Coroner's Diary

"Greetings, Crown Prince—"

Seeing Yan Chi emerge, Qin Guan gracefully curtsied.

Sun Muqing was taken aback, quickly turning around to first glance curiously at Yan Chi before clasping his hands in salute. Qin Li didn't dare be careless either, following Sun Muqing's lead along with two constables, all bowing respectfully.

Yan Chi stepped forward, first looking at Qin Guan. "At ease."

His gaze then shifted to Sun Muqing and the two constables behind him. "What's going on here?"

One constable hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Your Highness, this is the physician we've brought for Qin Laoye."

Hearing this, Qin Li sighed in relief—Huo Huaixin clearly didn't want Qin An to die too quickly.

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. "Where is this physician from...?"

The two constables looked uneasy, prompting Sun Muqing to cup his hands and explain, "Reporting to Your Highness, this humble one is Sun Muqing from Lianzhou, currently traveling through this region. Today, I was consulting at the Renxin Clinic in the southern city when these two officers arrived. The other two physicians at the clinic were occupied with patients, so I volunteered to come."

As he spoke, Sun Muqing subtly lifted his eyes to glance at Yan Chi—only to meet the prince's profound gaze. Intimidated by Yan Chi's stern expression, Sun Muqing immediately lowered his head, thinking to himself: Crown Prince... I wonder which prince this is? In Jinzhou, the only noble household seems to be Marquis Anyang Manor. Could this be the heir of Marquis Anyang?

His curiosity stirred, Sun Muqing wanted to ask Yan Chi directly but found the prince's demeanor too imposing. Pressing his lips together, he ultimately held his tongue.

"Lianzhou? Surname Sun? What's your relation to Medicine King Valley?"

Yan Chi's tone turned chilly, his presence overwhelming. Sun Muqing's expression shifted slightly, while a ripple of surprise flashed through Qin Guan's eyes.

Medicine King Valley was located in Lianzhou to the east of Great Zhou, and its lineage was exclusively of the Sun family—a fact known to many across the land. Yet Yan Chi was the first to make the connection so swiftly.

Sun Muqing's lips curved. "Your Highness has keen insight. This humble one is a nineteenth-generation disciple of Medicine King Valley."

At this declaration, Qin Li couldn't suppress a soft gasp.

The Sun family of Medicine King Valley represented the pinnacle of medical arts in Great Zhou. Though their skills were unparalleled, they remained independent of political influence—even the emperor had to extend multiple invitations to secure their services. Every five years, Medicine King Valley opened its gates to accept only thirty-six external disciples, each required to pass rigorous trials. Most of these disciples studied for merely a year, with only a select few deemed worthy by the Medicine King himself to continue their training. The current Medicine King, Sun Xi, was renowned for his exacting standards—over the past two decades, fewer than ten disciples had earned his approval to remain.

Qin Li studied Sun Muqing with bright eyes. Medicine King Valley maintained strict discipline; its disciples rarely flaunted their affiliation while practicing medicine abroad. Those who emerged from the valley either became imperial physicians or renowned doctors in high demand. Yet Jinzhou had never before hosted a healer from Medicine King Valley.

If he's truly from Medicine King Valley... could he cure venereal disease?

Survival was instinctive. Qin Guan, standing ahead, remained unaware of Qin Li's thoughts—and even if she had known, she wouldn't have been surprised or concerned.

"So you're a direct disciple of Medicine King Valley."Yan Chi clearly knew much more than others. Hearing his words, Sun Muqing bowed respectfully once more, his white robes still pristine as snow. "Your Highness is most wise."

Yan Chi gave Sun Muqing a once-over before turning to the two bailiffs. "Take him inside."

The bailiffs nodded, and one quickly gestured, "Physician Sun, this way—"

Sun Muqing nodded, then looked at Qin Guan. "Ninth Miss, I'll go take a look and return shortly."

He gave Qin Guan a meaningful glance before following the bailiffs inside. Yan Chi swept a look at Qin Li and said to another bailiff, "Take the Second Young Master in as well."

Though Sun Muqing was present, this might very well be Qin Guan's last chance to see Qin Li. Hearing Yan Chi's order, Qin Li glanced at Qin Guan for a moment. Seeing no further instructions from Yan Chi, he followed the bailiff inside.

