The figure seemed to have been standing there all along, yet Qin Guan and the others hadn't noticed until now. The dim glow from their wind lanterns faintly illuminated the person's silhouette in the darkness.
The night was as black as ink, and the figure, with disheveled hair resembling ghouls, had an eerie and sinister gaze. Fuling instinctively tightened her grip on Qin Guan's arm, while Wan Xing stepped forward to shield her, causing Qin Guan to glance at Wan Xing in surprise.
Qin Shuang also huddled closer to Qin Guan, and the six girls clung together, uncertain whether the distant figure was human or ghost.
Standing about twenty meters away, the figure wore thin robes and was tall and slender. Messy black hair obscured most of their face, but the eyes peering through the strands were deep and unsettling. In the depths of the old mansion at night, this made them appear all the more terrifying.
They stared fixedly at Qin Guan and the others, as if they might lunge forward at any moment...
Qin Shuang held her breath, gripping Qin Guan's arm tightly, not daring to move, as if facing a crouching tiger—afraid that the slightest motion might provoke an attack.
A cold wind howled past, causing the wind lanterns to flicker. The tense standoff stretched on until, after what felt like an eternity, footsteps echoed from deeper within the mansion. The silence was broken as the rigid figure suddenly moved. Instinctively, Qin Guan and the others took a step back, but the figure merely swept a dark glance over them before turning and running away. Qin Guan's eyes widened in surprise as she realized the figure was heading toward the gate of the Herb Garden—not toward them.
Relieved, Qin Shuang relaxed slightly as the footsteps from inside the mansion grew louder. Soon, they saw Dong Shu running toward them, lantern in hand.
Behind him were two maids and two male servants, their faces anxious as they scanned the area. Spotting Qin Guan and the others, Dong Shu paused, exchanging a glance with one of the maids before approaching. "Miss Qin? What are you all doing here...?"
Seeing Dong Shu eased Qin Shuang's nerves further. "We came to fetch something from the carriage," she quickly explained.
Dong Shu, panting from exertion, nodded in understanding. "Did any of you see someone run past here just now?"
Qin Guan pressed her lips together, but Qin Shuang answered swiftly, "Yes! It gave us quite a fright—someone with wild, unkempt hair. They ran toward the main gate..."
Though the gate wasn't far, it required navigating a corridor. At Qin Shuang's words, Dong Shu sighed in relief and signaled to the four behind him. They nodded and hurried off toward the gate.
The icy wind stung Qin Guan's face, but she couldn't shake the image of that figure. This mansion was where Senior Brother Sun housed his ailing wife—why would someone like that appear out of nowhere?
Before she could voice her confusion, Dong Shu explained, "That was one of the young master's patients. The person isn't in their right mind and is usually confined to the courtyard. They slipped out when the door wasn't properly closed during mealtime."
Hearing this, Qin Shuang exhaled in relief. "Oh, that explains it. No wonder they looked so disheveled."
Dong Shu offered an apologetic smile. "Indeed. I hope they didn't frighten you all too much?"Qin Shuang waved her hand. "Not at all—"
Dong Shu also sighed in relief. "That's good then. It's too cold outside, young ladies should head back quickly."
Qin Shuang nodded and tugged at Qin Guan's sleeve. Qin Guan also nodded and curtsied before Dong Shu smiled and watched them turn to leave.
Qin Guan walked slowly, and so did Qin Shuang. Although it had been proven not to be ghouls, the earlier scene still left them somewhat shaken. As they walked, Qin Shuang remarked, "I never expected there to be patients living in this residence. Divine Doctor Sun actually lets patients stay in his own home—most physicians wouldn't do such a thing..."
Her tone was full of admiration. Qin Guan silently agreed. Although Medicine King Valley had the principle of healing the world, not everyone could be like Sun Haoyue. Thinking this, Qin Guan couldn't help but admire this senior brother even more.
Just then, faint noises came from behind them. Qin Guan stopped and turned to look—she saw the two maids supporting the patient who had run out earlier being brought back in. Two male servants guarded them from behind while Dong Shu led the way with a lantern, taking a different path toward the east.
Qin Shuang was also watching and whispered, "Thank goodness they caught him. A patient like that might hurt someone."
Wan Qing patted her chest beside them. "Yes, he must have some kind of madness—"
At the mention of "madness," Qin Guan immediately thought of Yao Xinlan. By the time she left, she still hadn't determined whether Yao Xinlan showed any signs of an impending episode. If none came, that would be good—but if one did, how could it be treated?
Qin Guan had read many medical texts, but none mentioned a cure for madness. She'd only occasionally seen references to using Needle Sutra techniques to treat it. However, she wasn't skilled in the Needle Sutra—her strengths lay more in pharmacology and pulse theory.
