Chapter 66 : Do You Have Feelings for His Highness Yan Chi
66: Do You Have Feelings for His Highness Yan Chi?
"Shen Yi's only daughter?" Yue Qing strode in. "I didn't know Shen Yi had an only daughter."
He paused mid‑sentence, turned, and smiled at the doorway. "Grandmother, Ninth Young Miss is here."
Qin Wan bit down hard, suppressing the surge of grief rising in her chest. It had been over half a month since the incident, over half a month since she had borrowed this corpse to return to life. Yet every time she heard words related to the capital and her father, she still couldn't remain calm.
Forcing a slight curve to her lips, Qin Wan entered slowly. "Greetings to the Grand Princess, greetings to the Marquis, Madam, greetings to the Prefect." She turned, looking toward Yan Chi standing by the bed. "Greetings to Your Highness, the Heir‑apparent."
The room was filled with people of high status. Qin Wan performed a circle of curtsies upon entering. The Grand Princess hurriedly beckoned her. "Come here, come here. So you came in. Why are you still standing at the back?"
Qin Wan's smile was faint. "I didn't know what the Grand Princess and everyone were discussing. Qin Wan was afraid of disturbing you."
The Grand Princess chuckled. "There's nothing you can't hear. The Qin residence probably hasn't received the news yet. When the Qin residence gets the news, you'll know too. Besides, we're in Jinzhou. Everyone here is one of us. There aren't so many taboos."
Today, the Grand Princess looked much better. She was already sitting up, properly dressed. Qin Wan was pulled by the Grand Princess to sit by the bedside. The Grand Princess then continued the previous topic. "Shen Yi came from a humble scholar background. He was a clean official with an excellent reputation. He served in the judicial system for many years and didn't participate in court factionalism. It could be said even the Emperor valued his integrity and nobility. Though he wasn't from a prominent clan, his value was immense. Not only did many scholars from humble backgrounds look up to him, but the Emperor also trusted him greatly. Back then, when Prince Yong betrothed his daughter, it was precisely for this. If Prince Yong had married the daughter of a duke or general in the court, it would have been worse."
Prince Yong used marrying the Shen family's daughter to prove to the Emperor his virtue and lack of lust for power. Although the Grand Princess didn't spell it out, everyone present understood. Qin Wan sat close to the Grand Princess, her gaze lowered, her eyes shadowed.
"In that case, when the Shen family was in trouble, didn't Prince Yong do anything?"
Yue Qing, after all, had a pure and kind heart, asking directly. The Grand Princess glanced at him. "Prince Jin's case implicated many. Prince Yong... was probably busy distancing himself. Besides, even if he wanted to do something, he couldn't."
Yue Qing raised his eyebrows. Seeing Qin Wan bowing her head without speaking, he thought she didn't understand these matters and said, "Since Ninth Young Miss is here, she should examine Grandmother's pulse."
The Grand Princess held Qin Wan's hand with a smile. "My illness has improved greatly. When Wan'er comes, it's just as a guest."
Only then did Qin Wan look up. "Of course I must examine your pulse. Only when the Grand Princess can get out of bed and walk will Qin Wan feel at ease."
The Grand Princess smiled kindly and extended her wrist.
After a moment, Qin Wan withdrew her hand. "The pulse is much healthier. The Grand Princess should take the medicine on time. The medicine for the wound should still be changed once a day."
Hearing this, everyone in the room felt relieved.
Huo Huaixin sighed with emotion. "Ninth Young Miss truly lives up to the name 'Little Medical Immortal.'"
Yue Qing hurriedly echoed, "Exactly. Grandmother's illness relies entirely on Ninth Young Miss..."
Huo Huaixin's smile also carried the warmth of an elder. "Ninth Young Miss is sixteen this year, right..."
Yue Qing's smile froze. The Grand Princess glanced at Huo Huaixin. "Yes, Wan'er is only sixteen. She can stay by this old woman's side for a few more years. Later on, I'm afraid it won't be possible."
The smile on Huo Huaixin's face became somewhat strained. By asking her age, he harbored other intentions. Who would have thought the Grand Princess would block him so bluntly? Although the Grand Princess wasn't Qin Wan's relative, by saying she wanted to keep Qin Wan for a few years, wasn't she implying she would give Qin Wan other choices? Huo Huaixin's eyes shifted, catching sight of the people in the room: Yue Jia, steady and dignified; Yue Qing, bright and proud. Just in the Anyang Marquis's household, there were two young masters far surpassing Huo Ning, not to mention the Demon King Heir‑apparent standing over there. Moreover, if the Grand Princess had the intention, as long as she stepped forward, any noble son in the capital was possible.
