novelraw Chapter 120 : Meeting Without Recognition, Another Encounter at the Prefectural Prison
Chapter 120 : Meeting Without Recognition, Another Encounter at the Prefectural Prison
120: Meeting Without Recognition, Another Encounter at the Prefectural Prison
The young man’s face was like jade, and he wore a feathered crown. A pair of clear, spirited apricot eyes shone in his handsome face. His white robes fluttered, bright as frost and snow. Qin Wan looked at the young man, momentarily stunned, and he, seeing Qin Wan’s features, was also taken aback.
"Wild vines grow in the fields, where the dew lies thick and glistening. There is a lovely one, so graceful and refined."
With a cheerful laugh, the young man suddenly recited four lines of poetry. Qin Wan glanced at him for a moment, tightly gripping her sleeve to compose herself. Seeing that Qin Wan did not speak, the young man clasped his hands and bowed to her. "I have been presumptuous."
Qin Wan suppressed the surge in her chest, lowered her gaze, and curtsied. "My lord, you are too kind."
The young man straightened up, his eyes sweeping over Qin Wan once before turning to the medicinal herbs on the counter. He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Young MIss, you are not the one who is ill. These herbs are most likely for someone in your household. This prescription was written by you, wasn’t it?"
Qin Wan turned to look at the herbs on the counter, seemingly unwilling to speak further with the young man. Although Fuling could see the young man was not of a disreputable sort, he was still a stranger. Seeing Qin Wan’s silence, she stepped forward to shield her, preventing the young man from looking any longer.
Seeing Fuling’s action, the young man thought to himself that he had indeed been forward with a young miss and quickly said, "My name is Sun Muqing. I am also a physician. I saw you were uncertain about your prescription and could not help but offer a reminder."
He was also a physician? Fuling blinked at Sun Muqing. Sun Muqing appeared to be exceptionally well-bred, his apricot eyes clear and bright, making one feel he was as pure as a white crane, his thoughts limpid. Fuling had no ill will toward him and, seeing this, took a small step back.
Qin Wan turned to look at Sun Muqing. "My lord is also a physician?"
Sun Muqing laughed. "Do I not look like one?" As he spoke, he looked back at the herbs on the counter. "Young Miss’s prescription is already excellent. If you add one more herb, tufuling, it could amplify the effect. Within ten days, the patient will certainly see improvement."
Qin Wan’s heart stirred slightly. Although her feelings were a tumultuous mix, she kept them from showing on her face. She nodded. "Thank you for the guidance, my lord." She then turned to the clerk filling the prescription. "Add another five qian of tufuling."
The clerk acknowledged her. Qin Wan felt relieved, but the young man still stood to the side, not leaving.
Qin Wan looked at him questioningly. The young man grinned. "Your prescription is somewhat similar to one I know. Did you come up with it yourself?"
Qin Wan’s heart immediately sank. She had never treated a venereal disease before, and now she had no time to test herbs one by one. The prescription she was currently using was one she had vaguely remembered from her time studying medicine at Medicine King Valley. That original prescription was more complex than the one she used. She had used a few herbs from the original formula and supplemented the rest with her own research.
"No, I once saw a similar prescription in an old medical book, but that was a long time ago, and I didn’t think to write it down. This time, I added a few herbs to the ones I remembered."
A light shone in the young man’s eyes. "What was the medical book you read called?"
A thoughtful look appeared on Qin Wan’s face, but after a moment, she shook her head. "I can’t recall. I imagine it was some ancient, fragmented volume…" As she spoke, Qin Wan looked at Sun Muqing. "Does my lord know where this prescription originates?"
Sun Muqing quickly said, "This prescription is from…" He stopped halfway through, as if remembering something, and gave a slightly embarrassed smile. "I can’t recall clearly either. I just feel that your prescription is quite brilliant…"
Qin Wan looked at Sun Muqing for an instant, then nodded without continuing the conversation.
Meanwhile, the clerk had already wrapped up the herbs. Seeing that Qin Wan was about to leave, Sun Muqing said again, "May I dare to ask, young miss, are you a practicing female physician in this city? Do you have your own clinic?"
