novelraw Chapter 103 : A Little Girl's Unfinished Bones
Chapter 103 : A Little Girl's Unfinished Bones
103: A Little Girl's Unfinished Bones
The autumn rain fell in continuous, silvery threads. The dilapidated western courtyard looked particularly desolate under the curtain of rain. Fuling stood at the door, sometimes looking at the gray-blue sky outside, sometimes glancing back at Qin Wan standing by the long table.
Her young miss had been standing at that table for nearly half an hour, even meticulously arranging Second Concubine's teeth. Every previously set-aside small bone had been carefully fitted into the skeleton. Now, her young miss faced only a single remaining bone.
Fuling looked back again. The courtyard was broken and shabby. The window paper on the door was long torn, and though the door was half-closed, it couldn't block the cold wind blowing in. Fuling gathered her collar tighter, unable to hold back any longer, and turned to walk to Qin Wan's side. "Young Miss, it's getting late. It's very cold in this room. We should return soon."
Not only was the room piercingly cold, but the foul odor emanating from Lady Liu and Liu Chun's corpses was also unbearable. Qin Wan hadn't even brought a face covering today, standing here like this, breathing in who knew how much of the corpse stench. What if she got poisoned?
Qin Wan stood sideways to the door, half her face hidden in shadow, her expression indiscernible. She looked down slightly, her entire being cold and solemn as she stared at the thumb-sized bone on the table. "Are you cold? You can go back first."
Fuling smiled bitterly. "Of course I'm not cold. I'm worried about you, Young Miss. You've been standing here too long. Even the two constable brothers couldn't stand the smell, let alone you."
Several rooms comprised this courtyard. The main hall was used to store the bodies; a side room temporarily held tables, chairs, and tea things for the yamen guards to rest. Fuling sighed, touching Qin Wan's shoulder. "Young Miss's shoulders are cold. If this continues, you'll surely fall ill!"
Qin Wan shook her head and looked again at the human skeleton she had assembled.
Without ligaments connecting them, most bones couldn't be linked. Qin Wan could only loosely fit them together as a rough approximation. She examined it carefully again, her brow furrowing.
Earlier, she thought these small bone fragments were too tiny. Not only were they hard to fix, but just arranging the teeth in order would take time. These details weren't useful for the case. Moreover, when burying Second Concubine later, the bones would be buried all together anyway; there was no need to assemble them into a human shape. Since it served no purpose, Qin Wan had saved the effort until she discovered this small bone...
This was a small bone the size of a thumb. Qin Wan looked it over repeatedly, initially unable to identify where it came from. After placing the other fragments into the skeleton, she couldn't find any gaps. If so, wasn't this bone extra? Then, Qin Wan examined this small bone carefully. Though small, judging by its weight, it was likely human bone...
If it was human bone, why was it with Second Concubine's bones?
Qin Wan was utterly puzzled, leading to a suspicion: had someone else died in that well?
Thinking this, she shook her head again. The constables Prefect Huo sent down had searched thoroughly, confirming no other bones remained.
Qin Wan picked up the bone from the felt cloth and held it close, examining it for a few moments.
Had she misidentified it? Was it bone from some animal carcass?
Qin Wan both suspected something else was amiss with the well and worried she was mistaken, leaving her hesitant.
As she pondered, the rain outside suddenly intensified. The cool autumn rain, carrying damp, chilly wind, blew into the room. Qin Wan shivered involuntarily. Turning, she saw the dilapidated small courtyard shrouded in a curtain of rain. Beyond the courtyard wall, the continuous rooftops and towers of the Qin residence were veiled in gloomy mist. Qin Wan sighed and turned around.
"Let's go back. We have indeed been here too long."
As soon as Qin Wan spoke, Fuling was delighted and hurried to fetch an umbrella. It was a bamboo umbrella with a red lacquered handle and a green paper surface, painted with a touch of ink-wash lotus at the top, quite elegant.
Qin Wan straightened her collar, closed the door securely, and followed Fuling out. The constables in the side room, hearing the movement, came out. Seeing Qin Wan leaving, they hurriedly bowed. Qin Wan gave them a few instructions before leaving the courtyard.
