Coroner's Diary

Six small black dots were visible, forming a crescent shape when connected.

After careful consideration, Qin Guan confirmed they were indeed bite marks.

Human teeth, being the hardest bones, can leave deep wounds on the body. Over time, these wounds may heal but will inevitably leave traces. Xu He's initial examination took place at dawn after the headless corpse was discovered. By then, cadaveric spots had already formed, and it was highly likely that Xu He had overlooked these minor wounds. Later, as the body began to decompose and greenish discoloration appeared on the skin, the chances of noticing them diminished further. It was only because Qin Guan aimed for thoroughness that she didn’t miss them.

Although Qin Guan hadn’t yet confirmed the corpse’s identity as Song Rou, there was a ninety percent chance it was her.

If this was indeed Song Rou, how could there be bite marks on her shoulder?

Song Rou was a noblewoman from a prestigious family, undoubtedly pampered and unaccustomed to hardship. It was unlikely she had been in a physical altercation severe enough to result in a bite wound. If that wasn’t the reason, then even Qin Guan, despite her inexperience, could only speculate in a more intimate direction. She could tell that the bite marks were no more than seven months old.

Yan Chi paused in his note-taking, clearly surprised by this discovery. After a moment’s thought, Qin Guan examined the corpse on the table again but ultimately shook her head.

Their eyes met, and Yan Chi understood—Qin Guan signaled him not to record this wound. He nodded, and Qin Guan resumed her meticulous inspection of the rest of the body. Without performing an autopsy, she couldn’t make a definitive judgment, especially regarding this wound, which was at least seven months old. She wasn’t sure how to interpret it.

The identity of the corpse was the crux of Qin Guan’s growing doubts.

She stopped, her gaze deep and contemplative. Yan Chi couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking?”

Qin Guan pressed her lips together. “I’m wondering why the killer decapitated the victim. In ordinary homicides, few are deranged enough to go that far. Yet this person acted with such precision—what kind of deep-seated hatred could they have harbored?”

“So you suspect the victim’s identity?”

Qin Guan nodded. “When the body was first discovered in the wedding sedan, everyone assumed it was Miss Song. But without the head, we still can’t confirm who she is.”

She then turned to Xu He. “Coroner Xu, do you have the Song family guards’ testimonies from the prefecture?”

Xu He hurried over but shook his head. “No, those records are kept at the prefecture. They aren’t here.” He paused before adding, “Why? What does Ninth Miss wish to know?”

Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. “I need to confirm the victim’s identity.”

With that, she resumed examining the corpse, carefully inspecting the hands and feet. When she turned over the hands, her brow furrowed slightly. Though the body was decomposing and the nails had discolored, the nail polish remained vivid. After a closer look, she murmured, “This is Danhua Nail Polish from the capital.”

Yan Chi raised an eyebrow, and Xu He stepped forward. “How does Ninth Miss know?”Qin Guan's eyes flickered with a hidden gleam. "A couple of days ago, the marquis's household in the capital sent Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to Jinzhou. The matron in charge of delivering them brought some small trinkets for the young ladies of the house, including Danhua Kou. This dye not only lasts exceptionally long on nails but also produces a much brighter color than ordinary dyes, making it highly fashionable in the capital right now..."

Of course, there had been no Danhua Kou among the festival gifts from the capital. The former her, raised in seclusion, though not as fond of adornments as other noble ladies, was still aware of the latest trends in the capital. Her mother, pitying her for the hardships she endured moving around with her father in her childhood, indulged her in such luxuries after they settled in the capital. Two months ago, her mother had personally used Danhua Kou to dye her nails.

Qin Guan recognized it clearly, stirring waves of sorrow in her heart. She steadied herself before carefully examining the deceased's hands. The more she looked, the deeper her frown became. After inspecting the left hand, she moved to the right. Soon, she straightened up and murmured as if to herself, "Miss Song... is skilled in the qin?"

Xu He listened, shaking his head in confusion. "I only handle the corpse examination and haven't seen the testimony records. But... how did Ninth Miss discover this?"

Holding the deceased's hand, Qin Guan pointed out, "The right hand is soft, fair, and flawless, but the left has obvious calluses." She bent the deceased's ring finger. "First, there's a thick callus on the second joint of the left ring finger. Second, there's another on the thumb joint. These calluses can only result from years of practicing the qin. So, I surmised Miss Song must be skilled in it."

Xu He's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. "Once we check the testimony records or ask Miss Song's attendants—"

"No need to ask!" Before Xu He could finish, Huo Ning abruptly interrupted from the doorway, his voice stiff. "I've read the testimony multiple times. Miss Song is indeed skilled in the qin! Her dowry even included an ancient, renowned qin."

Huo Ning, who also loved the qin, naturally remembered such details, especially since he had indeed reviewed the testimony thoroughly.

Qin Guan, who hadn't paid much attention to Huo Ning until now, glanced at him briefly. She nodded, then turned back and said gravely, "In that case, we can almost confirm this body is Miss Song's. However... we still need to find her head. As for why the killer decapitated her, perhaps the answer will come when we find it."

"What? Confirmed?!"

At that moment, Huo Huaixin returned in long strides. Seeing his question, Yan Chi handed him the examination report.

Huo Huaixin took it, skimmed it quickly, and sighed. "Ah, if possible, I truly wish the deceased weren't Miss Song." Though the case might become more complicated, as long as the victim wasn't from the Song family, he wouldn't have to fear Duke Song's influence. But since Qin Guan had ruled out other possibilities, he had no choice but to dedicate himself to solving the case swiftly.

"Ninth Miss, I've already sent someone to Shili Temple. The bridal party stayed there the night before arriving in Jinzhou. Have you found anything new here?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "Without an autopsy, this is all the information we can gather. I hope it helps, Prefect."Huo Huaixin quickly responded with a face full of gratitude, "Yes, yes, of course there is."

Qin Guan pursed her lips slightly and added, "Additionally, the body has already begun to decompose. If an autopsy is to be performed, the sooner it's done, the more clues we can find. Otherwise, even if an autopsy is possible later, there won’t be many clues left."

Huo Huaixin gave a bitter smile. "I understand that, but..." He hesitated, but Qin Guan already knew what he meant. She nodded and didn’t press further, instead beginning to tidy the long table. Glancing at the Wedding Gown nearby, she simply said, "Let’s not use the Wedding Gown. A set of hemp clothing will suffice."

Huo Huaixin and Xu He had already been thinking the same thing and promptly instructed Uncle Kuan outside to find some spare hemp clothes.

Meanwhile, Xu He had prepared water for Qin Guan in the outer room. She stepped out, took a deep breath, first washed her gloves, and then began to clean her hands. Fuling, who had just entered from outside, looked at her with reddened eyes. While helping her wash her hands, Fuling said, "Miss, I’m really so useless."

Qin Guan chuckled. "It’s normal for you to react this way the first time. I don’t think you’re useless at all. After vomiting once, it’ll be easier next time. Why don’t you go back in and take another look now?"

Fuling laughed helplessly. "Why must you tease me, Miss? I’ve already vomited up all my bile." Then, perking up, she added, "But next time, I’ll definitely do much, much better!"

Qin Guan gave an "Mm" of acknowledgment. "I’ll take your word for it!"

Fuling, still weak from vomiting, huffed indignantly at Qin Guan’s attitude. As she turned around, she suddenly noticed Uncle Kuan standing silently at the entrance of the side hall, his gaze eerily fixed on them.

Fuling knew Uncle Kuan’s role, but whether it was due to his appearance or the look in his eyes, his presence sent a jolt of fear through her. She froze, and Qin Guan turned around to see him as well.

Perhaps from years of guarding the Mortuary Temple, Uncle Kuan carried an eerie calmness that ordinary people lacked, as if he had absorbed the lifelessness of the dead. Seeing him staring at her, Qin Guan took a couple of steps forward. "Is something wrong?"

Uncle Kuan lowered his eyes, his face expressionless, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Have you been to the Mortuary Temple before, Miss?"

Qin Guan paused, then shook her head. "No."

Uncle Kuan lifted his head and gave her a strange look for a moment before lowering it again. "Just now, watching you walk in, I felt as though you didn’t clash with this place at all—as if you belonged here."

This was the Mortuary Temple, a place where only the dead should be.