Qin Wan shook her head. "I do not practice. I merely enjoy reading medical books in my spare time."
The clerk handed over the package of herbs. Fuling paid for them. Qin Wan gave the young man another nod and turned to leave. Sun Muqing watched her longingly, followed her for a couple of steps, but finally stopped, watching her get into the carriage and drive away. Only then did he let out a sigh of melancholy.
"Wild vines grow in the fields, where the dew lies thick and glistening…"
With a sigh, Sun Muqing turned and walked back to the medicine counter, asking with a smile, "Clerk, I’ve heard that a ‘Little Medical Immortal’ has appeared in your Jinzhou city. Do you know where this Little Medical Immortal practices?"
The clerk at the counter frowned. "This… I wouldn’t know. But I’ve heard that the Little Medical Immortal cured the old mistress of the Anyang Marquis’s residence…"
Sun Muqing uttered an "Oh," a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.
The Anyang Marquis’s residence, that sounded like a very important place. Should he go or not?
…
…
In the carriage, Fuling said with some surprise, "Miss, that young man just now looked to be of either wealth or nobility, yet he is actually a physician. Which wealthy family’s young master in Jinzhou would study medicine?"
Qin Wan leaned straight against the carriage wall, her eyes slightly closed.
Sun Muqing was naturally not a wealthy young master from Jinzhou. His surname was Sun, and he was a direct descendant of the Sun family of Medicine King Valley. When she was studying medicine there, Sun Muqing was her senior martial brother. Qin Wan had never imagined he would come to Jinzhou city.
"I don’t know. It was just a chance encounter. There’s no need to think too much about it."
Qin Wan’s tone was light, but her heart felt a pang of sorrow. To meet an acquaintance and not be recognized, this was her opportunity, but also her plight. Fated encounters in the world are rare, and in his heart, Shen Wan was already dead. This bond between senior martial brother and sister was naturally broken.
Qin Wan let out a long sigh in her heart. "Let’s return to the residence."
Fuling felt that Qin Wan had suddenly become melancholic, but she didn’t know why. Seeing Qin Wan’s somber expression, she didn’t dare to ask more.
The carriage rolled along slowly and soon returned to the Qin residence.
Although Qin Wan hadn’t said much about Sun Muqing on the way back, his every word and smile lingered in her mind, sending ripples through her heart. She couldn’t help but think that she was no longer Shen Wan, but in the future, she might meet more of Shen Wan’s old acquaintances. Qin Wan had never considered this question before, but after meeting Sun Muqing, her thoughts naturally fell upon her father’s unjust case.
"Miss, should this servant deliver the medicine to the Second Young Master now?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Three doses a day will suffice. Continue applying the White Apricot Ointment to the ulcerated areas."
Qin Wan’s mind was in disarray. She gave a casual instruction and went to the Warm Chamber. She walked behind the desk but had no mood for calligraphy, instead turning to stand before the window. It was now the end of the ninth month; the autumn chill was growing, and the desolation in the courtyard had grown even stronger. In the blink of an eye, it had already been two months since she died and was reborn.
Qin Wan stood motionless. Soon, Fuling returned after finishing her task.
"Miss, it’s getting late. The mourning hall in the front courtyard has been prepared. The Second Young Master said to ask everyone to go and pay their respects."
Fuling said this the moment she entered. Hearing this, Qin Wan quickly turned and acknowledged. She was wearing a white jade pleated skirt today, which was not too ostentatious for paying respects. Qin Wan smoothed the wrinkles on her skirt, removed the jade hairpin from her hair, and then left with Fuling.
A splendid afterglow painted the sky. Golden light sprinkled down, also casting a halo over the Qin residence’s flying eaves and pavilions. As Qin Wan walked along a small path in the Qin residence, she heard Fuling say, "Normally, the Old Madam’s passing should be a grand affair, but given the Qin residence’s current situation, the Second Young Master has no choice but to keep it simple. He said just now that we’ll go pay our respects, then we won’t notify other branches of the clan. We’ll only hire a few monks to perform rites and will take her out of the city for burial after the three-day vigil."
