Chapter 15 : Yan Chi
15: Yan Chi
In a low voice, Qin Shuang said resentfully, "Grandmother! That's impossible! She knows nothing! How could she be a healing immortal?! It's even more impossible that she saved the Grand Princess!"
Qin Xiang also nodded. "Yes, Grandmother. We never knew she knew medicine!"
Qin Shuang snorted coldly, her fists clenched tightly. "The Grand Princess must have mistaken her for someone else! Just wait, she'll be thrown out very soon!"
Jiang‑shi sat in silence. She wasn't clear on what Qin Wan did or didn't know. Ever since Qin Wan came to Jinzhou, she had never paid her any mind. But like Qin Xiang, she thought, if Qin Wan knew medicine, why had she never shown her skill?
The moment Qin Shuang finished speaking, Lüxiu's figure appeared at the flower hall entrance.
After the commotion, everyone in the hall was already watching the outside. The moment Lüxiu arrived, she was immediately spotted.
"Look, it's the Grand Princess's senior maidservant!"
"Is she here to summon someone else from the Qin Manor?"
In an instant, the Qin Manor people also looked over. Qin Shuang wore a bitter expression and whispered, "She must be here to condemn us! Grandmother, Qin Wan will bring disaster upon us…"
Qin Shuang thought Lüxiu was here to condemn them, but Jiang‑shi saw at a glance that Lüxiu's mood was excellent.
Sure enough, the closer Lüxiu got, the brighter the smile on her face. "Greetings to the Old Madam. The Old Madam has kept the Ninth Young Miss to accompany her. She specially sent this servant to inform you not to worry."
All doubts vanished in an instant!
The Grand Princess hadn't mistaken her. Not only that, she had kept Qin Wan to talk!
Among those who came today were many high officials and nobles, but the Grand Princess had only kept Qin Wan!
After Lüxiu finished, she added apologetically, "The auspicious hour is near, but the bride is still on the road. I'm afraid we must trouble everyone to wait a little longer. Please forgive any shortcomings in the wedding banquet's hospitality."
Though Lüxiu was only a maidservant, she was the Grand Princess's personal attendant, her status equivalent to half a mistress.
The moment she said this, a chorus of "We dare not" immediately arose.
Lüxiu smiled, curtsied, then left.
The moment Lüxiu left, Qin Shuang and the others were stunned. It was actually true. Qin Wan was the Grand Princess's lifesaver!
Lin‑shi was the first to understand the implications. "Mother, regardless of how Qin Wan knows medicine, that young lady Lüxiu just said, the Grand Princess couldn't have mistaken her. Mother, since Qin Wan has become the Grand Princess's lifesaver, our Jinzhou Qin Manor has gained a new path. Looking at it this way, the Grand Princess seems to like Qin Wan very much!"
This was exactly what Jiang‑shi was thinking. Her eyes narrowed slightly. Could it be that Qin Wan truly possessed extraordinary skills that she had overlooked?
At this thought, Jiang‑shi's back straightened unconsciously.
Someone despised and mistreated by the Qin Manor, who now held their life and death in her hands…
A chill ran down Jiang‑shi's spine. A deep sense of unease grew in her heart.
In the flower hall, the Qin Manor people sat restlessly due to the change in Qin Wan's status. In the inner courtyard, Lüxiu was reporting, "This servant has conveyed your meaning. The Old Madam of the Qin Manor and the other masters were initially somewhat surprised and confused. After hearing this servant's words, they all looked extremely shocked. It's clear they are uneasy."
The Grand Princess sighed. Looking at Qin Wan, who sat with lowered eyes and brows, she said, "The Qin Manor's Old Madam was also a straightforward person in her youth. But in her old age, she has become a bit stubborn. To have such a great pearl in your own family and yet let it be covered in dust." She paused, then added, "Wan'er, do you think this old woman is meddling? The internal affairs of the Qin Manor can be understood with a little inquiry. You have suffered these past two years."
