Chapter 27 : Use My Knife
27: Use My Knife
The carriage raced forward. Yue Ning sat silently inside, not lively or talkative like other girls her age.
Looking at Yue Ning, Qin Wan naturally thought of the homicide at the Anyang Marquis’s estate last night. Though the person in charge of investigating the murder case was no longer her father, Qin Wan still habitually paid attention. "Did the Grand Princess suffer a shock from last night’s events?"
Yue Ning nodded. "Grandmother has weathered many storms in her life, but last night…"
Yue Ning paused, looking at Qin Wan. Ordinary noble young ladies couldn’t bear to see a chicken killed, let alone witness a live person with their head severed, especially in such a bizarre, terrifying red wedding sedan.
Yue Ning had thought mentioning this would surely make Qin Wan fearful. But when she looked, she saw only clear composure in Qin Wan’s eyes. Those eyes were like a clear spring into which stars had fallen, calm and unafraid.
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow. Earlier in the Qin household, seeing her bullied by Qin Shuang without a word, she had thought her weak and timid. Only now did she realize she had misjudged. This seemingly gentle, beautiful young lady actually possessed some courage.
"Last night’s scene was one reason. Secondly, Grandmother had placed great hopes on this marriage, wishing for Eldest Brother to establish a family, achieve success, and find happiness. But after last night’s incident, not only is the marriage ruined, the Anyang Marquis’s household is also entangled in a murder case."
A thoughtful look flashed in Qin Wan’s eyes. "The bride was Duke Song’s daughter, and it involves the Anyang Marquis’s household, so naturally it’s extraordinary. A night has passed. Does the case have any leads?"
Yue Ning’s eyebrow rose again. Among the young ladies of Jinzhou Prefecture, few stood out in etiquette and bearing; their knowledge and perspective were even more confined to the inner quarters, narrow in scope. Qin Wan’s noble bearing and excellent etiquette already made her exceptional. Now she was asking about the case?
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes. Rumors said this Ninth Young Miss had jumped into a lake for the Prefect’s son. Would a sheltered young lady who never left the inner quarters, timid and cowardly, only concerned with romance, take the initiative to care about a criminal case?
"Not yet. It’s been handed over to Prefect Huo."
Yue Ning answered simply, wanting to see what else Qin Wan would say.
Qin Wan nodded but fell silent, saying no more.
Yue Ning felt a slight disappointment, but thinking Qin Wan was only sixteen, kind-hearted, and skilled in medicine, she let it go.
The carriage traveled along Jinzhou City’s main street. Though it was the Anyang Marquis’s household carriage, the curtains were drawn, not ostentatious.
Yue Ning had practiced martial arts since childhood; her nature was naturally steady. Even with the bustling crowds and vibrant scene outside the carriage, she didn’t glance sideways or lift the curtain to look. But Qin Wan also sitting motionless surprised her again.
Though Yue Ning was grateful Qin Wan had saved the Grand Princess, hearing about Qin Wan’s situation in the Qin household and learning she had jumped into a lake for the Prefect’s son made her feel Qin Wan’s fate was unfortunate and she was overly timid and weak. For a moment, she only felt gratitude and pity for her, not much admiration. But today’s events gave her a new understanding of Qin Wan. Though her face showed nothing, she had begun to appreciate Qin Wan’s character somewhat.
Though the carriage was quiet, there was a tacit harmony between Qin Wan and Yue Ning. The wheels rolled swiftly, passing through Jinzhou City’s ten-mile-long street. After nearly half an hour, the carriage stopped before the marquis’s estate gates.
The moment they alighted, they saw Lüxiu waiting anxiously at the estate entrance…
"Ninth Young Miss! You’ve finally come. Please go quickly and see. The Old Madam vomited and then fainted!"
Qin Wan frowned. Yue Ning’s expression darkened. "What happened? When I left, Grandmother could still eat and speak!"
A flicker passed through Lüxiu’s eyes. "Princess, seeing the Old Madam is most urgent. This matter can be reported to you later!"
