"Miss, do you remember? Sister Cai He is Old Madam's personal maid. Though she holds the title of a maid, she's actually the stewardess of the inner courtyard. Even Madam has to show her some respect. If there's anything you don't understand when you enter the Buddhist shrine later, you can ask her..."
Although Cai He had said it was good news, Fuling was still extremely uneasy. As they walked, she whispered reminders to Qin Guan.
Qin Guan observed Cai He leading the way ahead, her gaze deepening.
Cai He was tall and slender, with fair skin, rosy lips, and delicate features. Dressed in a simple yellow gown, her graceful demeanor didn't resemble that of a servant but rather carried the bearing of a mistress. What's more, even Qin Li seemed somewhat afraid of her.
Yet she appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen. How could someone so young be entrusted with such responsibility by Jiang Shi?
Qin Manor was vast in both family and estate. What Qin Guan had seen in the past few days was merely the tip of the iceberg. Even a stewardess like Cai He was no simple figure—one could only imagine how formidable the third branch's matriarch, Jiang Shi, must be.
Recalling her brief encounter with Jiang Shi that day, Qin Guan's heart grew tense.
"Ninth Miss, you last visited the Buddhist shrine when you first arrived in Jinzhou years ago. You probably don't remember the way now. We're almost there."
Before long, Cai He suddenly turned to speak. Her expression was warm, her tone gentle, and her smile as friendly as a neighbor's younger sister. Facing her, Qin Guan couldn't help but lower her guard. Yet she hadn't forgotten the sharpness in Cai He's voice earlier at the bamboo grove entrance.
Qin Guan remained cautious and nodded. "Thank you."
"This servant doesn't deserve such thanks." After a slight pause, Cai He added, "Second Young Master has a rather unrestrained temperament, and Old Madam is quite displeased with him. Ninth Miss should avoid getting too close to him in the future."
Hearing this, Qin Guan felt a warmth in her heart. Qin Li's frivolous behavior was something she would naturally guard against.
The path to the Buddhist shrine was longer than Qin Guan had expected. Starting from the Purple Bamboo Forest, they passed the lotus pond heading south, then reached the shores of Crescent Lake before turning southeast. Along the way, they passed dozens of pavilions and towers, all exquisitely carved and painted.
Moving from the secluded area toward the front courtyard, they inevitably encountered many servants. Seeing Cai He escorting Qin Guan, everyone looked astonished. Qin Guan could tell that none had expected Jiang Shi to summon her.
"We've arrived. Fuling, wait outside. Ninth Miss, please come with me."
Following a quiet path to its end, several towering ancient pines came into Qin Guan's view. Beneath them stood a solemn, incense-scented courtyard reminiscent of an ancient temple.
Fuling acknowledged the instruction, and Qin Guan followed Cai He through the gate.
While the exterior resembled a temple, inside, orchids, cassia branches, and water-reflecting green lotuses greeted them. One side was covered entirely by an elegant, vibrant green vine climbing the mountain wall, softening the otherwise austere atmosphere slightly.
It was a two-courtyard residence—the front for receiving guests, the back housing the Buddhist shrine and Jiang Shi's resting quarters.
Seeing Cai He return, a young maid at the main room's entrance hurriedly lifted the curtain. But before they could approach, Qin Guan heard Qin Shuang's voice from inside—
"Why take her? At such an occasion, she'll only embarrass our Qin Manor!"
"Shuang'er, don't speak nonsense. The invitation has already arrived—how can we refuse?"
"Grandmother, Mother, can't we just make up an excuse? Why would Marquis Anyang Manor specifically invite her out of the blue? Has that incident spread, and they want to mock us?"
"Nonsense! What kind of household is Marquis Anyang Manor? How could they harbor such intentions?"Qin Guan caught the gist of the conversation and frowned. An invitation? From Marquis Anyang Manor?
"Old Madam, Ninth Miss has arrived."
Cai He announced with a smile, and the room fell silent.
After a moment, Qin Guan heard Jiang Shi's aged and somber voice.
"Let her in."
Cai He stood at the door. "Ninth Miss, please come in."
Qin Guan took a shallow breath and stepped forward into the room. As she entered, the rich scent of premium agarwood greeted her. With a quick glance, she took in the occupants.
