Qin Guan never doubted Yan Chi's sharpness, but she hadn't expected him to probe so deeply.
What happened on the night of July 21st?
The Shen family in the capital was surrounded and executed by imperial guards, the Ninth Miss of Qin Manor in Jinzhou was murdered by an unknown assailant, while she—Shen Wan, the cherished daughter of Shen Yi, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, raised in seclusion—had her soul transmigrated into the body of Qin Guan, the Ninth Miss of Loyal Marquis Manor.
No one knew that beneath this identical appearance lay a completely different soul.
And this was destined to remain a secret buried in Qin Guan's heart for a lifetime.
"On the night of July 21st, there was heavy rain in Jinzhou. Qin Guan accidentally fell into the manor's inner lake—that's all there is to it."
Qin Guan's eyes were clear as she frowned slightly. "Why does the Crown Prince ask such a question?"
Yan Chi studied Qin Guan with penetrating eyes before curling the corners of his lips. "Ninth Miss always carries an air of mystery, as if hiding some secret that unconsciously arouses curiosity."
His tone was harmless and sincere. Qin Guan gazed at him quietly. "As humans, we must conceal many secrets to live skillfully through life. Similarly, what secrets is the Crown Prince hiding?"
Yan Chi's eyes darkened slightly. Qin Guan glanced at his shoulder. "Has the wound on Your Highness's shoulder and back healed?"
Yan Chi knew clearly that Qin Guan's words were a reminder—the injury on his shoulder was inflicted by Yue Qing, but the one on his back was not. His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the slender figure before him, the corners of his lips quirking up. "Ninth Miss is quite bold."
Qin Guan also smiled faintly, a shallow dimple appearing on her left cheek. "If I were timid, how would I dare to treat Grand Princess's illness? If I were timid, I certainly wouldn't dare to perform autopsies either."
Yan Chi regarded her with an enigmatic expression before suddenly gesturing for her to walk ahead.
Both Qin Guan and Yan Chi were heading to Grand Princess's courtyard, so it was natural for them to go together.
Qin Guan turned, and Yan Chi stepped forward. The two walked side by side along the corridor in the morning light.
"Last night, the Song family guards found nothing in their search. What does Ninth Miss think?"
Yan Chi's words confirmed Qin Guan's speculation. Her brows furrowed. "There are two key points. First, who could have obtained Miss Song's wedding gown? Second, why did that person come to Plum Garden?"
Yan Chi tilted his chin slightly. "Miss Song's personal maids and close guards knew she had prepared a wedding gown. If someone was determined to steal it, it wouldn't be difficult. As for why they came to Plum Garden—most likely to frighten Ninth Miss."
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. "What purpose would frightening me serve? To use my words to escalate the matter?"
Yan Chi shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not that simple..."
The events of last night were still fresh, and the manor was in chaos because of it. Yet Yan Chi and Qin Guan couldn't discern the reason behind it. For a moment, both fell into contemplation. This bizarre case had nothing to do with either of them, yet they found themselves skirting its edges, seemingly on the verge of being dragged in at any moment. Who exactly killed Song Rou?
"What a calamity! Everyone's been taken to the front courtyard for questioning!"
The sudden outburst snapped Qin Guan out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw several cleaning maids gathered in the courtyard not far away, gossiping. With their backs turned, they hadn't noticed Qin Guan and Yan Chi approaching.
"Who knows what happened? I heard something occurred in Plum Garden last night."
"Plum Garden? Isn't that where Miss Qin Ninth lives?""It's her. She's only been here two days, and now this happens. Have you heard? She died once before—her body was cold, the ancestral hall was set up—but then she strangely came back to life. And what's more, she brought death upon her own parents back then. The Loyal Marquis Manor in the capital feared her ill fate and sent her to Qin Manor. Rumor has it that wherever she goes, misfortune follows..."
Qin Guan's footsteps halted. She had thought they were merely discussing household matters, but unexpectedly, the accusations had turned toward her. Raising an eyebrow, she listened with calm amusement. Beside her, Yan Chi also stopped, his phoenix eyes narrowing sharply.
"Ah, could the recent troubles in our manor be because of her?"
"Exactly! And the madam even kept her for two nights! Even dared to let her treat Old Madam. This is truly..."
"Don't say that. Ninth Miss was invited by the madam precisely because of her exceptional medical skills!"
"Exceptional? She's only been here two days, and chaos has already struck again. Last night, why did the incident happen in Plum Garden of all places? I heard she moved to the young mistress's quarters to rest last night..."
