"Miss, Mo Shu has arrived."
Just after finishing breakfast, Mo Shu from Yao Xinlan's side came to Orchid Isle Courtyard.
Qin Guan understood Mo Shu's purpose and nodded, "Let her in."
Soon, Mo Shu entered the Warm Chamber. Upon entering, she knelt and performed a deep bow. "Greetings to Ninth Miss, and deepest gratitude for saving my mistress's life."
Qin Guan sat upright by the window couch, with a half-finished chess game on the small table before her.
Hearing this, she glanced at Mo Shu. "It was nothing. Elder brother already came to thank me last night. Rise."
Mo Shu remained kneeling, lifting her head to look at Qin Guan—and froze in astonishment.
The morning light streamed through the window lattice, casting a golden glow around Qin Guan's silhouette.
She wore a Peach Heart Collar Moon White Ruqun today, with azure silk ribbons tied across her chest. From Mo Shu's angle, her nose was straight and delicate, lashes dark as raven feathers, eyes clear as autumn water, complexion fair as congealed cream. Her swan-like neck curved gracefully, and an ethereal aura of refined elegance radiated from her entire being.
Mo Shu had never realized this obscure Ninth Miss of Qin Manor was so breathtakingly beautiful.
Perhaps noticing Mo Shu's prolonged gaze, Qin Guan turned with a questioning look.
Flustered, Mo Shu quickly lowered her head. "Ninth Miss, please come to Windward Courtyard to examine my mistress. Though she's improved, everyone remains concerned."
Qin Guan was surprised—she'd assumed Mo Shu came only to express gratitude.
Her gaze turned thoughtful. "What of Divine Doctor Huang?"
Mo Shu looked troubled. "He came last night, but after seeing your prescription, he declared his medical texts were no longer the only unique ones in Jinzhou. He vowed never to treat at Qin Manor again."
Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, inwardly torn between amusement and exasperation.
Having never met Huang Jinyuan, she didn't know his temperament. While exceptional physicians often had eccentricities, his reaction amounted to high praise for her skills—unintentionally boosting her reputation.
Was this deliberate or accidental? Qin Guan frowned.
She hadn't planned to take full responsibility for Yao Xinlan's treatment, assuming Jiang Shi wouldn't permit further involvement. Yet here was Mo Shu.
"Whose idea was it to summon me?"
Mo Shu answered promptly, "Both my mistress and young master's."
Qin Guan's brow creased further. "Has Old Madam visited your mistress today?"
Mo Shu nodded. "Yes..."
So Jiang Shi had been there yet still sent for her. Was this tacit approval?
Fuling, listening nearby, hesitated. "Miss—"
"Prepare my things. Let's go examine her."
After years of medical practice, Qin Guan could save strangers by the roadside—Yao Xinlan was no exception. Leaving Orchid Isle Courtyard southward, they soon reached Windward Courtyard. At the gate, voices carried out:
"They say she brought misfortune upon her parents—how inauspicious!"
"But didn't she save Young Mistress yesterday? Even Divine Doctor Huang admitted her skills rival his."
Ahem "Ninth Miss, please enter—"
Mo Shu coughed pointedly, ushering Qin Guan inside.
In the courtyard stood several finely dressed women—clearly the source of the gossip. Though of varying ages, each was strikingly beautiful. With one glance, Qin Guan recognized their status."You ladies need not wait any longer. The Ninth Miss won't be able to see anyone today—she's currently attending to the young mistress's pulse diagnosis."
As Mo Shu finished speaking, a woman in crimson silk skirts stepped forward.
This woman appeared to be in the prime of her youth, dressed in bright colors with ruby lips, pearly teeth, phoenix eyes, and arched eyebrows.
Unfortunately, the excessive powder on her face obscured her natural beauty. Watching her delicate steps, Qin Guan felt as if countless specks of powder were shaking loose from her cheeks.
Her jet-black hair was styled in a Cicada Bun, radiating charm when she smiled. The sway of her slender waist, combined with the crimson handkerchief fluttering in her hand, gave her an alluring yet somewhat frivolous demeanor.
"Who knew the Ninth Miss was a living Bodhisattva saving lives? All those days in the manor, she never stepped out or showed her skills." She eyed Qin Guan up and down. "Where did such a young lady learn medicine?"
Qin Guan had no desire to look at that heavily powdered face, but the woman deliberately approached to speak. Qin Guan glanced at her again, this time with a barely perceptible frown.
Mo Shu's brows knitted together. "Eighth Concubine, the Ninth Miss was invited by the young master and mistress for a consultation. We must excuse ourselves."
