The Powerful and Favored Coroner Imperial Concubine

52: The Source of Slander, The Qin Manor Sends Someone

Huo Ning, looking utterly dejected, walked to the front courtyard. Lifting his head, he saw Huo Huaixin with a dark expression, surveying the courtyard full of the Marquis's estate male servants, his brows furrowed into a deep crease.

Suddenly, Huo Ning snapped back to reality with a jolt. He had been so infuriated by Qin Wan that he'd forgotten to mention he was here to investigate the case. She said he only had the status of a prefect's son, worthless otherwise. But he would make her know she was wrong! Huo Ning simply hadn't wanted to apply himself. Whatever he decided to do, he would surely accomplish and excel at!

"Father, how is it?"

Huo Huaixin glanced back at Huo Ning. "Where did you go?"

Huo Ning's eyes flickered. "Your son had some suspicions about whether evidence might have been left around Plum Garden, so I went to check again."

Huo Huaixin believed him, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes. However, he shook his head. "Nothing came of the questioning. Every servant in the Marquis's estate around six chi tall had witnesses for last night. And none of them are left-handed."

Huo Ning's lips pressed together tightly. How could they find nothing?

If it wasn't the Song household guards, and not the Marquis's estate guards, then who else could it be?

"Everyone has an alibi witness, and no one is left-handed." Huo Ning pondered hard. "Could the alibis be false? And if someone is ambidextrous but usually only uses their right hand, hiding it from others?"

Huo Huaixin raised his brows. "Left-handed people are rare to begin with. Someone who can use both hands..." His eyes brightened slightly. "But that possibility can't be ruled out either!"

Seeing Huo Ning becoming more and more capable, Huo Huaixin patted his shoulder with gratification, then frowned again. "But speculation is just speculation. These people's statements are very cautious, no loopholes to find. We can't keep holding them and questioning them over and over."

Huo Ning also knew Huo Huaixin's words were very reasonable. His heart sank. Just as he was feeling troubled, Huo Huaixin suddenly muttered to himself, "Should I ask her for help..."

Huo Ning didn't catch it clearly. "What did you say, Father?"

Huo Huaixin snapped back to attention at the question. Looking at Huo Ning before him, his expression suddenly became complicated. Lady Yuan had gone to the Qin manor. Heard that Ninth Young Miss's courtyard had even been changed. But the Qin family's Old Madam was still unwilling to speak much of Ninth Young Miss, acting as if it were a taboo subject.

"That..." Huo Huaixin hesitated. "You haven't been to the Qin manor these past few days?"

Huo Ning frowned. Go to the Qin manor? What for?! Thinking of Qin Wan's successive mockeries, Huo Ning's face burned again. He turned his head away, his tone somewhat annoyed. "Of course not. Forget the Qin manor, I won't even go to the Li or Zhao manors. Your son now only wants to share your burdens and solve this case. Making friends and socializing are trivial matters."

If he didn't solve this case, he swore he would never go to the Qin manor again!

Hearing Huo Ning's words, Huo Huaixin's heart swelled with emotion. Nothing made him happier than Huo Ning being sensible and ambitious!

But because of this, it became even harder to bring up Ninth Young Miss...

Huo Huaixin hesitated for a few moments, thinking now wasn't the time to decide Huo Ning's marriage prospects. So he suppressed the thought for now. "Having this drive to improve is best. Making friends is necessary, but it's ultimately superficial. Without genuine talent and learning, how can we plan your future path?"

Hearing this, Huo Ning's heart felt pricked again.

Was he truly, as Qin Wan said, only the status of a prefect's son and this physical shell?

Just as Huo Ning was in turmoil, a figure suddenly flashed into the front courtyard. Bai Feng strode quickly into the main hall of the front courtyard. No one knew what he said, but moments later, Jiang‑shi walked out with an angry expression.

Seeing this, Huo Ning whispered, "Has something else happened in the estate?"

Huo Huaixin saw it and shook his head. "What the Mistress does must be internal household matters. It's not our place to inquire. That young man in white just now was His Highness's personal guard. It's probably something concerning His Highness."

Huo Ning nodded, letting the matter drop.

Before Jiang‑shi even left the front courtyard, her orders had already been given. By the time she reached the West Wing courtyard, four servant women had already been tied up and brought over. Seeing Jiang‑shi, they immediately knelt and crawled forward, begging for mercy.

Jiang‑shi flicked her sleeve. Her usually gentle face now held an intimidating chill. "Who was gossiping?"

"Mistress, it was this servant. This servant deserves death. Please forgive this servant!"

All four had been caught, and their words had been overheard. Rather than quibble and face heavier punishment upon being exposed, it was better to confess from the start. "Mistress, this servant was also thinking of the Old Madam. This servant heard about Ninth Young Miss's matters from others. This servant mistakenly believed those gossiping scoundrels. This servant admits her mistake and accepts punishment. Beg the Mistress not to drive this servant out."

Jiang‑shi managed her household strictly but always followed rules, never mistreating servants. In Jinzhou City, there was no better master. This servant woman naturally feared being driven out.

The corners of Jiang‑shi's lips curved slightly in a cold smile. "Then let me ask you, where did you hear these words?"

The servant woman hurriedly answered, "It was while sweeping in the East Garden. The Song household servants staying in the East Garden have nothing to do all day, so they like to spread rumors. This servant goes there daily to clean and heard a thing or two."

