The Powerful and Favored Coroner Imperial Concubine

Chapter 114 : A Crisis in Seeking the Portrait, A True Face Revealed

114: A Crisis in Seeking the Portrait, A True Face Revealed

"Ninth Young Miss, is something wrong with this letter?"

Qin Wan frowned delicately, her expression one of deep thought, making Xu He's heart clench. After a moment, Qin Wan turned to look at him. "What's written here reminds me of something."

As she spoke, she looked toward the front courtyard. "Where are the Prefect and Lord Heir?"

Xu He looked troubled. "Just now, the Prefect took someone back. Now both the Prefect and Lord Heir have left the residence. It seems the manager of the pawnshop fled. The Prefect and Lord Heir went in pursuit."

Both Prefect Huo and Lord Heir are gone from the residence?!

Qin Wan's heart sank. Seeing her grave expression, Xu Huo hurriedly said, "What has the Ninth Young Miss thought of? Do you need me to do anything? I don't know when the Prefect and Lord Heir will return."

Qin Wan's frown deepened. She gestured to the letter in her hand. "This says that when the Second Concubine's husband once ran a silk shop, he often mistook colors, seeing black as red, and grey as white. Coroner Xu, do you know why this might be?"

Xu He blinked. "Could it be... poor eyesight?" Seeing Qin Wan's impassive face, Xu He scratched his head and added, "What else could it be? Or perhaps he suffers from an eye ailment?"

Only then did Qin Wan nod. "It is an eye ailment, one of a kind that is incurable and can be passed to one's children."

Xu He's eyes widened immediately. "Passed to children?"

Qin Wan nodded. "I read about it in a... in a medical book. Some people are born unable to distinguish colors; they see dark green as bright red, and pale blue as dark grey. It is a disease without a cure, though it is rarely seen. However..."

Qin Wan's expression showed some difficulty. "However, this disease is also very strange. Sometimes, if both father and mother have it, their child will definitely have it. But if only one of them... it's not certain. The book did not explain the specific reason. This letter only mentions the Second Concubine's husband had it, but in all our inquiries, no one said the Second Concubine suffered from it. From this, we can surmise the Second Concubine likely did not..."

"This makes it hard to determine." Qin Wan sighed, her words slightly hesitant. "But can such a coincidence truly be?"

Fuling, standing to the side, listened but didn't understand. "Miss, what are you talking about?"

Xu He was also half comprehension, half confusion. "The Ninth Young Miss means that the Second Concubine and her husband's daughter might also have this disease? But their daughter likely died long ago, and the other perished in a fire..."

Qin Wan pressed her lips. "If their daughter were still alive, wouldn't she come for revenge?"

Xu He's eyes widened. "If it were me, I most likely would..."

Qin Wan nodded and looked at Fuling. "Do you still remember our umbrella?"

Fuling nodded. "I do. Later it broke, but because Miss is clever, it looked even better after being mended."

Qin Wan's voice sank slightly. "It wasn't my cleverness. Someone delivered the wrong paper for the umbrella."

"The wrong paper?" Fuling's eyes lit up as she remembered. "Yes! Our umbrella was green, and Sister Caihe said she would have the storeroom deliver paper, but they delivered scarlet red paper..."

Fuling's eyes widened. "Miss, are you saying Sister Caihe has the disease of not distinguishing colors?!"

The things Fuling heard from Qin Li were already shocking enough, but she never imagined that based on this single letter, Qin Wan could infer even more. Caihe... not only was Caihe having an illicit affair with Qin Chen, but she was also very likely the Second Concubine's daughter?

Fuling took a sharp breath, her mind suddenly crammed with information, unable to process it. "But... but the ages don't match. And... if she is the Second Concubine's daughter, she should hate the Eldest Young Master. How could she..."

Qin Wan shook her head. "It's not certain yet. It's not definite she is the Second Concubine's daughter, because the disease's transmission is uncertain. Besides, even if the Second Concubine's daughter truly had this disease, it doesn't mean it must be Caihe. It's just that among the people connected to this matter, there are so few, and she happens to have this disease. Her suspicions have greatly increased."

