Chapter 72: Inquiring About the Residence of a Distinguished Guest in the Capital

“If you truly wish to study medicine, then show some sincerity!” The Abbess of Still Heart spoke, her lips curling into a subtle, meaningful smile as she glanced at Qin Wanru. Then, closing her eyes, she began to finger the prayer beads in her hand and recite sutras, as if she had no intention of conversing further.

It was clear she did not wish to speak with Qin Wanru any longer.

A nun entered, respectfully folding her hands in front of Qin Wanru. “Second Miss Qin, please!”

Qin Wanru looked at the Abbess, who appeared deeply engrossed in meditation, and could only bid her farewell with resignation.

Outside, Qingyue hurried after her, unable to hide her concern. “Miss, what did you want to see the Abbess for?”

“It’s nothing,” Qin Wanru paused at the threshold, shook her head, yet did not leave. Her gaze drifted toward the slope below, where she could vaguely make out a patch of grass; if she stepped a few paces further, she would surely see the corner of a thatched cottage.

Qingyue saw it as well and was about to speak, but Qin Wanru silenced her with a gentle smile. Turning away, her watery eyes narrowed slightly—so the Abbess wanted to see her sincerity?

The medical books on the table—her own medical books? Two clearly matching volumes? What could this signify?

Suddenly, a spark of insight flashed in her mind. The medical books on the desk must be the key. After she inquired about the second volume, the Abbess's attitude noticeably softened—was this an acknowledgment?

But the Abbess’s approval alone was not enough; Qin Wanru’s aim was to apprentice herself to Master Mingqiu, whose skills surpassed even the Abbess. She must also win Master Mingqiu’s acceptance.

All the way back to her chamber, Qin Wanru pondered this issue. Once seated, her brows knit together as she remembered that the medical book had been forcibly taken by Chu Liuchen.

Where was the elusive Chu Liuchen? He could find her easily, but for her to locate him was another matter entirely.

How could she summon him? That was the most pressing concern. Was he still within her family’s estate? Qin Wanru could not be certain.

After some thought, she decided to speak with her grandmother. If anyone in the household knew of Chu Liuchen’s whereabouts, it was surely the old lady.

When Qin Wanru arrived, the old lady’s medicine had just finished brewing. Taking the bowl from a young maid, Qin Wanru sat at the bedside table, carefully cooling the liquid before feeding her grandmother spoonful by spoonful. Once the medicine was finished, the maid took the bowl, and Qin Wanru gently wiped her grandmother’s lips with a handkerchief.

“Grandmother, where is Aunt Shui? Why isn’t she here?” Qin Wanru put down the handkerchief and curiously glanced around. Normally, Shui Ruolan would be present at this hour.

“I sent her down the mountain to make preparations!” the old lady replied with a cheerful smile, her voice much less hoarse than before.

“At such a time?” Qin Wanru asked casually, then her eyes brightened as she grabbed her grandmother’s hand in delight. “Is Aunt Shui getting married into the family?”

“Yes, your father has agreed. It will be within these few days. I have nothing pressing here, and Zhuozhuo is with me. So I let her go to make arrangements. It must be a proper marriage, even if it’s a bit rushed. The ceremony cannot be neglected. I was worried Aunt Shui might not know all the customs, so I sent Nanny Duan with her,” the old lady explained.

She smiled and patted Qin Wanru’s hand, her tone gentle. “From now on, you’ll follow Aunt Shui. Let her protect you. Grandmother used to be able to shelter you, but I’m getting old, and if... Your future marriage may be manipulated by others, leading to a lifetime of hardship. I dare not be careless!”

Qin Wanru bowed her head slightly, hiding the cold gleam in her eyes. In her previous life, her marriage had been controlled by Lady Di. Because of an incident in Jiangzhou, her engagement was canceled, set anew, canceled again—three times in total. Even a girl of good reputation would be ruined by such turmoil, let alone one whose name had been destroyed at its root.

Lady Di, acting as her mother, had manipulated her marriage until no one would wed her. She was eventually sent to the Left Prime Minister’s manor under the pretense of bringing good fortune.

“Grandmother, with Aunt Shui here this time, you may rest assured. With Aunt Shui and myself, we will surely be dutiful and filial. You will live a long life!” Qin Wanru looked up, her face aglow with a gentle smile, holding her grandmother’s hand with an expression of sincere devotion that brought a trace of moisture to the old lady’s eyes.

Such a sensible child—how could Lady Di have been so cruel?

“Grandmother, are we going back to the capital soon?” Qin Wanru blinked her long lashes and asked with a smile.

“Zhuozhuo is clever. Yes, it should be soon. Your father's transfer order is expected any day now,” the old lady nodded, smiling again. At least things weren’t too bad at present. Entrusting Zhuozhuo to Ruolan’s care was reassuring; though Ruolan’s status was slightly lower than Lady Di’s, she was a legitimate wife and could protect Zhuozhuo.

