novelraw Chapter 122 : An Elusive Encounter, Someone from the Capital
Chapter 122 : An Elusive Encounter, Someone from the Capital
122: An Elusive Encounter, Someone from the Capital
"Lord Shen had a daughter. Have you ever seen her?"
Qin Wan’s heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained largely unchanged. "Why does Your Highness the Heir Apparent ask this?"
Yan Chi looked at her, his gaze open and frank. "You hold Lord Shen in very high regard. I thought perhaps you had met him, or perhaps you had met his wife and daughter. He was an official of the capital, and you also grew up in the capital. It is possible you met him at an inner residence tea gathering."
Qin Wan’s heart eased a fraction. She shook her head. "No, there was no such opportunity. Lord Shen returned to the capital more than three years ago. At that time, I had already been sent to Jinzhou. What a pity."
Yan Chi nodded. "That Lord Shen’s only daughter’s name also contains the character ‘Wan.’ It seems it is a fated connection between you."
Qin Wan’s heart gave another sudden jump. "Is that so? Then it truly must be fate." After a slight pause, she turned and said, "Oh, that’s right. I forgot to ask Your Highness the Heir Apparent, how did you find me that night? That library was quite remote."
Qin Wan’s shift in topic was sudden, and Yan Chi could not help but pay attention. He also composed his expression and said, "Xu He said you were looking for a painting, so I thought perhaps you had gone to the library again. When I arrived at the library and didn’t see you, I searched the surroundings and saw that the lamps in the library were lit."
A sense of realization dawned on Qin Wan. It was at night; with the lamps lit, one could be seen from afar. But Qin Wan had only changed the subject. After Yan Chi finished speaking, Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain to look out at the streets. Yan Chi’s heavy gaze settled upon her, and he suddenly said, "With the Qin residence in this state, what will you do now?"
Qin Wan turned her head back. "The Qin residence has only fallen somewhat. I am fine."
"Although the Qin residence’s crimes do not implicate you, it has gained a foul name in Jinzhou. It is not good for you."
Qin Wan lowered her gaze and gave a small smile. "It is only a reputation. Besides, I am still a member of the Qin family. There is no reason for me to leave the Qin residence for another place."
Qin Wan’s voice was very calm, as if she held no resentment at all. Regarding the affairs of the Qin residence, perhaps Qin Xiang and the others were only resentful of Qin An, thinking of the Qin residence’s current plight, likely full of despair and complaint. But Qin Wan remained this calm.
Yan Chi watched her deeply for a moment and suddenly said, "Do you not wish to return to the capital?"
It was as if Qin Wan’s heart had been pricked. Yet she forcefully suppressed the impulse and said lightly, "I can go anywhere. We shall see what fate brings. With the Qin residence in this situation, I truly do not know what the future holds."
Yan Chi said no more. He knew of her ambition and her abilities.
The carriage traveled along the streets westward. It was now early winter. The scenery of Jinzhou city grew even more bleak and desolate. The sky today was a sheet of hazy grey. The wind that blew was bitingly cold. Looking at the city’s gloomy, defeated colors, Qin Wan’s heart sank slightly. She naturally wanted to go to the capital; without going to the capital, she could not get to the bottom of her father’s case. But her surname was Qin. This matter was truly not for her to control.
The carriage, though narrow, did not travel slowly. Before long, it stopped steadily before the gates of the Marquis’s residence.
Having not visited for many days, the Marquis’s residence was still as gloriously wealthy as before. The doorman at the gate saw that it was Qin Wan and Yan Chi descending from the carriage together and hurried inside to announce. Qin Wan and Yan Chi, one after the other, entered the gates. Before much time had passed, they saw Yue Ning, leading Lüqi, walking toward them!
"I was thinking you would come these past few days, and truly you have arrived!"
Yue Ning’s eyes swept over Qin Wan. "Why do you look so much thinner? Is the Qin residence all right?"
Qin Wan performed a curtsy as a greeting. The corners of her lips curved slightly. "It must be that the Young Princess is worried and thinks I have lost weight. The Qin residence is fine. I am also fine. You need not worry, Young Princess. How is the Grand Princess’s health?"
Yue Ning’s eyes deepened as he glanced at Yan Chi, then turned to walk alongside Qin Wan. "That is good. Grandmother has been able to come out and move about these past few days. Her health is more robust than before. Your house is still being taken care of."
"How is the leg of the Wei family’s eldest son?" Qin Wan asked again.
