"When I was young, I didn't understand. But as I grew older and reflected back, I truly envied Senior Brother Haoyue. The bond between him and his wife was the most beautiful relationship I'd ever witnessed growing up. The two of them could truly be called an immortal couple."
Sun Muqing spoke with emotion, then continued, "The last time I saw Sister-in-law was over ten years ago. Come to think of it, I've seen Senior Brother Haoyue less and less over the years. Childhood was better—Ninth Miss probably doesn't know this, but the children from the major branches of the Sun family in Medicine King Valley all attended the same clan school when we were young. We learned to read and studied together, took exams and were punished together. Those were the happiest times."
Sun Muqing's words stirred Qin Guan's own memories of youth, though her childhood hadn't been nearly as carefree as his. Back then, her father was just a minor judicial officer in the investigation bureau, and their family struggled to make ends meet. What set her apart was that she'd begun observing her father's corpse examinations from that young age.
After a moment's thought, Qin Guan suddenly asked, "Does Madam Sun have an elder brother?"
Sun Muqing's eyes brightened. "How did you know that, Miss Qin?"
With a slight turn of her gaze and a faint smile, Qin Guan replied, "Earlier when I walked around back, I heard some noise from one of the courtyards. At first I thought someone was inside, but soon Dong Shu came by and said there were several dogs kept there—gifts from Madam Sun's brother."
Sun Muqing made a surprised sound but didn't inquire further, simply nodding. "Yes, Sister-in-law does have a brother. I met him once as a child. Young Master Bai had exquisite calligraphy—I remember during that visit he sat writing while the rest of us stood watching. I also heard that when he was young, he once injured his right hand by accident and had to switch to writing with his left. His family was worried, but astonishingly, within just half a month his left-handed writing became nearly indistinguishable from his right. When word of this spread, even our teacher commented on it—"
Qin Guan nodded, then frowned. "Does Madam Sun like dogs? Or is it Young Master Bai? Or perhaps Divine Doctor Sun?"
Dong Shu had said the dogs were gifts from Young Master Bai, but Madam Sun had come here to recuperate—there'd be no reason to send dogs unless someone particularly liked them. At this question, Sun Muqing's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm not sure about that. We were all quite young when we met, and didn't spend constant time together. I don't recall anyone having particular fondness for pets, though it's possible I wouldn't know. And people can develop such preferences later in life."
Qin Guan found this reasonable, which reminded her of the figure she'd seen the previous night. "Is Divine Doctor Sun still treating patients here? Last night when I accompanied Sixth Sister to fetch something, I saw a disheveled person. Dong Shu later explained it was a patient living on the estate who'd wandered out in a confused state."
Sun Muqing looked momentarily surprised. "Really? Were you frightened?"
When Qin Guan shook her head, Sun Muqing continued, "I only arrived here yesterday myself, so I wasn't aware of this. But Senior Brother Haoyue was one of our master's most outstanding disciples. Though he left the mountain early, our master often spoke of him to me. His medical skills are extraordinary—superior to mine—so it's only natural he'd continue healing people."Qin Guan sighed, "Truly different when it comes from Medicine King Valley..."
Sun Muqing smiled slightly, "Ninth Miss flatters me. These are merely the duties of a physician."
As they spoke, the two followed the main path eastward along the central axis of the estate. Towering ancient trees cast deep shadows, with layers of accumulated snow adding to the mansion's gloomy and solemn atmosphere. Qin Guan exhaled white breath as she looked around and remarked, "Why would Divine Doctor Sun choose to buy this estate? It's so large, yet only the two of them live here. It must feel quite lonely ordinarily."
Sun Muqing tilted her head in thought. "I haven't asked about that yet. Perhaps it's because of my sister-in-law's illness. I noticed my senior brother speaks even less than before. When we met yesterday, we didn't talk for long. Later, when I mentioned some friends staying at Laifu Inn and that one of them had done me a great favor, he suggested you all come stay here since the estate is so spacious. Truthfully, we didn't get to discuss much—the estate is indeed quite large. But my senior brother might prefer the climate here. Moreover, this estate lies beneath Goddess Peak. There are rumors that an actual goddess resides atop the peak, blessing the surrounding people with health and protection..."
