When Qin Guan returned to the main courtyard of Loyal Marquis Manor, she saw Hu Shi speaking with several mommas. Upon her return, Granny Yu immediately escorted her to the main hall. Hu Shi smiled and took her hand, saying, "Guan'er, these are the finest embroiderers from Brocade Embroidery Workshop. They made your eighth sister's wedding dress. Now that your wedding date is set, we must prepare your wedding dress early. In fact, we're already a bit late, but with so many hands, we can still manage in time."
Qin Guan was somewhat surprised. Considering her attitude toward Prince Jin's case, she felt a bit undeserving. She didn't care much about the grandeur of her own wedding, but Hu Shi clearly thought differently. In Hu Shi's view, although Qin Guan wasn't her biological daughter, everyone in the capital knew Qin Guan's background. With so many eyes watching, any misstep in Qin Guan's wedding would bring shame upon the marquis manor.
Moreover, although Qin Guan wasn't always obedient, she was now favored by the Grand Princess and the Empress Dowager. For this reason alone, they had to take her wedding seriously.
"Aunt, if it's really too rushed, my wedding apparel doesn't have to follow eighth sister's standards."
Hearing this, Hu Shi immediately laughed. "How could that be? His Highness Yan... ah, no, His Highness is now Prince Rui. You're going to be a princess consort. We cannot neglect any of the formalities. Don't worry, let these mommas take your measurements. You don't need to bother with the rest. Your aunt will handle everything properly."
Qin Guan hesitated to speak, but Hu Shi waved her hand and firmly led her to the side room to change clothes.
Several mommas came forward—some taking measurements, others inquiring about her preferences, while presenting numerous patterns for her selection. Surrounded by the group, Qin Guan, who hadn't previously felt like someone about to marry, suddenly sensed the reality of becoming a bride. Seeing the vibrant, eye-catching patterns in the mommas' hands, her heartbeat quickened. Yet, thoughts of her father's unresolved case and Yan Chi's current predicament made her heart feel heavy again.
Hu Shi noticed Qin Guan seemed troubled. After the mommas left, she took Qin Guan's hand and asked, "What's wrong? Why do you look so worried when you're about to get married?"
Qin Guan held no ill will toward Hu Shi, but knowing her own plans conflicted with the marquis manor's interests, she couldn't accept Hu Shi's kindness with a clear conscience.
Qin Guan forced a smile. "It's nothing. Thank you, Aunt, for all your efforts."
Hu Shi sighed. "Guan'er, your father and mother are no longer here. Now you're like our own child. Preparing these things for you is our duty."
Qin Guan smiled bitterly inwardly but showed no sign on her face. After chatting with Hu Shi a while longer, she returned to Pine Breeze Courtyard.
Her conversation with Yan Chi that day had shaken her profoundly. She had long been prepared to leave the marquis manor, but now it seemed it wouldn't be as simple as just moving out. After pondering for a moment, Qin Guan called for Fuling. "Go find Han Bo. Follow my previous instructions and tell him to hurry."
Fuling, finally entrusted with an important task, immediately went out. After some thought, Qin Guan also left with Baiying.
After leaving the marquis manor, Qin Guan and Baiying headed toward Prince Yi's residence. Yan Ze's eyes might be nearing recovery, yet the effects of acupuncture and medicinal soup were diminishing. It remained unknown whether there were other hidden risks. Even for Yue Ning's sake, Qin Guan didn't dare relax her vigilance in the slightest.The carriage moved slowly along the main street, and Qin Guan's thoughts returned to the news she had learned earlier in the palace. Qin Xiang had been carrying Prince Cheng's child but suffered a miscarriage. Judging by Mammy Chen's evasive words, it seemed the loss of Qin Xiang's child was quite suspicious. Without needing to ponder deeply, Qin Guan knew this matter was likely connected to the struggles within the inner household.
Upon entering Prince Yi's royal residence, Qin Guan was led directly to the flower hall by the gatekeeper, who was very familiar with her. As they walked, he said, "The princess is here too. At this hour, she should be speaking with the Crown Prince in the flower hall."
Qin Guan nodded with a smile. However, when she arrived at the flower hall, Yue Ning was nowhere to be seen. The room was silent, and the gatekeeper was taken aback. "Ah, perhaps she has gone for a stroll in the garden. Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will go and fetch her."
Qin Guan had visited here many times and was quite accustomed to the place, so she casually dismissed him.
Once the gatekeeper left, Qin Guan stood quietly at the entrance of the flower hall with Baiying. But they had only been there for a moment when Qin Guan heard a loud "clang" from inside. She frowned deeply—was there someone in the flower hall?
The thought had just crossed her mind when she realized something was amiss.