A chill ran through Qin Guan’s heart, but her expression remained unruffled as she curved her lips slightly. "Perhaps it’s because I heal the sick and don’t believe in ghosts or spirits, so I don’t feel afraid."

Uncle Kuan said nothing more. Closing the door to the side hall, he picked up his lantern and walked alone deeper into the Mortuary Temple.

Watching his black hemp-clad figure disappear around the corner, Qin Guan pressed her lips tightly together to suppress the unease in her heart.

"Ninth Miss! Grandmother is still waiting for you. Let’s return to the Marquis’s residence!"

Yue Qing’s voice snapped Qin Guan out of her thoughts. She turned, steadied her breathing, and walked out calmly. Instead of heading straight for the carriage, she approached Huo Huaixin, who was giving instructions to a servant.

Seeing her approach, Huo Huaixin quickly said, "Ninth Miss, is there anything else you need to say?"

Qin Guan thought for a moment. "Prefect, may I have a word in private?"Huo Huaixin's eyes flickered with a thoughtful gleam as he quickly stepped aside. Qin Guan followed and whispered, "Just now, I discovered something that wasn't recorded in the examination report. It's rather peculiar, and I wasn’t certain if it was related to the case, so I thought it best to inform you privately. Since you have the clearest understanding of the entire situation, I’ll leave it to your judgment."

Huo Huaixin was taken aback. "What did Ninth Miss discover?"

Qin Guan leaned in and swiftly recounted the matter of the tooth marks. Sure enough, Huo Huaixin's eyes widened in shock.

After a brief pause, Qin Guan continued, "There’s one more thing. You must recall that night when someone disguised themselves as a ghost to frighten people in the Marquis’s residence."

Huo Huaixin raised an eyebrow, and Qin Guan explained, "Actually, I was the one who was frightened that night."

Huo Huaixin was stunned by these unexpected revelations, but Qin Guan pressed on, "That night, I noticed a small stain on the sleeve of the wedding gown. At the time, I assumed it was moss from the rear wall that the person had brushed against. But later, I learned that Miss Song’s wedding gown was made of xiaohongsha silk from the capital. This type of brocade is extremely rare and has a unique property—ordinary stains are invisible on it, but ink marks are impossible to remove."

Huo Huaixin’s eyelids twitched, and Qin Guan added, "Therefore, the mark on the wedding gown must have been ink."

A sudden realization flashed through Huo Huaixin’s mind, and his expression shifted noticeably. Qin Guan noticed but didn’t press further, saying only, "I’ve merely shared my findings with you. The truth now depends on your investigation."

With that, Qin Guan curtsied and turned to walk back toward the waiting carriage.

Yan Chi descended the steps in long strides, immediately guessing what Qin Guan had done upon seeing her expression. The matter of the tooth marks was known only to him and Huo Huaixin. Though it seemed trivial, it inexplicably filled Yan Chi with a lighthearted sense of delight.

Huo Ning also witnessed the exchange. Still dazed and disoriented, he stood listlessly at the entrance of the mortuary temple. The moment Qin Guan left, he hurried forward and asked, "Father, what did she say?"

Though Huo Huaixin heard him, he pretended otherwise, instead waving cheerfully at the departing carriage. "Safe travels, Marquis! I’ll inform you as soon as there’s news. Thank you, Ninth Miss—"

Only when the carriage had moved some distance away did Huo Huaixin’s smile vanish abruptly.

He turned, his gaze icy as he fixed it on Huo Ning. "You disgraceful fool! What’s wrong with you today? How could you be so rude to Ninth Miss—and in front of the Marquis and His Highness Yan Chi, no less? You truly—"

"Father, I just want to know what she told you!"

Huo Huaixin was so furious he gasped for breath. "From now on, you are not to interfere in this case. If you’re not ashamed, I certainly am! I’d heard rumors that Ninth Miss favored you, but today made it clear—how could you possibly compare to the Marquis’s second son, let alone His Highness Yan Chi? And here I was, even considering sending your mother to Qin Manor to—"

Huo Ning, already drowning in humiliation, never expected his father to heap further scolding upon him. Hearing this, he finally understood why his father had been so inquisitive about Qin Manor—he had been scheming all along!

His face flushed crimson as he roared, "What are you planning, Father? Don’t tell me you actually want to arrange a marriage alliance with Qin Manor?!"Huo Huaixin saw his son on the verge of losing control and grew even more furious, feeling that Huo Ning wasn't listening to him at all. "What's the matter? What if we do want to propose a marriage?! Ninth Miss's character, appearance, and temperament are more than a match for you! We're all relying on her help with this case, and look at you! You still don't know how to restrain yourself in front of her!"

Huo Ning had originally intended to accomplish something to impress Qin Guan. But now that he knew she was the expert, he realized that even if he solved the case, she might not think highly of him. Huo Huaixin's sharp words trampled his dignity underfoot, and Huo Ning, enraged, lashed out without restraint—

"Who would want to marry her?! A woman who knows corpse dissection and examination techniques—who knows where she learned such lowly skills from? Does she have any semblance of a noble lady's demeanor?! Forget about proposing to her—even if she knelt before me begging to marry her, I wouldn't even glance her way. You don't want me involved? Fine, I'm happy to stay out of it!"

After his outburst, Huo Ning stormed off, with Fei Quan and Nan Feng, who had been holding their breaths, hastily chasing after him. Huo Huaixin stood rooted to the spot, watching Huo Ning's retreating figure, feeling so angry his vision darkened. "This... this disgraceful wretch!"

……

……

Fuling applied scented ointment to Qin Guan's hands, then looked at her in surprise. "Miss, you're not scared at all? Just one glance made me nauseous, and when I think of the scene in the ancestral hall, it's even more terrifying. How can you...?"

"Fuling, do you know what life and death truly are?"

Fuling stared at Qin Guan with wide, innocent eyes. Qin Guan then said slowly, "In this world, nothing is greater than life and death. Those who have experienced death are unfazed even by ghosts and spirits. Even if someone stood before me with a knife, I might still be calmer than most."

Fuling pouted slightly. "But back then, I also..."

Before she could finish, her face flushed red. Qin Guan, amused by her indignant expression, curved her lips into a smile. "So, you should think—if you had the courage to face death that day, what is there to fear now?"

Fuling tilted her head, genuinely pondering Qin Guan's words. After a moment, she sighed. "Miss is truly Miss. Before, you were reserved, but now you're completely different. I really am destined to be a maid—I don't have Miss's enlightened perspective."

Qin Guan shook her head with a wry smile, but Fuling huffed lightly. "I didn’t expect Young Master Huo to be there today. The way he used to look down on you—today must have been so humiliating for him! I saw it clearly—he looked utterly stunned! He never imagined our Miss had hidden talents, much less that you're so gifted even his father now relies on your help."

Thinking of Huo Ning, Qin Guan felt no ripple of emotion. Judging by his expression today, he must have suffered quite a blow. If so, then the past grievances between him and Ninth Miss could be set aside for now.

The carriage moved steadily forward. Qin Guan had left in the morning, and by the time it stopped at the Marquis's residence, it was already noon.

The moment the carriage halted, Yue Qing's voice rang out. "Quick, inform Old Madam and Madam—Ninth Miss has arrived."

Yue Qing was in visibly high spirits, and even Yue Qiong stepped out of the carriage with a smile. Yan Chi dismounted and turned, watching as Qin Guan emerged from the carriage. His brow arched slightly.The group entered the mansion one after another, heading straight for the Grand Princess's courtyard.

Yue Qiong led the way, with Yue Qing following closely behind Qin Guan. Yue Qing said, "Grandmother woke up yesterday, though she was still very weak at the time. But when she woke again before dawn this morning, she could already speak. The medicine Ninth Miss left is truly remarkable."

Qin Guan's lips curved slightly. "Though the Grand Princess faced grave danger this time, it was her own strong willpower that pulled her through. Medicine alone wouldn’t have been enough."

Yue Qing nodded, then grinned. "Ninth Miss, don’t be so modest. Your medical skills even made Divine Doctor Huang acknowledge your superiority. Not only is your medical skill extraordinary, but you also... Ninth Miss truly continues to amaze."

Fuling, walking behind Qin Guan, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. The enthusiasm of the Marquis's second son toward her mistress was unmistakable!

"Qing'er, we’re almost there. Stop chattering," Yue Qiong called from the front, likely noticing Yue Qing's unusual eagerness.