Qin Wan listened, knowing this was the only way. She walked straight toward the front courtyard. Before she even arrived, she saw a sea of white. Before her, Madam Lin, dressed in hemp clothes, was being supported by Qin Xiang as she walked at the front.
Qin Li stood at the entrance to the mourning hall, waiting for Madam Lin and the others. Qin Wan frowned slightly and walked over.
"Mother is unwell. She should pay her respects and then go rest."
After only a night, Madam Lin looked as if she had aged more than ten years. The wrinkles on her forehead had deepened, and a few strands of white hair were visible at her temples. Hearing Qin Li say this, Madam Lin nodded without expression, then let Qin Xiang support her into the mourning hall.
Qin Li watched Madam Lin go in, then turned and saw Qin Wan. He couldn’t help but step forward. "Ninth Sister…"
Qin Wan nodded. "The medicine has been delivered to your courtyard. Take this prescription for ten days."
Qin Li quickly nodded. Qin Wan looked left and right. "Sister-in-law shouldn’t have to come, should she?"
Qin Li quickly said, "Of course not. Ninth Sister, go in and pay your respects. There is no other way now; we can only simplify everything. I hope Grandmother in her old age will not blame us."
"These are extraordinary times. It can only be so."
After speaking, Qin Wan entered the mourning hall. In half a day, Madam Jiang had already been placed in her coffin. In the hall, the bier lay cold, the ever-burning lamps were lit, and a few matrons who had served Madam Jiang for many years were burning paper money to the side, a scene of desolate coldness.
Madam Lin had just finished her incense. Qin Xiang helped her turn around, and without looking at anyone, Madam Lin was helped out of the hall by Qin Xiang.
Seeing Madam Lin’s appearance, as if her grief had deadened her heart, Qin Li sighed and raised a hand in invitation. "Ninth Sister, go and pay your respects."
Qin Wan stepped forward and respectfully lit three sticks of incense for Madam Jiang.
Although she could not truly treat Madam Jiang as a close relative, she could not neglect the required rites.
After finishing the incense, Qin Li accompanied Qin Wan back out. He coughed lightly twice and said, "I hope you can look after Sister-in-law a little more, Ninth Sister. Eldest Brother is gone. Sister-in-law cannot have any more mishaps."
"You can rest assured of that."
Qin Wan nodded, took her leave of Qin Li, and went to Linfeng Courtyard to check on Yao Xinlan.
The moment she entered the courtyard, she heard Qin Shuang’s voice from inside the room, cooing as if still playing with the baby. A servant woman went in to announce, and soon Moshu came out. "Ninth Miss."
"Is Sister-in-law awake?" Qin Wan walked up and asked directly.
Moshu sighed. "She woke for a little while, then fell asleep again."
Qin Wan had already checked her pulse during the day, so she didn’t do so now. She just walked into the inner chamber to look, then went to the Warm Chamber to see Qiqi. Qin Shuang had known Qin Wan was coming. Seeing her enter, she said, "Have you paid your respects to Grandmother?"
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. Fuling and Moshu, who were behind Qin Wan, exchanged a glance, also stunned.
This was the first time Qin Shuang had taken the initiative to speak to Qin Wan, and the first time her words held no rejection or mockery.
"I just came back and ran into the Mistress and Fifth Sister."
Qin Shuang’s tone softened. And since Qin Wan had never taken the initiative to provoke her, this change in Qin Shuang was a good thing in her eyes.
"The Mistress and Fifth Sister…" Qin Shuang gave a dissatisfied hum, then looked down at Qiqi with pity. "If the Mistress is too unwell to get out of bed, that’s one thing. But since she could go to the front courtyard, she could have come over for a visit. Yet she didn’t."
As she spoke, Qin Shuang tapped Qiqi’s little nose. "Your Fifth Aunt and Grandmother don’t treat you well."
Moshu quickly said, "Sixth Young Miss, you shouldn’t say such things… The Little Miss is young, but she might still understand."
