“A graceful woman stirs a gentleman’s heart. My affection for Yaoyue runs deep, and it was only natural that I acted on such feelings. It’s human nature.” Qin Fan forced himself to speak with composure, trying to justify his actions with a touch of poetic flair to save face.
Bian Suwen seemed like she was about to say something else, but Mu Nanzhi suddenly looked over with surprise in her eyes. “I didn’t expect this… turns out your eldest sister is from the same sect as me.”
Their conversation was already revealing enough, and Mu Nanzhi wasn’t slow. She could easily piece things together from what she heard.
“Yaoyue’s also in Qingling. You two should get to know each other more,” Qin Fan quickly changed the topic, then turned to Mu Nanzhi with a concerned look. “Nanzhi, your complexion looks pale. You seem unwell. As your teacher, I’m well-versed in medicine. Why don’t I check your pulse?”
As soon as he said that, Mu Nanzhi’s body visibly flinched. Her face, already pale, lost even more color.
Bian Suwen, knowing the truth and understanding Mu Nanzhi’s unease, immediately stepped in. “I’m a physician, too. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”
Qin Fan gave her a curious glance. “And you are?”
“Current Valley Master of Yunxian Valley. Bian Suwen,” she replied flatly.
Qin Fan had lived secluded in the mountains for ten years, knowing little about the outside world. He was tempted to say he never heard of her, but instead he smiled politely and said, “Ah, I’ve heard much about you.”
After addressing her, he turned back to Mu Nanzhi and said sincerely, “Since someone else is treating you, I won’t insist. But your fate is reaching a critical point, and as your master, I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
“I don’t want to leave Qingling for now,” Mu Nanzhi interrupted calmly.
“I understand. I won’t force you,” Qin Fan nodded. “But wait here a moment. I’ll craft a peace amulet for you. Keep it on you, and it will ward off misfortune.”
Mu Nanzhi’s expression softened slightly. “Thank you, Master.”
She assumed he meant well and didn’t see any reason to reject his offer.
“Just wait a little. I’ll be right back.”
Qin Fan nodded with a smile, pulled his hat down low, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then quietly left.
Not long after, he returned with a red cloth charm tied with a red string in his hand.
“This peace amulet will bring fortune and keep disaster away. Wear it close, and you won’t have to worry about misfortune taking hold.” He handed it to her with a solemn look.
Mu Nanzhi accepted it with both hands, nodded at him respectfully, and quietly thanked him.
As she did, a faint flicker of satisfaction flashed through Qin Fan’s eyes. Inside that peace amulet, he had hidden a colorless, scentless sedative. Once worn, it would gradually cause fatigue, the effects lasting two or three days.
Mu Nanzhi was already low on energy. Even if she felt tired, she wouldn’t think anything of it and would likely rest quietly instead of wandering around. That meant she would miss her fate encounter, and his goal would be achieved.
As for whether Bian Suwen might notice? Qin Fan already accounted for that. The drug inside was one of his secret blends, undetectable by smell or taste. No matter how skilled she was, she wouldn’t notice anything wrong.
“Then I’ll take my leave,” Qin Fan said quickly, worried that staying longer might raise suspicions.
“Take care, Master,” Mu Nanzhi replied.
He smiled and was just about to turn and go, but after taking one step, he paused and looked back at Bian Suwen. “What happened really wasn’t what it looked like. I hope you can explain it to your sister for me… would that be alright?”
“If you want to explain, why don’t you go yourself?” she shot back with a faint sneer.
Qin Fan’s expression stiffened. If Tantai Yaoyue was willing to see him, would he even need to ask Bian Suwen?
He tried calling her the very next day to explain, but she never picked up. What else could he do?
“She refuses to see me. I’m only asking you to pass on the message. Please?”
“Fine. I’ll tell her,” Bian Suwen answered almost too easily.
Her attitude changed so quickly that Qin Fan instantly sensed her brushing him off. Still, to avoid conflict, he didn’t expose her.
“Then thank you.”
With that, he gave a polite nod and walked away, heading back toward his mansion, though his thoughts remained preoccupied with how to apologize to Dantai Yaoyue.
Bian Suwen clearly couldn’t be relied on. As a woman, she probably couldn’t understand the reasoning behind what happened either. If it were another man, maybe they’d relate, maybe even agree.
That thought suddenly brought someone to mind. A glint of hope flashed across his weary face as he took out his phone and made a call.
Meanwhile, Bian Suwen brought Mu Nanzhi back to the hotel and helped her reapply her medicine. She couldn’t help but feel pained watching her friend suffer like this.
Whoever the bastard was that had hurt her so badly, if she found out who it was, she swore she’ll chop him up on the spot to avenge her best friend.
As Bian Suwen’s thoughts ran wild, Mu Nanzhi had already gotten dressed and was about to hang the peace amulet around her neck.
“You really trust your master?” Bian Suwen asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
She didn’t buy the idea that a little charm could ward off some vague misfortune.
“My master is skilled in divination. It might work. Besides… I don’t think he’d want to hurt me,” Mu Nanzhi answered, though her voice lacked conviction.
“You can’t judge someone just by their face. Who knows what’s going on in his mind? But whatever. If you want to wear it, that’s your choice.” Because of her eldest sister’s matter, Bian Suwen had developed a pretty bad opinion of Qin Fan and didn’t hold back her sarcasm.
Her words made Mu Nanzhi’s hand freeze halfway through putting on the charm.
Bian Suwen had reminded her of something important.
Mu Nanzhi rarely doubted those close to her. But it had only been a day since Tianjizi betrayed her. That wound was still fresh.
If even someone she trusted as much as Tianjizi could deceive her, could she really be certain that her seemingly caring master meant no harm?
In fact, if she were honest, she always trusted Tianjizi more than Qin Fan.
And Tianjizi still lied to her.
What about Qin Fan, then?
Without hesitation, Mu Nanzhi removed the charm from around her neck and tossed it into the nearby trash can. Then she looked to Bian Suwen and asked seriously, “How’s that thing going?”
“Shao Wanwan has been in Qingling for quite a while now. Since she hasn’t left, I doubt she will anytime soon,” Bian Suwen replied after thinking for a moment. “I’ve already contacted an intelligence network to track her down. It shouldn’t be long before we have her location.”
Thanks to her medical practice, Bian Suwen had helped many people over the years, earning herself a wide web of connections, including some powerful figures in underground intelligence circles.
She had already reached out last night after discussing things with Mu Nanzhi, and the intel group responded swiftly, accepting the job on the spot.
Mu Nanzhi had been too exhausted and had fallen asleep before learning the outcome, so she hadn’t heard the result until now.
Hearing the answer, her eyes sharpened, and she gave Bian Suwen a firm nod.
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