This was the first autumn rain in the south. Qin Wan had often traveled west and north with her father before but had never been to the south. Though it was autumn, the Qin residence's waterside pavilions and flower beds remained lush and green. Only along the secluded western paths could occasional patches of withered yellow weeds be seen. Qin Wan walked with a heavy heart, looking into the distance. The Qin residence's upturned eaves and intricate brackets were vaguely obscured by rain and mist. The already bleak sky grew even darker, with gray clouds piling up on the horizon as if brewing a heavier downpour. The damp moisture clung to Qin Wan's skirt, making her heart feel similarly damp and gloomy.
As the rain grew heavier, Fuling carefully held the umbrella over Qin Wan. The master and servant walked slower and slower. With no one around, only the pitter-patter of rain on the umbrella remained. In the south of the Great Zhou, rain was abundant year-round. If in the northwest, by now only the dry, face-cracking northwesterly winds would remain.
Walking slowly back to Tinglan Pavilion, as soon as they entered the courtyard, Qin Wan saw Wantang emerging from the main room.
Qin Wan saw her; Fuling naturally did too. She frowned, a flash of anger crossing her face.
Wantang came down a few steps and curtsied under the eaves. Perhaps seeing the anger on Fuling's face, she quickly said, "Young Miss, forgive me. This servant saw the rain getting heavier and noticed two windows in the young miss's warm chamber were open, so I went in to close them."
Fuling couldn't tell if Wantang was telling the truth, but she had initially admired Wantang greatly. So she looked at Qin Wan and saw her expression was detached, as if tinged with the cool autumn rain, calm and indifferent.
"I was worried rain might get into the warm chamber. It's good you closed them."
Wantang glanced up at Qin Wan, seeming to sigh in relief, a smile touching her lips. "The rain is getting heavier. Young Miss, take care of your health. Please come inside quickly. This servant will go boil some water so Sister Fuling can brew fresh tea for you."
Qin Wan nodded, expressionless, and walked up the steps with Fuling.
Seeing Qin Wan's demeanor, Fuling was momentarily unsure what she was thinking. She glanced at Wantang and smiled as usual. "Then go fetch a new tea set..."
Wantang's lips curved upward, happily accepting the task and leaving.
Once inside, Fuling set down the umbrella and hurried forward. "Young Miss, is anything amiss?"
But Qin Wan, after washing her hands, simply entered the warm chamber without any intention of investigating. "No need to mind."
Fuling was inwardly puzzled, thinking Qin Wan might have caught a chill. She went to prepare tea as Wantang suggested. Before long, Fuling brought in the fresh tea. She poured a cup for Qin Wan and handed it to her. Turning around, she gasped in shock.
"Young Miss, you... you brought this back?"
Qin Wan sat on the long divan by the window, leaning somewhat lazily against the bolster. In her hand lay a small bone. Fuling stared at the white bone, wasn't it exactly that extra bone from the long table earlier?
Fuling's heart trembled as she set the tea aside, whispering, "Young Miss, why bring this back? It's inauspicious!"
Qin Wan pinched the small bone between her fingers, even holding it up to the light, tilting her head slightly to look. "This bone density... it doesn't seem like animal bones either. But I can't figure out where this bone comes from. I checked several times earlier; Second Concubine's bones were almost all recovered. So where did this one come from?"
How would Fuling know where it came from? Looking at the bone and hearing Qin Wan say it was human, she felt a cold sweat break out on her back. Qin Wan examining corpses or treating illnesses was one thing, but bringing a dead person's bone back to the room... no matter how she thought about it, it was creepy. Yet seeing Qin Wan's focused expression, Fuling knew she couldn't dissuade her.
Fuling brewed tea to the side while Qin Wan studied the bone. This small bone had stumped Qin Wan this time. She looked until nightfall without identifying its origin. Outside, the autumn rain continued unabated.
Fuling had said each autumn rain brought more chill. By evening, the weather had indeed turned much colder. Qin Wan never liked going out anyway, so the rain didn't bother her. On the contrary, with rain falling, the sound of rain filled the world, isolating other noises. The vast, quiet world held a unique silence. Such a fine time should be spent practicing calligraphy or burning incense. Yet even as evening fell, Qin Wan still held that bone...
"His Highness and Prefect Huo have returned to the yamen. They haven't come over yet, likely without any conclusions." Fuling said as she tidied Qin Wan's desk. Qin Wan had already considered this.
Second Concubine died eight years ago, and she had been in the residence for two years by then. Since Qin An said he bought Second Concubine from traffickers, the records they needed to search would be at least ten years old.