With the others gone, only Qin Guan and Fuling remained. Yan Chi looked at Qin Guan and asked, "Do you know that man from earlier?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "No, I only ran into him a couple of days ago when I went out to buy medicine. He saw the prescription I was using was for venereal disease and offered some advice. At the time, I didn’t know he was from Medicine King Valley."

Yan Chi's solemn expression eased slightly as he glanced toward the prison. "Would you like to go in and see?"

Qin Guan hesitated briefly. "Since we're already here, we might as well take a look."

If nothing else, Sun Muqing was inside. Though her identity had changed and they could only pretend not to know each other, recalling their past encounters, Qin Guan couldn’t simply treat him as a stranger. Why would Sun Muqing come to Jinzhou out of the blue?

At her words, Yan Chi stepped aside slightly, gesturing for her to walk alongside him.

Qin Guan took two steps forward, and Yan Chi walked with her toward the prison entrance. This wasn’t her first time here, so she knew the way, yet Yan Chi accompanied her all the same. Though she felt no particular emotion, her expression softened slightly.

As they walked, Yan Chi said, "The men sent to Huzhou have returned, bringing back the case records from the local government offices. A decade ago, over a dozen children went missing in succession from several counties in the northwest of Huzhou, all between the ages of eight and twelve. It caused quite a stir at the time, but the case went unsolved and became a cold one."

Qin Guan frowned slightly. Cases of missing children were common everywhere, usually the work of traffickers who moved around frequently, making investigations difficult. Most such cases remained unresolved.

She understood all too well. "Were the children’s families contacted?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "Only one or two households could be reached. The others had either moved away or had no surviving family members. Some records were incomplete or lost, making it impossible to trace their current addresses for now. Governor Huo plans to review the records. If the skeletons can be identified, they’ll be sent back to Huzhou. Otherwise, the matter will have to be dropped."

Qin Guan nodded, and Yan Chi continued, "The men sent to Yang County have also returned. The investigation into Cai He’s case is mostly complete."Qin Guan paused in her steps and turned to look at Yan Chi, who then said, "We found a household with only a widowed woman living alone. Her husband and son both died from the plague over a decade ago. This woman is a cousin of the Second Concubine. Ten years ago, after the fire at Cai He’s home, Cai He fled alone to her place, begging for shelter."

"According to her, Cai He said she had gone out to deliver silk that day, only to return and find her home engulfed in flames. The fire was already beyond control, and just as she felt despair, she noticed several suspicious-looking individuals. Despite her young age, Cai He had helped support her family and was quite sharp-witted. She followed them and overheard their conversation, learning that her missing mother and sister had been abducted by traffickers. Moreover, the arsonists were from a prominent family in Jinzhou City."

"Cai He pleaded with the woman to take her in but left six years later. Before leaving, she bought a servant for the woman and sent her money every year to ensure her livelihood. The woman hasn’t seen Cai He in years and had no idea she had come seeking revenge."

As Yan Chi finished speaking in a somber tone, Qin Guan’s heart also grew heavy. A young girl witnessing such cruelty had left her with nothing but vengeance in her life. Being the sole survivor of her family, with her enemies powerful and out of reach, she had no choice but to meticulously plan her revenge.

Qin Guan marveled at Cai He’s years of patience and scheming, and thinking of her, she couldn’t help but reflect on her own situation. With her entire family murdered by evil hands, how should she proceed step by step to seek justice and retribution?

Her lips pressed tightly together. Though she had once traveled with her father during his official postings and understood the law’s supremacy over personal feelings, and though she later studied medicine to cultivate compassion, none of this meant she would abandon her thirst for vengeance. She knew well that many evils in this world lurked beyond the reach of the law. To combat such darkness, her own hands might also be stained with blood—Cai He was the perfect example. Compared to Cai He, Qin Guan at least had the identity of the Ninth Miss of Qin Manor. Yet she clearly understood that this alone was insufficient. Cai He had to resort to extreme measures, even sacrificing herself, just to confront the Qin family. Meanwhile, Qin Guan’s enemy was the sinister force hidden behind the dazzling splendor of the capital.

To challenge that dark hand, mere reckless courage like a moth to a flame was not enough. She had to remain calm and composed, carefully strategizing. Most importantly, she needed to wield power—or at least become someone capable of manipulating it.

These thoughts flashed through Qin Guan’s mind in an instant, and coupled with entering the dark, damp corridors of the prison, she suddenly felt a suffocating weight in her chest. Just as her thoughts grew heavy and distracted, her hand was suddenly grasped.