Yue Ning gave a wry smile. "He has already left Jinzhou. The injury to his leg is mostly healed."
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. "He left? When did he leave?"
Yue Ning, after all, was Qin Wan’s patient. She had not yet diagnosed him before he left, and Qin Wan could not help but worry.
"He left on the very day of the Old Madam’s funeral…"
Yue Ning seemed to know what was on Qin Wan’s mind and reassured her, "You need not worry. There are guards all around him."
Qin Wan nodded. "There have been many matters in the Qin residence recently, and I also…"
Yue Ning shook his head. "We all know of the Qin residence’s affairs. Grandmother and Mother still think of how you are doing. The Qin residence did not send invitations for the Old Madam’s funeral rites. Grandmother had even intended to have Mother go over for a visit."
Qin Wan felt a touch of gratitude. At this time, the Qin residence’s foul name had just sprung up, and its status was extremely awkward. Even if invitations were sent, no one would have come. Yet the Marquis’s residence had taken the initiative to think of her.
"The Qin residence is in a difficult situation now, so the rites could not be grand. Thank you, Grand Princess, and Madam."
As she spoke, they were already near the Grand Princess’s courtyard. Lüxiu was waiting at the courtyard entrance and hurried up to greet them. The moment they entered the room, Madam Jiang grasped Qin Wan’s hand. "Ai, it truly makes one’s heart ache. For so many days, I wanted to have Ning’er go and see you, but the Qin residence was holding funeral rites, and it would have been improper for us to neglect decorum. Come in, come in. How have you grown so thin, you are just a shadow of your former self."
As soon as she spoke, she pulled Qin Wan to sit beside her. "How is the Qin residence now? Who is in charge of the household’s affairs?"
Although Qin Wan was a guest, the Yue family all treated her with sincere warmth. Here, she felt even more warmth than at the Qin residence. Qin Wan said quickly, "The Qin residence is fine for now. Second Brother is temporarily in charge. You need not worry, Grand Princess. Oh, that’s right, Sister-in-law has given birth, to a daughter. I have spent most of my time with her these past few days. The little girl and her mother look so much alike, she is very endearing."
"Ah, that is wonderful! Your elder brother now has an heir!"
The Grand Princess’s brows relaxed. Madam Jiang, who was to the side, also said with relief, "This is also a joyous event."
Although the Qin family was in chaos and disarray from the war, and had lost people, the entire residence was shrouded in shadow. The birth of Qiqi, this newborn child, was, to Qin Wan at least, a tremendously joyous affair.
After asking a few more details about the Qin residence’s situation, the Grand Princess and Madam Jiang tactfully did not ask too many detailed questions. Turning, Madam Jiang said, "Since you are here, you must have lunch here. I will have someone prepare a nourishing soup for you. Look at you, your complexion is not as good as before. If you get too thin, it is not good."
As Madam Jiang spoke, she went to prepare the meal herself. Qin Wan wanted to refuse but could not. The Grand Princess held Qin Wan’s hand and said with a smile, "Let her prepare it. You truly must nourish yourself well. I see that your complexion is not as good as usual."
Qin Wan did not feel her complexion was poor, but since the favor was hard to refuse, she could only go along with it.
Qin Wan had just entered the room when the Grand Princess and Madam Jiang, holding her hands, began to chat with her, largely ignoring Yan Chi to the side. The Grand Princess then looked at Yan Chi and said, "Have all those men been captured? Are there any still escaped?"
"One is still on the run, the one who was in charge of the accounts. He fled east. We only know he went east for now. I believe it will not be more than a few days before he is captured."
Yan Chi stood tall and straight by the window, but he did not hide these things from the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess let out a breath. "This time, although the trouble originated in the Qin residence, it is good that those other wicked people have been exposed. Such an evil matter must be thoroughly dealt with by punishing all involved before it can be completely cleansed."
As her words fell, Yue Qing, in a blue robe and with an excited look on his face, walked in from outside. "Grandmother, Ninth Miss is here?"
As he spoke, Yue Qing had already seen Qin Wan sitting beside the Grand Princess. A light brightened in his eyes by another fraction. "It truly is Ninth Miss! Is Ninth Miss well recently?"
Qin Wan stood to perform a curtsy, but the Grand Princess held her down. She scolded Yue Qing with a laugh, "Look at you, covered in sweat. You are drilling yourself to death over what business is it of yours that Ninth Miss has come? What does it concern you?"