Sun Muqing chuckled at this. "Forgive my rambling, Ninth Miss. Those who study medicine shouldn't believe in such things."
Qin Guan shook her head. "Physicians are ordinary people too. There's nothing wrong with seeking good fortune. Now that it's winter—if it were summer, the Cloud Mist Mountain area must be wonderfully cool. By the way, Divine Doctor Sun arrived about half a year ago, correct?"
"Exactly. My senior brother mentioned they were originally recuperating in Yizhou, but my sister-in-law prefers cooler climates. So as spring turned to summer, he brought her south for a change of scenery. Since she dislikes traveling by boat, they didn't cross Wild Goose River, only visiting a few places around Cloud Mist Mountain. When they reached Goddess Peak, she was captivated by the vast bamboo forest's refreshing beauty and wished to stay. Seeing this, my senior brother had someone find an estate. I suppose this location suited them best."
As Sun Muqing spoke leisurely, Qin Guan turned her gaze northwest. When they arrived last night, heavy snow and bitter winds had shrouded the mountain peaks in thick mist, limiting visibility through the snowy veil. But now the snow had stopped, and daylight revealed a clear view for miles.
With just one glance, Qin Guan spotted a towering peak to the northwest. The Herb Garden already occupied a gentle slope halfway up the mountain, and several miles further along the ridge stood a majestic peak rising abruptly from the earth. It soared into the clouds like a colossal stone bamboo shoot, its rugged contours faintly resembling a human figure. The mist crowning the summit resembled a veil, partially obscuring what might be the beautiful face of a goddess...
Qin Guan didn't believe in deities either, though she had visited temples with her parents to pay respects to Buddha. Seeking blessings never hurt, and this estate nestled in the bamboo forest on the mountainside offered not just excellent air and breathtaking views but also serene tranquility—truly an ideal place for recuperation. She wondered how the previous owner could bear to part with it.The two of them walked and talked, soon arriving at a particularly spacious courtyard. Qin Guan looked up and saw the words "Benevolence" inscribed on the gate plaque, confirming this was undoubtedly Sun Haoyue's main residence.
"This is the place. My senior brother and his wife live here."
As soon as Sun Muqing finished speaking, a round-faced maidservant emerged from the courtyard. Spotting Sun Muqing and Qin Guan, the woman froze momentarily before quickly composing herself. "Is... is that you, Young Master Cousin?"
Sun Muqing nodded eagerly. "Indeed. May I ask what my senior brother is doing? I've come to see him."
The maidservant nodded repeatedly. "Very well, very well. This servant will go announce your arrival. Please wait a moment, Young Master Cousin."
Not recognizing Qin Guan, the woman gave her another glance before heading inside. Sun Muqing smiled at Qin Guan. "My senior brother isn't much of a talker. Please don't take offense when you meet him later."
Qin Guan nodded quickly. "Of course not. I only worry my presence might disturb Young Master Sun's reunion with you."
"Not at all!" Sun Muqing waved his hand. "My senior brother is always busy, but most of his time is spent accompanying his wife. Since she fell ill, he refuses to leave her side..."
Hearing this, Qin Guan felt a pang of emotion. Having studied medicine, she'd witnessed countless marriages strained by serious illness. Among the wealthy, even the most loving husbands would often take concubines or remarry if their wives became ill. For poorer families, the situation was even more tragic—a sick wife could burden the entire household. In the face of illness and poverty, how many couples could remain truly devoted?
Initially, Qin Chen and Yao Xinlan had also appeared deeply in love, yet Qin Chen's heart eventually wandered elsewhere. What about Senior Brother Haoyue and Madam Sun? Recalling how Sun Haoyue's first act upon returning home yesterday was inquiring about his wife's condition, Qin Guan felt certain—Sun Haoyue's relationship with Bai Feiyan was clearly different.
"Young Master Cousin, the young master invites you inside—"
Soon, the maidservant returned. Sun Muqing smiled, thanked her, and entered the courtyard. There, they found Sun Haoyue waiting at the doorway. "Senior Brother, have I disturbed you?" Sun Muqing asked.
Sun Haoyue shook his head, his gaze shifting to Qin Guan who had entered with him. Sun Muqing continued, "I've brought Ninth Miss to see you. This is the Qin family's Ninth Miss—the one I mentioned who showed me great kindness."