Xu He was stunned for a long moment before reacting. "The young miss the Ninth Young Miss speaks of... is that most trusted personal maid of the Old Madam?"

Qin Wan nodded. Xu He couldn't help but be slightly surprised. "Her position by the Old Madam's side is not low, and she hasn't been in the residence for a short time, has she? If that's the case, isn't she just too..."

Xu He was anxious and couldn't find the right words, then waved his hand. "That would make her utterly terrifying!"

If Caihe was the Second Concubine's daughter, did she know when she entered the residence that her mother and younger sister had died at the hands of the Qin family? Or did she find out later? If she knew from the beginning, then she entered the Qin residence for revenge. If she learned later, then to have hid for so long without being exposed shows her mind is not to be underestimated.

Qin Wan understood Xu He's meaning, her lips pressed even more tightly. "It cannot be confirmed yet. It would be best if we could find the Second Concubine's portrait."

Thinking for a moment, Qin Wan's expression became firm. "Let's keep this for now. We'll go to the front courtyard again."

Qin Wan folded the most critical letter and handed it to Xu He, who carefully put it into his official documents bundle. Seeing Qin Wan turn to go to the front courtyard, Xu He followed.

"I won't return to the yamen yet. I'll accompany the Ninth Young Miss."

Qin Wan gave no opinion. Fuling whispered to Qin Wan, "Miss, we've already searched the front courtyard. Can we find anything if we go again now?"

"It doesn't matter if we don't find anything. We can ask those two old servants if there are any other places in the residence where the Second Concubine's portrait might be kept."

As she spoke, Qin Wan walked on, but questions slowly surfaced in her heart. Qin Li and Caihe were having an affair; Caihe was possibly the Second Concubine's daughter. In that great fire from back then, why didn't the Second Concubine's daughter die?

And if Caihe truly is the Second Concubine's daughter, she should hate the Qin family intensely. So why is she with Qin Chen?

The one who poisoned Yao Xinlan; the one who killed Madam Liu and Liu Chun; and the one who poisoned Qin An… could it all be Caihe?

Given her years of accumulated status in the residence, it wasn't impossible for her to discover the secret affair between Madam Liu and Liu Chun. Discovering this secret, she could have used it to lure Madam Liu out. As for Liu Chun, with Caihe's status, it wasn't surprising he would trust her. She had access to Yao Xinlan's medicine, but what about Qin An's? His prescription was from Qian Bairen, fetched by a young servant from the front courtyard, decocted by those two old servants. Then what?

Caihe hadn't even been to the front courtyard. She was in the Buddha Hall the whole time. There was no way she could have accessed the medicine.

Qin Wan's thoughts were heavy. She looked up and saw the sky growing dark. The night lamps of the Qin residence were all being lit one after another. As night fell, a cool breeze with the autumn chill seeped into her skin, making her subconsciously pull her cloak tighter.

"Miss, shouldn't we wait for Lord Heir and the others to return and just let them arrest Caihe for questioning? It would be the right time," Fuling whispered softly to Qin Wan.

Qin Wan shook her head. "Caihe won't talk. We need to find more evidence."

As they spoke, the three arrived at the front courtyard. When Qin Wan came that morning, she remembered seeing Chief Constable Qi guarding it. But now, only two yamen bailiffs were on duty. Seeing Qin Wan and Xu He approach, they hurried forward to bow.

Qin Wan asked, "Where is Chief Constable Qi?"

One bailiff stepped forward. "The Prefect's side is short-handed. He temporarily transferred Chief Constable Qi over."

Prefect Huo was investigating Qingyuan Pawnshop; likely many people were involved. Qin Wan nodded. "I'm going in to see. You don't need to accompany me..."

The two bailiffs naturally wouldn't stop Qin Wan and Xu He, nodding immediately. "Please go ahead, Ninth Young Miss."

Xu He greeted them and followed Qin Wan into the courtyard.

The moment they entered the courtyard gate, a scolding voice was heard.

"All you know is to loaf around! Do you want this month's silver or not?!"

