This was Qin Guan's first time visiting the front courtyard.
As soon as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw Qin Chen pacing anxiously inside. He immediately approached her upon spotting her. "What took you so long?"
Qin Chen was usually gentle and soft-spoken, but his tone carried unusual severity now.
Cai He quickly lowered her head. "Ninth Miss went to the eastern side, so the search took longer."
Qin Chen frowned deeply. Though he wanted to ask why Qin Guan had gone there, he dared not delay further thinking of their distinguished guest. After a glance at Qin Guan, he turned toward the main hall. "Come with me quickly..."
The moment she stepped through the gate, Qin Guan felt an oppressive atmosphere pressing down on her.
Instantly, her heart tightened.
Keeping her eyes downcast, Qin Guan noticed all the servants of Qin Manor standing with bated breath, not daring to make a sound. When she lifted her gaze toward the main hall, she saw several figures cowering nervously at the entrance.
Among them was the usually irreverent Qin Li.
Qin Chen walked swiftly, clearly placing great importance on their guest. Soon, he was already ascending the steps. "Your Highness, my apologies for the delay. My sister has arrived—"
Your Highness? Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively looked up.
Her gaze landed on the main seat of Qin Manor's hall, where Yan Chi sat imposingly in a striking black robe. He reclined slightly, his expression cold and stern, brows slightly furrowed. His sidelong glance carried an air of lofty authority.
So it was Yan Chi...
While everyone inside and outside the hall dared not even breathe loudly, Qin Guan's tense heart settled.
"Qin Guan, why aren't you paying your respects to His Highness?"
As Qin Guan entered the hall, her brief pause upon recognizing Yan Chi was interrupted by a weak voice. She looked up to see a middle-aged man in luxurious robes standing beside Qin Li.
Though she had no memory of him, Qin Guan immediately recognized him.
The man was of average height, dressed today in a high-collared robe. His facial features bore some resemblance to Qin Chen's, but his narrow, elongated eyes gave him a cunning appearance. Dark circles, cloudy irises, sallow skin, and listless eyes made him seem prematurely aged, with streaks of white already at his temples. His hunched posture and weak breath betrayed a body ravaged by indulgence. In Qin Manor, who else could this be but Third Uncle Qin An?
Thanks to Yan Chi, she had finally met this uncle.
"Qin Guan pays her respects to Your—"
"Ninth Miss, no need for formalities!"
Before Qin Guan could finish speaking or complete her bow, Yan Chi cut her off with a single sentence.
Qin Guan looked up, meeting his deep, inscrutable gaze.
"Ninth Miss has treated Grand Princess, making her a benefactor to our household and the Yan family. How could I dare accept your courtesy?"
At these words, Qin Guan straightened slowly, while Qin An and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
When Prince Rui's heir had arrived at Qin Manor earlier with an imperious air, he had not only accepted their obeisances but made them kneel for a while before allowing them to rise. Once seated, he had offered no pleasantries, sitting expressionless and silent, as if an invisible weight pressed down on them, leaving them thoroughly unsettled.
Why was he treating Qin Guan differently?
"You flatter me, Your Highness. Qin Guan does not deserve such honor."
Lowering her eyes and head, Qin Guan felt uncertain. Was Yan Chi's remark meant to help her establish her footing in Qin Manor?"The Grand Princess has woken up after taking your medicinal figurine. Yesterday she only woke briefly before falling asleep again, but today she can speak. The moment she awoke, she kept calling your name. I had no choice but to come fetch you."
Yan Chi's voice was gentle, even carrying a hint of the helplessness one might show toward someone close.
Qin An glanced at Qin Chen, whose pupils constricted slightly.
Qin Guan, however, didn't notice these subtleties. Her bright eyes lifted with excitement. "The Grand Princess can speak now?"
Yan Chi's lips curved into a genuine smile. His sharply chiseled features softened with the expression, radiating a warmth like spring breeze. "Yes, she's waiting for you now."
His tone grew even more familiar and intimate. Seeing him smile, the others became acutely aware of his special regard for Qin Guan.
Qin An's lips twitched as he scrutinized his niece with newfound gravity.
Qin Guan found Yan Chi's tone somewhat odd but didn't dwell on it. Having been back at the manor for two days, she was genuinely overjoyed to hear the Grand Princess had improved enough to speak—another life saved.
Yan Chi stood. "The carriage is ready outside. Come with me."
With such progress, the prescription would need adjusting, making a trip to the marquis's residence necessary.