Jiang‑shi gave another cold laugh. "The Song household servants just arrived in Jinzhou. How would they know rumors about Ninth Young Miss?"

That servant woman hurriedly kowtowed. "Mistress, this servant dares not hide anything from you. What this servant said is true. If the Mistress doesn't believe, you can summon the Song household servants from the East Garden and ask if they said it or not!"

The cold smile on Jiang‑shi's lips faded. A trace of gravity appeared in her eyes. She looked at the servant woman on the ground, still begging for mercy. "I will believe you."

Just as that servant woman felt a flicker of joy, Jiang‑shi added, "However, I cannot keep you."

The servant woman froze, then immediately began crying and begging. Jiang‑shi remained unmoved, waving a hand. "Take her to the familiar broker." She then swept her gaze over the servant women filling the courtyard. "Those who dare gossip about the estate's distinguished guest are people the Marquis's estate dares not keep."

As her words fell, the entire courtyard fell into an intimidated silence.

Jiang‑shi exhaled an annoyed breath, then turned to look at Bai Feng. "What does your His Highness the Heir mean? Since the rumors originated from the East Garden, it's somewhat difficult for me to manage. Although they are all Song household servants, given the current situation..."

Jiang‑shi could sell her own estate's servants, but she couldn't touch the Song household's servants. Not only could she not touch them, she had to care for them properly, waiting for Duke Song's household people to arrive. Only then could the possibility of enmity between the two families be reduced.

Bai Feng nodded. "His Highness shares the same sentiment. Just clarify the source. Leave the rest to His Highness."

Jiang‑shi shook her head apologetically. "After all, it was someone from the Marquis's estate who erred. There's no need for thanks. Wan'er has a gentle and graceful temperament. I don't know if she was upset hearing such words. You may go report to His Highness. I must go see Wan'er."

With that, Jiang‑shi left the West Wing courtyard, hurrying toward the Grand Princess's courtyard.

Qin Wan had done her utmost for the Grand Princess and Yue Qing. Not only did she suffer a fright for no reason last night, but now she also heard such slander. Jiang‑shi's heart was uneasy, fearing Qin Wan would feel wronged and become disheartened.

Jiang‑shi anxiously entered the courtyard gate. When she reached the inner chamber doorway, she saw Qin Wan carefully wiping the Grand Princess's body. She was extremely careful to avoid the wound, her technique even more meticulous than Lüxiu's.

Jiang‑shi's anxiously hanging heart immediately relaxed. She let out a breath. At that moment, Qin Wan sensed someone and turned around. Seeing it was Jiang‑shi, Qin Wan's lips curved slightly. "Has the Mistress finished handling matters?"

Jiang‑shi's smile broadened as she stepped forward. "Finished. Prefect Huo found nothing." Her tone then turned cautious. "Wan'er, don't take to heart what you heard just now..."

Qin Wan was wiping the Grand Princess's wrist. Hearing this, she smiled. "The Mistress can rest assured. Qin Wan has heard many such things and naturally won't take them to heart. For the Mistress to troub…"

Before the word "trouble" could be spoken, Qin Wan suddenly felt something amiss. Looking down, she saw the Grand Princess's hand twitch slightly. Qin Wan's smile deepened. "Mistress, the Grand Princess is about to wake up!"

Jiang‑shi had already been immensely relieved hearing Qin Wan's words. Hearing this, her eyes shone with joy. Stepping forward, she saw the Grand Princess's fingers trembling lightly, her eyelashes also fluttering. Although her eyes hadn't opened yet, it was clear she was about to wake soon.

Qin Wan immediately checked the Grand Princess's pulse. A moment later, her smile brightened greatly. "The pulse has stabilized. The Grand Princess has passed this crisis. At most, within two more quarters of an hour, the Grand Princess will awaken!"

Jiang‑shi immediately became so emotional her eyes reddened. She grabbed Qin Wan's hand, not knowing what to say. Jiang‑shi hurriedly turned and instructed Lüyun. "Quickly go tell the Marquis. Once he's finished at the front courtyard, come immediately. Mother is about to wake. Also, have the Young Princess and the Heir come, and Second Young Master as well."

Jiang‑shi was so happy she was somewhat incoherent. Looking at Qin Wan, she wished she could pull her into an embrace. "I don't know how those malicious rumors outside spread. Our Wan'er is clearly a figure like a medical immortal. If not for you this time, Mother's illness wouldn't have been saved, and Qing'er would have faced imprisonment. Wan'er, you truly are..."

Before Jiang‑shi could finish expressing her full gratitude, Lüyun returned. "Mistress!"

Jiang‑shi turned to look at her. "What is it? Didn't I tell you to inform the Marquis?"

Lüyun looked hesitant, glancing at Qin Wan. "Mistress, someone from the Qin manor has come."

"Qin manor?" Jiang‑shi frowned, looking at Qin Wan. "Who came? What is the matter?"

Lüyun hurriedly said, "This servant met Steward Yang on the way. Steward Yang said the Qin manor's Eldest Young Master came in person. He said... he said the young mistress in the manor is seven months pregnant. She fell ill earlier, and now her condition is not good. They had no choice but to come ask Ninth Young Miss to return to the manor..."

Qin Wan's heart tightened. Two days had passed. Had she failed to preserve Yao Xinlan's pregnancy?