"I asked you to wash a jar, and you can't even wash it clean! What a waste of medicinal herbs!"

"Useless little thing! Kneel there and don't get up!"

The voice was very familiar; it was one of the old servants who attended Qin An. Qin Wan frowned slightly, walked around the screen just inside, and sure enough, under the dim eaves, there were two people. One was the old servant she had seen during the day. The other, a ten-year-old page boy, was kneeling on the ground, sobbing softly...

Qin Wan's footsteps startled the old servant, who looked over and was instantly surprised. "Ninth Young Miss, why have you come?"

The old servant came forward but ignored the kneeling page boy. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, the boy grew even more frightened, lowering his head and suppressing his sobs.

"What's going on?" Qin Wan glanced at the page boy.

The old servant forced a smile. "The Ninth Young Miss wouldn't know. With the current situation, people in the residence are a bit flustered, and their work is becoming careless. This little page is like that. I asked him to wash the Master's medicine jar, and he couldn't even get it clean." He sighed. "The Ninth Young Miss needn't worry. A little punishment will teach him to be more diligent."

Qin Wan had no intention of meddling in the residence's affairs. Hearing this, she asked no further, only saying, "I'm here to ask you besides the study and the residence's book repository, are there any other places where his paintings might be?"

Hearing this, the old servant knew Qin Wan was still on account of that day's matter. He thought for a moment. "There are also some in the Old Madam's personal storeroom. Sometimes when the Master acquires extremely valuable paintings, he gives them to the Old Madam."

Qin Wan shook her head. "Think again."

No matter how poor a man Qin An was, he would never dare give a portrait of the Second Concubine to Madam Jiang.

The old servant thought for a few more moments. "There's also the main hall in the front. It's where the Master receives guests daily. There's also a study there for receiving guests, though the Master rarely goes there."

A flicker of hope lit in Qin Wan's eyes. "Take us to see."

The old servant nodded. "Please wait a moment, Ninth Young Miss. I'll fetch the key."

Qin Wan agreed. The old servant turned and entered the main house. Xu He and the others stood in the courtyard, their expressions complex. Xu He glanced around, then looked at the kneeling page boy, his eyes showing a bit of sympathy.

Qin Wan saw it but said nothing. The Qin residence had its own rules. No matter where, if one did wrong, one was punished. She didn't want to break the rules. Besides, a little punishment wasn't entirely a bad thing.

Soon, the old servant came out and gestured. "Please follow me, Ninth Young Miss."

The old servant headed for the moon gate to the east of the courtyard. The reception hall wasn't on Qin An's side but required walking a bit further east. As they walked, Qin Wan realized this was the hall where Lord Heir had first met her in the residence.

"Ninth Young Miss, the outer study is this way."

The old servant led the way, with Qin Wan and the others following. They first entered the reception hall, then turned left through a doorway, discovering another courtyard behind it. The place the old servant mentioned was here.

As this area was unused, no lamps were lit at night. The old servant held a lamp, went in, lit a lamp in the corner, and only then invited Qin Wan and the others inside. Upon entering, Qin Wan saw a thick layer of dust on the desks and tables.

The old servant set down the lamp and pointed to two tall cabinets. "Ninth Young Miss, there are also some paintings and calligraphy here."

Qin Wan looked over, feeling somewhat uncertain. There were mostly books in these two high cabinets. Although there were some paintings and calligraphy, there were very few. Even so, Qin Wan stepped forward and opened the cabinet doors.

Seeing this, Fuling immediately came over to help. Qin Wan opened one scroll after another, but they were all of landscapes, flowers, and birds. Just as it seemed they had looked through all of them without seeing an image of a beauty, Qin Wan sighed with some disappointment.

"Miss, there's still one pressed at the very bottom…"

Just as Qin Wan thought this was another fruitless trip, Fuling suddenly pointed to a scroll pressed at the very bottom. "This one... Let me pull it out..."

Fuling crouched down, almost having to crawl into the cabinet. Soon, she emerged, holding a yellowed scroll. Seeing the paper, Qin Wan's heart stirred slightly. At least the paper felt old.