So much time had passed. The yamen produced vast amounts of paperwork daily, all sorts of documents, not just criminal cases. Simply finding these records in the yamen archive would be difficult, let alone locating a missing persons case matching Second Concubine among that mountain of documents.
Qin Wan knew the task was enormous. Documents passed up through county, prefecture, and provincial levels; cases like missing persons were sometimes missed by lower-level county offices. Or perhaps Second Concubine wasn't from Jinzhou at all. Even if her family reported it, it might be in Jianzhou, Shengzhou, or even farther Fengzhou. Even if Second Concubine was from Jinzhou, the searchers might miss it, thinking she wasn't local. Such detailed work required extreme caution and meticulousness, which would take more time. Within three days, Qin Wan wasn't anxiously awaiting results.
After dinner, Qin Wan finally remembered she needed to prepare ointment for Qin Li tonight. She began making the ointment with the herbs Fuling had fetched that day. Just as she finished, a tapping sounded outside the warm chamber window.
Fuling, now accustomed, stepped forward and opened the window. Qin Li stood outside, covered in a layer of cold dampness. Seeing Fuling, his eyes held none of their usual teasing gleam. Qin Wan approached with the medicine packet and ointment. "This is the new medicine. One for external use, one for internal. The external one still lacks an ingredient. I've written it down. Go find it yourself later."
Qin Li nodded. Though ill, he could still order people around.
"Ninth Sister, any leads on Lady Liu and Steward Liu's case?"
He hadn't asked all these days, but now he did. Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. "Why does Second Brother ask?"
Qin Li's gaze flickered. "With such an incident in the residence, one should naturally be concerned."
Qin Wan looked at him for a moment. "They're investigating Second Concubine's origins."
Qin Li's brow furrowed. "Second Concubine's origins?"
"Exactly," Qin Wan said, her tone carrying a hint of testing. "When Second Concubine entered the residence, Second Brother should remember. Do you recall where Second Concubine was from?"
Qin Li lowered his eyes and shook his head. "Mother forbade us from speaking to Second Concubine or playing near her. I don't know." He then added somewhat urgently, "It's raining. I shouldn't linger. The weather is cold. Ninth Sister, take care of your health. I'll go now."
Qin Wan watched quietly as Qin Li turned and left. Only when his figure disappeared did she slowly close the window lattice.
She stood silently for another moment before heading to the inner chamber to rest.
…
…
Although rain pattered outside the window all night, Qin Wan slept soundly. When she opened her eyes at dawn the next day, the rain still hadn't stopped. With the rain, Qin Wan couldn't walk in the courtyard, so she indulged in staying in bed.
Fuling rose as usual, carefully carrying her toiletries to the side room. Before long, she approached Qin Wan's bed, listening to her breathing and sensing something off. She gently drew back the bed curtains.
As the curtains opened, Fuling couldn't help but gasp again.
"Young Miss! Why are you still looking at that bone?!"
On the bed, Qin Wan leaned against the headboard, still holding the bone in her hand.
Initially, Fuling had found it inauspicious, but now she was growing accustomed. Qin Wan sighed. "Still can't figure out where this bone is from. Could I have remembered wrong?"
As she said this, a light suddenly dawned in her eyes. "Does the residence library have any medical texts?"
This question stumped Fuling. "This servant doesn't know. But the Eldest Young Master would know. Should Young Miss ask him?"
Qin Wan had read about skeletal structure in medical texts before and had studied it for a long time. She thought with her memory, she'd never forget. Yet now, a single bone stumped her!
Qin Wan immediately threw off the covers and got out of bed. "Quick, help me dress. Let's go find Eldest Brother."
Fuling knew this side of Qin Wan well. Even so, she smiled wryly. "Young Miss should at least have breakfast first." Despite her words, she efficiently helped Qin Wan wash and dress.
After washing up, Qin Wan glanced at the delivered breakfast but only drank a bowl of soup. The rain outside hadn't stopped, showing no sign of letting up, continuing to fall like a transparent silk curtain. Fuling took the same green bamboo umbrella and accompanied Qin Wan towards Linfeng Courtyard. As they reached the courtyard gate, Qin Wan saw Qin Shuang entering just ahead of them.
Seeing this, Fuling lowered her voice. "Young Miss may not know yet, but Fifth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss have fallen out. Last night, the Mistress summoned Sixth Young Miss. No one knows what was said, but Sixth Young Miss came out crying and accused Fifth Young Miss of slandering her in front of the servants."