"Careful—"

A warmth enveloped Qin Guan’s hand as Yan Chi firmly held it. She snapped back to attention and looked down to find a puddle of water inexplicably before her feet—whether from a careless guard or a leak in the prison, she couldn’t tell.

Qin Guan exhaled and stepped around the puddle.

Only then did Yan Chi release her hand. "What were you thinking about?"Qin Guan had already pulled herself out of those heavy emotions. For a moment, she didn’t speak, only feeling the lingering warmth of Yan Chi’s palm on the back of her hand. She instinctively tucked her hand into her sleeve before saying, “I was thinking that if Cai He hadn’t gone through all this, with her clever nature, she would surely have had a splendid life.”

Yan Chi’s gaze darkened slightly in response. “The servants of Qin Manor have all been released. As for that Huan’er, Governor Huo intends to be lenient in sentencing her. In this regard, he does show a merciful heart. Qin An has been speaking intermittently these past few days, though not completely yet. Seeing his condition was critical today, we made an exception and called in a physician from outside. Once he finishes his testimony, the case will be clear. As for Cai He’s remains, I plan to have them buried together with those of the Second Concubine and her young daughter.”

A warmth spread through Qin Guan’s chest as she turned to look at Yan Chi. “The Crown Prince also has a gentle heart.”

Yan Chi met her bright eyes and curved his lips slightly. “I find it strange myself. In the past, I wouldn’t have paid such attention to these minor details.”

Qin Guan blinked, then changed the subject. “Since Your Highness needed a physician, why didn’t you just ask me to handle it?”

Yan Chi let out a soft hum. “Treating him isn’t worth your effort. Besides, this isn’t the kind of place for you.”

His words sent a ripple of sweetness through her heart, like a delicate snowflake melting warmly, refreshing and soothing. Before she could respond, the voices of Huo Huaixin and Sun Muqing reached them from ahead.

Unconsciously, they both slowed their steps, but the path was still too short.

“No hope? Truly no hope?”

Huo Huaixin sounded somewhat anxious, while Sun Muqing maintained his clear and courteous tone. “Indeed. If I administer medicine, it may extend his life by three days at most. After that, he likely won’t even be able to speak. You may prepare for his passing.”

Huo Huaixin nodded. “Very well, then three days it is. Please write the prescription.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Muqing looked past him, his face lighting up with joy. “Miss Qin is here too?”

Hearing this, Huo Huaixin quickly turned and saw Qin Guan and Yan Chi approaching side by side. “Ninth Miss is here! Ah, didn’t the Crown Prince say he was leaving the city—”

Halfway through his sentence, Huo Huaixin realized—no matter what plans Yan Chi had, now that Qin Guan was here, all of them were rendered void. Clearing his throat, he swiftly changed the subject. “Ahem, Your Highness, this Young Master Sun says he can extend Qin An’s life for three more days with medicine. After that, we won’t be able to get anything more from him.”

Yan Chi nodded. “Then make the most of these last three days for questioning.”

Huo Huaixin agreed, then suddenly remembered something. “Ah, Young Master Sun, how do you know Ninth Miss?”

Sun Muqing’s smile didn’t falter, his tone enthusiastic. “It was by chance. That day, I happened to meet Miss Qin at the apothecary. At first sight, I was struck by her celestial beauty, though I didn’t know which household’s young lady she was. Later, I saw her again at the funeral in Qin Manor and realized she was from the Qin family.”

Sun Muqing made no effort to conceal his admiration for Qin Guan. Qin Li’s lips twitched at his words, while Huo Huaixin glanced at Yan Chi, whose smile was gradually fading, and coughed twice. “Ah, I see, I see. Young Master Sun, please write the prescription now.”

Paper and brush were already prepared nearby. Sun Muqing cheerfully agreed and turned to write the prescription.Qin Guan was already accustomed to Sun Muqing's straightforward manner of speaking and didn't mind it. Her gaze swept across the prison cell, where Qin An lay barely alive on a wooden plank bed. Though the cell was crude, it at least had a bed. After just a few days, Qin An had deteriorated further—even from this distance, Qin Guan could see the plum pox sores festering on his face.

"It's done... here's the prescription."

Sun Muqing quickly finished writing the prescription and handed it to Huo Huaixin, who immediately took it. As soon as the paper left his hands, Sun Muqing turned to Qin Guan, his eyes bright with admiration. Though he said nothing, his fondness for her was unmistakable.