She untied the silk tie on the scroll. Fuling, full of hope, unrolled it. But in the next instant, a "riiiip" sound stunned her. Looking closely, she saw the paper had mysteriously stuck together. Her pull had torn a large hole in the painting. Fuling's face tightened. "Miss!"

Qin Wan said calmly, "It's alright. Let's see what's painted."

Qin Wan stopped her from trying to unroll it further. The scroll was rolled upside down. She only caught a glimpse of a piece of a skirt through the torn corner. Her eyes lit up slightly. "Although we don't know what's painted, it seems to be a person."

Fuling said anxiously, "But the paper is stuck together. What should we do?"

Qin Wan shook her head reassuringly. "It's fine. I have a way. Let's roll it up. We'll take it back."

Hearing this, Fuling quickly rerolled the scroll. Meanwhile, Qin Wan looked at the old servant. "We'll take this painting for now. We will return it after we've looked at it..."

The old servant didn't dare say much. "Of course, Ninth Young Miss do as you please."

Having found a painting, though having seen only a corner, Qin Wan was eager to see its true face. She decided to leave immediately. The old servant extinguished the lamp and locked the door. The group returned the way they came to Qin An's quarters.

Arriving here, Qin Wan wanted to take her leave, but a glance at the corner of her eye showed the page boy still kneeling under the eaves.

Qin Wan couldn't help but say, "The autumn weather is cold. He is still young. Kneeling for so long might cause him lasting harm. The courtyard cannot be without people. A little punishment should be enough."

The old servant understood her meaning and quickly waved the boy over. "You may rise. The Ninth Young Miss spoke for you. Hurry and thank her."

The page boy immediately stood up and ran a few steps to Qin Wan.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Ninth Young Miss."

Just a few words hardly counted as great kindness, but Qin Wan looked at the boy reassuringly. "It's nothing."

The old servant then looked at Qin Wan with emotion. "The Ninth Young Miss has a kind heart. If any other master knew a medicine jar hadn't been washed clean, wasting medicinal herbs, I'm afraid kneeling for a long time would not be enough."

As he said this, the old servant glared at the page boy. "But it's indeed your fault. How could you not wash away such obvious medicinal dregs?"

The boy shrank his neck and lowered his head. "But I did wash it clean..."

Qin Wan had been about to leave, but hearing this, she subconsciously felt a flicker of suspicion. "What dregs?"

Washing a medicine jar is a simple matter. Qin Wan had assumed the ash and grime hadn't been washed clean, but she didn't expect that even the medicinal dregs hadn't been washed away. This was truly strange...

Hearing Qin Wan's question, the old servant quickly answered. "When decocting medicine today, I hadn't looked yet. I put the herbs in, added water, and saw a layer of black ash float up. Only then did I look and see a layer of burnt medicinal dregs at the bottom of the jar."

"Burnt medicinal dregs?" Qin Wan asked again. The old servant sounded uncertain. "Even if it's not dregs, it's some kind of filth. In any case, he didn't wash it clean. Although the Master is in this state, such matters cannot be handled so carelessly."

Qin Wan frowned. "Where are the dregs? Show me."

The old servant was surprised, and Fuling and Xu He were also puzzled. Why would they want to see someone else's medicinal dregs?

The old servant didn't dare ask questions and led Qin Wan toward the side room. "Seeing there was filth inside, I poured it all out. It's in the usual basin where we pour out the dregs."

As he spoke, the old servant led Qin Wan into the side room and pointed to a basin in the corner. "It's right there."

Qin Wan handed the painting to Fuling and walked a few steps to the edge of the basin. Looking down, she saw the basin indeed held medicinal dregs. And the burnt dregs the old servant mentioned were scattered among the herbs. Unafraid of filth, Qin Wan picked up the black specks with her fingers, rubbed them lightly, and brought them to her nose for a sniff. Soon, her brow furrowed. She stood up and looked at the page boy. "Did you wash the medicine jar?"

The boy was intimidated by her sudden serious expression and nodded dully.

Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. "Where did you wash it? Did you meet anyone else?"

