Coroner's Diary

"Miss, what does the Crown Prince wish to ask you about?"

After leaving Qin Yan's courtyard, Fuling's voice carried a hint of unease. "Surely the Crown Prince hasn't forgotten how you helped him in Jinzhou, not to mention Grand Princess's instructions..."

Hearing Fuling's fearful tone, Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh. "Naturally, it's about matters concerning this residence. Among the Qin Manor's party, only I am an old acquaintance of his. He likely wouldn't trust others with his questions."

Fuling tilted her head, considering this logic, and sighed again. "Miss, this time we truly owe it to His Highness. He's saved you once more—that makes three times now, if we're counting."

"At that moment, I was utterly desperate. I wished I could have jumped in after you, but that beam was taller than half my height—I couldn't even climb over it. Just as I was panicking, His Highness appeared. You didn't see it, but his face changed the moment he heard you'd fallen in. Without a second thought, he leaped right in."

Fuling's voice was filled with both admiration and gratitude. "I never imagined the Crown Prince would be so true to his word. Having promised Grand Princess, he'd even risk such danger. Truly, military men are different."

Qin Guan found this amusing yet was touched by Fuling's innocence. She nodded in agreement. "Indeed, His Highness has saved my life this time, not to mention before. Whatever he asks, I'll answer earnestly."

Fuling solemnly supported Qin Guan, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

Before long, the soldier leading the way stopped and pointed to a courtyard ahead. "Here we are, Ninth Miss. His Highness is resting here temporarily. Please go in."

Qin Guan thanked him and stepped through the gate.

The courtyard clearly had just been tidied up—and hastily at that. The dust and cobwebs on the eaves and railings were gone, but Qin Guan noticed much of the red paint had been scraped off. She surmised this was likely the work of General Han's soldiers and sighed with a smile.

"Ninth Miss!" Bai Feng called from the doorway, hurrying over to bow before grinning. "His Highness is waiting inside."

Qin Guan acknowledged him and headed toward the closed main door. As she reached it, Bai Feng pushed it open. "After you—"

Qin Guan entered, and when Fuling moved to follow, Bai Feng smiled. "Miss Fuling, would you mind waiting outside?"

This suited Fuling perfectly. She had always been somewhat intimidated by Yan Chi, and avoiding direct attendance was ideal. Moreover, given how many times he'd saved Qin Guan and his strict adherence to Grand Princess's wishes, Fuling had complete trust in him.

She glanced at Qin Guan, who noticed a subtle difference in Bai Feng's expression but didn't dwell on it. "Then wait here."

"Of course. I'll be right outside if you need me, Miss."

Fuling agreed cheerfully as Qin Guan's figure disappeared behind the door. Bai Feng closed it with a bright smile.

Once the door shut, the room fell silent. Qin Guan surveyed the guest quarters, which were similar to hers, with the inner chamber in the second section. Hesitantly, she called out, "Your Highness?"

There was no response. At the same time, she faintly heard rustling sounds from the inner chamber.She raised an eyebrow and strode toward the inner chamber. As soon as she reached the doorway, Yan Chi's figure came into Qin Guan's view. He had changed clothes, but now he wore only a thin robe, its front loosely open. Qin Guan's steps halted abruptly at the sight of his bare chest. His half-tied hair still damp, it was clear he had just bathed. She blinked, momentarily forgetting to bow.

Yan Chi frowned slightly at her sudden pause. "Come here—"

Qin Guan remained frozen, her gaze fixed on his chest. This scene felt entirely different from their encounter below.

When she didn't move, Yan Chi's frown deepened. He strode toward her, the wind from his movement blowing his robe completely open, revealing the sharply defined muscles of his torso.

Qin Guan pressed her lips tightly together. Combined with Yan Chi's overwhelming presence, she nearly bolted. But she had barely taken a step back when his hand seized hers, pulling her toward the bed without explanation.

"Wait... Your Highness... you..."

Yan Chi ignored her stammering, only glancing sideways when her words faltered. What he saw was a faint blush spreading across her face, her eyes wide with panic—clearly misunderstanding his intentions.

