novelraw Chapter 147 : Like a Secret Rendezvous, The Only One in the World
Chapter 147 : Like a Secret Rendezvous, The Only One in the World
147: Like a Secret Rendezvous, The Only One in the World
It was an extremely prolonged and deep kiss. Qin Wan's thoughts were still clear at first, but as Yan Chi slowly, gently launched his siege against her defenses, her breathing grew unsteady, her waist softened, and her entire body required his supportive embrace just to remain standing.
Yan Chi's grip grew ever tighter as his hands roamed from her spine to her waist, then slid all the way down, wishing he could simply meld Qin Wan into his own body. Her breathing grew increasingly frantic, her heartbeat drumming faster and faster. Suddenly, an involuntary, low moan escaped her lips. That soft whimper falling upon Yan Chi's ears sent a shiver of unbearable, tingling heat through his core. In a surge of passion, he kissed her even deeper. Both their breaths grew even coarser and more ragged. Just as Qin Wan felt if this continued she would be past the point of no return, Yan Chi abruptly stilled.
He held Qin Wan tightly, his ragged panting in the darkness landing against the side of her neck, causing her whole body to tremble uncontrollably. A fine sheen of sweat had broken out on Qin Wan's neck; her cheeks and the area over her heart were blazing hot. She pursed her lips, feeling a shimmering wetness at their corners. Her mind went blank for a moment, and her body couldn't help but shudder again. Yan Chi felt it, his own breathing still not settled.
"Are you cold?"
Qin Wan burrowed closer into Yan Chi's chest, shaking her head slightly in the darkness. She couldn't find words now. If there had been bright light, it would have been one thing, but this pitch-black, hand-obscuring darkness amplified her senses and veiled her bashfulness. As a result, every one of her perceptions was heightened to the extreme, and the tide of passion swirling between them submerged her completely.
Qin Wan was inexperienced in matters of love and had certainly never been this intimate with anyone before. Combined with Yan Chi's forceful advance, she was utterly unable to cope. She was like someone who didn't know the path ahead, simply following Yan Chi as he rose and fell. Even now that he had stopped, the warmth of desire still lingered within her. She had never felt so flustered and urgent, nor so intoxicated and moved. It was as if her heart had overflowed with spring water, soaking the chambers of her soul in just a few breaths. The incoming tides crashed against them with a pitter-patter, her usual armor of composure discarded. Her body had transformed into soft flower petals clinging to Yan Chi's chest, somewhat greedily inhaling his scent.
In the dark, Yan Chi's lips curved. Though he didn't laugh aloud, the satisfaction and delight in his voice were unmistakable.
"Wanwan... Wanwan..."
Yan Chi murmured her name twice, as if all the affection in his heart were contained within those syllables. Qin Wan felt her body begin to tingle again.
"What is it?" Qin Wan spoke, then froze upon hearing her own voice.
It seemed she had never heard her voice sound so water-drenched before. Her usual speech wasn't exactly ungentle, but that gentleness was the proper, measured gentleness of etiquette, dignified, natural, graceful and refined. While pleasant to the ear, it rarely carried the delicate softness of a young maiden. But now, her own voice sent shivers down her very scalp.
Yan Chi's arms around her tightened instinctively, his scorching palm unconsciously stroking her back.
"We cannot stay here much longer."
Qin Wan was, after all, someone who could calm her emotions very quickly. She had already regained much of her composure, but upon hearing this, she immediately felt something was off. At that moment, Yan Chi added, "Listen..."
Qin Wan quickly held her breath to listen. At first, she heard Yan Chi's strong, forceful heartbeat. Although Yan Chi now seemed calmer than her, his heart was still beating extremely fast. Qin Wan was touched by this subtle detail, but soon, she caught the faint, muffled sound of voices.
The voices seemed to come from somewhere far away, so indistinct Qin Wan couldn't make out a single word. Yet she was certain they were human voices. With this thought, she abruptly turned her head toward the nearby stone wall.
The voices came from beyond the stone wall. Someone had found this place from the outside!
The moment this thought formed, Qin Wan pushed Yan Chi away with a single motion.