The boy's eyes widened slightly. Only then did he speak softly. "I... I washed it by the eastern well. When I went to wash, Huan'er from the Old Madam's side was also there washing. The Old Madam has been taking medicine daily. After finishing the last dose each night, the medicine jar and bowl must be washed, so I always see her."

Huan'er! Qin Wan's eyes instantly darkened. So that's how it was. So that's how it was…

Seeing the dark expression on Qin Wan's face, Fueling hurried forward. "Miss, what's wrong?"

Qin Wan shook her head without elaborating, only looking at the old servant. "Keep these dregs."

Seeing Qin Wan's expression suddenly change, the old servant seemed to realize the seriousness of the matter and hurriedly nodded obediently. Seeing him nod, Qin Wan looked at the page boy. "Where is this Huan'er now?"

The boy blinked. "Huan'er must still be attending the Old Madam. She's a second-rank maid by the Old Madam's side, one of the few allowed to remain in the Buddha Hall."

The Old Madam was devoted to Buddhism and lived a simple life. There weren't many maids in the Buddha Hall; Huan'er was one of them. Qin Wan nodded and looked at the boy. "You stay in this courtyard. Don't go out."

The boy was intimidated by Qin Wan's gaze and panicked. Qin Wan seemed to realize this and softened her voice. "It's nothing. You two look after the Master well. The Prefect will return to see him later."

The boy was confused, but meeting Qin Wan's clear eyes, he nodded dully.

Qin Wan curved her lips, bid farewell to the old servant, and turned to leave. As she left, Fuling and Xu He hurried to follow. At the courtyard gate, Qin Wan specifically instructed the two guards at the door. Xu He's eyes were fixed on Qin Wan. Only after they were out of range of the front courtyard did he urgently ask, "Ninth Young Miss, what's wrong? Is there a problem with the dregs?"

Qin Wan's footsteps suddenly stopped. She nodded. "There's definitely a problem. That wasn't black dregs; it's heavy metal poison. We've been interrogating those who prescribe, fetch, and decoct the medicine, but we forgot the medicine jar. The poisoner must have made a move in the jar while the page boy was distracted. That Huan'er is the prime suspect."

A light shone in Xu He's eyes. When Qin An was poisoned, it had greatly troubled Prefect Huo, but they could never figure out how the poison was administered. Now that they knew the method, that maid must be the poisoner!

"It was that Huan'er who poisoned Master Qin?"

Qin Wan hesitated slightly. "It's not certain yet. Let's not alert the prey."

As she spoke, Qin Wan glanced at the painting in Fuling's hands. "Once we unroll this painting, perhaps we can be certain. But so much time has passed; a long night brings many dreams. Coroner Xu, can you find a way to inform Lord Heir or the Prefect? Just need one of them to return to the residence. There are several matters to inform them of now. It might be unwise to wait too long."

Hearing this, Xu He nodded immediately. "I know where they went. If I must, I will go find them!"

With that, Xu He turned and ran. Qin Wan wanted to call out to him but it was too late. Thinking it over, she let him go. Setting aside the fact that they had found the person who poisoned Qin An, the question remained whether they could arrest Huan'er, who was in the Buddha Hall.

"Do you know this Huan'er?" Qin Wan looked at Fuling.

Fuling shook her head. "I don't. But there aren't many young maids by the Old Madam's side. All her personal matters are handled by Caihe alone. The young maids are responsible for sweeping, washing, and other chores. This Huan'er is likely one of them, not someone with a high position."

This made Qin Wan even more certain that Huan'er was most likely acting on someone's orders.

"Miss, what do we do now?"

Qin Wan composed herself. "Go back. Let's unroll this painting first."

As she spoke, she headed in the direction of Tinglan Pavilion. Just as they reached the inner courtyard area, Fuling suddenly said, "Oh, Miss, weren't we also going to ask at the gatehouse?"

Qin Wan froze, annoyed with herself. How could she have forgotten this?

But after a moment's thought, she shook her head. The Ninth Young Miss's case was already hidden in the shadows. The most urgent matter now was to unroll this painting. It was late; going to the gatehouse would also attract attention.

