Huo Ning walked to the front courtyard in a daze. When he looked up, he saw Huo Huaixin standing there with a grim expression, his brows furrowed deeply as he surveyed the courtyard full of Marquis estate male servants.
Suddenly, Huo Ning snapped out of his stupor. He had been so infuriated by Qin Guan that he had forgotten to mention he was here to investigate the case. She had mocked him, saying he was nothing more than a Prefect's son with no real worth. But he would prove her wrong! Huo Ning was simply someone who didn’t bother unless he wanted to—but once he set his mind to something, he would excel at it!
"Father, any progress?"
Huo Huaixin glanced back at him. "Where have you been?"
Huo Ning’s eyes flickered. "I had some doubts about whether evidence might still be around Plum Garden, so I went back to check."
Huo Huaixin believed him, his eyes showing approval, but he shook his head. "Nothing has turned up. Every servant in the Marquis estate who is around six feet tall has an alibi for last night, and none of them are left-handed."
Huo Ning pressed his lips tightly together. How could there be no leads?
If it wasn’t the Song family guards or the Marquis estate guards, then who else could it be?
"Everyone has an alibi, and no one is left-handed," Huo Ning muttered, racking his brain. "Could the alibis be fabricated? And what if someone is ambidextrous but has always hidden it by only using their right hand in front of others?"
Huo Huaixin raised his brows. "Left-handed people are rare enough, but someone who can use both hands..." His eyes brightened slightly. "Still, it’s not impossible!"
Seeing Huo Ning becoming more thoughtful, Huo Huaixin patted his shoulder in satisfaction, though his frown soon returned. "But speculation is just speculation. These people have been very careful with their words—there are no gaps to exploit. We can’t keep interrogating them endlessly."
Huo Ning knew his father was right, and his heart sank. Just as he was feeling frustrated, Huo Huaixin suddenly murmured to himself, "Perhaps we should ask for her help..."
Huo Ning didn’t catch it. "Father, what did you say?"
Huo Huaixin snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Huo Ning, his expression suddenly complicated. Yuanshi had gone to Qin Manor and heard that Ninth Miss had even changed residences, yet the Old Madam of Qin Manor still avoided mentioning her, as if it were some taboo.
"That..." Huo Huaixin hesitated. "You haven’t been to Qin Manor these past few days?"
Huo Ning frowned. Go to Qin Manor? What for?! The memory of Qin Guan’s repeated mockeries made his face burn with humiliation again. He turned away, his tone tinged with irritation. "Of course not. Forget Qin Manor—I won’t even visit the Li or Zhao households. Right now, I only want to help you solve this case. Socializing can wait."
He swore he wouldn’t step foot in Qin Manor again until this case was cracked!
Huo Huaixin was moved by Huo Ning’s words—nothing pleased him more than seeing his son mature and take initiative.
But now, bringing up Ninth Miss seemed even more awkward...
Huo Huaixin hesitated for a moment, deciding that now wasn’t the time to discuss Huo Ning’s marriage prospects, so he shelved the thought. "It’s excellent that you’re so motivated. Making connections is important, but it’s all superficial without real ability. How else will you secure your future?"
At these words, Huo Ning felt another sting in his chest.
Was he truly nothing more than a Prefect's son with a handsome face, just as Qin Guan had said?Huo Ning was in the midst of inner turmoil when suddenly a figure darted into the front courtyard. Bai Feng strode quickly into the main hall of the front courtyard, and after exchanging some words, Jiang Shi stormed out moments later with an angry expression.
Watching this, Huo Ning whispered, "Has something else happened in the household?"
Huo Huaixin shook his head upon seeing this. "The mistress's affairs must concern the inner household. It's not our place to interfere. That young man in white just now was Prince Rui's heir's personal guard. This likely concerns the Crown Prince."
Huo Ning nodded and let the matter drop.
Before Jiang Shi had even left the front courtyard, her orders had already been issued. By the time she reached the western side courtyard, four maidservants had been bound and brought before her. Seeing Jiang Shi, they immediately knelt and crawled forward, begging for mercy.
Jiang Shi flicked her sleeve, her usually gentle face now cold and intimidating. "Who was spreading rumors?"
"It was me, madam! This lowly servant deserves death! Please forgive me!"
With all four brought forward and their words overheard, it was better to confess immediately than to lie and face harsher punishment. "Madam, I only had Old Madam's interests at heart. I heard about Ninth Miss's matter from others and foolishly believed those gossiping villains. I admit my fault and accept punishment—only please don't drive me out!"
Though Jiang Shi ruled strictly, she never mistreated servants beyond the rules. In Jinzhou City, there was no better household to serve in, which was why the maidservant feared expulsion so much.
Jiang Shi's lips curved into a cold smile. "Then tell me, where did you hear these things?"
The maidservant hurriedly replied, "I heard it while sweeping in the East courtyard. The Song family servants there have nothing to do all day and love spreading rumors. I go there daily to clean, so I overheard some things."