He chuckled softly, earning a glare from Qin Guan—one filled with anger, annoyance, and reproach, enough to make his heart itch. He tugged her closer, then sat boldly on the edge of the bed, shrugging off his outer robe entirely. Qin Guan's eyes widened further, as if trying to bore a hole through him with her stare.

Though the Great Zhou dynasty wasn't overly strict about gender segregation, and men and women often socialized freely, being alone together in such disarray was still no small matter.

Qin Guan's gaze traced Yan Chi's bare torso—the old scars, the sharply defined waist, the sculpted abdominal muscles that made her face burn and her pulse race. Years in the military and mastery of martial arts had given him a lean, tightly honed physique rather than a bulky one. His body had been forged in the crucible of war, and whenever Qin Guan thought of this, she imagined an unstoppable force lurking beneath his skin—a power that both awed and stirred her. Add to that the universal appreciation for beauty, and despite having examined countless bodies, living and dead, she had never seen one as flawless as Yan Chi's. Her heartbeat quickened further.

She tried to steady herself, to regain the detached professionalism of a healer, but failed. Her eyes kept drifting back to him, even as her cheeks burned.

Yan Chi watched her with amused intensity. The Qin Guan in darkness had been different, but he hadn't been able to see her expression then. Now, in broad daylight, her blush was as radiant and tender as peach blossoms in spring. His restraint wavered. Glancing down at himself, he asked, "Do you like what you see?"

Qin Guan's head snapped up, her glare fiercer than ever.If she usually had an intimidating air when conducting corpse examinations or when angry, the glare she gave now had none of that force. Instead, it was a mix of annoyance and embarrassment that sent Yan Chi's thoughts spiraling into improper territory. His throat moved as he almost pulled her into his arms, but the moment he raised his hand, Qin Guan took a step back.

Instantly on guard, she demanded, "Why did you call me here?"

Seeing her like a bristling cat, Yan Chi didn’t want to push her further. Smiling, he turned slightly, revealing the old scar running diagonally across his back.

At the sight of the wound, Qin Guan’s wariness melted away.

Yan Chi’s injury had been severe. Back in Jinzhou, she had told him it would take at least a month to heal properly, and for a full recovery, he would need to avoid martial exertion for two months. But how could Yan Chi possibly refrain from fighting? If nothing else, he had twice saved her life—both times requiring combat. The thought softened her heart.

Things were different now. They had confessed their feelings, and she cared for him more than ever. Seeing his wound, how could she stay angry? Frowning, she stepped forward.

"Does it hurt?" Her fingertips lightly traced the scar. The upper and lower parts had healed, but the center was still slightly inflamed. Her heart sank.

"Not at all," Yan Chi replied evenly.

Qin Guan said nothing. "Where’s the ointment I gave you?"

Yan Chi pointed to the tall cabinet by the bed. Sure enough, the jar was there.

She picked it up and frowned deeper. "Why is there so much left?"

Without turning, Yan Chi answered casually, "There were military drills in Jinzhou those days. I didn’t have time."

Military drills… Qin Guan knew that meant he must have fought again. Her lips twitched, but she held back her words. "If the inflammation persists, the wound will need to be reopened. That would leave lasting damage."

As she spoke, she drew Cold Moon, gliding the blade over the infected area. Unwilling to cause him more pain, she quickly sheathed it and applied the ointment. "Did you come to Yuanzhou for the drills? Will you be participating?"

Yan Chi shook his head. "No. General Han was my father’s subordinate. This is a private matter."

Qin Guan let out a soft "Oh," slightly relieved. "I don’t know if the pharmacies here are still intact. I’ll need to make you a new batch of ointment. For the next half month, don’t exert yourself. If the wound tears open again, it’ll worsen."

Yan Chi paused, then softened his tone. "I’ll listen to you."

The absence of his usual sternness made Qin Guan’s heart skip. Silently, she continued applying the medicine before wrapping the wound with cotton cloth.

