Coroner's Diary

"Miss, what did the Crown Prince say?"

Fuling followed behind Qin Guan, inexplicably sensing a serious air about her. She had initially thought Yan Chi would accompany Qin Guan to the birthday banquet, but unexpectedly, Qin Guan had stepped out first.

"Nothing much, just asked when we would set off."

Fuling found this quite reasonable and asked, "Will the Crown Prince be traveling back with us?"

Qin Guan frowned slightly—she hadn’t asked about that, but...

"Most likely not. He’ll probably leave ahead of us."

Fuling nodded with a soft "Mm," and the two walked a few more steps eastward. Soon, the distant sounds of music and singing reached them. Qin Guan quickened her pace. "Hurry, it’s already started."

By the time Qin Guan reached the marquee outside, the performance on stage had indeed begun. She swiftly took her seat beside Qin Shuang, who said anxiously, "You’re finally back! I thought you’d gotten lost. Did you find it?"

Qin Guan nodded. "Yes, it was by the roadside."

Qin Shuang exhaled in relief. "Good. The banquet has already started."

Qin Guan could see that. Her gaze shifted to the men’s section, where Pang Jiayan was seated beside Pang Fuliang. "Has the Pang family’s third young master returned?"

"He came back right after you left," Qin Shuang replied, already eating. After all, this was Prince Yu’s residence—today’s banquet was exquisitely prepared.

Qin Guan acknowledged with a nod and looked up at the stage, where the performers were singing a segment from Golden Branches Offering Longevity , a staple for birthday celebrations. Starting with this lively and festive piece set the tone perfectly.

Most of the female guests weren’t drinking, but the men were already toasting and clinking cups.

Qin Guan had little appetite and focused on the performance. She didn’t recognize the two performers currently on stage, but their voices were as clear and melodious as pearls falling to the ground. Just as she was engrossed, a sudden commotion erupted from the men’s section, drawing the attention of the women. Qin Guan followed their gaze and saw Yan Chi striding in from outside.

"Who’s that? I’ve never seen him before."

"With such striking looks and bearing, we’d surely remember if we had."

"Could he be some noble from the capital?"

The young girls at the table couldn’t help but whisper among themselves. Qin Guan glanced around and noticed their eyes practically gleaming with curiosity. She lowered her gaze and remained still.

Seeing their interest, Qin Shuang cleared her throat and said, "That is Prince Rui’s heir—"

The moment she spoke, the entire table turned to her.

Qin Shuang lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride surfacing on her face. Back in Jinzhou, she had always been a shadow trailing behind Qin Xiang, never standing out. But here in Yuzhou, thanks to Yan Chi, she was finally the center of attention.

Soon, a girl in pink asked eagerly, "Prince Rui’s heir?"

Qin Shuang nodded calmly. "Indeed."

The pink-clad girl was charming and lovely, her large eyes fixed on Qin Shuang, who smiled gently. "We’ve known each other since Jinzhou. We traveled back together with His Highness.""Oh... traveling together..." The girl in pink was clearly astonished. "You are..."

Everyone at the table was looking at Qin Guan and Qin Shuang. Though Qin Shuang was the one speaking, more glances kept drifting toward Qin Guan. Qin Shuang's smile grew even gentler. "We're from the Loyal Marquis Manor in the capital..."

"Ah, the Loyal Marquis Manor." The pink-clad girl was quite young and prone to exaggerated reactions. "That makes sense then. Since you're both from the capital, no wonder you're traveling together. You must be quite close."

Qin Shuang smiled and was about to elaborate when Qin Guan subtly tugged her wrist under the table.

Qin Shuang paused slightly, then chuckled lightly. "We have some acquaintance."

Her words were deliberately vague. The others studied Qin Shuang uncertainly for a moment before their attention shifted to Yan Chi. In that brief time, Yan Chi had already taken his seat beside Prince Yu, along with Yan Li and other members of the imperial clan.

Only after Yan Chi was seated did the atmosphere return to normal, though the conversation at Qin Guan's table continued.

"I never imagined Prince Rui's heir would look like that. Such striking features."

