Chapter 41 – Message: How Do You Know?
When Mu Qing asked that question, Qin Qin was a bit stunned. But after thinking for a moment, she forced herself to stay calm and replied, “Qing Sister, don’t scare me. Father’s had times like this before—it’s probably just something in the capital that’s delayed him.”
Mu Qing heard her say this and, while it did make some sense, she still couldn’t shake the unease in her heart. The whole thing felt strange, and there had been a nagging discomfort inside her ever since yesterday, like something bad was about to happen.
But such feelings, grounded only in what people might call a “sixth sense,” couldn’t be spoken aloud. She had already said quite a lot just now—any more, and she’d seem like she was just fearmongering.
She had already done quite a lot for Qin Qin, treating her like family, but since the girl clearly didn’t think too much of it, there wasn’t much more she could do.
Besides, this so-called premonition of hers, although it had never failed before, had only ever applied to her own family. She didn’t have solid evidence, so she could only hold her tongue and accompany Qin Qin back to finish the rest of their classes.
That said, neither of them could really focus.
Fortunately, they had specifically chosen seats near the back of the lecture hall in order to conveniently maintain their disguise. Now that arrangement turned out to be perfect for concealing their inattentiveness.
After finally making it through the class, Qin Qin immediately pulled Mu Qing toward their quarters. Since this was important, Mu Qing couldn’t exactly refuse. She quickly said goodbye to her younger brother and the Fifth Brother before being hurried off by Qin Qin.
They passed by the courtyard where Mu Qing and her husband lived, but Qin Qin didn’t stop, heading straight for her own courtyard.
Come to think of it, this was actually Mu Qing’s first time “stepping inside.” Even this morning, she’d only stood outside knocking and hadn’t gone in.
Though technically these were just dormitories for students at the academy and not private chambers, Qin Qin’s place had always been hers alone. So while it wasn’t a boudoir, it may as well have been one.
The moment she stepped in, Mu Qing found the place not only neat and clean with a faint fragrance, but also decorated with soft pink curtains—it truly felt like a young lady’s room.
But upon a closer look, the entire space was packed with books. The writing desk by the window was covered with brush holders of varying sizes and a finely crafted brush rack, with brushes of all types hanging neatly.
The shelves and cabinets behind the gauzy curtains were stacked full of books and scrolls. Behind a plain embroidered screen stood a zitan wood zither table, on which rested a guqin covered carefully with light silk, clearly a well-loved instrument.
A few glances were enough to convince Mu Qing that this was a veritable treasure trove, reminiscent of Sister Keqing’s chambers in Dream of the Red Chamber—the kind of place even immortals would envy.
She mumbled exactly that, successfully drawing Qin Qin’s attention. The girl finally snapped out of her daze and gave Mu Qing a bitter smile. “Qing Sister, what did you say?”
Mu Qing chuckled and shook her head. Seeing the worry in the girl’s eyes, she grew serious, her tone softening with concern: “Qin Qin, you dragged me here in such a hurry—have you thought of something important?”
Qin Qin looked at her, bit her lip, and nodded. “Yes. What you said earlier—I thought about it for a long time and… it did remind me of something.”
“What is it?” Mu Qing’s heart tightened at Qin Qin’s solemn expression. Although her earlier worries had only been gut feelings, seeing Qin Qin’s face now made her suspect something truly was wrong.
“Father often goes to the capital and knows many people there, but he’s never acted this strangely before…”
Qin Qin didn’t even stop to pour water. She immediately began recounting what happened yesterday when her father suddenly went to the capital.
As it turned out, the person who had summoned him was someone from the palace.
Although Qin Qin was a sheltered girl, she wasn’t entirely inexperienced. Her father had once held a prestigious post, nearly appointed as the Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince, so she had grown up seeing people from the palace from time to time.
Of course, she was never of age to be summoned into the palace as a companion to the princesses or anything like that. Her father had already resigned from office before she was old enough.