Qin Shuang gave a wry laugh. "Silly or not, she was only born yesterday. Even if she can understand, it doesn’t matter. It is what it is…"
As she spoke, Qin Shuang sighed a little. Qin Wan looked at her, understanding dawning in her heart. Qin Shuang’s mother had also passed away from illness not long after giving birth to her. Qin Shuang had few people who truly treated her well since she was young.
Moshu wanted to speak but stopped, ultimately saying nothing more. She naturally felt resentment and also pitied Yao Xinlan, but she was only a servant. Not to mention her, even Yao Xinlan could not say such things directly. With Qin Chen gone, Yao Xinlan was a widowed mother with a daughter, truly in a difficult position in the Qin residence. Moshu dared not easily offend anyone.
After thinking it over, Moshu said, "It’s nothing. As long as the Little Miss has her Sixth Aunt and Ninth Aunt to love her, it will be fine."
Seeing this scene, Qin Wan didn’t feel it was her place to say more. She sat in Linfeng Courtyard for a little while longer. As she was leaving, she checked Yao Xinlan’s pulse again before departing. On the way back, Fuling said with a sigh, "The Little Miss is truly pitiful. Born without a father, and no older brother to inherit the family business. If the Mistress’s attitude remains like this, the Young Mistress will be in a terrible position."
Qin Wan understood these things and couldn’t help but feel anxious for Yao Xinlan. But she herself was like duckweed on water in the Qin residence, let alone being able to help Yao Xinlan. In comparison, Yao Xinlan was not without options.
"Don’t forget, Yao Xinlan still has her maiden family."
…
…
After a good night’s sleep, the next morning, Qin Wan was woken by the commotion in her courtyard. This was almost unprecedented in Tinglan Pavilion. Qin Wan collected herself, pulled open the bed curtains, and saw Fuling enter the room holding a sky-blue porcelain vase.
Qin Wan frowned. "Where did this come from?"
Fuling was already walking very lightly. Startled by the question, she put down the vase and came over excitedly. "Miss, your words were truly effective…"
Qin Wan’s sleepiness vanished. "What do you mean?"
Fuling’s face was full of joy. "The Young Mistress’s maiden family has sent people!"
As she spoke, she glanced at the vase on the table by the window. "When they came this time, the Young Mistress’s family prepared gifts for everyone, and they gave an especially large amount to us. This vase is one of the things they sent."
Qin Wan’s brows shot up. The Yao family had arrived so quickly?! Yao Xinlan had only received a letter two days ago, and today the Yao family was already at the residence?
Qin Wan pulled open her bed curtains and got up, understanding dawning in her heart. The Prefect of Jianzhou must have learned of the Qin residence’s troubles and had likely sent an urgent dispatch, especially since Yao Xinlan was near her due date; no carelessness could be allowed.
As she dressed, Qin Wan asked, "Who came?"
Fuling quickly replied, "Two senior maids. I heard they are maids from the Old Madam of the Yao family’s side. When they arrived, they only knew something had happened at the Qin residence. They didn’t learn that the Old Madam and the Young Master were gone until they arrived at the residence today."
Fuling sighed. "Who could have imagined the Qin residence would undergo such a sudden, great change?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Yes, but it’s good that capable people are now by Sister-in-law’s side."
"Indeed. I heard that as soon as the Yao family arrived, the Mistress went to Linfeng Courtyard this morning."
Fuling said with a trace of a bitter smile. But Qin Wan shook her head. "I just don’t know what Sister-in-law plans to do."
Hearing this, Fuling didn’t reply. Given Yao Xinlan’s personality, she wasn’t expected to be able to do much.
After Qin Wan finished dressing and washing, and after she had used her breakfast, she went to Linfeng Courtyard. At the courtyard entrance, she happened to run into Madam Lin and Qin Xiang coming out. Madam Lin’s expression was still cold, and Qin Xiang was frowning. Seeing that they looked displeased, Qin Wan lowered her gaze, pretending not to see them, and curtsied as a greeting. Madam Lin didn’t say more and walked away from Linfeng Courtyard with Qin Xiang in quick steps.
After the two left, Qin Wan straightened up. She looked at the backs of Madam Lin and the other, was silent for a moment, then entered the courtyard. Moshu was talking with several servant women. Seeing Qin Wan arrive, she quickly came up to greet her with a smile.
