“Young Miss! Sixth Young Miss has truly been confined!” Fuling burst into the room excitedly.
Qin Wan raised her head from the window-side couch and glanced at her, merely asking, “Have the medicines been delivered?”
Fuling nodded, “Yes, and the Young Madam expressed her thanks repeatedly.” She walked closer to Qin Wan and continued, “Young Miss, I heard from Mo Shu that Sixth Young Miss was beaten until her skin split and flesh tore that day. She’s now under house arrest in Ling Shuang Court. Nobody except those delivering food can enter, not even Fifth Young Miss is allowed to visit. The Old Madam was truly furious this time.”
Qin Wan frowned slightly, “What else did you hear?”
Fuling smiled, “How did Young Miss know I heard more? When I was leaving, I overheard two maids outside Lin Feng Court talking. They said Third Master brought someone home again last night. Everyone thought the household would be getting a new concubine, but surprisingly, the person was carried out early this morning. They also said Third Master had fallen ill for some reason.”
Although Third Master Qin An hadn’t inherited the title, he still held a sinecure position at court thanks to the Loyal and Brave Marquis family’s influence, drawing a salary. Since returning to Jin Zhou, he had established numerous businesses and settled down. Qin An was naturally romantic; while he showed restraint in the capital, he became increasingly unrestrained in Jin Zhou. Even at his current age, he remained licentious and unruly.
Qin Wan suddenly recalled the rolled-up bedding she had seen Liu Chun and others carrying out earlier that morning. She also remembered seeing Liu Chun’s boots covered in flower bed soil when she left the Qin residence that day. Was Liu Chun the mysterious shadow that night?
Although she had been reborn in this body for over half a month, she had yet to meet this Third Uncle. However, just thinking about the concubines she had seen that day made her dislike this Third Uncle already.
“The Qin household… has many internal matters. It’s enough that you know about them, but you must never discuss them.”
Hearing this instruction, Fuling quickly nodded, “I understand. I only speak of these things with Young Miss. Although we’ve changed residences within the mansion, we’re still outsiders. Young Miss previously warned that some people in the household harbor ill intentions toward us, so I’ll be careful.”
Qin Wan’s eyes showed satisfaction, “Being outsiders is one thing, and secondly, many matters remain unclear to us. Since that’s the case, we might as well be observers, keeping what we see and hear to ourselves for now.”
Qin Wan spoke in a deep voice, unclear whether she was speaking to Fuling or herself.
“Don’t worry, Young Miss, I understand. I just think the Eldest Young Master and Third Master are so different. The third Master is already in his forties yet still keeps so many concubines, while the Eldest Young Master is young but only loves the Young Madam. I heard there aren’t even any serving girls in Eldest Young Master’s chambers. In comparison, Second Young Master is quite similar to Third Master.”
At the mention of Qin Li, Qin Wan’s heart sank. His following her into the bamboo grove that day still seemed strange.
“I heard Second Young Master frequently visits courtesans too, but Old Madam’s strict management prevents him from bringing anyone into the mansion. He’s a regular at several brothels in Jin Zhou city.”
After a brief pause, Fuling looked at Qin Wan and said, “Speaking of which, Young Miss is already sixteen, of marriageable age. Fifth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss haven’t been betrothed yet, surely waiting for news from the capital branch. Old Madam and Madam naturally hope for Fifth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss to marry into noble families in the capital, but they probably won’t make such arrangements for Young Miss.”
Qin Wan frowned deeply. Marriage? Indeed, at her age, she could be married.
Seeing Qin Wan’s dazed expression, Fuling couldn’t help but smile, “What’s wrong? Is Young Miss Shy? In Great Zhou, girls can be betrothed at fifteen. If they’re not married by eighteen or nineteen, people will call them old maids. Young Miss still has two years. It would be wonderful if Old Madam and Madam could arrange a marriage to the capital.”
Qin Wan’s clear spring-like eyes gradually grew deep. A woman’s marriage was a common principle in the world, and she wouldn’t be shy about it. Moreover, she had been betrothed before. It was merely a matter of weighing status and power, binding two previously unrelated people together without even meeting. Before the wedding day, they wouldn’t even know what each other looked like.