Yue Qing chuckled in response and quickened his steps to the courtyard gate. "Mother, Ninth Miss is here—"

No sooner had he spoken than a figure darted out from the courtyard. Jiang Shi emerged with a warm smile. "Guan'er, you’ve finally arrived!"

Just as before, Jiang Shi immediately took Qin Guan’s hand, not even giving her a chance to bow before leading her inside. "Mother has been asking for you for a long time." She gave Qin Guan a once-over. "You must be exhausted again today?"

Jiang Shi knew about Qin Guan’s involvement in the corpse examination and asked with concern.

Qin Guan quickly shook her head. "Not at all, not at all. Thank you for your concern, Madam. Everything went smoothly."

Jiang Shi patted her hand with a smile and whispered, "Mother woke up before dawn today and was in surprisingly good spirits. When she learned Qing'er’s matter had been resolved, she insisted on details. I couldn’t hold back, so I told her directly. Don’t worry—Mother is open-minded. If she asks you about it later, just speak freely."

From the moment Qin Guan decided to help Yue Qing, she had never intended to hide anything from the Grand Princess. This development didn’t surprise her.

Following Jiang Shi inside, Qin Guan went straight to the inner chamber. As soon as she reached the doorway, she saw the Grand Princess already sitting up in bed. Qin Guan hurried forward to bow. "Greetings to Your Highness, the Grand Princess—"

"Rise, rise. Come here quickly."

Though the Grand Princess still looked frail, her condition was worlds apart from when Qin Guan had first seen her. Qin Guan stepped closer, and the Grand Princess pulled her down to sit beside her. Her weak hands gripped Qin Guan tightly, but she didn’t speak immediately. After scrutinizing Qin Guan for a long moment, she finally nodded. "Good, good. Worthy of my regard!"

After a pause, the Grand Princess lowered her voice. "How did it go today?"

Seeing the cautious, wrinkled face of the Grand Princess, Qin Guan couldn’t help but smile softly. She also whispered, "There was a small breakthrough today. It should provide some help to the Prefect. Once there’s news, he will surely inform Your Highness."

The sight of the old and young whispering conspiratorially made Jiang Shi and Lu Xiu, standing nearby, burst into laughter. Jiang Shi stepped forward. "Mother, you shouldn’t trouble yourself with such matters now. Since Guan'er is here, let her check your pulse first."

Qin Guan also smiled. "Your Highness’s health comes first. Allow Qin Guan to examine your pulse."Grand Princess sat up straight, her expression gentle. "It's alright, I can feel it myself. Guan'er's medicine has helped me so much, though the wound still hurts a little..."

Jiang Shi chided her, "Mother, now that you know it hurts, you should stay lying down."

The Grand Princess let out a sigh. "Lying down all the time is uncomfortable too. That day, I thought I would just keep lying there until the end... Who would have thought Guan'er would bring me back from death's door..."

The Grand Princess spoke with emotion, her gaze full of tenderness as she looked at Qin Guan.

Qin Guan wore a faint smile as she attentively took the Grand Princess's pulse. After a moment, she withdrew her hand and said, "Please lie down, Grand Princess, so I can examine your wound."

"Mmm, very well..."

Seeing the Grand Princess comply while lying down, Jiang Shi chided even more, "See? No matter what we say, Mother won’t listen, but with just one word from Guan'er, she obeys without hesitation..."

Since the medical examination took priority, Yue Qiong and the others had not yet entered the inner chamber. Qin Guan unfastened the Grand Princess's robe, inspected the wound, and finally let out a relieved sigh. "The wound is beginning to heal, and your pulse has stabilized. I’ll prescribe a new formula for the Grand Princess to take for seven days. Once the first scab falls off, we’ll switch to another."

With a smile, she added, "The Grand Princess truly shouldn’t sit for too long now. Madam’s concern is quite justified."

The Grand Princess glanced at Jiang Shi. "See? She’s speaking on your behalf. Fine, I’ll stay lying down then."

The room was filled with warmth and cheer. After tucking the Grand Princess in, Yue Qiong and the others finally entered. Seeing him, the Grand Princess immediately said, "Later, you must escort Guan'er back exactly as she came. And remember, if anything like this happens again, keep it absolutely discreet. If Guan'er’s reputation suffers because of this, I’ll hold you accountable!"

Yue Qiong had already been extremely cautious, and hearing the Grand Princess’s admonition, he hurriedly agreed. "Rest assured, Mother. His Highness Yan Chi personally escorted her here, and she’ll be safely returned the same way."

"Oh?" The Grand Princess glanced at Yan Chi, who stood at the back. "Xiao Qi, you went to fetch her?"

Yan Chi stepped forward with a bright smile. "Indeed. Since the Marquis and the Prefect couldn’t intervene directly, I, being from the capital, claimed to be acting under your orders. The Qin Manor didn’t dare question it."

Considering this, the Grand Princess couldn’t help but admire Yan Chi’s thoughtfulness. If Yue Qing or Yue Jia had gone, being from Jinzhou themselves, it might have sparked gossip. Yan Chi, however, was different—his status was exceptional, and his presence could even bolster Qin Guan’s standing.

The Grand Princess composed herself. "Good. Then you’ll escort Guan'er back later!"

She understood Qin Guan’s precarious position in the Qin Manor all too well and sought every opportunity to help her establish herself. Thus, she intended to leverage Yan Chi’s status—though she didn’t realize he had already discerned her intentions and was more than happy to play along.

"Of course, Aunt. I’ll personally see Ninth Miss home."

The Grand Princess exhaled in relief and took Qin Guan’s hand. "I heard the First Madam of the Qin family has fallen ill?"

A shadow flickered in Qin Guan’s eyes. "Yes. Eldest Brother’s Wife returned from a family visit recently, and the journey must have overtaxed her. She showed signs of bleeding and is now recuperating."

The Grand Princess frowned. "Childbirth is like stepping into the underworld—one must be exceedingly careful. And your sister-in-law is carrying the firstborn heir. Still, I’ve heard your elder brother is quite capable, with a good reputation in Jinzhou. With some support from the capital and the Prefect of Jianzhou, his future should be promising."

Yao Xinlan was the second daughter of the Jianzhou Prefect, but Qin Guan wasn’t sure what influence the Prefect could wield for Qin Chen.Noticing Qin Guan's confusion, the Grand Princess continued, "The prefect of Jianzhou is about to be promoted. Upon returning to the capital, he will at least hold a third-rank position. Moreover, his connections span the entire Great Zhou, and his words carry significant weight. Wait until next year—once the situation in the capital stabilizes, we can arrange for your elder brother to go to the capital. If needed then, I’ll write a letter of recommendation for him."

Even after years away from the capital, the Grand Princess remained the Grand Princess. By making this promise, she was pledging her support for Qin Chen. Qin Guan promptly expressed gratitude on his behalf.

After exchanging a few more words, Qin Guan personally fed the Grand Princess her medicine. Once the medicine was taken, the Grand Princess grew drowsy. Qin Guan revised the prescription, then assisted Lu Xiu in redressing the Grand Princess’s wounds before quietly withdrawing.

Stepping out of the inner chamber, Qin Guan noticed two new lanterns hanging in the courtyard. Unlike ordinary lanterns adorned with typical designs, these bore elegant calligraphy—passages from Buddhist scriptures!

Jiang Shi, seeing her gaze linger on the lanterns, explained, "The Autumn Festival is approaching. Every year, Jinzhou City holds a lantern fair, and in the past, the Marquis’s household would donate numerous Lantern Boats. But this year... with so many misfortunes and the Dowager’s poor health, we’ve scaled back the extravagance. Still, the Dowager insisted that donating Lantern Boats is a way to bless the people. This year, instead of elaborate displays, we’ll contribute two simple Lantern Boats for prayers. These lanterns were custom-made, and the Dowager liked them so much she kept two."

It wasn’t just the Grand Princess who admired them—even Qin Guan found them delightful.

Jiang Shi led Qin Guan forward while Yue Qiong and Yan Chi headed to the study for some matter, though Yue Qing lingered behind.

Yan Chi cast a glance at Yue Qing but left without acknowledging Qin Guan.

Meanwhile, Yue Qing, hearing Jiang Shi’s words, chimed in, "Even if we’re not celebrating lavishly this year, can’t we at least go see the lantern fair?"