Yue Qing wiped the sweat from his face and said with a smile, "Grandmother thinks of Ninth Miss every day, which makes me worry about the Qin residence’s affairs and whether it implicates Ninth Miss. It is all Grandmother’s influence on me, but Grandmother also said…"
The Grand Princess shook her head with a smile. Qin Wan then said, "Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master. The Qin residence is fine for now. I am also fine."
Yue Qing let out a breath, seeming relieved. "That is good. Otherwise, Grandmother’s health, who would look after it?"
Qin Wan then changed the subject to the Grand Princess, asking in detail about her diet and daily routine, and also felt her pulse, writing a new prescription. The Grand Princess had someone put the prescription away, and leading Qin Wan’s party, they walked toward the front Magnolia Nursery. It was there that she had first met Yue Qing.
"This matter has truly caused the Jinzhou Qin residence to lose a great deal of its vitality. How did the capital side speak of it?"
The Grand Princess’s voice was slow and steady, but she was speaking with the Qin residence’s fate in mind. Qin Wan shook her head. "The news must have been sent out. It is just a thousand miles away. I do not know what their attitude is."
The Grand Princess sighed. "Is your second brother reliable?"
Thinking of Qin Li, Qin Wan did not know how to evaluate. The Qin Li of the past could be described by three words: "could be relied upon." But the current Qin Li seemed to have undergone some change. "The eldest sons of a normally cultivated noble family must have some experience. Otherwise, they will not achieve much. If he can hold the Qin residence up from now on, there may be some hope of revival for this branch of the Jinzhou Qin family."
Qin Wan listened to the Grand Princess’s earnest words and nodded frequently. Before long, a servant came from the front courtyard to invite everyone for lunch. Arriving at the front hall, they saw that Yue Jia and Yue Jia were also present. Because there were many people, this lunch was a bit more lavish than usual.
During the meal, Yue Jia also offered several words of comfort. After the meal, Madam Jiang had someone bring out the gifts that had been prepared for Qin Wan. Needless to say, the jade artifacts were precious; Madam Jiang also gifted Qin Wan two fine roots of ginseng and a snow ganoderma, saying only that they were for Qin Wan to nourish her body. Qin Wan had wanted to refuse, but the Grand Princess opened her mouth again, and she could only accept.
After the meal, she accompanied the Grand Princess for a walk, but before they had taken more than a few steps, the sky suddenly darkened.
"It looks like it is going to rain again."
Yue Ning muttered, raising her eyes to look at the sky. A large mass of dark clouds had silently gathered. The wind was also slowly picking up. It had not been many days since the last spell of continuous autumn rain, and yet another rain was about to fall.
Seeing that rain was imminent, Qin Wan proposed her departure. The Grand Princess considered it, then looked at Yan Chi, who was following behind her. "Qi’er, you should escort Wan’er back then. If it rains, the road might be troublesome."
Yan Chi naturally agreed upon seeing this. Qin Wan took her leave of the Grand Princess and Madam Jiang, and carrying the small box of gifts with Fuling, walked outside. At the residence gates, the carriage had been changed. It was a Marquis residence carriage, spacious and magnificent, naturally much better than the one from the prefectural yamen.
The sky was covered with dark clouds. Qin Wan and Yan Chi boarded the carriage one after the other. Before they had taken more than a few steps, a fine drizzle began to fall outside. Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain to look out. "Your Highness the Heir Apparent just said there was only one manager of the accounts on the run, meaning that all the others from the Qingyuan Pawnshop have been captured. Does this case implicate other people?"
Yan Chi nodded. "Naturally. Qin An had his preference for young girls. Other people had other preferences; as long as they took money, they would do as bid. Now two other wealthy households in the city have also been implicated. Prefect Huo will go and make arrests later."
Qin Wan’s expression darkened slightly. "So it is not just the Qin residence…"
"If it were only Qin An buying the girls himself, that would be one thing. But once it implicated the Qingyuan Pawnshop, it surely cannot be just the one Qin family. Others only envy the surface glory and splendor of the nobility. Only a very few know of the evil hidden beneath that noble glory. Qin Wan knew this was a major case, far greater than Song Rou’s by many measures."
Yan Chi nodded. "There are still things left to excavate. In the hands of the manager of the accounts, there is a ledger that details which people are involved."
Qin Wan had a moment of realization. No wonder Yan Chi’s tone had been so much more serious when he mentioned that person earlier. "By the end of the year, Prefect Huo will surely become busy."
