novelraw Chapter 116 : Frenzied Revenge, Rescue from the Fire
Chapter 116 : Frenzied Revenge, Rescue from the Fire
116: Frenzied Revenge, Rescue from the Fire
"Fire... there's a fire!" Moshu cried out in disbelief, then suddenly dashed toward the Buddha Hall like a madwoman. "My lady! The Young Mistress is still in there! Young Mistress!"
Moshu ran while shouting, her voice already choked with sobs. Qin Wan's heart also knotted in anxiety. She turned to look at Yan Chi. "Let's check it out! This fire is strange!"
After speaking, she glanced at Xu He. "Take Fuling back!"
With that, Qin Wan lifted her skirts to leave. Xu He, holding Fuling, stood dumbfounded; he wanted to follow but couldn't just put Fuling down. Meanwhile, Yan Chi immediately followed. "Put Fuling down. Notify the others in the residence!"
Qin Wan followed Moshu; Yan Chi followed Qin Wan. And ahead, Qin Chen, his expression complex, also saw the fire in the direction of the Buddha Hall. His steps faltered, eyes widening slowly, then he too rushed toward it. But he had only taken one step when Bai Feng reached out to block him. "Where is the Young Master going?"
Qin Chen pointed toward the fire. "Can you not see? The Buddha Hall is on fire!"
Bai Feng naturally saw, but Yan Chi's order was to bring Qin Chen to the front courtyard for detention.
Meeting Bai Feng's indifferent gaze, Qin Chen's eyes contracted sharply. "I am not yet a convict; no verdict has been passed. I... no one knows the layout of the Qin residence better than I. If we don't fight the fire, are we to watch the Qin residence burn to the ground?!"
Bai Feng frowned, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. Seeing this, Qin Chen pushed Bai Feng's arm aside and headed toward the Buddha Hall. Bai Feng did not stop him, only followed closely behind. Qin Chen's expression was resolute, but his heart was also filled with confusion about why the Buddha Hall had caught fire. Recalling Qin Wan's words earlier, his heart pounded with unease.
The storeroom was already in the east; the Buddha Hall was also in the eastern direction of the Qin residence. Moshu, at the front, reached the entrance of the Buddha Hall first. She had only been gone a short while, but upon returning, the Buddha Hall was already a sea of flames. Not just the courtyard, but even the main gate was engulfed in tongues of fire. The cool autumn wind swept through; besides the scent of burning wood, there was also a pungent odor of pine oil in the air. Moshu stood despairingly outside the gate, her eyes instantly red!
"Young Mistress! Young Mistress!"
Moshu screamed with all her might. Footsteps came from behind. She turned and saw Qin Wan and Yan Chi approaching together. Tears rolled down Moshu's face, and she grabbed Qin Wan's arm. "Ninth Young Miss! The Young Mistress is still in there! The Young Mistress is still inside... Ninth Young Miss... what should we do..."
Before her words finished, Yan Chi had already leapt onto the roof in a swift movement. Qin Wan gripped Moshu's hand in return, her heart sinking as she looked at the inferno. She watched Yan Chi's figure on the rooftop, her lips pressed together anxiously.
From a distance, it hadn't seemed so severe, but up close, the fire's ferocity became clear. Qin Wan had never seen such a massive fire in her life and momentarily lost her composure. She anxiously watched Yan Chi. Soon, Yan Chi landed again.
In just that brief ascent and descent, his clothes were already covered in soot. Brushing his sleeves, he shook his head. "The entire back building is ablaze. The central courtyard is surrounded by fire, and the flames inside are too intense to approach."
Upon hearing this, Moshu's legs went weak. She clung helplessly to Qin Wan, crying and murmuring, "Young Mistress..."
Just as despair set in, Moshu looked up and saw Qin Chen and Bai Feng running over. Qin Chen's face was ashen, his eyes filled with urgency, his body stained with blood, his right arm hanging weakly, apparently injured. Moshu didn't know Qin Chen had just tried to kill Qin Wan, nor did she care about his injuries. Her mind was solely on Yao Xinlan. She frantically rushed to Qin Chen's side.