Huo Huaixin's heart felt bitter. Huo Ning was truly so disappointing...
Meanwhile, the Grand Princess held Qin Wan's hand and asked, "Jingshu said you'll spend the Mid‑Autumn Festival with Ning'er and the others in a couple of days?"
Jingshu was Jiang‑shi's maiden name. Hearing this, Qin Wan hurriedly nodded. "Yes. The Madam was most gracious. Qin Wan dared not decline."
"That's wonderful. This year, the residence has been unsettled. You youngsters having fun together is fine."
As soon as the Grand Princess finished speaking, Lüyun suddenly came in from outside. "Prefect, Chief Constable Qi requests an audience."
This was the Grand Princess's inner chamber. Chief Constable Qi naturally couldn't stride in openly. Hearing Lüyun's words, Huo Huaixin immediately stood up. But before he could speak, the Grand Princess spoke first. "Whatever he has to say, let him come in and say it."
Huo Huaixin hesitated. The Grand Princess raised an eyebrow. "What? Is this old woman not allowed to hear about the case?"
Though ill, the Grand Princess spoke with a decisive air. Huo Huaixin gave a bitter smile. "How would I dare? I'm afraid hearing these matters will trouble you. Your health isn't good..."
The Grand Princess snorted. "No need to say more. Call Qi Lin in."
Having been in Jinzhou for many years, the Anyang Marquis's household was familiar with Huo Huaixin and naturally recognized Chief Constable Qi Lin. With this order, Lüyun immediately went out to summon him. Soon, a tall, square‑faced man in constable's uniform entered.
Qi Lin had broad shoulders and a thick waist, his complexion dark. With large, bell‑like eyes and straight eyebrows, he had a somewhat stern, incorruptible appearance. A long knife hung at his side, and he walked with vigorous strides. Upon entering, he first saluted.
Huo Huaixin waved his hand briskly. "How did the interrogation go?"
Qi Lin stood up, serious. "Sir, the maidservants attending Miss Song were lying before."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room's expression changed. The Grand Princess became even more anxious. "What do you mean?"
Qi Lin bowed slightly toward the Grand Princess. "During the first interrogation, all four maidservants said that on the day of the wedding procession, they followed Miss Song's bridal sedan all day. Moreover, during the noon rest stop, they went to ask Miss Song if she wanted food or drink. Miss Song answered them at the time and said she didn't want anything. We believed them then, all thinking Miss Song was still alive at that time. So Miss Song must have been killed between the noon rest stop and the evening arrival in Jinzhou City. And since Miss Song never left the bridal sedan the entire journey, the only possibility was that she was killed inside the sedan."
He paused slightly, then continued, "But yesterday, after Ninth Young Miss helped with the autopsy and deduced that Miss Song's murder location wasn't the bridal sedan, and that she wasn't even wearing the wedding gown when killed, we realized the accounts didn't match. That's why we came to re‑interrogate today. The first time, considering they had just lost their mistress, we questioned them politely. They probably felt no awe, so their statements were false. Today's interrogation indeed revealed flaws..."
"Miss Song's four maidservants did not go to ask Miss Song anything that entire day. In other words, that day, Miss Song's four personal maidservants did not speak to her at all..."
The Grand Princess frowned. "How could that be? Is that how they serve their mistress?"
Qi Lin continued, "Your Highness may not know. That day, we didn't suspect these maids at all. It was also this humble one's negligence, forgetting to ask for more details. Only when questioning today did we learn that these personal maidservants were actually purchased just before Miss Song's wedding. They hadn't served Miss Song for many years. Moreover, Miss Song usually disliked these maidservants intensely. Not only disliked, but often beat, scolded, and reprimanded them. Without her orders, they were not allowed near her."
"Those four said that because Song Rou didn't call for them all day, they didn't go to ask her anything. Since the wedding journey was long, Song Rou found the midday meals coarse and simple, often reluctant to eat or drink at the rest stops. So at that time, they didn't find it strange and were even greatly relieved..."