"Not just handsome—he's incredibly capable too. I heard he achieved numerous military feats at a young age and commands an army of a hundred thousand. No one in the imperial family can compare."

"Shh, keep your voice down. Such words shouldn't be spoken carelessly."

The speaker stuck out her tongue, not daring to say more. It was the same pink-clad girl who piped up again, "Speaking of which, none of the princes' heirs are married yet..."

"True. Aside from Prince Yu's heir who married early, the others remain unwed."

Qin Guan and Qin Shuang were counted among the marquis's household. The young ladies sharing their table were naturally of high status, though Qin Guan didn't recognize which families they belonged to. Clearly, however, they knew far more about the imperial clan's affairs than Qin Shuang, who had been distant in Jinzhou.

"That's because Prince Yu came to Yuzhou early, and he was the late emperor's eldest son."

"Exactly. Not just the princes' heirs—even the current princes themselves remain unmarried."

"Didn't they say the Crown Prince is selecting consorts?" suddenly asked a girl in yellow.

Qin Guan was sipping tea when her heart skipped a beat. The current Crown Prince was none other than Yan Che, formerly Prince Yong—the very man to whom she had once been betrothed. Now everything had changed, and here she was listening to others discuss Yan Che as a mere bystander.

Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. This was the feeling she relished—the sense of holding the advantage from the shadows.

"The Crown Prince is already past his capping ceremony age. He should have chosen consorts long ago. Now that his status has changed, even court officials are anxious about it. If not for that earlier incident, his wedding date would likely have been set by now."

"An incident? What incident?"

Most young women of the inner chambers knew little of court affairs, and even if they did, only in broad terms. Yet these ladies before them clearly came from official families and seemed well-informed about Prince Jin's earlier case."It's all because of Prince Jin's case. We can only talk about it here in Yuzhou—it's absolutely forbidden in the capital," said a woman in a blue-green gown. She continued, "Earlier, when the Crown Prince was still Prince Yong, he was betrothed to the only daughter of the former Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. But then Prince Jin's case implicated that minister, and in the end, the entire family was executed."

"Executed?" The girl in pink gasped, her hands tightening around her chopsticks, her face pale with shock.

Realizing she had broached a bloody topic, the woman in blue-green gave an apologetic smile. "Don't be afraid—it's all in the past now. Anyway, the Crown Prince is selecting a new consort, and this position is highly coveted."

As she spoke, a knowing smile played on her lips. "Haven't your fathers mentioned it?"

Everyone at the table shook their heads, and the woman's smile deepened. Qin Guan observed her, noting her delicate beauty—especially her swan-like neck, fair as fine jade. When she tilted her chin with that knowing expression, she truly resembled an elegant, aloof swan. Qin Guan guessed this woman would likely be a contender in the Crown Prince's selection.

Just then, the hall erupted in applause and cheers. Qin Guan turned to see that the Double Purity Troupe had finished their first performance. Qin Shuang clapped softly and whispered, "What are the requirements for the Crown Prince's consort selection?"

Qin Shuang had been silent for a while, her earlier spotlight stolen by the woman in blue-green. Now, she seemed privately invested in the matter. Qin Guan smiled. "Lineage, appearance, and virtue."

She added, "The first is the most important."

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow, glanced at the woman in blue-green, and curled her lip. "The Crown Prince will have a harem of three thousand someday. What's so great about marrying someone like that?"

Qin Guan was surprised Qin Shuang would say such a thing but nodded with a smile, choosing not to respond.

As one performance ended, another soon began. Behind the stage's left curtain, the musicians struck up their instruments, drawing the attention of Qin Guan and the others.

"It's 'Meeting at the Immortal Bridge' again. The Double Purity Troupe's rendition is unmatched—both the Cowherd and the Weaver Maid are played by women, and they're both disciples of Master Qingli..."

"Later, they'll perform 'Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother'—another of their specialties."

"'Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother'? Will Master Qingli perform in that one?"

"Of course. Today is Prince Yu's birthday banquet..."

The table buzzed with hushed chatter. Qin Shuang stared intently at the newly costumed Seven Fairies onstage but quietly asked Qin Guan, "What's 'Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother' about?"