"Young Master! There's a fire! Please save the Young Mistress!"
Qin Chen had come for Madam Jiang and Caihe. He was momentarily surprised to see Moshu here. Hearing her words, he was shocked. "Xinlan is here?"
Moshu nodded incessantly. "The Old Madam said she wanted to speak with the Young Mistress. I just brought her over, and... I wasn't gone even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before the fire broke out. Young Master, the Young Mistress is with child! Young Master!"
Moshu cried as if her heart were breaking. Qin Chen's body stiffened.
Everything Qin Wan had said earlier flooded his mind. Even if he hadn't believed it, faced with this raging fire, he could no longer deny it. The flames roared. They stood ten to fifteen feet outside the gate, yet the heat was still intense. Sparks flew, and black ashes drifted in the wind, ready to land on them at any moment. Such a fire couldn't start by itself. Who set it? Why did it start just as Yao Xinlan arrived?
Madam Jiang wouldn't harm Yao Xinlan. The arsonist could only be one person...
Yan Chi spoke to Bai Feng, "Call everyone in the residence to help put out the fire."
Bai Feng acknowledged and vanished into the night. The night was already deep; many servants had already retired. But such a massive fire quickly alarmed the entire residence. Xu He and Bai Feng only had to shout, and many servants came with buckets and basins of water.
Before the Buddha Hall, Qin Wan felt small and powerless for the first time.
"There's the smell of pine oil. This fire was set deliberately."
Qin Wan's voice was strained. Through the violently raging flames, she could vaguely make out the screen wall inside the Buddha Hall. The screen wall inscribed with Buddhist scriptures was now charred black. What lay behind it was unimaginable.
"Caihe?" Yan Chi asked quietly. Qin Wan nodded.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Yan Chi's lips. "Why set the fire now? And she even invited the Young Mistress of the residence..."
Qin Wan's hand hanging at her side clenched into a fist, her gaze momentarily desolate. "She... once the old case was exposed, her greatest wish was fulfilled. With this case exposed, the Qin family loses its wealth and status. As for why she invited Sister-in-law... Sister-in-law's family can save the Qin family. She is carrying Eldest Brother's child. Perhaps... she wants to ensure the Qin family has no chance of recovery..."
As she spoke, the scene of being led to the Buddha Hall by Caihe for the first time flashed in her mind. Back then, Caihe was charming and lovely, gentle and amiable like a girl next door. Even when Fuling said she was an inner-court steward, Qin Wan found it hard to believe. How could such a young girl harbor such vengeful intent...?
The crimson flames reflected on Qin Wan's face, accentuating her sorrow. Yan Chi watched beside her, his eyes darkening further. Meanwhile, Moshu knelt on the ground, weeping.
"Young Master, I beg you, save the Young Mistress!"
Moshu, looking at Qin Chen's dazed expression, felt utter despair. She kept shaking Qin Chen's arm, her eyes pleading. "Young Master, the Young Mistress is with child. Even if not for her, think of the child..."
Qin Chen suddenly snapped back to himself. He roughly pulled Moshu up. "I know, I know..."
Moshu suppressed her sobs. When she turned to look at the fire again, her heart sank once more. Such a massive fire, forget Qin Chen, even Yan Chi, with his high martial skills, couldn't enter. Was there any hope for her lady?!
"Quick! Here! The well is to the east!"
Shouts suddenly rang out. Moshu turned to see Bai Feng and Xu He leading a crowd over!
Servants of the Qin residence, regardless of gender, held wooden basins and buckets. Along with the arriving bailiffs, they all rushed toward the well. But there was only one well, and so many people had to wait their turn. Qin Chen looked around, as if stimulated by the sudden crowd, and snapped back to awareness. "There's another well to the west! Don't all crowd here!"
With Qin Chen directing, the servants immediately found direction. Soon, people were bringing water.
Basin after basin of water was thrown at the gate. Those without water or tools joined the firefighting with brooms or hoes. Even so, the fire showed no signs of abating. The arsonist had used pine oil; the moment water doused it, it reignited. Seeing this was futile, Yan Chi leapt onto the roof with his own strength. This time, he descended even faster than before. "The fire is too intense. No footing on the roof."