Yan Chi's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze settled on Sun Muqing.

Though Sun Muqing spoke bluntly, he wasn’t foolish. Soon, he felt an icy wind like a blade scrape across his face. He turned to look at Yan Chi, whose eyes held an inscrutable indifference—yet that very indifference seemed to encase him in a shell of frost. Sun Muqing took a step back, shrinking his neck slightly before straightening his spine, though his eyes still held a trace of confusion. Why did the Crown Prince of Marquis Anyang Manor seem to dislike him?

With this thought, Sun Muqing mustered his courage and looked at Yan Chi again. "May I ask, Your Highness, do you know who the Little Medicine Immortal is—the one who cured the Old Madam of your household?"

The question caused the expressions of those nearby to shift instantly.

Huo Huaixin hesitated, unsure whether to speak. Qin Li glanced between Qin Guan and Sun Muqing, looking bewildered. As for Yan Chi, his expression remained unchanged—yet precisely because of that, his tone when he spoke was chilling.

"Why do you ask, Physician Sun?"

Sun Muqing curved his lips into a smile. "Well, this year, not a single person was accepted into Medicine King Valley. My master said the aptitude of disciples entering the sect has been declining in recent years, and that there must be many naturally gifted individuals in the common folk who haven’t gone to Medicine King Valley to study medicine. So, he decided to suspend the once-every-five-years selection process and instead have disciples traveling in various places keep an eye out in secret."

His smile widened. "I’ve been journeying as a wandering physician and just arrived in the city when I heard about a Little Medicine Immortal emerging in Jinzhou. It’s said she was even recognized by one of Jinzhou’s most renowned physicians. Naturally, I wanted to make her acquaintance. Then I heard that this Little Medicine Immortal had cured the Old Madam of the Marquis’s household, so I thought—surely the Crown Prince must know her."

Sun Muqing finished with a warm smile, but Huo Huaixin frowned, as did Qin Li. The way they looked at him was as if he were a complete fool. Qin Guan, meanwhile, furrowed her brows slightly, a touch of helplessness in her expression.

Yan Chi regarded Sun Muqing. "This Little Medicine Immortal is indeed highly skilled in medicine. However, while Physician Sun may wish to befriend her, she has no such desire toward you. Wandering to practice medicine is a noble pursuit—you should focus on that."

Qin Li and Huo Huaixin stiffened. Yan Chi had made his stance clear, and they dared not reveal even a hint of the truth.

Sun Muqing’s face fell slightly at these words, and he let out a disappointed "Oh." "I see... Well... that’s all right. It was presumptuous of me. I just heard that this Little Medicine Immortal was remarkably skilled despite her youth, so I was intrigued. Then... I suppose it’s best to leave it to fate. Thank you, Your Highness..."Yan Chi had clearly rejected him, yet Sun Muqing seemed oblivious, even bowing respectfully with cupped hands. Frowning, Yan Chi glanced at him briefly before turning his gaze to Qin Guan. There, he saw her looking at Sun Muqing with a deep, complex expression, though she refrained from exposing him.

Huo Huaixin cleared his throat. "Alright, now that the prescription is written, let's step outside. This isn't the place for conversation."

As the prefect, his words carried weight. Sun Muqing immediately nodded repeatedly and headed out, followed by Qin Li. Qin Guan and Yan Chi also turned to leave. The group exited the prison cell in silence, with only Sun Muqing frequently glancing back at Qin Guan. Once outside, Huo Huaixin smiled at Sun Muqing and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Physician Sun. You may collect your fee outside."

Sun Muqing hastily waved his hands. "No need, no need. I've been providing free medical services along my journey. Payment isn't necessary."

Huo Huaixin laughed heartily and didn’t insist. "Physician Sun truly has a benevolent heart. Well then... I’ll have an officer escort you out..."

Sun Muqing’s first instinct was to look at Qin Guan, but sensing the inappropriateness of lingering, he politely bowed to her, Yan Chi, and the others. "Very well, I shall take my leave now."

Huo Huaixin nodded cheerfully, and only then did Sun Muqing follow the officer out, still turning back to glance at Qin Guan as he walked. Though his attire was refined, his appearance handsome, and his demeanor exuded the grace of a well-bred gentleman, his mannerisms and speech betrayed an air of naive innocence—simply put, he seemed a bit foolish.