Qin Wan didn't think the Grand Princess was meddling. On the contrary, she was moved.
She had only acted to save in an emergency, yet she had encountered the Grand Princess. Not only that, the Grand Princess had made it clear she wanted to repay her. This repayment wasn't simply gold or jewels, but to lend her her influence, to help her establish a foothold in the Qin Manor.
"Qin Wan dares not. Thank you, Your Highness the Grand Princess. You are too kind."
The Grand Princess patted the back of her hand. "You not only saved me. More importantly, I like you, child. We have three younger generations in our family. Even Ning'er is fond of spears and swords. Though I love their spirited natures, inherited from the Yue family's military background, I also hope for a gentle, sweet granddaughter to often be by my side. Rest assured, I will make plans for you."
Listening to the Grand Princess's gentle words, Qin Wan felt a sudden sourness in her heart. In the more than ten days since her rebirth, though it didn't show on her face, her heart was mostly desolate and lonely. In her dreams at night, there was more indignation, heartbreak, and helpless despair.
Though the Qin Manor was her current "home," it not only hid the murderer of the Ninth Young Miss, but it was also filled with disgust and contempt for her from top to bottom. Apart from Fuling, she truly couldn't feel the word 'warmth'.
Qin Wan looked up at the Grand Princess, her deep, somber eyes turning clear and moist.
"What Qin Wan did that day was merely a small effort. Your Highness the Grand Princess really need not…"
The Grand Princess held Qin Wan's hand and smiled. "Alright, alright. Though you are kind and know propriety, you seem to have a heavy heart, as if hiding something deep inside, likely from the suffering of these past few years. Don't think too much. In the future, this old body will still need you to trouble yourself."
Qin Wan nodded, accepting the Grand Princess's kindness without saying more.
The Grand Princess was right. She truly did hide a secret she could never speak of to anyone.
Though she and Qin Wan conversed pleasantly, the Grand Princess had not forgotten that today was the wedding day of the Anyang Marquis's heir-apparent. Seeing the sky grow darker, the Grand Princess also frowned.
"What is this? The auspicious hour has passed. Why has she not arrived yet?"
Jiang‑shi sighed. "A letter came yesterday, saying they had already reached the Ten‑Li Temple. Calculating the journey, they should have arrived by nightfall at the latest. It's a marriage from afar, so it's extremely difficult to time the auspicious hour perfectly."
The Grand Princess let out a breath. Holding Qin Wan's hand, she said, "Missing the auspicious hour makes this old heart feel uneasy." She paused, then added, "When His Majesty first suggested this match, I already felt it was inappropriate…"
Jiang‑shi shook her head. "Mother, you need not worry. It's only a little late. Today is an auspicious day. No matter when they arrive, it will be auspicious and well. Do not worry, Mother." She glanced out the window. "Night is falling. They must be here soon."
Though she was comforting, the Grand Princess grew restless.
"Wan'er, help me up. Let's go out and wait…"
Qin Wan quickly helped the Grand Princess up. Jiang‑shi also rose to support her from the other side. The group walked together toward the ceremonial hall.
Today was the Anyang Marquis's heir-apparent's wedding. The bride came from the capital's prominent Duke Song's household. Furthermore, this marriage had the Emperor's intention, making it no different from an imperial decree. Adding the Grand Princess's status, the ceremonial hall was decorated with exceptional nobility and splendor.
When Qin Wan helped the Grand Princess to the ceremonial hall, it was already surrounded by people. Everyone knew the bride was about to arrive and wanted to witness this once-in-a-century magnificent wedding in Jinzhou City.
"Grandmother is out! Grandmother…"
The moment they reached the hall, two young men came forward to greet them. Both had sword-like brows and high-bridged noses. They were tall, handsome, with a commanding presence. One of them wore a formal red wedding robe, he was the Anyang Marquis's heir-apparent!
