"Ninth Sister is here—"
As soon as she entered, Qin Guan was greeted by Qin Li's smiling face.
In the main hall of Windward Courtyard stood two large chests filled with top-quality silks and satins. On the table lay a square ebony box about a foot long, containing several sets of jade and white jade jewelry. Qin Li idly played with a white jade waist pendant while Qin Xiang, followed by Wan Qing and Wan He, was selecting items. When Qin Xiang saw Qin Guan enter, her face immediately darkened.
Qin Xiang quickly picked out a few items and turned to Wan Qing behind her, "Since your young lady can't come out, carefully choose some things according to her preferences. She's been lonely in her courtyard these days—pick more of the good ones for her."
This was clearly directed at Qin Guan. Fuling, following behind Qin Guan, had already furrowed her brows.
It wasn't that she coveted the gifts—Qin Shuang's earlier arrogant remarks had been her own fault, yet now Qin Xiang was blaming everything on her young lady. The injustice churned in her heart.
Qin Guan, however, showed no reaction. She nodded at Qin Li and instructed Fuling, "After Fifth Sister finishes choosing, just pick any two items casually. I'll go check on Eldest Brother's Wife to see if she's feeling better."
At these words, Qin Xiang's brows knitted together. She had deliberately spoken for Qin Guan to hear, yet Qin Guan didn't take the bait at all, maintaining this indifferent attitude. Given the life she'd lived before, how could she be so unaffected by such treasures? What an act!
As Qin Guan stepped toward the inner chamber, Qin Li watched her with an enigmatic smile, his gaze only cut off when she passed through the doorway curtain. The discomfort from Liu Chun's earlier scrutiny still lingered in Qin Guan's mind, and Qin Li's gaze only added to her irritation. Both men were suspects in her investigation, yet she couldn't afford to reveal any clues through her reactions.
Exhaling, Qin Guan had just reached the inner chamber doorway when Yao Xinlan on the bed looked up from afar.
"Ninth Sister, come here quickly—"
Qin Guan quickened her steps and approached the bedside. Yao Xinlan took her hand and had her sit beside her. Yao Xinlan's complexion showed a hint of color now, and her breathing seemed stronger. Mo Shu, understanding they would share private words, retreated to guard the inner chamber entrance.
"Ninth Sister, did you meet Fifth Sister outside?"
Qin Guan nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "I did."
"Fifth Sister has always been that way. Although she's the family's legitimate daughter... well, in any case, don't take it to heart. Both she and Sixth Sister have domineering temperaments, but they're not truly wicked people."
Yao Xinlan's gentle persuasion made Qin Guan sigh inwardly.
Truly evil people were rare in this world—many tragedies stemmed from these minor wrongdoers instead. Qin Guan didn't believe such people should be indulged. While grave evils deserved severe punishment, minor wrongs shouldn't be tolerated either.
"Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister's temperaments aren't truly wicked, but they won't spend their entire lives in Qin Manor. Once they leave, no one will be as forgiving as you, Eldest Brother's Wife."
Yao Xinlan seemed to reflect on her own situation, her eyes reddening as she exhaled. "Yes, at home parents may not truly blame their children, but marriage changes everything. Ninth Sister understands these matters well."
Seeing Yao Xinlan's eyes redden again, Qin Guan sighed. "Eldest Brother's Wife, don't dwell on such thoughts. Take the pills I gave you daily as prescribed—once your health improves, your mind won't feel so troubled. These days, avoid overthinking."Yao Xinlan nodded and instinctively grasped Qin Guan's hand. "I know, Ninth Sister, don't worry. Fortunately, there's still you in this manor to talk with me. I want to recover soon—if not for anything else, then for the child in my belly."
Though women may be delicate, motherhood makes them strong. Seeing Yao Xinlan's resolute expression, Qin Guan was deeply moved. Though she had never been a mother herself, she remembered how her own mother had toiled tirelessly while following her father on his official postings, later pouring all her love and care into raising her. She had once believed she would always be able to bring joy to her parents, but an unexpected tragedy shattered those hopes.