"Ninth Miss." It was clear that the arrival of the Yao family had greatly improved Moshu’s mood and also given her a backbone.
Moshu led Qin Wan inside. The moment they entered the room, she said, "Two senior maids, Ninth Miss is here!"
Moshu’s voice held a note of excitement. A few moments after her words fell, two expensively dressed maids came out from the inner chamber. Both were in their forties. Although they were servants, their clothes and accessories were of uncommon quality, and their every move carried the restraint and proper respect of those well-trained in a great household.
The two of them came forward and, before they even reached Qin Wan, kowtowed in unison.
"We pay our respects to Ninth Miss. Thank you, Ninth Miss, for the life-saving grace."
After saying this, the two of them kowtowed to Qin Wan. Qin Wan hurried forward. "Two senior maids, you must not! Please, get up quickly. How could I, Qin Wan, accept such a great courtesy from you two elders?"
But the two maids did not rise. They kowtowed to Qin Wan three times before straightening up.
Qin Wan glanced at Moshu. "Quick, help the two senior maids up…"
Before Moshu could speak, one of them said, "This courtesy cannot be accepted by others, but it can be by you, Ninth Miss. Moshu has told us all the details. We two watched our Young Mistress grow up. We knew she was due to give birth in a little over a month and were thinking of coming over, but we never imagined our Young Mistress would encounter such a great ordeal during her delivery. If not for your intervention, Ninth Miss, our Young Mistress would surely have no breath left by now. For such a great, life-saving grace, we kowtow on behalf of our Old Madam and Master."
Hearing this, Qin Wan sighed softly. "You two are too kind. I only did what I should. Please, senior maids, get up."
Only after she said this did the two of them rise, one after the other. The same maid from before continued, "Moshu also said that the last time our Young Mistress returned, it was also you who saved her. And on normal days, we are indebted to your care. These kindnesses, we will surely recount in detail to our Master when we return. The Yao family remembers grace."
Qin Wan shook her head with a wry smile. "When I did those things, it was not for reward. There is no need for you, senior maids, to keep this in mind. As for Sister-in-law, her body is weak these days. It will require your two diligent care."
That maid nodded. "Naturally. We two are most skilled at caring for women in their confinement month. We will certainly look after the Young Mistress properly. The Young Mistress has given birth to a Little Miss; this is good news. Although we are in the Old Madam’s mourning period, this must still be reported to the Master. We came for the Young Mistress, so now we will naturally stay and not leave."
Qin Wan only cared about Yao Xinlan’s body. How the Yao family spread the news was not for her to comment on. Besides, Qin Wan understood that once the two senior maids saw Yao Xinlan’s situation, they would also inform Yao Xinlan’s father, which would involve more complications.
Qin Wan exchanged pleasantries with the two senior maids as she walked inside. With their arrival, the hearts of everyone in Linfeng Courtyard were finally set at ease. And with the two senior maids present, even the head maid, Moshu, could only wait to the side. Seeing this state of affairs, Qin Wan could breathe a sigh of relief for Yao Xinlan. Never mind anything else; it would be excellent if they could just nurse Yao Xinlan’s body back to health.
With Linfeng Courtyard now having someone in charge, Qin Wan only needed to go and diagnose Yao Xinlan. However, two days passed. Yao Xinlan’s lochia had reduced greatly, and her complexion had improved, but no matter what, she still would not speak.
She would only be awake for a short while each day before falling back asleep. For the first two days, Qin Wan’s medicine had a calming effect, but after two days, when the prescription was changed, Yao Xinlan remained drowsy. Strangely, when Qin Wan took her pulse, she could not diagnose anything wrong.
Gradually, everyone in Linfeng Courtyard knew that Yao Xinlan was suffering from a sickness of the heart. Moshu and the two newly arrived senior maids were all worried, but in front of Yao Xinlan, they dared not show it. Qin Wan spent a part of each day talking with Yao Xinlan, but to no avail.
Early on the third day, Madam Jiang’s funeral procession left the city.