Jiang Shi turned and shot her a reproachful look. "Of course! We’ll be releasing prayers for blessings and distributing relief grain to the southern refugees. Naturally, we won’t stop you from going. Bring your brother along—he’s been in low spirits lately."

Yue Qing eagerly agreed, then asked with a sly glance, "Will Ninth Miss join us?"

Jiang Shi’s eyes brightened. "Ah, yes! Guan’er, will you come? Though this year’s festivities won’t be as grand, the Marquis’s household has two Lantern Boats. If you wish to admire the lanterns or cruise the lake, it’ll be quite convenient."

In Great Zhou, the Mid-Autumn Festival, known as the Autumn Festival, began two days early with celebrations centered around lantern fairs and garden strolls, whether in the capital or Jinzhou. Jinzhou’s festival took place by the Lishui Lake in the southern part of the city, where the entire lakeside stayed illuminated all night. Wealthy families donated Lantern Towers and Lantern Boats, while lively streets and markets bustled with activity. Visitors could float lanterns on the lake for blessings, stroll through gardens admiring the displays, or even confess their affections—though for an unmarried girl like Qin Guan, the fair was simply a chance to enjoy the sights.

Yet, in her four years in Jinzhou, the former Ninth Miss had never attended the Autumn Festival lantern fair.

"I’m just not sure if I’ll be allowed to go."

Though Qin Guan now had the freedom to come and go as she pleased, she couldn’t be certain whether Jiang Shi and Lin Shi would permit her to attend such a public gathering.Jiang Shi laughed upon hearing this, "When the time comes, we'll have Ning'er pick you up. How could we not allow it?"

Qin Guan curved her lips, "Alright, then I'll have to trouble the little princess at that time."

Jiang Shi chuckled, "These days, there’s been a lot going on at home. Aside from Qing'er, who doesn’t think too much, both Jia'er and Ning'er have been weighed down with worries. When the time comes, you should join us too. The more youngsters there are, the livelier it’ll be. These matters are ultimately for the adults to handle—you’re all still children, no need to dwell on such things. I’ll have them prepare plenty of Sky Lanterns for blessings, and you can set them off to your heart’s content."

Though Jiang Shi spoke cheerfully, there was still a trace of helplessness in her tone. If not for the incident with Song Rou, the marquis’ household would have just celebrated a joyous occasion, soon to welcome another young member. With both sons and daughters-in-law present, the whole family would have been harmonious and truly happy. But now, the household’s joy had been disrupted—not only had Song Rou died with grievances unresolved, but Yue Jia’s heart was likely shadowed as well. As a mother, Jiang Shi couldn’t help but worry.

"By the way, Qing'er, remember to invite the Song family’s nephew as well," Jiang Shi added with a sigh. "They’ve all suffered misfortune, and he’s had it especially hard. Let him join you all to relax and unwind."

Yue Qing naturally agreed, "Even if Mother hadn’t mentioned it, I would have invited him."

Following the eastern corridor of the estate, they soon arrived at a side hall where Yue Ning was waiting by the door.

"Mother, lunch is ready—"

Jiang Shi turned back and smiled at Yue Qing, "Today’s lunch is served in two places. Yours has already been sent to the outer study. Go find your father."

Yue Qing glanced at Qin Guan before reluctantly turning away, taking slow steps backward.

Jiang Shi watched him for a moment longer, then took Qin Guan’s hand and entered the room.

Yue Ning clearly knew what Qin Guan had been doing that morning and asked as soon as they stepped inside, "Did you find any new clues this morning?"

Qin Guan nodded. "Miss Song did not die in the sedan chair. The Prefect may be able to locate the place where she was killed and even find her head. If more clues are discovered, catching the murderer will be much easier."

Yue Ning nodded, somewhat displeased. "I wanted to go with you, but Mother and Father wouldn’t let me."

Jiang Shi shot her a glare. "And you still want to go? After what happened last time."

Mention of the previous embarrassment made Yue Ning flush, but she lifted her chin defiantly. "That was just the first time. I’d never seen it before. Once you’ve seen it once, it’s fine." She then turned to Qin Guan. "Why didn’t you react at all? Have you dissected many corpses before?"

Jiang Shi frowned. "We’re about to eat. Why bring this up?"

Ignoring her mother, Yue Ning kept her gaze fixed on Qin Guan—this was a burning question she needed answered.

In truth, not just Yue Ning, but even Jiang Shi was somewhat curious.

Seeing both mother and daughter looking at her, Qin Guan smiled faintly. "Of course not. Perhaps it’s just... natural talent."

"Natural talent?" Yue Ning raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Qin Guan chuckled softly. "Natural talent means... even though we both practiced martial arts for the first time, you performed far better and learned much faster than I did. That’s natural talent."

Similarly, though she wasn’t skilled in martial arts, she had a natural aptitude for medicine and corpse examination.Yue Ning understood and smiled slightly, "Let's eat. Although I'm not skilled in medicine or corpse examination, I find your way of piecing together clues to solve cases quite interesting. After dinner, will you tell me about it?"

Qin Guan readily agreed, "Of course."

Jiang Shi shook her head helplessly upon hearing this. "You two... never mind, neither of you are like typical young ladies from ordinary families..."

Qin Guan and Yue Ning exchanged glances and laughed. One loved martial arts, while the other excelled at corpse examination—indeed, they were quite different from other young ladies...

......

"Who could be so cruel as to kill someone in such a manner?"

After dinner, Yue Ning pulled Qin Guan aside to discuss Song Rou's case. Qin Guan nodded, "Yes, the murderer's methods were excessively brutal, likely driven by deep hatred for Song Rou."

"But that doesn't make sense. Miss Song came from a noble family, and the people she knew couldn’t possibly be so vicious. Besides, she spent most of her time secluded in her chambers—how could she have made such enemies?"

Qin Guan suddenly recalled the ambiguous bite mark on Song Rou's shoulder.

She lowered her gaze and shook her head. "It's hard to say. Even if she lived a sheltered life, small grievances could have festered into deep resentment. Sometimes, you might not even realize it, but others could harbor hatred to the bone. Not everyone in this world thinks as rationally as we do, nor does everyone distinguish right from wrong clearly."

After a pause, Qin Guan added, "Or perhaps the murderer cut off Miss Song's head to hide something."

Yue Ning raised her brows slightly. "Hide what?"

Qin Guan nodded, her eyes thoughtful. "Maybe there was a crucial clue on Song Rou's head, so the murderer removed it to create a false impression."

As she spoke, Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat. If Song Rou was killed outside, how was her body placed in the wedding sedan? Had no one checked on her all day?

A missing head would be immediately noticeable—what kind of trick had the murderer used?

Doubt swirled in Qin Guan's mind, but she chose not to voice it.

Things weren't the same as before. She would do what she could, and leave the rest to Governor Huo's investigation.

Understanding dawned in Yue Ning's eyes, but then she gave Qin Guan a probing look. "You're a year younger than me, yet you speak with such world-weariness." She paused before asking bluntly, "Is someone in Qin Manor still bullying you?"

Qin Guan laughed and shook her head. "No, they know I'm here at the Marquis's residence for treatment. Even if only out of respect for the Marquis, they wouldn’t dare."

Yue Ning nodded. "That's more like it." Then she sighed. "With your medical skills, why didn’t you reveal them earlier? If you had, you might have suffered less. What were you thinking back then?"

Qin Guan lowered her eyes. "I was young and kept retreating, thinking it was best. After all, I was living under someone else's roof."

Yue Ning's gaze sharpened. "Then what about the incident where you fell into the lake?"

Qin Guan smiled wryly. "Has the rumors reached you too?"

Yue Ning looked slightly uncomfortable and coughed lightly. "I wasn’t gossiping, but Qin Manor thought they could cover it up. In a place as small as Jinzhou, everyone knows. So tell me—did you jump into the lake because of the Prefect's son?"Qin Guan set down her teacup, her eyes filled with helplessness. "Of course not. It truly was because of the heavy rain that night—the banks of Crescent Lake at Qin Manor were slippery, and I accidentally fell in. As for the Prefect's son, I don’t know who started such nonsense."

"So you don’t like the Prefect’s son?"

Yue Ning raised her eyebrows high, determined to get a clear answer.

Qin Guan spread her hands, her expression utterly composed. "I’ve barely even met him before—how could I like him? I don’t know who in the manor spread such rumors, no wonder you misunderstood."