Qin Wan shook her head. The conflict between Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang was likely over yesterday's incident outside the Purple Bamboo Grove. Qin Xiang defended her mother; Qin Shuang was unwilling, naturally, they would argue. "No need to mind such matters."
Qin Wan spoke and continued forward. Fuling whispered, "Yes, we won't mind. Young Miss's standing is not low now. We don't fear any of them."
Hearing this, Qin Wan couldn't help but smile. She walked straight into Linfeng Courtyard. A servant seeing them immediately went inside to announce. Soon, Moshu came out to greet them. "It's been days since Ninth Young Miss visited. Please come in..."
Moshu was as enthusiastic as ever. Qin Wan walked inside. Just as she reached the inner chamber entrance, she saw Qin Shuang, eyes slightly red, saying something. But upon seeing Qin Wan, she rubbed her eyes and fell silent.
Qin Wan smiled. "Sister-in-law, I've come to trouble you."
Yao Xinlan leaned on the divan. "I wish you'd come every day. Is it because His Highness and Prefect Huo aren't at the residence today that you have time?"
Qin Wan sighed. "I didn't know. I truly came to trouble you. I originally wanted to find Eldest Brother, but he seems to be out."
Yao Xinlan looked slightly surprised at Qin Wan, she had never proactively asked for their help before. "Ninth Sister, please tell me. What trouble have you encountered?"
Qin Wan spoke frankly. "I wanted to find a couple of medical texts. I don't know if the residence library has any. Since I saw Young Master Huo borrowing books before, I thought if the library has them, it would be most convenient, no need to search outside."
"Oh, is that all?" Yao Xinlan smiled. "Borrowing books is hardly trouble. Your Eldest Brother went to visit Father. I heard Father wasn't well this morning. But I can certainly handle library matters. The key is in our courtyard. Should I have Moshu fetch the key and take you there? I don't know what books you're looking for, and I'm not knowledgeable about such things. Would you like to look yourself?"
That would be perfect. Qin Wan hurriedly expressed her thanks. "Thank you, Sister-in-law."
Yao Xinlan waved her hand and immediately instructed Moshu. Shortly after, Moshu fetched the key and escorted them to the library.
Leaving Linfeng Courtyard, Qin Wan said, "Sister-in-law looks much better."
Moshu also breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, these past few days, the young miss has been in good spirits, more active, and her energy is better than before. The Eldest Young Master accompanies her daily. This servant is finally reassured."
The rain fell softly. A thin mist gathered among the lush flowers and plants not far away. Hearing Moshu's words, Qin Wan felt slightly at ease. Yet the earlier poisoning of Yao Xinlan and her nightmares still lingered in Qin Wan's heart like this rain mist, a hazy layer, invisible from afar, intangible up close, yet undeniably present.
Moshu walked ahead alone under an umbrella. Fuling held an umbrella for Qin Wan behind them. The three walked straight to the library. The Qin residence was, after all, a wealthy family with some heritage. Entering the library, Qin Wan was surprised by the number of books, exceeding her expectations. Moshu stood at the door. "Ninth Young Miss, please look around yourself. There should be medical texts, but I don't know if they have what you need."
Qin Wan nodded and entered the library alone. It wasn't large, but every shelf was packed full. After a few steps, Qin Wan found the medical section. However, medical texts were a minor category. The books she saw were mostly ones she had read before, primarily about medicinal properties. None covered skeletal structure. Qin Wan walked along the library paths. Further back were more valuable ancient texts and famous paintings, some even under lock and key. Qin Wan couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Fortunately, she hadn't pinned absolute hope on it. Seeing she couldn't find what she wanted, she walked out. Moshu and Fuling, seeing her empty-handed, knew she hadn't found anything. Moshu looked apologetic. "What book was Ninth Young Miss looking for? Should we send someone to buy it?"
Medical texts were often secret transmissions, and what she sought likely existed only as rare copies. Qin Wan shook her head. "No need to trouble. It's not absolutely necessary. If there's a chance to see it in the future, that's fine."
Qin Wan spoke sincerely. Moshu sighed. "Very well. Does Ninth Young Miss wish to return to Linfeng Courtyard?"
The library was also east of the residence complex. Hearing this, Qin Wan glanced west. "I'm afraid I still need to go over there."