Although the Qin residence’s reputation in Jinzhou city was now in tatters, as the head of the Qin family, Madam Jiang’s funeral procession was naturally not small. With the exception of Yao Xinlan, all the younger generations, including Madam Lin, were dressed in hemp clothes and followed the procession. Funeral banners waved, mournful music played. Qin Li held the memorial tablet at the very front, with Qin Wan and the others following closely behind. Behind them came a long line of Qin family servants, all in white mourning clothes, wailing as they walked. Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang at the front cried their eyes out. Qin Wan, however, could not cry.
Qin Wan lowered her gaze, suddenly thinking of her parents’ uncollected corpses.
That long, bloody, cruel night, her entire family’s corpses had fallen outside the imperial city’s walls.
And then what? Qin Wan focused her thoughts. According to the customs of the Patrol Garrison and the Imperial Guards, the corpses of an executed criminal clan were usually abandoned beyond the mass burial grounds. A sharp pain shot through Qin Wan’s heart…
Drifting paper money was scattered all over the ground. Although Qin Li had chosen a secluded main road, it wasn’t long before the Qin residence’s funeral procession reached a crowded area. Seeing that it was the Qin family’s procession, the murmuring in the crowd immediately rose.
"This is the Qin family. Is this the Qin family’s Old Madam?"
"It is, isn’t it? That great fire burned the Old Madam to death…"
"How did the fire start? I saw it. The fire was vicious!"
"It was a murderer hidden in the Qin family. Do you all still remember the people who died in the Qin family before? It’s said that the Qin family had too many wicked deeds, and someone came back for revenge. They hid in the residence for years, wanting revenge, and then a fire burned two of the Qin family’s masters to death."
"Besides the Old Madam, who else…?"
"I think it was the Qin family’s Young Master. See, the one holding the tablet at the front is the Qin family’s illegitimate son."
The chatter from the crowd filtered through the gaps in the mournful music into the ears of the Qin family members. Amidst this wave of discussion, the Qin family’s funeral procession slowly made its way out of the city. Once outside the city, all the people of the Qin residence seemed to let out a long breath they had been holding for a long time.
In a checkpoint teahouse near the city gate, Sun Muqing grabbed a guest at his side, pointing at the funeral procession that had just passed outside. "Which family has suffered a misfortune?"
The middle-aged man who was grabbed raised an eyebrow. "Are you not from around here?"
Sun Muqing gave a hearty laugh. "Indeed. I only arrived here a few days ago. Sir, is this family very famous?"
Hearing this, the middle-aged man’s smile stretched. "You can’t say famous. A month ago, they were still counted among the noble families of Jinzhou. But in less than a month, first there was a murder case in their household, then a ten-year-old scandal was uncovered. Now, this family’s reputation is notoriously stinking."
Sun Muqing frowned, the image of Qin Wan’s profile he had just glimpsed still turning in his mind…
He thought for a moment, becoming more certain that he hadn’t been mistaken, and asked, "How was there a murder case? And what was this scandal?"
Those who often came to the teahouse for tea had naturally heard many storybook tales. Seeing that Sun Muqing was genuinely curious, the middle-aged man, with nothing better to do, began to tell Sun Muqing the story. However, he said, "To speak of this family’s strange affairs, there are quite a few. Let me start with their ‘resurrected from the dead’ Ninth Miss…"
Sun Muqing froze again. "Ninth Miss? Resurrected from the dead?"
The middle-aged man gave a sly smile. "How exactly this happened, I don’t know. But there are only so many noble families in Jinzhou. The word was passed around, and this is how it is: at the end of the seventh month, their Ninth Miss…"
The middle-aged man vividly recounted the strange affairs of the Qin family. Sun Muqing ordered a pot of tea for the man, who then told the story with even more enthusiasm. Half a shichen later, Sun Muqing stared wide-eyed at the middle-aged man. "What? The Qin family’s Master actually had that kind of perversion? And he harmed all those young girls to death?!"