Hearing this, Qin Wan's heart pounded. Meanwhile, Yan Chi's sharp eyes caught a figure cowering at the back of the crowd. Unlike everyone else frantically fighting the fire, this person hid in the shadows, watching as if afraid to come forward.
Yan Chi called out, "Bai Feng!"
Bai Feng followed Yan Chi's gaze and also spotted the person. He strode over and quickly brought her forward a maid no more than thirteen or fourteen.
"What's your name? Which area do you serve?"
The maid, singled out and faced with Yan Chi's imposing presence, knelt with a thud.
"This... this servant is called... called Huan'er. I serve the Old Madam..."
"Huan'er?" Qin Wan frowned slightly. "You're called Huan'er?"
Huan'er looked up at Qin Wan, shrinking her neck and nodding. Yan Chi turned to Qin Wan. Qin Wan hesitated a moment before asking, "Why are you outside? Shouldn't you be inside attending?"
Huan'er's expression changed slightly. "Today... today Sister Caihe said we weren't needed to watch and let us rest early."
Qin Wan immediately looked at Yan Chi. His eyes were also shadowed.
Huan'er continued, "Our quarters are in the servants' rooms west of the Buddha Hall. We all ran out when the fire started."
Caihe let the other young servants rest but specifically summoned Yao Xinlan, clearly showing premeditation.
Qin Wan frowned slightly and leaned closer. "Is Caihe good to you?"
At this question, Huan'er's eyes instantly reddened. "Yes, very good."
Qin Wan made a sound of acknowledgment. "So you knew she was going to set the fire?"
Huan'er was stunned, then her eyes widened in shock. She hurriedly shook her head. "No, no... I didn't know..."
Qin Wan gave a cold smile. "She could have you poison the Master, yet you didn't know she intended to set a fire?"
Huan'er's face turned pale, a thin sweat immediately breaking out on her forehead. She bit her lip tightly, tears rolling down. "I... I... didn't know... I only..."
Only then did Yan Chi understand this Huan'er was the one who poisoned the medicine jar. He looked at Huan'er for a moment. "Take her away."
Hearing this, Huan'er's body went limp. She kept shaking her head and crying but offered no defense. Two bailiffs stepped forward, half-dragging, half-supporting her as they led her away. Even as she was taken, Huan'er kept looking back at the burning Buddha Hall. Yan Chi watched her demeanor and asked Qin Wan, "Do you believe her?"
Qin Wan sighed. "Caihe set the fire with the resolve to die. What Huan'er said might be true."
Before she could finish, Madam Lin, supported by a maid, appeared at the western intersection. Madam Lin walked over, a thin sheen of sweat on her face, followed by Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang. All three arrived with anxious expressions. Seeing the immense fire, their eyes filled with panic!
"How could there be a fire?! How could it catch fire?!"
Madam Lin's face was deathly pale. Seeing the nearly collapsed gate, her hands trembled with urgency. "Is Mother still inside?"
Her gaze swept around and landed on Qin Chen. "Chen'er! How could there be a fire out of nowhere?!"
Qin Chen walked to Madam Lin's side. "Mother..."
Qin Chen's eyes were full of difficulty. Facing Madam Lin's puzzled and frantic gaze, he had to lower his head.
Madam Lin gripped his arm tightly. "How could there be a fire?! What exactly happened?!"
Madam Lin's eyes reddened with anxiety. She couldn't help but step forward. "Mother is still!"
Before she finished, Madam Lin spotted Moshu weeping to the side. Her expression changed slightly. "Moshu, why are you here..."
Moshu wailed, crying even harder, and immediately knelt before Madam Lin.
"Madam, please save the Young Mistress. About half an hour ago, the Old Madam said she wanted to speak with the Young Mistress. I brought her here. When we arrived, it was Caihe who met us at the gate. Caihe said my service wasn't needed and sent me back. But before I even reached Linfeng Courtyard, the fire broke out here. Madam, the Young Mistress is also inside the Buddha Hall..."