Qin Guan felt somewhat embarrassed hearing this. She had merely given Sun Muqing some travel money, yet he spoke of it as a significant favor.
"Qin Guan pays her respects to Divine Doctor Sun."
She curtsied gracefully. Sun Haoyue nodded, his face maintaining its characteristic compassionate expression. Though not particularly smiling, he didn't seem cold either. "No need for formalities, Ninth Miss. Please, come in and sit."
The main hall's doors stood open. As Sun Haoyue stepped aside to usher them in, Sun Muqing entered cheerfully. Having grown up together despite their age difference, Sun Muqing treated his senior brother with comfortable familiarity. "What were you working on, Senior Brother? And where's Sister-in-law? I must pay my respects to her."
"I was preparing medicine. Your sister-in-law is asleep."
Sun Muqing let out a disappointed "Ah." "Then my timing is unfortunate."Sun Haoyue met Sun Muqing's gaze and seemed to catch a hint of regret in his eyes. He then said, "She's finally managed to fall asleep. It's best not to disturb her. But since you haven't seen her in over a decade, it wouldn't be right for you to leave without meeting her. Come with me."
A faint light flickered in Sun Muqing's eyes as he glanced at Qin Guan. "Senior Brother, Ninth Miss..."
"Ninth Miss may come along as well," Sun Haoyue said considerately.
Sun Muqing's smile widened instantly, and he promptly led Qin Guan to follow Sun Haoyue toward the inner chamber. As they walked, Qin Guan frowned slightly. From the moment they entered the courtyard, she had detected the scent of medicine, and the closer they got to the inner chamber, the stronger it became. The three of them exited through a side door of the main hall and wound their way through a series of corridors before finally arriving at the entrance to the inner chamber. Sun Haoyue gently pushed the door open, and an even more potent wave of medicinal aroma washed over them.
A landscape screen stood at the doorway. Sun Haoyue guided Sun Muqing and Qin Guan inside, leading them around the screen until they stopped before the first layer of drapes. Qin Guan swept her gaze around the room—elegant drapes hung on all sides, creating an exquisitely refined atmosphere. In the corners, calming incense burned, with the distinct fragrance of agarwood particularly noticeable. The inner chamber was spacious, with wide-open windows, yet behind the screen, layer upon layer of drapes obscured the view. All were drawn shut, revealing only the faint outline of a bed in the deepest part of the room.
Sun Haoyue lifted the first drape and stepped forward, then the second. By the time he raised the fourth, the true appearance of the inner chamber was finally unveiled. But at this point, Sun Haoyue paused and gestured with a slight tilt of his chin, signaling Qin Guan and Sun Muqing to look toward the bed. He whispered, "Any closer and we might wake her. Just take a look from here."
They were now close enough to the bed, though its curtains were also drawn. Through a thin layer of white gauze, they could vaguely make out the figure of a woman lying there. Bai Feiyan lay on her back, her face obscured, but Qin Guan could see her cascading ink-black hair spread across the pillow. She was covered by a thick brocade quilt, making it difficult to discern the rise and fall of her chest. At a glance, Qin Guan could barely detect any signs of life. Her heart sank—what kind of illness was this? Had it already reached a critical stage?
Sun Muqing also sighed, clearly sensing something amiss. Not wanting to disturb his senior brother's wife, he took only a few glances before turning to leave. Sun Haoyue carefully lowered the drapes one by one, and once they had exited the inner chamber, he softly closed the door behind them.
Sun Muqing remained silent until they returned to the main hall before asking, "What exactly is wrong with Sister-in-law?"
Sun Haoyue sighed. "It's a congenital weakness."
Sun Muqing blinked. "Even with your exceptional skills, you haven't been able to treat it?"
At the mention of his beloved wife's condition, a shadow passed over Sun Haoyue's usually serene and compassionate expression. "I even wrote to Master about it. He said my prescription was correct, but her constitution is frail—it just needs time. Half a year ago, her condition worsened, but she improved somewhat after coming to Cloud Mist Mountain. Now that winter has arrived, she's struggling again. Sometimes she sleeps for days on end, other times she wakes but can't fall back asleep. She grows weaker by the day."Both Qin Guan and Sun Muqing were trained in medicine, so they understood the implications upon hearing this. Even Sun Xi had said Sun Haoyue's prescription was correct—it was just a matter of time now. Alternatively, Bai Feiyan's frail constitution might have led to her life force being utterly depleted.