From the capital to Jinzhou was a thousand li. Not every day could they encounter prosperous towns along the way. To make time, they mostly ate hot meals in the morning and evening, and dry rations at noon rest stops. Song Rou was delicate; not liking dry rations was reasonable.
Huo Huaixin clenched his fist. "Very good! I knew someone among them was lying! Now it's clear! Possibly Song Rou had died earlier, but no one checked. It wasn't until the sedan curtain was lifted at the Marquis's residence gates that people found out."
Qi Lin nodded. "Yes. During rest stops on the road, all the Song family guards were together. Normally, Song Rou didn't leave the sedan. So her maidservants didn't inquire that day, and others didn't find it strange either."
"What about in the morning?" Yue Qing suddenly asked. "In the morning, those four maidservants must have attended to Song Rou when she got up and dressed, right?"
Qi Lin's expression turned grave. "The strangest point is here. The journey was exhausting; everyone slept soundly. Those four personal maidservants attended to Song Rou the previous night, but halfway through, they were scolded and driven out by Song Rou. They were used to it. That night, they guarded outside Song Rou's room. However, the next morning when they got up, they found Song Rou already fully dressed and seated in the bridal sedan. One of the maidservants said she even lifted the sedan curtain and asked something, but at that time, Song Rou, wearing the bridal veil, sat upright and didn't make a sound. They were all afraid of Song Rou and didn't dare ask a second time. Later, when the journey resumed, they paid even less attention to any movement inside the sedan."
"Song Rou was already dead by then."
Qin Wan suddenly spoke. Qi Lin also nodded. "Yes, this humble one thinks so too. But it's strange. What they saw then was Song Rou wearing the bridal veil, with a head. Later, there were people around the bridal sedan the whole way. They don't know how, when the sedan curtain was lifted at the Marquis's residence gates, Song Rou had become a headless bride..."
The Grand Princess's eyes narrowed slightly, as if recalling the scene from that night. "So that's how it was. Strange. Miss Song's four personal maidservants were all newly purchased... Didn't you say you sent people to Ten Li Temple?"
Qi Lin nodded. "Yes, people have been sent. They haven't returned yet."
The Grand Princess nodded, then looked at Qin Wan's solemn face. "Wan'er, what do you think about this matter?"
Qin Wan raised her head, meeting the Grand Princess's gentle, trusting gaze. After a moment's hesitation, Qin Wan said, "I suspect the murderer used some method to create an illusion. In the morning, Song Rou was most likely already dead. Possibly, her head had already been cut off by then. After deceiving the maidservants, midway, they took Song Rou's head away. Or perhaps, what the maidservants saw that looked like Song Rou's head was actually some trick used by the murderer..."
"You mean... the murderer is among the Song family guards?"
According to Qin Wan's reasoning, the murderer took Song Rou's head midway. But there were people around the bridal sedan the entire journey. Whoever could have acted must be from the Song family.
Qin Wan nodded. "That's the only explanation that makes sense."
Huo Huaixin looked at Qi Lin. "Only the maidservants are problematic? What about the others? Her matrons?"
Qi Lin said gloomily, "That's also strange. Miss Song's matrons weren't her childhood governesses either. Although they were from Duke Song's household, they previously worked elsewhere."
Jiang‑shi and the Grand Princess exchanged a glance, having already keenly noticed the issue.
They understood marital arrangements best. When a woman married, the close attendants accompanying her were mostly those who had served her for many years. Firstly, she trusted them; secondly, the servants were loyal and could be entrusted with important tasks. But the most important personal maidservants and matrons accompanying the bride, not a single one had served her for long...
Jiang‑shi and the Grand Princess had the same question in their hearts: where had the people who previously served Song Rou gone?
Huo Huaixin, thinking of the "bite marks" Qin Wan mentioned, felt his eyelid twitch. He asked again, "What about those guards?"
Qi Lin shook his head. "These guards had rarely seen Miss Song before. This time, we questioned them more harshly but found no flaws. They can be set aside for now."
Huo Huaixin took a shallow breath. "This Miss Song had many anomalies. There's probably some hidden story we don't know, perhaps related to her murder. Currently, there are three matters. First, re‑interrogate those maidservants and matrons to see if any hidden details can be uncovered. Second, wait for the people sent to Ten Li Temple to return; hopefully, they'll have specific clues. Third, question the people among those guards carefully about what they did that night, clarifying every detail. Although the maidservants' statements were false and the matrons are also somewhat odd, the one who killed Miss Song is a man, and the one who dressed as a ghost to scare people that night was also a man. We mustn't forget that."
