Chapter 24 : A Gift
24: A Gift
"Eldest Young Master…"
Fuling, still holding the broom, didn’t know whether to put it down, but she bowed her head in a salute.
Qin Chen strode over, looking at Qin Wan and her maid with great surprise. "You two… how…"
Qin Wan’s gaze swiftly swept over the thin boots on Qin Chen’s feet.
The orchid nursery, having flowerbeds, had soil different from elsewhere. If someone had been there, it would likely have stuck to their shoes.
But looking now, Qin Chen’s shoes were perfectly clean.
"Eldest Young Master, someone was hiding in the orchid nursery."
Qin Chen had a scholarly, refined air, and his gaze when looking at people was also very gentle. Within the Qin household, he was one of the few who spoke kindly to Qin Wan and her maid. Fuling’s throat tightened, and she complained with a touch of grievance.
"Someone hiding?" Qin Chen raised an eyebrow, sweeping his eyes around. "How could someone be hiding? Perhaps you saw wrong?"
"No, this serv…"
Fuling wanted to continue, but Qin Wan nudged her with her elbow.
"Earlier, Fuling wanted to move two pots of orchids indoors but was startled by some noise. I wasn’t at ease and came with her to look. Perhaps… the wind made her mishear." Qin Wan placed the shovel aside, her demeanor finally turning dignified and graceful.
"At night, it’s indeed easy to see things wrong." A faint smile touched Qin Chen’s lips. His gaze as he looked at Qin Wan was gentle and amiable. "But how could you two young girls dare come by yourselves? You should have called male servants to accompany you."
Qin Wan lowered her eyes. "Yes, Eldest Brother speaks sense. It was Qin Wan’s oversight."
Qin Chen glanced at the orchid nursery again. "It’s fine. Tomorrow I’ll have someone tidy up and maintain this orchid nursery. You should lock the side door properly from now on. Come, let’s see the gift I brought you."
So Qin Chen had come to Tinglan Pavilion to deliver a gift.
Qin Chen turned and walked ahead. Qin Wan and Fuling followed.
Besides Qin Chen, his personal attendant, Chengxin, had also come.
Chengxin held a brocade box. Seeing Qin Chen return, he hurriedly presented it. Qin Chen took it. "It’s late. Eldest Brother won’t go inside. I originally planned to bring it tomorrow morning, but thinking you saved Lan’er and I haven’t properly thanked you yet made me uneasy."
He opened the box. "This is a set of sapphire head ornaments I bought for Lan’er earlier. Lan’er liked it very much but never wore it. You saved Lan’er and the child today. This is a small token of our gratitude."
As the box opened, an aura of luxurious jewels overflowed.
Qin Wan frowned, momentarily hesitant. This thank-you gift was truly valuable.
Seeing Qin Wan not accept it, Qin Chen added, "Lan’er is awake now and has taken the medicine. She personally chose this. If Ninth Sister refuses, does it mean you find our chosen gift unsatisfactory?"
Qin Wan lifted her gaze, meeting Qin Chen’s eyes for a moment. This Eldest Young Master of the Qin household’s Third Branch had exceptionally gentle, warm eyes. Combined with his spring-like, pleasant smile, Qin Wan’s guarded state of mind relaxed.
Qin Wan accepted the brocade box. "Thank you, Eldest Brother."
She was no naive, virtuous maiden. Moreover, her current situation was difficult. There was no reason to refuse.
Qin Chen breathed a sigh of relief, his smile deepening. "That’s good then. Lan’er’s health will still require your care."
He glanced at the courtyard again. "You were wronged in the past. From now on, if this courtyard lacks anything, just let Eldest Brother know. Lan’er rarely saw you before. This time you saved her; she says your temperament is calm and steady, and she likes you very much. When you have time, go keep her company and talk more."
Qin Wan didn’t respond verbally, only nodded.
Qin Chen saw her somewhat aloof demeanor. After a slight hesitation, he said, "Ninth Sister, Eldest Brother just heard about your incident of falling into the lake. No matter how troubled your thoughts, you must not take your own life. You absolutely must not do such a thing again. I heard you fell ill after waking. Are you better now?"