"With Senior Brother here, Sister-in-law will surely recover. It’s just that this winter is particularly harsh. Once we get through it, things will improve."
Sun Muqing offered words of comfort, and Sun Haoyue nodded before calling toward the door, "Aunt Lin... bring some tea."
A voice answered from outside, and the elderly woman who had welcomed them earlier entered the main hall. Qin Guan and Sun Muqing took their seats while Aunt Lin prepared the tea before quietly withdrawing.
Sun Haoyue said lightly, "Try it. This is grown in our own tea garden at the back."
Sun Muqing lifted his cup, using the lid to skim the floating tea leaves, and remarked, "The estate Senior Brother bought has a vast tea garden not far to the east. Years ago, it was a famous leisure spot within a hundred-mile radius. Later, the owner stopped cultivating tea and left, leaving the garden abandoned. Afterward, this residence was also left vacant. I suspect Senior Brother chose this place partly because of that tea garden. Now, he grows many medicinal herbs there."
Qin Guan suddenly realized—Wei Changfu had mentioned that his inn had once thrived because of a tea garden. So, the garden he referred to was the one belonging to the former owner of this old estate...
Qin Guan nodded in acknowledgment, feeling an inexplicable sense of fate at work.
After tasting the tea, both Sun Muqing and Qin Guan showed expressions of satisfaction. Sun Muqing then asked, "How long does Senior Brother plan to stay here? Or does he intend to settle here with Sister-in-law permanently?"
Sun Haoyue replied calmly, "We’ll stay for now. Once her condition improves, we’ll see what she prefers."
His tone softened ever so slightly as he spoke, a nuance Qin Guan keenly detected. Sun Muqing smiled and said, "Senior Brother and Sister-in-law are truly enviable. Though the estate is quite large, the location is excellent."
Sun Haoyue lowered his gaze slightly. "Yes, she likes it here."
Sun Muqing’s lips curved. "The New Year is approaching. This year, Senior Brother and Sister-in-law can enjoy a quiet celebration. If you were in Yizhou or Lianzhou, all the branches of the family would gather, which wouldn’t be conducive to Sister-in-law’s recovery."
"Exactly. This year, it’ll just be the two of us."
Though it meant spending the New Year with only two people, Sun Haoyue’s tone held no trace of regret—only a quiet contentment, as if he had long looked forward to such an intimate celebration.
After a pause, Sun Haoyue turned to Qin Guan. "Muqing mentioned that Ninth Miss and your party are heading to the capital?"
Qin Guan nodded. "Indeed. We’ve imposed on the Miracle Doctor’s hospitality, but once the snow melts, we’ll depart."
Sun Haoyue shook his head lightly, the earlier warmth fading. "It’s no imposition. The estate is spacious—having more guests makes no difference. Since you’re Muqing’s friends, it’s only right to ensure your comfort. However, we have few servants here, so please forgive any oversights. If you need anything, you may approach Dong Shu or Aunt Lin."
Qin Guan quickly bowed her head. "Of course. The Miracle Doctor need not worry—my brother and I are staying very comfortably."Sun Muqing noticed Sun Haoyue smiling more as he spoke with Qin Guan and proceeded to recount their serendipitous encounters. Starting from their first meeting in Jinzhou to their reunion in the prison cell—though omitting details about Qin Guan treating a venereal disease and Qin An’s crimes—he concluded with their chance meeting at the inn, exclaiming excitedly, "Who would have thought Miss Qin and I share such fateful connections—"
Qin Guan felt her cheeks warm at his words, as her small gesture hardly counted as a great kindness. "Young Master Sun is truly noble-hearted. If not for you, my brother and I would have been left stranded in the icy wilderness. It is my good fortune to have you as a friend!"
After exchanging a few more compliments, Sun Haoyue listened with a composed expression, occasionally interjecting a question or two while Sun Muqing did most of the talking. Once they finished their tea, Sun Muqing finally asked, "Elder Brother mentioned earlier that you were refining medicine—do you need any assistance?"
