157: The Wrong dicine and Hide-and-Seek
In the carriage, Yan Chi straightened a few stray strands of Qin Wan's ink-black hair that had co loose.
Qin Wan shot him a reproachful glare, her eyes brimming with feigned annoyance, before turning gracefully to step down from the carriage. Dusk had now deepened, enveloping the world in twilight. After alighting and standing firm, Qin Wan offered a word of thanks before turning to walk through the gates of Clear Radiance Garden.
Outside, Yan Chi waited a mont longer, only giving the order to depart once Qin Wan's figure had vanished from sight.
Fuling glanced back, a hesitant expression on her face. "Miss, I feel… His Highness is truly good to you."
Qin Wan made a noncommittal sound. Fuling studied her profile, her words more tentative now. "Has the Miss never considered… well… it seems no one treats the Miss better than His Highness…"
A faint stir touched Qin Wan's heart. She turned to look at Fuling, yet hesitated. Fuling had a simple, straightforward nature. If she were to learn of certain matters, it might be manageable here, away from ho. But once they returned to the capital and entered the Marquis's residence, Fuling would likely be unable to conceal it.
Pressing her lips together, Qin Wan adopted a casual air. "Her Highness the Grand Princess, the Young Princess, my adoptive father and mother… they all treat very well too."
This seed to placate Fuling, who nodded. "That's true, I suppose…"
Seeing the topic successfully diverted, Qin Wan shook her head slightly and said no more. Night had truly fallen now. The scenery of Clear Radiance Garden took on a different character under the dim evening light. The snow on the main paths had been cleared, leaving only the flowerbeds and the tops of the rockeries cloaked in pristine white. Qin Wan's gaze swept over it all, feeling the profound contrast of returning to the north from the south. Her eyes then fell on the bundle Fuling carried, and a pang of sorrow shot through her heart once more.
Qin Wan strode back to the guest courtyard and entered her room. The room was even darker inside. "Light the lamp," she instructed Fuling.
Fuling acknowledged. Bai Ying, hearing the commotion, rose from her bed to attend. Qin Wan glanced at her. "Your wounds aren't fully healed yet. Go back and lie down."
Bai Ying shook her head. "It's fine as long as I don't exert myself in martial arts. Please don't worry, Miss."
Hearing this, Qin Wan didn't press further. Once Fuling had lit the lamp, Qin Wan took out the notebooks and began to examine them. Under the dim, yellowish lamplight, the writing on the pages appeared sowhat blurred. Her fingertips trembled slightly as she traced the characters, her eyes growing moist.
Her father's handwriting possessed exceptional strength and character. He had personally taught her calligraphy. Yet, perhaps she lacked innate talent in this art, for she could only ever master a delicate, small regular script. Her mother had said it was just right for a young lady.
These notebooks were written by her father a decade ago. Qin Wan opened one. The first case recorded was a murder for profit. The killer, having failed to borrow money, had slaughtered a father and son. He was ultimately sentenced to execution in autumn. Her father had been the reviewing official. The notebook ticulously detailed the cause and effect of the case, along with the key points of the autopsy findings.
When she hadn't held her father's belongings directly, the sorrow had been more contained. But now, cradling his handwritten notes, the grief within surged, difficult to suppress. Just then, footsteps sounded in the courtyard, preceded by Qin Shuang's voice. "Why are you back so late?"
The words finished as the door was pushed open. Qin Shuang's sudden entrance interrupted Qin Wan's lancholy. She hurriedly set the notebook aside, steadying her emotions.
"What were you doing at the Prince's residence? Helping with the investigation?" Qin Shuang walked straight up to Qin Wan, her tone casual.
Qin Wan forced the ache in her chest down, replying calmly, "No. His Highness Prince Yu's illness showed so irregularities. I went to check on him."
Before returning, she had indeed gone to see Prince Yu once more.
Qin Shuang made an understanding sound, then her gaze shifted to the books in Qin Wan's hands. "What are these?"
"A few books. They're about autopsy examination."
Qin Shuang had been about to reach for them, but upon hearing this, her hand quickly withdrew, a look of distaste crossing her face. "Are you really planning to pursue this path? For a young lady, isn't healing and saving people enough?"
Qin Wan offered a faint smile. "Studying these can also aid dical knowledge."
Qin Shuang waved a hand dismissively. "Suit yourself. Speaking of which, what's the status of that case? Is Qingli really dead?"
Qin Wan nodded. "Yes. Dead."