This wasn’t the first time she had bandaged him. Back then, she had felt nothing even as she worked close to his bare back. But now, everything was different.Qin Guan held the cotton cloth, wrapping it from his back to the front, her hands passing under his left armpit and then circling around his chest to his right shoulder. In this way, it almost seemed as if she were embracing him from behind. The first loop was uneventful, as was the second. But when she reached the third loop, Yan Chi suddenly caught her hands. He held both her hands, guiding her to tie a knot in front of him. Once the knot was secured, he abruptly turned around. Qin Guan had no time to retreat now, and Yan Chi’s hands settled on her waist.

He sat with his legs apart, his posture firm and unyielding, pulling Qin Guan to stand between his thighs, his arms encircling her waist.

Qin Guan took a deep breath. Standing while he sat, their gazes were nearly level, with Yan Chi even tilting his head slightly to look up at her.

From her vantage point, Yan Chi’s eyes appeared exceptionally deep, yet faint sparks flickered in their depths. Sensing his grip tightening, Qin Guan quickly braced her hands against his shoulders.

Yan Chi’s gaze darkened further, his voice lowering. “What’s wrong?”

Had she not known his intentions, Qin Guan might have felt her heart waver. But since she did, she found it improper to indulge him. “It’s broad daylight, and I’ve already been here too long—”

Yan Chi chuckled softly. “So what?”

Qin Guan replied, “The token you gave me—Third Brother already knows about it…”

Yan Chi smiled. “That brother of yours is sharp. He must have questioned you. How did you answer?”

“I only said you gave me the token because the Grand Princess entrusted you to look after me, and since you couldn’t accompany me on the journey, you gave it to me.” She paused, her heart softening involuntarily, her voice unconsciously softening as well. “You deceived me again…”

Yan Chi’s eyes held amusement and a hint of restless possessiveness. He studied Qin Guan for a moment before suddenly flipping her over with a swift motion. Qin Guan gasped as the world spun, and she found herself lying on the bed, Yan Chi looming over her. The intensity in his gaze sent a shiver through her. Her feeble strength was no match for him—if he wanted to do something, she couldn’t resist. If she managed to hold him off at all, it was only because he was restraining himself.

Her robes fanned out like blooming lotus petals beneath her, her dark hair spilling like ink across the bed. Yan Chi’s breathing grew uneven as he watched her. “How did I deceive you?”

Seeing that he was merely bracing himself above her without pressing down, Qin Guan momentarily stopped resisting. Besides, she wasn’t ungrateful—she was moved by his restraint. “That token is a symbol of your status in the imperial family. How could you just give it to me?”

Yan Chi seemed only half-focused on her words, his attention lingering on her delicate features and lips. Though he answered, his mind and body were wholly occupied with self-control. “Why couldn’t I give it to you?”

Qin Guan was taken aback. “What if I lost it? What if I used it recklessly and caused trouble? How would you handle the fallout? And… what if others found out you gave such a token to an unrelated woman? How would you explain that?”

“First, you wouldn’t lose it.”

“Second, you wouldn’t do anything improper.”

“Third, even if you did both, it would just give me a chance to make things clear to everyone.”As Yan Chi spoke, Qin Guan suddenly felt a chill at her sleeve. When she reached to touch it, she discovered the token had been placed in her sleeve pocket by him. Qin Guan was immediately shocked, "No—"

She tried to sit up and retrieve the token, but Yan Chi suddenly leaned in closer.

His bare upper body hovered over hers, barely touching yet not quite, yet Qin Guan felt as though she were restrained, lying still and not daring to move. "Third Brother is already suspicious, this really can't—"

Yan Chi leisurely replied, "I rather want him to know."

Qin Guan widened her eyes. If there was a time when their relationship had grown closer, it was when he took on the role of Chief Judicial Commissioner to oversee the Qin Manor case. Back then, Qin Guan felt he had opened many doors for her, as if he knew exactly what she wanted and silently helped her achieve it. Whether it was out of admiration or genuine need for her assistance, such indulgence and care had unwittingly made her lower her guard around him. Coupled with his repeated rescues and her observation of his steady and decisive nature in daily affairs, her concern for him deepened as they worked closely together. During those two months, she hadn’t noticed the Demon King side of him.