Her action was decisively swift and utterly ruthless. Yan Chi's recently buoyant mood instantly sank. He, the young marshal of the Western Frontier Army, the Heir Apparent of Prince Rui, actually felt a twinge of being used and discarded after a moment of tenderness. Frowning, he pulled Qin Wan back. "It will still take them a long time to get in here."
His voice was low, almost gritted with teeth. Qin Wan was taken aback, then realized she had been too rough.
"As long as I don't break the final mechanism inside, they might not get in at all."
Yan Chi's words were clipped. Qin Wan finally understood that his earlier silence wasn't deliberate teasing.
How many layers of this chamber's mechanisms had he already disarmed? And he had left the final one?
Just as Qin Wan was pondering this, her chin was suddenly cupped by Yan Chi's large hand. He forced her to look up. Even in the darkness, Qin Wan could sense the intensity of his gaze. Yan Chi's voice was low and thick. "Are you planning to turn your back on me once we leave this place?"
Hearing this, Qin Wan could only offer a wry smile. "Your Highness is the Heir Appar…"
Qin Wan had been about to say that given Yan Chi's noble status, how could she possibly turn her back on him? But before she could finish, he pinched her cheek. "Your Highness, Your Highness, why are you still calling me that?!"
Qin Wan pulled his hand down, feeling her face might be squeezed out of shape. Though he controlled his strength, it was still rather inelegant. "Alright... I won't call you that anymore. How could I turn my back on you? It's just... we can't let people see... Ah!"
Before she could finish, Qin Wan felt a sharp pain on her lip. The scoundrel had suddenly bent down and bitten her. She raised a hand to cover the sore spot, hearing Yan Chi's cold, scoffing threat. "If you turn your back on me, I'll go straight to the Loyal and Valiant Marquis's estate."
Qin Wan smiled bitterly. "Your High... You can't threaten me like that."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, pressing her against the wall again. "Empty words are threats. Do you think this is just a threat?"
Pressed against the wall by him, Qin Wan felt both helpless and a pang in her heart. "Even if I were the type to do such a thing, which I'm not, you still shouldn't go to the Loyal and Valiant Marquis estate. You are the Heir Apparent of Prince Rui. The selection of your consort is no trivial matter. I know you have your own plans, and I trust you. You should trust me too. Though I may not want others to know, my feelings for you are clear and definite."
Yan Chi actually paused at her words. Given Qin Wan's normally calm and restrained nature, he had thought that even if he confessed his feelings, she would certainly refuse and evade repeatedly. She thought him inscrutable, but wasn't she the same? There were still many mysteries about her. Moreover, young women were often exceedingly reserved in matters of love. Yet he hadn't expected Qin Wan to neither retreat nor put on airs.
However, while she gave a clear and definite answer, that clarity couldn't be shown to others, and there was no explicit commitment.
"And also..." Before Yan Chi could speak, Qin Wan continued.
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, ready to hear what else she had to say.
Qin Wan hesitated before continuing. "Also, how are you so certain I can become your consort?"
Yan Chi's eyebrows shot up high. "How am I certain..."
His tone held a note of cold laughter, as if he were angered. Qin Wan lifted her head slightly. Having been in the dark for so long, her eyes had somewhat adjusted; she could vaguely make out Yan Chi's silhouette. She looked up at him with an earnest expression.
Sensing her seriousness, Yan Chi finally reined in his temper. He took her hand and placed it against his lips, giving it a light bite. "I know your concerns. But the answer to the question you asked is not simple."
Then he kissed her palm again. "You'll need a lifetime to hear and see it."
Qin Wan's heart was moved and astonished. Not being in Yan Chi's position, perhaps she lacked his confidence, or perhaps his decisive, forceful nature. So she hadn't considered the words "a lifetime" at all. Responding to Yan Chi's feelings was simply because she didn't want to betray them and wished to be true to herself. But as for how far they could go, she truly hadn't thought about it.
Hearing Qin Wan's silence, Yan Chi's annoyance faded, replaced by a pang of tenderness. He leaned in and wrapped Qin Wan in a gentle embrace. "Once I decide something, there's no room for change. What I set my mind to, I will never abandon halfway. The person I want... even if she were a goddess from the highest heavens, I would capture her and bring her to my side. Wanwan, right now you may doubt and question, but in time you will understand."