However, in this life, marriage wasn’t important anymore. Her father’s wrongful case weighed heavily on her heart, and she hadn’t yet thought about marrying, having children, and living a peaceful life.
“If not the capital, at least find a wealthy family in Jin Zhou. We can’t let Young Miss live a life of hardship. The Prefect’s family would be an excellent choice in Jin Zhou, but…”
Qin Wan frowned, giving Fuling a cool look. Fuling quickly stuck out her tongue, “I mean, we should find a family that can give Young Miss a life of luxury. Of course, what’s most important is finding someone who truly cherishes Young Miss, like how Eldest Young Master cherishes Young Madam. Even if it were a current imperial prince or marquis, hmph, our Young Miss wouldn’t marry without that.”
Imperial prince or marquis… Qin Wan lowered her eyes, her thoughts drifting far away again.
Seeing Qin Wan’s distant expression and silence, Fuling also quieted down. Soon after, there was suddenly a knock at the courtyard gate. Fuling stood up promptly, and when she opened the door, she immediately smiled, “Sister Mo Shu, what brings you here?”
Qin Wan returned to her senses, and shortly after, Mo Shu, wearing a light green long robe and skirt, appeared at the door.
Fuling opened the door, “Sister Mo Shu, please come in. Is something the matter with Young Madam?”
Mo Shu entered and first curtsied to Qin Wan, then said with a smile, “After the acupuncture this morning, our Young Miss is much better. Now she’s inviting Ninth Young Miss to Lin Feng Court to select gifts. The Autumn Evening Festival is approaching, and the Marquis household in the capital has sent festival gifts. The young masters’ and young misses’ gifts have all been sent to Lin Feng Court – lots of fine silks and satins. The second Young Master and Fifth Young Miss have already gone to choose theirs. Ninth Young Miss, please come with me quickly, or all the good ones will be gone.”
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. The previous Ninth Young Miss probably didn’t have this treatment, but things were different now. Looking at Fuling, she indeed showed excitement in her eyes. Although Qin Wan didn’t care for such things, not going now would seem pretentious.
Nodding, Qin Wan said, “Fine, I’ll go now.”
Fuling hurriedly came forward to adjust Qin Wan’s appearance, and moments later, the three of them left.
Fuling was elated along the way, feeling that life was much better than before, all thanks to Qin Wan showing her medical skills and saving someone. Thinking this, her expression became determined, strengthening her resolve to study medicine properly with Qin Wan.
When they arrived at Lin Feng Court, they saw Steward Liu Chun standing outside with two matron supervisors, along with several servants carrying two large boxes, seemingly heading toward the direction of the Buddhist hall.
Seeing Qin Wan arrive, Liu Chun smiled and bowed, “Ninth Young Miss—”
Liu Chun was of medium height with a thin, tall frame and a proper face, though with prominent cheekbones and small, piercing eyes. His smile carried a habitual fawning quality, and as he looked at Qin Wan, his gaze held an uncomfortable scrutiny and assessment.
Qin Wan was also observing Liu Chun. Although it was early autumn, he wore a high-collared robe, his body wrapped tightly, and even his hands were hidden within overly long sleeves.
This attire wasn’t strange, but for some reason, Qin Wan felt something was amiss.
She nodded, not intending to speak much with this person, and walked straight toward the courtyard gate. She had already turned away, but Liu Chun’s gaze still fell on Qin Wan like something tangible. Qin Wan’s scalp tingled, and she suddenly stopped and turned back, only to see a hint of desire in Liu Chun’s small eyes. Qin Wan immediately frowned.
Probably realizing his impropriety, Liu Chun bowed repeatedly to cover it up, his hand unconsciously brushing his robe. With this movement, the hand covered by the long sleeve was exposed. His hand passed by quickly, but Qin Wan keenly noticed what appeared to be wounds and cuts on it.
In just an instant, Liu Chun’s hand was covered again, and Qin Wan couldn’t see it anymore even if she wanted to. Her heart filled with suspicion, but to avoid alerting him, she pretended to turn away naturally.
She slowly entered the courtyard, but her heart was churning with tremendous waves.
Was it Liu Chun? Were the wounds on his hands from when he killed the Ninth Young Miss?