Moshu knew she was helping Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin investigate, so she nodded. "Yes. Then this servant will take her leave."
Moshu spoke and left first. Qin Wan and Fuling watched her go before heading west. They took a shortcut through the flower beds. Before long, they saw several osmanthus trees.
The osmanthus cakes from yesterday still seemed to linger with fragrance. Qin Wan looked at the delicate yellow buds on the trees, soaked by the rain and ready to fall, feeling genuinely sorry for them. Since she was only going to check Lady Liu's remains and Yan Chi hadn't arrived yet, she was in no hurry. She stopped. "These buds are about to fall. Why don't we pick some to make wine or incense?"
Hearing this, Fuling smiled happily. "Young Miss, hold the umbrella. This servant will pick."
Qin Wan took the umbrella, and Fuling joyfully bounded off. Clearly, her nature delighted in such pleasures; it was just that serving the former Ninth Young Miss had restrained her too much. The rain fell gently; the fragile buds fell at Fuling's light touch. She took out a sachet and handkerchief from her sleeve, first filling the sachet, then using the handkerchief to catch more. They hadn't brought any container. Seeing Fuling act so cautiously, Qin Wan couldn't help but smile, reminded of days gone by.
She hadn't always been this gentle and quiet. As a child, following her father on his postings, she hadn't had proper governesses to teach her feminine arts, nor did she learn the four arts like other young ladies from great families. She only loved chess and calligraphy because her father enjoyed them. Her handwriting and chess skills were learned from him. Though her mother loved the qin, her poor health meant she rarely played herself, let alone taught Qin Wan. As for painting, she was truly a novice.
In the second year of her father's appointment as Provincial Judicial Commissioner of Liangzhou Circuit in the north, two osmanthus trees were planted in their small residence. That September and October, the trees were covered in tiny, brilliant golden osmanthus flowers. Those delicate buds, fragrant and lively, were the most eye-catching sight in the far more desolate and harsh north. She was just a child then. An old servant wanted to pick osmanthus to make cakes for her, but she stopped him. The little girl stood under the tree with a handkerchief, eagerly waiting for the buds to fall. Her mother laughed at her foolishness, but her father picked her up to touch the osmanthus tips.
Her small, pale hands, one cupped below, the other gently touching the tip. With just a shake, golden osmanthus flowers fell into her palm. White palms, golden osmanthus. She buried her face in her hands and took a deep breath, that warm, sweet fragrance nearly intoxicated her young self...
"Young Miss, Young Miss, let's go back and get a big winnowing basket to collect them!"
Fuling's magpie-like call snapped Qin Wan from her memories. Recollecting herself, she saw Fuling's sachet was full, and her handkerchief was also brimming with osmanthus flowers. Unable to hold more, she had to cradle the handkerchief with both hands.
A slight smile touched Qin Wan's lips. "Alright, let's have Wantang and the others come pick later!"
Fuling immediately beamed, closing her eyes to inhale. "So fragrant! I want to eat Cook Liu's osmanthus cakes!"
Qin Wan chuckled. Seeing Fuling still standing under the osmanthus tree in the rain, she walked over to hold the umbrella over her. "If you want to eat, go later. Ask her to make some for you tomorrow. Remember to take some pastries too..."
As Qin Wan spoke, the umbrella had already shaded Fuling's shoulders. Suddenly, there was a tearing sound.
Master and servant both froze, looking up simultaneously. Good heavens, the green bamboo umbrella had been torn by a protruding branch! Qin Wan frowned; Fuling pouted. "Ah... this is the prettiest umbrella in our courtyard! Because it matches Young Miss, I always use this one..."
Qin Wan also felt regretful. "My fault. I didn't see it..."
"No, no, it's this servant's fault. This servant stood under this tree..."
As they were arguing, a group of people approached from the path to the left of the osmanthus trees. The person at the front, seeing Qin Wan and Fuling, immediately came forward. "Greetings, Ninth Young Miss..."
Qin Wan turned, slightly surprised. It was Caihe. "Why are you here?"
Caihe looked back at several male servants standing not far behind. "Ninth Young Miss may not know. Yesterday, Prefect Huo and His Highness said the Purple Bamboo Grove needn't be searched further. But the Old Madam still fears that well, so she ordered it filled."
Qin Wan looked at the male servants with mud-stained boots. "Is it filled?"