Yan Chi's words were gentle yet forceful, etching themselves into Qin Wan's heart one by one. A tremor ran through her. Only now did she finally realize Yan Chi's feelings ran deeper and heavier than she had imagined. She raised her hands to embrace him, lightly stroking his back.
"Then... what if that goddess from the heavens has no feelings for you?"
Yan Chi was taken aback, thoroughly choked by her words. His arm tightened in punishment as he bent his head and gave her neck a fierce, sucking kiss. Hearing Qin Wan's sharp intake of breath, he lifted his head. "Then I would make her develop feelings for me..."
Qin Wan winced from the pain. With her medical expertise, she instantly knew this would leave a mark. She gritted her teeth and countered again, "But such matters aren't something people can control. Even the Jade Emperor couldn't control them."
"Oh?" Yan Chi felt Qin Wan was deliberately trying to provoke him, so he chuckled coldly, teeth slightly bared. "Then what does it matter? We'll just remain locked in struggle. Two people suffering is far better than one person alone in agony. Having someone to accompany me, I wouldn't be at a loss."
His tone was dark and insinuating, as if warning Qin Wan about something. Qin Wan gave a wry smile and buried her face in his chest.
If she held no affection for him, she would likely find such thoughts utterly domineering and excessively stubborn. But now that her heart was inclined, she only felt the firmness of his resolve, which again made her heart ache with tenderness.
Yan Chi sensed Qin Wan's compliance and knew many of her doubts had been eased. He was just thinking of leaving another mark on her neck when, abruptly, the previously indistinct human voices suddenly became clear.
"It's open, it's open! Only the last door remains!"
"Who knows how the Young Miss is faring? It's been so long, sob..."
"Don't speak such inauspicious words! Ninth Younger Sister will be alright..."
"Guard Bai, how much time do you need for this final one?"
"The time of two incense sticks should suffice. Please be quiet..."
Earlier, separated by who knew how many doors, the sound had been muffled and unclear. But now it was different. Though still separated by a stone door, Qin Wan could clearly hear exactly who was speaking outside. Her heart leaped, and she tried to push Yan Chi away. Yan Chi, having anticipated this, how could he let her succeed?
"Let go, they're about to come in..."
"Two incense sticks," Yan Chi murmured, his voice low, holding her even tighter.
Qin Wan's cheeks suddenly felt like they were on fire. Yan Chi was embracing her, yet just beyond a single door were Fuling, Bai Feng, Qin Shuang, and the others. This scene, so akin to a clandestine affair, made her heart race even faster.
Yan Chi also knew Bai Feng and the others were about to enter. Thinking of Qin Wan's decisive character, once outside she would undoubtedly put on a different face. An unbearable restlessness gnawed at him, as if a hundred ants were biting his heart. Without another thought, Yan Chi lowered his head and kissed her again.
Qin Wan let out a soft moan; all remaining protests were swallowed by Yan Chi. It was as if he knew time was short. Abandoning the gentle, lingering kisses, he seemed desperate to melt Qin Wan into his embrace, cover her entire neck with marks, and then imprint the words 'Belongs to Yan Chi' upon her face with his kisses...
...
...
"Shh, quiet..."
Outside the stone door, Bai Feng, who had been working on the mechanism, suddenly grew solemn, pressing his ear against the stone.
His abrupt action instantly made the others tense.
Qin Shuang held her breath, watching as Bai Feng's brows furrowed, then relaxed, then furrowed again. After a long moment, he still hadn't said what he heard. Qin Shuang couldn't contain herself any longer and whispered, "What is it?"
Bai Feng listened intently a while longer, then suddenly, his eyes brightened.
"There are people inside! It must be the Master and the Ninth Young Miss!"
"What?" Qin Shuang's eyes also lit up. "You heard Qin Wan's voice?"
"Young Miss?!" Fuling didn't even wait for Bai Feng's confirmation. She threw herself against the stone door, pounding and slapping it. "Young Miss, are you in there? Young Miss? Young Miss, are you alright? Sob, sob..."
