Chapter 11 : Good News
11: Good News
Even with Qin Wan's resilient temperament, the sudden appearance of the man startled her.
The man seemed not to have expected Qin Wan to turn around and was also slightly surprised. However, he showed no embarrassment at being caught spying, only breaking into a broader smile and saying playfully, "Ah, discovered by Ninth Sister!"
As the man walked forward, Qin Wan realized this was a man with a naturally smiling face. His slender, upturned peach‑blossom eyes gave the illusion of smiling even when he wasn't speaking.
But in this gloomy, dim light, his smile only struck Qin Wan as hypocritical and eerie.
The man was tall and slender, his luxurious robe made of fine material. And he had just called her "Ninth Sister." Qin Wan frowned. Was this the Qin Manor's Eldest Young Master or Second Young Master?
Perfectly fine, but how was he here in the purple bamboo grove?
He stood to her right rear. Had he followed her in? Or had he been here earlier?
Remembering the killer of the Ninth Young Miss was a man, Qin Wan immediately grew wary. She slowly took half a step back.
The man keenly noticed her movement. He chuckled and continued approaching, his peach‑blossom eyes flashing with mockery and a hint of condescension. "Ninth Sister is afraid of me? I heard you were pushed into the lake by Sixth Sister. Second Brother has been thinking of you."
Second Brother… Qin Wan's eyelids twitched slightly. This was the Qin Manor's Second Young Master, Qin Li!
Qin Li drew closer. Perhaps seeing Qin Wan's face clearly, a gleam of light appeared in his eyes. "A few days apart, Ninth Sister has grown even more delicate and lovely. I heard you were ill. Are you better now?"
Qin Wan lowered her gaze and took another step back. "Much better."
Qin Li smiled with great pleasure, as if thoroughly enjoying Qin Wan's nervousness and unease in his presence.
"Truly much better? Lift your head, let Second Brother have a good look…"
As he spoke, Qin Li's hand reached flirtatiously toward Qin Wan's chin. Qin Wan hastily retreated another step, her gaze lifting to stare directly at Qin Li. Qin Li, caught by her sharp look, paused his hand, a chill running through his heart.
Wrong. This feeling is wrong. Such a look is something the Ninth Sister who used to let him tease her could never produce!
Qin Li scrutinized Qin Wan up and down.
At this moment, Qin Wan's figure was solitary and pure. She was still that slender, pretty Qin Wan. Such a woman easily stirred a man's protective instincts. But the former Qin Wan always had an air of lifeless timidity and cowering between her brows. To a man's eyes, this might seem somewhat novel at first glance, but over time, it would inevitably become irritating.
Now it was different. The aloof pride and unassailable dignity between her brows suddenly made her whole person vivid and noble. This Qin Wan actually made him, a seasoned connoisseur of women, feel a twinge of admiration.
While Qin Li was sizing up Qin Wan, Qin Wan was also observing Qin Li's expression.
Qin Li had a naturally smiling face, his gaze also frivolous. The way he looked at her held not a trace of malice or suspicion. If he were the murderer, wouldn't he wonder why she had come to the purple bamboo grove?
Qin Wan clearly remembered that when she woke, there were no ambiguous marks on her body, indicating the murderer wasn't motivated by lust or passion. But why did he appear in the purple bamboo grove so coincidentally?
"Why is Ninth Sister so guarded against Second Brother? I heard after the last incident, Ninth Sister can't remember the past? Has Ninth Sister also forgotten how good Second Brother was to you before? Second Brother is truly heartbroken… I wanted to visit Ninth Sister earlier, but Grandmother ordered us not to come to the back…"
Qin Li withdrew his hand, his face showing feigned distress. However, with his naturally smiling face, the expression seemed utterly false.
Qin Wan's lips pressed together slightly. It seemed today wasn't a good time to investigate the truth.
"Thank you for Second Brother's concern. Qin Wan has matters to attend to. I'll take my leave first."
Qin Wan made a decisive decision and stepped forward to leave the bamboo grove. But the moment she took a step, Qin Li stretched out an arm to block her.
Qin Li looked at her with a smile. "Why is Ninth Sister in such a hurry to leave? Second Brother saw you send Fuling away at the lotus pond. Why did you deliberately come alone to this purple bamboo grove?"
His tone lowered. "Don't you know this place is haunted?"
Qin Wan's eyes narrowed. This person had followed her in!
"Since this place is haunted, Second Brother should also leave as soon as possible."
As she spoke, Qin Wan tried to sidestep Qin Li. But Qin Li shifted his foot, deliberately not letting Qin Wan pass. "What secret does Ninth Sister have? If Ninth Sister doesn't tell me today, Second Brother won't let you leave…"
Qin Wan frowned, anger rising. "You!"
"What is Second Young Master doing here?"
Qin Wan had just uttered one word when a clear, cold voice rang out. Qin Wan looked up toward the source of the sound. At the bamboo grove entrance stood Fuling and a woman in yellow robes.
Qin Wan vaguely felt the woman's appearance was somewhat familiar but couldn't recall where she had seen her.
Hearing this voice, Qin Li's back seemed to stiffen slightly. He then withdrew his hand and turned around.
"It's Caihe. What brings you here?" Qin Li spoke, his tone already greatly changed. Though still feigning a relaxed, playful manner, his words carried a hint of tension.
The yellow‑robed woman named Caihe curved her lips slightly, her smile polite and distant, neither subservient nor arrogant.
"Caihe naturally cannot compare to Second Young Master's leisure. Isn't it because I'm following the Old Madam's order to invite the Ninth Young Miss to the Buddha hall?"
The Old Madam? A light dawned in Qin Wan's heart. She remembered!
The day she first woke and saw Jiang‑shi, the person standing closest to Jiang‑shi wasn't Lin‑shi, but this Caihe!
"Grandmother?" Qin Li was somewhat surprised. He glanced suspiciously at Qin Wan, then chuckled sardonically and said reluctantly, "Since it's Grandmother's order, Ninth Sister, you should go quickly. We siblings can catch up another day."
With these words, Qin Wan immediately headed for the exit. The moment she stepped out, Fuling grabbed Qin Wan's hand. "Young Miss, why did you come here? How… how did you end up with Second Young Master?"
Fuling was extremely nervous, clearly showing wariness and dislike toward Qin Li.
Qin Wan comfortingly squeezed Fuling's hand, then turned to look at Caihe.
Fuling also belatedly said, "Young Miss, Sister Caihe came looking for you just now. She said the Old Madam has instructions."
Only then did Caihe smile and speak. Toward Qin Wan, Caihe's smile was much warmer. "Ninth Young Miss, the Old Madam requests your presence at the Buddha hall."
Jiang‑shi wouldn't summon her for no reason. Was it for leaving the manor? Or for pulling Qin Shuang into the lake?
But several days had passed. Why summon her only today?
Fuling beside her was also uneasy and couldn't help asking, "Sister Caihe, the Old Madam, this is…"
Seeing the master and servant both somewhat apprehensive, Caihe covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Ninth Young Miss, don't be alarmed. It's good news."