Chapter 55 : Discussion of Marriage Proposals, The Steward is Suspicious
55: Discussion of Marriage Proposals, The Steward is Suspicious
"Young Miss! Sixth Young Miss really has been confined!" Fuling entered the room, speaking excitedly.
Qin Wan looked up from the low couch by the window, glanced at her, and only said, "Were the medicinal pills delivered?"
Fuling nodded. "Delivered. The young mistress thanked us repeatedly." She walked closer to Qin Wan. "Young Miss, this servant heard from Moshu that Sixth Young Miss was beaten so badly that her skin split and flesh tore that day, then placed under house arrest. Except for those delivering food, no one else can enter her Frostfall Courtyard. Even Fifth Young Miss wanting to visit isn't allowed. The Old Madam was truly furious this time."
Qin Wan frowned slightly. "What else did you hear?"
Fuling smiled. "How did Young Miss know this servant heard other things? When this servant came out, I heard two little maids outside Linfeng Courtyard talking. They said last night, Third Master brought someone back from outside again. They thought the manor was about to gain a new concubine, but unexpectedly, the person was carried out early this morning. They also said Third Master somehow fell ill too."
Third Master Qin An, though he hadn't inherited the noble title, relied on the Loyal and Valiant Marquis's household's ancestral prestige to hold a sinecure in the court, receiving a salary. Since returning to Jinzhou, he had also extensively acquired property to establish himself. Qin An was naturally dissolute. In the capital, he had been somewhat restrained, but in Jinzhou, he became increasingly unrestrained. Even at his current age, he remained licentious and disorderly.
Qin Wan immediately thought of the rolled‑up quilt carried out by Liu Chun and the others that morning. And she naturally remembered that day when leaving the Qin manor, she had seen the flower‑stained mud on Liu Chun's boots. Was the eerie figure that night Liu Chun?
It had been over half a month since her possession of this body, yet she still hadn't met this Third Uncle. However, just thinking of the several concubines she saw that day, she already felt dislike for this Third Uncle.
"The Qin manor... has many internal matters. It's enough for you to know in your heart. On no account gossip about them."
Hearing this instruction, Fuling hurriedly nodded. "This servant knows. This servant only tells Young Miss. Though we've changed residences within the manor, we are ultimately outsiders. Young Miss also said before that people in the manor harbor ill will toward us. This servant will be careful."
A look of satisfaction appeared in Qin Wan's eyes. "Being outsiders is one thing. Secondly, many matters remain unclear to us. Since that's the case, it's better to remain observers. What we hear and see, keep it in our hearts for now."
Qin Wan's voice was low, as if speaking to Fuling, or perhaps to herself.
"Young Miss, rest assured. This servant understands. This servant just feels Eldest Young Master and Third Master are truly different. Third Master is already in his forties, yet has so many concubines. But Eldest Young Master is young, yet only loves the young mistress. I heard Eldest Young Master doesn't have anyone in his rooms either. Comparing them, Second Young Master is exactly like Third Master."
Thinking of Qin Li, Qin Wan's heart sank slightly. That day, he had followed her into the Purple Bamboo Grove. No matter how she thought about it, it felt strange.
"I heard Second Young Master also frequently visits brothels. It's just that the Old Madam manages strictly, so he hasn't brought anyone into the manor. Second Young Master is a regular at several pleasure houses in Jinzhou City."
She paused slightly, looking at Qin Wan. "Speaking of which, Young Miss is also sixteen years old, reaching the age for marriage proposals. Fifth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss haven't been betrothed yet. They must be waiting for news from the main household in the capital. The Old Madam and Mistress naturally hope Fifth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss marry into noble families in the capital. However, they probably won't make plans for Young Miss."
Qin Wan's brows knitted tightly. Marriage proposals? Yes, at her age, she could indeed be proposed to.
Seeing Qin Wan's dazed expression, Fuling couldn't help but smile. "What's wrong? Is Young Miss shy? In Great Zhou, girls can be proposed to at fifteen. If they reach eighteen or nineteen and still aren't married, people start calling them old maids. Young Miss has two more years. If the Old Madam and Mistress could marry Young Miss off to the capital, that would be good."
Qin Wan's clear, spring‑like eyes gradually grew profound. Marriage for women was a common principle in the world. She naturally wouldn't be shy about it. Moreover, she had been proposed to before. It was merely weighing family status. Two originally unrelated people could be bound together without even meeting. Before the wedding day, one might not even know what the other looked like.