But now, Qin Guan finally understood. This man’s decisiveness and efficiency in action were one thing, but the arrogance and dominance hidden deep in his bones had been exceptionally well concealed. She still remembered the time he held an umbrella for her—back then, she had only thought him reliable and steady, silently marveling at how a man of his status could so gracefully and courteously care for a young girl...

Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi’s resolute and unyielding expression and inwardly sighed.

What grace? What courtesy? That must have been when this man was exercising restraint and scheming. Seemingly effortless, yet he clearly understood that someone like her could only be won over with patience and subtlety—indulging her, helping her, occasionally showing care, displaying his strength before her while hiding this domineering and wicked side. Add to that her own heartache over treating his injuries—if she hadn’t felt anything, she would have been utterly oblivious.

"No! Can't! Won't allow it!"

Qin Guan stared at Yan Chi’s face and decisively uttered these six words. She didn’t want to judge a gentleman with a petty mind, but she had some ability to read people. Given Yan Chi’s cunning methods and strategic mind, she truly believed he was capable of it. Annoyed at her own belated realization, her tone was fierce.

"No, can't, won't allow it—"

Yan Chi playfully "chewed" over the six words, then looked down at her and said, "Your 'no' and 'can't' don’t count here. But this 'won't allow it' is rather interesting. Tell me, how exactly won’t you allow it?"

Qin Guan’s face flushed instantly. While "won't allow it" seemed similar to "no" and "can't," it carried an ambiguous tone of command, as if asserting a possessive claim. Yan Chi’s gaze made her heart skip a beat.

"Won't allow it means won't allow it. This isn’t just your business alone."Yan Chi gazed at Qin Guan, then suddenly pressed down upon her in earnest. His bare torso hovered above as his head came to rest on her shoulder, his breath brushing against her cheek and ear. His voice was deeper and more mesmerizing than ever before. "I once thought no one in this world could refuse me except the one seated upon the imperial throne. Yet I find myself loving this 'forbidden' from you. Since you forbid it, I shall yield to your wishes."

Qin Guan wouldn't have been angered had he not brought their relationship into the open. But not only had he changed his attitude, his words were also... so provocatively spoken... Her hands pushing against his shoulders gradually lost their strength.

Noticing this slight resistance, Yan Chi chuckled lowly. "Too heavy for you?"

Qin Guan frowned slightly. Though he wasn't a hulking brute, he was still...

Before she could finish her mental complaint, Yan Chi rolled onto his side beside her. As she turned her head, he pulled her firmly into his embrace. Half-sprawled across his bare chest, Qin Guan found herself unable to push away.

"Lie with me awhile. I haven't rested my eyes for days."

Qin Guan arched an eyebrow. Yan Chi's display of strength and vulnerability always struck the perfect balance. Moments ago she'd been standing a step away, yet now she willingly lay in his arms. With a sigh, she settled against his arm.

The token in her sleeve pocket had grown warm. Suddenly alert, she asked, "How did the token reach you?"

She'd given it to the Qin Manor guards, who should have taken it to Jixian County Office. The guards seemed to have returned, yet Qin Yan hadn't mentioned the token's whereabouts earlier—only for it to appear here.

"The Jixian Magistrate and Prefect of Yuanzhou have arrived."

Qin Guan's brows twitched. Qin Yan had said the officials wouldn't arrive until nightfall, yet here they were so early. Watching Yan Chi's closed eyes, she murmured, "Since they've come, why leave them waiting?"

"Naturally they should wait." Yan Chi's tone turned icy, carrying a hint of anger.

Though puzzled, Qin Guan didn't press further. Still uncomfortable with his bare chest, she pulled his outer robe over him. Yan Chi didn't react. "When do you depart?"

At this, Qin Guan's brow furrowed slightly. "Third Brother didn't say, but judging by his earlier urgency, we'll likely leave soon."

This prompted her to ask, "When will you leave? Is there business in Yuanzhou?"

Yan Chi opened his eyes to look at her. "When would you have me leave?"

Knowing Yan Chi also needed to return to the capital, traveling together would be ideal. But with Qin Yan and the Qin entourage present, she feared revealing their connection. Reading her expression, Yan Chi scoffed lightly. "Heartless."