"Mother, why have you come out? They're not here yet…"
As he spoke, another man in splendid robes came forward. He was over forty, tall and powerfully built with an imposing aura. One could tell at a glance he was a military man. This was undoubtedly the Anyang Marquis. As they came forward, they all saw Qin Wan at a glance and froze. When had such a young lady appeared beside the Grand Princess?
Seeing the situation, Qin Wan immediately curtsied. "Greetings to the Marquis, to the heir-apparent." Then, looking at the Grand Princess, she said softly, "Your Highness, Qin Wan will take her leave first."
The Grand Princess smiled with gratification. "Good. You may go. Watch the ceremony from the side."
Qin Wan nodded and quickly left via a side path, disappearing into the crowd.
The Anyang Marquis, Yue Qiong, and the heir-apparent, Yue Jia, kept this in mind but did not inquire immediately. They only helped the Grand Princess to the seat of honor. In the ceremonial hall, red silks and golden candles created a festive atmosphere. The red carpet inside stretched straight to the wide-open manor gate. Sitting in the seat of honor, one could see directly into the vast night beyond the manor gate. The cool night was like spilled ink, yet the bride had not arrived!
"Why is it so late? Could something have happened?"
"Can't we send someone to scout ahead?"
The Grand Princess was uneasy, asking repeatedly. The Anyang Marquis quickly comforted her, "Mother, rest assured. Nothing will happen. The escort is Duke Song's personal guards. We'll send someone to look. Rest assured, Mother."
The Grand Princess was anxious; Jiang‑shi was anxious. The surrounding guests were also anxious. Many had been here since early morning, waiting until now. If not for the significance of this grand wedding, which they were unwilling to miss, they would have long since grown impatient.
"Announcement!" Suddenly, a guard rode up quickly. "Reporting to the Marquis, a party of torches has been discovered outside the city! The heir-apparent's consort has arrived!"
Hearing this, the entire ceremonial hall erupted. She was here! The bride had finally arrived!
The Grand Princess's spirits lifted. The Anyang Marquis and his wife were also beaming. The heir-apparent, Yue Jia, was excited but also a little nervous. The surrounding guests were even more interested, all squeezing forward to see the wide street outside the manor gate.
Soon, a single point of torchlight appeared in the street, hidden by the night.
It was one point at first, then became dozens. Then, it connected into a large expanse. Looking at that vast, mighty torchlight, everyone's hearts lifted. As expected of a wedding procession from the capital! Its momentum was truly magnificent!
The torchlight drew closer. The sound of orderly, unified hoofbeats gradually grew clear. The hoofbeats shook the ears, carrying a momentum that could trample mountains and rivers, like a tide overwhelming the sea, pressing toward the Anyang Marquis's household.
The guests' hearts trembled. This wedding procession was not only magnificent, but it also carried a chilling, murderous aura. It wasn't a joyous wedding escort, but more like a thousand troops and ten thousand horses facing an enemy on the battlefield.
Yue Qiong was the first to sense something was wrong. He had led troops for many years; his perception was naturally extraordinary.
He stepped forward, narrowing his eyes to look at that expanse of torchlight…
In the dark, drizzling night, the expanse of torchlight was like two fire dragons crashing forward. In an instant, they reached the manor gate. It was a expanse of dark, cold gleaming black armor, carrying the stench of dust and blood, invading everyone's eyes with an unparalleled, king-like presence. They arrived at the manor gate like ghosts, their prestige thunderous as they reined in their horses, then nimbly and swiftly split into two columns and stood at attention.
Yue Qiong's eyelids twitched violently. All the guests stared in horror.
This wasn't the wedding procession. It was…
After the earth-shaking rumbling stopped, only the sound of one final set of hoofbeats, unhurried, remained.
At the end of the long street, a pitch-black warhorse trotted forward. In the fierce, blazing torchlight, the man on horseback held a horizontal spear. His gorgeous, dark night-blooming epaulette-like silhouette carried a domineering arrogance that looked down on everything.
"By His Majesty's imperial order, I have come to offer congratulations. Yan Chi is late!"