"What?!" Madam Lin gasped in shock, her legs going weak, nearly collapsing. Madam Jiang being in the Buddha Hall was one thing, but how could Yao Xinlan also be there?! Yao Xinlan was carrying Qin Chen's child, the Qin family's legitimate great-grandson!
"How could... Mother cares so much about Xinlan's health, why would she summon her to talk so late at night, and not let you attend?!" Madam Lin's breathing grew rapid; she needed Qin Chen's support to stand.
Moshu cried, "I don't know. I didn't see the Old Madam, only Caihe..."
Madam Lin harbored no suspicion toward Caihe. She looked at Qin Chen. "Chen'er, think of a way, quickly think of a way to save Xinlan!"
Though scorched by the fierce flames, Qin Chen felt icy cold all over. He heard Madam Lin's words but only nodded like a puppet. Qin Xiang stepped forward, also extremely anxious. "No matter what, we must save Grandmother and Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law's family just sent a letter today. If something happens to her..."
Hearing this, Madam Lin remembered, feeling darkness before her eyes.
"Chen'er, Chen'er, save them! Quickly, save them!"
Qin Chen nodded, turned to face the gate. Though it was a drop in the bucket, at least part of the fire at the gate had been suppressed. Qin Chen snatched a hoe from someone nearby and, heedless of the sparks on the ground, strode forward and struck the half-burnt, collapsing lintel of the gate. With a crash, the once solemn and imposing Buddha Hall gate was broken open. Qin Chen looked around, grabbed a basin of water from a servant, and poured it over himself.
Madam Lin cried out, "Chen'er!"
Madam Lin worried about the child in Yao Xinlan's belly but was even more concerned about Qin Chen. But before she could finish, Qin Chen charged into the courtyard.
Yan Chi frowned and also stepped forward. Qin Chen had attempted to kill Qin Wan; naturally, he wouldn't care about Qin Chen's survival. But there was a pregnant woman inside; he couldn't completely stand by. "Break down the wall!"
After these words, Bai Feng and Xu He immediately directed everyone to smash the wall. Qin Shuang suddenly cried out, "Big Brother is injured!"
Madam Lin wiped her tears and only then noticed Qin Chen's right arm hanging weakly. Her heart ached again, but she couldn't dwell on it. Pressing a hand to her chest, she glanced at Qin Wan and Yan Chi, unconsciously beginning to chant Buddhist scriptures.
Under Yan Chi's order, Bai Feng led the yamen bailiffs in a rush. Soon, they broke open a larger gap in the fiery wall. Servants carried water through the breach into the Buddha Hall's central courtyard.
Once inside the courtyard, they saw the main reception room already engulfed in fierce flames. In the sea of fire, there was no sign of Yao Xinlan or Madam Jiang. The Buddha Hall was an inferno; besides the crackling of burning, there was no other sound.
"Young Mistress!"
"Grandmother!"
Qin Wan had just entered the courtyard when Moshu and Qin Shuang followed. Inside the courtyard, the heat was suffocating, black ash swirling. The searing blaze made their cheeks ache. The wooden beams on the surrounding walls and corridors were about to collapse, a terrifying sight.
Qin Xiang supported Madam Lin outside. Qin Shuang, unafraid, her eyes reddening as she looked at the closed inner door. "Grandmother! Grandmother, can you hear me? Grandmother… where are you!"
Qin Shuang's mournful cry cast a pall over everyone's hearts. Before her words faded, another figure appeared at the breach. Qin Li, looking weak, entered the courtyard and stood beside Qin Shuang, full of shock.
"How could... is Grandmother..."
Qin Shuang's tears fell. "Grandmother hasn't come out. Second Brother, Sister-in-law is also inside!"
Qin Li's eyebrows trembled. "Sister-in-law is also inside?!"
Qin Li scanned the crowd, saw Qin Wan, and hurried over. "Ninth Sister, what's happening?"
Qin Wan looked at Qin Li and said calmly, "Caihe is the Second Concubine's daughter."