Caihe nodded. "Almost done. The paving stones under the flower arbor have also been laid. Now the Old Madam should be at ease. Ninth Young Miss doesn't know, but these past two days, the Old Madam hasn't slept well."
Qin Wan felt a strange unease. Was Madam Jiang's superstition so deep?
As she spoke, Caihe noticed Qin Wan and Fuling standing oddly. Looking up, she saw the tear in Qin Wan's umbrella. "Ah, the umbrella is torn. Does Ninth Young Miss need this servant to bring a new one? This one can be discarded."
Qin Wan took a step forward, examining the tear, and shook her head. "It's fine. Just a small tear."
Caihe saw Qin Wan's fondness for the umbrella. "This umbrella is truly elegant and beautiful. Should this servant have some of this kind of paper umbrella sent from the storeroom later?"
That would be excellent. Qin Wan immediately felt Caihe's position as Madam Jiang's favored maid was well-deserved.
"That would be wonderful. Thank you."
Caihe curtsied. "How dare I trouble you? Please wait a moment, Ninth Young Miss."
Qin Wan nodded. Caihe led the male servants away. Watching her leave, Fuling whispered, "Sister Caihe truly understands people. She knew what Young Miss was thinking at a glance."
Qin Wan's lips curved. "That's why she can be the Old Madam's personal maid. Let's go back quickly. Luckily, the umbrella only has a small tear; it can still cover us..."
Qin Wan spoke lightly, her smile genuine. Fuling, cradling a handkerchief full of osmanthus, ducked under the umbrella, feeling unprecedentedly happy. "Does Young Miss remember? In the past, during autumn, the Master and Madam would also have people pick osmanthus. Back then, this servant picked the most! The Master even rewarded me for that."
Qin Wan made an acknowledging sound. "What did you get?"
Fuling's mouth turned down. "Ah, this servant knew Young Miss wouldn't remember. But that was a long, long time ago. The Master rewarded this servant with a pendant! This servant always wore it, but last year when Young Miss fell ill, that Qian Bairen took it."
Qin Wan frowned. "Such a thing happened?"
Fuling snorted. "Of course! That's why he's not a good person!"
Qin Wan sighed. "Next time, I'll buy you a better one..."
"This servant doesn't want it. This servant only hopes Young Miss stays well!" Fuling straightened her posture. "A pendant can cure Young Miss's illness. This servant thinks it was very worth it!"
Qin Wan said no more but noted this matter. Earlier, reminiscing had saddened her, but seeing Fuling lightened that sorrow. Yet it also made her think of the capital a thousand li away.
Over a month had passed since that incident. Prince Yong had ascended to Crown Prince; presumably, everything had concluded. And here she was, adrift in Jinzhou's storms. When would she get the chance to return to the capital?
Master and servant returned to the courtyard. Fuling first set down the picked osmanthus, then called Wantang and the others. After a few instructions, Wantang, Wanxing, and Wanqing went to pick flowers. Inside, Qin Wan placed the fresh osmanthus atop the incense burner. The scent of aloeswood blended with osmanthus, filling the room.
"Young Miss is making incense like this?" Fuling asked curiously, eyes wide.
Qin Wan replied, "The ancients burned cypress and tangerine peel as incense. Though incense-making has its methods, our way can also make the room fragrant. Isn't that achieving the same goal by different means?"
Fuling looked at Qin Wan with sparkling eyes. "How does Young Miss know so much..."
As soon as she finished speaking, the courtyard gate creaked softly. Fuling stood up. "It must be the umbrella paper delivery!"
She hurried out. Qin Wan only heard her exchange a few words with someone. Soon, Fuling returned carrying a stack of umbrella paper, but with a wry smile. "Young Miss, this is really... we wanted green umbrella paper, but the servant brought water-red paper. What should we do?"
Qin Wan looked over. Indeed, the umbrella paper in Fuling's hands was water-red.
Fuling sighed. "Caihe must not have specified the color. Or maybe the storeroom servant did it on purpose. Young Miss, let's go ask for new ones..."
Qin Wan looked at the paper for a moment, a slight smile touching her lips. "No need."
Fuling made a surprised sound. Qin Wan stood up. "Go get scissors and bring the leftover bitter apricot kernel ointment from yesterday."
Fuling didn't know what Qin Wan intended but complied. Qin Wan took the water-red umbrella paper and, with a few cuts using scissors, then had Fuling bring in the umbrella. By now, the bamboo umbrella had dried. Fuling opened it. Qin Wan leaned over with the red paper. Moments later, she straightened. "Look..."