And as for Ninth Miss's parents, they had both passed away seven years ago.
"That's the right mindset. For the sake of your child, Eldest Brother's Wife must gather your strength and recover."
Yao Xinlan nodded, then her eyes flickered a few times as she glanced toward the inner chamber's doorway and whispered, "Ninth Sister, I didn't drink the noon medicine either. Look, I poured it all into those flowerpots over there..."
Following Yao Xinlan's gaze, Qin Guan saw three pots of orchids placed on the windowsill in the distance.
Taking a deep breath, Qin Guan asked, "Has Eldest Brother's Wife found any evidence yet?"
A shadow crossed Yao Xinlan's eyes as she shook her head. "It's not that easy. For now, I can only focus on protecting myself. Thankfully, Ninth Sister knows medicine and can come check on me often. Otherwise, I truly wouldn't know what to do..."
Qin Guan lowered her gaze. The waters in Qin Manor ran deeper than she had imagined.
On the surface, Yao Xinlan appeared isolated and pitiable—a woman who had married into the Qin family only to be plotted against by its members. Her husband and the caring Old Madam should have been her pillars of support, yet for some reason, she no longer trusted them. Instead, she had turned to her, the "outsider" Ninth Sister, who happened to appear kind-hearted and highly skilled in medicine.
But was it really that simple?
Qin Guan felt as though she had come to a foggy crossroads—one path leading to indifference, the other to heeding Yao Xinlan's plea for help, to investigate and remain vigilant.
After a brief hesitation, Qin Guan looked up and said, "Why doesn't Eldest Brother's Wife tell Eldest Brother? The bond between you two is deep. If he knew someone was trying to harm his child, he would surely investigate. With three months left until your delivery, what if the culprit continues targeting you? They lurk in the shadows, making it nearly impossible for you to guard against them."
A trace of sorrow flashed in Yao Xinlan's eyes. "Ninth Sister... I... I actually mentioned it once to Brother Chen, but he didn't believe me. I... felt disheartened. And then I thought—these people in Qin Manor are his family, bound by blood. Though I am his wife, I... am ultimately an outsider. The Madam and Old Madam have always been very caring toward me, and Brother Chen pampers me in every way. I can't even tell who might be harming me, I..."
Her head bowed, tears welling in her lashes. "I love him, so I don’t want to put him in a difficult position."
Qin Guan's brow furrowed tightly. Yao Xinlan's distress seemed genuine, yet if Qin Chen, her own husband, remained inactive in such a grave matter, what use was he?
A stifling frustration rose in Qin Guan's chest, but seeing Yao Xinlan's fragile, tearful state, she didn’t know how to console her. Suppressing her words, she pursed her lips and finally said lightly, "Then let’s do as Eldest Brother's Wife suggests."Yao Xinlan wiped the tear stains from the corners of her eyes and coughed lightly twice, making her appear even more pitiful in her illness. Qin Guan's heart felt heavy as she silently held Yao Xinlan's hand without speaking, and the room fell quiet.
Qin Guan didn't offer further comfort, but Yao Xinlan gradually calmed down. Slowly wiping away her tears, she gazed distantly at the windowsill in the distance. Her expression shifted from sorrow and grievance to a dazed emptiness. In just a few moments, her hand, which had been wiping her tears, dropped limply to her side. She sat there with a vacant stare, like a lifeless puppet...
Qin Guan grew worried. Yao Xinlan looked as if she had reached the point where sorrow could no longer touch her—a state far worse for her already frail health. Qin Guan quickly squeezed her hand and called, "Eldest Brother's Wife?"
Yao Xinlan slowly turned her gaze, her clouded eyes gradually clearing. A faint, weary yet almost childlike smile curved her lips as she asked softly, "Did Ninth Sister meet Fifth Sister outside?"
Her voice was gentle and warm, but as Qin Guan looked at her delicate, smiling face, a chill crept up her spine.
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