Chapter 43 : Doubts
43: Doubts
"Madam and Ninth Young Miss have arrived!"
As Yang Xi announced, everyone in the room looked toward the door.
Although Yan Chi had come to offer congratulations in the capacity of a junior, he was, after all, a prince's son, unquestionably of noble status. Not to mention Jiang‑shi, even Yue Qiong dared not be careless. By the time Qin Wan arrived, Yue Qiong, Yue Jia, Yue Ning, and Wei Yanzhi were all present.
Yue Qing, head hanging low, came forward to meet them. "Mother!"
Jiang‑shi glared at him. "All you know how to do is cause trouble!"
As she spoke, she glanced around the room. Seeing Yue Qiong standing by the window, she hurried over. "How is His Highness?"
Yue Qiong frowned slightly, not answering immediately. Instead, he looked at Qin Wan, who had followed behind. "Ninth Young Miss, all necessary items have been prepared. May I trouble you to enter the inner chamber to examine His Highness's injuries?"
Jiang‑shi's heart sank. Qin Wan's eyes also turned serious.
Qin Wan curtsied. "Qin Wan will comply."
As she spoke, Yue Qing hurried forward. "Ninth Young Miss, this way, please!"
Yue Qing's face was full of self-reproach and apology as he led Qin Wan toward the inner chamber. This place was called Pine Garden, Yan Chi's residence within the Marquis's estate. It was similarly furnished with elegant refinement. Reaching the doorway, Yue Qing bowed to Qin Wan. "Ninth Young Miss, His Highness has aggravated old injuries with new ones. Everything is entrusted to you."
Qin Wan nodded but saw that Yue Qing did not enter. Yue Qing gave a bitter smile. "His Highness is injured. Only Father was allowed to see. For some reason, Father forbade us from entering to disturb him. I'm afraid it's quite serious…"
The more Yue Qing spoke, the more pained his expression became. He had just survived one calamity and never expected to injure Yan Chi!
Qin Wan nodded. With a *creak*, the door opened from inside. Bai Feng, expression solemn, bowed respectfully in invitation. "Ninth Young Miss, His Highness has been waiting for you for some time. Please!"
A strange feeling welled up in Qin Wan's heart. Just as she was about to step inside, Bai Feng suddenly looked at Fuling behind Qin Wan.
"Ninth Young Miss, His Highness requests only you to enter."
Qin Wan, having decided to teach Fuling medicine, intended to bring her along when practicing medicine. But she hadn't expected Bai Feng to stop her. However, Fuling seemed to heave a great sigh of relief, as if not having to see Yan Chi was a huge reprieve.
Qin Wan gave Fuling a reassuring glance and entered.
As soon as she entered the room, Bai Feng closed the door. A flash of deep thought crossed Qin Wan's eyes. She walked around the six-panel landscape screen before her and went further in. After taking only a few steps, Qin Wan frowned.
Inside the room, a strong smell of blood permeated the air.
Going around the screen, Qin Wan immediately saw the bed against the wall at the far end of the room.
Yan Chi, still dressed, leaned halfway against the headboard. Hearing footsteps, he looked toward her. His expression was grave, his gaze deep and dark. His posture, with his long arms and strong legs, carried an intimidating aura that warned strangers to keep their distance. If not for the smell of blood, Qin Wan might have thought he wasn't injured at all.
Qin Wan quickly approached, walking to the bedside and examining Yan Chi for a moment. "Please turn around, Your Highness."
Yan Chi raised an eyebrow. "Ninth Young Miss is indeed clever and perceptive."
Qin Wan's gaze swept over the tear on his shoulder. "The external wound on Your Highness's shoulder, though bleeding, is minor. Presumably caused by the Second Young Master. However, the smell of blood in the room is heavy. Your Highness must be injured elsewhere. There is no blood on Your Highness's front robe or legs. And currently, Your Highness is leaning against the headboard using core strength, mostly… the severe injury is likely on the back."
