Chapter 56 : Did Ninth Younger Sister Meet Fifth Younger Sister Outside
56: Did Ninth Younger Sister Meet Fifth Younger Sister Outside?
"Ninth Younger Sister, you've come!"
As soon as Qin Wan entered, she was met by Qin Li's smiling face.
In the main hall of Linfeng Courtyard, two large chests were placed. The chests contained high‑quality silks and satins. On the table sat a square sandalwood box about a foot long, holding several sets of jade and white jade jewelry. Qin Li idly played with a white jade waist pendant. Qin Xiang, with Wanqing and Wanhe behind her, was selecting items. Seeing Qin Wan enter, Qin Xiang's face immediately darkened.
Qin Xiang quickly pointed at a few items, then looked at Wanqing behind her. "Your young mistress can't come out. You carefully pick some according to her preferences. She's alone in her courtyard now, mostly bored and unhappy. Just take the good ones, pick a few extra."
These words were clearly directed at Qin Wan. Fuling, following behind Qin Wan, already frowned.
She wasn't coveting the gifts. It was truly Qin Shuang's own fault for speaking arrogantly that day. Yet now, Qin Xiang blamed her young mistress. Fuling felt deeply wronged.
Qin Wan's face, however, showed no sign. She nodded to Qin Li and instructed Fuling, "After Fifth Young Miss finishes picking, you can just take any two items. I'll go inside to see if Eldest Sister‑in‑law is better."
Hearing this, Qin Xiang's brows knitted. Her words had been deliberately said for Qin Wan to hear, but Qin Wan didn't take the bait at all, acting completely indifferent. What kind of life had she lived before? How could she have seen so many treasures? Her act was truly convincing!
Qin Wan stepped into the inner chamber. Beside her, Qin Li watched her with a half‑smile. Only when she passed through the doorway curtain did the gaze block out. The discomfort from Liu Chun's stare still lingered in Qin Wan's heart. Qin Li's gaze made her even more irritated. These two were both suspects in her mind, yet she couldn't react or reveal any flaws.
Exhaling a breath, Qin Wan had just reached the inner chamber doorway when Yao Xinlan on the bed looked over from afar.
"Ninth Younger Sister, come quickly."
Qin Wan quickened her pace, reaching the bedside in a few steps. Yao Xinlan pulled her hand, making her sit beside her. Yao Xinlan's complexion showed a touch of color, her breath stronger. Moshu, understanding the two wanted to speak privately, retreated to guard the inner chamber entrance.
"Did Ninth Younger Sister meet Fifth Younger Sister outside?"
Qin Wan nodded, a faint smile on her face. "I did."
"Fifth Younger Sister is just that temperament. Although she's the legitimate daughter of the household... anyway, don't take it to heart. She and Sixth Younger Sister are the same, somewhat domineering, but not evil people."
Yao Xinlan advised softly. Qin Wan inwardly sighed.
Truly great evil people were few in the world. Yet many tragedies stemmed from these petty evils. Qin Wan didn't think one shouldn't contend with such people. Great evil deserved severe punishment, but petty evil shouldn't be indulged or ignored either.
"Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister's temperaments are naturally not great evils. However, they won't live in the Qin manor forever. Once they leave the Qin manor, no one will be as tolerant as Eldest Sister‑in‑law."
Yao Xinlan likely thought of herself, her eyes reddening as she exhaled. "Yes, in one's own home, no matter what, parents won't truly blame. But after marrying, it's different. Ninth Younger Sister is a reasonable person."
Seeing her eyes redden again, Qin Wan sighed. "Eldest Sister‑in‑law, don't think too much. Take the pills I gave you daily on time. When your body recovers, your mind won't be so troubled. These two days, avoid excessive thinking."
Yao Xinlan nodded, unable to help but grasp Qin Wan's hand. "I know. Ninth Younger Sister, rest assured. Fortunately, there's still Ninth Younger Sister in this manor to talk with me. I also want to recover quickly. Not for anything else, just for the child in my belly."
Though women are weak, as mothers they become strong. Seeing Yao Xinlan's resolute expression, Qin Wan was also moved. Though she hadn't been a mother, her own mother had followed her father through various postings, experiencing considerable hardship. Later, she poured all her heart into teaching and doting on her. Qin Wan thought she could surely bring joy to her parents' later years. Who could have expected a sudden upheaval would shatter everything.
