The night was cool as water. The moment Qin Guan stepped through the manor gate, she saw Steward Wu waiting before the spirit wall. His eyes lit up at the sight of her.
Qin Guan felt a stir in her heart. The next instant, Steward Wu had already approached her. "The Junzhu has returned!"
Qin Guan smiled. "Were you waiting for me, Steward Wu?"
Steward Wu hastily bowed. "The Marquis is waiting for you."
What was bound to come would always come. Qin Guan steadied herself. "Alright, is he in the main courtyard?"
Steward Wu shook his head. "No, in the study."
Even though Qin Guan had anticipated this, she was still startled. Normally, when Qin Shu had matters to discuss, he would speak in the main courtyard, often with Hu Shi present. This was the first time he had summoned her to the study for instructions, which showed how seriously Qin Shu regarded this matter.
At this thought, Qin Guan's heart sank slightly, but she nodded and headed toward the study.
The autumn night's chill was piercing. Because Qin Shu was in the study, the corridor leading there was dimly lit with lanterns all the way. As Qin Guan walked, she surveyed the courtyards of the Marquis residence.
Her nature was not particularly warm, but she was not an unfeeling person either. It was just a pity that Qin Shu would never understand the obsession in her heart.
Qin Guan sighed softly. Soon, the study's courtyard gate was right before her.
This wasn't her first time visiting the study, but it was the first time she felt so heavy-hearted. She was not the Ninth Miss, yet she had taken over everything that belonged to the Ninth Miss. Now, she was truly Qin Guan—the same Qin character, inseparable in writing.
Qin Guan composed herself and stepped inside.
The door was half-open. Qin Guan knocked, and Qin Shu's deep voice came from within. "Enter."
Qin Guan walked in, her expression perfectly calm. "Uncle, you asked for me?"
Watching Qin Guan stroll in so composedly, Qin Shu found the words he had prepared suddenly stuck in his throat. This niece of his was far too self-possessed. Her demeanor, seemingly unassuming, held a peculiar power that was awe-inspiring, as if her delicate frame harbored the confidence to overcome any formidable challenge.
Qin Shu cleared his throat lightly, his gaze flickering toward the left wing before swiftly returning. He lifted his chin. "Sit down."
The calmer she was, the more resolute she had become.
Qin Guan complied gracefully and sat down, smiling at Qin Shu. "What's the matter, Uncle?"
Qin Shu paused for a moment. "Guan'er, normally, I shouldn't interfere in your affairs, but... some things are not as simple as you think. You have the spirit of a heroine who rivals men, but in the imperial court, appearances are often straightforward. The underlying motives, however, are beyond your discernment..."
Qin Guan couldn't help but laugh, surprised that Qin Shu was being so indirect. "Uncle, what are you trying to say?"
Qin Shu looked at her, his eyes darkening slightly. Without a doubt, this niece of his was clever, but she clearly had no intention of easily grasping his meaning. This was not a good start. Since that was the case, he had to be more direct. "These past few days, you've been helping Prince Cheng investigate the case at Prince Jin Manor. Did you know this case involves Her Majesty the Empress?"
"Of course I know. But Her Majesty is fine now. The servants in her palace didn't reveal anything, and they have already been sent back."
Qin Shu frowned. "Even so, there are already many voices in the court. Those who don't know the truth will use this matter to maliciously slander Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince."
Qin Guan appeared somewhat at a loss. "Then what do you wish me to do, Uncle?"Qin Shu pondered for a moment. "You performed the corpse examination. In major cases like this, it's normal to conduct four or five examinations. First, I must ask you—are you certain the deceased was a guard from Prince Jin Manor?"
Qin Guan's pupils contracted swiftly. As Qin Shu reached this point in his questioning, she could almost guess what he wanted her to do. She nodded. "Yes, I'm certain he was Prince Jin's guard."
Qin Shu narrowed his eyes. "What if I asked you to overturn your previous conclusion and tell everyone this man wasn't Prince Jin's guard?"
Though she had anticipated these words, facing Qin Shu still made her spine stiffen. "Why?"
This "why" was precisely what Qin Shu dreaded most.
He straightened his posture. "There is no why. The Marquis residence requires you to do this now, Guan'er. All you need to do is make a small adjustment."