Hearing this, a deep, long look appeared in Yan Chi’s eyes. "This case indeed involves a great deal that is difficult to investigate. But this is also Prefect Huo’s opportunity. I see he is truly applying himself to the task."
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow slightly, starting to understand. "Prefect Huo has been in the local area for many years. He is surely planning his way toward the capital."
Qin Wan was suddenly reminded of something and asked Yan Chi, "Your Highness the Heir Apparent is temporarily holding the post of Investigating Commissioner for the Ministry of Justice. Is it because Your Highness is in Jinzhou for now, or does Your Highness intend to enter the Ministry of Justice in the future?"
Yan Chi looked at Qin Wan, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "The questions you ask are always different from those of other noble ladies."
Qin Wan gave a helpless smile. "It was just a sudden thought, nothing more."
With that said, Yan Chi’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you not wish for me to return to the capital?"
"Of course not," Qin Wan said, her eyes turning. "I just said that I had arrived here."
Only then did the color in Yan Chi’s eyes return to how it was at the beginning. "This case is not yet finished. In any event, I must wait until this case is concluded before returning."
Qin Wan nodded. Yan Chi added, "If I return to the capital, would it not be difficult for you and I to meet again?"
Qin Wan smiled faintly. "If fate allows, we shall meet again."
Yan Chi shook his head, pretending to be displeased and sighed. "Such words lack a sense of justice. You and I have broken a major case together. At the very least, there should be some camaraderie between us."
Qin Wan lowered her gaze, a faint dimple appearing on her cheek. "Your Highness the Heir Apparent is a young hero, naturally shouldering great ambitions. Coming to Jinzhou was but sojourning for a few months; you were bound to return to the capital sooner or later."
Yan Chi then dismissed his playful demeanor and said sternly, "Returning to the capital means being a thousand miles away from you."
Qin Wan raised her eyes, not shyly averting her gaze but looking at him. "Are you afraid you will not meet another like me, one who can perform autopsies and examine bones?"
At her words, Yan Chi’s lips curved, but he nodded seriously. "Indeed. I am afraid I will not meet one like you again."
Qin Wan was stunned for a moment, as if she could no longer meet his gaze. She turned to look out the window. "We are about to arrive. Your Highness the Heir Apparent should return to the Marquis’s residence early. The rain is so heavy."
As she spoke, the carriage stopped. Qin Wan lifted the curtain to descend. Yan Chi, however, did not move. Qin Wan stepped down from the carriage and, looking at the hanging carriage curtains, turned and walked back toward the residence gates. The doorman at the gate saw Qin Wan appear and hurriedly came out with an umbrella to welcome her. Qin Wan walked to the entrance and looked back, only to see the carriage still stopped in the drizzling rain. Qin Wan was about to turn and enter the residence when the carriage curtain was lifted again from within. Yan Chi’s face, separated by the rain curtain, gazed at her from a distance. Qin Wan looked at him for an instant, curved her lips, and entered the residence gates.
The male servant held an umbrella, escorting Qin Wan and Fuling all the way to Tinglan Pavilion. As they walked, Qin Wan looked up at the top of the umbrella and was suddenly reminded of another umbrella, the one that was held high and steady, able to block all the slanting, fine rain for her.
Only after entering the courtyard gates did Qin Wan let out a soft breath, casting all the chaotic thoughts from her heart.
"Miss, these gifts have been placed in the high cabinet in the inner room."
Qin Wan nodded, as if remembering something. "Take out a root of ginseng. Let us go see Sister-in-law."
Fuling hesitated for an instant. "Miss, this ginseng is extremely fine. Shouldn’t we…"
Qin Wan gently interrupted Fuling’s words. "I know what you mean. That is why we kept one for our own urgent needs. I am only a bit tired now; taking a bit of a nourishing tonic is fine. But this ginseng can be used to save a life. Sister-in-law is extremely weak postpartum. It will be of much greater use if we give it to her."
Fuling sighed. "Miss is truly too kind."
Fuling took out a root of ginseng and also draped a cloak over Qin Wan. Only then, holding that sky-blue umbrella, they headed to Linfeng Courtyard. Arriving at Linfeng Courtyard, Moshu and the two newly arrived senior maids saw the ginseng Qin Wan had brought and were moved beyond words. But when Qin Wan entered the inner room, she still saw Yao Xinlan asleep. In the five days since her birth, Yao Xinlan could sleep no matter what, but every time Qin Wan came, she would be asleep. It was as if she was asleep when Qin Wan arrived.