Watching Dong Shu and the others disappear in another direction, a thought suddenly occurred to Qin Guan: if Senior Brother Haoyue knew how to treat madness, could she ask him for guidance? Not just for Yao Xinlan's sake, but to gain some understanding for future patients...
But then she shook her head. Not only would asking so abruptly be presumptuous, but if Sun Muqing or Sun Haoyue realized she had studied medicine at Medicine King Valley, it would be disastrous.
With a sigh, she quickly dismissed the idea.
"Let's go," Qin Shuang said, turning back around to continue walking once Dong Shu's group had vanished. She added, "It seems right that they don't want us wandering around. Who knows if there are other patients living here?"
This question made Wan Qing and the others uneasy. If there were more patients with madness here, it could indeed be dangerous. Qin Guan shook her head—she didn't know whether other patients lived here. She only felt that the snow showed no signs of stopping. If it continued like this, who knew how long they'd be trapped here?
By the time they returned to the courtyard, Qin Guan's hands ached from the cold. Qin Shuang hesitated for a moment before saying somewhat sheepishly, "Um... thank you..."
Qin Guan waved it off. "Rest early."Qin Shuang responded and then led Wan Qing and Xiu Yun back to her own chamber. Meanwhile, Fuling said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "The sixth young miss has certainly learned her lesson now. The way she behaves, one would hardly think she was the same person who pushed you into the lake."
Qin Guan only felt a hint of warmth upon entering the room. Rubbing her hands together, she remarked, "It's good that she's willing to learn. No one properly taught her before." Not only was she left untaught, but there were also those who incited mischief.
Fuling smiled and agreed, "Yes," then added, "She seems well-behaved for now. Let’s just hope she doesn’t relapse into her old ways. I still remember the past grievances. As long as she treats you well now, I won’t bring them up. But if she reverts, then we’ll settle both old and new scores together." Huffing indignantly, Fuling stepped out to fetch more charcoal and added it to the brazier.
The room carried a faint smoky odor. Qin Guan opened her Medicine Sachet and tossed a few pieces of atractylodes and dried tangerine peel into the brazier. Soon, the scent of herbs and the sweet aroma of tangerine peel filled the room. Fuling opened the window to glance at the heavy snowfall outside and sighed, "Why hasn’t the snow stopped yet? If the mountain paths ahead are blocked, it’ll be troublesome."
Qin Guan was also worried about this. Turning her gaze, she noticed Wan Xing standing quietly to the side, having not spoken a word all this time. Recalling how Wan Xing had shielded her earlier, Qin Guan felt a warmth in her heart and beckoned her over. "Wan Xing, come here—"
Thinking Qin Guan had an order, Wan Xing hurried to her side. "Miss..."
Qin Guan sighed. "There’s no need to be so reserved. Look at Fuling—though we are mistress and servant, once inside, we can relax. You may have joined me later, but you’re no less trusted or dear to me than Fuling. I know you’re not talkative, but seeing you always standing with your head bowed makes me feel you’re too restrained."
Wan Xing still kept her eyes lowered, but at these words, she straightened her back slightly. After a pause, she replied, "I understand, miss."
Knowing ingrained habits couldn’t be changed overnight, Qin Guan said no more. Noticing this, Fuling stepped forward and took Wan Xing’s arm. "Good sister, our miss is the kindest. Sometimes I even tease her, and she never gets upset. When you’re with her, the three of us are like family. Don’t hold back."
Wan Xing nodded, her tone livelier now. "Yes, I understand..."
Fuling sighed at Wan Xing’s demeanor and flicked her forehead playfully. "Why are you still calling yourself ‘this servant’ when talking to me? From now on, we’re sisters, united in serving our miss."
Wan Xing’s forehead made a soft thunk from the flick. Pressing her lips together, she said, "Yes, I understand..."
Fuling finally smiled in satisfaction, and Qin Guan’s lips curved as well.
Because of the cold, snowy weather, Qin Guan soon washed up and retired to bed. She took the bed, while Fuling and Wan Xing slept on the Sleeping couch in the room. Perhaps the dampness in the room hadn’t fully dissipated, or perhaps it was the fright from earlier, but despite feeling utterly exhausted, Qin Guan found herself unable to sleep. Suddenly, she recalled the disheveled, deranged patient.
That person had clearly been trying to reach the manor gate—likely to escape. Yet Dong Shu had insisted the patient was incoherent. But how could someone incoherent find their way to the gate?At this thought, Qin Guan couldn't help but feel some doubts arise in her heart.
In Qin Guan's past experiences, everything had to make logical sense to her. If something seemed unreasonable, it was likely false. But why would Dong Shu have any reason to lie? And if that person wasn't a patient, who else could they be?
Closing her eyes, Qin Guan sighed, wondering if she had developed a habit of excessive suspicion. Senior Brother Sun came from Medicine King Valley and had earned the reputation of a miracle doctor in Sanyuan Village. Although this mansion felt somewhat empty and eerie, there shouldn't be anything wrong with him.
