Chapter 53 : Ninth Younger Sister, Someone Wants to Harm Me
53: Ninth Younger Sister, Someone Wants to Harm Me
In the carriage, Qin Wan's brows were tightly knit.
Two days ago, she had left only after checking Yao Xinlan's pulse. Though she had said verbally that it would take two days of medication to know if Yao Xinlan's pregnancy could be preserved, she had been confident in her heart. From the moment she applied the acupuncture needles, Yao Xinlan's pregnancy was secured. And that day's pulse reading had indeed shown Yao Xinlan had improved significantly. If so, why was Yao Xinlan critically ill now?
"Ninth Younger Sister, has the Grand Princess at the Marquis's estate recovered greatly?"
Outside the carriage, Qin Chen's soft inquiry came from horseback. Qin Wan lifted the curtain and looked out, seeing Qin Chen in blue robes looking somewhat haggard. Even so, riding on horseback, he still carried an air of elegant grace.
"She has improved greatly. It's not a serious concern."
"That's good." Qin Chen breathed a sigh of relief. "If Xinlan weren't suffering terribly, I wouldn't have come to fetch you. Fortunately, the Marquis and Mistress are understanding. Ninth Younger Sister, you are truly remarkable."
Just now, Jiang‑shi had held Qin Wan's hand as they came out, intimate as mother and daughter. It seemed Qin Wan had indeed cured the Grand Princess's illness. But Qin Wan had been in Jinzhou for three years. Who knew she possessed medical skills?
There had been one or two occasions before when Qin Wan caught a cold in winter, lying critically ill. It was he who helped call a physician. If Qin Wan could heal herself, why hadn't she?
"The Marquis and Mistress are both reasonable people, they naturally wouldn't mind. Moreover, Qin Wan is a member of the Qin family after all. Naturally, our own patient is more important." Qin Wan propped the curtain with her hand, explaining softly.
Seeing this, Fuling took over holding the curtain and said to the window, "Eldest Young Master came just in time. The Marquis's estate isn't very peaceful…"
Fuling spoke bluntly. Qin Wan wanted to stop her but couldn't. Qin Chen frowned. "What happened?"
Qin Wan gave Fuling a stern look, suppressing the words about to tumble from her mouth. Instead, she sighed. "The case of the Song family's young lady remains unresolved. The Marquis's estate has been quite busy these past two days."
Though Qin Chen hadn't witnessed the scene that night, since returning, he had heard people discussing it everywhere. He understood without Qin Wan needing to elaborate. "After all, it's a murder case, and on the wedding day too. Naturally, it's not peaceful."
He paused slightly, concern in his tone. "If the Grand Princess's illness is cured, before that case is settled, you should visit the Marquis's estate less, to avoid getting involved in trouble."
Fuling nodded vigorously inside the carriage. Qin Wan pressed her lips together. "Yes. Thank you, Eldest Brother."
Qin Wan didn't intend to stay at the Marquis's estate for long. But as things stood, the Grand Princess's illness weighed on her mind, and Miss Song's case raised more doubts in her. She hadn't forgotten that last night's and this morning's incidents seemed targeted at her.
Though she thought so, since Qin Chen had come to fetch her, she could only set aside the Marquis's estate matters for now. Qin Wan had Fuling lower the curtain. Her eyes darkened. After all, the Qin manor wasn't peaceful either.
As soon as the carriage stopped steadily at the manor gates, Moshu's voice rang out. "Ninth Young Miss is back!"
Qin Wan lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down. Moshu rushed forward, her eyes red, as if seeing a lifeline. "Ninth Young Miss, you've finally returned. Our Young Miss has been hoping for you..."
Qin Wan frowned, quickening her steps toward the manor entrance. "What exactly happened?"
Moshu's nose tingled with emotion. "Young Miss... these past two nights, she keeps having nightmares. Though there's no bleeding, she always feels pain in her abdomen. You weren't back. The Old Madam said to invite Physician Yang over, but Young Miss refused. She just wanted you to come back and see her."
