"County Princess—"
Fan Xin called out, and Qin Guan quickly leaned over to press his shoulder down. "Don't move. Your willpower is remarkable, but these days you must endure it. If you truly can't hold back, we'll have to restrain you again."
Fan Xin smiled bitterly, his gaze shifting to behind Qin Guan.
But Yan Chi was not following.
Qin Guan sighed. "The Crown Prince didn't come. He has many matters to attend to today. I came alone."
Fan Xin seemed to sigh as well. "Now..."
Although Fan Xin's identity was that of Prince Rui's personal guard, after so many years following the prince—leading charges in battle and strategizing behind the lines—his experience and knowledge far surpassed that of an ordinary guard. Even within the Northwest Frontier Army, he was capable of commanding thousands of troops. Thus, he was not unaware of the current situation in the capital.
Qin Guan knew what he was thinking. "Don't trouble yourself with these matters. His Highness will arrange everything properly. The urgent priority now is for you to recover your health. His Highness carries many regrets. If you were to remain bedridden, he would surely blame himself deeply."
When Prince Rui met with misfortune, Yan Chi had not been by his side. Now that Fan Xin had finally returned alive, Yan Chi naturally did not want to see him perish as well.
Moreover, Fan Xin was the one who had personally witnessed Prince Rui's assassination.
After checking his pulse, Qin Guan breathed a slight sigh of relief and sat on a nearby stool. "The Emperor has proclaimed to the court that Prince Rui was assassinated by the Rong people. Is that true?"
Fan Xin's face paled slightly. Although Yan Chi had never explicitly stated how important Yongci County Princess was to him, the fact that Fan Xin's survival was meant to be kept secret—yet Yan Chi not only allowed Qin Guan to treat his injuries but also permitted her to visit this secluded courtyard alone—spoke volumes about Yan Chi's trust in her.
Therefore, Fan Xin answered directly, "It appeared to be the Rong people. The short arrows and blades used were common among the Rong enemies. However... the prince had brought only a few men this time, and the route was highly secretive. On the day of the incident, the prince and our party were staying at a relay station in Huaqing County, north of Liangzhou. Even within the Northwest Frontier Army, no one knew we were there."
Qin Guan frowned. "Did anyone in the army know where the prince was going?"
Unable to move, Fan Xin replied, "No. The prince had said he was taking men to inspect the defenses."
As he spoke, Fan Xin struggled to add, "At the time, the prince had first received a letter from the imperial envoy dispatched to the northwest. Only then did he set out for Liangzhou with his men. Only that envoy and the officials at the Liangzhou government office knew the prince was coming."
Qin Guan's pupils contracted slightly. Three months ago, the Northwest Military Provisions case had erupted—a massive corruption scandal that even affected the Northwest Frontier Army, shocking the entire Great Zhou. After a month with no progress in the investigation, the Emperor had sent an envoy to the northwest to investigate the corruption. The appointed envoy was Lin Xugui, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War and Deputy Commander of the Nine Gates Garrison. Hailing from a prominent family in Qingzhou in the southwest, Lin Xugui was one of the scions recommended for court service fifteen years earlier. Trusted by the Emperor, he held not only a deputy position in the Ministry of War but also served as deputy commander of the Nine Gates Garrison. Though neither role was the highest authority, both deputy positions were significant in their own right. Holding two such roles simultaneously—one involving the coordination of military forces nationwide and the other overseeing the capital's defense—highlighted the considerable weight of his status.Qin Guan suppressed the thoughts in her heart. "His Highness will probably come tomorrow. Just focus on recovering from your injuries."
Fan Xin gave an "Mm" and added, "Thank you for saving my life, County Princess."
Qin Guan tugged at the corner of her lips. "I promised him I would definitely save you. I wouldn't let you lose your life after returning to the capital."
After saying this, Qin Guan didn't delay any further. Once Fan Xin finished his medicine, she changed his dressings.
Fan Xin, a grown man, had always been treated hastily by army medics whenever he was injured in the military. He had never received such meticulous care as Qin Guan's. At one moment, he felt grateful for her life-saving grace; at another, he felt unworthy. He had failed to save Prince Rui's life, yet now he alone had survived.
"These past half month must have been difficult for you. Only after enduring through this will you truly survive. His Highness doesn't want you to die. As for this matter... you know his temperament. He still needs you."
Fan Xin's eyes reddened slightly, surprised that Qin Guan had discerned what was on his mind.
Qin Guan didn't stay long. After changing the dressings, she took her leave.
Xun Niang saw Qin Guan out and upon returning said, "Brother Fan, you're fortunate. If not for the County Princess this time, I'm afraid..."
Fan Xin was well aware. He nodded and sighed. "I never expected the County Princess's medical skills to be so exceptional."
