Volume One, Chapter 18: Was Qin Wan Unwilling to Come?

A Genuine Healing Ointment?

Qin Lang was stunned. What did she mean by a genuine healing ointment? How could the one he had sent earlier be fake?

Wan Shuang looked at Qin Lang’s incredulous expression and said again, “Second Young Master, please don’t look at your servant with such disbelief. I am not lying. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the family physician. Then you’ll know whether the ointment I received is genuine or counterfeit! It was because the ointment you sent was fake that Miss’s wound split open immediately after application, bleeding heavily and refusing to stop.”

As Wan Shuang spoke, tears of pain welled up in her eyes. The scene from that day still haunted her mind. She had thought Miss would bleed to death, but fortunately, Miss had endured it.

Judging by Wan Shuang’s demeanor, it didn’t seem like she was lying.

But how could the healing ointment be fake? He had personally retrieved it overnight from the military camp!

Qin Lang’s heart throbbed sharply. No wonder her wound was healing so slowly—because the ointment was counterfeit. Yet why hadn’t she said anything? If she had just spoken up, he would have certainly sought out genuine ointment.

Was it because of the punishment incident that she was holding a grudge and refused to mention the wrong ointment, letting her body remain crippled all this time?

How had she come to be in such a state?

Qin Lang recalled that she used to cry out loud even from minor injuries. Now, why was she silent?

Anger welled up inside him—anger at Qin Wan for keeping quiet, and anger at himself for sending fake medicine.

“If Second Young Master has no other business, please leave. Miss has just taken her medicine and needs to rest!” Wan Shuang helped Qin Wan to lie down, then gestured for Qin Lang to leave.

Qin Lang needed to find out why the ointment he sent turned out to be fake.

At the door, Su Yan’er saw Qin Lang come out, but Qin Wan was not following behind. She knew then that Qin Wan was not going to the opera.

She lifted her skirt and hurried after Qin Lang, who was walking briskly. Seeing his urgency, a flicker of unease rose in her heart.

Suddenly, Qin Lang stopped. Su Yan’er was caught off guard and bumped into his back, her nose stinging.

“Yan’er, Big Brother has reserved a private room at Fan Tower. Third Young Master is already there. When you arrive, someone will lead you inside. The time is almost right, so you should go now.”

Su Yan’er looked puzzled. “Isn’t Big Brother coming too?”

He had just said he wanted to take her to see the Jiangnan opera troupe perform. Was he going back on his word?

Su Yan’er clenched the handkerchief so tightly it was nearly torn. She wanted to watch the opera. She wanted to go with him, not with others.

Qin Lang replied, “I have other matters. You go first; I’ll come later.”

Su Yan’er was no fool. When he said “later,” she knew he probably wouldn’t come at all.

Regret gnawed at her. Why had she stood at the door earlier instead of inside the outer hall? If she had, she might have overheard their conversation and known what Fourth Sister said to Second Brother to make him agree to take her to the opera—and why he now changed his mind.

Her nose stung even more. From the moment she learned that Qin Lang would take her to the opera, she had been full of anticipation, fearful that something might interrupt the outing. And indeed, it was interrupted.

“Second Brother, what’s so urgent? Can’t you listen to the opera first and take care of your business afterward?” Su Yan’er pleaded, her voice quivering with tears.

Her tear-glazed eyes looked up at Qin Lang, stirring a pang of guilt in him. But right now, the most important thing was to find out why the ointment was fake.

“Yan’er, I truly have urgent matters and can’t be with you today.” Qin Lang glanced at his attendant Qing Yan and instructed, “Qing Yan, escort Yan’er to Fan Tower.”

“Yes, sir!”

After giving the order, Qin Lang quickly departed.

His steps were swift, so fast that Su Yan’er barely registered before he disappeared from sight.

“Miss Yan’er, don’t be late. Please go ahead!” Qing Yan urged.

Snapping back to reality, Su Yan’er glanced toward the direction Qin Lang had left, then looked back at Wan Yue Courtyard. Second Brother had only told her he wouldn’t come after leaving Fourth Sister’s room.

This shouldn’t be related to Fourth Sister. It couldn’t be that Fourth Sister had encouraged him not to go!

Su Yan’er tried to convince herself, but the more she did, the more ridiculous it seemed. How could it have nothing to do with her?

A cold glint flashed through Su Yan’er’s eyes—an icy glare reserved for enemies.

Fan Tower.

There was still fifteen minutes before the opera began, but Fan Tower was already packed shoulder to shoulder. The private room had been reserved by Qin Ye using his status as heir apparent; otherwise, there wouldn’t have been one.

Escorted by Qing Yan, Su Yan’er squeezed in from the back and only then exhaled in relief upon entering the private room.

“Your Highness, Third Young Master, Miss Yan’er has arrived. I will now return to find Second Young Master!” Qing Yan said and left.

Qin Ye and Qin Yi were surprised to see only Su Yan’er. Neither Qin Wan nor Qin Lang had appeared, which puzzled them.

“Where’s Second Brother? And why didn’t Qin Wan come?” Qin Yi asked, though he already suspected the answer.

Su Yan’er shook her head. “I went with Second Brother to invite Fourth Sister to the opera, but she didn’t even let us in the door. Second Brother forced his way in. I didn’t hear what they said, but when he came out, he looked very angry. I think Fourth Sister must have been upset that I was coming and didn’t want to join us.”

Su Yan’er took the blame upon herself, but the more she did, the more disgruntled they became.

“Hmph, if she won’t come, then forget her!” Qin Yi snapped. “She’s the one at fault. We invited her with good intentions, and she threw a tantrum. Big Brother had to push aside military affairs and reserved a private room, yet she still won’t show any respect. She’s ungrateful…”

Qin Ye said nothing. Turning, he walked to the terrace of the private room and gazed down at the sea of people below, the clamorous noise only irritating him further.

He had been waiting here for half an hour, doing nothing but thinking about how to mend things with Qin Wan. He regretted slapping her earlier that day. This opera outing was the best chance to make amends.

But she wasn’t giving him the opportunity. She must still be angry about the slap. Yet if she hadn’t said those things, how could he have struck her?

Even if she had been wronged at the birthday banquet, so much time had passed, and he had sent the white jade flute as compensation. Why couldn’t she move on? Why insist on making such a scene?

The more Qin Ye thought, the more vexed he became. Clenching his fists, he struck the railing hard.

“What troubles the Heir of the Pingding Marquis’s Residence, that he vents his anger on the railing?” came a voice from the adjacent terrace.

Qin Ye looked over to see Fifth Prince Xiao Jingyan standing next door.

“Greetings, Fifth Your Highness!” Qin Ye saluted, and those inside the room quickly followed suit.

Though the terraces were separated, only a waist-high railing divided them. Xiao Jingyan waved off their formalities.

“No need for such courtesy, Heir. I am here to watch the opera as well!” He glanced around at the group. “Why aren’t Second Young Master Qin and Fourth Miss Qin here together?”