Qin Wan's lips pressed together slightly. Pregnant women were especially fragile. Yao Xinlan had been frightened by the previous bleeding episode; it was normal for her to be unsettled. She followed Moshu, walking quickly. Qin Chen followed behind them. Before long, they reached Linfeng Courtyard.
Entering the courtyard gate, as soon as they reached the inner chamber doorway, they saw the room full of people.
Jiang‑shi sat beside Yao Xinlan. Lin‑shi stood at the foot of the bed. Qin Xiang also hovered around Yao Xinlan. All three wore gloomy expressions. Hearing the commotion and seeing Qin Wan, their expressions subtly shifted for an instant.
None of them liked Qin Wan. Yet now, they had to rely on Qin Wan to save Yao Xinlan.
Lin‑shi reacted first, stepping forward with a gentle tone. "Wan'er is back..."
Qin Wan lowered her eyes and curtseyed. "Greetings to the Old Madam, greetings to Third Aunt."
Lin‑shi pulled Qin Wan up by the arm. "We finally waited for you to return. Your Eldest Sister‑in‑law is unwell again. She trusts only you. Quickly, come examine her. Is everything well at the Marquis's estate?"
Pulled forward by Lin‑shi, Qin Xiang stepped aside.
"The Grand Princess's illness has initially stabilized."
As she spoke, Qin Wan looked at Yao Xinlan. After two days apart, Yao Xinlan's complexion seemed to have paled. Her unbound ink‑black hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her small face appear even more delicate and frail. Her face was pale, lips bluish, dark circles under her eyes, clearly showing she had been deeply worried and hadn't slept well these past two days. Seeing Qin Wan approach, she forced a weak smile. "Ninth Younger Sister has returned."
Hearing her speak, Qin Wan frowned again. Yao Xinlan was as weak as two days ago.
"Eldest Sister‑in‑law, extend your hand." Qin Wan immediately stepped forward to check her pulse.
Her fingertips rested on Yao Xinlan's wrist. Qin Wan's expression gradually turned grave. Then she looked at Yao Xinlan. "Eldest Sister‑in‑law, you haven't been taking your medicine properly these past two days?"
Yao Xinlan's back stiffened slightly, but she said, "Of course I have. It's just my internal organs are too weak. Half the medicine I drink, I vomit back up." She paused, then added, "Could Ninth Younger Sister apply acupuncture again?"
That day, Qin Wan had saved Yao Xinlan by first applying acupuncture because Yao Xinlan had been in critical condition. Medicine would have been too slow; acupuncture was necessary. Once the danger was averted, Qin Wan had naturally prescribed medicine for Yao Xinlan. Acupuncture techniques were direct, potent, and accompanied by pain. A delicate noble lady like Yao Xinlan likely disliked it. Yet she hadn't expected Yao Xinlan to request acupuncture herself.
Yao Xinlan stared fixedly at Qin Wan, waiting for her answer, a trace of entreaty in her eyes.
A strange feeling flickered through Qin Wan's heart. Something felt off. After a moment's thought, she nodded. "That's fine too. Since Eldest Sister‑in‑law is willing, we'll apply acupuncture." She then looked at Jiang‑shi and the others. "Please excuse yourselves for now."
Treating Yao Xinlan was a major matter. Having experienced it once before, everyone naturally didn't question it this time. Jiang‑shi stood up first. Qin Xiang and Lin‑shi, not daring to say more, followed and withdrew. Qin Chen looked at Qin Wan. "Troubling you, Ninth Younger Sister."
After speaking, he gave Yao Xinlan a concerned glance and also left the room.
Once everyone was gone, the room fell silent. Qin Wan felt inside her sleeve, about to pull out her needle case. Unexpectedly, Yao Xinlan grabbed her hand tightly. Her grip was extremely strong, her nails almost digging into Qin Wan's wrist. Qin Wan winced in pain, looking up in complete astonishment.
She saw Yao Xinlan's eyes reddening, filled with fear. "Ninth Younger Sister! Someone wants to harm me!"