Xun Niang replied, "In the capital, the County Princess is known as the Little Medicine Immortal. But that's not all—she also performs corpse examinations and investigates cases. It's because of her repeated great achievements that she was honored as a County Princess."
A faint light sparked in Fan Xin's eyes, surprised that a noblewoman like Qin Guan would also conduct corpse examinations.
...
...
Upon returning to the Marquis residence, Qin Guan had Baiying send a message to Yan Chi, simply stating that she had visited Fan Xin.
At this hour, Qin Guan didn't know what Yan Chi was doing and felt it inappropriate to go directly to the royal residence.
Baiying obeyed and delivered the message, allowing Qin Guan to feel somewhat reassured.
Early the next morning, just after Qin Guan finished her breakfast, Granny Yu came to invite her to the main courtyard.
Qin Guan composed herself slightly and headed out with Fuling.
In the main courtyard, both Qin Shu and Hu Shi were present, with Qin Yan standing to the side. Qin Guan bowed in greeting, and Qin Shu got straight to the point. "Wan'er, you're aware of the matter with Prince Rui's household. What are your thoughts?"
Qin Guan replied calmly, "Naturally, we must wait for Prince Rui's coffin to return to the capital, then hold the funeral and bury him."
Qin Shu frowned upon hearing this. Had she not understood?
Clearing his throat lightly, Qin Shu continued, "That's not what I meant. You and Prince Rui's Heir have been betrothed. What are your thoughts regarding your marriage?"
Qin Guan asked, "Our marriage?"
Qin Shu and Hu Shi exchanged a glance. Qin Shu said, "Wan'er, with Prince Rui's passing, Heir Yan must observe the mourning period. That will take at least a year. Won't this delay you?"
Qin Guan remained unperturbed. "It's only a year. How would that delay me? I'm only seventeen now. Getting married at eighteen after a year is not late at all."
Hearing this, Qin Shu's lips tightened slightly, understanding her meaning. "Wan'er, do you know what Prince Rui's death signifies?"
Qin Guan blinked. "It means His Highness Chi has lost his father?"
Qin Shu felt a pang of frustration, the remaining words stuck in his throat. Qin Guan continued to look at him, her eyes clear and bright, making him inexplicably uncomfortable. After a long moment, he waved his hand. "Never mind, it's nothing."Qin Guan smiled, "Then I shall go to the palace first to attend to the Empress Dowager."
After speaking, Qin Guan curtsied slightly and turned to withdraw.
Once Qin Guan left, Hu Shi sighed, "You heard it, didn’t you? What did I say? Wan Yatou is just like that—she understands everything in her heart, but we can’t influence her."
Qin Shu gave a bitter smile, "This child really is..."
"She and the Crown Prince have known each other for a long time, and this marriage was bestowed by the Empress Dowager. With her temperament, how could she possibly tell the Empress Dowager at this time that she doesn’t acknowledge the marriage?"
Hu Shi shook her head and sighed, "I think this matter can only be left as it is."
Nearby, Qin Yan listened thoughtfully, glancing in the direction Qin Guan had left, but did not speak.
Meanwhile, Qin Guan entered the palace and headed straight for the Longevity and Health Palace. As soon as she entered, she heard Mammy Chen instructing the servants. After listening for a moment, Qin Guan realized Mammy Chen’s instructions were related to Prince Rui’s royal residence.
"The Crown Prince is in mourning, so it’s natural for him not to attend to these matters. Tell the Household Affairs Department to be more diligent. If anything goes wrong this time, the Empress Dowager will hold them accountable first."
The young eunuch before her nodded repeatedly. Mammy Chen waved her hand, "Go on."
Looking up, Mammy Chen spotted Qin Guan and hurried over to greet her, "The young mistress is here!"
Qin Guan nodded and walked inside with Mammy Chen. Glancing at the departing eunuch, she asked, "Is this about preparing for Prince Rui’s funeral arrangements?"
Mammy Chen sighed, "Yes. Yesterday, the Crown Prince spoke with the Household Affairs Department for a while but seemed listless. Soon after, he handed these matters over to his attendant, who only knows military affairs and has no understanding of such things. I had no choice but to keep an eye on it. Fortunately, there are established protocols, and the Household Affairs Department and Ministry of Rites wouldn’t dare neglect their duties."
Qin Guan nodded, "Has the Crown Prince come to the palace today?"
Mammy Chen shook her head, "No. The Emperor has excused him from court to rest. He didn’t go to the front court today, nor did he visit the Empress Dowager. However, the Emperor came by last night, concerned about the Empress Dowager’s health."
Qin Guan nodded again and followed Mammy Chen inside. Upon entering the inner chamber, they found the Empress Dowager leaning on a low couch, lost in thought, unaware of their footsteps.
Mammy Chen sighed and stepped forward to announce their presence before the Empress Dowager turned around.