During their studies in Medicine King Valley, everyone handled medicine refinement themselves, so Sun Muqing naturally offered to help. Sun Haoyue gave a faint smile. "No need. This residence is rather quiet and lacks entertainment, so why don’t you keep Ninth Miss and her brother company instead?"
The arrangement suited them well. Sun Muqing stood up. "Very well, I won’t disturb you further then. Since Ninth Miss hasn’t had breakfast yet, I’ll escort her back—"
Both Sun Haoyue and Qin Guan rose. Qin Guan curtsied and took her leave.
As they stepped out, they saw Aunt Lin standing at the courtyard gate, holding a food box and speaking with an elderly maid. Aunt Lin had a round, rosy-cheeked face that radiated kindness. Noticing their approach, she smiled and dismissed the maid with a wave before turning to them. "Young Master and Miss Qin are leaving? I didn’t realize it was you earlier, Miss Qin—please forgive my oversight." She curtsied in apology.
Qin Guan waved it off, and Aunt Lin smiled. "I was just about to deliver some pastries to the west wing. Please, go ahead first."
Sun Muqing eyed the food box curiously. "What delicacies are you carrying, Aunt Lin?"
She lifted the box and opened the lid. "Tea Cakes. Would Young Master like to try one?"
Sun Muqing laughed heartily, plucking a piece and popping it into his mouth. Moments later, he exclaimed, "Delicious! Did you make these, Aunt Lin? They’re far better than the ones by Wild Goose River!"
As the three walked together, Aunt Lin beamed with pride.
"Young Master guessed right! I did make them. The young master also found them quite tasty... Since the residence lacks lavish treats, I thought I’d share some with you and the other guests."
Qin Guan listened with a faint smile, while Sun Muqing remained enthusiastic. "You’ve worked hard, Aunt Lin. Did you come here from Yizhou with them?"
Aunt Lin nodded. "Sharp eyes, Young Master! When the young master and his lady came, they brought only a handful of servants—Old Dong and I were among them. Later, they hired a few more here, but truthfully, with only two masters and the young master personally tending to his lady, we mostly just serve him."
Sun Muqing then asked, "Does my sister-in-law go out often?"
This question seemed to stump Aunt Lin, who smiled wryly and said, "To be honest, Young Master, I'm not afraid of being laughed at. I only started serving in Benevolence Courtyard about ten days ago. Shortly after arriving, my old chest pain flared up worse than ever. The pain was so unbearable I thought I was going to die. But unexpectedly, it was the young master who saved me. After that, it took me a full three months to recover. At first, I couldn't do heavy work, so I helped out in the kitchen. That's when I started making these Tea Cakes. Strangely enough, the flavor I make is quite similar to the local taste here."
Sun Muqing looked surprised and carefully studied Aunt Lin's complexion before nodding. "So Aunt Lin just recovered from a serious illness? No wonder you look a bit off. What illness did you have? With my senior brother around, nothing is incurable!"
While Aunt Lin spoke of her illness, Qin Guan was also observing her complexion and was about to ask when Sun Muqing beat her to it. Aunt Lin replied, "I'm not entirely sure what it was. I often had chest pains, sometimes so severe I'd black out from the pain. It wasn't usually serious, but after coming here, it suddenly got worse. Thankfully, the young master was here."
Aunt Lin clearly had no medical knowledge, and Sun Haoyue hadn't explained it to her in detail. Sun Muqing's eyes flickered as he asked, "Then how did my senior brother treat you...?"
At this question, Aunt Lin's eyes lit up, filled with admiration for Sun Haoyue. "Young Master, since you're also skilled in medicine, you must know about the Open Chest Technique... After multiple examinations, the young master said it was likely something had grown inside my chest. So he used the Open Chest Technique to remove it."
Sun Muqing's eyes brightened as well. "Open Chest Technique?"
Aunt Lin nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! I still have a scar on my chest from it!"
Sun Muqing turned to Qin Guan. "Ninth Miss, you know a bit about medicine too, don't you? Have you heard of this method? Cutting open a person's chest and removing the growth inside—my senior brother's skill is truly unparalleled!"
When Sun Muqing first met Qin Guan, she was preparing medicine. He could tell from her hesitation over which herbs to use that the prescription was her own. He didn’t yet know she was the Little Medicine Immortal, nor did he expect the Qin Manor to send their daughter to study medicine, so he simply assumed she had some interest in medical studies.