Qin Shuang sighed. "What a pity. The mbers of the Shuangqing Troupe still haven't returned. It seems Master Pang won't be able to entertain his guests after all. Has the killer been found?"
"Not yet. But a suspect has erged."
"Who?" Qin Shuang's eyes widened with keen interest.
Qin Wan carefully gathered the notebooks and wrapped them back up, speaking slowly, "One of Qingli's disciples. The Cowherd from the second act."
Qin Shuang drew a sharp breath. "A disciple killed her master? Why?"
Qin Wan shook her head. "The Prefect of Yuzhou hasn't interrogated her yet. I don't know. Perhaps… it wasn't her…"
Qin Wan thought of Qinglan's deanor. Her straight back, her stubborn gaze. For a mont, Qin Wan had wanted to believe her. But the key had been found on her. Compared to a look in the eyes, Qin Wan trusted evidence more.
Qin Shuang frowned. "This is truly… There must be a reason… The Shuangqing Troupe is finished now. With the troupe leader gone and one of her disciples implicated… I heard Qingli only accepted those two disciples?"
Qin Wan wasn't clear on these details, so she rely shook her head without answering. Just then, footsteps sounded outside again. It was Pang Youde's voice. "Ninth Young Miss, are you there?"
The room was lit, clearly indicating soone was inside.
Qin Wan glanced at Fuling, who imdiately responded, "She is here."
She stepped forward and opened the door. Pang Youde indeed stood outside. "Ninth Young Miss, you've returned, good. The thing is, the Eldest Young Master has been unwell since returning. Would you trouble yourself to co and examine him?"
Qin Wan's brow furrowed instantly. "Was a physician not summoned?"
Pang Youde hastily replied, "Summoned, yes, summoned! We called one this afternoon. The physician said it was nothing serious, prescribed dicine, and left an ointnt. But just a little while ago, the Young Master suddenly took a turn. The Master went to see him. The Young Master seems… sowhat confused. We're not sure if it's from the pain or if there's sothing amiss with the dicine. That's why we'd like to ask you to examine him. Of course, you are a guest, and it's highly improper to trouble you with the Young Master's ailnt. But the residences in this area are all common folk's hos. The journey to summon another physician is quite far…"
He paused briefly before adding, "Young Master Qin and the Master are also there."
Qin Wan was reluctant. But considering Qin Yan was present, and Pang Youde's request likely ca with Qin Yan's tacit approval, her refusal would be a slight to Qin Yan's face. Moreover, looking at the harmonious atmosphere in the room, she truly had no plausible excuse to decline. She nodded slightly. "Very well. I will go."
Qin Shuang's eyes glead. "I'll go too…"
Pang Youde chuckled warmly. "That would be most welco."
Fuling fetched Qin Wan's cloak, and the group set out directly from the courtyard.
Qin Wan and her companions were staying in the western part of the estate, while Pang Yiwen's courtyard was in the east. They followed the main path eastward. Clear Radiance Garden was now alight with brilliant lanterns, and the last traces of dusk had been completely swallowed by the night.
Qin Wan was unfamiliar with the estate's layout and simply followed Pang Youde eastward. The night was ink-black, the cold lantern light dazzling, casting an inexplicable aura of desolate chill over the grand garden. Qin Shuang quickened her pace to walk beside Qin Wan, whispering, "It seems the Shuangqing Troupe mbers still haven't returned."
Her voice was extrely low, but the surroundings were so quiet that Pang Youde, walking ahead, overheard. He turned back and said, "Sixth Young Miss need not worry. The Master has already sent soone to inquire. The Prefect said everyone would be questioned today. They will return tomorrow morning."
Qin Shuang smiled sheepishly. "That's good, that's good…"
Pang Youde nodded with a smile and turned to continue leading the way. Not long after, they arrived before a courtyard.
"Sixth Young Miss, Ninth Young Miss, we are here."
Pang Youde led Qin Wan and Qin Shuang inside, with Wanqing and Fuling bringing up the rear, both taking in the surroundings. This courtyard was naturally more spacious than their guest quarters. Shrubs and trees shaded the yard, and the main room was brightly lit.
Pang Youde quickened his pace. As he reached the doorway, he announced, "Master, the Ninth Young Miss and Sixth Young Miss have arrived."
"Please show them in quickly!" Pang Fuliang's voice carried a note of anxiety.
Qin Wan and Qin Shuang entered one after the other. Upon stepping inside, both were sowhat taken aback. The room was crowded with people.