There were four people inside. Jiang Shi, dressed in a deep purple jacket and skirt, sat cross-legged on the central couch. She held a string of prayer beads, her eyes half-closed as if in meditation. Lin Shi, clad in a raven-blue robe, stood attentively by Jiang Shi's side. Meanwhile, Qin Shuang and Qin Xiang sat on armchairs. Qin Xiang's expression remained neutral upon Qin Guan's entry, while Qin Shuang, though clearly wary, still let out a disdainful snort.
"Greetings to Old Madam and Madam."
Qin Guan curtsied to each, her eyes lowered as she quietly awaited Jiang Shi's words.
Jiang Shi opened her slightly closed eyes, their murky depths still sharp. She studied Qin Guan, recalling what Lin Shi had learned from Divine Doctor Huang.
A fleeting pulse and exhausted breath could indeed create the illusion of death, and there were many tales of people reviving after being declared dead. As Divine Doctor Huang had said, these were cases of fleeting pulse and exhausted breath, not true death.
Jiang Shi turned her gaze to the side table. "Show it to her."
Qin Guan looked up and noticed a booklet on the table. Lin Shi walked over, picked it up, and approached. "Guan'er, take a look. This is an invitation sent by Marquis Anyang Manor this morning."
Qin Guan raised her brows slightly and took the invitation, opening it.
Lin Shi continued, "The heir of Marquis Anyang is getting married in two days. The invitation to our Qin Manor was sent half a month ago, but today, they sent another one—specifically for you."
After speaking, Lin Shi glanced at Jiang Shi, who had closed her eyes again, and proceeded to question Qin Guan herself.
"We called you here for two reasons. First, to inform you that in two days, you'll accompany us to Marquis Anyang Manor for the wedding banquet. Second, to ask if you have any connection with the Anyang Marquis's household."
Closing the invitation, Qin Guan frowned slightly. She had heard of Marquis Anyang Manor.
The Anyang Marquis's family rose to prominence through military achievements, with their main residence in the capital. Over the past decade, they had withdrawn from the capital's social circles and returned to their ancestral home in Jinzhou. Despite this, due to the old Marquis's marriage to Grand Princess Jiayi, the Anyang Marquis's status remained formidable.
Having spent years in the capital, Qin Guan was familiar with the notable noble families. But how could Ninth Miss have any ties to the Anyang Marquis's household?
Shaking her head, Qin Guan replied directly, "Madam, I do not know anyone from Marquis Anyang Manor."
Lin Shi looked puzzled, while Qin Shuang snorted beside her. "I told you—how could she possibly know anyone from Marquis Anyang Manor? The Anyang Marquis's household has always been low-key. Even we have little interaction with them, let alone her..."
Lin Shi scrutinized Qin Guan for a moment, finding no sign of deceit, then turned back to Jiang Shi. Jiang Shi had fully closed her eyes, seemingly unwilling to speak further. Lin Shi sighed. "Very well. In any case, we cannot decline the invitation from Marquis Anyang Manor. Go and prepare. In two days, we'll attend the wedding banquet together."Qin Guan nodded, "Yes, I understand."
"Mm, you may go back now."
Lin Shi's tone was still relatively gentle. Qin Guan nodded again, curtsied politely, then turned and walked out.
As soon as Qin Guan left, Lin Shi said doubtfully, "Mother, that child doesn't seem to be lying..."
Jiang Shi rotated her prayer beads and said slowly, "We'll know what's really going on in two days. Marquis Anyang Manor wouldn't send an invitation without reason. Go to the storeroom and make sure she doesn't disgrace Qin Manor's etiquette."
This meant she was to be given gifts. Lin Shi hurriedly agreed.
Nearby, Qin Shuang wanted to say more, but Lin Shi gave her a warning look. Qin Shuang blinked her eyes aggrievedly and lowered her head with a stifled expression. She was determined to get revenge for being pulled into the lake!
"What! Marquis Anyang Manor?!"
Fuling cried out in surprise, "Miss has been invited to a celebration banquet at Marquis Anyang Manor?!"
Qin Guan nodded, and Fuling was so excited she started spinning in place. "Marquis Anyang Manor is one of the most prestigious households in Jinzhou! Did you know, Miss? The Old Madam of Marquis Anyang Manor—that Grand Princess who's over sixty—is currently staying in Jinzhou!"
Qin Guan frowned, feeling as if some thought had surfaced in her mind, but before she could grasp it, it had already slipped away. She felt suspicious about the reason for this invitation, but there was no denying that she wanted to attend this celebration banquet.
She needed to return to the capital, and she couldn't let slip any opportunity related to it.
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