Qin Guan smiled. "It's about a man who seeks enlightenment and saves his mother."

Qin Shuang gave an indifferent "Oh." The story didn't sound nearly as moving as the romantic "Meeting at the Immortal Bridge."Since it was a birthday celebration, the Double Purity Troupe performed three well-known pieces today. Qin Shuang had no interest in such performances and naturally didn’t know what Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother was. But for true enthusiasts, Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother was the real test of skill. Qin Guan had once accompanied her mother to watch this opera and still couldn’t forget the performer’s prowess to this day.

In the operas of the Great Zhou Dynasty, besides singing and recitation, there were also acrobatics and magic tricks. Although Meeting at the Immortal Bridge was poignant and tender, it lacked excitement. As the performance unfolded on stage, the clinking of cups and lively chatter continued below. After listening for a while, Qin Shuang also seemed to lose interest and turned back to her soup.

At the table, some were watching the opera, others were people-watching, and some were simply distracted. Qin Shuang, however, was the most focused on her meal. By the time Meeting at the Immortal Bridge concluded, she had finished eating. Just then, the mournful melody abruptly shifted into a majestic and thunderous tune. The stage transformed, and a "Venerable One" clad in gray-white robes with a white hood appeared, instantly drawing everyone’s gaze.

Qin Shuang tugged at Qin Guan’s sleeve. "Is this Maudgalyayana?"

Qin Guan nodded. "This is his appearance after attaining enlightenment. His parents had already passed away, and after achieving enlightenment, he sought to liberate his mother’s soul. Right now, he’s expressing his bond with his mother before the Buddha."

Qin Shuang let out an "Oh," then remarked, "This performer’s appearance is strikingly elegant."

Her comment wasn’t quiet, and others at the table overheard. The woman in the blue-green gown from earlier chuckled, "This is Qing Li, the current leader of the Double Purity Troupe. Seeing her in costume, you’d never guess she’s a woman, would you? What’s more, she’s already in her late thirties—nearly forty. Can you tell?"

"What?! With that figure, she couldn’t be more than twenty!"

The woman in blue-green sighed. "She was a late bloomer, only gaining recognition in her twenties. All these years, she must have trained relentlessly to maintain such a figure and such a voice. Just wait—she’ll showcase many incredible feats later."

This woman clearly knew more than Qin Guan. The last time Qin Guan had seen Maudgalyayana Rescues His Mother was when she first arrived in the capital, accompanying her mother. The performer then hadn’t been Qing Li, yet even so, she had been utterly spellbound.

After speaking, the woman in blue-green fell silent. On stage, "Maudgalyayana" had finished his plea to the Buddha. Suddenly, thick white smoke billowed across the stage, nearly obscuring "Maudgalyayana" from view. The audience felt as though they were witnessing the legendary illusory realm, finding it thrilling and novel. At the same time, the backdrop of radiant Buddha-light shifted abruptly, replaced by a scene teeming with demons and ferocious beasts...

"Ah, what does this mean now...?"Qin Shuang grabbed Qin Guan's arm, just as Qin Guan was about to speak, the woman in green robes smiled and said, "Didn't you hear? Mulian wanted to save his mother's soul, but Buddha told him to search through the eight great hells himself to find her. Actually, there's a bit of backstory not mentioned here—Mulian's mother was trapped in one of the hells after death because she had wasted grains and food during her lifetime, which is why Mulian sought Buddha's help. Now they've reached the first hell, the 'Reviving Hell.'"

Qin Shuang nodded in understanding and thanked the woman.

The green-robed woman smiled without another word. At that moment, many dead people appeared on stage, wearing masks and robes inscribed with talismanic symbols, wielding various weapons as they fought among themselves. The scene was terrifying to watch. If not for "Mulian" standing tall like bamboo beside them, his eyes filled with compassion as he observed amidst an aura of "immortal grace," many of the young women below would have been too frightened to look. But with Mulian present, the audience seemed to embody him, witnessing the horrors of hell and feeling a deeper sense of reverence.

