no discomfort undressing in front of Qin Wan, but Qin Wan might not feel the same. She was a young lady who likely had never seen an unclothed man…
“Your Highness’s movement is restricted. Let me help.”
Yan Chi’s hands paused, his eyebrows trembling almost imperceptibly.
Qin Wan slightly rolled up her sleeves and leaned forward to grasp his clothes. A faint smile flashed in Yan Chi’s eyes, and he turned around. As he turned, the wet stains on his back became visible.
He still wore the same noble robe from noon, deep black with golden qilin patterns, but now large patches were soaked and clinging to his back. Up close, the smell of blood was almost suffocating.
Qin Wan carefully but efficiently removed his robe. As she did so, even she couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath.
With his back to Qin Wan, Yan Chi heard her reaction, and his eyes darkened slightly. “Tell me what you see. Don’t conceal anything.”
Though Yan Chi’s tone was light and calm, Qin Wan’s eyes grew serious.
After a moment’s contemplation, she began, “Your Highness has two injuries. First, on the left shoulder, approximately one inch long, with clean edges, shallow at the top and deep at the bottom—a sword wound. The blood hasn’t fully clotted; it’s a fresh injury. Second, on the back, extending from the left shoulder blade to the right lower back, about five inches long. Parts have begun to heal but have reopened multiple times. There are brown-red scabs with inflammation and festering. The middle of the wound is the widest and deepest, while the ends are narrow and shallow. This appears to be a knife wound from about half a month ago—”
Qin Wan was carefully examining the bone-deep wound across Yan Chi’s back when she suddenly met his eyes—he had turned to look at her at some point. His eyes held an intense gleam, like a predator lurking in darkness showing its claws. Qin Wan clenched her fists and straightened up.
“What else?” Their eyes met as Yan Chi’s voice turned cold.
Qin Wan lowered her gaze. “As a physician, that’s all I can discern.”
Yan Chi continued staring at Qin Wan for what seemed like an eternity before turning away with a soft “Mm.”
As if a sharp blade hanging overhead had been removed, Qin Wan’s breathing eased. She raised her head and began treating Yan Chi’s wounds with the prepared supplies. However, her heart began pounding uneasily.
Criminals have motives and purposes, and ordinary people act with causes and consequences.
Was Yue Qiong’s grave expression and refusal to let Yue Qing and others visit because he knew the severity of Yan Chi’s injuries?
But half a month ago, Yan Chi was en route to Jin Zhou. Who had inflicted such a serious wound?
Yan Chi joined the military at the age of ten and served for twelve years. His military achievements were legendary, and people said Prince Rui’s hundred thousand Shuo Xi troops had found their successor. But why did he suddenly return to the capital? And why did the Emperor send him to offer congratulations?
A physician could heal the dying and mend broken bones, but before political struggles, Qin Wan was helpless and insignificant as a drop in the ocean. She didn’t understand what conflicts existed among these powerful rulers—her greatest wish now was to return to the capital as soon as possible.
“Do you know Shen Yi, the former Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?”
The sudden question made Qin Wan’s heart leap to her throat.
“Of course not. I’ve only occasionally read his books.”
Yan Chi turned his head, his gaze deep as an abyss. “Then those skills of yours in autopsy and investigation—were they all learned from Shen Yi’s books?”
Qin Wan’s heart tightened, and she immediately became extremely wary.