Qi Lin hurriedly nodded in agreement, bowed again, then turned and withdrew.
The Grand Princess listened and nodded. Huo Huaixin was quite methodical...
After Qi Lin left, the Grand Princess didn't hide anything from Huo Huaixin and asked, "The personal servants attending Miss Song of the Song family were all replaced before the wedding. Jingshu, what do you think is the reason?"
Jiang‑shi's expression turned solemn. "Usually, when personal servants are replaced, it's mostly because those servants committed some fault." After a pause, she said gravely, "But if all of Miss Song's attendants were replaced with new ones, it's probably not the servants' problem, but the mistress's."
Yue Qiong frowned. "The capital is too far. Sending people to investigate now would take many days."
Though not explicitly stated, everyone in the room had reached a consensus: Miss Song must have some hidden secret. And even if this secret wasn't related to the case, it was very important. For the Anyang Marquis's household, if Duke Song's household married off a problematic daughter, it harbored great ill intent.
"What does the Marquis wish to investigate? I might be able to help."
Unexpectedly, Yan Chi suddenly spoke. Yue Qiong looked over. "Your people are meant to…"
"It's fine. Just tell me what you wish to know, Marquis."
Yue Qiong glanced at the Grand Princess. The Grand Princess's expression darkened slightly. "Alright. Let Xiao Qi help with this. I want to see just how bold Duke Song's household is, to treat us with such disrespect!"
Yan Chi's expression turned serious. "Grand-Aunt, just wait. At most seven days, at least five."
The Grand Princess nodded. "Find out all the details, the reasons why this Miss Song replaced her attendants. I want to know everything thoroughly. No need to rush within five or seven days. Attend to your own matters first."
Yan Chi's lips curved slightly. "Grand-Aunt, rest assured. Yan Chi knows what's appropriate."
After saying this, Yan Chi turned and left alone, presumably to make arrangements.
The Grand Princess's brow remained furrowed. Initially, it was just investigating a case, but it had revealed these bizarre hidden circumstances. It seemed her initial reluctance to accept this marriage was right. "The Song family's daughter in the palace must be doing quite well..."
The Grand Princess's tone was still somewhat weak, but as soon as these words were spoken, Qin Wan's heart inexplicably tightened.
She suddenly realized that this silver‑haired old woman before her was not simple. She was a royal princess of Great Zhou, the current Emperor's paternal aunt, absolutely no ordinary old lady.
Mentioning the palace, the room immediately fell silent.
Though they were in Jinzhou, even Huo Huaixin dared not lightly discuss the imperial family and the inner palace. And Qin Wan, thinking of that place of wealth and power that had once been so close, now only felt waves of chill in her heart. Her father's case had started from that opulent palace. That place, seemingly overflowing with power and glory, was in reality a place that devoured people without leaving a trace. To this day, Qin Wan still could not understand: within that golden cage filled with demons and monsters, which hand had pushed her family into hell?
After a moment of silence, Yue Qiong stepped forward. "Mother, don't dwell on this matter for now. Wait until His Highness Yan Chi has news. Duke Song's household is a prestigious clan in the capital. They won't act recklessly."
Yue Qiong said this, but the Grand Princess and Jiang‑shi, who understood inner household matters best, were almost certain the Song family was hiding something. Now they just needed to know whether this hidden matter was big or small.
The Grand Princess nodded, then turned to speak with Qin Wan. Only then did the atmosphere lighten somewhat. Before long, Huo Huaixin took his leave first. Yue Qiong followed Huo Huaixin to observe the interrogation of the Marquis's residence servants. As soon as they left, Yue Ning appeared in martial attire. Her face was flushed from exertion and sweat. Qin Wan knew at a glance she must have been practicing martial arts.
The Grand Princess said fondly, "Why didn't you wear an extra cloak? It's autumn now; the chill is deeper. With sweat on your body, it's easy to catch a chill."
"Grandmother, don't worry. Ning'er knows."
In front of the Grand Princess, Yue Ning's girlish demeanor was even more pronounced.
"Just now at the training ground, I saw Young Master Wei practicing with his blade. I couldn't resist and sparred with him a couple of times, so I worked up a sweat. It's fine. Ning'er's health is very good."