Hearing this, Fuling immediately lifted the umbrella. Looking at it, she saw that the originally ink-wash lotus design now had an additional water-red lotus subtly appearing amidst the ink strokes. The elegant ink-wash painting suddenly gained color and vitality. Fuling's smile brightened. "Young Miss is truly... too amazing!"
A rare hint of pride flashed in Qin Wan's eyes, yet not ostentatious, only the smile reaching her eyes. Her usually cool face became lively and lovely. She glanced out the window. "Has no one from the yamen come today?"
Fuling said, "Yes, His Highness hasn't arrived yet."
Qin Wan glanced at Fuling. "I meant the yamen..."
Fuling, putting away the umbrella, said to herself, "Oh, I thought Young Miss meant His Highness. These past few days, Young Miss has spoken much more with His Highness than before."
Hearing this, Qin Wan seemed to realize: since learning of Yan Chi's changed identity, Yan Chi had officially taken charge of investigating this case. Unlike before when he was merely an observer, now he was the lead official. Their connection had immediately increased. Yan Chi was keen and brilliantly intelligent; though it was his first time investigating a case, whenever she deduced something, he understood without needing explicit explanation. They had never had deep interactions before, but now they seemed to share a tacit understanding.
Since Yan Chi hadn't arrived yet and much time had passed, Qin Wan decided not to go to the western courtyard for now. At that moment, the courtyard gate opened again, and laughter drifted in. Qin Wan knew Wantang and the others had returned and stood up to go see.
In the courtyard, Wantang and the others each carried a small bamboo basket and held an umbrella. Regardless of anything else, just standing under the rain was a delightful sight. Wantang, seeing Qin Wan come out, stepped forward first. "Young Miss, we followed the order and didn't pick too much."
Qin Wan nodded. Wantang and the others closed their umbrellas and presented their baskets.
Fuling examined each one. Suddenly, she noticed one basket held a few small white chrysanthemums. Her eyes lit up. "You picked Fragrant Snow Sea too..." She paused, uncertain. "Ah, are these Fragrant Snow Sea or Jade Phoenix on the Jade Terrace?"
Fragrant Snow Sea and Jade Phoenix on the Jade Terrace were both highly prized white chrysanthemums in the Great Zhou. At full bloom, both were as white as frost, with large flower heads, essential varieties for chrysanthemum appreciation in wealthy households. Looking at the buds, Fuling couldn't determine which type they were, as the differences between these two white chrysanthemums were minimal, especially hard to distinguish when not in bloom.
Wanqing stepped forward, her eyes sparkling with eagerness. "They're Fragrant Snow Sea, Sister Fuling. Look, these are unopened Fragrant Snow Sea. If you open the center, there's yellow pistils, though you can't see them now. I cut them with stems; they can be placed on Young Miss's desk. They'll bloom in a few days."
Fuling looked closely where Wanqing pointed. "Huh, indeed..."
Seeing Wanqing's expression, clearly waiting for praise, Fuling was about to compliment her when Qin Wan suddenly turned and went inside. Her abrupt movement startled the flower-viewing group. Wanqing blinked, her eager expression fading, replaced by apprehension. "Did I... do something wrong? Say something wrong...?"
Fuling set down the basket. "I'll go check. You wait here. It's fine."
Fuling turned and entered the room, walking to the inner chamber before finding Qin Wan. Qin Wan stood with her back to her, head slightly bowed, seemingly looking at something. Fuling, puzzled, walked to Qin Wan's side. Looking over, she couldn't help but laugh and cry.
Qin Wan still held the bone! Her sudden departure just now was to come inside and look at the bone!
Fuling felt helpless, thinking her young miss was obsessed. She was about to speak when she saw Qin Wan's eyes light up!
"How did I not think of it before... So that's it..."
Qin Wan's eyes were clear as moonlight, her face glowing, her brows and eyes radiant. But Fuling didn't understand her words.
Fuling was stunned for a moment, then said in surprise, "What's wrong, Young Miss? What didn't you think of?"
Qin Wan looked at the bone again, as if confirming something, then turned to Fuling. "I didn't think... I always assumed these were adult bones, so I didn't recognize them... But who says they must be adult bones? They could also be... the bones of a little girl, not yet fully grown..."