By the doorway stood four elegant maidservants, likely Pang Yiwen's personal attendants. Further in, it was unsurprising to see Pang Fuliang and Qin Yan. Pang Yiwu's presence wasn't strange either. But Pang Jiayan was also there, still clutching his little toy carriage lovingly. And beside him stood a delicate, graceful middle-aged woman.
The woman appeared to be in her early thirties, slender with fine features like a painting. Her luxurious brocade jacket and skirt shone like rosy clouds and crimson snow. Yet, Qin Wan felt sothing slightly off. She had already guessed the woman's identity, but the woman's deanor seed sowhat withdrawn.
"Third Brother, Master Pang…"
Qin Wan and Qin Shuang curtsied, then turned their gaze to the richly dressed woman.
Qin Yan promptly introduced, "This is Madam Pang."
Madam Pang had been keeping her head slightly lowered. Hearing this, she quickly glanced up at Qin Wan for a mont, gave a slight nod to the two young ladies, and lowered her eyes again.
Qin Wan curtsied once more. "Madam."
This was the source of Qin Wan's puzzlent. Pang Fuliang held a high status and was already past forty. His eldest and second sons were nearing their coming of age. Yet, this Madam Pang appeared to be only around thirty.
First, the age discrepancy. Second, this Madam Pang seed sowhat timid.
As the wife of Pang Fuliang, whom the people of Yuzhou respectfully called "Lord Pang," even if her background wasn't exceptionally high, she should at least possess so of the commanding presence befitting a mistress of the household…
"Ninth Sister, please examine the Young Master quickly."
Qin Wan nodded and walked toward the bed where Pang Yiwen lay.
The mont she approached, her brow furrowed. She had seen Pang Yiwen's injuries that afternoon and had examined him herself. At that ti, his wounds weren't severe, just so superficial bruises and cuts from the beating. He had been sent back, and a physician had been summoned. By rights, his condition should have improved considerably by now. Yet, looking at Pang Yiwen before her, Qin Wan was perplexed. Pang Yiwen's cheeks were swollen high, the dark bruises at the corners of his mouth and eyes showed no sign of fading. Moreover, there were several scratch marks on his face, as if he had clawed at his own skin.
"How did it co to this? Wasn't a physician summoned this afternoon?"
Pang Yiwen lay there, his eyes slightly narrowed, his breathing sowhat ragged. His gaze swept over her, but it was as if he didn't see her. Qin Wan frowned and stepped forward to take his pulse.
At her words, Pang Youde hurriedly said, "A physician was summoned, dicine was prescribed, and the Young Master took it."
As he spoke, he turned to look at the several maidservants standing further away. "Which of you will explain?"
The most alluring-looking of the four stepped forward. "Replying to the Young Miss, the Master did take the dicine. But the wounds on his body kept hurting terribly. Then, by evening, he beca sowhat… unclear. We called him, but he didn't respond…"
Qin Wan's frown deepened. Pang Yiwen's abnormal state had montarily pushed aside her disgust for him, for she discovered his pulse was profoundly strange. After a mont, she turned to Pang Youde. "Could I trouble Steward Pang to let see the prescription the physician wrote?"
Pang Youde promptly turned and went to an adjoining room, soon returning with a prescription.
Qin Wan took it and studied it for a mont, her brow knitting tighter. "The prescription is correct."
Pang Youde watched her. Pang Fuliang and Qin Yan also looked at her, montarily unsure of her aning.
Qin Yan felt a twinge of nervousness. Pang Fuliang had been warmly hospitable to their family; it was only right to reciprocate. That's why he had thought of having Qin Wan demonstrate her dical skill. But if Qin Wan couldn't pinpoint the problem, he would lose face.
"What does the Ninth Young Miss an?" Pang Fuliang finally spoke.
Qin Wan looked at him. "The Young Master's pulse is abnormal. It seems he took the wrong dicine. Yet the prescription is correct."
Pang Fuliang frowned. Qin Wan's sharp gaze swept over the maidservants not far away. As she finished speaking, the maids had exchanged several nervous glances. Qin Wan narrowed her eyes. "Aside from the dicine, what else did your Young Master take?"
The won paled, looking visibly tense. Pang Fuliang also noticed sothing amiss and frowned, his gaze turning toward them.
The maidservants imdiately knelt. The one who had spoken before said, "The Master… he also took… a few pills of Golden Coin Dream Sinking Pills…"
"Golden Coin Dream Sinking Pills?" Pang Fuliang asked, confused. Qin Wan also frowned. "What is that?"