Jiang Shi laughed again. "The Song family servants just arrived in Jinzhou. How would they know rumors about Ninth Miss?"
The maidservant kowtowed frantically. "Madam, I wouldn't dare lie to you! Every word is true! If you don't believe me, summon the Song family servants from the East courtyard and ask them if they said such things!"
The cold smile faded from Jiang Shi's lips, replaced by a trace of gravity. She looked at the pleading maidservant on the ground and said, "Very well, I believe you."
Just as the maidservant began to rejoice, Jiang Shi added, "But I cannot keep you here."
The maidservant froze, then burst into desperate pleas. Unmoved, Jiang Shi waved her hand. "Send her to our usual slave broker." She then swept her gaze over the assembled servants in the courtyard. "This household dares not keep those who gossip about our honored guests."
Her words left the entire courtyard deathly silent.
Jiang Shi exhaled in frustration and turned to Bai Feng. "What does your Crown Prince intend? Since the rumors originated from the East courtyard, it's somewhat beyond my control. Though they're all Song family servants, given the current situation..."
Jiang Shi could sell her own household's servants, but she couldn't touch the Song family's maids. Not only could she not punish them, she had to care for them properly until Duke Song's people arrived, lest the two families become enemies.
Bai Feng nodded. "His Highness shares your view. Just ascertain the source—leave the rest to him."
Jiang Shi shook her head apologetically. "It was still our household's servants who erred. There's no need for thanks. Wan'er has a gentle temperament—I don't know if she was upset by these words. You may report to His Highness. I must go check on Wan'er."After speaking, Jiang Shi left the western side courtyard and hurried toward the Grand Princess's residence.
Qin Guan had been wholeheartedly devoted to the Grand Princess and Yue Qing. Not only had she suffered an inexplicable fright the previous night, but now she had also heard such slander. Jiang Shi’s heart was uneasy, fearing that Qin Guan would be burdened and disheartened.
Anxious, Jiang Shi rushed through the courtyard gate. When she reached the inner chamber, she saw Qin Guan carefully wiping the Grand Princess’s body, meticulously avoiding the wounds with a gentler touch than even Lu Xiu.
Jiang Shi’s tense heart immediately eased. She let out a sigh of relief just as Qin Guan noticed her presence and turned around. Seeing Jiang Shi, Qin Guan’s lips curved slightly. “Has the matter been settled, madam?”
Jiang Shi’s smile brightened as she stepped forward. “It’s settled. The Prefect found nothing.” Then, cautiously, she added, “Guan’er, don’t take to heart what you heard earlier…”
Qin Guan was wiping the Grand Princess’s wrist and smiled in response. “Don’t worry, madam. I’ve heard worse and won’t dwell on it. You needn’t—”
Before she could finish the word “worry,” Qin Guan suddenly sensed something amiss. Looking down, she saw the Grand Princess’s hand twitch. Her smile deepened. “Madam, the Grand Princess is waking up!”
Jiang Shi had already been comforted by Qin Guan’s words, but now her eyes shone with joy. She stepped closer and saw the Grand Princess’s fingers trembling slightly, her eyelashes fluttering. Though her eyes had not yet opened, it was clear she was on the verge of waking.
Qin Guan immediately checked the Grand Princess’s pulse. Moments later, her smile widened. “Her pulse has stabilized. The Grand Princess has overcome this crisis. At most, she’ll wake within half an hour!”
Jiang Shi’s eyes reddened with emotion. She grabbed Qin Guan’s hand, at a loss for words, then quickly turned to Lü Yun. “Go inform the marquis—once he’s done with matters in the front courtyard, have him come at once. The Grand Princess is waking! Also, summon the young mistress and the heir, as well as the second young master.”
Overjoyed and nearly incoherent, Jiang Shi looked at Qin Guan as if she wanted to pull her into an embrace. “I don’t know how those vile rumors started. Our Guan’er is practically a Medical Immortal! If not for you, the Grand Princess’s illness would have been beyond saving, and Qing’er would have faced imprisonment. Guan’er, you truly…”
Before she could finish expressing her gratitude, Lü Yun returned. “Madam—”
Jiang Shi turned to her. “What is it? Didn’t I tell you to inform the marquis?”
Lü Yun hesitated, glancing at Qin Guan. “Madam, someone from Qin Manor has arrived.”
“Qin Manor?” Jiang Shi frowned, looking at Qin Guan. “Who is it? What do they want?”
Lü Yun hurriedly replied, “I ran into Steward Yang on the way. He said the eldest young master of Qin Manor has come in person. He mentioned… that the Young Mistress is seven months pregnant. She fell ill earlier, and now her condition has worsened. They had no choice but to ask Ninth Miss to return to the manor…”
Qin Guan’s heart tightened. Two days had passed—had she failed to stabilize Yao Xinlan’s pregnancy?
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