However, in this lifetime, whether proposals came or not was no longer important. Her father's wrongful case weighed heavily on her heart. She hadn't yet developed thoughts of marrying, having children, and living a harmonious, beautiful life.
"If not marrying to the capital, at least find a prosperous household in Jinzhou. We can't let Young Miss live a hard life, wronged. Actually, speaking of it, the Prefect's family is an excellent choice in Jinzhou. It's just..."
Qin Wan frowned, giving Fuling a cool glance. Fuling hurriedly stuck out her tongue. "This servant means, we need to find a household that can let Young Miss live a wealthy life. Of course, genuine affection for Young Miss is most important. Like how Eldest Young Master cherishes the young mistress. Otherwise, even if it's a prince or marquis of the court, hmph, our Young Miss won't marry."
Princes and marquises of the court... Qin Wan lowered her eyes, her thoughts drifting far away again.
Seeing Qin Wan's distant, silent expression, Fuling also quieted down. Not long after, the courtyard gate outside was suddenly knocked. Fuling nimbly stood up. Opening the door, she immediately smiled. "Sister Moshu, why have you come?"
Qin Wan snapped back to attention. Soon, Moshu, dressed in a fresh green long gown and ruqun, arrived at the doorway.
Fuling opened the door. "Sister Moshu, come in quickly. Is something wrong with the young mistress?"
Moshu entered, first curtseying to Qin Wan, then said with a beaming smile, "After the acupuncture this morning, our Young Miss has improved greatly. Right now, I'm here to invite Ninth Young Miss to Linfeng Courtyard to select gifts. The Mid‑Autumn Festival is approaching. The Marquis's household in the capital sent festival gifts. Presents for the young masters and young misses have been sent to Linfeng Courtyard. Lots of silks and satins. Right now, Second Young Master and Fifth Young Miss have already gone to choose. Ninth Young Miss, come quickly with this servant. If we're late, the good ones will be gone."
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. In previous years, the Ninth Young Miss probably didn't have this treatment. But now it was different. Looking at Fuling, her eyes indeed sparkled with delight. Qin Wan originally didn't care for such things, but refusing to go now would seem like putting on airs.
She nodded. "Alright, I'll go now."
Fuling hurried forward to tidy Qin Wan's appearance. Moments later, the three of them walked out the door.
Fuling was elated along the way, feeling life now was much better than before. And this was all thanks to Qin Wan revealing her skills and saving people. Thinking this, her expression grew determined, solidifying her resolve to diligently study medicine with Qin Wan.
As they approached Linfeng Courtyard, they saw Steward Liu Chun standing outside with two head matrons. Several other servants carried two large chests, seemingly heading toward the direction of the Buddha Hall.
Seeing Qin Wan arrive, Liu Chun smiled and bowed to her. "Ninth Young Miss."
Liu Chun was of medium height, slender build, with a proper face but extremely prominent cheekbones. His small eyes gleamed shrewdly. The smile on his face held a habitual obsequiousness. He looked at Qin Wan, his gaze carrying an uncomfortable scrutiny and appraisal.
Qin Wan was also observing Liu Chun. Although it was early autumn, Liu Chun wore a high‑collared long gown, not only wrapping himself tightly but also keeping his hands hidden inside overly long sleeves.
This attire wasn't particularly strange, but for some reason, Qin Wan felt something was off.
She nodded, not intending to speak much with this person, and walked straight toward the courtyard gate. She had already turned her body, but Liu Chun's gaze still felt tangible on her back. Qin Wan felt her scalp prickle under the stare. She suddenly halted and turned around, only to see a flicker of covetousness in Liu Chun's small eyes. Qin Wan immediately frowned.
Probably realizing his impropriety, Liu Chun hunched slightly to cover it up, his hand instinctively brushing his clothes. As he brushed, the hand hidden by the long sleeve was revealed. His hand flashed by, but Qin Wan keenly noticed what seemed like wounds or injuries on his hand.
In an instant, Liu Chun's hand was covered again. Qin Wan wanted to look again but couldn't. Her heart was filled with shock and suspicion. To avoid alerting him, she pretended nonchalance and turned away.
She walked slowly into the courtyard, but her heart was in turmoil.
Was it Liu Chun? Were the injuries on his hand left when he killed the Ninth Young Miss?