Yue Ning nodded in satisfaction. "That’s more like it. That Prefect’s son—I’ve seen him. He’s just another idle noble who dabbles in poetry and moon-gazing, and he looks rather arrogant too. How could he possibly be worthy of you?"

A playful glint appeared in Qin Guan’s eyes. "Speaking of which, isn’t it about time for you to consider marriage? What kind of man would catch your eye?"

Yue Ning didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she shook her head. "After the mess with my elder brother’s marriage, Mother will surely keep me at home for a couple more years. As for the man I’d fancy—first, he’d have to be able to defeat me in a fight!"

Qin Guan laughed genuinely. In her childhood, she had followed her father from one official post to another, rarely staying in one place for more than two years. As a result, she had never formed close friendships with other young ladies.

After returning to the capital, she occasionally accompanied her mother to socialize with noble daughters, but those girls were all haughty and obsessed with family prestige, ancestral influence, and political factions. Though her father held the prestigious position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he couldn’t compare to the power of dukes or generals. Moreover, coming from a humble background, he had no influential connections and remained neutral in court factions. Naturally, those noble girls kept their distance, let alone befriended her deeply.

After a few such encounters, she lost interest in making friends. Unless absolutely necessary, she rarely attended flower parties or tea gatherings. She’d rather pore over case files on her father’s desk than engage in forced pleasantries.

Looking at Yue Ning now, Qin Guan felt, for the first time, the warmth of a true confidante.

They chatted for a while longer until Yue Ning’s maid, Lüqi, entered. "Miss, His Highness Chi has sent someone to say it’s getting late, and Ninth Miss should return to the manor."

Yue Ning glanced outside and frowned. "Isn’t it still early?"

Qin Guan chuckled. "I’ll surely be back in the next couple of days. Grand Princess’s illness can’t be taken lightly. Don’t be upset—next time, we’ll discuss cases together."

Yue Ning sighed and warned, "His Highness Chi has quite the reputation in the west. You must be careful around him. They say when he’s angry, he recognizes neither kin nor foe—even the Rong enemies fear him. So don’t be fooled by his obedient demeanor in front of Grandmother. His mind is deep, and his methods are ruthless beyond ordinary measure."

Qin Guan smiled even wider. "Yes, I understand. Don’t worry."

Yue Ning’s frown deepened. "I really can’t help but worry. You’re too soft-hearted."

Qin Guan laughed helplessly and reassured her a few more times before Yue Ning finally saw her out. Bai Feng was waiting outside and bowed upon seeing her. "Ninth Miss, His Highness is already waiting at the manor gate. Please come this way—"

Qin Guan nodded, bid Yue Ning farewell, then went to the front courtyard to take her leave of Jiang Shi before heading toward the gate.Qin Guan and Fuling walked ahead, with Bai Feng following behind. Though he was very much alive, his footsteps made no sound at all. Fuling was afraid of Yan Chi, and by extension, she was somewhat fearful of Bai Feng as well, hunching her shoulders and sticking close to Qin Guan.

Once they stepped out of the estate gate, only a single grand and ornate carriage stood waiting outside.

Qin Guan blinked and glanced around the carriage but saw no sign of Yan Chi anywhere.

She turned back to look at the silent Bai Feng behind her, only to find him with his head lowered, saying nothing.

Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. Well, it wasn’t as if Yan Chi absolutely had to see her off—Bai Feng driving the carriage would suffice. Yan Chi was of noble status, and though he had come to Jinzhou, she had noticed him frequently entering the study with Yue Qiong, which told her he wasn’t exactly free of responsibilities. Qin Guan exhaled and walked toward the carriage without another thought.

When she reached it, she lifted the curtain to board without hesitation—only to freeze the moment she did.

Inside the carriage, Yan Chi sat draped in a striking black robe, imposing like a great Buddha in the dim light. He lounged lazily against the carriage wall, and as the curtain lifted, his lips curved slightly. "What took you so long?"

Qin Guan held the curtain open, still stunned.

She had assumed Yan Chi might have left on some business—never expecting him to be seated inside the carriage.

Though the Great Zhou dynasty wasn’t overly strict about propriety between men and women, sharing a carriage still carried some impropriety. They weren’t exactly close, and the marquis’s estate certainly had other carriages to spare. Besides, hadn’t he been riding a horse this morning?

"What are you standing there for?" Yan Chi’s voice was low and impatient when Qin Guan remained motionless.

Though he was inside the carriage, separated by the curtain, he had been listening to the outside movements. Noticing his absence, she hadn’t even asked a single question—as if it didn’t matter whether he was there or not.

Qin Guan snapped out of her daze and swiftly climbed in.

With Yan Chi inside, Fuling naturally didn’t dare join them. Trembling, she sat on the carriage’s front beam, stealing curious glances at Bai Feng. After a while, she relaxed slightly—at least this white-clad guard wasn’t as intimidating as His Highness.

Bai Feng cracked the whip, and the carriage wheels began to roll.

In the cramped and narrow compartment, Qin Guan sat as straight as possible.

Yan Chi, as Yue Ning had described, was all smiles and charm in front of the Grand Princess and Yue Qiong’s family. But Qin Guan knew better—when he wore that demeanor, the real Yan Chi stood cold and detached, watching from the sidelines.

"You spoke with Yue Ning for quite a while?"

The carriage curtains were drawn, casting the interior in dim shadows. Yan Chi’s face was obscured in the darkness, his eyes deep and unreadable. Qin Guan couldn’t discern his mood, and his tone only made him more inscrutable.

"Yes, the Commandery Princess was very interested in the case and asked me some questions."

"Is Cold Moon to your liking?" Yan Chi asked again.

Qin Guan’s heart skipped slightly. She nodded. "Not only is Cold Moon perfect, but the gauntlet Your Highness gifted also fits wonderfully. Thank you."

Yan Chi’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t respond immediately.

Qin Guan’s pulse quickened—she suddenly sensed that Yan Chi seemed displeased. But she had just thanked and praised him—where had this anger come from? The question arose in her mind, but she couldn’t make sense of it."Then do you remember this was your consultation fee?"

Qin Guan was stunned for a long moment before Yan Chi spoke. His tone darkened slightly, carrying even stronger hints of anger. As soon as these words were spoken, a flash of realization struck Qin Guan's mind—she finally understood!

That's right, both the Suwen Nine Needles and the Gauntlet were given to her by Yan Chi as consultation fees because she had treated his injuries. But his wounds would take at least half a month to fully heal, and as a physician who had accepted such generous fees, she should have ensured her patient's complete recovery.

Qin Guan took a shallow breath. "Your Highness's injuries... ahem, did Your Highness use the prescription I gave you?"

For some reason, Qin Guan felt a twinge of embarrassment. She had accepted such valuable fees from someone yet had genuinely forgotten about their injuries.

"Your Highness, have you followed Qin Guan's instructions? Have you changed the medicine on your wound?"

Qin Guan felt a bit guilty and asked cautiously. Yan Chi narrowed his eyes and looked at her for a moment before suddenly saying, "You said my injury would take half a month to heal?"

Qin Guan nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. The wound has reopened multiple times and is now quite severe."

Yan Chi lifted his chin slightly. "I won't be staying in Jinzhou for long. You'd better make sure my injury heals significantly within seven days."

Qin Guan was slightly surprised. Though she knew Yan Chi wouldn’t stay in Jinzhou for long, hearing that he would leave in just seven days still caught her off guard. Immediately, her mind sharpened with focus. "Seven days..."

Noticing her hesitation, Yan Chi’s voice deepened. "Is that a problem?"

Qin Guan shook her head. "No, but I’ll need to study this carefully. The prescription I gave Your Highness already accelerates the healing process. To make it even faster, I’d need a different formula. I’ll have to think about it."

Yan Chi didn’t press further. "Take your time to think, then."

Qin Guan nodded, lowering her gaze as she began to ponder.

Earlier, she had told Yue Ning that she was naturally gifted, but in truth, she was far from it. When she had followed her father, he hadn’t deliberately taught her—she had put in the effort herself. Later, when she became a disciple of Medicine King Sun Xi, it was her relentless dedication that earned her his recognition and acceptance.

She hadn’t personally treated many patients, but for every ailment she encountered, she made sure to master it thoroughly. As a result, her medical skills surpassed those of many seasoned physicians. Now, Yan Chi had presented her with a challenge, reigniting her long-dormant passion for medical study.