Yue Ning naturally understood. She grabbed Qin Wan’s hand and entered the estate gates, heading straight for the Grand Princess’s courtyard. After last night’s incident, all celebratory decorations had been removed from the Anyang Marquis’s estate, leaving only piles of red silk and wedding lanterns in the courtyard corners. Qin Wan scanned them, her heart gradually sinking. Just as they entered the Grand Princess’s courtyard gate, they saw Jiang‑shi, eyes red, coming out from inside.
Seeing Qin Wan, Jiang‑shi’s eyes lit up as if grasping a lifeline!
"Wan’er, you’ve finally come. Please come quickly and see. Mother… she’s not well…"
"Lady, do not panic. Quickly take me to see the Grand Princess!"
Qin Wan frowned, already certain the Grand Princess’s condition had worsened.
Following Jiang‑shi inside, she saw a room full of people as soon as she reached the inner chamber entrance. The Anyang Marquis Yue Qiong and Yue Jia were both there, only the Second Young Master Yue Qing was absent. Seeing her arrive, Yue Qiong hurried forward. "Ninth Young Miss, my mother, she…"
Qin Wan’s gaze fell on the Grand Princess on the bed. She had no time to exchange words with the Yue household members one by one. Raising a hand, she stopped Yue Qiong. "Marquis, please calm yourself. Let this common girl examine her first."
Though Qin Wan’s steps were quick, her expression was very composed. Yet when she drew closer, her eyes still contracted slightly.
The Grand Princess lay clothed on the bed. However, her eyes were rolled upward, her entire body trembling, her face bluish-black, lips purple, her breathing as fine as a gossamer thread. Qin Wan leaned over, pinched the Grand Princess’s cheeks. As the Grand Princess’s lips parted slightly, her yellowish-red teeth were revealed. Qin Wan applied a bit more pressure, faintly seeing turbid bile froth in her mouth. Qin Wan’s brow furrowed. Her hand moved down the Grand Princess’s chest and abdomen; the Grand Princess’s chest and abdomen were distended, soft to the touch…
Qin Wan’s hand paused, a thin layer of sweat appearing on her temples.
"Ninth Young Miss, how is she? Can she still be saved?"
The Grand Princess’s appearance was such that even someone without medical knowledge would understand she was critically ill, let alone the Yue family who already knew her condition.
Qin Wan straightened up. Since entering the room, her brow showed gravity for the first time.
"The Grand Princess’s five viscera are all damaged. It will be difficult to prolong her life."
As Qin Wan’s words fell, Jiang‑shi’s tears immediately rolled down. "Marquis, what should we do…"
Just yesterday, the Anyang Marquis’s household experienced such chaos. Today, the Grand Princess was about to pass away?
After a slight pause, Qin Wan gritted her teeth. "However, Qin Wan can make a desperate attempt."
After Qin Wan finished speaking, Jiang‑shi and Yue Qiong stared at her fixedly. Yue Qiong even said, "Ninth Young Miss, if you can save Mother’s life, whatever request you make, this marquis promises to fulfill it…"
Qin Wan had already made up her mind in that instant. She wasn’t moved by Yue Qiong’s words. Instead, she leaned over to undo the Grand Princess’s clothing. "Please, Marquis and Heir, step out first. I need some medicinal ingredients. Please, Lady and Princess, help prepare them!"
After another pause, Qin Wan added, "Also prepare a thin, sharp short knife!"
At such a critical moment, these words were commands concerning the Grand Princess’s life and death. Yue Qiong and the others didn’t dare be careless. But the Anyang Marquis’s estate had plenty of swords, spears, and halberds. Where to find a thin, sharp short knife?
Yue Jia, heartbroken, stepped forward. "Ninth Young Miss, I’m afraid the estate doesn’t have the type of short knife you described. If we go to a craftsman’s workshop in the city to find one now, will it be in time…"
Qin Wan frowned tightly. "I’m afraid it won’t arr…"
"Use my knife!"
Before Qin Wan could finish, a man’s voice rang out.
Everyone in the room froze. Turning to look, they saw Yan Chi striding in. He drew the short blade from his waist, strode forward, and solemnly presented it to Qin Wan.