Chapter 25 : A Mistake
25: A Mistake
"Young Miss, Moshu is here."
Just after finishing breakfast, Moshu from Yao Xinlan’s side arrived at Tinglan Pavilion.
Qin Wan understood Moshu’s purpose and nodded. "Let her in."
Soon, Moshu entered the warm chamber. The moment she stepped inside, she knelt and performed a deep bow. "Greetings, Ninth Young Miss. I offer my deepest thanks to Ninth Young Miss for saving my Young Mistress’s life."
Qin Wan sat upright by the window on a long couch, a half-finished chess game on the small table before her.
Hearing this, she glanced at Moshu. "A mere trifle. Eldest Brother already came to thank me last night. Rise."
Moshu did not get up, only lifted her head to look at Qin Wan. The sight made her pause.
The morning sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a golden halo around Qin Wan’s silhouette.
Today she wore a moon-white ruqun with a peach-heart collar, a green silk ribbon tied in a knot across her chest, a matching shawl draped over her shoulders. From Moshu’s angle, her nose was straight and proud, her lashes dark as raven feathers, her beautiful eyes clear as autumn water, her delicate face pale as congealed cream, the curve of her swan-like neck gentle and graceful. An extremely pure, elegant aura enveloped her brows and eyes, her entire person radiating a faint, captivating glow.
Moshu had never known this obscure Ninth Young Miss of the Qin household was so beautiful.
Perhaps because Moshu stared for too long, Qin Wan turned her head again, looking at her with a hint of inquiry.
Realizing her impropriety, Moshu hurriedly lowered her head. "Ninth Young Miss, we also request you come to Linfeng Courtyard to examine the Young Mistress’s pulse. The Young Mistress has improved, but everyone is still uneasy."
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. She had thought Moshu had only come to express gratitude.
Qin Wan looked at Moshu, her gaze somewhat profound. "And Divine Physician Huang?"
Moshu’s face showed difficulty. "Divine Physician Huang came last night. But after seeing Ninth Young Miss’s prescription, he said his medical books were no longer the only ones in Jinzhou, and said he would no longer come to the Qin household for consultations."
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, feeling both amused and exasperated inside.
She had never interacted with Huang Jinyuan and didn’t know his temperament. But his medical skills were superb; having some eccentric rules was common. By acting this way, Huang Jinyuan was giving her medical skills the highest affirmation, inadvertently boosting her reputation.
Qin Wan frowned. Was he doing this intentionally or unintentionally?
Qin Wan hadn’t planned to take full responsibility for Yao Xinlan’s condition. In her mind, Jiang-shi wouldn’t let her get involved with Yao Xinlan’s illness again. Yet unexpectedly, Moshu had come.
"Whose idea was it to invite me?"
Moshu immediately replied, "It was my Young Mistress’s and Young Master’s idea."
Qin Wan frowned. "Has the Old Madam visited your Young Mistress today?"
Moshu nodded again. "She has…"
Jiang-shi had gone, yet they still came to invite her. Had Jiang-shi tacitly consented?
Fuling, listening beside her, seemed hesitant. "Young Miss…"
"Prepare. Let’s go take a look."
After all, she had studied medicine for many years. Qin Wan could save a stranger by the roadside; naturally, she could also save Yao Xinlan. Leaving Tinglan Pavilion and heading south, they soon reached the entrance of Linfeng Courtyard. Just as they approached the gate, voices from inside drifted out.
"They say she brought misfortune upon her parents, carries an unlucky aura. How inauspicious!"
"But I heard she really saved the Young Mistress yesterday. Even Divine Physician Huang said her medical skills are as formidable as his."
"Ahem, Ninth Young Miss, please come in!"
Moshu coughed a few times, leading Qin Wan through the courtyard gate.
In the courtyard of Linfeng Courtyard stood several women in fine clothes. The earlier voices had come from them. Their ages varied, but each was attractive. With one glance, Qin Wan understood their status.
"Ladies, there’s no need to wait. You won’t be able to see her today. See, we’ve just invited Ninth Young Miss to take the pulse."
Before Moshu finished speaking, a woman in crimson silk robes stepped forward.
This woman was no more than in her twenties, dressed brightly, with red lips, white teeth, phoenix eyes, and dark brows.
Unfortunately, the powder on her face was applied too thickly, masking her natural beauty.
Watching her take delicate steps, Qin Wan felt as if countless powder particles were shaking off her face.
Her jet-black hair was styled in a high chignon. When she smiled, it was dazzlingly charming. As she moved with swaying steps, her slender waist twisted slowly. Combined with the crimson handkerchief she waved in her hand, though she exuded allure, there was an undeniable touch of frivolity.
"Who would have known Ninth Young Miss was a living Bodhisattva saving lives? In all the days she’s been in the household, Ninth Young Miss never left her quarters nor revealed her skills." She sized Qin Wan up. "At such a young age, where did Ninth Young Miss learn medicine?"
