Chapter 78: Laying Plans—One Thing After Another

“I’m quite all right!” Qin Wanru smiled and shook her head, reassuring her. “Grandmother asked me to come by and see how things were coming along here—do you still need anything? If anything’s lacking, go and get it. Grandmother says she wants you to marry into the General’s estate with honor and splendor; she doesn’t want you to suffer the slightest grievance.”

As she spoke, Qin Wanru took out several banknotes Grandmother had given her, placing them all in Shui Ruolan’s hands without hesitation. “Aunt Shui, Grandmother was worried you might not have enough money, so she asked me to bring you some more.”

Looking at the silver notes in her hands, Shui Ruolan’s nose stung with emotion. She knew this was Grandmother’s private savings again. Over the years, Grandmother had treated her with the utmost devotion, as if she were her own daughter.

“Aunt Shui, if anything isn’t right, have Madam Duan immediately come back and tell us—after all, this isn’t the estate,” Qin Wanru reminded her with a twinkle in her clear eyes.

Shui Ruolan’s expression softened, though a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. She was no fool and understood Qin Wanru’s meaning. She nodded. “Don’t worry, Wanru. If anything happens, I won’t try to handle it alone!”

Hearing this, Qin Wanru relaxed. She’d been afraid Shui Ruolan would misjudge and miss her chance—regretting it when it was too late.

With everything settled, Qin Wanru chatted with Shui Ruolan a little longer before signaling Madam Duan with a glance and taking her leave.

Madam Duan followed her out.

“Madam Duan, help me find out who that man was at the gate—the one Qingyue slapped. And have someone keep a close watch on him,” Qin Wanru instructed in a low voice as they stood beneath the gallery. That shifty man was highly suspicious. If she hadn’t noticed him earlier, he would have slipped away!

Knowing the gravity of the matter, Madam Duan nodded at once, sent someone to investigate, and soon returned with information about the man.

“He’s a local rascal, never does honest work. He’s got an elderly mother at home. He married once, but his wife ran off with someone else when she couldn’t stand his idleness. The people he associates with are all unsavory types—no one would call him decent.”

Madam Duan reported what she’d learned to Qin Wanru.

“Where does this rascal usually hang about?” Qin Wanru asked, picking up a fallen red maple leaf from the path and gazing at a torn hole in the leaf.

“I hear he’s mostly around the neighboring villages. He does pretty well here—everyone in the area knows him, and he has a bit of standing in the hamlets.” Madam Duan was meticulous, and she’d prepared for these questions when she set someone to inquire.

“He doesn’t spend his time in Jiangzhou City?”

“No, not in the city. There are plenty of rascals in Jiangzhou, but he’s not even notable enough to mix with them. He’s better off sticking to his own turf. It’s just enough to keep from starving. But in the past few days, he’s suddenly come into money.”

Madam Duan frowned as she spoke, sensing that something was amiss.

“When did this start?” Qin Wanru arched her brows, her delicate face faintly smiling as she realized the truth.

“Last night. He brought plenty of food home for his mother and also called over a few of his usual cronies for a lavish meal.”

Madam Duan, who’d seen her share of trouble, sensed the implications even as she answered. “Second Miss, do you think there’s something wrong with this rascal? Why did he suddenly come into money just when Miss Shui is about to be married here? What’s he up to, inviting all those good-for-nothings to feast?”

The more one thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

“I just wanted to see what kind of man would dare stir up trouble at the General’s estate, trying to splash dirty water on us. Madam Duan, should we tell Grandmother?” Qin Wanru bit her rosy lips, looking troubled—the very picture of a naive, anxious girl.

She twirled the maple leaf in her hand, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully.

“Let’s not alarm the Old Madam just yet. I’ll have someone keep a close watch on him and make sure no mischief happens on the big day,” Madam Duan replied after some thought.

Before anything was certain, Madam Duan felt it best not to disturb the Old Madam. If it turned out to be a false alarm or there was no proof, it would only worry her unnecessarily.

“Thank you, Madam Duan. If you discover anything more, be sure to let Grandmother or Father know,” Qin Wanru said, looking up at her and repeating her instructions.

Madam Duan was steady and careful, but this was a matter of great importance—there could be no mistakes.

“Rest assured, Second Miss,” Madam Duan replied, now visibly grave, clearly taking the matter to heart after Qin Wanru’s repeated reminders.

Qin Wanru lifted the leaf to her eye, looking through the torn hole to the sky above. The sky was vast, but through the jagged edge of the leaf, she could only see a small patch. That must be what they mean by “a leaf can block the eye from seeing the mountain.” Her lips curled in a faint, icy smile—here, she was not the only one whose vision was obscured.

With everything arranged, Qin Wanru didn’t linger. She went inside to bid Shui Ruolan farewell, then returned to the Jingxin Nunnery with Qingyue, waiting calmly for Madam Duan’s news.

Neither she nor Madam Duan mentioned Lady Di, but both understood in their hearts that if something changed, Lady Di’s hand was surely behind it.

The following days passed peacefully for Qin Wanru. She spent her mornings learning medicine from Abbess Jingqiu, and in the afternoons kept Grandmother company, chatting and helping her relax.

With the experience from her previous life, she learned new things quickly. Seeing her progress, Abbess Jingqiu skipped the basics and began teaching her acupuncture directly.

Within a few days, Qin Wanru’s hands were covered with tiny puncture marks, especially between her thumb and forefinger—the easiest place to practice. But as a beginner, her unsteady hands left both her pale, tender hands red and swollen.