Qin Guan exhaled deeply, forcing herself to calm down. After enduring this restlessness for what felt like ages, she finally drifted into a light sleep. When she awoke, the sky was still a dim, pre-dawn blue.
Feeling somewhat fatigued, she lay still for a while longer before opening her eyes. Listening quietly, she noticed the sounds outside the room seemed to have ceased. Energized, Qin Guan quickly dressed and went to the window. Opening it, she saw a world blanketed in pristine white—the heavy snowfall from last night had stopped.
The courtyard, swept just yesterday, was now covered in a thick layer of snow. The tree branches, flower trellises, and even the upturned eaves of the roof were all draped in flawless white. Though the daylight was still faint, Qin Guan's mood brightened considerably. With the snow having stopped, perhaps after today's melting, they could set off tomorrow!
Her spirits lifted, and all traces of lethargy vanished. However, when she turned around, she saw Fuling and Wan Xing still sleeping soundly on the sleeping couch. Qin Guan sighed—these maids had slept on the floor at Laifu Inn last night and likely hadn't rested well. Moving quietly, she added two pieces of charcoal to the brazier before turning back to the window. The sky had grown brighter, and the sight of the immaculate snow stirred an impulse in her to take a walk outside.
After one last glance at Fuling and Wan Xing, Qin Guan draped her cape over her shoulders and stepped out the door.
The sky was now fully bright—not only had the snow stopped, but the wind had died down as well. The old mansion, blanketed in white, looked as if it had been renewed. Thinking it best not to disturb Madam Sun's convalescence in the east wing, Qin Guan followed the main path deeper into the northern part of the courtyard.
Perhaps the household truly was short-staffed. At this hour, the servants should have been up, yet no one had come to sweep the snow. The main path remained layered with thick snow, and with each step Qin Guan took, the crisp crunching sound echoed beneath her feet.
She walked slowly, deliberately, pausing every dozen steps to look back. A winding trail of footprints stretched behind her across the flawless snow. A sense of idle amusement rose in her heart, and much of the weariness from days of travel melted away.Although the mansion appeared empty and aged, its courtyard was filled with ancient trees—a feature newer residences could not rival. Qin Guan strolled slowly past towering evergreens native to the south, their emerald canopies like inverted umbrellas laden with snow, as if their branches stretched into the clouds. Her leisurely pace led her deeper into the compound. From the outside, the estate seemed an unbroken expanse; inside, it revealed layer upon layer of courtyards and buildings. As she walked, Qin Guan noticed every gate was locked, stirring a pang of regret. This place must have once been the ancestral home of a prominent family—imagine the liveliness if each courtyard had been occupied. Now purchased by Senior Brother Haoyue for convalescence, its tranquility came at the cost of overwhelming emptiness.
Moving at a snail's pace, Qin Guan had covered little ground yet spent considerable time. Just as she turned to leave, an unlocked gate caught her eye. Of the nearly ten courtyards she'd passed, this was the only one unsecured. Her pulse quickened—could someone live here? A servant, perhaps, or another patient?
Hesitant, she stole a few extra glances at the gate. Naturally, she wouldn't intrude uninvited. Detecting nothing unusual after a moment's observation, she began to turn away—when a thunderous CRASH erupted from within, startling her despite the intervening wall. The sound suggested something heavy had toppled.
Frowning, Qin Guan listened intently but heard no voices. How peculiar! Her gaze drifted to the snow-burdened roof. Had the weight collapsed part of the structure?
This thought propelled her toward the gate. Lifting her skirts slightly, she trudged through ankle-deep snow that swallowed her deerskin boots. As she quickened her steps, a voice called from behind:
"What are you doing, Miss Qin?"
She froze mid-step and turned to find Dong Shu emerging from a corner she hadn't noticed. Judging by his approach, he'd come from the eastern sector.
Fearing he might mistake her for trespassing, Qin Guan offered an apologetic smile. "Good morning, Dong Shu. I woke early and went for a stroll. When I heard a loud noise from this courtyard—like something falling—but no voices, I grew concerned and came to investigate..."
Creases deepened around Dong Shu's weathered smile as he shuffled forward. "No need for worry, Miss Qin," he rasped. "This yard's empty save for some dogs brought from outside. The noise you heard was likely their cage being knocked over again."
"Dogs?" Qin Guan's brow furrowed. "Why no barking?"
A sigh escaped Dong Shu. "Young Master Bai—Madam's brother—purchased them. At first they made quite the racket, but the noise disturbed Madam's recovery. We couldn't abandon them in these wild mountains, so... we medicated them silent. Now they're quiet, at least with full bellies."Dong Shu's tone was gentle, and when he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits. His face was extremely amiable, yet for some reason, Qin Guan felt a chill in her heart upon hearing his words. When she looked again, the wrinkles on his face seemed like dried chicken skin, and his entire expression carried an indifference that didn’t match his smile.