And the Ninth Young Miss's parents had both died seven years ago.
"That's the right way to think. For the child's sake, Eldest Sister‑in‑law must rally your spirits and get better."
Yao Xinlan nodded, then her eyes flickered a few times. She glanced at the inner chamber entrance and lowered her voice. "Ninth Younger Sister, I didn't drink the noon medicine either. Look, I poured it all into that flowerpot over there..."
Qin Wan followed Yao Xinlan's gaze and indeed saw three pots of orchids on the distant windowsill.
Qin Wan took a deep breath. "Has Eldest Sister‑in‑law found any evidence?"
Yao Xinlan's eyes dimmed. She shook her head. "How could it be that easy? Right now, I can only protect myself first. Fortunately, Ninth Younger Sister knows medicine and can come check on me often. Otherwise, I truly don't know what to do..."
Qin Wan lowered her eyes. The waters of the Qin manor ran deeper than she imagined.
Yao Xinlan indeed appeared isolated, weak, and pitiable on the surface. She married into the Qin manor but was plotted against by Qin family members. Her own husband and the caring Old Madam should be her support, yet for some reason, she didn't trust them. So, she had to rely on her, also an "outsider," Ninth Younger Sister. Coincidentally, she seemed kind‑hearted and highly skilled in medicine.
But was it really that simple?
Qin Wan felt she had walked to a forked path shrouded in mist. One path was to stay aloof and uninvolved. The other was to heed Yao Xinlan's words, help her, investigate, and be vigilant.
After a moment's hesitation, Qin Wan looked up. "Why doesn't Eldest Sister‑in‑law tell Eldest Brother? Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister‑in‑law share deep affection. If Eldest Brother knows someone wants to harm his child, he'll naturally investigate. Eldest Sister‑in‑law still has three months until the birth. During these three months, what if that person continues targeting Eldest Sister‑in‑law? That person is in the shadows. Eldest Sister‑in‑law can hardly guard against everything."
A trace of misery appeared in Yao Xinlan's eyes. "Ninth Younger Sister... I... I actually mentioned it once to Brother Chen. But Brother Chen didn't believe me. I... felt somewhat disheartened. Also, thinking... these people in the Qin manor are all his relatives, bound by blood. Though I'm his wife, I... am ultimately an outsider. Speaking of which, the Mistress and Old Madam are very caring toward me. Brother Chen also pities me in every detail. I can't tell who exactly wants to harm me. I..."
Yao Xinlan lowered her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I love him. Naturally, I don't want to put him in a difficult position."
Qin Wan's brows knitted tightly. Yao Xinlan's expression was full of genuine emotion. Yet she and Qin Chen were husband and wife. Faced with such a major incident, Qin Chen did nothing. What use was he then?
Qin Wan felt somewhat stifled. Seeing Yao Xinlan's fragile, weeping appearance, she didn't know how to console her. She could only suppress her words for now. Pressing her lips together, Qin Wan said lightly, "Then let's follow Eldest Sister‑in‑law's wishes."
Yao Xinlan wiped the tear stains from the corners of her eyes, then coughed lightly twice. This made her appear even more sickly and pitiable. Qin Wan's heart felt heavy. For a moment, she just held Yao Xinlan's hand without speaking. The room fell silent.
Qin Wan didn't persuade further. Yao Xinlan, however, calmed down. She slowly wiped her tear stains, gazing distantly at the windowsill. Her expression gradually shifted from misery and grievance to a dazed stare. In a few moments, her hand wiping tears also dropped. She sat there, her gaze vacant, like a lifeless puppet...
Qin Wan grew somewhat worried. Her appearance seemed like the sorrow of a heart that had died. If so, it would be extremely detrimental to her sickly body. Qin Wan hurriedly squeezed her hand. "Eldest Sister‑in‑law?"
Yao Xinlan slowly turned her gaze. Her confused eyes gradually cleared. The corners of her lips lifted slightly, revealing a naive yet weary smile. She asked, "Did Ninth Younger Sister meet Fifth Younger Sister outside?"
Yao Xinlan's voice was gentle and warm. But looking at her delicate smiling face, Qin Wan felt a chilling sensation creep up her spine.