At five or six, her father had already founded Baihe Academy. Though he had withdrawn from political circles, his reputation as a renowned teacher meant that members of the imperial family still came to the academy from time to time.
So when Qin Qin saw that it was an imperial eunuch who came to summon her father yesterday, she hadn’t thought much of it. She simply assumed it was another noble’s summons and gave it no further consideration.
But after hearing Mu Qing’s remarks and thinking back, she began to feel something wasn’t right.
If it were truly an imperial summons, it usually wouldn’t require an overnight stay.
Her father hadn’t left any particular instructions when he departed. But by nightfall, he still hadn’t returned, and no message came either—highly unusual.
No matter the circumstance, things had always been settled the same day before.
After all, the palace had strict rules. No outsider was allowed to stay in the inner palace overnight. Even staying too long past dusk was forbidden. People had to leave before the gates locked.
Yet this time, Qin Old Master had not returned all night.
And he’d left no word for Qin Qin at all.
Sure, there were other places in the capital besides the palace. He’d once served as the head of the National Academy and had connections across the city, including some lifelong friends.
If he happened to run into one of them and the hour grew late, staying over for a night wasn’t impossible.
This had happened before.
So Qin Qin hadn’t worried too much—especially since, truth be told, she had been swept up in her newfound romantic feelings for the youthful and handsome Fifth Brother, her springtime emotions completely clouding her thoughts.
It wasn’t until Mu Qing’s reminder that she finally snapped out of it.
And upon reflection, the whole thing was full of red flags.
“Was the person who delivered the message truly from the palace?” Mu Qing suddenly thought of a key question and asked immediately.
“It was Eunuch Li. I recognized him. So I’m sure it was the palace.” Qin Qin answered honestly.
Mu Qing felt even more uneasy but tried to stay composed. “And after that, there was no more news?”
Qin Qin nodded, her eyes turning red again. “It’s my fault…”
Mu Qing quickly interrupted her guilt-laden words and decisively said, “Since that’s the case, let’s not waste time. Why don’t we send someone to the palace to inquire?”
Though clever and spirited on ordinary days, Qin Qin was clearly out of her depth now. She didn’t know what to do and could only nod in agreement.
“In that case, I’ll go ask Master Ni…”
She was referring to the renowned scholar who had substituted for Qin Old Master in teaching that day.
Mu Qing pictured the elder’s stern face and felt some apprehension. But Qin Qin said that Master Ni had once been active in the capital as well and was known to be someone with a story. That made Mu Qing think it might be worth a try—his sudden appearance at the academy had been suspicious too.
Perhaps he really did know something.
The two girls discussed it at length, but to be honest, didn’t reach any concrete conclusions.
One was operating purely on gut instinct, and the other was following vague suspicions. At this point, Mu Qing found herself missing her husband—at least he would be someone she could consult and trust.
Time was of the essence. Not daring to delay, they were just about to head out to seek Master Ni when they saw a familiar figure standing at the door about to knock.
Bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, dressed in elegant brocade, it was none other than Fifth Brother.
Seeing them come out, the young man smiled and cupped his hands in greeting. “Dear sisters, you seem in quite a rush. Are you going to ask Master Ni about Master Qin’s whereabouts?”
Qin Qin, flustered, was about to answer, but Mu Qing suddenly had a bad feeling. She pulled Qin Qin back and coldly asked the young man, “And how, may I ask, does Young Master Wu know what we intend to do?”
The young man smiled. “Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t be like this. You’re acting so formal and putting on such a stern face—it’s scary…”
He had meant to tease, but seeing Mu Qing’s face grow even more unpleasant, he quickly bowed and apologized repeatedly. “Alright, alright—please don’t be angry. I’ll tell you everything. Just… there’s no need to go to Master Ni. I know more about this matter than he does.”
Mu Qing’s expression finally eased a little, and she got straight to the point. “Then where exactly is Master Qin? When will he return?”
Upon hearing this, an odd expression flitted across the young man’s face before he gave a helpless smile and replied, “Master Qin did indeed enter the palace. But… for the time being, he won’t be coming back…”
