Chapter 57 : It's Dark, Don't Wander Around
57: It's Dark, Don't Wander Around
"Your Eldest Sister‑in‑law's family has several people who suffered from madness..."
"Her maternal grandmother and elder sister both died from madness..."
"Even before the wedding, a physician said your Eldest Sister‑in‑law might also..."
Before Qin Wan's eyes was Yao Xinlan's sickly yet innocent smiling face, while her mind replayed Qin Chen's words.
"Yes, I did meet Fifth Younger Sister."
Qin Wan answered, her spine stiffening. Then she saw Yao Xinlan sigh. "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 aren't evil people..."
A chill crept up from Qin Wan's feet. Looking at Yao Xinlan's sincere eyes, Qin Wan pressed her lips together. She raised her hand, her fingertips landing on Yao Xinlan's wrist. Yao Xinlan looked slightly surprised, giving a light laugh. "Ninth Younger Sister worries about my health. Thank you, Ninth Younger Sister."
Qin Wan steadied herself, carefully examining Yao Xinlan's pulse. Perhaps because Qin Wan's expression was too grave, a trace of worry also appeared in Yao Xinlan's eyes. "Ninth Younger Sister, how is it?"
Qin Wan waited a moment before withdrawing her hand, shaking her head. "Still the previous issue. You need to take the medicine according to my prescription for two days to improve. Eldest Sister‑in‑law's pregnancy is already seven months. You shouldn't lie down for too long. Once your body improves, you must get up and move around to promote blood circulation. These two days, avoid crying and wailing, don't bathe, avoid raw and cold foods. You can eat more japonica rice."
Yao Xinlan noted each point. Qin Wan pondered slightly, then added, "If Eldest Sister‑in‑law suddenly feels heart palpitations, panic, accompanied by abdominal pain and a sinking sensation, immediately have Moshu inform me. Additionally, if you feel restless heat in the heart, shortness of breath, abdominal distension, you must also let me know. Right now, the child in Eldest Sister‑in‑law's womb has already formed bones. It's not as delicate as before. Eldest Sister‑in‑law can afford to be more cheerful and relaxed these days. Don't worry excessively, otherwise it might have the opposite effect."
She paused briefly. "Tomorrow, I'll bring Eldest Sister‑in‑law some calming pills."
Yao Xinlan's eyes showed gratitude. "Alright, alright. I've remembered."
Qin Wan felt somewhat uneasy. "Eldest Sister‑in‑law, have you truly remembered everything?"
Yao Xinlan gave a light laugh, exhaling. "Remembered, remembered. For my child's sake, I must think of more happy things." As she spoke, Yao Xinlan lovingly stroked her bulging belly.
Qin Wan gave a few more instructions. Seeing the sky darkening, she finally stood to take her leave. Yao Xinlan seemed reluctant to part, but Qin Wan urged her to rest quietly, so she obediently took the pills and lay down.
Qin Wan walked out slowly, but her mind was in turmoil. She wasn't sure what caused Yao Xinlan's earlier daze. The pulse also showed no signs of illness. On the contrary, her pregnancy bleeding, physical weakness, and qi deficiency could very likely cause mental confusion.
Previously, she hadn't specifically studied madness, only read related records in medical texts. She had never treated a madness patient. Yao Xinlan's family history of madness was certainly true. And if Yao Xinlan truly showed signs of madness, then her words couldn't be trusted.
But who added the musk and Chinese angelica?
Qin Wan shook her head, feeling that just Linfeng Courtyard alone in the Qin manor was a muddy pond she couldn't fathom.
"Why did Ninth Younger Sister take so long?"
As soon as she stepped out of the inner chamber, Qin Li's voice rang out. Qin Wan looked up and saw Qin Li still playing with the white jade waist pendant. Beside him, Fuling held two bolts of silk, looking at Qin Li nervously, clearly disliking him.
"Second Brother also spent a long time selecting gifts, didn't he?"
Qin Wan walked out, not intending to speak much with Qin Li. She planned to go straight out, but unexpectedly, Qin Li followed her, saying directly, "It's not that Second Brother spent a long time selecting gifts. Second Brother specifically waited here for Ninth Younger Sister."
Qin Wan frowned. Fuling also pursed her lips tightly. Qin Li glanced at the darkening sky. "It's getting dark. Second Brother isn't at ease with Ninth Younger Sister returning to Tinglan Pavilion alone. Second Brother will escort you back."
Fuling seemed to want to speak but held back. After all, she was just a maid, how dare she argue with a young master of the manor.
The corners of Qin Wan's lips curved slightly. She actually agreed. "In that case, I'll trouble Second Brother."
Qin Li was taken aback. He thought Qin Wan would definitely give him a cold, displeased face. He didn't expect her to accept without arrogance or humility. His smile widened as he stepped forward, walking side by side with Qin Wan.
"Ninth Younger Sister's medical skills are astonishing. Truly surprising."
"Originally didn't want to reveal my skills. But can't hide in the Western Back Courtyard forever."
Qin Wan spoke directly. Qin Li's eyes brightened. "Did Ninth Younger Sister jump into the lake and then become enlightened?"
Qin Wan turned her gaze, looking sharply at Qin Li. She saw more teasing and curiosity in Qin Li's eyes, still no malicious intent. Qin Wan couldn't be sure in her heart. She smiled. "Having died once, naturally I don't want to die a second time."