Qin Guan naturally understood what Aunt Lin meant. She had used a similar method to treat the Grand Princess, though Sun Haoyue's procedure involved operating directly on the chest—a far riskier endeavor where a single misstep could be fatal. Qin Guan nodded, her admiration for Sun Haoyue deepening. "Divine Doctor Sun truly lives up to his title—"
As Qin Guan spoke, Aunt Lin's face glowed with pride. "Of course! Even the old valley master once declared that the young master's talent was such that he could become the next Medicine King."
Sun Muqing nodded in agreement, but Aunt Lin sighed softly. "However... now that the mistress is seriously ill, the young master's focus is entirely on her. I see him studying medicine day and night. While that’s good, he’s lost his smile."At these words, Sun Muqing's heart also skipped a beat. Although he had been talking with Sun Haoyue earlier, he indeed hadn't seen him smile much. Compared to the peerless senior brother who once stood out among the younger Sun disciples, the current Sun Haoyue was remarkably restrained and somber. Illness not only wears down the patient but also those who love them.
"Don't worry, Sister-in-law will surely recover."
Lin Shi sighed, "I hope... I hope Madam recovers soon. The old days were so much better..."
The three of them walked back westward together, chatting along the way. Before they could reach their destination, Qin Guan suddenly saw Fuling and Wan Xing waiting anxiously at the crossroads. As soon as Fuling spotted Qin Guan, she hurried over. Only then did Qin Guan realize she hadn't informed anyone when she left earlier, and she hadn't returned since. Fuling and Wan Xing must have been wondering where she'd gone all morning.
"Young Miss, where have you been all this time? When I woke up, I had no idea where you'd gone!"
Fuling grabbed Qin Guan's arm, scrutinizing her up and down before finally relaxing. She added, "If not for Wan Xing suggesting we check the footprints, I would have thought you'd disappeared. We followed your tracks and saw you went north, then came back, and then headed east. Realizing you must have gone to see Divine Doctor Sun, we decided to wait here."
Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh at herself—she hadn't even thought of checking footprints. Glancing at Wan Xing, she reflected on how little she'd interacted with her before, as Wan Xing rarely entered the main quarters. But now, after spending more time together, she kept discovering pleasant surprises about her. "Don't worry, I'm back now. I woke up too late this morning."
Aunt Lin chuckled at the scene, "No need to worry, Miss Qin won't get lost in this mansion."
Fuling then curtsied to Aunt Lin, who handed over a basket, saying, "These Tea Cakes are for the guests. Please deliver them. I must return to Benevolence Courtyard now—Madam will need her medicine soon."
Fuling quickly accepted it, "Rest assured, I'll take care of it."
Aunt Lin nodded and left. Holding the food box, Fuling added, "Please invite Young Master Sun to join us for breakfast. The meal is set at Third Young Master's place, and Fifth Miss and Sixth Miss are already up."
Sun Muqing smiled, "Good, good, let's all go together..."
The group arrived at Qin Yan's courtyard, where breakfast was indeed ready. Sun Muqing gestured for everyone to sit, saying, "I went to see my senior brother earlier—apologies for keeping you waiting..."
Qin Xiang, sitting demurely to the side, asked, "Did Ninth Sister go too?"
Qin Guan, just seated, nodded, "I went for a walk this morning and happened to meet Young Master Sun, so we went together. Since we're staying here, it's only proper to express our gratitude."
Qin Yan agreed, "Indeed, we should have expressed thanks sooner. I was remiss." Turning to Sun Muqing, he asked, "Young Master Sun, is Divine Doctor Sun busy today? Would it be too abrupt if we visited later?"
Sun Muqing replied casually, "Senior brother is preparing medicine, but he'll certainly receive you, Young Master Qin. Though he isn't much of a talker, he treats everyone kindly. There's no need for concern."
Qin Yan nodded, reassured, and everyone began their meal.After breakfast, Qin Guan returned to her room. Not long after, Qin Shuang suddenly rushed in and exclaimed as soon as she entered, "Did you know? Third Brother just went to the east to see Divine Doctor Sun..."
Qin Guan wasn’t surprised at all. "Didn’t he say earlier he was going?"