The lead maidservant continued, "It's… it's a kind of Immortal Pill. The Master spent a lot of silver to buy it. People say taking it makes you feel blissful, as if floating among immortals. This afternoon, after drinking the dicine with no effect, the Master felt pain all over his body, so he took one pill. Perhaps because he was injured, this ti the pill didn't seem to work… Then… then the Master took two more. After taking those two, he imdiately felt much better. But… but then he started acting strangely…"
"What kind of strangeness?! Did he inflict those additional wounds on his face himself?" Qin Wan's voice turned cold and stern.
Hearing this, Pang Fuliang and the others looked startled. They had also examined Pang Yiwen but hadn't noticed any additional injuries on his face…
"Yes… This afternoon… the Master beca sowhat… frenzied…"
The leading maidservant spoke in a low voice, a flicker of fear crossing her face.
Pang Youde frowned. "Why didn't you report this earlier?"
The four of them trembled, prostrating themselves on the floor. It was still the sa maidservant who stamred, "Because… because the Master forbade us from speaking of the Golden Coin Dream Sinking Pills…"
Pang Fuliang's face darkened. He turned a glance toward Pang Yiwen's bed, his expression a mixture of anger and disappointnt.
Qin Wan's brow remained knitted. A drug that could induce frenzy, described by the maids as an "Immortal Pill"… Wasn't this precisely the sa symptom Qin An had shown when he was poisoned?
But these maids had stated clearly: the pills were sothing Pang Yiwen had procured himself. It wasn't a case of deliberate poisoning.
With this thought, a cold laugh rose silently in Qin Wan's heart. Pang Yiwen, at the pri of his life, had actually fallen for the notion of "ascending to immortality." She could only wonder what Pang Fuliang was thinking now…
Pang Fuliang's expression had already shifted between shades of green and white. The mont the words "Immortal Pill" left the maids' mouths, he knew exactly what expensive concoction Pang Yiwen had purchased. He turned to Qin Yan with a bitter smile. "I'm afraid the Young Master has witnessed a shaful family matter. In recent years, assisting with business, Yiwen has t many people. Among them are not a few wealthy idlers. It seems he has fallen for the tricks of those charlatan Taoists. It is my failure in discipline…"
Qin Yan also felt a touch of awkwardness. He hadn't expected Pang Yiwen to have such a habit. The Great Zhou had many who pursued Taoist cultivation. So were genuine seekers, while others were idle drears chasing immortality. As Pang Fuliang said, many fake Taoists, under the guise of cultivation, concocted various "Pills of Longevity" or "Pills of Three Purities' Divine Power." So of these drugs induced hallucinatory sensations of immortality; others gave a radiant appearance while internally ravaging the body. In short, no respectable family would allow their children to dabble in such things.
"Young Master Pang manages such a vast family enterprise for Lord Pang. It's inevitable he would encounter a few idlers among his acquaintances."
Qin Yan's tone was matter-of-fact, offering neither excessive comfort nor overt surprise. anwhile, Qin Wan asked, "Are there any of those pills remaining?"
She wanted to see what this so-called "Immortal Elixir" actually was. Only after examining it could she prescribe an antidote.
Pang Yiwen's injuries were now secondary. This ti, unlike with Qin An's case, Qin Wan couldn't imdiately identify the poison with certainty. She suspected it might be so kind of pill she had never encountered before.
"Replying to the Young Miss, there are none left. The Young Master took them all."
Qin Wan frowned. Over there, Pang Fuliang snorted coldly, turning his gaze to Madam Pang. "Yiwen actually has such a habit. As his mother, how have you disciplined him?"
His voice wasn't loud, nor did it carry overt fury. Yet, upon hearing this, Madam Pang paled slightly, lowering her head and pressing her lips together without uttering a word. Pang Jiayan stepped forward then, his voice soft and childlike. "Father, whatever Elder Brother wishes to do, only you can restrain him… Mother cannot…"
Pang Fuliang's frown deepened, seemingly taken aback that Pang Jiayan would speak up like this. He stared at the boy for a mont but didn't reprimand him for his defiance. Seeing his father's expression, Pang Jiayan grew even more frightened and clutched Madam Pang's hand.
"Without the pills, can the Ninth Young Miss treat him?"
Pang Fuliang looked at Qin Wan, his tone cool. Qin Wan nodded. "There is a universal antidote formula. However, its effects are sowhat slow."
"No matter. Let him suffer a few days. It will do him good."
Hearing this, Qin Wan naturally began writing the prescription. Soon, she handed it to Pang Youde.