"Now that you mention it, I'm starting to feel afraid. But since the madam invited her, what can we do?"
"Exactly. It's not like we can ask the madam to drive her—"
Before the word "away" could leave her lips, the speaking woman turned and caught sight of Qin Guan and Yan Chi. Her eyes widened in shock, her face turning deathly pale as she froze. The other women, sensing something amiss, turned around and immediately lost all color in their faces.
With a thud, they all dropped to their knees simultaneously.
"Ninth Miss, C-Crown Prince, Your Highness, spare us! Ninth Miss, spare us—"
"Your Highness, spare us! Ninth Miss, spare us—"
They kowtowed and pleaded for mercy one after another. Qin Guan watched them coldly, saying nothing.
Yan Chi's expression darkened lazily. "Bai Feng—"
At his call, Bai Feng, who had been trailing behind at a distance, stepped forward immediately. "Your Highness?"
Yan Chi's tone was indifferent. "Go and inform the madam."
Hearing this, the maids collapsed in terror, still crying out for mercy. But Qin Guan averted her gaze and walked past them down the corridor without a second glance.
Yan Chi strolled beside her, casting a leisurely glance her way. "I helped you, yet you don't even thank me?"
Qin Guan paused to look at him. "Even if Your Highness hadn't told the madam, I would have. The outcome would have been the same—you merely acted before I did."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, glancing at Fuling, who was cowering behind them, wishing she could disappear, then back at Qin Guan, who remained utterly composed. The contrast between the two was striking—her maid feared him as if he were the King of Hell, yet Qin Guan herself dared to say anything that came to mind.
This observation inexplicably pleased him. "You would have told the madam? As a guest of the manor, directly informing her might make her seem lax in managing the household. Most others would have endured it in silence."
"Enduring it would only breed resentment. No doubt they hoped I'd take offense and never return to Qin Manor again." She paused briefly before adding, "Besides, hearing such words at this moment makes me suspect something else."
Her tone grew solemn, drawing Yan Chi's focused gaze. "What suspicion?"
Qin Guan pressed her lips together, meeting his eyes. "I can't help but feel that last night's headless female corpse and this morning's gossip are both attempts to drive me out of the manor..."
"Drive you out of the manor?"Yan Chi frowned, then suddenly a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes. "You think today's words didn't arise out of nowhere?"
Qin Guan nodded slightly. "The Madam runs the household with strict discipline. Unless someone deliberately incited them, such nonsense wouldn't have been spoken. From an ordinary person's perspective, once these words were uttered, even if the Madam didn’t take them seriously, I would feel displeased and leave."
After a pause, Qin Guan continued, "And last night—that headless female corpse was bizarre and horrifying. Fuling was scared out of her wits. By ordinary reasoning, I too should have been frightened and wanted to leave."
Yan Chi gazed at Qin Guan with bright eyes. "But you are no ordinary woman."
Qin Guan shook her head and went on, "I’m not certain. After all, I can’t think of anyone I’d be hindering by staying in the Marquis’s residence. Why would someone want me to leave?"
Yan Chi’s pupils contracted slightly. Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, his expression sharpened. "Could it be they don’t want you involved in Miss Song’s case?" After a brief consideration, he grew more convinced. "Last time, you helped Yue Qing, and many know of it. Could the person behind this fear you might interfere in Miss Song’s case and uncover the killer?"
Their eyes met, and Qin Guan felt a chill. "That’s possible, but I’m not part of the official investigation. How could I meddle in Miss Song’s case? If that’s their concern, they’re worrying over nothing."
Yet Yan Chi’s gaze grew resolute. "Whatever the reason, we’ll likely find out in a couple of days." He paused, then added gravely, "Be careful in everything these next few days."
His expression was solemn, his eyes brimming with deep concern.
A warmth surged in Qin Guan’s chest. She was surprised to feel cared for at this moment. She studied Yan Chi intently, as if gauging the sincerity in his eyes. After a long moment, the corners of her lips curved slightly. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The seriousness on Yan Chi’s face dissolved at her gratitude. He couldn’t help but smile. "I thought you’d never thank me."
Qin Guan shook her head. "Not for the Crown Prince’s warning."
Yan Chi raised a brow. "Oh? Then what for?"
Her smile widened a fraction, the polite distance in her demeanor fading. Her hand subtly brushed the needle kit hidden in her sleeve as she replied softly, "For the Crown Prince’s consultation fee."
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