Ye’er?
Thinking of Liang Xiu’s identity, Wen Ninghan recalled her son—Wen Congyan’s only son. His name seemed to be Wen Ye.
Wen Ninghan had never met Wen Ye, as the young master was born after she left the Wen family. He was still young, in poor health, and seemed to be only six years old this year.
But no matter how you looked at it, he was Wen Congyan’s only son. Even if something had happened, would Liang Xiu really come to beg Wen Ninghan, who had just returned to the Wen family, for help?
Wen Ninghan couldn’t make sense of it, but her expression remained calm. “Xiu Mama, you’re joking. This is the Duke of Yong’an’s residence. Wen Ye is my father’s only son. If something were to happen to him, you should be asking my father for help, not me, someone who’s just returned home. What kind of misunderstanding makes you think coming to me would be more useful than going to my father? Or does Xiu Mama believe that in this manor, my words carry more weight than my father’s?”
This was completely unreasonable.
“Moreover, he is my father’s son. What could there possibly be that my father cannot handle? Why would you want me to go over my father and help you instead?”
He wasn’t even her son.
The only thing Wen Ninghan could think of was that Wen Ye’s health was poor and required further treatment. From the details she had heard, it was likely a congenital issue, something she could indeed treat. But what confused her was why Xiu Mama would come to her. Surely, Xiu Mama couldn’t have known she had medical skills in advance, could she?
That would be terrifying.
Qin Rongxi, while peeling melon seeds, chimed in, “Exactly. You can’t just shout out like that and expect my Xiao Jiu to step in for you. Do you think our young lady is easy to fool, or do you think I’m an idiot?”
“Young Master Qin…” Xiu Mama stammered.
“Alright, Seventh Brother, your gruff demeanor is scaring her.”
“I’m not being gruff! Am I not allowed to speak the truth?!”
Wen Ninghan ignored the noisy Qin Rongxi and looked at Xiu Mama with a smile. “Xiu Mama, my patience is limited, truly.”
“Yes…” Xiu Mama quickly nodded. “Please don’t be upset, young lady. I was just too anxious… Young lady,” Xiu Mama glanced at Qin Rongxi, still appearing worried and fearful, “my family runs a business, and we have our own sources of information. For the past few years, I’ve been searching for a way to treat Ye’er’s condition, and the most likely solution is finding the divine doctor, Yu Changsheng.”
Wen Ninghan: Oh dear.
The fact that Xiu Mama mentioned the divine doctor, Yu Changsheng, in front of her meant that she really did know something—though Wen Ninghan wasn’t sure how much she knew.
Wen Ninghan kept her expression neutral, casually handing Qin Rongxi a plate of melon seeds, signaling for him to continue peeling. As for herself, she began enjoying the ones Qin Rongxi had already peeled, in a good mood.
Qin Rongxi: “…” What could he do? He had indulged her, so of course, he could only keep indulging her.
“Xiu Mama, please continue. We’re all listening,” Wen Ninghan said.
Xiu Mama: “…” She felt like the reaction wasn’t quite right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“The last confirmed news about the divine doctor, Yu Changsheng, is that he’s in Jiangnan, and he’s treating the Fifth Young Master of the Qin family, the incredibly talented one,” Xiu Mama continued.
It had to be said, Xiu Mama’s so-called information channels were quite reliable. Even in Jiangnan, not many people would know that the doctor treating Qin Kaihai was the legendary divine doctor, Yu Changsheng.
“Ye’er’s health has been examined by the imperial physician, and even though they have used the best medicine, there is no concrete solution. The imperial physician told the marquis that with Ye’er’s condition, he likely won’t survive to adulthood…” At this point, Xiu Mama’s voice grew choked with emotion.
If what Xiu Mama said was true, Wen Ninghan could understand.
“The marquis knows… although he hasn’t said it outright over the years, and the supplements haven’t stopped, I’m very clear that the marquis has long since given up on Ye’er… but I can’t. He’s my only child… Miss!”