These words fit Qin Wan's state of mind so well that they unconsciously carried a desolate tone. Qin Li was startled, the teasing fading slightly from his face. Yet the probing in his eyes deepened. "Don't want to die a second time, so Ninth Younger Sister went to the Purple Bamboo Grove?"
He paused slightly, leaning closer to Qin Wan. "What attracted Ninth Younger Sister to the Purple Bamboo Grove?"
Qin Wan simply stopped walking. "Then why did Second Brother follow me into the Purple Bamboo Grove?"
Qin Li straightened up, quite naturally scratching his neck. "Naturally curious about what Ninth Younger Sister was doing."
"Oh? I was just curious about what's in the Purple Bamboo Grove."
Qin Li narrowed his eyes, suddenly speaking in a sinister tone. "Ninth Younger Sister, better not be curious." Seeing Qin Wan's calm expression, he gave a wicked smile, lowering his voice. "What's in the Purple Bamboo Grove? Naturally, there are ghosts..."
With his already eerie smiling appearance and deliberately creepy tone, it sent an involuntary chill down one's spine. Qin Wan frowned, about to retort, when he suddenly straightened up again, glancing behind Qin Wan. "Tinglan Pavilion is here. Ninth Younger Sister, go back." He paused slightly, still using that sinister tone. "It's dark. Don't wander around."
With that, he simply walked around Qin Wan and left.
Qin Wan stood frozen in place. Beside her, Fuling also looked surprised, hurrying forward a couple of steps. "Young Miss, what did Second Young Master mean just now? What did you see last time you went to the Purple Bamboo Grove?"
Fuling grabbed Qin Wan's hand nervously. Qin Wan grasped her hand in return, pulling her into Tinglan Pavilion.
"Fuling, what kind of person was Second Brother before?"
Hearing this, Fuling pursed her lips, pouting angrily. "Second Young Master idles about all day. Every time he encounters us, he teases. He even touched this servant's face once. He doesn't respect Young Miss much either. Second Young Master even said before he wanted to ask for this servant. Every time this servant sees Second Young Master, my heart pounds with fear, afraid he'll snatch this servant away from Young Miss..."
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. She had intended to probe Qin Li. Just when she felt Qin Li harbored no malicious intent toward her, he said these inexplicable things. Ghosts in the Purple Bamboo Grove, don't wander around in the dark. It seemed he didn't want her going to the Purple Bamboo Grove...
Qin Wan entered the room, her hand instinctively reaching into her sleeve pocket. Inside was something heavy: the Nine Needles of the Basic Questions and Cold Moon that Yan Chi had given her. Through the sleeve, she tightly gripped Cold Moon. Only then did her heart, disturbed by Qin Li, gradually calm.
Many days had passed. The Purple Bamboo Grove might not retain any concrete evidence. But the Ninth Young Miss's death was definitely related to the Purple Bamboo Grove. The Ninth Young Miss was killed in the Purple Bamboo Grove. That night, why exactly did the Ninth Young Miss go to the Purple Bamboo Grove?
Doubts grew like weeds in Qin Wan's heart. She wished she could take advantage of the dark night to go to the Purple Bamboo Grove again. But now she had changed courtyards, farther from the Purple Bamboo Grove. If she went and was seen, it would certainly cause waves within the manor.
"Young Miss, don't think about what Second Young Master said. He's strange and never serious. We should stay away from him. Come quickly, look." Fuling placed the two bolts of silk on the low couch before Qin Wan. "Look, this is the finest Bi Luo Green from the Jinxiu Workshop in the capital. There are only these two bolts. Fifth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss don't like wearing green. I brought them all for you."
Fuling's words pulled Qin Wan back from her thoughts. Turning to look, she saw two bolts of silk like two patches of dark green mist scattered on the couch. Qin Wan slowly approached. Fuling continued regretfully, "Actually, this servant also wanted to get a bolt of Crimson Gauze for Young Miss. Crimson Gauze is extremely rare. Plus, Young Miss doesn't have bright‑colored clothes... Unfortunately, there was only one bolt, taken by Fifth Young Miss..."
As she spoke, Fuling's voice held longing. "I heard Crimson Gauze is dyed with red spruce from the Western Frontier plateau. The color is as vivid red as fire. The Jinxiu Workshop specially makes ceremonial gowns and wedding dresses for noble young ladies. A single set of clothing is worth a fortune. The matron carrying the chest just now said that Crimson Gauze doesn't show any stains, except pine‑soot ink. If it gets stained, it turns a bluish‑black color, and it can't be removed no matter what. So this time when it was delivered, it was kept separate from the Four Treasures of the Study sent for the young masters and master..."
Qin Wan's eyelids twitched. She looked at Fuling. "You said Crimson Gauze is used for wedding dresses?"
Fuling, unaware, said, "Yes, Young Miss. But a wedding dress requires several bolts of Crimson Gauze to make. Today, the only bolt was taken by Fifth Young Miss..."
"So, Song Rou's wedding dress was also made of Crimson Gauze?"
Qin Wan murmured softly, her eyes filled with an impenetrable darkness. The stain on the wedding dress left by the headless female corpse that night wasn't moss, but ink?