"Three doses a day. Prepare it with cold water."
Qin Wan gave the instruction, and Pang Youde nodded repeatedly. Qin Wan then turned to the maidservants. "It's best to bind his hands and feet. Only untie him after he has taken the dicine and can respond when called. We don't know when he might beco frenzied again."
The maidservants hurriedly nodded their understanding. Qin Wan finally addressed Pang Fuliang. "After taking this dicine, improvent should be visible by tomorrow. However, for the poison to be completely cleared, he must take it for at least ten days."
Pang Yiwen's appearance wasn't yet emaciated; he likely hadn't been taking the pills for long. Ten days should suffice.
Pang Fuliang nodded. "My deepest thanks, Ninth Young Miss. The night is late. Please return and rest well."
Qin Wan nodded, glancing at Qin Yan. Qin Yan smiled. "You two go back and rest. I still have matters to discuss with Lord Pang."
Qin Wan and Qin Shuang exchanged a look, then together took their leave from Qin Yan and Pang Fuliang and stepped outside. Just after exiting, they heard Pang Fuliang instruct Pang Youde to investigate who had supplied Pang Yiwen with the Golden Coin Dream Sinking Pills…
Qin Shuang and the others walked quickly out of the courtyard. Recognizing the way back, they didn't ask for an escort. Once they were farther away, Qin Shuang whispered, "The Pang family is a prominent household in Yuzhou, the wealthiest family in the west. How could Pang Yiwen believe such nonsense? It's truly disgraceful."
Qin Wan was also surprised. Yet, thinking of the way Pang Yiwen had looked at her, she could understand. Pang Yiwen seed to have a crooked nature. Such unorthodox practices might hold a peculiar allure for him.
"If he hadn't been beaten, this matter would likely have remained hidden. In a way, misfortune has brought fortune."
Qin Wan spoke calmly. Although the toxicity of those "Immortal Pills" wasn't imdiately apparent, prolonged use could drain even a vigorous young man, leading to early death. Now that it was discovered, it was actually good for Pang Yiwen. Moreover, with Pang Yiwen bedridden these next few days, no one would co to pester the sisters. A cold glint flashed in Qin Wan's eyes. If pushed, she had plenty of thods to make Pang Yiwen even more gravely ill.
"Don't you think that Pang Yiwen has a lecherous look about him?"
Qin Shuang suddenly said. "Especially when he looks at you. That gaze is clearly not wholeso."
Qin Shuang's tone carried lingering anger. "They are, after all, a rchant family. Lacking in breeding."
Qin Wan sighed softly. While the statent was sowhat prejudiced, in Pang Yiwen's case, it rang true.
The two sisters walked back, discussing Pang Yiwen in low voices. The Pang estate was, after all, the wealthiest family in the west. Lanterns lined the main paths one after another. Even areas like flowerbeds and rockeries where people seldom walked were illuminated, as if lamp oil cost nothing. Qin Shuang glanced around, a hint of envy flickering in her eyes. The topic shifted to the Pang family's history of rising from rags to riches.
The tale of the Pang family's humble beginnings was widely known. Qin Shuang naturally was aware of it. They were still talking when suddenly, tink, a soft sound. Qin Shuang looked down. A small pebble had landed at their feet.
They had just reached a fork in the path. The pebble's arrival was sudden, but its thrower had clearly aid it deliberately.
Qin Shuang halted. "Who's there?"
The main path was lit by lanterns, but the fork where they stood led to a smaller lane. That lane wound its way into an area of rockery and low bamboo, precisely the direction the pebble had co from.
Qin Shuang and Qin Wan exchanged a glance. Was soone hiding among the rocks and bamboo, playing a prank on them?
"Who's there?" Qin Wan also called out.
Silence followed her question. Then, another pebble flew out.
Qin Shuang frowned. "Who is so ill-mannered?!"
Her angry query again t with no reply. Stamping her foot in frustration, Qin Shuang grabbed Qin Wan's arm and strode toward the narrow path. Qin Shuang's temper had been roused, but Qin Wan found it strange. All the masters of the Pang household were at Pang Yiwen's courtyard. Who here would dare play such tricks on them? With this thought, they had already reached the cluster of rockery.
Almost as soon as they stopped, a soft, girlish giggle rang out.
The sudden, eerie laughter made the four won's expressions change. Before they could retreat, the voice giggled again, a creepy, playful sound.
"Little doll, hide-and-seek, giggling behind the stones…"
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