The next day, Qin Guan didn't need to enter the palace. After finishing lunch, she headed to the Meng residence with Baiying and Fuling. Since there was no corpse examination today, Qin Guan visited in women's attire, stating only that she had come to check the pulses of Meng Yao and her younger brother.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Meng residence and stating her purpose, the gatekeeper hurried to announce her. Soon, Meng Yao came out to greet her.
Clearly, Meng Yao hadn't expected Qin Guan's visit. "You didn't mention coming today yesterday—is something the matter?"
Qin Guan took out a medicine sachet. "This is a medicine sachet for the young master."
Seeing this, Meng Yao smiled. "Zichen was overjoyed when he heard you were coming—he even skipped his nap and is changing clothes right now." As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Zichen came running over from behind.
Meng Yao called out, "Zichen, look what this is—"
Meng Zichen ran up and immediately spotted the medicine sachet in Qin Guan's hand, his eyes lighting up.
"Ninth Sister, what is this?"
"It's a medicine sachet, just like your sister's. Keep it with you—it can be used in emergencies."
Qin Guan handed it to Meng Zichen, whose face brightened even more. He took a gentle sniff, looking utterly content. Meng Yao quickly said, "Let's not stand here—come to my place for some tea."
Qin Guan's gaze shifted, and she remarked, "You showed me around the Marquis's garden—won't you let me stroll through yours?"
Meng Yao laughed. "If you like it, why not? Let's go—the weather is perfect right now."
The afternoon had passed, and the warm sun hung high in the sky, the chill of the first lunar month having faded considerably. Meng Yao led Qin Guan toward the lakeside, chatting about Meng Zichen's childhood antics as they walked. When they reached the lake, a gentle breeze brushed past, and the water shimmered with ripples. Meng Yao said, "The scenery in our residence can't compare to the Marquis's—please don't laugh."
Qin Guan smiled faintly. "Why say such things?"
Meng Yao covered her mouth with a light laugh, but her eyes caught sight of several people emerging from the second branch's courtyard. She quickly asked, "Second Aunt, where are you headed?"
It was the Second Madam of the Meng residence who had come out. Qin Guan promptly bowed in greeting.
Second Madam glanced impassively at Qin Guan and Meng Yao for a moment. "To the Buddhist shrine."
Meng Yao hurriedly explained, "This is Ninth Miss from the Qin Manor—she's here to check on Zichen and me."
Second Madam's gaze swept over Qin Guan, inexplicably making Qin Guan's heart sink. Though Second Madam was not yet thirty, her eyes resembled dried-up wells, devoid of any emotion as she looked at her.
"Second Madam—"
Qin Guan nodded and curtseyed. Second Madam gave a slight nod in return and then said, "I'll head to the Buddhist shrine first."
Without waiting for Meng Yao to respond, she turned and left.
Watching her go, Meng Yao sighed again. "With Second Uncle and Eldest Brother gone, Second Aunt's future will be difficult."
With Meng Jin's death, Second Madam had become a widow, childless and as a second wife, her ancestral tablet would be placed last in the family shrine. The remainder of her life was destined to be lonely and bitter.
Qin Guan watched Second Madam's figure disappear at the end of the corridor and couldn't help but sigh softly inwardly.
"Fortunately, Lord Meng is managing the household—he'll surely ensure Second Madam lives without worry for the rest of her life."
"At most, it's just freedom from concerns over food and clothing."
After a few words, the atmosphere inevitably grew somber.Meng Yao sighed once more, "Fourth Uncle is still detained at the government office. Fourth Aunt comes daily to plead with Father, but without clarity in this case, Father can do nothing. Who knows how long it will take to uncover the truth..."
Qin Guan glanced at Meng Yao, then at Meng Zichen, and suddenly said, "Do you wish for the case to be resolved sooner?"
Naturally, Meng Yao nodded. "Of course. The longer this drags on, the more Uncle cannot rest in peace. Our household is filled with anxiety, and who knows how many rumors are spreading outside."
Qin Guan sighed, lifting her gaze toward the third branch's courtyard. "Could you take me to visit the Third Madame?"
At these words, Meng Yao was slightly surprised. Being clever, she immediately sensed that Qin Guan's visit had two purposes: delivering the medicine sachet was one, but the second—and most important—seemed to be her intention to visit the third branch.
For a moment, Meng Yao was stunned, staring at Qin Guan's expressionless face.
Hadn't Qin Guan mentioned earlier that she knew Zheng Baishi and others? Could she have some inside information?
Seeing Meng Yao's daze, Qin Guan smiled. "I know your third brother's hand is injured, so I'd like to examine him. Also, his stuttering isn't incurable. Don't you want him treated?"