"Ahem, this Physician Sun is quite the character. As expected of someone from Medicine King Valley..." Huo Huaixin’s eyes darted around, and only when he saw no displeasure on Yan Chi’s face did he relax. "Crown Prince, do you still plan to leave the city?"

Yan Chi shook his head, looking at Qin Guan. "It’s been days since you last visited the marquis’s residence, hasn’t it?"

Qin Guan smiled apologetically. "Indeed, I haven’t gone these past few days. Earlier, I even mentioned to Fuling that I wondered how Grand Princess was doing. Since Qin Manor is temporarily settled, I’ll go tomorrow—"

"Why wait until tomorrow? Go today." Yan Chi’s tone brooked no argument. He then turned to Qin Li. "Second Young Master, you may return to the manor first."

Qin Li had already sensed something amiss and dared not oppose Yan Chi. Without hesitation, he cupped his hands in farewell and left so swiftly he didn’t even glance at Qin Guan, as if they hadn’t arrived together.

Huo Huaixin chuckled and continued, "Then... let the Crown Prince escort Ninth Miss there..."

Yan Chi gave a solemn "Mm" and strode off. Qin Guan found the sudden shift in circumstances puzzling. She glanced at Yan Chi’s retreating figure, feeling she couldn’t quite grasp his intentions—

"Ninth Miss, hurry and catch up—" Huo Huaixin prompted from the side.

Qin Guan turned and met his beaming eyes. There was something odd about his smile, but with Yan Chi already walking away, she had no choice but to follow.

Huo Huaixin stood in place for a while, waiting until Yan Chi and Qin Guan had disappeared from view before sighing and heading out. He handed the prescription to an officer, massaged his sore neck, and exited through the side gate of the prefectural office, making his way toward the connected rear residence. His expression was pensive, but before he had walked far, he spotted Huo Ning pacing near the courtyard entrance.This courtyard gate was not far from the side entrance leading to the government office. At the sight of it, Huo Huaixin immediately stepped forward, "Ning'er, what are you doing here?"

Huo Ning's face was full of hesitation. Hearing this, he glanced toward the direction of the government office, "Father, has she left?"

At these words, Huo Huaixin knew that Huo Ning was aware Qin Guan had come. He snorted in displeasure, "She's gone!"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted and indeed spotted Fei Quan and Nan Feng standing meekly in the distance, heads bowed in waiting.

Huo Huaixin then looked at Huo Ning and asked, "Weren't you reading in your room? What are you doing out here now?"

Huo Ning scratched his head and coughed lightly, saying, "With such an incident happening at Qin Manor, shouldn’t I go and see? Last time, I borrowed a book from Young Master Qin and haven’t returned it yet. Though he’s no longer here, the book should still be returned."

Upon hearing this, Huo Huaixin immediately glared, "What Young Master Qin! The young master of Qin Manor was no good man! Stop acting as if you were close to him. Just send a servant to return the book—you are not to set foot in Qin Manor!"

As Huo Huaixin strode deeper into the inner residence, Huo Ning glanced unwillingly toward the yamen before following him. "Why is that? Father, I understand not acting familiar with Young Master Qin, but why can’t I return the book myself? Didn’t you used to encourage me to visit Qin Manor more often?"

Mentioning this only stoked Huo Huaixin’s anger further!

He halted abruptly, planting his hands on his hips as he scolded Huo Ning, "What? Now you regret it? Back then, I urged you to visit Qin Manor more, to speak with Ninth Miss more often, but you scoffed at the idea. And now? Now you want to cozy up to her? My boy, some opportunities come only once. Once missed, don’t think you can reclaim them."

Huo Ning flushed, "I... I just thought... given our past ties with Qin Manor, while others might avoid them now, we shouldn’t. Father..."

Huo Huaixin shot him a sharp look, "Still trying to hide it from me? Do you think I don’t see through you?! Everyone used to say Ninth Miss admired you, but you looked down on her. Now you regret it! But there’s no cure for regret in this world!" With that, he eyed Huo Ning skeptically, "And honestly, I wonder—was it all a misunderstanding? How could Ninth Miss have ever liked you?"

With a flick of his sleeve, Huo Huaixin turned and strode inside. Huo Ning, already embarrassed at being seen through, grew indignant at these words. He hurried after him, "What do you mean by that, Father?! Are you... are you really so dismissive of your own son? Back then... the way she looked at me clearly..."