As usual, Qin Wan first went to feel her pulse. Seeing that there were no major issues, she and Moshu walked out. "Has Sister-in-law been sleeping like this all day?"
Moshu nodded, her eyes brimming with worry. This loyal girl was just as worried as Fuling. For Yao Xinlan’s condition, she was filled with anxiety. "Ninth Miss, this servant feels that something is not right with the Miss. For so many days, this servant does not know medicine, but even I can see that the Miss has some color on her face and her body is not cold, which shows her health is improving. But why does the Miss keep sleeping?"
Qin Wan walked to the side Warm Chamber and saw the wet nurse feeding Qiqi. Seeing Qiqi’s unwittingly babbling mouth, Qin Wan’s heart eased slightly. "Perhaps Sister-in-law cannot get over a hurdle in her own heart."
Moshu looked at Qiqi, her expression paling. "The Miss looks at the Little Miss with no reaction. This servant is afraid that the Little Miss will not be close to the Miss. And… for these few days, Madam has not sent anyone over. If the Little Miss cannot receive her mother’s love, she is truly to be pitied. But with the Miss in this state, this servant does not know how to advise. The Miss still needs to recover, and I am afraid I will agitate her."
Qin Wan shook her head. "There is no need to advise. Just hold Qiqi for her to see every day. She is still small; she will not be unfriendly. You all take good care of her health, and just look after Qiqi well. That will be fine."
As she spoke, Qiqi finished her milk. Qin Wan stepped forward and picked up Qiqi. The little baby’s face was as soft as dough. Qin Wan could not resist but press her cheek against it. Qiqi let out two soft "ah" sounds, as if in response.
"The Little Miss truly likes Ninth Miss…"
Qin Wan felt as if her heart was about to be warmed. She kissed Qiqi’s forehead. "Such a good Qiqi. She must understand her mother’s difficulty. Wait a few more days until her mother is better, then you can hold her and it will be good…"
As Qin Wan spoke, Qiqi let out another "ah." Moshu’s eyes reddened slightly. "Thank you, Ninth Miss…"
After spending half a shichen at Linfeng Courtyard, Qin Wan left. By the time she returned to Tinglan Pavilion, the shichen was already late. Qin Wan had held Qiqi for a little too long, and her arms ached with a dull pain. After returning to her room, she quickly washed up and went to bed.
A night of deep sleep. The next morning, Qin Wan rose at her usual time. After breakfast, she went to Linfeng Courtyard to spend some time. She played with Qiqi, and sometimes said a few words to Yao Xinlan. Seeing that Yao Xinlan still kept her eyes closed as if asleep, Qin Wan could only sigh in her heart. When Qiqi took her nap at midday, Qin Wan returned. She spent the afternoon studying medical texts and pondering prescriptions. In her free time, she would go to Linfeng Courtyard. Sometimes Qin Shuang was also there. Qin Shuang’s personality had greatly improved; she even took the initiative to speak with Qin Wan.
These days passed like this for four or five. The autumn rain of that day continued without stopping. Five days later, just after she had finished breakfast, Fuling entered with a slightly anxious expression. "Miss, Third Master has died in the prefectural yamen."
Qin Wan was just about to go to Linfeng Courtyard. Hearing this, her steps faltered slightly. "Five days? That is about right."
Fuling did not understand at first. Qin Wan said, "Who went?"
"The Second Young Master went, and the newly appointed steward, He Xing, also went."
Qin Wan nodded. She turned and walked back to the Warm Chamber. Fuling let out a sigh. "They said the men from the yamen who came to report the death, aside from announcing the funeral, also said that Third Master’s case has been concluded. Although it does not involve implicated family members, several of the Qin family’s properties have been sealed. I heard that these properties are connected to that Qingyuan Pawnshop, and they also had dealings with the other two wealthy households who were arrested in the city."
This was what Qin Wan had expected. It seemed that in these five days, Yan Chi and Huo Huaixin had already captured all the fugitives. And in these past few days, Qin An must have confessed to a great deal. It was a matter of course that the Qin family’s properties would be sealed.
"That is as it should be. It is a good thing that this residence has not been sealed." There was a trace of worry on Fuling’s face. "This part is still unknown. This is only the beginning."