As Yan Chi watched the flicker of thought in Qin Guan’s eyes and the contemplative expression on her face, the tension in his lips unconsciously eased.

At this moment, Qin Guan exuded an extraordinary focus—a kind of detached, almost unapproachable solemnity, yet gentler than the meticulous coldness she displayed during corpse examinations. She was like a luminous crescent moon in the winter night, so captivating that he couldn’t help but keep looking. Strangely, it also calmed his heart, making him realize for the first time that watching someone lost in thought could be such a beautiful thing.

Qin Guan disliked interruptions when she was deep in thought, and Yan Chi seemed to share this unspoken understanding. He remained silent throughout the journey. By the time the carriage stopped at the western gate of Qin Manor, Qin Guan had mentally reviewed every medical text she had ever read. When she finally snapped out of her reverie, she had no idea how long the carriage had been stationary.

"Hmm? We’re here?" She lifted the curtain and saw they had indeed arrived at the side gate of Qin Manor.

Straightening her expression, Qin Guan said, "Your Highness, rest assured—I’ll have a new prescription ready for you by tomorrow."

With that, she turned and lifted the carriage curtain, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Yan Chi frowned, feeling an inexplicable mix of irritation and emptiness. Just as his heart began to sink, the curtain was suddenly pulled aside again. Qin Guan’s face reappeared at the carriage door, her tone stern. "Your Highness, please refrain from horseback riding these days. Use the carriage for travel instead. Also, no martial arts practice—please remember this."

Yan Chi’s frown softened, and he replied with an indifferent "Hmm."

Qin Guan nodded, satisfied, before finally lowering the curtain and leaving.Yan Chi waited for a moment, only lifting the carriage curtain after Qin Guan's footsteps had faded into the distance. Through the gap in the curtain, he caught a glimpse of Qin Guan's retreating figure—like a graceful lotus swaying in an ink painting—before she disappeared behind the gates of Qin Manor.

His hand paused, and the curtain slowly fell back into place.

After a long silence, Bai Feng's voice came from outside, "Master, where shall we go?"

Inside the carriage, Yan Chi slowly straightened his posture and suddenly asked, "Where is Baiying?"

Bai Feng was momentarily taken aback, seemingly surprised by the question, and immediately lowered his voice. "Baiying arrived in Jinzhou two days ago and is still tracking that group. Does Your Highness have any orders?"

Narrowing his eyes, Yan Chi said, "Have her stop the investigation for now. I need her to protect someone."

Bai Feng hesitated again, uncertain. "Your Highness means... Ninth Miss?"

Silence filled the carriage. Yan Chi neither confirmed nor denied. A moment later, his voice came through, cold and commanding: "No mistakes allowed."

......

In Orchid Isle Courtyard, Qin Guan had already written over a dozen new prescriptions.

Fuling handed her a cup of hot tea, concern in her voice. "Miss, you've been writing prescriptions ever since you returned. It's already dark—don't strain your eyes. Why not rest for a while?"

Qin Guan's tense expression softened slightly as she set down her brush, though her brows remained tightly knit.

Fuling stepped closer. "What's troubling you, Miss? Is something difficult?"

Leaning in, she glanced at the unfamiliar herb names on the paper: "Bletilla striata, Polygonum cuspidatum, Dalbergia odorifera, Astragalus... Paeonia veitchii... Cirsium setosum, Citrus reticulata... Miss, what are these prescriptions for?"

Qin Guan took a sip of tea to moisten her throat. "They're all to reduce swelling and relieve pain, and to close sores and promote muscle regeneration."

Fuling nodded. "Miss, every prescription you've written includes bletilla striata and these other herbs, but none are exactly the same. Are you unsure which one to choose?"

Qin Guan sighed. Her mind was filled with the image of Yan Chi's gruesome back wounds. His injuries were severe—ordinary prescriptions would heal them given time, but he had said he only had seven days in Jinzhou. Seven days to fully recover was far too rushed. Yet since he had made the request, she had no choice but to find a way to fulfill it.

"Yes, I can't decide. And there's no time for trial and error."

Fuling moved behind Qin Guan to massage her shoulders. "You started writing these the moment you returned this afternoon. I'm sure every one of them will be useful. If you truly can't decide, just pick the one you're most confident in."

Qin Guan exhaled. Her experience was still too limited—otherwise, she could have quickly determined the most effective prescription. "There isn't one I'm most confident in. There's the most commonly used one, but in this case, it clearly won't be strong enough."

She rubbed her temples, glancing at the deepening night outside the window. Having accepted his payment, she couldn't afford to fail—it would be inexcusable if she couldn't meet Yan Chi's expectations.

"Decided! This one!" She picked up a prescription with particularly potent ingredients—an unorthodox approach. Her medical practice usually favored gentler, more cautious methods, and this was the first time she had prescribed something so aggressive. But only this would ensure Yan Chi's wounds healed quickly. Qin Guan stood abruptly. "Go buy the herbs."Fuling was full of surprise upon hearing this. "Buy medicine? It's already dark, Miss—"

Qin Guan gave a bitter smile, thinking of Yan Chi's inscrutable and profound demeanor, and could only say helplessly, "I know it's late, but if I don’t prepare it tonight, I won’t be able to deliver it tomorrow."

Fuling grabbed her arm. "Miss, why not get the medicine from the manor’s storage?"

Qin Guan paused mid-step. That wasn’t impossible. When she had made the medicinal pills for Yao Xinlan before, the ingredients had been supplied by the manor’s storage. However, this time it was for Yan Chi—would they even allow her to take the medicine?

"Miss, are you worried they won’t give it to you?" Having lived through hardships together, Fuling understood Qin Guan’s concerns all too well. But she said, "Miss, things are different now. Let’s try. Maybe they’ll let us take it?"

Qin Guan glanced at the darkening sky outside and felt tempted. Indeed, there was no harm in trying.

With that thought, she nodded. "Alright, let’s try."

Fuling responded promptly, grabbing a nearby cape to drape over Qin Guan and picking up a lantern before following her out of Orchid Isle Courtyard.

The Qin Manor was wealthy, with its own resident physician and a medicine storage. Qin Guan led Fuling eastward, and before long, they arrived before a row of low buildings. The medicine storage was located in a small courtyard behind them.

Medicinal ingredients were always valuable, so guards were posted at the courtyard’s entrance. When Qin Guan arrived, two male servants were idly dozing on the doorsteps. Startled by the noise, they opened their eyes and, upon recognizing Qin Guan, froze momentarily before scrambling to their feet with slightly altered expressions. "N-Ninth Miss—"

Qin Guan remained stern. "Is the manor’s physician here?"

"Y-yes, he is. What does the Ninth Miss require?"

Seeing their respectful demeanor, Qin Guan spoke plainly. "I need some medicinal ingredients."

The two immediately broke into smiles, bowing as they gestured inside. "Ninth Miss, please come in. The master just gave orders today that whatever the Ninth Miss needs, the manor must provide. The eldest young master also instructed earlier—you may take any ingredients you require."

Qin Guan was inwardly surprised but kept her expression neutral. As she walked in, she recalled the Third Uncle she had met earlier today.

Just from his complexion, Qin Guan could tell the rumors of his libertine lifestyle were true. Though barely past forty, he already looked utterly drained. At this rate, his health would surely collapse within a year, possibly triggering other serious illnesses. Yet, despite his indulgence in pleasures, his ambition for power remained sharp. Merely seeing Yan Chi visit the manor once and noticing her connections with Marquis Anyang Manor had prompted such a swift change in attitude.

Qin Guan stepped into the courtyard as one of the servants hurried ahead to the main hall. Soon, a middle-aged man in his thirties came out quickly to greet her. Before he could approach, Fuling whispered from behind, "Miss, that’s the manor’s physician, Qian Bairen. He’s the one who extorted exorbitant fees when you were ill and needed medicine."

"Ninth Miss, you’ve come! Are you here for medicinal ingredients?"

Qian Bairen wore an ingratiating smile, his tone cautious, likely out of guilt.

Qin Guan studied him. At his age, Qian Bairen should have been in his prime for studying medicine, yet he had settled early into the comfortable life of a manor physician. Looking at his slightly bloated figure, Qin Guan inwardly sneered.In this world, there are too many people who fawn on the powerful and trample on the weak. Even among physicians, such mercenary individuals are not uncommon.