"Tomorrow. We'll go back first."

Qin Wan made a swift decision. However, just as they were about to reach Tinglan Pavilion, she saw a figure standing at its gate. Looking closely, it was Qin Chen...

Qin Wan slowed her steps. Fuling also saw Qin Chen. "Eldest Young Master..."

Qin Chen seemed to be waiting specifically for Qin Wan. Seeing her and Fuling appear, he walked over with a slight smile.

Qin Wan glanced back at Fuling and whispered, "Keep today's matters in your heart."

This warning was about the affair between Qin Chen and Caihe. Fuling nodded, biting her lip to prevent herself from revealing anything. She looked at Qin Chen, who approached them holding a lamp, the admiration in her eyes completely gone.

"Eldest Brother, why are you here?" Qin Wan asked, her voice clear.

Qin Chen's gaze, however, fell on the painting in Fuling's hands. "I was looking for you but was told you weren't here, so I waited for a while."

Qin Wan blinked. "For me? What is it? Perhaps the Young Mistress is..."

Qin Chen shook his head, his eyes warm. "No, she is much better. This afternoon... this afternoon I argued with her a bit. Later, thinking it was wrong, I went back. She truly likes you. After seeing you, her spirits improved considerably, and she even received a letter from Jianzhou."

Qin Wan's dimples showed. "Although as a sister I shouldn't interfere in matters between you and the Young Mistress, she is with child and her emotions are unsteady. Eldest Brother must show her more concern. When I went today, the Young Mistress was quite heartbroken."

Qin Chen gave a helpless smile, his tone somewhat reassuring. "Wan'er has grown up. Don't worry, big brother understands."

He paused, then his gaze fell on the painting in Fuling's hands again. "Were you looking for paintings again?"

Qin Wan's heart tightened slightly. Qin Chen saying this likely meant he knew she had gone to the book repository.

"Yes, I looked in the front courtyard."

Qin Chen sighed. "If you wanted to find a painting, why didn't you ask me? All the paintings and calligraphy in the residence have been managed by me over the years. Is there anything that I wouldn't know?"

As he spoke, Qin Chen looked at the painting in Fuling's hands. "What is this?"

A storm raged in Qin Wan's mind, but meeting Qin Chen's unwavering gaze, she finally said with composure, "This is a painting done by Third Uncle. We don't know who it depicts, but it is very likely the Second Concubine."

Qin Chen seemed slightly surprised. "The Second Concubine? You're looking for a painting related to the Second Concubine?"

Qin Wan felt somewhat embarrassed. "Not exactly. I just heard people say the Second Concubine was extremely beautiful, so I became curious. But it seems there are no paintings of the Second Concubine in the residence."

Qin Chen was somewhat at a loss. After looking at Qin Wan for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Does Ninth Young Miss truly want to see it?"

Qin Wan was momentarily stunned, looking at Qin Chen hesitantly. "Could it be that there really is a painting of the Second Concubine?"

Qin Chen sighed, his eyes lowering for a moment. "How could there not be? Father doted on the Second Concubine so much back then, he naturally painted her countless times. It's just that later, after the incident, those paintings were all put away."

As he spoke, Qin Chen said casually, "There is also a small storeroom in the residence, usually for storing the Four Treasures of the Study and some elegant ornaments like painted screens. There are also some paintings and calligraphy stored there. If I remember correctly, the paintings Father did of the Second Concubine are there."

Hearing this, Qin Wan's heart began to pound. The painting in Fuling's hands hadn't been opened yet; Qin Wan didn't know what was inside. Even if it was what she hoped, the features might be blurry. If they could find more paintings from that year, it would be of great benefit.

"Where is it?" Qin Wan asked instinctively.

Qin Chen pointed east. "Not far from the book repository."

Qin Chen said this, and Qin Wan remembered that there were also storerooms around the book repository. What Qin Chen said was likely true.

"If Ninth Young Miss wants to see it, I'll take you there now."

Qin Chen offered freely. Qin Wan was both tempted and hesitant. Tempted, of course, by the prospect of seeing the Second Concubine's portrait. Hesitant, because of her suspicion of Qin Chen. Though she hadn't yet asked at the gatehouse, the seed of doubt, once planted, was hard to uproot.