Qin Wan understood Fuling’s worry and reassured her, "It is nothing. It will be fine. We used to live in the West Rear Courtyard; were those houses better than those of common folk? Can our situation be worse than it was then?"
Hearing this, Fuling gave a wry smile. "Miss, you truly do not worry about a thing…"
Qin Wan tilted her head. "What is there to worry about? You now recognize a hundred medicinal herbs. You can go be an apprentice at any pharmacy."
Hearing this, Fuling’s face flushed red. "But… but what pharmacy would take a girl as an apprentice? Unless there is a female physician with a practice…"
Qin Wan gestured to herself. "Is there already a practicing female physician here?"
Fuling’s eyes widened. She quickly waved her hand. "That is impossible. Miss, you are honorable and of noble jade, but you cannot go and practice medicine. If others found out, they would surely laugh at you."
Qin Wan gave a wry laugh. "What is so honorable and of noble jade? When we lived in the West Rear Courtyard, were we not very free and easy? To earn money with my own two hands is a matter of great dignity."
Fuling could not argue against Qin Wan and could only nod. "Yes, yes, what Miss says is always right."
…
…
Qin An’s death did not cause much of a ripple in the Qin residence. He was already gravely ill and had committed great crimes. Therefore, when his miserable corpse was brought back to the Qin residence, Qin Li only called a few male servants to complete the simple encoffining and other matters. The coffin was prepared, and the mourning hall was the same one that Madam Jiang had used. Even the spirit banners and white hemp flowers were not taken down.
Because Qin An was a criminal, his funeral rites were destined to be extremely simple. Qin Li did not even invite any masters to perform rites. He only kept vigil for one night, and early the next morning, he had Qin Shuang and Qin Shuang sisters come to offer a stick of incense before having Qin An carried out of the city for burial. And Madam Lin, who should have worn mourning clothes, cited a serious illness as a reason for not appearing.
From the encoffining to the burial, no one wailed. There was no mournful music. Qin Li did not even hold the memorial tablet and weep in the streets. On a rainy, drizzling morning, the former head of the Jinzhou Qin family, Qin An, was buried by the yellow earth outside the city walls amidst a bleak and desolate scene.
Qin An died without a sound. Yet the crimes he committed, the evil consequences they brought, were formally being added to the future generations of the Qin residence. For three consecutive days, yamen runners from the prefectural yamen came to the residence. Although they had not sealed the Qin family’s main residence, they had searched Qin An’s previous courtyard to its foundations. And outside the Qin residence, many of the Qin family’s properties were sealed.
The great ship of the Qin family was ultimately shattered and defeated. All of the Qin residence’s servants were unsettled and anxious all day. Another day passed, and Qin Li planned to reduce unnecessary expenses in the residence. The first item was to reduce the number of servants in each household.
Fuling entered quickly from outside, looking at Qin Wan, who was sitting by the window in the Warm Chamber copying calligraphy, and sighed. "Miss, they are still kneeling outside."
Qin Wan did not make a sound, only finishing the last word before raising her head. "Have them come in."
As Qin Wan spoke, she put down her brush and walked to the window to sit down.
Soon, Fuling led Wantao, Wantao, and Wanli inside. The moment they entered, all three knelt to the ground.
Qin Wan, who had been looking on absentmindedly, took a sip of tea. "What is the meaning of this? Kneeling when every household needs to reduce staff. Fifth Young Miss, Sixth Young Miss, it is the same with them. You came to beg me, but you also know that I do not have extra silver to support you. Besides, you have been here for so many days; I do not have a real need for so many people."
The three of them knelt, but Wanxing was not among them. Wantao looked up, her eyes sincere and pleading. "But, Miss… why did you keep Wanxing? This servant is loyal and devoted to you. This servant will surely be even more diligent in serving you in the future."
Wantao’s eyes reddened. "Miss… this servant knows that she is stupid and usually talks too much, but… but this servant does not wish to be driven out of the residence. I am begging you, Miss, please show your grace…"
Wantao finished speaking, then wiped the corner of her eye. "This servant is not as capable as Sister Wantao, and this servant does not want a monthly stipend either. This servant wants to stay by Miss’s side. Miss, please do not make me leave…"
Wantao finished speaking, her head hanging lower. "This servant… please… please, Miss…"
Qin Wan then sighed. "You have been here for two months. I do not often make use of you, but I was thinking that since you came, I should at least give you a shelter from the wind and rain. If the Qin residence had not undergone such a misfortune, this would have been acceptable. But now that the Qin residence is like this, I cannot make an exception for you either."