The Grand Princess touched her face affectionately. "Silly child, why compete with that Wei boy? He's from the Capital Patrol Garrison; his martial arts are naturally not weak. Be careful not to hurt yourself."
Yue Ning was somewhat helpless. "Grandmother, Ning'er's martial arts aren't bad either..."
"Alright, alright. Our Ning'er is a heroine not inferior to any man..."
Qin Wan, however, sided with the Grand Princess. "Princess, you shouldn't be careless either. Autumn weather is changeable, sometimes cold, sometimes hot. It's indeed easy to catch a chill."
The Grand Princess laughed. "See? Wan'er's medical skills are superb. You must listen to her."
Yue Ning shot Qin Wan a sidelong glance. "Alright, alright, I'll listen. Since Grandmother says listen, I'll listen."
Grandmother, granddaughter, plus Qin Wan, the three chatted and laughed, very relaxed and lively. Yue Qing, watching from the side, focused his gaze more on Qin Wan. Jiang‑shi, observing from beside him, couldn't help but look thoughtful.
After talking a while longer, the Grand Princess's energy waned. Jiang‑shi and Lüxiu attended to her as she rested. Yue Ning led Qin Wan out of the courtyard. Just as they stepped out, Yue Qing followed.
Yue Ning turned and glared. "Second Brother, why are you following us?"
Yue Qing smiled brightly. "What are you going to do? Second Brother has nothing to do. I'll accompany you."
Yue Ning gave a meaningful smile. "Why does Second Brother always want to accompany us girls? Doesn't Second Brother have his own matters? Doesn't Second Brother need to go to the military camp today?"
Yue Qing was left speechless by her questions, his face not thick‑skinned enough. He cleared his throat. "Of course I need to go. I'll go now." He paused, then added, "Take good care of Ninth Young Miss."
After saying this, Yue Qing left. Yue Ning watched his retreating back thoughtfully, then turned her gaze to Qin Wan.
Qin Wan was somewhat puzzled. "What is the Princess looking at?"
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow, then said seriously, "What do you think of my second brother?"
Qin Wan was taken aback. "Second Young Master? Second Young Master... is naturally excellent."
Yue Ning stared fixedly at Qin Wan for a moment, then suddenly smiled with some regret. Fuling, following behind Qin Wan, hearing Yue Ning's question, couldn't help but feel anxious for her young lady. Even she understood Yue Ning's meaning. Why didn't her young lady understand?
Yue Ning sighed. "Forget it, it's nothing. The day after tomorrow is the Mid‑Autumn Festival celebration. Prepare yourself. I'll come fetch you at half‑past you."[ TN: 酉 (You): 17:00–19:00 ]
Qin Wan nodded. "Thank you, Princess."
Yue Ning pursed her lips, then suddenly said, "What are you holding in your hand?"
Qin Wan looked down. What she held was none other than the ointment she had made for Yan Chi. Qin Wan hurriedly said, "Where is His Highness Yan Chi now? This is the ointment for him..."
Yue Ning's brow rose again, seeming somewhat puzzled.
Qin Wan pressed her lips together. "His Highness's injury is not light. It will take at least half a month to heal properly. Moreover, last time he gave me generous payment. So that's why I..."
Yue Ning naturally didn't know about the Nine Needles of the Basic Questions. She asked in surprise, "Payment? What did he give you?"
Qin Wan said directly, "He gave me a set of medical needles."
Yue Ning's eyes shifted. "He should be in Pine Garden now. Come, I'll accompany you."
Qin Wan nodded and followed Yue Ning straight to Pine Garden. Yue Ning frowned all the way, lost in thought. Suddenly, she said, "Prefect Huo came to the residence today to re‑interrogate. He must have some direction now. I guess the person who pretended to be a ghost to scare you that night and the person who killed Miss Song are definitely the same. That person is probably among the Song family guards in the residence."
Qin Wan looked at Yue Ning. "Has the Princess been investigating something on her own?"
Yue Ning shook her head. "Not really. I just asked Young Master Wei a few questions while practicing earlier. Even Young Master Wei himself thinks the person who killed Song Rou is from the Song family. He said only someone from the Song family would know she had a second wedding gown and roughly know its location. He also said Miss Song's temperament was somewhat spoiled, often treating servants and guards poorly. He said it's also possible Miss Song made enemies among the subordinates because of this..."
