Upon recognizing the tiny character "Yao," Qin Guan's brows immediately furrowed.
Yao... In the entire Qin Manor, only Yao Xinlan bore this surname. Moreover, the Jade Token was exquisitely crafted from superior-quality jade, undoubtedly belonging to Yao Xinlan. But how could her token have fallen into the water?
Qin Guan glanced around. By autumn, the scenery of Crescent Lake was less appealing, and with the recent chill in the air, it was unlikely any of the manor's masters would come here for leisure. Even so, servants still frequented the lakeside. If she and Fuling could discover this token, others could too. If it had been lying there for three or four days, someone else would surely have picked it up by now...
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. Could it be that Yao Xinlan had visited Crescent Lake yesterday?
"Miss, what is that thing?"
Seeing Qin Guan remain silent for so long, Fuling couldn't help but ask. Her question snapped Huo Ning out of his thoughts as well. Noticing Qin Guan's grave expression, he looked toward her hand. Though he couldn't see clearly, it vaguely resembled a jade pendant. Huo Ning blinked, confusion rising in his eyes. "What did you pick up?"
Qin Guan clenched the Jade Token in her palm and tucked her hand behind her back. "This has nothing to do with Young Master Huo." With that, she studied Huo Ning for a moment. "Why has Young Master Huo come to Qin Manor to borrow books today?"
Huo Ning turned slightly, avoiding her gaze. "Naturally, to read."
Qin Guan neither agreed nor disagreed and added, "My elder brother will likely arrive soon. Young Master Huo may wait here for now."
With that, she turned to leave. Huo Ning spun around, his brows knitting into a deep frown. "Your brother asked you to accompany me. Is this how you treat a guest?"
Qin Guan paused mid-step and narrowed her eyes. "Young Master Huo came to borrow books, which means you're here seeking a favor from Qin Manor. How can you consider yourself an honored guest? If you wish to experience proper hospitality, then go to the main hall in the front courtyard. Someone there will attend to you."
Having said her piece, Qin Guan walked away. Huo Ning's expression darkened considerably, but as he watched her retreating figure, he seemed to suppress his anger, clenching his fists tightly. Fuling hurried after Qin Guan, glancing back to see Huo Ning standing motionless by the lake.
"Miss, why is Young Master Huo acting so strangely today?"
Fuling spoke as they walked. Qin Guan frowned but didn't dwell on it. She glanced down at the Jade Token in her hand and suddenly halted abruptly. Turning back, she hesitated for a moment before striding purposefully toward Huo Ning, who still stood by Crescent Lake. Fuling was taken aback but quickly followed, though she didn't understand Qin Guan's intentions.
Huo Ning had felt a chill in his heart as Qin Guan walked away, but now, seeing her return, his eyes brightened instantly.
Qin Guan approached him swiftly and whispered, "Don't tell anyone you saw me pick this up!"
She gestured with the Jade Token in her hand. Huo Ning opened his mouth to speak, but Qin Guan gave him no chance, merely casting him a deep look before turning to leave again. Huo Ning was left with a mouthful of unspoken words, gritting his teeth in frustration as he watched her stride away. Don't tell? Why shouldn't he? And did she really think he'd obey just because she said so?!
Baffled and irritated, Huo Ning stewed silently. Fuling, equally puzzled, asked, "Miss, why don't you want Young Master Huo to tell anyone?"Qin Guan paused in her steps and, seeing no one around, said, "Take this Jade Token to Windward Courtyard and give it to Mo Shu. Tell her it was found by the small path outside the courtyard and see what she says."
Fuling was slightly surprised. The Jade Token had clearly been found by Crescent Lake—why claim it was discovered outside the courtyard? Though puzzled, she noticed Qin Guan's solemn expression wasn't joking, so she took the token and nodded before heading to Windward Courtyard. Watching Fuling walk away, Qin Guan lowered her gaze and turned toward Orchid Isle Courtyard, pondering the situation as she walked. Had Yao Xinlan gone to Crescent Lake herself, or had her Jade Token been stolen?
Lost in thought, Qin Guan returned to Orchid Isle Courtyard and sat in the main room to wait for Fuling. Soon, Fuling entered and closed the door behind her.
"Young Miss, I gave it to Mo Shu. She was overjoyed when she saw it, saying she'd just realized it was missing and had been searching everywhere. She mentioned this Jade Token is a family heirloom of the Yao family—she saw the Young Mistress wearing it yesterday but noticed it was gone today. Since the Young Mistress wasn't feeling well, Mo Shu didn’t want to bother her and had been searching on her own for hours without success. She never expected it to be outside the courtyard, suggesting it might have fallen when the Young Mistress went for a walk yesterday."
Qin Guan's expression grew graver. "Did she say where the Young Mistress walked yesterday?"
Fuling shook her head. "No, but she mentioned the Young Mistress has been feeling fatigued lately and doesn’t wander far these days."