Wealthy families cared little for human lives, let alone a few dogs. Besides, merely drugging them mute wasn’t particularly cruel by conventional standards. Yet Qin Guan suddenly realized that since meeting Dong Shu the day before, he had always worn this same smile when speaking. It didn’t seem like an expression of joy but rather a mask fixed upon his face.
Her impression of Dong Shu as kind and approachable diminished considerably, and she cast a doubtful glance toward the house. "I see. It seems I overthought it. I assumed there might be patients living in this courtyard as well."
Dong Shu chuckled lightly and coughed twice. "The patients are all in the eastern rear courtyard. That area is the most secluded and quiet."
Qin Guan’s eyes flickered, and she adopted Fuling’s tone. "If Madam Sun is recuperating here, it might be inappropriate to have other patients staying long-term. It could bring bad luck."
Dong Shu remained smiling. "That’s true in principle, but the young master is a physician after all. Healing the sick is his duty. Rest assured, Miss Qin, those patients are housed far from the young mistress. They won’t be a bother."
Qin Guan nodded, and Dong Shu added, "Breakfast has already been delivered to your courtyard. You should hurry back to eat. Your skirt is damp—be careful not to catch a chill."
Qin Guan forced a slight smile. "Alright, I’ll head back then..."
She lifted her skirt and retraced her steps, walking faster this time, leaving messy footprints behind. As she walked, she could feel Dong Shu’s gaze lingering on her like a tangible weight. She resisted the urge to look back.
Only after turning a corner did his gaze finally disappear. Qin Guan paused to catch her breath. In just that short while, she had grown slightly warm, and for some reason, her thoughts kept returning to the courtyard where the noise had come from.
"Ninth Miss—what are you doing out here?!"
Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out. Qin Guan turned to see Sun Muqing approaching from the western quarters where they were staying. She composed herself. "I woke up early and came out for a walk."
Sun Muqing’s face broke into his usual carefree smile. "Awake so early—did you not sleep well last night?"
Qin Guan shook her head. "No, I’ve always woken early."
Sun Muqing didn’t press further. "It’s too cold outside. Don’t catch a chill, Ninth Miss."
Qin Guan smiled and shook her head again. Noticing that Sun Muqing was also out, she asked, "Where are you headed, Young Master Sun?"
Sun Muqing pointed east. "I was planning to visit my senior brother. Yesterday morning when I arrived, I hadn’t yet met his wife. Now seems like a good time to pay my respects. Though her family is from Yizhou, the Bai clan and Haoyue’s branch of the family have been close for generations. When she was a child, she even stayed in Lianzhou for a while. I met her back then—it’s been over ten years since. When Haoyue got married, I had just been accepted as my master’s disciple, so I couldn’t attend their wedding."Sun Muqing continued speaking on his own, and Qin Guan couldn't help but sigh inwardly as she looked at his bright countenance. No matter how much sorrow he harbored in his heart, his eyes and smile radiated nothing but clear, unrestrained vitality.
Suddenly, Qin Guan recalled the many times Sun Muqing had looked after her back in their sect days, as well as the innocent way they had studied medicine together. Back then, when he and she laughed, it was genuine laughter—never tainted by the slightest hint of bitterness.
Perhaps Qin Guan's focused expression pleased Sun Muqing, for when she didn’t respond, he suddenly said, "Ninth Miss, would you like to come with me to see Senior Brother Haoyue? And while we’re at it, you can meet my sister-in-law—the most beautiful woman in Yizhou!"
Qin Guan should have refused, but her heart was in turmoil, and before she knew it, she nodded instinctively.
Sun Muqing immediately beamed. "Wonderful! I thought you’d refuse. Come on, I went there just yesterday, so I know the way. You have no idea—my sister-in-law is truly breathtaking—"
At this point, Qin Guan had no choice but to follow Sun Muqing. She felt a hint of hesitation, but even stronger was her excitement. Perhaps even Heaven found her fate unjust and thus arranged this reunion with an old friend as compensation. And how could she possibly remain indifferent?
On this side, Sun Muqing was clearly in high spirits and suddenly became quite talkative. "My martial sister-in-law comes from the Bai clan of Yizhou. Ninth Miss, have you heard of the Bai clan of Yizhou? They were a top-tier aristocratic family in the previous dynasty. Though they've declined slightly in the Great Zhou era, they remain a prominent noble family in the eastern regions. The Bai family is full of scholars, excelling in literature and calligraphy, having produced many masters. My martial sister-in-law is also accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her name is Feiyan—she could play the zither at five and compose essays at seven. Suitors from the east lined up all the way to Cloud Mist Mountain, but she and Senior Brother Haoyue grew up together and shared a deep bond..."
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