As she spoke, Xiu Mama suddenly grew agitated again. “Miss, the Qin family’s Young Master, I’m not asking to find the divine doctor, I just—just want the chance to discuss things with Master Han Jiu!”
Qin Rongxi: Pfft…
Master Han Jiu.
The name had a peculiar kind of magic, at least when Qin Rongxi heard it, he couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Even Wen Ninghan’s expression became quite strange.
Not for any particular reason, but because they were, in fact, very familiar with Master Han Jiu.
Wen Ninghan and Qin Rongxi exchanged a glance, both seeing the awkwardness and teasing amusement in each other’s eyes.
Xiu Mama’s ability to access such information was certainly impressive. However, as for the news about the divine doctor, Yu Changsheng—well, that could be dismissed. The connection between Master Han Jiu and the Qin family was well-known, especially in Jiangnan and Yancheng, where most people were aware of it.
And those who understood the intricacies of the situation the best were, naturally, the Qin family members themselves.
Wen Ninghan lowered her gaze, having eaten too many melon seeds and feeling the taste lingering. She gently sipped her tea, savoring it quietly.
According to rumors, after the young lady of the Marquis of Yong’an’s household was taken away by her mother’s family, the Qin family, she had been kept secluded—never leaving the house. In reality, it wasn’t like that at all. With the Qin family’s indulgence, she had enjoyed quite a free life in Jiangnan, and Master Han Jiu was actually one of the identities Wen Ninghan used when moving around.
She never expected that Xiu Mama would come to her, and the person she was ultimately looking for was actually herself.
“There are rumors in Jiangnan that Master Han Jiu is highly likely to be the direct disciple of the divine doctor, Yu Changsheng, and his medical skills are extraordinary. If we can find Master Han Jiu, Ye’er might have a chance at survival,” Xiu Mama said, unable to hold back her tears any longer.
Tears silently rolled down her fair, delicate face, adding to the sincerity of her words.
“Even if… even if it’s just to let Ye’er live a few more years…”
Her child, such a well-behaved child, had grown up surrounded by medicine since a young age, yet he had never complained of pain or hardship. Watching him, eyes filled with tears, it was always that child who tried to comfort her. Every time she saw him staring longingly out the window at the sky, only to slowly quiet down when he noticed her, her heart would break as if it were shattering.
“This isn’t such a big deal,” Wen Ninghan spoke calmly.
No matter what Xiu Mama’s intentions were, the child was truly innocent. As long as it was something she could actually do, Wen Ninghan didn’t mind helping the child. However, the premise was that she needed to assess whether the child was worth the risk of exposing herself in advance.
“Miss!”
“If I can get in touch with Master Han Jiu, I will pass along the message. Given the Qin family’s connection, he likely won’t mind making this trip.”
Wen Ninghan didn’t say everything explicitly—she only mentioned that if she could get in touch with Master Han Jiu… Xiu Mama must have run out of other options to come to her directly. After all, with her identity as the young miss, once Master Han Jiu was involved, he would have to disappear.
Xiu Mama probably hadn’t even considered that coming to Wen Ninghan was the wisest choice she could have made.
After receiving Wen Ninghan’s assurance, Xiu Mama was deeply grateful. She didn’t linger any longer, saying she would wait for Wen Ninghan’s news. She left after leaving behind the prepared gift, bidding her farewell.
Qin Rongxi looked at the pile of newly arrived boxes, a little surprised. “I didn’t expect there to be such sensible people in this marquis’ household.”
Wen Ninghan shook her head. She hadn’t met Xiu Mama yet, so she couldn’t really make a judgment. But from what she knew so far, if what Xiu Mama said was true, then in this marquis’ household, it was indeed a clever move.
“Miss! Miss!” Zhi Xin ran in excitedly, her eyebrows practically flying off her face. ” Qingtuan1Qingtuan” (青团) is a type of traditional Chinese pastry, typically associated with the Qingming Festival, but it can also be enjoyed year-round. is here! Sister Qingtuan is here!”