Fuling cried out while beating the door. Bai Feng gave a bitter smile. "Um... Miss Fuling, the sounds inside are rustling and unclear, but it should be the Master opening the stone door. You'd best stop crying."
Upon hearing Yan Chi's name, Fuling's sobs ceased. Remembering Yan Chi was behind the door, she instinctively took a step back.
Bai Feng, seeing this, adopted a serious expression again and leaned close to the door to listen.
Soon, a sound audible to everyone echoed out. The moment it sounded, Bai Feng immediately stepped back. The stone door before him, which had remained immovable until now, began to creak open.
As the door opened, impenetrable darkness greeted them first. As it swung wider, light from outside spilled in, finally revealing the scene within. In a secret chamber with stone walls on all sides, Yan Chi stood relaxed and at ease at the forefront, while Qin Wan stood behind him. Both looked somewhat disheveled. Though their clothing was relatively intact, strands of their hair still held traces of dampness. Seeing Yan Chi and Qin Wan, Fuling immediately rushed into the chamber...
"Young Miss... You're alive!"
Bai Feng also stepped forward. "Master, are you and the Ninth Young Miss unharmed?"
Yan Chi nodded, then looked back. Qin Wan was already holding Fuling's hand and softly reassuring her, truly not sparing him a single glance. Fuling, however, suddenly turned and kowtowed toward Yan Chi. "Thank you for your life-saving grace, Your Highness the Heir Apparent."
Qin Wan watched Fuling with a wry smile, while Qin Shuang and the others outside also bowed to Yan Chi.
Yan Chi waved his hand. "Rise. Your master will thank me herself."
Yan Chi's voice was steady and composed, exactly the unreadable demeanor Qin Wan had wished for. Yet his words made a flush rise unbidden to her cheeks, and she couldn't help but wonder what manner of thanks he had in mind...
Fuling straightened up, slightly puzzled. She glanced at Yan Chi, then at Qin Wan, uttered an "Oh," and stood up. Perhaps it was her imagination, but Yan Chi today seemed much more approachable than usual.
Fuling obediently stepped behind Qin Wan as Yan Chi asked Bai Feng, "What is the situation outside?"
Bai Feng's expression turned stern. "General Han has apprehended everyone. That man called Uncle Dong took poison and killed himself."
Qin Wan's heart jumped at this, but she was momentarily surprised. Who was this "General Han"?
Yan Chi nodded, gesturing toward the inner chamber. "There's still a person inside, and some items. Take men in to bring the person out and conduct a thorough search. Secure everyone in this residence for now."
Bai Feng nodded, glancing at Qin Wan. "The entrance to this place was revealed by that Uncle Dong. After speaking, he took his own life."
Qin Wan's eyes dimmed slightly. Yan Chi fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then turned to look at Qin Wan. "Let us go out first."
Qin Wan nodded. Meeting his gaze, she felt an inexplicable sense of guilt, afraid others might detect something amiss between her and Yan Chi. Consequently, her expression grew even more serene, almost appearing somewhat weary and dazed.
Fuling immediately supported her, anxiously inquiring if she was unwell. Qin Wan shook her head. "I caught a slight chill, but it's nothing serious."
As they spoke, Yan Chi had already strode out ahead. Qin Wan followed. Qin Shuang hurried over, her eyes rimmed red as she looked at Qin Wan. Qin Wan looked at the group. Though they had cleaned up, their robes were still unchanged, covered in dust and filth, quite a pitiful sight. Fortunately, she saw no major injuries. "How are all of you? And Bai Ying?"
Fuling was the first to shake her head. "We're fine. This servant and the Sixth Young Miss only have some scrapes. The Fifth Young Miss has a wound on her arm and is resting now. Bai..." Fuling paused, confused. "Young Miss, who is Bai Ying?"
A slight curve touched Qin Wan's lips. "Wanxing..."
Fuling's eyes widened. She wanted to ask why Wanxing had become Bai Ying, but immediately realized now was not the time for such questions. She quickly said, "There was a military physician who came. The arrows in her have already been removed."
Only then did Qin Wan feel relieved. "That's good."