Qin Chen was stunned, his eyes gradually widening, then he took a step back in horror...
"Caihe... this fire... was set by Caihe?"
Basin after basin of water was thrown at the main room's entrance. The fire dwindled from large to small, seemed about to go out, yet didn't. Just then, a faint, weak cry came from inside the main room.
Everyone froze. Then the cry grew louder!
"Save me! Save…"
Moshu stared blankly for a moment, then screamed, "Young Mistress?! Young Mistress, where are you?!"
The fire was terrifying, flames licking up the pillars; even the roof was ablaze with thick, oppressive smoke. Amid the roaring chaos, Yao Xinlan's weak, tearful voice emerged. "I... I'm tied up... I..."
Yao Xinlan's voice was hoarse and distant, as if she were in a far-back location. Moshu burst into silent tears, anxiously pacing. "Young Mistress, wait, they're coming right away!"
Qin Chen's eyes also reddened, not just reddened, but the pupils reflected the fire, blazing crimson.
He turned and shouted, "Faster! Get water here quickly!"
The servants moved faster, but Yao Xinlan's tearful voice came again.
"Chen... Brother Chen? Are you outside…"
"Lan'er! I am…" Qin Chen rushed forward a few steps, about to charge into the flames.
Yao Xinlan suddenly coughed, then asked between coughs, "Brother Chen... who... cough, cough... did you come for..."
Qin Chen froze, his eyes instantly filling with bitterness. Yao Xinlan asking this meant she already knew. Qin Chen hesitated, his voice hoarse. "Don't be afraid, Lan'er, I'm coming to save you..."
Madam Lin, supported by Qin Xiang, also entered. Hearing Yao Xinlan's voice, her eyes moistened. But not understanding Yao Xinlan's words, she, like the others except Qin Li, looked confused.
Inside the room, Yao Xinlan seemed to let out a bitter laugh. "Brother Chen... you deceived me so bitterly... I...""
Having spoken halfway, Yao Xinlan's voice cut off after the word "I."
Madam Lin anxiously stepped forward. "Xinlan?! Xinlan, what's wrong?"
Inside the house, only the roar of the fire remained. Even Qin Wan's heart tightened, listening intently for any movement. Soon, a cold voice spoke softly.
"What is Madam so nervous about? Are you nervous about the Young Mistress or the child in her belly?"
This voice was clear and distinct. Madam Lin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Caihe?! Caihe, are you alright? Caihe! Protect the Young Mistress... where is the Old Madam? Protect them. Once the fire outside subsides a bit, we can break the door down!"
Madam Lin urgently commanded. Inside, Caihe let out several laughs. "Protect?"
Caihe's tone was full of mockery. "Does Madam not know that I set this fire?"
Madam Lin froze. All the servants outside were stunned. Qin Chen's eyes were bloodshot, fists clenched, suddenly roaring, "Hurry up and fetch water! What are you all standing around for?!"
This roar snapped everyone back to attention. Inside, Caihe continued as if talking to herself. "Madam didn't expect that, did you? Madam asks about the Old Madam? Oh, she took her medicine and is already asleep..."
Madam Lin gasped, nearly collapsing. "You... why..."
"Why?" Caihe kept laughing, her tone even somewhat naive. Yet the more so, the more it seemed she had gone mad. "Madam asks me why? Why doesn't Madam ask the Master, when he set the fire to kill my father back then, did my father have a chance to ask why?!"
Caihe suddenly erupted in fury. Her usually gentle, clear voice rose, sharp and crazed!
"Qin An! What a fine Qin An, descendant of officials! Forcibly abducting women, fond of young girls! When he committed these heinous acts, did any of you ask why?!"
"The Qin family prides itself on being a scholarly, courteous household, yet inside it's such a cesspool! The Old Madam fasts and prays to Buddha every day, but she is afraid! Because she has ghosts in her heart, afraid those children and our family will turn into vengeful spirits and come for her life!"
Caihe laughed coldly twice. "She thought by fasting and praying daily, the Qin family would be safe. But she forgot, Buddha does not protect those burdened with sin and evil! Karma has its retribution. Now! This is the Qin family's retribution!"