Qin Guan narrowed her eyes, a deep suspicion rising in her heart.
Mo Shu hadn’t mentioned Yao Xinlan going to Crescent Lake—so had Yao Xinlan truly not gone? But then how did the Jade Token end up there? Was it that Yao Xinlan never went, or had she gone without Mo Shu knowing?
The moment the second possibility surfaced, Qin Guan felt an inexplicable chill down her spine.
"Young Miss, what’s really going on?"
Qin Guan took a deep breath. "Nothing. Let’s continue preparing the medicine."
Hearing this, Fuling had no choice but to suppress her own doubts and assist Qin Guan.
Meanwhile, when Qin Chen arrived at Crescent Lake from the inner manor’s library, he found only Huo Ning standing alone by the shore. Upon closer inspection, Huo Ning seemed troubled. Frowning, Qin Chen glanced around but saw no sign of Qin Guan.
"Brother Huo, why are you standing here alone? Where did my sister go?"
Huo Ning inwardly scoffed but quickly masked his emotions, forcing a smile. "She left. As you know, I’m familiar with Qin Manor—I don’t need an escort."
Qin Chen frowned. "Did she leave on her own, or did you not want her company?"
Huo Ning gave a light snort. "Of course, it was I—"
He trailed off, a hint of guilt creeping in. Qin Chen sensed something amiss and sighed apologetically. "How discourteous of her. Please don’t take it to heart, Brother Huo."
Huo Ning’s face remained composed, but inwardly, he seethed. If he were the type to hold grudges, he’d have done so countless times already. Why else would he keep humbling himself like this? Yet despite his efforts, she remained as cold as ever. Where had he gone wrong?Thinking this, Huo Ning couldn't help but recall how Qin Guan had picked up an object by Crescent Lake earlier. Looking at Qin Chen before him, Huo Ning's lips twitched as he considered mentioning it. Yet remembering Qin Guan's warning to him, Huo Ning's throat seemed to clog, rendering him unable to speak. After several moments, he exhaled a long, frustrated sigh. Forget it! Forget it!
In Orchid Isle Courtyard, Fuling rushed in from outside. "Miss, Young Master Huo has left!"
Qin Guan turned from the window. "Where did elder brother go?"
"Young master went to the front courtyard," Fuling replied, closing the door behind her, her brows knitted in confusion. "Miss, what exactly is going on? Why must we keep this matter from young master?"
Qin Guan shook her head. "That Jade Token was found by Crescent Lake, yet everyone in Windward Courtyard insists the young mistress never went there. I still can't determine who's telling the truth."
Fuling's expression turned grave as well. She had heard the conversation earlier—Yao Xinlan claimed she'd dreamed of going to Crescent Lake, but how could dreams be taken as fact? Even Mo Shu hadn't mentioned Yao Xinlan visiting the lake.
Watching Qin Guan nervously, Fuling saw her sigh. "There's something strange about Windward Courtyard. Keep an eye on their movements these next few days."
Fuling nodded emphatically, and Qin Guan returned to preparing medicines.
This task lasted until evening. After dinner, Qin Guan locked the main chamber's door and waited for Qin Li in the Warm Chamber. The previous night, Qin Li had arrived halfway through the Hour of Xu. Qin Guan expected he would come at the same time tonight. Sure enough, shortly after three quarters into the Hour of Xu, faint sounds came from the window. Hearing this, Fuling hurried to open it, revealing Qin Li standing outside, still wearing his cape with a cloth covering his face. The sight made Fuling shudder inwardly. Remembering his illness, she felt an inexplicable revulsion and instinctively took a step back.
"Ninth Sister," Qin Li greeted Qin Guan with a respectful bow.
Qin Guan had prepared the medicine packets in advance. Rising, she handed them over with gentle instructions: "This one is for internal use—brew with cold water, three bowls reduced to one, taken four times daily. This is for external application—clean the affected area, once each morning and evening."
Qin Li accepted the medicines, and Qin Guan glanced down, relieved to see his hands were still unaffected.
Hesitating briefly, Qin Li asked, "Ninth Sister, do you have any confidence in this treatment?"
Meeting Qin Li's narrow eyes, Qin Guan shook her head. "No."
A flash of pain crossed Qin Li's gaze before he lowered and raised his eyes again, forcing a bitter smile. "Thank you, Ninth Sister. Should I return tomorrow night?"
Qin Guan nodded. "Yes. Come every night at this time."
Qin Li exhaled in relief. By providing the medicine, Qin Guan had agreed to treat him—yet treatment could be diligent or perfunctory. Her instruction for nightly visits showed her level of commitment to his cure.
Gratitude colored Qin Li's voice. "Very well. I'll return at this hour tomorrow. Ninth Sister, rest early."
With that, Qin Li departed without lingering, pushing the window shut as his footsteps faded into the distance.
Inside the room, Qin Guan's expression darkened. She truly had no confidence in curing Qin Li's condition—a heavy torment for her as a healer.
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