Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Sly, Scheming Man

The lock had fallen! Qingyue’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the lock, still fastened but now lying on the ground. She murmured to herself, “It wasn’t locked at all… It was just hanging on the latch!”

Who could have guessed that the lock was merely resting atop the clasp, the door never truly secured?

“You’re observant; very good!” A gentle laugh drifted from within.

“Master Mingqiu!” Qin Wanru stepped back respectfully.

The door swung open to reveal a Buddhist nun in her thirties, far younger in appearance than the Abbess of Jingxin Convent. Even in her plain robes, she looked gentle and elegant, the corners of her eyes curving kindly as she regarded Qin Wanru.

“So you do wish to study medicine?” Master Mingqiu smiled warmly at Qin Wanru.

“I truly wish to learn,” Qin Wanru replied, dropping to her knees with a sudden thud. “Please, Master, accept me as your disciple!”

Master Mingqiu did not respond at once. Her gaze lingered on Qin Wanru’s face, scrutinizing her for a moment, her smile growing ever deeper. She had always thought highly of Qin Wanru, but after being refused by both Old Madam Qin and Qin Wanru herself, she had given up hope. Hearing now that Qin Wanru wished to study medicine, she wondered if it was mere caprice, so she had set a series of tests.

Tests of cunning, observation, and patience.

Qin Wanru had passed each one.

Master Mingqiu’s satisfaction only grew. “Very well, you may study medicine with me.”

Overjoyed, Qin Wanru offered several deep bows, her gratitude evident.

With a gentle smile, Master Mingqiu helped her up and led her inside.

Once in the room, Qin Wanru paid her respects once more and served tea, brought by Qingyue, before rising at Master Mingqiu’s bidding.

“Did you read the medical text I gave you before?” Master Mingqiu took a sip of tea before setting it aside.

“I have read it,” Qin Wanru replied.

“In that case, let me test you.”

“Please, Master, ask your questions.”

“There’s no need to call me Master. You are not a nun, and as the daughter of a noble family, my disciples must be of the monastic order. Continue to address me as Master Mingqiu,” she said with a smile.

“Yes,” Qin Wanru agreed.

Master Mingqiu then questioned her on the contents of the medical text and its practical applications. With her skills from her previous life and her diligent study since awakening in this one, Qin Wanru answered each query fluently, never once at a loss.

This pleased Master Mingqiu even more. She withdrew a small iron box from the inner room and slid it toward Qin Wanru. “Later, go to your senior sister and collect the next volume of the medical text. It is more practical than the first, focusing on specific diagnoses and treatments. There is also a set of golden acupuncture needles, which I bestow upon you. While you reside at Jingxin Convent, come study every morning. When you return to your family estate, come at the beginning and middle of each month to continue your training.”

“Thank you, Master Mingqiu!” Qin Wanru exclaimed joyfully, receiving the items with both hands.

When she left Master Mingqiu, Qin Wanru visited the Abbess to collect the next volume of the medical text, before returning to see the Old Madam.

The Old Madam’s health was stable and her spirits good, though she fretted that Shui Ruolan’s wedding preparations might be incomplete. She sent Qin Wanru to check if anything was lacking, instructing her not to worry about expenses and handing her five banknotes for any necessary purchases.

Qin Wanru understood the Old Madam’s concerns—she feared that Lady Di might cause trouble again. Qin Wanru herself was uneasy about Lady Di’s temperament and had intended to visit Shui Ruolan even if the Old Madam hadn’t mentioned it.

The manor near Jingxin Convent was not large but now bustled with activity. Bright red double-happiness characters hung at the entrance, signaling an imminent wedding. Curious villagers gathered in small groups outside, eager for gossip about this sudden celebration.

As Qin Wanru’s carriage approached, she saw people pointing and whispering. Some, bolder than others, moved closer to get a better look inside.

Alighting from the carriage with Qingyue’s help, Qin Wanru drew gasps from those present.

“Who is that young lady? She’s so beautiful—like a fairy come to earth,” one whispered.

“That must be Second Miss Qin,” another said, his voice carrying, drawing Qin Wanru’s attention. She glimpsed a man in his thirties, dressed plainly as a villager, thin and a little sly. When their eyes met, he quickly looked away.

Ignoring the man, Qin Wanru entered with Qingyue.