"If Grandmother saw this, she would surely love it," Qin Shuang murmured, thinking of Jiang Shi. Jiang Shi was devoutly Buddhist, and apart from portraying Mulian as a filial son, this opera also promoted Buddhist teachings. Jiang Shi would undoubtedly feel more moved than others watching it.

Hearing this, Qin Guan felt somewhat comforted—Qin Shuang hadn't forgotten Jiang Shi's kindness.

"Bravo! Wonderful—"

Cheers rose in waves as the "ghostly executioners" on stage began performing their most spectacular feats according to the plot. Some caught blades barehanded, others balanced steel spears against their throats, and some even walked barefoot across beds of nails. The men in the audience watched with bated breath, and even the women couldn't help but cheer.

If it were just acrobatics without any plot or singing, it would have been mediocre. But if it were only singing, it would lack excitement. This opera had it all—the noble theme of a filial son seeking Buddha's help to save his mother, Qing Li's deeply moving singing, and thrilling acrobatics. In the capital, this was one of the Double Purity Troupe's most popular performances. Because it required a large cast, combined with difficult singing and dangerous stunts, it was rarely staged, whether in the capital or elsewhere. The applause surged like waves, and after the first hell came the second.

"Now we're at the 'Black Rope' Hell. The stunts they're performing are the Double Purity Troupe's signature skills."

This time, Qin Shuang didn't wait to ask the green-robed woman before explaining, "Later comes the 'Assembly Hell,' followed by the 'Screaming Hell,' 'Frozen Hell,' and so on. Guess where Mulian's mother is trapped?"

The green-robed woman glanced around, but no one else spoke up. Qin Shuang couldn't resist answering, "The Frozen Hell?"

The woman shook her head with a smile. "No, the very last one—the Avīci Hell."Qin Shuang blinked her eyes, and the woman in green said, "Maudgalyayana searched through so many hells but couldn't find his mother. Instead, he witnessed the miserable fates of evildoers suffering in the afterlife, which strengthened his resolve to promote Buddhist teachings and encourage people to do good. However, when he finally found his mother, he couldn't save her. His mother had committed sins in life and had to be punished after death. At this point, Maudgalyayana had to endure the punishment in her stead."

Qin Shuang immediately asked, "You mentioned earlier that Master Qingli would reveal her special skill at this moment. What is it?"

The woman in green explained, "Maudgalyayana's mother had wasted food during her lifetime, so she had nothing to eat in hell. By the time he found her, she was starving, reduced to skin and bones. When food was placed before her, she would reach for it, but as soon as she touched it, the food would turn into burning-hot charcoal, scorching her hands. Yet when she dropped it, the charcoal would revert to food. This cycle repeated endlessly, driving her to madness."

Qin Shuang frowned. This woman in green was certainly good at beating around the bush—wasn't she just trying to show off her knowledge?

Growing impatient, Qin Shuang was relieved when the woman continued, "So the first trial was to cross a bridge covered in burning charcoal on behalf of his mother... This is when Master Qingli would demonstrate her 'Lotus Steps' technique."

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this just qinggong (lightness skill)?

"A bridge of burning charcoal?" Qin Shuang asked in surprise. "Wouldn't that hurt?"

The woman in green covered her mouth with a laugh. "You'll see for yourself..."

Qin Shuang fixed her gaze on the stage. Though she was waiting for Qingli, the other performers' acts were also spectacular. Qin Shuang had never seen so many acrobatics in one place, each executed with extraordinary skill. Combined with the moving aria of Maudgalyayana's desperate attempt to save his mother, the performance was quite touching. After the time it took to drink two cups of tea, they finally reached the Avīci Hell the woman had mentioned.

Just as she had said, as soon as "Maudgalyayana" entered Avīci Hell, he found his mother. But to rescue her and help her soul attain liberation, he had to endure trials in her place. The first was crossing a bridge covered in burning charcoal...

"Heavens... Are those real embers...?"

A fiery bridge, about fifteen meters long, appeared on stage. Since it was winter, the embers glowed especially bright. To dispel any doubts among the audience, someone poured a basin of water over it. Instantly, a loud sizzling sound erupted, and a plume of white smoke rose from the bridge. Meanwhile, "Maudgalyayana" pressed his palms together and calmly stepped onto it.