Qin Shuang shook her head and lowered her voice. "But Fifth Sister went with him..."
Hearing this, Qin Guan still showed little reaction. She simply walked to the low couch by the window to work on a new Medicine Sachet. Meanwhile, Fuling handed Qin Guan a warming pan. "Sixth Miss, what’s the matter with Fifth Miss following the heir to the east?"
Qin Shuang blinked. "Earlier, when Ninth Miss went east, Fifth Sister’s tone was already odd. Now she hurriedly follows Third Brother—isn’t it just to avoid being left behind?"
Fuling tilted her head in thought for a moment, then asked curiously, "What’s there to compete over in going east?"
Qin Shuang snorted and sat beside Qin Guan. "She’s jealous of Ninth Miss, so she insists on doing whatever Ninth Miss does. Today it’s seeing Divine Doctor Sun—what if tomorrow it’s meeting some heir or prince?"
At this, Fuling seemed to understand a little but could only smile wryly. "Well... there’s nothing our young lady can do about it."
Qin Shuang frowned slightly and glanced at Qin Guan, who remained unfazed. Qin Shuang pressed, "She’ll even try to take things from you..."
Qin Guan looked at her helplessly. "If it’s mine, she can’t take it. If it’s not, it’ll leave even if she doesn’t take it. Are you bored staying in the courtyard? Why not take a book from me to read?"
Qin Shuang huffed. "Ungrateful for my kindness!"
Despite her displeasure, Qin Shuang didn’t leave. She stayed seated and grumbled after a while, "It really is boring. At least in the carriage, we could watch the scenery outside and sometimes see something interesting on the road. But here, there’s nothing."
Qin Guan remained expressionless. "If you’re unwell, Sixth Sister, you should rest."
Qin Shuang snorted again and suddenly suggested, "Why don’t we go out and take a look? Yesterday, we passed a bamboo forest—the scenery there was lovely. Let’s go see it?"
She turned to the window. "The snow outside is so beautiful—we could even play in it!"
Qin Guan still didn’t budge. After walking earlier, she had already settled her mind. Seeing that Qin Guan wouldn’t be persuaded, Qin Shuang was utterly disheartened. Just then, footsteps sounded outside. "Ninth Miss, are you there—?"
Recognizing Sun Muqing’s voice, Fuling quickly opened the door. "Young Master Sun, the young lady is here. What is it?"
Sun Muqing smiled. "You must be bored staying indoors all the time. How about we visit the tea plantation?"
Qin Shuang’s eyes lit up, and she jumped to her feet. "Where’s the tea plantation? Let’s go! Right now!"
Sun Muqing’s smile deepened. Qin Guan reluctantly set down her Medicine Sachet.
When the group of seven left the courtyard, Qin Yan and Qin Xiang hadn’t returned yet. Qin Shuang only informed Zhou Huai, who stayed in Qin Yan’s courtyard, before they headed west. As they walked, Sun Muqing explained, "There’s a side gate to the west. Once we pass it and walk a short distance, we’ll arrive."Sun Muqing clearly knew the way, leading the group ahead. Soon, they exited through a small western side gate and followed a snow-covered path northwest. Before long, they spotted a well-maintained tea garden on the hillside. The once-thriving plantation had been abandoned, leaving only a small patch of tea trees, while the rest of the area was now covered with medicinal herbs planted by Sun Haoyue.
"There are still some tea plants here—that small plot over there. The rest are all medicinal herbs. Over there's angelica, astragalus, costus root, gastrodia, and sanqi at the very edge. That area is a patch of mountain ginseng..."
Sun Muqing explained as they walked. While many grew flowers, plants, or tea, few cultivated medicinal herbs. Qin Shuang was particularly excited, striding ahead eagerly. But after just a few steps, she suddenly halted, pointing at the herb garden below.
"Look! Who built that big snowman down there—"
The moment she said this, Qin Shuang grew animated, lifting her skirts to dash downhill. Qin Guan was also surprised—from a distance, there indeed appeared to be a slightly lopsided snowman by the stone wall of the herb garden. Exchanging a glance with Sun Muqing, she followed down the slope. Qin Shuang reached the snowman first, but before Qin Guan and Sun Muqing could get close, she suddenly let out a horrified scream, her face paling—
"This—this isn't a snowman—"
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