Qin Wan initially didn’t want to look at that heavily powdered face, but the woman deliberately stepped forward to speak. Qin Wan glanced at her again. This time, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Meanwhile, Moshu frowned. "Eighth Madam, Ninth Young Miss has been invited by the Young Master and Young Mistress to take the pulse. Excuse us."
The head of the Qin household’s Third Branch, Qin An, was known for his romantic nature, with many beautiful concubines in the household. Qin Wan had heard of this. In the Great Zhou, a concubine’s status was no different from that of a servant. Though these beauties might be favored, Qin Wan had no intention of engaging with them.
Hearing Moshu’s words, Qin Wan gave the Eighth Madam another glance and walked straight into the room.
"Since Ninth Young Miss knows medicine, will you open a clinic to see patients? And may I ask, are your consultation fees expensive?"
The Eighth Madam’s voice carried laughter, clearly tinged with a hint of disdain and contempt. Though physicians were respected, they were ultimately skilled artisans. Qin Wan was a legitimate daughter of the Qin household. Why would she need to show her face and open a clinic?
Moshu seemed troubled by these words. Qin Wan paused in her steps.
She turned, smiling at the Eighth Madam. "Are you asking because you wish to seek treatment, Madam?"
The smile instantly vanished from the Eighth Madam’s face. Though her status was lowly, it was well-known this Ninth Young Miss lived even worse than she did. Relying on her own favor, she had mocked a few sentences, never expecting such a retort.
The Eighth Madam stopped smiling, but Qin Wan’s smile deepened. She appeared casual, yet her gaze never left the Eighth Madam.
The Eighth Madam’s expression became somewhat strange. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand tightly, forcing a smile. "How… how could that be? Ninth Young Miss jests."
Qin Wan lifted her lips slightly, said no more, and turned to enter the inner chamber.
Outside, the others exchanged glances, not understanding why the usually sharp-tongued, indiscreet Eighth Madam had suddenly become meek…
Inside the room, Yao Xinlan, lying on the bed, looked apologetically at Qin Wan as she entered. "Lady Liu’s temperament has always been poor. Ninth Sister must not take it to heart…"
Yao Xinlan had indeed improved greatly. Though still frail, at least color had returned to her face, and her breathing was much stronger.
Qin Wan shook her head, sat down, and extended her hand toward her.
Yao Xinlan then said, "Brother Chen wanted to wait for you, but there have been many letters from the capital these days. He just went to the outer study. Later, I’ll have Xiang’er and Shuang’er come over too. Will you stay and have lunch with us?"
Qin Wan’s eyes darkened. Many letters from the capital these days?
Her heart stirred, but facing Yao Xinlan’s sincere gaze, she shook her head. "There’s no nee…"
Before the word "need" could leave her mouth, footsteps sounded outside, followed immediately by Qin Shuang’s voice. "Why does Sister-in-law want to keep her for a meal? Grandmother changed her courtyard, Eldest Brother gave her a priceless gift. That’s already more than enough for her!"
Qin Wan turned her head. Qin Xiang and Qin Shuang, sisters, entered hand in hand.
After the previous two encounters, Qin Shuang still hadn’t learned her lesson. Though somewhat afraid of Qin Wan last night, she had now reverted to her old self.
Yao Xinlan hurriedly said, "Sister Shuang, don’t say that. Ninth Sister saved the lives of me and my child. No amount of gifts can repay that…"
Though Qin Shuang’s mouth was sharp, meeting Qin Wan’s gaze still made her heart tremble slightly. She instinctively looked at Qin Xiang, meeting Qin Xiang’s encouraging eyes. Qin Shuang hastily puffed out her chest. "Sister-in-law, you’re too indulgent with her. She’s been in our Qin household for four years, eating our food, drinking our water. For her to examine Sister-in-law’s health now is an honor for her. Does she really think she’s a medical immortal?"
Qin Wan withdrew her hand from Yao Xinlan’s wrist, a slight frown forming on her brow.
Qin Shuang seemed domineering and gossipy, but she was merely a paper tiger. It was Qin Xiang…
"What are you looking at? Am I wrong?" Having suffered twice at Qin Wan’s hands, Qin Shuang felt aggrieved and stifled. She originally didn’t dare speak much in front of Qin Wan, but having received Qin Xiang’s instruction, she took the opportunity to be unrestrained.
"Don’t think just because you’ve caught the Grand Princess’s eye you can do as you please. What about the Grand Princess? She can’t meddle in the inner quarters of our Qin household. I heard she’s old and seriously ill, doesn’t have many days le…"
"Silence!" Just as Qin Shuang was speaking recklessly with glee, a stern shout suddenly erupted from the doorway!
Qin Shuang’s heart and liver trembled at the roar. When she realized what she had said, and then realized who had ordered her to be silent, her little face instantly turned deathly pale. She turned. "Grandmother, I was just!"
Her voice cut off. Qin Shuang froze as if plunged into an ice cellar.
Cold sweat poured down like rain. Qin Shuang knew she had made a grave mistake this time.
Because standing beside Jiang-shi, looking at her coldly, was actually the Anyang Marquis’s household’s Young Princess, Yue Ning!