Madam Lin trembled with anger. Though the servants outside were still carrying water to fight the fire, they were already shaken by Caihe's words. Caihe had served in the residence for years and was the Old Madam's most trusted person. Who could have imagined her identity was actually...
"Caihe... you..." Madam Lin had no grounds to rebuke Caihe's words. In front of so many servants, her words were like tearing off the Qin family's last shred of decency...
At a loss, Madam Lin could only look at Qin Chen. "Chen'er... how could she..."
"Madam, don't call the Young Master." Caihe's tone was sighing, full of mockery. "The Young Master certainly knows."
Madam Lin's eyes widened. She pressed a hand harder against her chest. But Caihe wasn't finished. "The Young Master is the only upright person in this residence. He knew of my tragic background and was kind to me. He could even kill his own sister for me. Did you think the Ninth Young Miss truly slipped and fell into the lake? On the night of the twenty-first of the seventh month, it was our Young Master who strangled the Ninth Young Miss with his own hands, then threw her corpse into Half-Moon Lake..."
Caihe couldn't see the expressions outside, but she seemed to imagine them. Amid the roaring flames, her tone carried a mix of lament and glee. "Perhaps even Heaven couldn't bear to watch the Qin family commit such evil. The Ninth Young Miss didn't die completely. Madam, your beloved son has a life on his hands..."
Like a thunderclap, Madam Lin couldn't imagine the old case of the Second Concubine involving Qin Wan. And behind Qin Wan's near-suicide, there was such a backstory...
Madam Lin's eyes turned sharp, mustering strength to defend Qin Chen. "You're lying! You viper! Mother treated you like her own child, and this is how you repay the Qin family? Now... you even want to slander my son's reputation..."
"Slander his reputation? If Madam doesn't believe me, why not ask the Young Master yourself?"
Caihe's tone was leisurely, as if watching a good show. Outside, Madam Lin anxiously looked at Qin Chen. "Chen'er! Speak!"
Qin Chen's hands trembled. His face was scorched red by the heat, but he clenched his teeth, unable to speak. Madam Lin, unwilling to give up, shouted again, "Chen'er! Tell them yourself! Speak!"
Qin Chen stared fixedly at the flames before him, as if through the blazing fire he could see Caihe's expression at this moment. He stared for a long time before finally gritting out a few words through his teeth, "The Qin family owes you, but she doesn't owe you anything!"
"Ha!" Caihe laughed loudly. "Yes, she doesn't owe me. But she carries your child. Her greatest mistake was carrying the seed of a Qin. The Qin family's sins are so great, even Buddha would curse you! Villains like you should suffer for generations, be cut off from descendants and die horribly..."
Caihe's shrill, piercing scream echoed like a ghost through the sea of fire. Qin Chen's face finally showed a trace of pain, but Caihe wasn’t done. "This fire, I've wanted to set it for a long time. Day after day, facing you all, every time I served you diligently, I would think of the torment my mother and sister endured in this residence back then. I dreamed of setting this fire every night. But I knew if I set it too early, the world wouldn't know the Qin family's evil. Now, the world knows. And Qin An won't die by fire; he'll die from the most shameful disease. He'll rot into a pile of putrid flesh, dying in the most painful, most despicable way!"
Madam Lin, enraged, pressed a hand to her chest and collapsed. Qin Xiang cried out, "Mother!"
Madam Lin slumped to the ground. Qin Xiang held her, eyes already red. She looked at Qin Chen with resentment. "Big Brother! You're just letting her say these things! Tell everyone! What she's saying isn't true!"
Qin Chen still couldn't speak. But Caihe continued, "Actually... this isn't enough... but I don't have time... Now, I'm going to see the Old Madam. She might be waking up. When she wakes, she'll see her most beloved granddaughter-in-law and her legitimate great-grandson die before her eyes. That's more effective than fasting and praying..."
Caihe's voice drifted, growing fainter. Everyone realized Caihe's voice and Yao Xinlan's came from the same direction. Now, Caihe seemed to have moved away from Yao Xinlan.