Grandmother was so distressed she nearly forbade her from learning further, but Qin Wanru was determined. Even when her hands swelled like steamed buns, she endured, always smiling and never complaining. Grandmother could only sigh and let her be.

Fortunately, after the first few awkward tries, Qin Wanru’s technique quickly improved. The swelling on her hands subsided from its original plumpness, especially with the ointment prescribed by Abbess Jingqiu.

Several days slipped by. One afternoon, after chatting with Grandmother, Qin Wanru stepped outside and saw Madam Duan hurrying over, prompting her to stop in her tracks.

“Second Miss!” Madam Duan was breathless, her brow beaded with sweat. Seeing Qin Wanru blocking the courtyard gate, she stopped at once, wiping her forehead in agitation. For some reason, she already regarded Qin Wanru as her anchor.

“Madam Duan, has something happened?” Noticing her anxious state, Qin Wanru beckoned her over, then turned aside and asked in a low voice.

“Second Miss, something really has happened! It’s just what you instructed me to watch for!” Madam Duan’s face was pale as she hurried over and, before even catching her breath, spoke to Qin Wanru in a hushed tone.

“What have you found out?” Qin Wanru’s heart skipped a beat. “Tomorrow is supposed to be Aunt Shui and Father’s wedding day—does it involve tomorrow?”

The wedding was a major event, and nothing could go wrong. Both Grandmother and Qin Wanru were to descend the mountain for the occasion.

“I heard that those rascals are plotting to smash the bridal sedan chair—just like… what you did at the estate gates the other day,” Madam Duan said, wiping the cold sweat from her brow. If this wasn’t such a serious matter, she would never have considered bringing it directly to the Old Madam.

“How dare they?” Qingyue exclaimed angrily. “Don’t they fear the General’s wrath afterward?”

“They said… they said they got the idea from what Second Miss did. They’ll do the same—claiming that since Miss Shui was previously married, she can’t remarry!”

Ever since receiving this news, Madam Duan had been pacing anxiously. If the trouble came from the General’s side, it would be manageable, but if it came from Miss Shui’s former in-laws, it would be a real problem.

Right now, Miss Shui was a widow. If her former in-laws really made a scene—even if the General managed to marry her in the end—both their reputations would be tarnished. The General couldn’t punish her former family, or the scandal would only grow.

“They want to imitate me and smash the bridal sedan?” Qin Wanru laughed. “Madam Duan, is your information reliable?”

“Very reliable. After you left that day, I made sure to assign two people to watch that scoundrel. Both came to the same conclusion. Second Miss, could this be the Lady’s doing?” Madam Duan hesitated but spoke plainly.

Though Second Miss still looked like a child—she was even shorter than herself—Madam Duan felt she was wise beyond her years and saw no harm in confiding in her.

“Don’t bother Grandmother—go to Father! Go down the mountain at once and tell him those rascals are planning to make trouble. He should have them detained ahead of time,” Qin Wanru replied gently but decisively, without a hint of hesitation. “They must be caught tonight to prevent any disturbance tomorrow.”

“But… should we really tell the General with so little evidence? There’s nothing concrete to prove it!” Madam Duan was experienced in the inner quarters but felt uneasy about acting without hard proof.

“Madam Duan, if this breaks out, will it affect Father and Aunt Shui?” Qin Wanru’s little face grew solemn as she asked seriously.

“It will—greatly. Miss Shui may never be able to show her face again, and the General’s reputation would suffer,” Madam Duan replied after some thought.

“It’s more than that. If her former in-laws really stir up trouble and smash the sedan, Aunt Shui’s reputation will be ruined, and she’ll never be able to return to the estate. As for Father, if someone uses this against him, it could even hinder his career!” Qin Wanru’s long lashes fluttered as she sneered.

“With all that at stake, whether or not there’s evidence doesn’t matter. Just tell Father what’s happening—he’ll know what to do.”

In such matters, suspicion alone was enough to warrant decisive action.

Qin Wanru trusted that Qin Huaiyong would have the resolve to deal with it.

Seeing how serious Qin Wanru was, but how calm, Madam Duan’s own nerves settled as well. She nodded. “Second Miss, then I won’t see the Old Madam—I’ll go straight to the General?”

“Yes, hurry there and back, and stay with Aunt Shui. I’ll go down the mountain with Grandmother soon, though I suspect even our descent won’t be simple.” Qin Wanru nodded, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. Since someone had meddled in Shui Ruolan’s wedding, Lady Di would likely not spare Grandmother either.

Lady Di would not let Shui Ruolan marry into the General’s estate so smoothly—she’d strike from both ends, through Aunt Shui and Grandmother.

“Yes, Second Miss, I’ll go now!” Madam Duan knew time was of the essence. She’d originally planned to consult the Old Madam, but Qin Wanru’s words made her realize that would be pointless. She left the Jingxin Nunnery, boarded the small carriage she’d arrived in, and rushed down the mountain.

Qin Wanru made her way to the courtyard where all the carriages were parked. The General’s estate’s carriage was ready and waiting. As she approached, a coachman hurried over and bowed. “Second Miss, when will the Old Madam be coming down the mountain? Everything is ready here!”

“Is everything prepared?” Qin Wanru asked, raising her brows.

“Yes, Second Miss, everything is ready.” The coachman replied respectfully. No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud, sharp crash rang out behind them. Everyone turned in astonishment to see what had happened…