The corner of Yan Chi's mouth curved upward. He sat up straight, his long fingers deftly undoing his collar.
Bai Feng guarded the door. At this moment, only Qin Wan and Yan Chi were by the bedside. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, only the rustling of Yan Chi's clothing audible. He was a grown man who fought on battlefields. Undressing before Qin Wan held no discomfort for him. But Qin Wan might not feel the same. She was a young girl, probably never having seen a naked man…
"Your Highness's movements are inconvenient. Let me."
Yan Chi's hand paused, his eyebrows twitching almost imperceptibly.
He saw Qin Wan slightly roll up her sleeves, lean forward, and take hold of his lapel. A faint smile flashed in Yan Chi's eyes. He simply turned around. As he turned, the damp stain on his back immediately became visible.
He still wore the same noble, dark gray robe embroidered with golden qilin patterns from noon. But now, a large damp area clung to his back. Up close, the smell of blood was almost choking.
Qin Wan carefully but efficiently removed his robe. Once it was off, even Qin Wan couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
Yan Chi, with his back to Qin Wan, heard her reaction, his eyes deepening. "Describe what you see. Do not conceal anything."
Yan Chi's tone was light and calm, but Qin Wan's gaze grew somber.
After a moment of contemplation, Qin Wan spoke. "Your Highness has two injuries. One on the left shoulder, wound approximately one cun, walls of the wound even, shallower at the top, deeper at the bottom, a sword wound. The scab has not yet formed; it's a new injury left just now. The second is on the back, a wound from the left scapula to the right lower back, about five cun long. Parts have begun to heal but have reopened multiple times, with reddish-brown scabs and accompanying redness, swelling, and festering. The middle of the wound is the most open and deepest, tapering at both ends. It should be a knife wound sustained half a month ago."
Qin Wan carefully examined the deep, bone-revealing wound slanting across Yan Chi's back. After saying this, she looked up and suddenly met Yan Chi's gaze, he had turned his head at some point. His eyes held a deep, intense sharpness, like a fierce beast lurking in darkness baring its claws slightly. Qin Wan clenched her small fists and straightened up.
"And?" Their eyes met. Yan Chi's voice was cool.
But Qin Wan lowered her gaze. "As a physician, this is all Qin Wan can discern."
Yan Chi still looked at Qin Wan. After an unknown length of time, he finally turned his head and gave a faint "Mm."
It felt as if a knife hanging overhead had been removed. Qin Wan's breathing eased, and she raised her head. Beside her, all necessary items were already prepared. Qin Wan began cleaning Yan Chi's wound and stopping the bleeding. Yet her heart pounded with uneasy intensity.
Criminal suspects had motives and purposes; ordinary people's actions also had reasons and consequences.
Yue Qiong's grave expression and his forbidding Yue Qing and the others from entering to visit, was it because he knew the severity of Yan Chi's injuries?
But half a month ago, Yan Chi was on his way to Jinzhou. Who had dealt such a heavy blow?
Yan Chi had joined the army at ten and had served for twelve years now. His military achievements were illustrious. Everyone said Prince Rui's one hundred thousand Shuo Xi troops had a worthy successor. But why had he suddenly returned to the capital? And been sent by the Emperor to offer congratulations?
A physician could heal the dying and regenerate flesh and bone. But before the machinations of power, Qin Wan was helpless and insignificant as a grain of sand in the vast sea. She didn't understand the conflicts among these lofty rulers. Returning to the capital as soon as possible was her greatest hope at present.
"You know the former Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Shen Yi?"
The question came suddenly, making Qin Wan's heart leap into her throat.
"Of course not. I only happened to read his writings."
Yan Chi turned his head, his gaze deep as an abyss. "Then those skills of autopsy and deduction you possess, you learned them only from Shen Yi's writings?"
Qin Wan's heart tightened, instantly raising her guard to the utmost.