“Second Miss Qin? Which family’s second miss?” someone asked quietly, unable to place her. The surname Qin was not uncommon in Jiangzhou, and all households bearing it were considered wealthy—be it the General’s estate or another. Any daughter from such a family would be addressed as ‘Miss.’

“She’s the second miss of General Ningyuan’s estate!” the same man declared. A cold smile touched Qin Wanru’s lips. Though she had walked the streets before, she was never as favored as Qin Yuru and thus seldom went out. For a villager to recognize her so easily and with such certainty, while acting so suspiciously, seemed odd.

“She’s the one who smashed the bridal sedan…” the man continued, and suddenly many understood, exclaiming in realization.

Inside the courtyard, Qin Wanru signaled for the gates to be closed but did not leave. She stood her ground.

“Isn’t that the second miss of the Qin family? I wonder what drama she’s going to stir up now. Perhaps she’s hoping to remarry the magistrate’s eldest son?” The man’s provocative words carried through the door, easily heard by Qin Wanru.

Her rosy lips curled into a frosty smile.

“No way!”

“Impossible. That engagement was dissolved, wasn’t it?” Others questioned, remembering the scandal that had swept through Jiangzhou, a story even the villagers had heard.

“Just wait and see! There’ll be another spectacle—maybe she’ll smash the bridal sedan again!” the man crowed.

He went on with more slanderous remarks, making Qingyue’s face turn livid. “Miss, shall I go teach him a lesson for his insolence?”

“Good. Take the two women at the gate with you,” Qin Wanru replied with a faint smile, her eyes glinting coldly.

“Yes, Miss!” Qingyue was delighted by the ready approval, quickly gathering the two burly women who had just closed the gate, each hefting a thick staff.

The courtyard doors flew open. Qingyue strode out, turning directly toward the man. The two women followed, staffs in hand, their presence startling the onlookers into silence.

Qin Wanru stepped to the threshold, watching coldly.

The man shrank back, trying to hide among the crowd, but Qingyue was intent on him. She marched up and delivered a resounding slap. “Smashed the bridal sedan? You want to see it happen again, or are you just here to stir up trouble?”

“Hey, why are you hitting people!” the man spluttered, clutching his reddening face. Recovering, he lashed out, aiming to strike Qingyue back.

But Qingyue had already retreated. The two women advanced, raising their staffs high, and the man, cowed, dared not resist.

“Who are you to spread such slander? Were you sent here to make mischief?” Qingyue’s voice was cold and commanding, echoing Qin Wanru’s recent assertiveness.

“You little maid, what nonsense!” the man barked. “Everyone’s just gossiping—why single us out? Does the General’s estate forbid anyone to speak?”

He was clearly here to incite trouble, turning his own actions into a grievance for the crowd and setting the estate at odds with the people—hardly the work of a simple villager. Qin Wanru smiled coldly, content to let events unfold. Whatever lay beneath this incident, now was not the moment for it to erupt.

She would expose it now, catching them off guard.

“Others are merely watching, but you slander our estate. Who sent you? How dare you try to ruin our family’s marriage?” Qingyue sneered, stepping closer. “Who gave you such nerve?”

Her words were sharp, raising the stakes to a confrontation with the estate itself. The other villagers, wary, edged away, leaving the man standing alone.

“You… you’re talking nonsense! I was just here for the spectacle—there’s nothing more to it!” The man grew anxious as his would-be cover melted away, his protest turning desperate.

“Watching is one thing, but you came to instigate trouble. Your intentions are malicious. If the General’s estate finds further fault with you… you’ll answer for both crimes!” Qingyue warned with a cold laugh, turning back toward Qin Wanru. The two women followed.

Qin Wanru’s eyes lingered on the man, noting his sudden pallor and panic—worse than after Qingyue’s slap. She understood at once.

She and Qingyue returned inside.

Shui Ruolan, already informed of the disturbance, sent for her at once.

The main room was festooned with red silk and double-happiness characters. Shui Ruolan, though not dressed in bright red, wore a water-blue gown embroidered with red patterns, making her look several years younger.

“Wanru, did something happen?” she asked anxiously, pulling Qin Wanru close and searching her face for signs of distress. Only when reassured did she relax.

Word of the scene at the gate had already reached her.