"On the right, about thirty feet away. Now she's at least fifty feet away."
Yan Chi suddenly spoke. Listening to Caihe's voice, he discerned Yao Xinlan and Caihe's positions.
Qin Wan hurriedly said, "There's another Buddha Hall behind the main room. She must have gone there now!"
"She's mad... she's gone mad..." Madam Lin, on the ground, still refused to give up, hating. "She's mad, don't listen to her ravings. Such a big fire... surely can't be saved... Chen'er..."
Madam Lin's words made Moshu's face turn pale. Moshu knelt and pleaded, crying, "Madam! I beg you, don't say that. The Young Mistress carries the Young Master's child! No matter what, you can't abandon the Young Master's child..."
The fire still raged fiercely. Madam Lin couldn't hear Moshu's words now. To her, Caihe must die. As for Yao Xinlan and Madam Jiang, they would do what they could, but Qin Chen must not be harmed in the slightest.
Just as she resolved herself, Qin Chen suddenly moved. He seized another basin of water, doused himself, and charged toward the half-burnt main door. Madam Lin's eyes widened in horror. "Chen'er!"
"Big Brother!" Qin Xiang cried out, tears streaming down her face.
Qin Chen's figure vanished in a flash; his blue robe seemed like clothing consumed by the flames. Such a massive fire, even ten garments thrown in wouldn't make a difference. Watching Qin Chen's action, Qin Wan felt a sigh rise in her heart.
Yan Chi narrowed his phoenix eyes, his gaze still cold.
"Chen'er... my Chen'er... my Chen'er..." Seeing Qin Chen disappear into the flames, Madam Lin finally broke down sobbing. She didn't know what to do but spotted Yan Chi. Madam Lin crawled toward Yan Chi. "Lord Heir, Lord Heir, I beg you, save them. I beg you to think of a way..."
Seeing Madam Lin weeping pitifully, Yan Chi frowned slightly. "With a fire of this scale, human strength is insufficient..."
As he spoke, Bai Feng in the distance was desperately directing servants to carry water. Hearing this, Madam Lin's eyes filled with despair. She glanced over, then suddenly said, "Your Highness, have them, have them go inside too, to fight the fire inside!"
Yan Chi's gaze instantly darkened. The main hall's fire was the fiercest, likely where it started. The main door was burnt to a blackened frame; the roof beams were charred, the roof on the verge of collapse. How could Yan Chi send others inside to certain death? Yan Chi looked at Madam Lin impassively. "Madam has a son; they also have mothers. Entering such a fire is akin to suicide. If there are casualties, how will Madam take responsibility?"
Madam Lin, utterly desperate, cried, "I can give them money, a lot of money... as long as they're willing to go in... Lord Heir..."
Yan Chi's expression grew colder. "With Madam's mentality, no wonder the Eldest Young Master's mind is twisted." He gestured toward the distance. "Everyone, do your best. If you can save them, save them. If you can't, the responsibility is not yours."
Whether Qin servants or yamen bailiffs, hearing this, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Their movements became more efficient, but their gazes toward Madam Lin held no sympathy. Madam Lin collapsed on the ground, weeping in despair. Qin Xiang also stared dazedly at the main hall, tears streaming. The wooden doors and windows had burned and collapsed; several roof beams inside had broken and fallen. Seeing this, Qin Xiang felt Qin Chen had no chance of coming out alive and burst into tears!
This was a fire of revenge. Qin Wan wasn't concerned with Qin Chen's survival, but Yao Xinlan's porcelain-doll-like face kept appearing in her mind. Her heart ached; she clenched her fists, hoping Qin Chen could truly save Yao Xinlan.
Her anxiety and tension were noticed by Yan Chi. He glanced at the fiercely burning window, then walked to the side. Two servants were carrying buckets of water. Yan Chi took their buckets and walked toward the window frame, now devoid of its frame. He left silently. By the time Qin Wan noticed, he was already at the window.
"Your Highness!"
Qin Wan urgently called out. In that instant, Bai Feng also saw Qin Chen!