Qin Guan nodded and turned to leave when Qin An suddenly stepped forward. "Wait—"
"Hmm?" The faint smile vanished from Yan Chi's face as he turned a cold, piercing gaze on Qin An.
Qin An had never seen someone's expression shift so abruptly. His heart skipped a beat. "Y-Your Highness... Since we're visiting the Grand Princess, we should... prepare gifts. Please... give us a moment to arrange—"
"Unnecessary!" Yan Chi cut off Qin An's stammering without mercy. "The Grand Princess will be delighted just by Ninth Miss's presence. Besides, anything the Qin Manor can offer, the marquis's household already has."
With that, Yan Chi turned and strode out.
Qin Guan looked at Qin Chen, who gave her a nod. She curtsied in farewell and followed Yan Chi.
After they left, Qin An stood dumbfounded for a long moment before exclaiming, "What's going on... Since when does Ninth Niece know medicine? How come I knew nothing about this?!" His face darkened with anger as he glared at Qin Chen.
Qin Chen kept his head lowered, his expression icy. "Father never visits Mother's quarters in the inner courtyard. Naturally, you wouldn't know."
Only after exiting the manor gates did Qin Guan remember Liu Chun's matter. Watching Yan Chi's back, her eyes darkened with frustration. Yan Chi, ever perceptive, turned immediately. "What's wrong?"
There was no point complaining now. Qin Guan took a deep breath to steady herself. "Nothing. Your Highness's timing is impeccable."
She meant it as self-deprecating humor, but Yan Chi suddenly sharpened his gaze toward Fuling, who was following them. "Why the delay earlier? What was your mistress doing?"
Fuling had been terrified of Yan Chi since their first distant encounter. Now, confronted directly, she froze. "M-Mistress was... watching servants clean the well..."
It was the truth—Fuling blurted it out almost the moment Qin Guan turned.
Qin Guan frowned at her pale-faced maid. Just whose servant was she?
"Is that all?" Yan Chi pressed. Fuling's eyes darted nervously before she hastily bowed her head."That's... that's all..."
Qin Guan felt helpless inside, grateful that Fuling hadn't revealed everything.
"Why is the Crown Prince asking these questions?"
Yan Chi curved his lips, "I thought my visit might have interrupted Ninth Miss from doing something important."
Qin Guan was almost certain Yan Chi was doing this deliberately. She gave a cold laugh inwardly but showed no sign of it as she stepped toward the carriage. "Naturally, nothing is more important than visiting the Grand Princess."
"Not necessarily—"
Qin Guan paused mid-step and turned to look at Yan Chi. "What does the Crown Prince mean?"
Yan Chi's expression turned serious. "At the moment, there is indeed something more important than visiting the Grand Princess. Marquis Yue and Prefect Huo Huaixin cannot intervene personally, so I’ve come on their behalf to ask for your help."
Qin Guan's expression also grew solemn. Visiting the Grand Princess was proper, but if Yan Chi had deceived her into coming out for another matter, it would be rather unpleasant. However, since he mentioned Yue Qiong and Huo Huaixin, she quickly pieced things together.
"Were your words in the residence earlier just an excuse?"
Seeing Yan Chi tacitly admit it, Qin Guan felt slightly annoyed. "Why does the Crown Prince assume I would definitely help?"
Noticing her irritation, Yan Chi took a step closer. "That day, I heard a hint of admiration in your words for the former Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Shen Yi. You are kind-hearted and highly skilled in medicine, and most importantly... I simply believe you would help."
Qin Guan found herself momentarily speechless under Yan Chi's deep gaze. "I... am not a kind person..."
"You are," Yan Chi took another step closer. "You only do what you believe is right—that is kindness."
Yan Chi was now standing extremely close. Qin Guan felt his figure completely enveloping her, his gaze unwavering, deep enough to be overwhelming, sharp enough to startle, as if aggressively invading every breath she took. Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened. She stiffened her back and steadied her breathing, determined not to falter under his scrutiny.
But her composure lasted only moments. Embarrassment quickly overtook her, and she feigned nonchalance as she turned and hurriedly climbed into the carriage. "Are we going to the Mortuary Temple or the Marquis's residence...?"
A faint smile lingered in Yan Chi's phoenix eyes. "The Mortuary Temple."
After a pause, he added, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll accompany you."
Inside the carriage, Qin Guan scoffed softly. She frequented the Mortuary Temple as easily as her own backyard. Afraid? Who was the one who should be afraid here...?
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