Her conversation with the gatekeeper had not been quiet. If Yue Ning and the others were inside, they would have certainly heard and come out to greet her...
Qin Guan glanced at Baiying, who also furrowed her brows in suspicion.
There was someone hiding in the flower hall!
Baiying stepped forward, shielding Qin Guan. No matter who was inside, it was improper for guests to be ignored and for someone to hide. With this thought, a stern intensity filled Baiying's eyes. "Who's in there?! Come out!"
Baiying shouted, but there was no response from inside. Just as she found it strange, a rustling sound came from the room again.
That’s odd—there was definitely someone inside!
Baiying pushed the door open with considerable force, but the rustling sound continued uninterrupted. She clearly heard it coming from the western Warm Chamber. Frowning, Baiying led the way toward the western Warm Chamber, but her figure froze abruptly at the entrance.
Qin Guan, following behind, saw this and curiously approached Baiying. With one glance, she was startled.
There was indeed someone inside, and it was Yan Ze's attendant. Qin Guan narrowed her eyes—if she remembered correctly, it should be Tan Xiang, the one who read books to Yan Ze.
But as she watched Tan Xiang's back, facing away from them as he tidied the books, Qin Guan's brows tightened.
She hadn’t expected that Tan Xiang was deaf.
As if to confirm it, she knocked on the doorframe—several sharp "clangs" echoed, but Tan Xiang continued organizing the books.
Baiying understood as well and immediately showed surprise.
In most wealthy households, it was unheard of to employ someone with a disability as a book attendant.
Baiying was about to step forward, but Qin Guan shook her head and turned to leave. Baiying naturally followed. Once they exited the flower hall and saw that Yue Ning and the others had not yet returned, Qin Guan instinctively closed the door behind her—
It was a purely reflexive action, and only after the door was shut did she realize what she had done.
She didn’t want Yan Ze to know she had discovered the secret of his book attendant.
Seeing Qin Guan's actions, Baiying understood her intention and immediately concealed all her doubts.Soon, Yue Ning returned to the flower hall supporting Yan Ze's arm. Though Yan Ze's face was wrapped in medicated gauze, his gait remained relaxed and casual. Behind them followed the young attendant Chen Xiang. Yue Ning smiled, "Why have you come today? Isn't this your day off from needle therapy? Divine Doctor Sun has returned to his own residence and isn't here now."
Qin Guan blinked, "Are you suggesting I'm disturbing you two?"
Yue Ning's cheeks flushed slightly while Yan Ze chuckled softly. Yue Ning retorted, "It's just that you only ever come during needle therapy sessions, no wonder I said that."
Yan Ze then spoke, "Our apologies for making the County Princess wait. Please come inside."
Qin Guan hummed in acknowledgment and followed them into the house. As they entered the main hall, the western Warm Chamber had fallen silent. Walking alongside them, Qin Guan remarked, "The needle therapy isn't very effective anymore, so I'm just visiting casually. It happens that I don't need to assist with investigations these days."
Yue Ning immediately asked, "Didn't Prince Cheng insist on your help?"
Qin Guan smiled wryly, "The clues have temporarily run dry, and with the situation at Kunning Palace... we're at a stalemate."
Yue Ning sighed and, seeing no one else in the room, said, "The Emperor still treats the Empress well. With such protection now, it's impossible to investigate further. I also heard something happened at Prince Cheng's residence, and the Empress Dowager was quite angry."
Qin Guan sighed, "Yes, the Ninth Concubine at the royal residence had an accidental miscarriage. They tried to keep it completely secret, but the Empress Dowager found out anyway. I went to the palace this morning because the Empress Dowager was so upset her coughing has worsened."
As they took their seats, Chen Xiang busied himself serving tea. Yan Ze asked, "Is Her Majesty the Empress Dowager alright now?"
"She's fine, but as the weather grows colder, it's becoming harder for her..."
Just as she finished speaking, footsteps sounded from the direction of the western Warm Chamber. Qin Guan turned to see Tan Xiang emerging. He seemed startled to find guests present, his face showing panic as he bowed in greeting without speaking. Chen Xiang immediately changed expression, "Why are you still here? Mind you don't offend the County Princess!"
With that, he stepped forward and pulled Tan Xiang away.
Yue Ning watched indifferently while Qin Guan maintained a neutral expression.
Soon Chen Xiang returned to the room, "Tan Xiang lacks manners. Please forgive our embarrassment, County Princess."
Qin Guan waved her hand to indicate it was unimportant. Meanwhile, Yan Ze explained, "Tan Xiang fell ill and became deaf. My apologies for his discourtesy."
Qin Guan had already known this but had deliberately not shown it. She hadn't expected Yan Ze to bring it up voluntarily, which dispelled the strange feeling in her heart. "He must have served you for many years, to remain by your side despite this."