Behind her, a soft female voice floated in: “Zhi Xin, where are your manners?”
Hearing that voice, Zhi Xin immediately stopped in her tracks, quickly regaining her composure and becoming more restrained, but her pace remained quick as she entered the courtyard. Her expression still showed excitement. “Miss! Sister Qingtuan is here.”
Aside from that, hearing Zhi Xin’s calls, and with nothing else to do for the moment, the other maids who had just arrived at the courtyard on their first day suddenly realized, upon hearing the name “Qingtuan,” that perhaps the names the young lady had let them choose for themselves were all related to “snacks”?
It felt a bit strange, but it was hard to say anything about it.
Qingtuan was a woman of simple, delicate appearance, almost plain, yet her posture was upright and her movements carried an air of authority. She looked nothing like a maidservant—more like a lady of the household.
Especially her eyes, which were clear and bright, giving off the impression of being deep and unfathomable at first glance.
As she breathed, Qingtuan had already approached Wen Ninghan, gracefully lowering herself in a bow. “This servant, Qingtuan, greets the young lady, and also greets the Seventh Young Master.”
“Qingtuan, you’ve had a long journey. Why didn’t you rest a few more days before coming? Have you finished everything you needed to do?” Wen Ninghan greeted her with a smile, then turned to Qin Rongxi, whose expression was less than pleasant. “Seventh Brother, since Qingtuan has already come, you don’t need to stay here at the Wen household. You’re clearly not happy here. You’d be better off going to the capital and visiting other places.”
“I don’t…” Qin Rongxi, though aware that staying at the Wen family wouldn’t bring him peace of mind—every member there seemed capable of riling him up—still responded, “Don’t worry, I won’t stay long. Just observing for a couple of days. Fifth Uncle insisted I stay, so don’t think you can get rid of me so easily.”
“Of course I won’t try to chase you away, Seventh Brother. But there’s still something I need your help with!”
“What’s the matter? Come, come, tell me all about it,”
Wen Ninghan looked at Qingtuan.
Qingtuan nodded, speaking in a calm tone, “I’ve mostly finished with my tasks. When I heard that the young miss had arrived at the marquis residence, I tidied up and came over right away.” She glanced at Zhixin, her meaning clear. “Zhixin is young, and the situation here in the marquis residence… the capital is complicated. I just couldn’t rest easy.”
If anyone else had said that, Zhixin would have protested. But since it was Qingtuan speaking, Zhixin could only pout in silence, silently acknowledging the concern.
“Seventh Young Master, there are some matters that, due to my position, I am unable to handle directly, so I must trouble you,” Qingtuan said.
“Hmm? There’s something even Sister Qingtuan can’t solve?” Qin Rongxi raised an eyebrow, surprised.
At the mention of “Sister Qingtuan” Qingtuan’s usually steady expression faltered for a brief moment before she quickly regained her composure. “What the young lady means is that the Marquis of Yong’an’s legitimate daughter returning to the capital may not be something the family wants others to know. However, if it’s the young master of the Qin family traveling through the capital, making connections, and letting the news slip, that would be entirely a different matter.”
Qin Rongxi clicked his tongue. “Tsk, Qingtuan, you’ve learned to talk in circles from Second Uncle. You just want me to spread some rumors, right? Just say it directly.”
Qingtuan curved her lips into a smile. “Spreading rumors is secondary. What the young miss means is that she wants Seventh Young Master to make more connections in the capital. The more friends you have, the more opportunities you’ll have.”
“Got it, got it!” Qin Rongxi waved his hand dismissively. “I’ll stay here these two days, accompanying Xiao Jiu, and observe the situation. In a couple of days, I’ll go out and find someone to drink with.”
Wen Ninghan smiled, her lips curving slightly.
With Qin Rongxi’s straightforward and efficient personality, it’s likely he will quickly blend into the unique circles of the capital.
After all, the young masters of the capital possess influence and power that ordinary people can hardly imagine!