Qin Shuang had assumed he would use qinggong, but to her surprise, he simply walked—step by step, very slowly. The music swelled dramatically, and the rakshasas of hell jeered and snarled at him from the sidelines. Yet Maudgalyayana remained unshaken, walking steadily and chanting under his breath, as if bathed in divine light.

"Is he really walking on it?"

Everyone at the table who hadn't seen this before was asking the same question. Qin Shuang also turned to Qin Guan. "Is she really walking on it?"

Qin Guan smiled faintly. "It's an illusion. Half of today's performance is just illusions."Qin Shuang frowned slightly, still staring intently as if trying to see through some illusion. Yet when "Mulian" finished walking, she hadn't discerned anything.

"What comes next? After the lotus steps?"

Unable to wait for the next act on stage, Qin Shuang directly asked the green-robed girl.

The green-clad woman replied, "Next is an acrobatic feat called 'Shadowless Spirit Mountain.'"

Qin Shuang's eyes widened, and the green-robed woman continued, "The Avīci Hell has countless methods of punishment. After crossing the fire bridge, one must walk the arrow path—forty-nine arrows in total. Master Qingli must dodge all forty-nine arrows."

Qin Shuang blinked and turned to Qin Guan. "How is this an illusion?"

Qin Guan whispered, "This isn't about illusions. It requires swift movements and precise calculations."

Qin Shuang gasped in surprise. Before she could turn back, everyone suddenly stood up—"Mulian" had begun walking the arrow path. Qin Shuang quickly pulled Qin Guan to her feet so they could see the performance on stage.

White smoke suddenly billowed as the massive backdrop changed again. The demonic gatekeepers on the side still roared ferociously, making the white-robed Mulian appear even more solemn and dignified. She continued chanting while, ahead of her, an iron chain stretched across the fire bridge. Simultaneously, several more chains descended from the stage's ceiling...

"Later, these chains will serve as Master Qingli's footholds. She cannot touch the ground."

After the woman in green finished speaking, Qin Shuang's eyes widened in shock. Neither stepping onto the fiery bridge nor being hit by the flying arrows—this was truly...

As Qin Guan was pondering, she suddenly saw "Mulian" leap up and grab the nearest iron chain. With a light swing, she landed atop the taut chain. The chain was loose and slack, making it impossible for "Mulian" to steady herself fully. At that very moment, three cold arrows shot out from behind the curtain at the front of the stage with a "whoosh." Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats. But then, "Mulian" leaped into the air again, her movements swift as a shadow. With a few crisp "clinks," the arrows struck the chain where she had just stood. Just as the crowd began to exhale in relief, three more arrows shot out, seemingly tracking "Mulian" as if they had eyes. By then, "Mulian" was already mid-air. Forced to evade, she let go of the chain and lunged for the next hanging one. In that split second, the three arrows grazed past her shoulders.

Qin Shuang gasped, whispering, "Did she calculate the timing and position of the arrows?"

Qin Guan nodded. Qin Shuang's eyes remained fixed on the stage as she added, "If she dodges too much, it looks fake. Too little, and she gets hurt. It's really not easy."

Qin Guan hummed in agreement but said nothing more. Like everyone else, she had no time to speak.

Qing Li's "Flying Shadow of Spirit Mountain" had to be performed in one seamless motion. She knew exactly where the arrows would come next yet had to move toward them, timing her dodges perfectly to create the illusion of being chased by the arrows. If fear took hold, she could simply freeze—but doing so would ruin the performance and cost her livelihood.

"Only ten arrows left—"

The woman in green murmured softly, and the crowd strained their eyes even wider. Suddenly, "Mulian," now at the center of the fiery bridge, leaped into the air. Her toes barely touched a hanging chain before she spun straight toward the bridge's end. At the same moment, ten arrows shot out in rapid succession, whizzing perilously close to her body. The audience held their breath until "Mulian" landed with two somersaults on the chain at the bridge's end. Only then did they erupt into thunderous applause. Qin Guan watched the stage, her heart racing—this performance was even more thrilling than the one she had seen with her mother.