Fuling also nodded slightly, lowering her voice. "It's truly wonderful the Young Miss is safe. You have no idea, the entire eastern section of this residence collapsed. When it happened, some servants were unaware and got injured too. Fortunately, no one died. It's just Uncle Dong..."
Qin Wan patted Fuling's arm, remaining silent for a moment.
Exiting the stone door, they found themselves in a secret passage. Following it forward a dozen steps led to a staircase. Yan Chi went first, Qin Wan following him up. Upon reaching the top, they found it was an empty room. The doors and windows were tightly shut, exuding an air of solemnity. As Qin Wan had expected, it was already fully daylight outside.
Yan Chi looked back at Qin Wan, his gaze deep and profound. Their eyes met for an instant before parting. Just as Yan Chi turned, the door of the empty room was pushed open from outside, and a burly, bearded man in military attire strode in. Seeing Yan Chi, the man's face lit up with joy. "Your Highness! Is Your Highness well?!"
Yan Chi stood as imposing and majestic as ever, nodding. "All is well."
The bearded man looked exhilarated, then glanced behind Yan Chi. His eyes flickered with a strange light upon seeing Qin Wan. He then cupped his hands toward Yan Chi. "It is fortunate Your Highness is unharmed, otherwise this humble general truly wouldn't know how to face Prince Rui!"
Mentioning Prince Rui, Yan Chi's tone was indifferent. "All is well now. Is the outside secured?"
Han Kaiyang nodded emphatically. "Set your mind at ease, Your Highness. All is secured!"
Yan Chi nodded and strode outside. Seeing the sudden appearance of a General Han, Qin Wan paused, intending to let Han Kaiyang exit first. Unexpectedly, Han Kaiyang stood where he was, beaming at Qin Wan with a hearty smile. Han Kaiyang was tall and powerfully built, his full beard and thick eyebrows giving him a rugged, heroic air. His broad grin revealed slightly yellowed teeth, emphasizing his coarse boldness. Yet he politely gestured. "Ninth Young Miss, please go first. His Highness was greatly concerned for the Ninth Young Miss this whole time…"
Hearing this, Qin Wan felt it was highly improper. Yan Chi, walking ahead, turned at these words and shot Han Kaiyang a glance. "Enough talk!"
With just those two words, Han Kaiyang immediately wiped the smile from his face and said no more. Qin Wan then said, "General Han, please go ahead..."
Han Kaiyang glanced at Yan Chi's retreating back as if seeking tacit approval, then nodded and followed Yan Chi. Qin Wan finally stepped forward. Once outside, she was startled. This was a courtyard she had never visited before, seemingly located northeast of the Hundred Herb Garden. Now the courtyard gate stood wide open, filled with soldiers dressed in crimson military uniforms.
Qin Wan's heart tightened. Fuling hastily whispered, "Isn't it frightening, Young Miss? There are even more than these; many more troops are stationed at the foot of the mountain. The Young Master from our estate said His Highness the Heir Apparent brought enough men this time to flatten this entire residence."
Qin Wan pursed her lips slightly, lifting her gaze to Yan Chi walking at the front. Yan Chi had never mentioned any of this.
A heaviness settled in Qin Wan's heart, and her eyes remained fixed on Yan Chi's retreating back as if glued there. He led Han Kaiyang straight out of the courtyard. Outside, Qin Wan saw soldiers stationed everywhere within the Hundred Herb Garden as well. Soon, she spotted Qin Yan and Zhou Huai.
"Ninth Younger Sister!"
Qin Yan seemed to have been blocked by soldiers. His shout made the soldiers finally step aside. He strode over, first bowing to Yan Chi. "Greetings to Your Highness the Heir Apparent. Your Highness saved this humble one's younger sister. Many thanks, Your Highness."
Yan Chi stood straight and tall like a spear, reminiscent of Qin Wan's first impression of him. He gave a faint nod. "Your younger sister is somewhat unwell. Please take her to rest, Qin Heir Apparent. If assistance is required regarding matters of the residence, I will send someone to find you later."
This Hundred Herb Garden had clearly been taken over by the men Han Kaiyang brought. Hearing Yan Chi's words, Qin Yan naturally nodded repeatedly. He hurried to Qin Wan's side, anxiously asking, "Are you alright, Ninth Younger Sister?"