Qin Guan nodded imperceptibly, while Qian Bairen's demeanor grew even more deferential. "May I ask what medicinal herbs Ninth Miss requires? Although the manor's medicine storage doesn't have large quantities of any single item, we're not lacking in common herbs. Does Ninth Miss have a prescription? If you give it to me, I can fetch the medicines for you..."

As he spoke, Qian Bairen stole glances at Qin Guan. At one point, when Qin Guan suddenly met his gaze, his heart tightened with an inexplicable fear of being seen through. He wanted to examine Qin Guan's prescription—only by seeing it could he gauge her medical skills, and perhaps even steal some knowledge.

Qin Guan's eyes were clear and cold, carrying an unassailable dignity. Feeling slightly panicked, Qian Bairen hurriedly smiled and said, "Alternatively, I can escort Ninth Miss to fetch them herself, so you can measure the quantities as needed."

"No need." Qin Guan spoke lightly, producing the prescription from her sleeve.

Watching Qin Guan hand the prescription to Qian Bairen, Fuling behind her widened her eyes in disbelief. Even she could tell Qian Bairen wanted to steal the prescription—why would her mistress give it to him?

Grasping the prescription with shining eyes, Qian Bairen scanned it quickly and became even more obsequious. "Please wait a moment, Ninth Miss. I'll fetch the medicines right away..."

The medicine storage had two sections: the front hall for receiving patients, and the rear for storing medicines. Qin Guan remained outside, showing no intention of entering. Seeing Qian Bairen direct a male servant to the back, Fuling fretted, "Mistress, why did you give him the prescription? Your medical skills are exceptional—this prescription must be valuable. How could you just let him see it?"

Qin Guan's smile deepened at Fuling's anxious expression. "In medicine, some prescriptions are indeed treasures, but mine isn't one of them. Besides, I doubt he can even understand it."

Fuling only half-understood, but seeing Qin Guan's confident demeanor and the faint cunning in her eyes, she relaxed. "Phew... Mistress, you really had me worried. I thought you hadn't realized. This Physician Qian is the most opportunistic person—we can't let him steal your knowledge!"

Qin Guan sighed. "Don't worry. I'm not who I used to be."

Fuling's lips curved, her almond eyes filled with sincerity. "No matter what, I'll always follow you, Mistress. I just hate to see you taken advantage of, and I don't want to let scoundrels benefit."

Qin Guan's heart warmed. "I know. And I won't tolerate villains either."

Fuling nodded repeatedly. As they spoke, footsteps approached from the rear. Qian Bairen reappeared, still smiling broadly, carrying several medicine packets. "Ninth Miss, all the herbs you requested are here."

He paused slightly, as if casually adding, "Who is this prescription for?"

Fuling took the packets while Qin Guan retrieved the prescription. Calmly, she replied, "That's none of your concern."

After a brief pause, she added, "Also, add one tael of musk."The musk was not listed in the prescription. Qian Bairen's smile faltered slightly as he said somewhat awkwardly, "Ninth Miss came too late. All the musk stored in the manor was taken away four days ago by a maid from the young master's quarters. She said the young master had been working hard on his writings lately and often suffered from mental fatigue. There was less than an ounce left that day, and it was all taken."

Qin Guan's eyelid twitched violently. "A maid from the young master's quarters took it?"

Qin Bairen didn't notice Qin Guan's unusual reaction and nodded. "Indeed. If Ninth Miss isn't in urgent need, the manor's storeroom will make a purchase in the next couple of days. If it's urgent, you can send someone out to buy some first thing tomorrow."

Qin Guan's heart pounded wildly. She nodded distractedly and turned to leave.

Qin Bairen wanted to ask more, but Qin Guan walked too quickly, leaving him no chance. Recalling the prescription he had just seen, Qian Bairen frowned and pondered, "What exactly is it treating..."

"Miss, slow down—"

Qin Guan rushed out of the courtyard gate before Fuling's shout made her slow her steps. The cool autumn wind brushed against her face, and the chill snapped her back to her senses. Clenching her sleeves, the image of Yao Xinlan's terrified eyes flashed in her mind—someone had put musk in her medicine, and coincidentally, Qin Chen had sent someone to take all the musk from the manor.

Musk indeed had the effect of clearing meridians and opening orifices, treating symptoms like mental fatigue caused by dryness and irritation. But was it really such a coincidence?

Thinking of how Yao Xinlan knew someone was poisoning her yet didn't tell Qin Chen or Jiang Shi, Qin Guan felt the warm and gentle image of Qin Chen suddenly shrouded in a heavy shadow.

"Miss, why didn't you just make something up when Qian Bairen asked you?" Fuling caught up, clearly harboring deep resentment toward the physician.

Qin Guan glanced at her. "Why should I lie to him?"

Fuling huffed angrily. "He must be trying to steal your knowledge. If you gave him a fake prescription, he'd suffer when he used the wrong medicine on himself later."

Qin Guan frowned. "But what if he used the wrong medicine on someone else?"

Fuling was momentarily speechless. "Then—"

Qin Guan's expression turned stern. "Fuling, medical knowledge isn't meant to harm others."

Fuling, frightened by her gaze, quickly said, "I wouldn't dare harm anyone! I just... just wanted to teach Qian Bairen a lesson. Before, he ignored us when we were in desperate need and even took advantage to line his pockets..."

Qin Guan shook her head. "No matter how much you hate someone, you must never use such methods."

"Then... what if Miss were dealing with a murderer?"

Qin Guan's voice darkened. "If I can kill someone with a blade, I won't use medicine."

Fuling mumbled, "I understand. I was wrong..."

Qin Guan said no more, her thoughts heavy as she walked toward Orchid Isle Courtyard. Though she had no intention of getting involved in the murky waters of Qin Manor, if she clearly knew who was poisoning Yao Xinlan, she couldn't help but intervene. Otherwise, Yao Xinlan and the child in her womb would likely be in danger. But was it really Qin Chen?

Why would Qin Chen drug Yao Xinlan? Why would he harm his own child?

And it was Qin Chen who had told her Yao Xinlan might be suffering from madness...Qin Guan was utterly perplexed, feeling that beneath the glamorous and wealthy facade of Qin Manor, countless evils were hidden. She even had a premonition that what she currently knew and saw might only be the tip of the iceberg.

"Young Master—"

Just as they were about to reach Orchid Isle Courtyard, Fuling's surprised whisper interrupted Qin Guan's thoughts. Raising her eyes, Qin Guan indeed saw Qin Chen standing at the courtyard gate, seemingly waiting for them.

Qin Guan quickly composed herself and stepped forward, curtsying slightly. "Elder Brother—"

Qin Chen glanced at Qin Guan, then noticed the medicine package in Fuling's hands. "What's the matter? Did you go to the medicine storage?"

"Yes," Qin Guan replied calmly. "I visited the Marquis's residence earlier today to prepare some pills for the Grand Princess."

Qin Chen nodded. "That's actually why I came to ask you. Has everything gone smoothly with your recent visits to treat the Grand Princess?"

"It has. Her condition has improved significantly."

A faint smile of relief appeared on Qin Chen's face. "Good. It seems I no longer need to worry about you."

Given her earlier reflections, Qin Guan felt no warmth at his words and merely curved her lips slightly. "Nonsense. I naturally still need Elder Brother's care." She then added, "Today, the Grand Princess mentioned you, saying you have a reputation for virtue in Jinzhou. If needed in the future, she could write a recommendation letter to the capital for you."

Qin Chen's breath hitched, a fleeting glimmer flashing in his eyes. "This... this is all thanks to Ninth Sister."

Qin Guan chuckled. "Not at all. Elder Brother's reputation precedes you. Otherwise, the Grand Princess wouldn’t have intervened."

The autumn night breeze was chilly, and Qin Guan instinctively tightened her cloak around her shoulders. Noticing this, Qin Chen said with concern, "Why did you go out to fetch medicine yourself so late at night?" He glanced at the empty Orchid Isle Courtyard. "You’re short on servants here. Tomorrow, I’ll have Mother select a few maids for you. Fuling alone isn’t enough."

Qin Guan hesitated, but Qin Chen continued warmly, "You are a young lady of Qin Manor. You should have more servants at your disposal. If you do everything yourself, how can you maintain your dignity?"

Qin Guan gave a wry smile. "Then I’ll leave it to Elder Brother."