"You have your own affairs. If our paths align, all the better."

After a pause, Qin Guan added this. When she looked back at Yan Chi, his breathing had already deepened in sleep. Surprised, she waited a while longer before propping herself up to study him. At such close proximity, it amazed her that someone so vigilant could sleep so soundly. She watched him for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, then drew a thin quilt over him. In such bitter cold, what kind of iron-forged body could endure the chill without cover?Even the strongest iron can be wounded. Qin Guan's gaze darkened as she looked at the cotton bandage on his shoulder.

She rose with extreme caution and tiptoed out. Only when she reached the outer room did she smooth her dress, still glancing back uneasily. But with a wall between them, she could see nothing.

Qin Guan exhaled softly, then walked out without showing the slightest hint of anything amiss. As she opened the door, Fuling and Bai Feng turned to look at her. Qin Guan curved her lips slightly and said, "Your master said he wants to rest for a while."

Bai Feng nodded. "Understood. I'll stand guard outside."

Qin Guan then looked toward the gate. "I heard the Prefect and the magistrate of Ji County have arrived?"

Bai Feng was Yan Chi's most trusted subordinate and naturally knew these matters well. Sure enough, he replied, "Yes, they've been here for over half an hour. The master doesn’t want to deal with them, so he’s left them waiting outside."

After a slight pause, Bai Feng added, "I heard the magistrate of Ji County failed to discipline his subordinates properly, which displeased the master."

Qin Guan's heart stirred slightly. As she looked at Bai Feng, she sensed a profound meaning in his eyes. His words were clearly meant for her, adding another layer of something indescribable in her heart—something tender and bittersweet. "I see," she said, pausing before asking, "Did your Crown Prince mention when he plans to return to the capital?"

Bai Feng quickly replied, "Just now, His Highness was speaking with General Han. There’s nothing urgent left to handle here. General Han will oversee this place temporarily, but since such a major case has occurred, it ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of the Prefect of Yuanzhou. Tonight, this matter will likely be handed over to the Yuanzhou government office. General Han and his men will return, but as for our master’s plans, we don’t know yet."

Qin Guan took a deep breath. "If His Highness returns to the capital, it would be ideal if we could travel together. However, our journey will be very slow, and I fear we might delay him."

Bai Feng’s eyes brightened. "No, no, not at all! How could that be? Once my master wakes, I’ll relay your words exactly as you’ve said."

Qin Guan repeated herself, worried that Yan Chi might not have heard her earlier. Only after Bai Feng’s reassurance did she feel at ease and leave with Fuling. As she stepped out of the courtyard, the strange feeling in her heart lingered.

Not only had he saved her again, but even in other matters, his intentions were clear and unmistakable. Yet, she had never before experienced such tangled emotions, only now realizing how tormenting the path of love could be.

"Miss, what did the Crown Prince say?" Fuling, still oblivious to the undercurrents between Yan Chi and Qin Guan, asked.

Qin Guan replied, "He just asked about everyone in the manor and how much we’ve learned these past few days."

"What do we know? We only saw a cat corpse once..." Fuling sighed. "As for Divine Doctor Sun, it’s truly hard to understand. A man like him—how could he lose his way? Even though Madam Sun is gone, he still has so many family members and servants, not to mention countless others waiting for his healing. And so many people revere him..."

Qin Guan paused mid-step and glanced toward the eastern direction. Though she hadn’t approached the ruins, even from this distance, she could sense the desolation among the broken walls and debris. She sighed. "Where is Young Master Sun?"

Fuling nodded eagerly. "I know! I asked Bai Feng earlier."

Qin Guan nodded. "Then take me to see him..."

Fuling hummed in agreement. Though their acquaintance with Sun Muqing had been brief, his pure and kind nature was evident even to Fuling, who had grown quite fond of him. She led Qin Guan northward.

"Miss, I think it’s that courtyard up ahead."

Following Fuling’s finger, Qin Guan spotted several soldiers guarding the courtyard gate. As she approached with Fuling, one soldier asked before she could speak, "Are you Ninth Miss of Qin Manor?"