Qin Wan shook her head. "I am fine."
Qin Yan sighed. "It is fortunate this time that you came first, Ninth Younger Sister, otherwise Fifth Younger Sister would have..." He glanced at Yan Chi, who was speaking with Han Kaiyang not far away, then added, "Go and rest first. The eastern courtyards are all destroyed. Everyone is staying in the western ones now. We are still in our original quarters."
Qin Wan nodded. Looking toward Yan Chi, she saw he was listening to Han Kaiyang and not looking their way. She nodded. "Then let us go." With that, Qin Wan headed west. But after only a few steps, she heard Han Kaiyang mention, "That one is also from Medicine King Valley." Her steps faltered, and she turned to look at Han Kaiyang.
Sure enough, Han Kaiyang continued, "He arrived just a few days ago. He was the one who invited the Ninth Young Miss's group here earlier. He seems unrelated to this case. Currently, he is somewhat dejected, seemingly unable to accept it. He just asked if the Ninth Young Miss had been found."
Han Kaiyang was speaking of Sun Muqing. Qin Wan thought of him and sighed inwardly. Sun Muqing had still been reveling in the joy of reuniting with Sun Haoyue; he likely never imagined such events would occur. He certainly wouldn't be implicated, but psychologically, it must be hard for him. Qin Wan stepped forward. "May I ask, General Han, where is Young Master Sun?"
As soon as Qin Wan spoke, Yan Chi's gaze immediately snapped toward her. His eyes were dark and profound as deep pools, fixing on Qin Wan with an intensity that startled her.
Han Kaiyang, oblivious to Yan Chi's change, quickly replied, "He's in the rear courtyard. All the servants of this residence are detained there now. Why? Does the Ninth Young Miss wish to see him?"
Qin Wan was about to nod when Yan Chi coldly interjected, "Since his surname is Sun, detain him for now. We will decide after the Prefect of Yuanzhou arrives." Then Yan Chi shot Qin Wan a piercing look. "The Ninth Young Miss should focus on recuperating."
Qin Wan felt Yan Chi strongly disapproved of her action. Their eyes met; his held a distinct chill.
Initially puzzled, Qin Wan quickly realized the source of his displeasure and nearly laughed out loud in spite of herself.
"Then... Your Highness's consideration is indeed thorough." Qin Wan did not insist further. She gave a slight curtsy and turned to leave.
As she turned, an unconscious smile touched Qin Wan's lips. Fuling, noticing, asked curiously, "What is it, Young Miss?"
Qin Wan quickly smoothed her expression and shook her head. "Nothing. Let us return. We should first go see Bai Ying."
"She took medicine and is already asleep," Fuling said, then lowered her voice. "Why did you suddenly start calling Wanxing 'Bai Ying'?"
Qin Wan's eyes shifted thoughtfully. "Is Bai Ying not a more pleasant name than Wanxing?"
Fuling pondered for a moment, then nodded. "It is indeed. The Young Miss is truly clever."
Qin Wan gave a noncommittal "Hmm" and said no more. As they spoke, they arrived at their previous courtyard. As Uncle Dong had said, the courtyard remained as before. Since Bai Ying was sleeping, Qin Wan decided to change her clothes before visiting.
Upon entering, Fuling took out fresh robes and prepared warm water for Qin Wan to wash and tidy up.
"Young Miss, what happened to your neck?"
While helping Qin Wan change, Fuling spotted the marks on her neck.
A flush warmed Qin Wan's cheeks, but her expression remained unmoved as she shook her head. "Probably just a scrape or bruise. It is nothing."
As she spoke, Qin Wan quickly dressed. Fortunately, it was winter, her collar wasn't low, and her hair provided some cover, so it wasn't noticeable. By the time she finished freshening up, an hour had passed.
Fuling brought hot tea and pastries. Qin Wan took only a sip before going to see Bai Ying.
"Young Miss, the Fifth Young Miss is in the guest room opposite ours."
