Steam rose from the bubbling clay pot by the stove, fogging the air as a hand stealthily reached forward.
The lid was quickly lifted, and the person pulled out a paper packet from their embrace, about to pour it into the pot. Just an inch away, a pebble suddenly flew from behind the bamboo curtain.
With a "snap," it struck precisely the center of the person's wrist.
The clay pot was knocked over, scattering the medicinal soup everywhere.
"Ah—"
This scream came from a man.
Feng Yinwan's delicate eyebrows furrowed. Before she could think, Ye Tingyun had already rushed out excitedly.
"Finally caught you!"
"Didn't expect this, did you? Thought you could fool us by changing into a monk's robe? You won't escape my eyes!"
The person, wearing a monk's robe, stood with their back to them. They weren't tall and were quite thin, giving them a somewhat feminine appearance from a distance.
Feng Yinwan walked forward quickly. Meanwhile, Ye Tingyun was already grabbing the monk's robe and dragging him over.
They saw the ordinary face of a monk, with calluses on his hands, clearly from years of pounding wooden fish.
It was evident that this was indeed a monk from Qingpu Temple.
Not the "little white lotus."
Feng Yinwan's brow twitched subtly, a sense of unease dawning upon her.
"Your Highness Prince Yun, what do you mean by that..."
"You dare pretend not to know in front of me?"
Ye Tingyun snorted coldly, and the guards immediately stepped forward to apprehend the man.
"Speak! Was it you who put peach kernel powder in my medicinal soup!"
The monk's face changed upon hearing this. As if his courage had completely failed him, he shook his head repeatedly.
"Your Highness Prince Yun, you are mistaken! I know nothing of peach kernel powder. This... this must be a misunderstanding!"
"A misunderstanding?"
Ye Tingyun narrowed his eyes. "Then what were you about to pour into the clay pot just now?"
Ye Tinglan's earlier strike had hit the man's wrist, and he hadn't managed to pour the contents yet.
The guards understood. Before they could act, the monk, quite obligingly, handed over the packet.
"Your... Your Highness, are you referring to this?"
Ye Tingyun's eyes flickered. He snatched the paper packet and immediately handed it to Feng Yinwan.
"Take a look."
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes deepened. She glanced at Ye Tinglan beside her, then opened the paper packet.
Inside were tiny, transparent granules, very different from the fine peach kernel powder.
Even Ye Tingyun, who knew little of such things, sensed something was wrong.
"What is this?"
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips. Before she could speak, Ye Tinglan, standing nearby, spoke in a cold voice.
"White sugar."
"White sugar?!"
Ye Tingyun was so surprised he could have fallen over.
"You... you were trying to put white sugar in the clay pot?"
The monk nodded.
"I heard the Empress Dowager say that Your Highness found the medicine too bitter to swallow, so I specifically asked the abbot for some. I wanted to add it to the medicine, to gain some favor in Your Highness's eyes..."
Ye Tingyun was completely dumbfounded.
It was common for monks in the temple to try and curry favor with him, but...
So, it was a mistaken attack all along?
A coldness flashed in Feng Yinwan's eyes. "If you were acting for Prince Yun's sake, why were you being so secretive?"
"Imperial Physician Jiang had previously warned that medicine is bitter but beneficial for the sick, and that anything should not be mixed into it. That's why I thought to add it secretly..."
"It was because I wanted to reduce the bitterness for Your Highness, Prince Yun, that I foolishly disregarded Imperial Physician Jiang's instructions. I am willing to accept punishment."
He said this and lowered his head obediently.
Feng Yinwan stared at him intently, her eyes growing colder.
His explanation was indeed flawless, but she knew with her toes that it wasn't that simple.
Unfortunately, there was no evidence.
"Is this what you wanted me to see?"
Ye Tinglan asked coldly, clearly displeased.
"Your Highness..."
"Feng Yinwan, the time I've given you is running out."
With that, he flicked his sleeves and left the kitchen. Ye Tingyun's gaze swept over the monk, and he quickly followed.