Qin Wan was momentarily dazed. "What was Young Master Wei doing on the day of the wedding procession?"
"Young Master Wei said he was with the guards the entire day. Although they were cousins, they hadn't interacted much in the capital before. Knowing her bad temper and in front of everyone, he didn't show excessive concern for Song Rou."
Qin Wan raised an eyebrow. "Song Rou had a bad temper with subordinates, but was her temper bad toward him too?"
Yue Ning nodded. "Yes." She sighed. "Young Master Wei is a concubine‑born son in the Wei family. His birth mother died, and he was raised under the principal wife. The principal wife is a daughter of Duke Song's household. Although the principal wife treats him well, there's still a barrier. Moreover, though he can freely enter and leave Duke Song's residence, the Song family doesn't treat him very well. Originally, it should have been his legitimate elder brother who came to escort the bride. But a month ago, his legitimate elder brother fell from a horse and broke his leg, so he was substituted at the last minute."
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. "I didn't know there was such a layer..."
Yue Ning nodded. "Exactly. After all, we're far from the capital. If he hadn't said so, we wouldn't have known about this. So this time, with Song Rou's incident, he feels both guilty and worried. When he returns, the Duke's household will probably resent him."
Qin Wan understood. The Duke's household sent him to escort the bride, but Song Rou died tragically. Naturally, blame would fall on the leader of the escort. Plus, with his status as a concubine‑born son raised by the principal wife, his future would likely be difficult.
"His position as Deputy Captain of the Patrol Garrison Cavalry was earned through his own hard work. This time when he returns, he'll probably be stuck in that Deputy Captain position forever. It's truly lamentable."
Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. "In great aristocratic families, legitimate and concubine‑born are clearly distinguished. His status is indeed awkward. But he is a self‑reliant person. Once the truth of this matter is uncovered, presumably there will be sensible people in Duke Song's household."
Yue Ning sighed. "I hope so. His martial skills are excellent. It would be a pity if he were buried because of this."
Qin Wan's heart felt heavy. Before this, she had even had terrible suspicions. After all, there wasn't enough evidence to prove Wei Yanzhi had no suspicion. In that case, Wei Yanzhi was also within her range of suspicion. But since Yue Ning said Wei Yanzhi had little interaction with Song Rou before, that suspicion could be reduced by thirty percent.
Her steps halted. Qin Wan added, "Why did Young Master Wei tell you so much?"
Yue Ning knew her words carried suspicion. She said, "No, it's not like that. When I sparred with him, I intended to probe. We agreed that just fighting randomly was boring; whoever lost had to answer the other's question."
Qin Wan was slightly surprised. "The Princess won all? Didn't the Princess say his martial arts were excellent?"
Yue Ning cleared her throat softly. "Last time, Second Brother injured His Highness Yan Chi. He witnessed it. This time, my moves were very fierce. He was afraid of hurting me, so he was extra cautious and constrained. That's how I won three rounds in a row."
This was a clever trick. Yue Ning spoke of it plainly, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Qin Wan covered her mouth with a hand. "So that's how it was. That makes sense..."
Yue Ning lifted her chin. "Otherwise? Why would he tell me all this for no reason? Wouldn't that be strange? I'm not that easy to fool. I'm much tougher than you!"
Qin Wan couldn't help laughing. Looking up, they had already reached Pine Garden.
At the entrance, there were no guards. Qin Wan and Yue Ning exchanged a glance, then entered the courtyard together. The courtyard was quiet. Qin Wan was hesitating when she turned and saw Yan Chi's figure by the window.
The window lattice was wide open. Yan Chi sat behind a desk inside. Bai Feng stood before him. Master and servant were discussing something. At the same time, Yan Chi held a brush, writing something.
This scene was perfectly normal, but Qin Wan and Yue Ning frowned simultaneously.
Something seemed off...
Qin Wan focused, looking carefully. At a certain moment, her eyes suddenly darkened.
She found what was wrong. The hand Yan Chi used to hold the brush... was actually his left hand!
Yue Ning's brow also furrowed tightly. She suddenly spoke rapidly, "That night, after you left Pine Garden, we waited outside the whole time. No one knew how he was inside. Later, it was a little maid from Plum Garden who came to report, and we were about to leave together. It was at that moment he walked out from inside. The time before and after, that length of time for a cup of tea, was exactly when you were frightened..."