Huo Huaixin snorted, "How did she look at you? I’ve raised you to be far too arrogant! Ninth Miss stood there, and as a man, your presence couldn’t even match hers—and you claim she once fancied you?!"

Huo Ning stamped his foot in frustration, "If Father won’t believe me, ask Fei Quan and Nan Feng—"

He turned to Fei Quan and Nan Feng, who exchanged a glance before lowering their heads in unison. Huo Ning glared at the two, exasperated by their near-prostrate postures, then spun back around. "Father, why won’t you believe me? Even the other young ladies of Qin Manor knew of this. If you don’t believe me, I’ll go to Qin Manor right now. She changed after falling into the lake, but I refuse to believe she’s entirely different now..."Huo Huaixin suddenly halted his steps and raised his hand as if to strike Huo Ning. Huo Ning hurriedly lifted his arms to shield his face, but Huo Huaixin's hand didn’t come down. Peeking cautiously over his arm, Huo Ning saw his father trembling with rage, pointing at him and saying, "You better behave yourself! From now on, you’re not allowed to loiter around Ninth Miss, nor are you to visit Qin Manor. In short, wherever Ninth Miss is, you stay away! And don’t let anyone know you’re pining after her!"

Huo Ning’s face flushed crimson, but since the matter was already out in the open, he didn’t mind his father seeing through him. Unwilling to give up, he retorted, "Father, what’s this all about?! Why can’t I go? You weren’t like this before—"

Huo Huaixin kicked at him furiously. "Before?! You dare mention before?! If you had any ambition, things wouldn’t have come to this! Just stay away—no more! If you don’t care about your future, I still care about my official position!"

With that, Huo Huaixin snorted coldly and stormed off, his sleeves flaring behind him.

Huo Ning stood rooted to the spot, bewildered. How had this suddenly become about his father’s official position? What did that have to do with anything? After a moment’s thought, he turned to Nan Feng and Fei Quan, who were standing nearby.

"You two—come here!"

Fei Quan and Nan Feng exchanged glances before shuffling reluctantly toward him, heads bowed. Huo Ning glared at them and kicked each in turn. The two took the blows without protest, instinctively yelping in pain. Huo Ning sneered. "Explain to me—what did my father mean just now?"

Fei Quan and Nan Feng stifled their groans and straightened up. Fei Quan cleared his throat. "Ninth Miss is now highly favored by the Marquis’s household and the Grand Princess. This servant guesses that the master means if you displease Ninth Miss too much, it might incur the Grand Princess’s displeasure, which would naturally affect his career prospects."

Nan Feng nodded eagerly. "Exactly, exactly. This servant thinks so too."

Huo Ning frowned, his mind clearing slightly. "But when she first gained the Marquis’s favor, Father seemed quite supportive. He even sent Mother to Qin Manor back then."

Fei Quan hesitated, but Nan Feng pondered and said, "At that time, the Grand Princess hadn’t considered much. But now… could it be that the Grand Princess intends to betroth Ninth Miss to someone else?"

At this, Huo Ning’s eyes lit up slightly. Right! The Marquis’s household already had the Crown Prince and Yue Qing. And now, Prince Rui’s heir had arrived as well. Any of these three could be the Grand Princess’s choice!

Thinking this, Huo Ning shook his head. "It can’t be Prince Rui’s heir. It must be Yue Qing or Yue Jia… Yue Jia’s wedding was just ruined, so it must be Yue Qing… Yue Qing… Hmph…"

His eyes narrowed. Yue Qing had always been at odds with him—and likely had feelings for her too.

The thought made Huo Ning’s expression darken. This wouldn’t do. She had once liked him! He couldn’t let Yue Qing have her!

……

……

"Achoo—" Qin Guan sneezed the moment she stepped into the carriage.

Yan Chi frowned. "What’s wrong? Caught a chill?"

Qin Guan shook her head, equally puzzled. "No, I don’t know why—"As the word "matter" left her lips, Yan Chi reached out and pressed his hand against Qin Guan's forehead. Qin Guan froze, her body stiffening momentarily as she stared fixedly at him. Yan Chi, however, maintained a solemn expression as he compared their temperatures by touching first her forehead, then his own.

After a moment, Yan Chi concluded, "No fever at least."

Withdrawing his hand, Qin Guan sighed helplessly, "I'm a physician myself, Your Highness needn't worry."