The middle-aged man drank his tea and sighed. "Indeed. Who would have thought? The Qin family is a branch of the capital’s Loyal and Valiant Marquis’s residence. In Jinzhou, they originally had a decent reputation. Noble and wealthy families always want to add a reputation for being upright and proper. Outsiders who didn’t know might have thought it was true. But who knew such a conscienceless, evil thing was happening…"
Sun Muqing’s brows were knitted tightly. "This is truly… conscienceless!"
The middle-aged man nodded and glanced out the window. "So, when other families hold a funeral, it’s not appropriate for others to gossip. But when the Qin family holds a funeral, didn’t you hear many people pointing and whispering?"
Sun Muqing nodded. "Indeed, that is so." As he spoke, Sun Muqing’s eyes rolled. "But what happened later is just the wickedness of the human heart. The first thing you mentioned, their family’s Ninth Miss died and was resurrected, and now possesses world-class medical skills… that part is a bit hard to believe."
"How can it be hard to believe?!" A storyteller hates to have the truth of their tale questioned. The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows. "This matter also caused quite a stir in the Qin family. Many in the Qin family know about it and are still discussing it in private."
Sun Muqing quickly asked, "What does the Qin family’s Ninth Young Miss look like? Is she pretty?"
The middle-aged man stared wide-eyed at Sun Muqing. "You young man, what are you doing asking about some young miss’s looks? You asked so many questions just now; I thought you were just curious about the Qin family’s affairs, but how could you…"
As he spoke, the middle-aged man stood up. "You look like a decent fellow. I never thought you were such a lecherous scoundrel! Wanting to know what a young miss looks like! Why don’t you just go to their door and see for yourself!"
The middle-aged man drained the pot of tea in one go and, after saying this, flung his sleeve and left. Sun Muqing watched the man’s back helplessly. "I… just go to their door directly? Wouldn’t I really be treated as a lecher…"
With a long sigh, Sun Muqing blinked and said, "So she is a young miss of the Qin family… I just don’t know which one. It couldn’t be that she is the Ninth Miss, could it…"
…
…
After the funeral rites were over, it was already dark by the time Qin Wan returned from outside the city. Qin Wan entered the residence and went straight to Tinglan Pavilion. Fuling, who had gone with her, was also exhausted. The moment they entered, she prepared a bath for Qin Wan.
After Qin Wan undressed and got into the bath, Fuling said curiously, "When we came back just now, Wantao, Wanxing, and Wanli were all outside. Wantao is one thing, but why was Wanli out too? Miss, do you remember? She has been appearing quite a bit in recent days."
Qin Wan leaned against the tub to rest her mind. "The Qin residence is in this state now. Even the masters cannot feel at ease, let alone the servants. Wanli is arrogant and thinks she should be serving a more favored master. But now, whether favored or not, the Qin residence is about to collapse. They, as servants, are all in peril."
Qin Wan’s tone was soothing. She slowly closed her eyes. A light glinted in Fuling’s eyes. "This servant never thought of that. I heard the trouble at the Qin residence this time is great, and I’m afraid many of their properties will be confiscated. With the reputation of a criminal clan, even if it doesn’t come to that, their future expenses for food, clothing, and daily use can’t be the same as before. They must be worried about being driven out, right?"
Qin Wan gave a soft "Mmm." Fuling was not stupid at all; she understood at a glance.
"In that case, Miss, if you had to choose one of them to stay, who would you pick?"
Qin Wan didn’t open her eyes. She just said lightly, "If you had to choose, who would you pick?"
Fuling tilted her head and thought. "Wantao, probably. Wantao is the best trained. She can do the work of three people by herself. I won’t even mention Wanli. Wanxing is also good, but she is too quiet and very wooden. In the future, Miss will always need a few capable maids who can go out and socialize and talk with people. I’m afraid Wanxing isn’t up to the task."
Exhaustion was plain on Qin Wan’s brows and eyes. "Your reasoning makes sense."
Fuling smiled. Seeing that Qin Wan was truly exhausted, she said no more. Qin Wan soaked in the bath for a little while longer before getting out to dress. She soon got into bed. After Fuling finished tidying the inner chamber, she saw Wantao and the others waiting outside as she left.
Fuling had a better impression of Wantao, so she naturally let Wantao lead the others away to rest.