“Someone from the capital brought word?” Qin Wanru shook her grandmother’s hand, teasingly asking, her large dark eyes making the old lady’s heart ache.

“Don’t worry, Zhuozhuo, the news is true!” The old lady thought Qin Wanru simply wished to leave Jiangzhou after all the troubles and sought to comfort her.

“Why are you so sure, Grandmother? Is it really someone from the capital?” Qin Wanru blinked merrily.

“Yes!” The old lady laughed, stroking her head. Even though Qin Wanru wasn’t her biological granddaughter, she felt pain deep in her bones for the child. Beautiful and adorable, she was occasionally mischievous but always measured, never malicious.

“Who was it, Grandmother? Tell me, who brought the news? The Yongkang Marquis’s household?” Qin Wanru asked with innocent charm.

Seeing her childish curiosity, the old lady chuckled, “Not just the Yongkang Marquis’s household. Another influential figure from the capital also brought word.”

Because of Lady Di, the old lady held no special fondness for the Yongkang Marquis’s family.

“Someone from the capital? Are they staying in our estate?” Today, Qin Wanru was especially inquisitive, determined to get to the bottom of things, her manner utterly childlike and guileless.

“They stayed for a while, but have left now,” the old lady replied vaguely, unwilling to disclose such important information to a child.

Qin Wanru’s heart skipped a beat, her face paling. Had he truly left at such a critical moment?

“Where did they go, Grandmother? Did that person from the capital return home?” Qin Wanru blinked, her long lashes almost brushing her grandmother’s palm.

“No, I heard they're at the manor. I don’t know the details. That’s your father’s business—not for a little girl to worry about!” The old lady tapped her forehead gently, scolding her with a smile.

The old lady only knew as much because Qin Huaiyong had let slip a hint, but she was unaware of Chu Liuchen’s true identity.

Though her words were admonishing, her tone and actions were gentle, having no effect on Qin Wanru. She continued to dote and play innocent, chatting for a while longer until the old lady showed signs of fatigue, and then withdrew.

Outside, she quietly instructed several maids and matrons to attend to the old lady properly before leaving.

Chu Liuchen had come to her room the previous night and left early this morning. Was the so-called manor near Still Heart Abbey?

She suddenly recalled her father owned a manor in this area. Whenever she accompanied her grandmother to recuperate at the abbey, her father would stay overnight at the nearby estate.

“Qingyue, when Father was late at Still Heart Abbey, do you know where he spent the night?” Qin Wanru asked, thinking aloud.

Once, her father had been late, and Qingyue had seen him off from the abbey.

“I know, Miss. The general rested at one of our family’s manors. I asked his attendant later—they said the general stayed at a manor behind the mountain,” Qingyue replied as she walked with Qin Wanru.

“Do you know the way?” Relief flooded Qin Wanru’s heart. As long as Chu Liuchen had not left, all would be well.

“I know it somewhat, but not in full. Usually, after seeing the general off at the abbey’s back mountain path, I’d see a courtyard in the distance, but I’m not sure if that’s the one,” Qingyue explained carefully. She had not accompanied the general all the way to the courtyard; he’d had her stop far off.

“Let’s go and have a look!” Qin Wanru made up her mind, changing direction toward the back mountain of Still Heart Abbey.

She didn’t know why Chu Liuchen had come to Jiangzhou, nor when he might leave. If he truly departed, where would she find him? The medical book was crucial to her studies—she must not lose it.

“Yes, Miss! I’ll scout ahead. Please wait behind!” Qingyue nodded, hurried ahead, leading the way. She didn’t know what Qin Wanru intended, but since her mistress had spoken, Qingyue obeyed without question. Her faith in Qin Wanru was absolute.

The mistress and maid made their way to the back mountain, following a narrow path Qingyue recalled, through the woods, until they saw a courtyard in the distance.

The manor’s courtyard was not large, calm and unassuming, its walls no higher than those at Still Heart Abbey. As Qin Wanru approached the door, she even saw several strings of smoked meat hanging under the beams, much like a common household preparing for the New Year.

The only discordant note in this rustic scene was the beautiful youth in a bright red brocade robe.

He lounged on the sole sandalwood recliner in the courtyard, eyes closed, rocking the chair with an air of leisure. Beside him lay a book—one Qin Wanru recognized instantly as the medical text he had snatched from her hands.

His features were elegant, exuding a refined grace. Yet the vibrant red robe lent an inexplicable richness, making him seem all the more noble—a blend of enchanting allure and pure sophistication, perfectly harmonious, as if he were born to embody such a presence.

“Have you finished staring? If so, come in!” Chu Liuchen spoke without opening his eyes, as if he knew someone was at the door.