Qin Guan nodded, and the soldier pushed the gate open. "Ninth Miss, please—"

She hesitated slightly. "How do you recognize me?"

The soldier chuckled. "General Han instructed us that if a young and lovely lady came by, we should ask if she’s Ninth Miss of Qin Manor. If it’s you, we’re to let you in."

Qin Guan recalled how Yan Chi had initially been reluctant to let her see Sun Muqing earlier that morning. Yet if Han Kaiyang had given such orders, it must have been on Yan Chi’s command. She nodded and stepped inside, her mind filled with images of Yan Chi."Ninth Miss—"

Before Qin Guan could finish her thought, she suddenly heard a clear, low call. Raising her eyes, she saw Sun Muqing striding out of the house, his face haggard.

A night and half a day had passed, and it seemed Sun Muqing hadn’t slept at all the previous night. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, his complexion was sallow, and the once jade-like young man was nowhere to be seen. "Ninth Miss, you’re out? Are you alright?"

Qin Guan’s gaze was reassuring. "Young Master Sun, don’t worry. I’m fine. Aside from one of my maidservants being injured, everyone else is unharmed."

Sun Muqing let out a long exhale. "That’s good, that’s good. You were my guests—if anything had happened to you, I would have been mortified. Ninth Miss, I never thought my senior brother would..."

As he spoke, his eyes reddened, and he lowered his head.

Qin Guan sighed. "Divine Doctor Sun and Madam Sun shared a deep bond. He couldn’t overcome that grief and strayed onto a dark path. This matter has nothing to do with you, Young Master Sun. You should ease your heart... and accept my condolences."

Sun Muqing sniffled before lifting his head again. His eyes were red-rimmed and slightly damp, but he managed to maintain his composure in front of Qin Guan. "I... I know. I’m fine. It’s just that my heart feels..."

He wanted to downplay his emotions, but the words caught in his throat. Sun Haoyue had been someone he deeply admired, and now that things had come to this, he couldn’t simply brush it off.

Seeing this, Qin Guan wasn’t sure how to console him. Though she, too, hailed from Medicine King Valley, her connection to Sun Muqing was different. She couldn’t fully grasp his grief, so offering rational words of comfort felt inappropriate. She had come only to check on him out of concern, but there was little she could actually do to help.

"What did General Han say?" she asked after a long pause.

"He said the matter will ultimately be handed over to the Prefect of Yuanzhou’s office. I’ve already sent letters to Yizhou and Lianzhou—their families should send representatives soon. For now, I’ll stay here to assist the prefect’s office with the aftermath. Once their people arrive, I’ll decide when to leave. The servants in the household are also unsettled, so I can’t go just yet."

Qin Guan nodded. "That’s as it should be. Consider it fulfilling your duty."

Sun Muqing’s voice was heavy. "I had planned to go to the capital, but now I’ll be delayed for quite some time. When will you depart, Ninth Miss?"

Qin Guan pressed her lips together. "In the next few days."

Sun Muqing’s face twisted with guilt again. "It’s all my fault for delaying your journey. And your sister—please convey my apologies to her. Thank goodness nothing worse happened, otherwise..."

Qin Guan shook her head. "She was merely startled, and this matter has nothing to do with you. Why should you apologize? It might be for the best that you’re not heading north now, Young Master Sun. It looks like it might snow again soon—traveling alone wouldn’t be wise."

Sun Muqing gave a bitter smile. "At this point... I won’t be able to go to the capital until next spring at the earliest. I don’t know if the Crown Prince will hold this against the Sun and Bai families. I—"

"He won’t." Qin Guan’s voice was firm. Not only did Qin Yan need to consolidate alliances, but his temperament wasn’t the type to conflate right and wrong. "Third Brother wouldn’t. We all know the truth of this matter."

Sun Muqing relaxed slightly. "That’s good. No matter what, I don’t want to lose your friendship, Ninth Miss. Hearing you say so puts my mind at ease. When there’s a chance, we’ll meet again."Qin Guan responded immediately, but looking at Sun Muqing, she didn’t wish for him to set foot in the capital.