"Princess." Qin Wan exclaimed softly, stopping her.
Almost simultaneously, Yan Chi's gaze looked out from inside the window lattice.
Across seventy or eighty feet, Yan Chi's gaze was dark and intimidating. Yue Ning instinctively grabbed Qin Wan's wrist. Qin Wan was already somewhat startled; with Yue Ning's action, her heart immediately began to pound wildly.
Yet, thinking carefully, Song Rou and Yan Chi... this was a completely unrelated connection!
Qin Wan's mind was instantly in turmoil. On one hand, she felt it impossible. On the other hand, Qin Wan recalled many case files she had seen with her father. Those bizarre, strange murder cases initially, the murderer was always the least suspected!
Thinking this, Qin Wan suddenly saw a hint of a murderer's aura in Yan Chi. He was lofty and imposing; he had fought on battlefields, killed countless people; with a raise of his hand and a fall of his blade, he could end a life. More importantly, in the entire residence, currently only he had been discovered to be left‑handed. Even if no motive was found yet, this point alone was unexplainable...
Qin Wan felt her scalp prickle, because she saw Yan Chi stand up and walk out.
"What brings you here?" Yan Chi strode out. Seeing the two of them looking tense, he frowned. His gaze was penetrating and sharp; that intimidating aura was somewhat frightening.
"Your Highness's medicine." As Qin Wan spoke, she handed over the ointment in her hand. "Use this medicine the next time you change the dressing. The prescription remains the previous one."
While speaking, Qin Wan tried her best to keep her tone steady. But Yue Ning held her hand tightly, making it impossible for her to calm down. When Yan Chi's gaze swept over, she instinctively took on a defensive air.
"Oh?" Yan Chi took the ointment, turned, and handed it to Bai Feng. Then he turned back, looking leisurely at Yue Ning and Qin Wan.
"What's wrong with you two?"
Yue Ning took a step back. "Medicine delivered. We'll leave first."
As she spoke, she pulled Qin Wan to leave. Qin Wan had no choice, dragged out by Yue Ning.
Yan Chi watched their retreating figures disappear, his brow tightly furrowed.
Bai Feng also found it strange. "What's wrong with the Young Princess and Ninth Young Miss?"
Yan Chi narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of danger. "The way they looked at me... as if guarding against a heinous villain..."
Outside Pine Garden, Yue Ning pulled Qin Wan, striding toward the front courtyard. "The Prefect is still here. We'll tell him immediately!"
Qin Wan's mind was in turmoil again. Seeing they were getting closer to the front courtyard, Qin Wan suddenly exerted force, pulling Yue Ning to a stop. "Princess, we mustn't act rashly..."
Yue Ning said urgently, "The entire residence is looking for a left‑handed person. Now that we've found one, we won't tell the Prefect? Considering the timing, his timing fits perfectly. Considering stature and characteristics, there's nothing more to say!"
Qin Wan caught her breath. "But Princess, there's no motive! His Highness Yan Chi returned from the west. He probably never even met Song Rou before. What enmity could there be between them? Besides, that night, His Highness Yan Chi arrived at the residence first."
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes. "They traveled by fast horse, of course they could be faster than the wedding procession. And, how do you know he doesn't know Song Rou?" She paused again. "No, we don't need to discuss this. We just need to tell the Prefect and let him investigate."
Qin Wan gave a bitter smile. "Has the Princess considered, given His Highness Yan Chi's status, how would the Prefect investigate?"
Hearing this, Yue Ning calmed down somewhat.
She wasn't sure about Huo Huaixin's character. Perhaps he really would suppress the matter out of fear of power?
Yue Ning released Qin Wan. "Then what should we do?"
Qin Wan's eyes flickered, briefly finding the situation tricky. Yet she quickly recalled all the previous details, especially Yan Chi's behavior on the day of Song Rou's autopsy. There had been not the slightest abnormality. Moreover, he was a soldier from the battlefield. Though Qin Wan didn't doubt his ability to take lives, would he kill a young girl?
Qin Wan swallowed with difficulty. "How about... we wait and observe a bit more?"
Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan, usually so calm and composed, now with a troubled expression and hesitant speech. Immediately, she crossed her arms and spoke seriously. "Qin Wan, do you have feelings for His Highness Yan Chi?"