Meng Yao deeply trusted Qin Guan's medical skills, yet she found it strange that Qin Guan suddenly offered to treat Meng Ziyi. However, she believed Qin Guan meant no harm to the Meng household. At most, Qin Guan had learned something, or perhaps Lord Zheng or Prince Rui's heir had sent her. In any case, the goal was likely to solve the case sooner.
Quickly grasping the situation, Meng Yao nodded. "Alright, I'll take you there. It's been a while since Zichen visited too."
Qin Guan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't keep Meng Yao in the dark forever; this was a preliminary disclosure.
She clearly noticed Meng Yao's unusual expression. Both were intelligent women, so further explanation was unnecessary. Other matters could wait for the right time to reveal.
"Did Prince Rui's heir tell you something?" Meng Yao couldn't resist asking.
Qin Guan nodded. "Yes, he shared some details with me."
This confirmation strengthened Meng Yao's suspicions. The day before yesterday, Yan Chi had brought people to the Meng residence to investigate the third branch's three members. Perhaps, still uneasy after the inspection, he had sent Qin Guan for this visit.
Though reassured, Meng Yao grew more puzzled. She hadn't forgotten Meng Zichen's words; while she hadn't believed them at the time, the situation was becoming increasingly murky.
Resolved, Meng Yao led Qin Guan toward the third branch's courtyard.
They walked down a narrow path lined with holly trees and soon arrived at the third branch's courtyard. While other parts of the Meng residence still showed signs of life, the second branch was desolate due to the deaths of Meng Jin and his son. However, upon reaching the third branch, Qin Guan found it even quieter. At the courtyard gate, not a single servant came out to greet them.
Exchanging a glance with Meng Zichen, Meng Yao stepped forward. "Third Brother? Third Sister-in-law?"
Only then did movement stir inside. Soon, a maid rushed out. Recognizing Meng Yao and her brother, she bowed hastily, glanced curiously at Qin Guan, and hurried through the hallway into the inner courtyard.Meng Yao's lips curved slightly. "Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law usually prefer quiet, so this courtyard is especially serene."
As she spoke, Meng Yao led the group inside. Qin Guan observed the scenery while walking and noticed the courtyard was lush with greenery. Despite being winter, there was no trace of desolation. What surprised Qin Guan even more were the small flowerpots beneath the windowsills, under the eaves, and along the walls and corners.
It seemed someone who loved gardening lived here, as many flowers were still blooming in such winter weather. Qin Guan carefully observed the arrangement of the flowerpots and felt a sense of spring-like freshness and warmth, elegant and full of charm. Though her heart had been heavy earlier, her mood now brightened considerably.
Soon, a group of people emerged from the central courtyard beyond the hallway.
At the forefront was Meng Ziyi, while Xu shi stood under the corridor outside the door, seemingly nervous about the arrival of Meng Yao and her brother. Just as Qin Guan thought this, she noticed Xu shi's gaze lingering more on her, and she realized it was her own presence that made Xu shi anxious, not Meng Yao and her brother.
"Little Sister—Zi—Zi Chen—"
Meng Ziyi's face also showed a trace of nervousness, though he tried hard to suppress it. He greeted Meng Yao and her brother first, then looked at Qin Guan with some confusion.
Meng Yao smiled gently. "Third Brother, this is Ninth Miss from the Loyal Marquis Manor. She came today to treat Zi Chen and me. I heard she is highly skilled in treating meridian injuries, so I thought to ask her to examine you."
Her voice was soft and soothing. Upon hearing this, Meng Ziyi was first taken aback, then instinctively pressed his hand closer to his side. Observing his mannerisms, Qin Guan understood his temperament—he was deeply insecure, and upon Meng Yao's suggestion, he immediately tried to hide his hand.
"My... it won't... get better..."
Meng Ziyi spoke haltingly. Meanwhile, Xu shi stepped forward from behind. Qin Guan bowed slightly, and Xu shi returned the gesture with a slight curtsy. "Thank you, Ninth Miss, for coming all this way. But my husband's hand is an old injury that has long since set."
Xu shi's voice was even softer and more delicate than Meng Yao's, matching her appearance.
Qin Guan smiled in response. "It's alright. If you'd prefer not to proceed, that's fine."
"Let Ninth Miss take a look at you."
Just as Qin Guan finished speaking, another voice chimed in. She looked up and saw Third Madam emerging from the back hall. Qin Guan hurriedly bowed, and Third Madam approached, saying, "This Ninth Miss is the Little Medicine Immortal who treated the Empress Dowager, isn't she?"
Meng Yao nodded. "Third Aunt, she is indeed the Little Medicine Immortal you mentioned."