The large kitchen fell into silence. The Empress Dowager attached great importance to Buddhist rituals. Without evidence, Feng Yinwan could not directly detain the monk. She pursed her lips and ordered the guards to release him.
Before the midday meal, Song Qing'an also came to report. As expected, the guards had searched Qingpu Temple thoroughly and found no trace of peach kernel powder.
Feng Yinwan nodded, closed her eyes for a moment, and then dismissed everyone.
As she entered the dining hall, a chorus of schadenfreude laughter immediately reached her ears.
"Oh, isn't this my good sister-in-law who's just become pregnant? Back from investigating? Have you gained anything?"
The Empress Dowager was meditating in the Buddhist hall with Ye Tingyun and had not yet arrived. Currently, only Ye Ziyun and Qin Rulian were in the dining hall, so she felt no restraint.
Feng Yinwan ignored her, secretly planning her next move. To her surprise, Ye Ziyun came closer persistently.
"I heard you requested an audience with Grandmother Emperor and confidently declared you would catch the culprit who put peach kernel powder in the medicine, even specially inviting my brother."
"But you didn't catch the culprit, and instead mistakenly apprehended a monk delivering white sugar. Is that correct?"
Ye Ziyun looked at her askance, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
This woman was truly quite foolish!
Seeing this, Qin Rulian covered her mouth and feigned to speak, "This matter was difficult to investigate, and the Princess Consort is not an official. Making a mistake at first is understandable."
This implied that Feng Yinwan was meddling in affairs that were none of her business.
Feng Yinwan raised her eyebrows and swept her gaze over the two of them, a cold smile curving her red lips.
"You two are so concerned about this matter. Are you perhaps wishing to join my ranks and contribute your efforts?"
Ye Ziyun's delicate eyebrows immediately knitted upon hearing this. "Your ranks?"
"If you hadn't fortunately discovered your pregnancy and escaped punishment, you would have been ordered imprisoned by Grandmother Emperor by now. Yet you dare to swagger here and put on airs with me, a Princess!"
Feng Yinwan was not angered in the slightest.
"One thing Princess Qingyun has said correctly: I, this Princess Consort, am indeed pregnant."
She said this, placed a hand gently over her abdomen, and gracefully took her seat.
"It must be my good fortune. My appearance was ruined, yet I married into the Prince's mansion as the official consort. Now, after being framed, I've also unexpectedly discovered my pregnancy."
"Tsk, it's truly hard not to be fortunate."
"You...!"
She deliberately drew out her tone, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly, her demeanor utterly languid and contented.
Ye Ziyun was so enraged she gritted her teeth, and after a long pause, managed to utter "Shameless." Qin Rulian, beside her, gnashed her lips hatefully, her face turning as green as a leek.
Feng Yinwan felt a supreme sense of comfort.
"Princess Qingyun, why are you in such a hurry? I am merely stating the facts."
Ye Ziyun, accustomed to being pampered, could not argue with Feng Yinwan. She shot a venomous glance and, grabbing the teacup beside her, angrily hurled it.
Her intention was merely to vent her frustration, but the teacup struck with a "snap" right in front of the Empress Dowager. Encountering such a scene upon entering, the Empress Dowager's expression darkened, and her eyes fell upon them with displeasure.
"Imperial... Imperial Grandmother."
Ye Ziyun was nearly terrified upon seeing this. Her body trembled, and she immediately curtsied.
Qin Rulian, seeing this, also followed suit and bowed. "Your Majesty Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager glanced at the two of them and was about to speak when she saw Feng Yinwan rush forward, feigning tears.
"Your grandson's consort pays respects to the Empress Dowager."
Concerned for the royal bloodline, the Empress Dowager immediately reached out to help her.
"Yinwan, my good child, what is wrong?"
"Princess Qingyun suddenly became angry for some reason just now, and the teacup fell with a loud crash. It is said that pregnant women should not be startled. Your grandson's consort had a moment of palpitations and was truly frightened..."
Pretending to wipe away tears, she continued.
"Empress Dowager, this fetus... will it be alright from being startled?"