Qin Guan laughed coldly inwardly but maintained a calm exterior. "Is this the Crown Prince's order? Or the Empress's? This case does indeed involve Her Majesty now, but if the Empress has a clear conscience, she should let the investigation proceed. Only then can the rumors be thoroughly silenced. If I come forward now to retract my previous statement, I may sacrifice my reputation, and the Emperor may punish me. But Uncle, do you truly believe this will resolve the matter? Or could it be that this guard's death is actually connected to the Empress?"
"Guan'er! You're too young!" Qin Shu began to grow angry. "The imperial court isn't as straightforward as you imagine..."
Qin Guan was indeed young and lacked Qin Shu's insight into court politics, but his intentions were crystal clear to her.
"The court may be complex, and I bear no ill will toward anyone, but I must decline your request, Uncle."
Qin Shu's demand was not only unreasonable but also placed Qin Guan in grave danger. The case involving Prince Jin Manor had far-reaching implications. It was only after her corpse examination yielded results that large-scale investigations began, leading to Zhu Yucheng's death. Now, he wanted her to claim she had made a mistake—where would that leave her?
She held the title of Princess and enjoyed the Empress Dowager's protection. Even if she avoided punishment, her hard-earned reputation over the past year would be ruined. Would she ever have another chance to perform corpse examinations or work on criminal cases again?
Qin Guan felt no resentment toward Qin Shu for sacrificing her reputation—she had never expected anything from him—but she was not someone to be trampled upon. The more he sacrificed her, the more strangely at peace she felt within.
Seeing Qin Guan's resolute stance, Qin Shu's face darkened like still water. "I know what worries you. I will arrange everything. The blame will fall on the yamen runners—it won't involve you. People will still see you as perceptive and worthy of your reputation."
Qin Guan stared at him in disbelief, then suddenly understood. Yes, this was the real Qin Shu—a politician.
Such a major mistake could be survivable if pinned on her, but what about the yamen runners? Qin Guan didn't need to think hard to guess their fate—a living human life, treated so lightly and justified so casually in Qin Shu's eyes! She immediately recalled the Northern Garrison Army officer who died at Drunken Immortal Pavilion earlier this year.
"Uncle, I cannot do this."
Qin Guan lost all desire to argue. What weighed on her heart would likely seem trivial in Qin Shu's eyes.Qin Shu's brows furrowed tightly, his gaze towards Qin Guan unusually gloomy. "You are a member of the Marquis' household. How could you join forces with outsiders against the Marquis' estate and the Eastern Palace? Do you not understand Prince Cheng's ulterior motives?"
Qin Guan looked steadily at Qin Shu. "It seems Uncle is aware of the details regarding Prince Jin's case. Then tell me first—is Prince Jin's case actually connected to the Eastern Palace and the Empress?"
"Outrageous!" Qin Shu rebuked sharply. "Do you realize what you're saying?! You are merely a pawn in Prince Cheng's hands. He wields you as a blade to harm your own kin—why can't you see through this?!"
Qin Guan pressed her lips together, her voice resolute. "I understand Prince Cheng's intentions, but I cannot comprehend yours, Uncle. I know your concerns, but if your conscience is clear, then trust me. I won't blindly follow your orders, much less allow Prince Cheng to manipulate me."
"You..." Qin Shu wanted to roar in anger, but a flicker of movement from the left chamber caught his eye. Swallowing his remaining words, he stared at Qin Guan with a mixture of fury, disappointment, and helplessness before gritting his teeth. "Fine. Remember your words. Prince Cheng comes with ill intentions—don't follow in Qin Xiang's footsteps! Now leave."
Qin Guan breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever the reason, she had temporarily passed this trial. Nodding silently, she withdrew without another word. Her thoughts heavy, she reached the doorway when suddenly a sense of unease prickled at her. Glancing back toward the left chamber, she detected nothing amiss. Deciding not to linger, she pushed the door open and departed.
Only when Qin Guan's footsteps faded completely did Qin Shu immediately rise. Simultaneously, a figure emerged from behind the partitioned curio cabinet.
Qin Shu looked apologetically at Yan Che. "Your Highness, Crown Prince, this..."
Yan Che raised a hand to stop him. Though the outcome differed from his expectations, he felt this was how things ought to have unfolded. Had Qin Guan acquiesced so easily, his disappointment would have been greater.
Exhaling slowly, Yan Che left through the side door without another word. Qin Shu initially felt bewildered, but soon, a growing realization dawned—something was profoundly wrong.
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