"Miss, why did they first say the Second Young Master beat someone to death, but now claim he was wrongly accused?" Fuling had been waiting outside all evening, only seeing people coming and going without knowing what truly happened.
Qin Guan walked ahead, "The prefectural office hadn't examined the case thoroughly, hence the misunderstanding."
Fuling nodded, then suddenly wrinkled her nose, "Miss, what's that smell on you? It's rather... peculiar..."
Qin Guan hesitated before speaking, "The room was damp with a heavy musty odor."
Fuling's eyes widened—this was the Marquis's residence! How could the guest quarters smell musty...
Though she thought this, she didn't voice it. Lü Yun led the way ahead and soon said softly, "Ninth Miss, we're here."
Qin Guan and her maid looked up—sure enough, Plum Garden was right before them.
It was a small, independent courtyard with blue-tiled roofs and white walls, adorned with bamboo groves and green plum trees. As it wasn't the season for blossoms, no flowers were visible. Now, with lanterns brightly lit, several maids waited outside.
Qin Guan and Fuling entered, while Lü Yun followed behind, saying, "Everything here has been prepared. Ninth Miss, you may freshen up now. Madam will come by shortly."
The room was elegantly furnished with refined decor. Fuling quietly marveled at the exquisite furnishings inside and out, then quickly thanked Lü Yun, who humbly declined and escorted Qin Guan to the side chamber.
Hot water was already prepared in the side chamber. Lü Yun said, "This servant will wait outside. Please call if you need anything, Ninth Miss."
After Lü Yun withdrew, Fuling exhaled, "Miss, the Marquis's household treats us so well! This courtyard must be as exquisite as the little princess's residence. Ah—what's that on your skirt, Miss—"
Fuling noticed the faint bloodstains and gasped in shock, "Are you hurt, Miss?"
Qin Guan sighed helplessly, "It's from treating the Grand Princess earlier."
Just as she finished speaking, something clattered to the floor. Fuling looked down and immediately spotted the gold-inlaid Cold Moon. She quickly picked it up, "Miss, what is this?"
Seeing Cold Moon, Qin Guan sighed again, "It belongs to the Crown Prince. He lent it to me to help treat the Grand Princess."
"Prince Rui's heir?"
When Qin Guan nodded, Fuling's eyes brightened slightly, and she regarded Cold Moon with newfound reverence. Carefully setting it aside, she helped Qin Guan into the bath. "You must be exhausted today, Miss—treating the Grand Princess all afternoon and then delayed so late tonight. At least her condition has stabilized."
Then, frowning curiously, she asked, "How was the matter with the Second Young Master resolved? You were with Madam earlier—did you hear anything?"
Qin Guan pursed her lips slightly, "It was clarified after a second corpse examination."
At the mention of "corpse examination," Fuling shuddered. "Corpse examination... just thinking about it is terrifying..." Then, suddenly paling, she added, "Speaking of which... Miss, do you know where the bride is now?"
The bride Fuling referred to was naturally Miss Song, Song Rou. Song Rou was already dead, and the scene of her in her wedding gown and bridal sedan was chilling even for Qin Guan to recall. Fuling's eerie question sent a shiver down their spines.
"She must have been taken to the mortuary temple."The Mortuary Temple was a place where corpses were stored. Typically, unclaimed bodies and those related to official homicide cases were temporarily kept there. Fuling shivered again, "Miss Song died so tragically. I wonder if she might come to this mansion..."
The more Fuling spoke, the more frightened she became, constantly glancing out the window as if expecting to see something.
The bathwater was warm, steaming Qin Guan's cheeks a soft pink. She closed her eyes slightly, her tone somewhat resigned, "Death extinguishes like a lamp. Supernatural tales are not to be believed. Don't scare yourself—"
Fuling dared not say more but still felt uneasy inside.
Just as Qin Guan had put on a newly made undergarment and risen, Jiang Shi arrived. Seeing Fuling drying Qin Guan's hair, she hurried over and took the towel from Fuling's hands, "Just sit still—"
"How could I trouble you, Madam—"
Jiang Shi smiled, "How is it trouble? You're like a daughter to me. Besides, you cured Mother and cleared Qing'er's name. What's this small gesture?"
She sighed, "Jia'er and Qing'er are both boys. Their father never allowed me to spoil them too much, making them live alone from a young age. Even Ning'er stopped sharing my courtyard at ten. It's been years since I've done such things. Others might think I lead a leisurely life, but how I wish I could personally tend to Ning'er's daily needs. You and Ning'er are opposites—she appears strong-willed but has never faced true hardship, while you seem gentle and serene yet possess inner resilience."
She continued, "Even after living half my life, that scene earlier was hard to bear. Yet watching you conduct the Corpse Examination yourself, none of us outside could help but admire your composure. I—"
A "clatter" interrupted Jiang Shi's words. Turning, they saw the teacup Fuling had been holding fall to the ground—it was meant for Jiang Shi, but her hands had slipped somehow.
Qin Guan inwardly groaned and spoke sternly, "Fuling—"
Pale-faced, Fuling stared at Jiang Shi, about to ask something, but at Qin Guan's call, she immediately lowered her head, "Please forgive this clumsy servant, Madam..."
Jiang Shi laughed, "It's nothing. You're the little maid who's always followed Guan'er, aren't you?"
As Fuling picked up the broken pieces and affirmed, Jiang Shi said, "You're a good one."
"This servant only does her duty," Fuling replied hastily, nearly in tears as she turned to pour another cup. Unless she'd misheard, the Marquise had said their young mistress personally conducted the corpse dissection?!
Dissection... Fuling's limbs went numb...
After drying Qin Guan's hair, Jiang Shi cheerfully instructed Lü Yun to summon others inside.
Two groups entered—one of three or four carrying food boxes, and another five or six bearing trays with new silken garments and two sets of dazzling jewelry.
"These clothes were originally prepared for Ning'er, but she'd never wear them. Noticing you prefer simpler colors, I selected two sets of cloud-gauze and two celadon-silk dresses. You and Ning'er share the same figure—they'll suit you beautifully."
Qin Guan had only visited the marquis' residence twice. Yesterday at the banquet her dress had been quite luxurious, yet today's attire was noticeably plainer. Considering the rumors, Jiang Shi understood Qin Guan's circumstances well."These two sets of jewelry—one is white jade from Mount Wu, the other is green jade from Kunlun. The gold, silver, and precious stones inlaid are all of the finest quality. They were bestowed by the palace in the past, and I've never worn them. After much deliberation, I found these two sets suit you best."
As she spoke, Jiang Shi took a white magnolia hairpin and held it against Qin Guan's hair, then gazed at the bronze mirror before them. "Look, the jade's luster reflects your beauty—you outshine even the flowers. With such loveliness, Guan'er, your mother must have been a peerless beauty..."
Qin Guan stared at her reflection, then turned to look at Jiang Shi, instantly reminded of the warmth and affection she once knew in the Shen family.
Her eyes reddened, and she quickly lowered her head.
Noticing this, Jiang Shi's expression changed, her eyes filled with concern. "Oh, my careless tongue! Why did I bring up your mother out of the blue? My dear child, as long as I'm here, as long as Marquis Anyang Manor stands, you'll never suffer any injustice."
Qin Guan hurriedly replied, "No, it's the kindness you've shown me that reminded me of my mother."
Jiang Shi patted Qin Guan's shoulder. "Then you must live well. Your mother watches over you from heaven. Only by seeing you happy and at peace can she rest easy."
Qin Guan raised her head, her reflection in the mirror flickering between light and shadow.
Her entire family had perished unjustly. Until the day she cleared her father's name, none of them would find peace.
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