Because someone had died in that other courtyard earlier, Qin Xiang absolutely refused to stay there and was still lodging in the same courtyard as Qin Wan and the others. Bai Ying was settled in the room Qin Xiang had previously occupied. Qin Wan nodded upon hearing this but still decided to see Bai Ying first.
The two arrows had penetrated deep, likely to the bone. Though her expression remained calm, Qin Wan was extremely worried inside. Upon entering the room in Qin Xiang's courtyard, she saw Bai Ying lying on the bed, awake. Seeing Qin Wan enter, Bai Ying immediately tried to rise.
"Don't move! Your injury cannot bear movement."
Qin Wan pressed Bai Ying down. Bai Ying turned her head with effort to look at Qin Wan. "Is the Young Miss unharmed?"
Qin Wan nodded. "I thought you were still asleep. If I had known you were awake, I would have come sooner."
"This servant is fine. It is enough that the Young Miss is well."
Bai Ying wore an inner robe, her left shoulder already bandaged. Qin Wan lifted the quilt, pulled her robe down a bit, and carefully examined the wound. Only after confirming it was fine did she relax.
Hearing this, Fuling said, "The Young Miss wasn't seriously injured. His Highness the Heir Apparent saved her. Wanxing, don't worry. Your recovery is what's important. Oh, the Young Miss has given you a new name – Bai Ying. Do you like it?"
Bai Ying was stunned, seemingly not expecting Qin Wan to have learned so quickly. She looked at Qin Wan, whose gentle gaze held both gratitude and tender concern. She lowered her eyes. "I like it. This servant likes it."
A smile touched Qin Wan's lips. "I am fine. His Highness the Heir Apparent is also fine. Set your mind at ease. I will come to change your dressing tonight."
Bai Ying's brow twitched slightly. As one of Yan Chi's subordinates, she naturally worried about his safety too. Without her having to ask, Qin Wan had told her. She felt both grateful and somewhat self-reproachful. "If not for saving me, the Young Miss wouldn't have fallen into the mechanism, and you and His Highness wouldn't have had to take such risks."
Qin Wan tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "That adventure... was also rather interesting."
She seemed to recall something, her voice softening. Then she smiled. "Not only are we unharmed, we also found much evidence of Divine Physician Sun's crimes. So you need not dwell on this. Moreover, you saved us all. Without you, we couldn't have opened the stone door. Even if we had, we couldn't have avoided the arrow trap outside."
The deeper meaning in Qin Wan's words was utterly lost on Fuling, but Bai Ying, aware of Yan Chi's feelings, guessed something might have happened between them. However, this wasn't something a mere servant like her should know. She decided to take Qin Wan's "interesting" remark at face value. Ultimately, her injury was severe. Qin Wan spoke a few more words to reassure her, then waited for her to fall asleep. Though somewhat embarrassed, Bai Ying, weakened from blood loss, soon succumbed to slumber, her breathing growing long and steady.
Qin Wan sat watching her a while longer before quietly leaving with Fuling.
Outside, it was already noon. Qin Wan looked eastward, where the previously unbroken stretch of upturned eaves and decorated brackets now had a section missing. This old estate, nestled halfway up the mountain like a paradise beyond the world, was ultimately destroyed.
Qin Wan slowed her steps. Though it was noon, the sky remained somewhat overcast, as if brewing another heavy snowfall. A cold wind stirred, and Qin Wan, wrapped in her cloak, felt a faint ache and itch on her neck. A moment ago, she had checked in the mirror. Two or three marks marred the side of her neck, the most severe one swollen and raised.
Earlier, in the urgency of the underground situation, she hadn't been able to think clearly. Now that they were outside, her composure and reason had largely returned, bringing with them a tumult of emotions. She and Yan Chi... Yan Chi...
"Ninth Younger Sister, you've finished seeing her?!"
Just as she was thinking, Qin Shuang approached. Qin Wan had just nodded when Qin Shuang said, "Third Brother said if you aren't resting, he'd like you to go see him."
Qin Wan's gaze sharpened. She knew what Qin Yan wanted to know.
Qin Wan followed Qin Shuang to Qin Yan's quarters. Upon entering the courtyard, she saw Zhou Huai standing at the doorway of the main hall. His face was pale, his expression somewhat haggard. Seeing Qin Wan, Zhou Huai hurried forward to bow. "Ninth Young Miss!"