Qin Wan pressed her lips together, her gaze slightly downcast. "Much better. Eldest Brother need not worry."
Hearing Qin Chen mention this, Fuling felt a pang of sorrow in her heart, yet she spoke as if she trusted Qin Chen greatly. "Eldest Young Master doesn’t know. Young Miss injured her head from that incident and has forgotten many things from before."
Pity appeared in Qin Chen’s eyes. "Ninth Sister, the household wronged you in the past. From now on, we will treat you well. You…"
"Thank you for your concern, Eldest Brother." Qin Wan cut off Qin Chen’s words. "It’s late. Please return, Eldest Brother."
Qin Chen seemed to want to say more, but seeing Qin Wan’s bowed head and lowered eyes, he understood she didn’t wish to discuss the matter further.
Qin Chen sighed. "Very well then. You should rest. Eldest Brother will take his leave."
With that, he turned and left.
Watching his retreating figure, Qin Wan’s eyes held a deep, unfathomable darkness.
"Young Miss, these are jewels from Jinxiu Workshop in the city. Jinxiu Workshop isn’t just famous in Jinzhou; it’s renowned throughout the entire southern region. Their jewelry is only custom-made for high officials and nobility. Ordinary families can’t buy it even if they want to."
"These sapphires… their color and quality are top grade. They must have cost a lot of silver. Young Miss, Eldest Young Master is humble and unpretentious, and his talent and learning are also excellent. In the entire Qin household, he’s the one who treats us best."
Qin Wan turned her head. "How so?"
Fuling sighed. "You’ve forgotten. Eldest Young Master often studied away from home before. But even so, whenever he returned to the estate, he would have someone send us some silver. He has helped us out many times."
No wonder Fuling seemed very familiar with Qin Chen. Qin Wan glanced once more toward the courtyard gate, then looked at the side door.
"Go lock the side door. We should rest."
Fuling, thinking of the figure from earlier, didn’t dare be careless. She hurried to lock the side door. Returning, she said, "Why didn’t Young Miss let this servant finish speaking just now? Eldest Young Master has a kind nature. He would certainly help us investigate!"
A flicker of sharpness passed through Qin Wan’s eyes. "It wouldn’t be found out. The night is deep. Outside the orchid nursery, paths lead in all directions. Even he wouldn’t mobilize a large search for our sake."
Making a big fuss would also alert the enemy.
"Who on earth was it? This servant is certain it was a person."
Entering the room and closing the door, Fuling continued muttering to herself as she helped Qin Wan prepare for bed.
Qin Wan lay on the brand-new bed, her mind somewhat unsettled.
"Fuling, from now on, we must be more careful moving around the Qin household."
Fuling slept on a small couch not far away. Hearing this, she made a surprised sound. She seemed to realize Qin Wan’s instruction was unusual and asked with some trepidation, "Young Miss… you think that person meant us harm?"
Not just harm, perhaps murderous intent.
Qin Wan thought this but couldn’t speak it directly to Fuling.
"People in the household have long disliked you and me. It’s better to be cautious."
Fuling exhaled. "Young Miss is afraid we’ll cause trouble and gossip? Young Miss, rest assured. This servant knows that." After a slight pause, Fuling wrapped herself tighter in the brocade quilt, somewhat fearful. "Young Miss, let’s leave an extra lamp lit tonight."
The bed curtains hung lightly. Fuling vaguely saw the silhouette of Qin Wan lying down.
Qin Wan didn’t speak. Fuling shivered again. "This servant keeps thinking of Duke Song’s young lady. Who could be so vicious as to harm Miss Song like that? How can such utterly wicked people exist in the world?"
As Fuling said this, Qin Wan’s thoughts also shifted from the Ninth Young Miss’s murder to that bizarre, horrifying homicide.
What kind of person would kill a bride in such a cruel manner?
Thinking about it, it seemed only a devil could be so depraved.
Yet Qin Wan’s past experience following her father in judicial work made her clearly understand that devils were merely ordinary people, utterly unremarkable. They faced you day and night, shared meals with you…