This night, Qin Wan slept very soundly, so much so that by the time she woke the next day, the sky outside was already bright.
After collecting her wits, Qin Wan got up. Fuling, hearing the movement, came in and said with a smile, "Miss finally got to sleep in."
Qin Wan gave a wry smile. The whole night of sleep had indeed refreshed her spirit quite a bit. Qin Wan thought for a moment. "It’s been many days since I went to the Marquis’s residence. I don’t know how the Grand Princess’s health is, and also the injury of the Wei family’s eldest son…"
Hearing this, Fuling found it amusing. "Miss truly can’t sit still for a moment."
After breakfast, Qin Wan first went to Linfeng Courtyard as usual. Yao Xinlan’s pulse was steady, and color had returned to her face. But like the past few days, she still did not like to speak. Qiqi’s little face was no longer wrinkled. Her tender, newborn face bore a strong resemblance to Yao Xinlan’s. Qin Wan sat for a little while longer. Suddenly, Qin Li rushed into Linfeng Courtyard.
Moshu greeted Qin Li and led him in. Qin Li’s eyes immediately fell on Qin Wan. "Ninth Sister, you are indeed here!"
Qin Wan stood up. "What is it? What happened?"
Qin Li’s brow was tightly furrowed. "Just now, someone came from the prefectural yamen. They said Father is not doing well in the prison and asked for someone to go over. They said… they said it might be the last time… Ninth Sister, can you come with me?"
Hearing this, Qin Wan understood. Qin Li wanted her to come along, so that in a last resort, she could save Qin An. Qin Wan did not value Qin An’s life, but looking at Qin Li’s pleading eyes, her heart softened, and she nodded.
A light shone in Qin Li’s eyes. "That’s wonderful! Ninth Sister, let’s go now! The carriage is already ready!"
Qin Wan said no more, only telling Fuling to go back and fetch the Nine Needles of the Basic Questions, then left the residence with Qin Li. Once in the carriage, Qin Li looked at Qin Wan and said, "I’m sorry, Ninth Sister. I shouldn’t have asked you to come along."
Qin Wan looked at Qin Li, her expression unchanged. "Since you knew you shouldn’t have, why did you invite me? Now that I am here, there’s no need to say such things. I don’t want to save his life. I am only considering your brotherly-filial bond."
Qin Li’s expression grew resentful at Qin Wan’s words. "Ninth Sister is kind at heart. I know. Although his fate is deserved, he is still my father. And I was thinking, in his condition, even you, Ninth Sister, would be powerless to save him."
In her heart, Qin Wan also felt that this trip might not change anything. Qin An’s syphilis had reached its final stage; medicine was ineffective. But she was, after all, a physician. There was no reason to make a final judgment without seeing the patient’s condition.
Qin Wan did not engage with Qin Li’s words, and the carriage fell into silence. This was not the first time Qin Wan had been to the prefectural yamen. When the carriage stopped, she was the first to get off. Descending from the carriage, Qin Wan walked straight to the yamen’s entrance. Qin Li followed behind. At the entrance, he said a few words to the yamen runners, and someone immediately led them inside.
These yamen runners already recognized Qin Wan and knew her position in the eyes of Huo Huaixin and Yan Chi, so they were extremely respectful toward her. Along the way, they explained the reason for their visit to Qin Wan, but paid no mind to Qin Li. Qin Li gave a few bitter smiles. As the group walked deeper into the yamen, they approached the entrance to the prison cells, when a voice suddenly rang out!
"Miss Qin!"
Qin Wan’s feet stopped. Her entire body froze.
Sun Muqing was coming from another side path. Seeing Qin Wan, he was overjoyed and walked directly up to her. "Miss Qin, it’s actually you! I never thought I would meet you again. After we parted last time, I went back thinking of your lovely face. If I hadn’t seen you in mourning clothes on the street yesterday, I wouldn’t have known you were a member of the Qin family…"
Qin Wan frowned at Sun Muqing’s beaming smile. Before she could speak, a dark figure emerged from the entrance to the prison cells. Qin Wan looked up and saw that Yan Chi’s lips held a cold, unfriendly smirk.