"Don't you want to see it, Ninth Young Sister?" Qin Chen laughed lightly. "It's also fine if you don't. After all, she's someone from the past."

Qin Wan looked back at Fuling. Excitement also flickered in Fuling's eyes. Qin Wan made up her mind and nodded. "Of course I want to see. I want to see what kind of beauty the Second Concubine was."

Qin Chen's eyes darkened slightly. He turned around first. "Then let's go."

Qin Wan followed Qin Chen. Fuling followed Qin Wan. Qin Wan felt a little nervous, but thinking that Fuling was with her, her heart gradually eased. She shifted her gaze. "What are your plans for the future, Eldest Brother?"

Hearing this, Qin Chen turned back. "Most likely, Jianzhou first."

Jianzhou... Qin Wan's expression remained calm, but her heart knew that Yao Xinlan had not mustered the courage.

She sighed inwardly. Since Yao Xinlan had made her decision, it was not her place to say more.

"Do you want to go to Jianzhou, Ninth Young Sister?" Qin Chen suddenly asked.

Qin Wan looked up and met Qin Chen's concerned gaze. For a moment, she felt a trance, as if perhaps she had misunderstood Qin Chen. "I have never been to Jianzhou and don't know what it's like, so I can't say whether I want to go or not."

Qin Chen turned back, his voice light and a bit admiring. "Jianzhou is a land of plenty, more prosperous and wealthy than Jinzhou. It's where the Xu River and the Wu River meet, the waterway transport is well-developed."

A place with developed water transport was naturally wealthy. Thinking of what she'd read in books, Qin Wan had a general impression of Jianzhou and asked Qin Chen, "Is Eldest Brother planning for everyone to go together?"

Qin Chen nodded. "Naturally. Grandmother and Mother probably don't want to leave Jinzhou, but it's best for the younger generation to leave. Grandmother and Mother think so too."

As he spoke, Qin Chen looked back at Qin Wan. "Your sister-in-law will surely want you to accompany her."

The evening breeze was gentle. The further east they went, the dimmer the residence's lamps became. However, the lamp in Qin Chen's hand was held very steady. Combined with his gentle tone and concerned gaze, Qin Wan's wariness toward Qin Chen actually lessened by a degree. Looking at him, his face filled with sincerity, Qin Wan suddenly wondered, had Qin Chen already made a decision? At this time, was he determined to cast aside his past with Caihe and be truly good to Yao Xinlan, for the good of his family and his future prospects?

Witnessing too many of Yao Xinlan's tears, Qin Wan felt an indescribable bitterness when this thought arose. Although as an outsider, she felt Qin Chen's actions now still had little to do with sincerity, wasn't this what Yao Xinlan wanted?

The image of Yao Xinlan staring blankly that afternoon surfaced in Qin Wan's mind. At that time, she thought Yao Xinlan was going to change her situation, at least to investigate her suspicions thoroughly. But unexpectedly, she had changed her mind again.

A feeling of regret lingered in Qin Wan's heart. It wasn't disappointment, but a kind of anger at her weakness and pity for her misfortune. In the end, she could only think bitterly that if Qin Chen started now and was wholeheartedly good to Yao Xinlan, perhaps it wasn't too bad.

"The Young Mistress still wants you by her side. She loves you dearly, Eldest Brother."

Unable to hold back, Qin Wan finally said this ambiguous sentence. Qin Chen, who was walking ahead, seemed to chuckle lightly. "You are still young and don't understand these things. But don't worry, I know."

As he spoke, Qin Chen looked back again. "However, Ninth Young Sister is also of an age to start considering these matters. In recent days, I have seen Lord Heir take very good care of you. He also had you assist with the residence case. What does Ninth Young Sister think of Lord Heir?"

The image of Yan Chi appeared in Qin Wan's mind. Just as she was about to consider Qin Chen's question seriously, her rational side made her sober up again. "Eldest Brother, you misunderstand. We only met twice at the Marquis's residence. Lord Heir knows I saved the Grand Princess, so he has a bit of trust in me, that's all. It's not what Eldest Brother thinks."

