Orchid Isle Courtyard was located east of Crescent Lake, a refined two-courtyard residence named for its proximity to the manor's orchid garden.
Fuling's eyes reddened as she took in the lavish tapestries and luxurious curtains. "This servant is finally moving out of the western rear courtyard with you, young miss. Since you saved the young mistress and the young master, Old Madam has finally learned to be grateful to you."
Despite the more splendid and exquisite quarters, Qin Guan's emotions remained largely unmoved.
Her gaze drifted to the ink-black night outside the window. A gentle evening breeze carried a faint orchid fragrance—reminiscent of the past, of the Shen Manor in the capital, where her own courtyard had been filled with orchids. Both her father and mother had adored the flowers.
"Young miss, what's wrong?" Fuling draped a cloak over Qin Guan's shoulders. "Are you thinking of the master and mistress? Or... perhaps the matters of Marquis Anyang Manor?"
Qin Guan snapped back to reality.
In the quiet of the night, she often found herself lost in memories.
Grief, helplessness, despair... hatred with no clear target. Yet she knew she couldn't let these emotions overwhelm her. She had to stay clear-headed, had to resolve the troubles before her, and then inch closer to uncovering the truth behind her father's wrongful accusation.
Half a month had passed since the incident—what was the situation in the capital now?
Would anyone speak up for her father's innocence? Had Consort Jin's case been settled?
Qin Guan clenched her teeth and nodded. "I do miss Father and Mother a little."
Fuling's voice softened. "The master and mistress would surely be happy to see your circumstances improving day by day."
Qin Guan exhaled and pushed open the window lattice. Squinting, she looked toward the northeastern part of the manor.
With this move, she was now farther from the Purple Bamboo Forest. The last time she went, she had encountered Qin Li, and since then, she hadn’t had another chance. But Qin Guan refused to give up—she was certain evidence remained hidden in the bamboo grove.
The murderer had to be someone from Qin Manor. Perhaps someone she saw daily, someone who rode in the same carriage as her.
Until this threat was eliminated, she remained in danger of losing her life again.
"Young miss, what are you looking at? Do you wish to visit the orchid garden outside?"
Qin Guan withdrew her gaze. "I do, but it's too late now. Tomorrow, we'll bring a few pots of orchids indoors—that way, we won’t need incense."
Fuling's lips curved. "Why wait until tomorrow? This servant will fetch them for you now." She turned toward the door. "Did you know, young miss, there’s a side gate here that leads straight to the orchid garden?"
The night was deep, and Qin Guan wanted to stop her, but seeing Fuling’s excitement, she held her tongue.
Tightening her cloak, Qin Guan followed.
Standing beneath the corridor eaves, she watched Fuling carry a lantern toward the garden.
Fuling followed the winding gallery and soon reached the side gate. Only after seeing her step happily into the garden did Qin Guan finally look away.
The courtyard was elegant and serene, its central courtyard already adorned with sprawling orchids. Combined with the blooming roses along the walls and an ancient, gnarled willow, the entire space exuded refinement.
Qin Guan swept her gaze over it all, her heart gradually settling into calm.
"Ah—"
Just as she was about to descend the steps, a bloodcurdling shriek pierced the night!
The sound came from the orchid garden—Fuling’s voice. Qin Guan’s brow furrowed, and she immediately sprinted toward it.
"Fuling—Fuling, what’s wrong?!"
She had just reached the side gate when Fuling crashed into her arms, face pale with terror.
"Young miss! There’s—there’s someone in the orchid garden—!"Fuling's lantern had disappeared from her hand, her face filled with terror. Qin Guan quickly pulled her close, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Was it the gardener from the estate? Or another servant?"
Fuling was so frightened she was nearly in tears, shaking her head frantically. "No, no, it wasn't. It wasn't a gardener. I was moving flowers for you, miss, and suddenly there was someone standing behind the flower stand. Miss, I was scared to death..."
Qin Guan's brow furrowed instantly. She turned swiftly, grabbing the wind lantern from under the eaves. Her eyes swept the surroundings before she picked up a shovel near the side gate, then turned to head straight into the orchid nursery.
"Miss, what are you doing?"
Qin Guan's heart pounded wildly, but the hand holding the lantern remained steady.
"Let's go take a look—"
Fuling grabbed Qin Guan's arm. "Miss, don't go. Whoever was hiding in the orchid nursery at this hour can't be up to any good. Maybe... maybe they were trying to steal from us. I'm scared—"
Qin Guan steadied herself. "I'll go first. Just stay behind me. This area isn't in the west—if we shout, someone will hear. Don't be afraid. Let's see who it was—"
Though still shaken, Fuling found courage in Qin Guan's calm demeanor.
She gave a small nod, picked up a broom herself, and followed Qin Guan toward the orchid nursery.
The nursery was vast, with over a dozen flower beds arranged like a chessboard on the ground, filled with newly sprouted orchid seedlings and common varieties. The fully cultivated, high-quality orchids, however, were potted and displayed on stands around the perimeter. The stands were as tall as a person, making it impossible to see anyone hiding behind them unless the pots were moved aside.
"Miss, it was right there—" Fuling pointed, gripping the broom tightly.
Qin Guan scanned the area. The nursery was fragrant and eerily silent, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
She stepped forward, moving toward the flower stand Fuling had indicated.
As she approached, Qin Guan first spotted the fallen lantern on the ground, extinguished from the impact. Nearby lay a shattered orchid pot, and two others had been taken down and placed on the ground.
"I was right here earlier," Fuling explained. "I had just set two pots down and was reaching for the third when I suddenly noticed the hem of a robe. Something felt off, so I looked closer—and there was someone standing behind the stand."
Her words sent a chill down Qin Guan's spine. Steadying herself, Qin Guan walked behind the stand.
"I screamed in fright, dropping the lantern and the pot. I didn't even think—just ran straight toward you—"
But behind the stand, there was nothing. Whoever it was had fled.
"Did you see their face?"
"No."
"What about their clothes?"
Fuling grimaced. "I couldn't tell. It was too dark behind the stand. I just had the sense they were wearing something dark..."
Qin Guan's eyes darkened.
It was late at night—no one would come to admire flowers at this hour. The intruder hadn't carried a lantern and had remained silent even after seeing Fuling. Instead of explaining when discovered, they had fled.
A thief?
Qin Guan glanced at the side gate of Orchid Isle Courtyard, about twenty paces away, and shook her head.
They had just moved in tonight—everyone in the estate knew that. If someone wanted to steal, they wouldn't choose tonight.
And the only building near the orchid nursery was Orchid Isle Courtyard.
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. That shadowy figure hadn't come to steal—they had come to watch them.Ever since discovering that Ninth Miss had been murdered, Qin Guan had felt that the killer must be watching their movements from the shadows. Could the person standing here just now be the one who killed Ninth Miss?
The night was cool as water, and the evening breeze brushed against Qin Guan's cheeks. She instinctively tightened her collar.
Just as she had suspected, the murderer was right beside her!
"What are you doing here!?"
Qin Guan was deep in thought when a voice suddenly rang out. Her eyes flickered as she turned toward the source of the sound—only to see Qin Manor's eldest young master, Qin Chen, standing at the side gate.
He was still dressed in that blue robe embroidered with bamboo, elegant and handsome, his imposing demeanor striking.
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