Qin An, the head of the Qin family's third branch, was notorious for his romantic escapades, keeping many beautiful concubines in the manor. Qin Guan had heard of this, but concubines in the Great Zhou held status no higher than servants. Though favored, Qin Guan saw no reason to engage with them.
At Mo Shu's words, Qin Guan gave the Eighth Concubine another look before heading straight inside.
"If the Ninth Miss knows medicine, will she open a clinic? I wonder how expensive her consultations are?"
The Eighth Concubine's laughter carried clear mockery and disdain. While physicians were respected, they were still considered artisans. As the Qin Manor's legitimate daughter, why would Qin Guan demean herself by practicing openly?
Mo Shu looked troubled by the remark. Qin Guan paused mid-step.
Turning, she smiled at the Eighth Concubine. "Are you asking because you need treatment?"
The Eighth Concubine's smile vanished. Though low in status, it was well known that this Ninth Miss lived even more humbly. She had meant to taunt, never expecting such a retort.
The Eighth Concubine's expression turned stiff. Clutching her handkerchief tightly, she forced a smile. "Wh-what nonsense. The Ninth Miss jests."
Qin Guan curved her lips slightly and, without another word, entered the inner chamber.
Outside, the onlookers exchanged puzzled glances, unable to fathom why the usually sharp-tongued and tactless Eighth Concubine had suddenly become so subdued...
Inside, Yao Xinlan, lying on the bed, apologized to Qin Guan as she entered. "Liu Shi has always had a difficult temperament. Please don't take her words to heart..."
Yao Xinlan did look much improved—though still frail, color had returned to her face, and her breathing was stronger.
Qin Guan shook her head and sat down, extending her hand for the pulse check.
Yao Xinlan continued, "Chen Ge meant to wait for you, but there have been many letters from the capital lately. He just went to the outer study. Later, I'll have Xiang'er and Shuang'er join us. Won't you stay for lunch?"
Qin Guan's eyes darkened slightly. Many letters from the capital recently?
Her mind churned, but meeting Yao Xinlan's earnest gaze, she declined. "No need—"Before the word "enough" could be fully uttered, footsteps sounded outside, followed immediately by Qin Shuang's voice, "Eldest Brother's Wife, why must you insist on keeping her for dinner? Grandmother has already given her a new courtyard, and Eldest Brother presented her with priceless gifts—that's more than enough for her!"
Qin Guan turned her gaze as Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang entered arm in arm.
Despite the previous two encounters, Qin Shuang still hadn't learned her lesson. Though she had been somewhat afraid of Qin Guan the night before, she had now reverted to her old ways.
Yao Xinlan quickly interjected, "Sister Shuang, please don't speak like that. Ninth Sister saved the lives of me and my child. No amount of gifts could ever repay that debt..."
Though Qin Shuang's words were sharp, she still felt a chill under Qin Guan's gaze. Instinctively, she looked to Qin Xiang and met her sister's encouraging eyes. Emboldened, Qin Shuang puffed out her chest. "Eldest Brother's Wife, you spoil her too much. She's been living in our Qin Manor for four years, eating our food and drinking our tea. Now, just because she examined your health, she thinks she's some kind of miracle doctor?"
Qin Guan withdrew her fingers from Yao Xinlan's wrist, her brow furrowing slightly.
Qin Shuang might seem domineering and fond of running her mouth, but she was nothing more than a paper tiger. The real problem was Qin Xiang...
"What are you looking at? Did I say something wrong?" Qin Shuang had suffered twice at Qin Guan's hands, leaving her aggrieved and stifled. She hadn't dared to speak out of turn again, but with Qin Xiang's prompting, she seized the chance to vent.
"Don't think that just because you've caught Grand Princess's favor, you can do whatever you want. What does the Grand Princess matter? She has no authority over the inner affairs of our Qin Manor. I heard she's old and gravely ill—probably doesn't have much time left—"
"Silence!" Just as Qin Shuang was getting carried away, a sharp rebuke suddenly rang out from the doorway.
Qin Shuang trembled from head to toe. When she realized what she had just said—and who had ordered her to stop—her face turned deathly pale. She spun around. "Grandmother, I only meant—"
Her words cut off abruptly as she froze, feeling as though she had been plunged into an icy abyss.
Cold sweat poured down her back. Qin Shuang knew she had made a grave mistake this time.
Because standing beside Jiang Shi, staring at her with cold eyes, was none other than Yue Ning, the Princess of Marquis Anyang Manor!
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