Qin Chen laughed and shook his head, turning away. "Ninth Young Sister, for a man in this world, he will never be good to a young miss for no reason. If he is good to her, then he has feelings for her."

Qin Wan's cherry lips moved, about to speak, but Qin Chen pointed ahead. "We're almost there."

The night was as dark as ink. The dim lamps of the Qin residence were spread out. Qin Wan looked up at the sky and was surprised to see many stars scattered across the Milky Way that night. A feeling of openness grew in her heart, and she stopped thinking about Qin Chen's words, just following him past the book repository and a little further. Before long, they stopped before another storeroom.

"Alright, this is it."

This place was even more remote than the book repository, its surroundings deathly quiet. Qin Wan looked around but couldn't see a single yamen guard. Only then did she realize that throughout this journey, she hadn't seen a single bailiff.

Could Prefect Huo have transferred all the guards away?

With a "click," Qin Chen unlocked the door to the storeroom. "Ninth Young Sister, come in."

This storeroom was much larger than the book repository. And as Qin Chen said, it was filled with many painted screens and ornamental panels. Standing at the door, Qin Wan could already see an eight-panel screen depicting mountains, waters, and a court lady. Qin Chen stood inside and pointed. Qin Wan lifted her skirt and walked in. Qin Chen then lit the two lamps by the door. The room instantly brightened.

"The screens in the main courtyards of the residence are generally changed once a year. These are mostly the ones that were replaced. But some were purchased or gifted. There are also some valuable jade screens. If a new courtyard is being decorated, they come here to get items. A few of the decorations in your courtyard came from here. Ninth Young Sister, feel free to take them if you see anything you like."

Qin Chen spoke slowly. Qin Wan smiled and declined. "No, everything in my courtyard is fine."

"Ninth Young Sister doesn't like luxury and complexity; big brother knows. However, I'm afraid the items in this room won't be able to be taken away." Qin Chen's tone was grave as he spoke. "The painting you are looking for should be at the front. You can get it yourself."

Qin Chen stood just inside the door. Fuling stood outside. Qin Wan glanced back, feeling a bit reassured.

She walked a few steps in the direction Qin Chen indicated. Sure enough, a shelf against the wall held a scattered pile of paintings. Most of these paintings had yellowed paper, and judging by their storage, they weren't valuable items.

Qin Wan stepped forward, brushed off the dust, and opened the top one. As the painting unrolled, Qin Wan saw a scene of a beauty in a bamboo grove. Her heart immediately stirred. She recognized the grove as the Qin residence's Purple Bamboo Grove, and the beauty in a white dress ran lightly among the bamboos, her skirts fluttering, ethereal as a fairy...

Aunt Liu had said the Second Concubine liked plain colors. Qin Chen hadn't lied. There were indeed paintings related to the Second Concubine here.

Although she found a painting, it wasn't the portrait Qin Wan wanted, one that could clearly show the facial features. Qin Wan put the first one away and hurriedly looked at the second one. Just then, from the doorway, Qin Chen suddenly asked, "Besides looking for paintings, did Ninth Sister go anywhere else this afternoon?"

Qin Wan was anxiously trying to unroll the painting and answered without thinking, "No, I only went to the front courtyard to look for paintings."

Qin Wan didn't finish, but naturally, the matter of discovering the poisoning method could only be told to Lord Heir and the Prefect.

"Didn't you go to the gatehouse to ask…"

Qin Wan subconsciously wanted to ask, "Ask what at the gatehouse?" but before the words were out, she froze.

How did Qin Chen know she was going to the gatehouse? Only she and Fuling knew about this!

The painting in Qin Wan's hands was only half unrolled, but a sense of danger slithered up her spine like a snake. She lost all interest in the painting. She spun around and looked toward the door. In that single glance, her pupils contracted.

Fuling, who had been standing at the door, was now lying silently on the floor inside the room.

And Qin Chen stood impassively at the door. With a push, he closed the half-open door.