"Physicians often neglect their own ailments. With all the recent affairs at Qin Manor, you might have overlooked something." Changing the subject, Yan Chi added, "That Sun Muqing earlier—though he claims to be from Medicine King Valley, there's no way to verify it. You should be cautious around him."

Qin Guan's eyes widened slightly as she regarded Yan Chi. "Speaking of which, how did Your Highness know I didn't wish to associate with him?"

Yan Chi arched a brow. "He'd only met you once yet seemed overly invested in you. Claiming to be from Medicine King Valley gave him an immediate advantage. What if he had ulterior motives?"

Qin Guan pondered this briefly before nodding. "There's some logic to that. The coincidences are indeed notable."

Yan Chi straightened his posture with utmost seriousness. "Precisely."

Qin Guan studied him for a long moment before a peculiar thought surfaced in her mind. She glanced around the cramped carriage. "This carriage is rather small. Is the Crown Prince comfortable?"

It was a government carriage, far less luxurious than those from Qin Manor or the marquis's estate. Yan Chi normally rode horseback, yet he'd chosen to squeeze into this confined space. At her question, his expression remained composed. "During military campaigns, I've endured ice caves smaller than this. This is nothing."

Campaign conditions were one matter, but this was different. He had a stately steed at his disposal yet opted for this cramped compartment. Watching his long legs folded uncomfortably, Qin Guan's brow furrowed slightly.

Men in this world never treat women well without reason.

Qin Chen's words echoed in Qin Guan's mind. The lingering warmth on her forehead and the residual heat on the back of her hand felt conspicuous. Where would a battle-hardened military man like Yan Chi develop such meticulous consideration?

Shifting her gaze, Qin Guan asked, "Have you finished reading the books on the list I gave you?"

At this question, Yan Chi's eyes turned solemn. "I've completed Lord Shen's Record of Wrongfully Accused Cases Corrected by the Court of Revision. As for the other texts, apart from two that proved impossible to locate, I've read them all."

A spark of interest lit Qin Guan's eyes. "The Crown Prince prioritized Lord Shen's works?"

Yan Chi met her gaze without evasion. "Seeing Ninth Miss's high regard for Lord Shen's writings piqued my curiosity."

"And your thoughts after reading them?"

Qin Guan watched him intently. Yan Chi's gaze deepened. "Having campaigned abroad, I knew little of the judicial affairs within the court. I'd always held civil officials in lower esteem than military officers. But after reading Lord Shen's works, I understand how a capable official can be a true blessing to the people." He paused, his voice genuinely weighted. "What a tragedy. Had it not been for that earlier questionable case, Lord Shen would undoubtedly have left his mark in history. Now, with all matters in the capital settled, the truth behind that case may never be known."These words struck at the heart of Qin Guan's concerns, and she keenly grasped the implication in Yan Chi's words. "The truth is hard to discern... Since the Crown Prince came from the capital, he must know that the matter is already common knowledge in every street and alley. Does Your Highness harbor doubts?"

"You mean the incident where Lord Shen showed favoritism to Prince Jin to absolve him of guilt?"

Qin Guan nodded. A trace of suspicion flickered across Yan Chi's brow. "Over these past days, aside from reading Lord Shen's writings, I've also learned many anecdotes about him. Regardless of how upright Lord Shen's character is, the fact remains that he had no prior connection to Prince Jin. Why would he risk absolving him of guilt?"

Qin Guan's spirits lifted instantly. "Then what does Your Highness think?"

Yan Chi studied Qin Guan for a moment before his voice lowered slightly. "This case is already decreed by heaven and shouldn't be discussed so freely. However... since it's with you, there's no harm in speaking of it—"

Warmth blossomed in Qin Guan's heart at these words. Yan Chi continued, "There are two possibilities in this case. The first is that Lord Shen was indeed helping Prince Jin—but not to absolve him of guilt. Rather, he knew Prince Jin was innocent."

Qin Guan's pupils contracted slightly. Yan Chi went on, "The second possibility is that Prince Jin was not innocent, and Lord Shen did not help absolve him. Someone else was responsible for clearing Prince Jin's name, and Lord Shen was framed."

Qin Guan's emotions surged. "So, this matter is connected to Consort Jin's case..."

"The implications are vast," Yan Chi added, his eyes gleaming as he watched Qin Guan. Seeing a similar spark of understanding in her gaze, clearly in full agreement with his reasoning, Yan Chi suddenly asked, "Lord Shen has a daughter. Have you met her?"