Yan Zhe smiled. Qin Guan's gaze drifted to the incense burner in the corner. Though no smoke rose from it, she could detect a faint scent of sandalwood and aloeswood in the room—not purely sandalwood or aloeswood, but perfectly balanced, elegantly subtle without being cloying. With two attendants named Tan Xiang (sandalwood) and Chen Xiang (aloeswood), it was clear Yan Ze had a fondness for the Path of incense. This thought flashed through her mind as Yan Ze nodded, "Yes, he has served me for many years."
After a pause, Yan Ze asked, "Is there actually any connection between the Empress and the case at Prince Jin Manor?"
Faced with this question, Qin Guan found herself at a loss for where to begin. She simply said, "I believe... there is a connection. Two senior eunuchs have died near the palace recently."Yue Ning listened with a pounding heart. Yan Ze sighed without saying anything, so Yue Ning remarked, "Third Brother, you don't involve yourself in court affairs—these matters have nothing to do with you. Prince Cheng's intentions go beyond just investigating the case." She then cautioned Qin Guan, "Do you understand? Yan Chi should have reminded you of this."
How could Qin Guan not understand? Remembering that her visit today was to check on the sick, she deftly shifted the conversation to other topics, carefully avoiding any mention of court matters.
Qin Guan stayed at Prince Yi's royal residence for over half an hour before leaving. After her departure, Yan Ze's expression turned sorrowful. Noticing this, Yue Ning felt a tightness in her chest. "What are you thinking about, Third Brother? Court affairs have nothing to do with us."
Yan Ze shook his head. "I'm thinking about Prince Jin. All the deaths in the palace are connected to the Empress—it's clear she must have played a significant role in last year's events. Prince Jin spent half his life in virtuous conduct... it's truly a pity."
Yue Ning hesitated, then asked, "Third Brother, do you believe the Empress harmed Prince Jin?"
Yan Ze remained silent for a moment before saying, "I just feel... Prince Jin would never have conspired to harm Consort Jin, much less have an illicit affair with her."
Yue Ning stepped forward and grasped Yan Ze's hand. "I think so too. Don't worry, Third Brother. Even if Prince Cheng uncovers nothing, Heaven is watching. Those who commit evil will face their own karmic retribution—"
Yan Ze was silent for a while before suggesting, "Later, let's visit our grandmother in the palace."
Though he hadn't returned to the capital for years, Yan Ze remained deeply filial toward the Empress Dowager. Yue Ning immediately agreed.
After leaving Prince Yi's royal residence, Qin Guan boarded her carriage and ordered the driver to head toward the Marquis' residence. Just beyond the district surrounding the prince's residence, shortly after entering the main Path, she spotted a strikingly familiar figure—none other than Li Muyun!
Her heart quickening, Qin Guan urgently instructed Baiying to follow. She watched as Li Muyun emerged from a teahouse and boarded a carriage waiting at the entrance. With a crack of the driver's whip, the carriage began rumbling away. Li Muyun's vehicle headed south, immediately putting Qin Guan on edge.
The previous time, Li Muyun had gone alone to the southern part of the city. Now, in the late afternoon when the streets were at their emptiest, with Li Muyun absent from the Court of Judicial Review—where was he going?! Suspicion grew in Qin Guan's mind as she watched him take the same route southward. She frowned deeply. Li Muyun had few close friends or acquaintances, yet she had now witnessed him going to the same place twice. Who could he be meeting?!
Once the question arose, suspicion became impossible to suppress. Qin Guan sat in her carriage, and after the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, they arrived once more at that alleyway entrance. The carriage couldn't enter, and in broad daylight, even Baiying couldn't scale the walls to investigate. Just as Qin Guan was feeling frustrated, Li Muyun's carriage unexpectedly emerged from the alley.
Startled, Qin Guan began wondering what game Li Muyun was playing when she realized his carriage was heading straight toward her. She had parked diagonally across the street—if Li Muyun had intended to leave, he wouldn't have noticed her. Yet he was deliberately approaching her!
Qin Guan's last shred of hope vanished completely when Li Muyun's carriage blocked her path.The curtain of the shabby blue-cloth carriage was lifted, revealing Li Muyun’s faintly smiling face. His gaze could almost be described as kindly as he looked at Qin Guan and said cheerfully, “How is the Junzhu here? What a coincidence.”
Seeing Li Muyun’s expression, Qin Guan felt so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to hide in. For a moment, even her cheeks flushed slightly. But then, recalling what Li Muyun had done to the Shen family, her eyes quickly turned cold. “It’s no coincidence. I came here specifically following you, Lord Li.”
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