Chapter 69 : Qin Li's Hidden Affliction
69: Qin Li's Hidden Affliction
Jinzhou's Brocade Embroidery Workshop and the capital's Brocade Embroidery Workshop shared the same prestigious name. As the Qin family members alighted from the carriage, a young attendant came to greet them at the door. After a round of enthusiastic welcomes, they had just entered the shop when the shopkeeper emerged from behind the counter.
"Oh, Madam Qin is here. Please, come sit over here. Tea…"
Lady Lin was ushered to a guest seat by the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper then offered a flurry of compliments to Qin Li and Qin Chen. Suddenly, the shopkeeper added, "Young Master, how did the Young Madam like the sapphire headpiece set you ordered here last time?"
Hearing this, the corners of Qin Chen's lips curved slightly. He turned to look at Qin Wan. "But I haven't seen Ninth Sister wearing it."
The shopkeeper was still somewhat puzzled. Qin Wan pressed her lips together. "It was too precious. I haven't worn it."
The shopkeeper was shrewd. Hearing this, he immediately understood. "So the Young Master and Young Madam gifted it to a beauty. That sapphire set is of excellent quality. Whether matched with the Young Madam or Ninth Young Miss, it would be perfectly fitting."
Qin Chen smiled broadly. "Today, my younger siblings and I are here for new autumn clothes. Shopkeeper, please arrange for someone."
The shopkeeper hurriedly agreed, then turned to instruct the shop assistants.
Meanwhile, Lady Lin said, "After measuring for the clothes, Chen'er, go arrange tomorrow's lake boat." Then she looked at Qin Wan. "Tomorrow afternoon, Wan'er and Xiang'er will go to Li River Lake together. This Mid‑Autumn Festival celebration will be your first time enjoying it."
Qin Wan had no idea Lady Lin would have her accompany Qin Xiang this year. She quickly said, "Third Aunt, yesterday at the Marquis's residence, the Marquis's Lady also invited Qin Wan. At the time, Qin Wan didn't know the residence's arrangements and already agreed."
Lady Lin was slightly surprised. "Wan'er will be going on the Marquis's lake boat?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Yes. They will come to fetch Qin Wan tomorrow afternoon."
Lady Lin was about to nod when Qin Xiang interjected beside her, "Mother, others have long since climbed the high branch of the Marquis's residence. Why do you still consider her? Since there's the Marquis's residence, others will naturally look down on the Qin residence's small boat."
"Xiang'er!" Lady Lin rebuked her in a low, displeased voice. Qin Xiang snorted lightly and turned her head away.
Lady Lin then smiled at Qin Wan. "Since you promised the Marquis's residence, naturally you should go with their arrangement. Prepare early tomorrow."
Qin Wan nodded. "Yes, Qin Wan understands."
Lady Lin seemed quite satisfied, curving her lips without further comment.
Knowing Qin Xiang and Qin Wan were somewhat at odds, Lady Lin had Qin Xiang enter first for measuring. Meanwhile, Qin Chen was also invited into the inner room for male guests. Lady Lin sat drinking tea nearby. At this moment, Qin Li slowly walked over to Qin Wan.
"Ninth Sister, where did you go just now?" As soon as he opened his mouth, Qin Li seemed intent on pressing Qin Wan.
Qin Wan's expression remained normal. "Naturally, I went to the medicine storehouse to fetch medicine."
Qin Li smiled, his narrow eyes squinting slightly. "Really? When your maid left, her steps were also extremely fast. When you returned, there was sweat on your face. If both the going and coming were not slow, it's impossible you made us wait so long."
Qin Wan's expression didn't change. "Second Brother actually noticed such details. What Second Brother says is correct. However, it wasn't because I went elsewhere, but because after my maid came to inform me, I waited a moment longer before walking toward Tinglan Pavilion."
Qin Li raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lady Lin not far away. "When an elder summons, you dare to delay?"
A hint of indifference appeared in Qin Wan's eyes. "I assumed it wasn't urgent, so I prioritized fetching the medicine."
Qin Li's eyebrow lifted again, clearly not expecting Qin Wan to have such an explanation. He chuckled softly. "I thought you would keep playing the obedient one. So you're not entirely without resentment."
Qin Wan lifted her chin slightly. "If it were Second Brother, would Second Brother be entirely without resentment?"
Qin Li shook his head. "No. Not only would I feel resentment, I might even consider revenge."
The corners of Qin Wan's lips lifted slightly. She said nothing.
When Qin Chen came out, he happened to see Qin Li speaking with Qin Wan. He frowned and approached. "Second Brother, it's your turn."
Qin Li didn't seem particularly afraid of Qin Chen. Hearing this, he looked at Qin Wan for a moment before responding. As Qin Li walked toward the inner room, Qin Chen came to Qin Wan's side. "What was he saying to you just now?"
Qin Wan gave a pained smile. "Asking why I was so slow just now."
Qin Chen blinked. "Just now? Oh, we did wait a while. Was he reprimanding you?"
Qin Wan shook her head, her tone somewhat relaxed. "Not exactly. He just asked where I went. I explained. After hearing Wanxing's message, I waited for Physician Qian a moment longer before coming out."
Then, with a slightly uncomfortable expression, she added, "At the time, I didn't know what the Mistress wanted me for, and I wanted to finish making the medicine quickly."
Qin Chen's smile gradually widened. "You..." He glanced at Lady Lin and lowered his voice. "But in the past, when Mother called me, I also liked to dawdle."
Hearing this, Qin Wan genuinely felt a flicker of sincere amusement toward this elder brother.
But the next moment, Qin Chen suddenly said with a serious expression, "Your Second Brother is usually frivolous. Usually, keep your distance from him."
A strange thought flashed through Qin Wan's mind, but before she could grasp it, it vanished. Qin Wan's mind felt momentarily blank, involuntarily thinking of Eighth Concubine Lady Liu coming out of the Purple Bamboo Grove that morning. Could that fleeting thought be related to Lady Liu?
"Ninth Sister, what's wrong?"
Seeing Qin Wan lost in thought, Qin Chen suddenly asked again.
Qin Wan quickly collected herself and shook her head. "It's nothing. Eldest Brother, rest assured. I know."
Qin Chen's eyes showed satisfaction. Meanwhile, Qin Xiang finished being measured. The assistant then invited Lady Lin. Seeing Qin Wan and Qin Chen talking, Lady Lin, supported by Qin Xiang, went inside. As soon as Lady Lin entered, Qin Li came out, putting on his outer robe.
Qin Li walked toward Qin Wan while dressing. Qin Wan's gaze casually swept over him, and she suddenly frowned.
Qin Li wore a standing‑collar, diagonal‑closure men's robe today. When the robe wasn't properly fastened, his neck was completely covered. But now, as he dressed while walking over, Qin Wan clearly saw a fleeting patch of red swelling on his neck. The swelling seemed ulcerated, strikingly similar to a disease Qin Wan had studied before.
Qin Wan frowned tightly, watching Qin Li approach.
But how could Qin Li contract that kind of disease?