"Master!"
Both called out, but couldn't stop Yan Chi's steps. Yan Chi, carrying the water buckets, leapt into the room. Like Qin Chen moments before, his figure vanished amidst the flames, as if swallowed by the inferno.
Qin Wan hurried forward a few steps, her expression changing instantly. Xu He and Bai Feng also came forward. Bai Feng hitched up his robe hem, about to enter. Xu He grabbed him. "Guard Bai! You can't go in!"
Bai Feng's expression had already changed; he pushed Xu He aside with a wave!
He moved swiftly, vanishing into the fiery window in a flash.
Qin Wan's eyes trembled violently; her heart clenched painfully. Xu He cried out in distress, "This... what should we do... if something happens to Lord Heir..."
Qin Wan didn't know why Yan Chi had entered, but cold sweat instantly broke out on her forehead. When Qin Chen had held her at knifepoint with Hanyue at her throat, she hadn't felt like this. But now, she tried desperately to calm herself but couldn't.
"Have everyone... have everyone pour water into this room... quickly!"
Qin Wan's voice trembled slightly. Upon hearing this, the nearby bailiffs immediately gathered. Seeing Yan Chi enter, their hearts were in their throats, fearing something might happen to him...
Qin Wan tightly clenched her sleeves, pacing helplessly on the spot.
Xu He also wore a pained expression, but looking at the roaring fire, he knew entering would be certain death!
Qin Wan almost dared not look inside the room. But suddenly, with a crashing sound, a beam nearest the window inside the room fell from the ceiling. The beam broke in two, flames blazing atop it.
Xu He flinched in fright. "It... it mustn't collapse..."
Qin Wan abruptly stopped, her eyes fixed unwaveringly inside. Flames roared, but there was no sign of Yan Chi or Bai Feng. She felt her heart pounding as if it would leap from her throat, yet she had no solution. Not only Qin Wan was anxious; everyone in the courtyard was affected. Moments ago, Yan Chi had said the bailiffs and servants needn't enter to save people, yet in the blink of an eye, he had entered the fire himself, he was the exalted heir of the Prince of Rui!
"Ninth Young Miss..." Xu He's voice also held a sob. "What if…"
Xu He was about to ask "what if Lord Heir doesn't come out," but saw the anxious look in Qin Wan's eyes suddenly brighten. Xu He whirled around and saw two figures stumbling out from the window devoured by flames...
Xu He urgently called out, "Lord Heir! Lord Heir!"
At this call, the figures came closer. Looking carefully, it was actually Qin Chen carrying Yao Xinlan who appeared in everyone's sight. Outside, Madam Lin wept and rushed to the window. Qin Wan's gaze swept past them, intently looking behind Qin Chen.
Seeing Qin Chen emerge, those outside poured water into the room. Soon, Qin Chen, holding Yao Xinlan, reached the window. Qin Wan's eyes shifted; she saw Qin Chen and Yao Xinlan covered in soot, their hair wet and clinging to their faces. Seeing their state, Qin Wan immediately guessed Yan Chi had likely poured the water over Qin Chen and Yao Xinlan.
"Chen'er... my son..."
"Big Brother... Sister-in-law..."
With outside help, Qin Chen soon carried Yao Xinlan out of the fire. Madam Lin and Qin Xiang rushed over, weeping. Most outside sighed in relief, but Qin Wan stood frozen outside the window, not moving an inch!
What about Yan Chi?! And Bai Feng?!
Qin Wan's heart burned with anxiety. Just then, with a crash, two more beams inside the room collapsed. Xu He cried out in alarm, his face already showing grief. "Lord Heir! Lord Heir, he…"
Before he finished, though there was no movement from inside the window, two figures suddenly leapt out from the thick smoke billowing from the roof. Xu He let out an "Ah!" Qin Wan held her breath. She looked up and saw two figures soaring through the smoke, then descending one after another.
Qin Wan stared blankly at Yan Chi, covered in soot, landing before her. She still tightly clenched her sleeves, but seeing Yan Chi alive, a wave of bittersweet relief washed over her.