Qin Chen finally relaxed, his smile broadening. "There’s nothing else. Since you’re visiting the Marquis's residence, be cautious in all matters."

"I understand. Thank you, Elder Brother."

Qin Chen hummed in acknowledgment. "Alright, go inside. The night is cold."

Qin Guan gave Qin Chen a deep look before nodding and entering the courtyard.

Fuling sighed, clutching the medicine package. "In all of Qin Manor, only the Young Master truly cares for you, Miss."

Qin Guan pressed her lips together without responding. Once inside her room, she instructed, "Unwrap the medicine packages. Let’s prepare the medicine tonight."

Fuling was surprised. "If it’s for the Grand Princess, there’s no need to rush, is there? You’ve worked hard all day and should rest. The Grand Princess surely wouldn’t mind..."

Had the medicine truly been for the Grand Princess, Qin Guan might have heeded Fuling’s advice. But the one awaiting the medicine wasn’t the Grand Princess—it was a certain Demon King who was soon to leave Jinzhou.

......

It had been years since Qin Guan had worked so diligently on medicine. Yet, to avoid taking someone’s consultation fee in vain, she had no choice but to put in extra effort. By noon the next day, half of the medicine was ready.

"Have the carriage prepared. We’re going to the Marquis's residence."Qin Guan gave an instruction, and Fuling sighed beside her, "Miss, you've been so devoted to the Grand Princess, forgetting to eat and sleep. It's only natural the Grand Princess favors you."

Qin Guan paused her hand, initially intending to explain, but after a moment's thought, she decided against it.

After Fuling left Orchid Isle Courtyard, Qin Guan began organizing the medicinal ointments she had prepared the previous day. Before long, she heard Fuling's returning footsteps.

"Miss, we don't need to prepare a carriage! The gatekeeper said the Marquis's household has already sent someone to wait at the entrance."

Qin Guan raised an eyebrow, "They sent someone long ago? Then why wasn't it reported?"

Fuling was also quite surprised. "I was wondering the same, Miss. Shall we go now?"

Qin Guan's expression firmed as she picked up the ointment. "We're leaving now."

Fuling helped Qin Guan into her cloak, took the remaining ointment, and they stepped out. Just outside, they encountered Mo Shu heading their way. Seeing them like this, Mo Shu looked slightly startled. "Ninth Miss, are you leaving the manor?"

Qin Guan nodded. "I need to make a trip to the Marquis's residence. How is Eldest Brother's Wife doing?"

Mo Shu's face showed concern. "Our mistress is feeling rather agitated. She was hoping to invite you over for a chat, but if you're going to the Marquis's residence, please go ahead. You can visit her at Windward Courtyard when you return."

After a brief consideration, Qin Guan said, "Have her continue taking the medicine I prepared. The decoction should be handled as before. I'll check on her in the afternoon when I return."

Mo Shu quickly nodded in agreement, and Qin Guan took her leave. Mo Shu's gaze lingered anxiously on her retreating figure, weighing heavily on Qin Guan's heart.

The Qin Manor was shrouded in an eerie mist of intrigue. She shouldn't interfere recklessly in any matters, yet she couldn't stand by and watch Yao Xinlan come to harm. The best she could do was advise Yao Xinlan to be cautious with her medication—taking only the pills she had prepared should prevent any issues.

Steeling herself, Qin Guan strode toward the manor gates. Just as she reached the entrance, she spotted Bai Feng, his expression solemn.

Why was it Bai Feng again?

Yesterday, Yan Chi had come to fetch her for the corpse examination, but why was Bai Feng here today? She hardly thought this guard had time to spare.

Lost in thought, Qin Guan had already stepped outside. Bai Feng bowed upon seeing her. "Greetings, Ninth Miss."

Qin Guan lifted her chin slightly. "No need for formalities." After a pause, she added, "Did the Grand Princess send you?"

Bai Feng hesitated. "Yes... and no..."

His ambiguous reply gave Qin Guan a clue. As she walked toward the carriage waiting on the street, a fleeting question crossed her mind—was Yan Chi inside?

She lifted the curtain, only to find the carriage empty.

For a moment, Qin Guan felt a faint pang of emptiness, like a pebble dropped into still water, creating the slightest ripple before the surface smoothed over once more.

Her expression remained unchanged as she boarded the carriage, the brief hesitation in her movements so slight she barely noticed it herself.

The carriage rolled steadily onward, traversing from the eastern to the western part of the city—a journey that would take nearly half an hour. Bai Feng drove with remarkable steadiness, while Fuling chatted cheerfully. "Miss, things really are different now. Earlier, when I went to the gatehouse, even the gatekeepers treated me with respect."

Qin Guan's lips curved slightly. "That's good." After a moment, she added, "It will only get better from here."

Fuling sighed nostalgically as she reminisced about the past. Qin Guan's thoughts drifted, suddenly recalling her own true past. Her father had often been stationed in the western and northern regions, and she had traveled extensively across the vast landscapes of the northwest. Later, in the capital of Lin'an, the grandeur of the imperial city and its opulence surrounded her as she transformed from a young girl accompanying her father into a refined young lady confined to the inner chambers.

During those three years in the capital, her father held the esteemed position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, while she visited Medicine King Valley every six months. Her parents were deeply devoted to each other, and her medical skills flourished. Just as life seemed to be unfolding perfectly, Prince Jin's case erupted without warning—A favored consort in the palace was brutally murdered, and the culprit turned out to be a prince of the current dynasty. At first, my father did not find this scandalous case of the imperial family difficult to handle. But from which day did it start? His brows furrowed deeper and deeper, his face filled with profound worry and even a hint of fear. Later, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse, and my father was eventually listed as a major criminal...

"Miss? We've arrived at the Marquis Manor—"

Fuling's voice abruptly pulled Qin Guan out of her reverie of the past. For a moment, she looked bewildered, but upon looking again, she saw they had indeed arrived outside Marquis Anyang Manor.

"Miss, were you too exhausted from staying up late last night?"

Fuling sounded concerned. Qin Guan shook her head and composed herself. "It's nothing. Let's go in."

As soon as the carriage stopped, a servant went inside to announce their arrival.

Qin Guan entered the manor with Fuling, while Bai Feng followed quietly behind. The moment she stepped inside, she sensed something was amiss. Marquis Anyang Manor was unusually quiet today—none of the usual bustling servants were in sight. Soon, Lü Yun approached from the direction of the inner courtyard. "Greetings, Ninth Miss. The Madam and the Marquis are both with the Grand Princess. I’ve come to escort you..."

A faint smile appeared on Qin Guan's face. "Why is the manor so quiet today?"

Lü Yun sighed. "Ninth Miss, you may not know this, but this morning, the Prefect brought people to the manor. He said there were discrepancies in the previous testimonies, so everyone—whether servants of the manor or Song Shi’s guards—must be questioned again."

Qin Guan raised an eyebrow. Was it because she had mentioned the ink stains?

She nodded and followed Lü Yun straight to the Grand Princess’s courtyard. As they reached the entrance, she saw Yue Qing peering out from inside. Spotting Qin Guan, he immediately came forward. "Ninth Miss, Grandmother has been thinking of you since she woke up this morning."

Qin Guan curtsied. "I’ve troubled the Grand Princess with her concern."

Yue Qing led Qin Guan inside, but before they entered, they heard the Grand Princess’s slightly hoarse voice.

"This is for the best. Stability in the court benefits the people. Otherwise, the common folk will suffer."

Qin Guan paused mid-step, instinctively sensing that the conversation inside must be related to court affairs. If so, it might not be appropriate for her to enter. Yue Qing, however, smiled and said, "It’s fine. Come in—you’re not an outsider."

Qin Guan nodded, though her steps remained hesitant. At that moment, Huo Huaixin’s voice also rang out from inside.

"Still, no one expected Prince Yong to be named Crown Prince so quickly." He paused slightly. "Prince Jin’s case has far-reaching implications. Even Shen Yi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, has been implicated. Prince Yong has been somewhat affected by this..."

Qin Guan, now at the doorway, froze in place.

Yue Qing, who had already stepped inside, asked, "Why would Prince Yong be affected just because Shen Yi was involved in Prince Jin’s case?"

Huo Huaixin chuckled. "Second Young Master, you may not know this, but the betrothed principal consort Prince Yong once had was none other than the only daughter of Shen Yi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review—"