Seeing Qin Guan, the Empress Dowager sat up wearily, "Wan Yatou is here."
Qin Guan curtsied and approached, "Empress Dowager, have you not rested well? Your complexion looks worse than yesterday’s."
The Empress Dowager shook her head, but Mammy Chen interjected, "Her Majesty woke several times last night and couldn’t sleep before dawn. She hasn’t closed her eyes all morning, alas."
Qin Guan looked at the Empress Dowager, "The weather is growing colder now. Your Majesty must rest properly."
As she spoke, she stood and moved behind the Empress Dowager to massage her shoulders and neck. The Empress Dowager closed her eyes slightly, "You are so thoughtful."
Qin Guan smiled faintly, "Your Majesty must ease your mind, or this illness will linger. If it drags on and the weather turns cold, you’ll suffer daily. Then the Emperor and the princes will worry."
The Empress Dowager sighed, "Very well, I’ll listen to you."
Mammy Chen smiled, "Shall Her Majesty rest for a nap later?"The Empress Dowager nodded, and only then did Mammy Chen smile with relief.
After allowing Qin Guan to massage her shoulders for a while, the Empress Dowager took Qin Guan's hand and drew her closer. "You needn't worry about me. Right now, I'm only concerned about Yan Chi. I know you feel the same as I do, but at the moment, it's not convenient for me to send you to the royal residence. Ah, once the funeral is over, I must ask Yan Chi his thoughts. I still hope you two can marry soon, so I can rest easy."
Qin Guan smiled. "Very well, you can discuss it with him then. I'll do whatever you instruct."
The Empress Dowager found Qin Guan so sensible that she embraced her. "Yan Chi is truly fortunate to have you."
Qin Guan felt unworthy of such praise and chatted with the Empress Dowager a while longer before helping her to rest.
After the Empress Dowager took her afternoon nap, Qin Guan emerged and immediately saw Yan Sui waiting outside.
Yan Sui gazed at Qin Guan with eager eyes. Due to the incident at Prince Rui's residence, the entire Longevity and Health Palace had been unusually quiet these past two days. The Emperor had stayed there late into the night yesterday, and Yan Sui, feeling frightened, remained silent.
Qin Guan approached and led Yan Sui to sit under the corridor eaves.
It was a sunny day, but the sunlight was obscured by clouds. At that moment, a few rays of bright light streamed down from afar. Though they sat in a warm, cozy spot, the sunlight didn't reach them directly. Qin Guan seemed to catch the scent of winter in the air.
"Is Grandmother very ill?" Yan Sui suddenly asked.
Qin Guan shook her head. "Not seriously."
Yan Sui breathed a sigh of relief. "Is he afraid?"
Qin Guan looked at Yan Sui and saw her clear black-and-white eyes fixed on her.
Qin Guan knew who "he" referred to in Yan Sui's question and shook her head. "He isn't afraid."
Yan Sui lowered her gaze, her small head drooping. "But I'm very afraid."
Knowing that Yan Chi's father had died, Yan Sui was reminded of her own mother's death. She murmured softly, "Mother was murdered. Was Prince Rui Uncle also murdered?"
Startled, Qin Guan quickly covered Yan Sui's mouth.
"Ninth Highness, you mustn't say such things."
Qin Guan's tension made Yan Sui tremble, but it was precisely this reaction that made Yan Sui blink as if understanding something. When Qin Guan released her, Yan Sui bowed her head and muttered, "So it's the same."
After a pause, Yan Sui added, "No wonder Mother wanted me to leave this place."
Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. "Your Highness, what did you say? Did Consort Jin want you to leave the palace?"
Yan Sui nodded. Qin Guan lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear. "Why? When was this?"
Yan Sui thought for a moment. "Last Dragon Boat Festival."
Yan Sui couldn't remember the exact date clearly, not even the specific day, but she recalled it was near the Dragon Boat Festival. Qin Guan was shocked to hear this.
Consort Jin was killed during the palace banquet in early June, yet she had wanted Yan Sui to leave as early as May?
"Mother was afraid. She was afraid she would be murdered."
Yan Sui whispered these words, making Qin Guan find it even more unbelievable.
"Did Consort Jin often say such things? Did she speak to you in a frightened manner?"
Yan Sui shook her head. "Only a few times. But she was very scared and had nightmares."
For a favored consort to say such things even a few times was already terrifying enough!
"Ninth Highness, did Consort Jin say anything else to you?"Yan Sui pursed his lips, as if he couldn't remember or had no intention of speaking. His smiling face bore a wooden silence that didn't match his age, rendering even Qin Guan's silver tongue powerless to extract anything.
Growing anxious, Qin Guan glanced around before suddenly crouching down to meet Yan Sui's gaze.
"Ninth Highness, don't you want to find the culprit who killed your mother?"
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