The cheers lasted endlessly, but Qin Guan suddenly sensed something amiss. "Mulian," standing at the bridge's end, remained motionless. From what she remembered, there should have been one final song before "Mulian" succeeded in rescuing her mother.Just as Qin Guan found it strange, suddenly, the voice of "Mulian" on the stage wavered left and right before collapsing straight down onto the stage floor. In an instant, the scattered cheers died out. No one knew what had happened, yet everyone sensed something was wrong. Those onstage reacted even faster than the audience. The first to rush to "Mulian's" side were the ferocious ghostly executioners, who gathered around Qing Li, shouting chaotically. The musicians at the side of the stage were also thrown into disarray. The chaos onstage gripped everyone's hearts—

"Someone! Someone! Master Qingli is dead!"

As panic spread through the crowd, someone suddenly roared these words.

With that single cry, Prince Yu's birthday banquet descended into complete turmoil. Prince Yu coughed violently upon hearing the news, his trembling hand pointing toward the stage. "Zhi'er! Zhi'er—"

"Understood, understood! Father, please sit down first. I'll go take a look!"

Yan Zhi helped Prince Yu sit before turning and striding toward the stage. Meanwhile, Yan Li, also seated at the head table, never one to miss excitement, immediately followed. Yan Chi trailed behind Yan Li. Ever since their trip to Jinzhou, he had grown particularly sensitive to matters of death. How could Qing Li have died so suddenly?

"What happened?! No one saw her get shot!"

"How could she die? She was fine just now—"

"Stay calm, everyone! Please return to your seats. The heir is already investigating. There's no need to panic."

As Prince Yu teetered on the verge of another illness flare-up, the chief steward of Prince Yu's estate quickly stepped forward, shouting orders until the crowd settled. Qin Shuang sat beside Qin Guan, her gaze fixed on the stage. Yan Zhi, upon arriving, immediately ordered the "ghostly executioners" and musicians to step back. After a brief examination, he summoned the estate guards.

Yan Li and Yan Chi followed closely. After inspecting the scene, their expressions darkened. They exchanged a few words with Yan Zhi, who then called for the steward. Soon, the estate guards formed a tight perimeter around the stage, sealing off both the performance area and the small courtyard behind it. The steward hurried to Prince Yu's side and whispered something to him.

"Quick, quick! Fetch Wang Huaiyu to investigate! This is outrageous— cough, cough ..."

Prince Yu coughed violently before collapsing. His attendants cried out in alarm as the steward ordered him carried inside. Though the guests dared not move recklessly, unease churned within them. Prince Yu had fallen ill again, and the fate of the Double Purity Troupe's leader remained unknown. The stage was now tightly cordoned off, and Wang Huaiyu, whom Prince Yu had summoned, stepped forward. A woman in a blue gown remarked, "Master Qingli must be dead—otherwise, they wouldn’t have called the Prefect of Yuzhou."

Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. Had Qing Li really died in such an accident?

As she pondered, she noticed Yan Chi walking toward them in full view of the crowd.In an instant, everyone at the table sat up straight—the woman in green, the one in pink, and the lady in yellow—all staring uniformly at Yan Chi with a mix of surprise and anticipation. Soon, Yan Chi strode over to them, yet his gaze bypassed everyone else as he turned and walked straight to Qin Guan. "Come with me," he said.

Seeing the gravity in Yan Chi's eyes, Qin Guan wasted no time and immediately stood up.

Yan Chi turned, and Qin Guan followed swiftly. She had assumed they were going to see Qing Li, but instead, Yan Chi led her toward the main courtyard. After rounding a corner, they moved out of sight from the opera stage and the warm pavilion.

Only then did Qin Guan ask, "Aren’t we going to see Qing Li?"

"She’s already dead," Yan Chi stated bluntly.

A chill ran down Qin Guan’s spine, and Fuling, who was following behind, also paled slightly.

"Then where are we going now?" Qin Guan pressed.

"Prince Yu has had a sudden attack. I need you to examine him."