She knew exactly who the old friend he mentioned visiting was—how many acquaintances could someone who grew up in Lianzhou possibly have in the capital?

Qin Guan hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing more. After exchanging a few polite words, she left with Fuling. Shen Guan was dead; now she was Qin Guan. Saying too much might only revive the bond of their former martial sibling relationship.

Returning to the courtyard, Qin Guan saw Qin Yan as soon as she entered her room. Qin Yan hurriedly asked, "What did the heir ask about?"

Qin Guan smiled. "Just about any unusual occurrences in the residence these past few days and whether the journey was safe—all the things Grand Princess had instructed him to inquire about. Then he gave a few reminders and let me go. But I just went to see Young Master Sun."

Qin Yan made a sound of acknowledgment. "The Prefect of Yuanzhou and his party have already arrived."

"So soon?" Qin Guan feigned ignorance. "Are they here to take over this place?"

Qin Yan nodded. "The heir didn’t meet with them? He only spoke with you for a while?"

It was indeed odd for him to ignore the Prefect of Yuanzhou yet spend time talking to Qin Guan.

Qin Guan replied, "His Highness seemed somewhat fatigued. After a few words, he said he needed to rest. I don’t know what his plans are."

Qin Yan nodded again. "How is Young Master Sun?"

"He intends to stay and assist with the aftermath. It’s unclear when officials from Lianzhou and Yizhou will arrive. As a direct descendant of the Sun family, he naturally won’t leave. He originally planned to go to the capital, but that will have to be delayed now."

As Qin Guan spoke, she took a seat. Fuling hurried to prepare tea. Noticing Qin Shuang’s absence, Qin Guan changed the subject. "Where’s Sixth Sister?"

"She went to see Fifth Sister." Qin Yan’s expression darkened at the mention of Qin Xiang. Sun Haoyue wouldn’t openly abduct someone—he had merely set a trap to see if Qin Xiang would walk into it. He probably never expected the esteemed Fifth Miss of Qin Manor to be so easily deceived.

If not for Qin Xiang, they would already be in Yuanzhou City by now.

"She’s fine, just burdened with another heartache."

Qin Yan’s tone was cold. Qin Guan nodded and didn’t press further.

Qin Yan then said, "Your maid’s injuries are quite severe, so we’ll depart the day after tomorrow. Let her rest tomorrow. Shuang’er mentioned that the maid is quite clever—she’ll be a good addition to your retinue."

"Quite clever"? Qin Guan’s thoughts flickered. Qin Yan’s words were rather considerate. "Alright, thank you, Third Brother."

"We’re family—no need for thanks. If anyone should be grateful, it’s Fifth Sister."

Qin Guan smiled without responding, wondering whether to return Baiying to Yan Chi. After a moment’s consideration, she shook her head and dismissed the idea. Given Yan Chi’s temperament, it was a blessing if he didn’t assign more people to her.

Since Qin Yan had settled on the departure time, Qin Guan had nothing more to say. Soon, Qin Shuang returned and clung to Qin Guan, making it difficult for her to seek out Yan Chi on her own. Yan Chi, for his part, didn’t send anyone to summon her again. While this avoided suspicion, Qin Guan’s heart was stirred—how could she not think of Yan Chi? That night, she dreamed of him again. The next morning, she learned that the soldiers in the residence had already been led away by General Han, but Yan Chi had stayed behind.

With their departure set for the following day, the day passed leisurely. Qin Guan retrieved herbs from her carriage and prepared two portions of medicinal ointment—one for Baiying and the other she pondered how to deliver to Yan Chi. Before she could decide, Qin Yan arrived at her quarters."Come with me to meet Prince Rui's heir—"

At these words, Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. "What does Third Brother intend to do?"

Qin Yan frowned slightly and said, "Since Prince Rui's heir is here, it would be improper to be in the same place without meeting him. I'm not well acquainted with him, so your company would be most suitable."

There was nothing wrong with this reasoning. Qin Guan agreed, though she couldn't tell whether Qin Yan was being truthful or testing her relationship with Yan Chi. With unease, she followed Qin Yan toward where Yan Chi was.