Qin Guan replied courteously, "Greetings, Madam. It's merely an empty title, not worth mentioning."
Though Third Madam appeared gaunt, compared to Second Madam's expressionless eyes, hers were clear and resolute. She scrutinized Qin Guan for a moment before turning to Meng Ziyi. "Ziyi, let Ninth Miss examine you."
Meng Ziyi hesitated briefly but eventually nodded in agreement.
Third Madam turned around. "Ninth Miss, please."
The group entered the room, seated themselves, and had some tea before Qin Guan began her examination of Meng Ziyi.Meng Ziyi sat nervously on the chair, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His left arm was quite slender, with skin noticeably paler than that of other men, indicating his usual confinement within the estate and lack of bare-chested martial practice or horseback riding. Qin Guan first examined him meticulously, then manipulated his elbow joint, checked his pulse, and finally produced a silver needle.
The onlookers nearby didn't understand what she was doing, but since she had been brought by Meng Yao who trusted her, Third Madam and the others couldn't easily object. Soon, Qin Guan inserted a needle, causing Meng Ziyi to cry out in pain immediately.
Third Madam and Xu shi rose to stand beside Meng Ziyi, their expressions slightly anxious, but Qin Guan remained unperturbed. After a moment, she inserted another needle, eliciting another soft gasp from Meng Ziyi, his brows furrowing tightly.
Only then did Qin Guan withdraw the needles, her face showing puzzlement. "When I heard Meng Yao's account, I thought Third Young Master had an old injury with damaged meridians. But after my examination, I find his arm shows no signs of illness or old wounds. The previously misaligned joints have healed properly, and while there might have been meridian damage, it has self-repaired."
Qin Guan looked at Meng Ziyi. "Logically speaking, Third Young Master shouldn't be unable to exert strength with this hand."
Third Madam frowned, "Then why is it so?" As she spoke, she handed a teacup from nearby to Meng Ziyi.
Meng Ziyi took the teacup from Third Madam's hand, but as he held it, his arm began trembling slightly. Not only that, his shoulders tensed up, and his relaxed legs drew inward, indicating his whole body was straining. Qin Guan had demonstrated extraordinary observational skills when pushing the case earlier, yet now she could detect no flaws in Meng Ziyi's demeanor. She even reached out to feel his arm, finding the muscles tense and protruding, with veins bulging prominently on the back of his hand.
This made Qin Guan even more perplexed. Although Bai Feng had tested him yesterday, her own examination was undoubtedly more detailed and accurate by comparison. Yet she too found no abnormalities, though strangely, she also couldn't detect any chronic injuries.
Meng Ziyi's hand continued trembling, soon developing a light sweat on his forehead.
When Xu shi took back the teacup, Meng Ziyi heaved a great sigh of relief.
Qin Guan frowned, "I've never seen symptoms like these before. Does Third Young Master feel unbearable soreness in his hand?"
Meng Ziyi nodded, his eyes showing no particular hope, as if he had already accepted his arm's weakness and had no intention of seeking any remedy.
After observing carefully for another moment, Qin Guan said, "I haven't encountered such symptoms before, so I'm afraid I can't determine a treatment today. But if Third Madam wishes to cure Third Young Master, I can consult ancient texts after returning home. Perhaps I can find a method."
Third Madam's expression softened with kindness. "A cure would naturally be welcome, though many physicians have tried before without success. If Ninth Miss is willing to ponder over Ziyi's condition, that would be wonderful."
Qin Guan promptly agreed. Meng Yao added, "Ninth Miss said she can treat speech impediments too."
This time, Third Madam's eyes suddenly brightened. "Ninth Miss, is that true?"Qin Guan watched as Third Madam's clear, bright eyes suddenly lit up, feeling that something was amiss. Seeing Third Madam looking at her expectantly, she quickly focused on thinking about Meng Ziyi's speech impedience and nodded, "It can indeed be treated, but we must first identify the cause. If it's an ailment of the throat or tongue, it can be cured. However, if it's a matter of the heart, then it cannot."
"A matter of the heart?" Third Madam frowned.
Qin Guan nodded, "For instance, if it was caused by some severe trauma or fright... such cases mostly depend on the patient's own efforts to overcome."
Third Madam's face showed urgency, "Then could Ninth Miss examine Ziyi?"
Qin Guan naturally agreed, but before she could begin the examination, a male steward suddenly entered from outside and said, "Third Madam, someone from Lin'an Prefecture has come. They said today is the final visitation for Fourth Master. After today, he will be transferred to the Ministry of Justice prison and won't be able to be seen anymore. They suggested it's best to go this afternoon. The Master has already arranged it—we'll depart in one hour."
Upon hearing this, Third Madam's expression became dazed for a moment.
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