After a slight pause, Qin Wan looked at Wanli. "Wanli, what are you thinking?"
Wanli, hearing this, lowered her head even further. "This servant… please… please, Miss…"
Qin Wan then gave a faint smile. "It is a good path I have pointed out for you. But what the future holds, still depends on whether you apply yourself well. I have spoken my piece. You can choose not to go. The decision is entirely your own."
Wantao’s eyes shone. "Miss! Thank you, Miss…"
Wantao, who was usually quite talkative, could not speak now. She just kowtowed to Qin Wan one after another. Qin Wan sighed, "This is what I think is best for you. I believe it is a good way out. But as for the future, it depends on whether you use your skills well. Although I have spoken, you can also choose not to go. The decision is entirely your own."
Wantao’s tears streamed down. "This servant will go. This servant will naturally go. Thank you, Miss…"
Wantao was used to this. Of all the people in the residence, the head cook was the most respected. Not only that, she also received the highest monthly stipend. The path Qin Wan had pointed out for her was to pull her out of the muddy mire she would have been expelled into and lift her up to the clouds. And if Qin Wan had not spoken, that head cook, no matter who she took as an apprentice, would not have accepted her. But now that Qin Wan had spoken, Wantao’s future was in her own hands.
Qin Wan waved a hand. Only then did Wantao stop kowtowing. She just wiped her tears and stood up with a silly smile.
After speaking with Wantao, Qin Wan looked at Wantao. Seeing that Qin Wan had pointed out such an excellent path for her and said nothing more, Wantao’s back straightened, and her eyes instantly filled with immense expectation.
"Wantao, from now on, you must look after yourself well."
Wantao froze. She never imagined that Qin Wan would say this to her. Her face turned pale. "Miss… Miss, why… this servant came to Tinglan Pavilion and has always been diligent and never slackened… but this servant’s heart belongs to the Eldest Young Master! Wasn’t it because the Eldest Young Master ordered you to go to the gatehouse to make inquiries? Did you not tell the Eldest Young Master I was going to the gatehouse to ask questions?"
Qin Wan’s tone was calm and composed, without a hint of coercion, yet it was because it was so that it was all the more chilling to Wantao. "You acted as an example for the four of you, but in your heart, the master was the Eldest Young Master. You entered my inner chambers twice, was that not on the Eldest Young Master’s orders? Did you not tell the Eldest Young Master I was going to the gatehouse to make inquiries?"
Hearing this, Wantao’s back stiffened. She stared wide-eyed at Qin Wan, her body trembling uncontrollably. "Eldest… Eldest Young Master… this servant… it was not… Miss is saying this… this servant is just suspected… there is no evidence…"
"Evidence?" Qin Wan’s face was cold as ice, her gaze, sharp as a blade’s edge. "This is the mugwort grass fragrance I applied to the bookshelf in my room. This fragrance quickly fades when exposed to sunlight and will lose its scent after a long time. Once it is released, it will not retain its scent for a long time. I have not moved from that bookshelf for many days, so who is the one who moved it? This fragrance is not on Fuling’s body, nor is it on Wantao’s body, yet it appeared solely on yours. Wantao, you have committed an offense against your master. I once cleared your name of a crime you did not commit. Am I wrong?!"
The clear, cold words fell with finality. Wantao’s body, trembling endlessly, suddenly collapsed to the floor.
"Miss… Miss… it was the Eldest Young Master… it was…"
Wantao said, weeping, her face a mess of tears. Qin Wan impatiently waved a hand. Wantao’s crime had almost caused Qin Chen to lose his life. If not for the fact that she was a mere servant girl he could manipulate at will, this time it would not be so simple a matter.
"Fuling, take them out."
Qin Wan gave an order. Fuling immediately strode forward and dragged Wantao up. The three of them left one after another. Qin Wan vaguely heard Fuling’s angry scolding from outside, but she just shook her head. It was a good thing that Qin Li was reducing staff. She could no longer tolerate so many people in this courtyard.
Just as she was thinking this, the courtyard gate suddenly rang softly. Fuling’s scolding stopped, and she hurried to open the gate.
Qin Wan did not know who had come, only assuming it was someone to take away Wantao and Wanli, so she did not pay much attention. But soon, Fuling ran back in a panic. "Miss, someone has come from the capital! The Second Young Master requests your presence in the front courtyard."