Qin Guan nodded but couldn’t shake her concern about Qing Li’s case. "How did she die?"

"An arrow to the back, near the heart. It wasn’t clearly visible from below the stage."

Qin Guan pursed her lips. "An accident?"

"At first glance, it seems so." Their rapid exchange left Qin Guan slightly relieved—if it was truly an accident, it was a tragic waste.

Before long, Yan Chi brought Qin Guan to the same place where they had met Prince Yu earlier. As soon as they reached the door, the steward of Prince Yu’s residence emerged. Spotting Yan Chi, he asked, "Your Highness, who is this—?"

"This is Ninth Miss Qin of the Loyal Marquis Manor. Her medical skills are exceptional. I’ve brought her to examine His Highness."

The steward eyed Qin Guan skeptically. "The Ninth Miss is so young..."

His tone carried doubt, as if unconvinced of her expertise. Yan Chi fixed him with a firm look. "She treated my injuries, as well as Grand Princess of Jinzhou’s illness."

Hearing this, the steward dared not obstruct them further and promptly ushered them inside.

They proceeded straight to the inner chamber, where Qin Guan soon saw Prince Yu lying unconscious on the bed. Rolling up her sleeves, she began checking his pulse. Moments later, she retrieved her needle kit from her sleeve. The steward tensed at the sight of the needles, but seeing Yan Chi’s unwavering composure, he held his tongue.

Qin Guan selected a slender, short needle and proceeded to apply it to several major acupoints along Prince Yu’s shoulders, neck, chest, and abdomen. After finishing, she pricked both of his middle fingers. The steward stepped forward and saw dark blood oozing out. Within moments, Prince Yu coughed twice and regained consciousness.

Overjoyed, the steward exclaimed, "Your Highness, you’re awake!"

Prince Yu blinked groggily, first noticing Yan Chi, then Qin Guan. He hesitated. "Lao Qi... and you are... which family’s young lady again...?"

"Qin, Your Highness. This is the young lady from the Loyal Marquis Manor," the steward quickly interjected.

Prince Yu paused, then nodded. "Ah, I remember now. The prettiest girl I saw today."

Qin Guan nearly laughed at the remark but managed a respectful curtsy instead.

The steward added, "Your Highness, it was the Ninth Miss who revived you just now."

"Was it?" Prince Yu studied Qin Guan with his clouded eyes for a few moments before nodding approvingly. "Good. Very good."Prince Yu seemed to recall something as he spoke, "Ah yes, the Double Purity Troupe..."

"Uncle need not worry, Elder Brother is overseeing matters there." After a pause, Yan Chi added, "It appears to have been an accident."

Hearing this, Prince Yu coughed lightly twice, "Ah, had I known, I wouldn't have held this birthday banquet. Now with a life lost, it's truly inauspicious..."

"Uncle need not concern yourself. This isn't about whether you held the banquet or not. Please rest assured, Elder Brother and we will handle matters outside."

Prince Yu sighed, "Very well, then I shall rest..."

After exchanging a few more words, Yan Chi led Qin Guan outside where Fuling was waiting. She hurried forward as Yan Chi said, "Good. When I heard they needed to summon a physician immediately, I thought to have you come take a look."

As the group walked out together, Yan Chi continued, "The banquet will likely be dismissed. You should return first."

Seeing this, Qin Guan quickly asked, "How long will you stay here?"

Yan Chi paused briefly before answering, "I'll tell you later."

Qin Guan didn't press further. Yan Chi led her back toward the warm pavilion, and before they reached it, they indeed saw Yan Zhi already seeing guests off. The banquet had been nearing its end anyway, and with such an incident occurring, no one had the heart to continue drinking. Naturally, everyone wanted to leave early to avoid trouble and spare the hosts additional difficulties.

From a distance, Yan Chi spotted Qin Yan. Just as he was about to escort Qin Guan over, Bai Feng suddenly approached quickly.

"My lord... there's a problem."

Lowering his voice, Bai Feng said something inaudible.

Yan Chi frowned. In the distance, Qin Yan had noticed them and was walking their way. Yan Chi said, "I'm afraid you won't be able to return just yet."