Qin Wan looked him over. "Are you injured?"
Zhou Huai shook his head. "Not at all. It's just the effects of the knockout drug haven't fully worn off." He paused. "The Ninth Young Miss truly is remarkable."
Qin Wan smiled faintly, distantly. "It is good that Steward Zhou is unharmed."
Her words caused Zhou Huai's eyes to flicker slightly. Zhou Huai simply gestured politely. "The Heir Apparent is waiting inside."
Qin Wan and Qin Shuang stepped onto the raised platform. Inside, Qin Yan was giving instructions to a servant who held a letter. Seeing Qin Wan enter, he nodded, and the servant departed.
"Ninth Younger Sister, come sit." Qin Yan showed considerable concern for Qin Wan. "Are you truly alright? Why not rest a while? The mechanism led to ice-cold water. Should you prepare a tonic for yourself?"
Qin Wan smiled and shook her head. "I am fine. Please speak your mind, Third Brother."
Qin Yan hesitated slightly, then sighed. "I didn't expect this incident to place you all in such danger. Fifth Younger Sister's actions were indeed careless. I will speak to her. The important thing is that both of you are unharmed."
He paused, finally asking the main question. "How did you come to have a token given by His Highness the Heir Apparent?"
Qin Wan had been reluctant to use Yan Chi's token. But at the time, she was only worried that the Jixian County Magistrate's office would again fail to act, and Qin Xiang's situation was extremely urgent. Moreover, with Qin Yan absent, she had no choice but to use Yan Chi's token to exert pressure. She hadn't expected things to escalate so dramatically; Yan Chi had even brought the Yuanzhou garrison troops...
In an instant, a hundred thoughts raced through Qin Wan's mind, yet her expression remained utterly unchanged. "It was actually the Grand Princess's idea."
Having acknowledged Yue Qiong and his wife as her adoptive parents, naturally the Grand Princess could be considered half a grandmother to her. Using the Grand Princess to explain this matter was perfectly reasonable. "The Grand Princess was worried I might encounter danger on the journey and be unable to help myself. She originally wanted the Second Young Master of the Marquis's household to escort me, but how could I presume to accept? Coincidentally, His Highness the Heir Apparent was also in Jinzhou and also returning to the capital. The Grand Princess entrusted me to His Highness. As Third Brother knows, His Highness couldn't travel with us at the time, so he gave me this token, saying that showing it would make others aware of my connection to Prince Rui's household, and they certainly wouldn't give me trouble."
Qin Yan gazed deeply at Qin Wan. If not for Qin Wan's utterly frank and composed demeanor, he might have thought she was lying. "But... do you know what token the Heir Apparent of Prince Rui gave you?"
Qin Wan blinked. "Was it not a token used by Prince Rui's household servants?"
Qin Yan shook his head, sighing. "Ninth Younger Sister, you think too simply. That token represents the identity of His Highness the Heir Apparent of Prince Rui. Once that token appears, the entire Yuanzhou garrison knows he has arrived. Not just the Yuanzhou garrison – before nightfall, I'm afraid both the Prefect of Yuanzhou and the Magistrate of Jixian County will come in person. You sent a guard with that token to the Jixian Magistrate's office; the Magistrate must have been scared out of his wits."
Qin Wan was stunned, not yet fully comprehending. "Represents... His Highness's identity..."
Seeing Qin Wan's bewildered expression, Qin Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "That token is the only one of its kind in the world. How could it be for Prince Rui's household servants? By giving it to you, you can act on his behalf. Not to mention a mere Jixian Magistrate's office, you could even mobilize the Yuanzhou garrison. But if anything were to go wrong, the responsibility would be his alone."
The only one in the world... Could mobilize the Yuanzhou garrison... Responsibility borne by him alone...
Qin Wan's delicate fists, resting in her lap, clenched slightly as a surge of emotion stirred within her. Just as her heart was churning, a servant hurried in from outside. "Young Master, His Highness the Heir Apparent of Prince Rui requests the Ninth Young Miss to attend for questioning."