Feng Yin Wan let out an "En," and before she could feel any pity, her wrist already ached.
Ye Ting Lan's gaze, cold as frost, swept over her, his grip so tight it felt as if he would tear her apart.
Dragged all the way to the edge of the stream, Feng Yin Wan was shoved aside before she could even regain her footing.
"Feng Yin Wan, do you take this prince for air?"
How dare she exchange glances and engage in pleasantries with Song Qing An right in front of him.
This woman deserved to die!
Feng Yin Wan, still bewildered by the situation, was met with such a fierce accusation that she froze.
"Your Highness is not air, but a cold front."
The kind that made one shiver within a three-meter radius.
Ye Ting Lan's handsome face darkened, a terrifying rage instantly clouding his features.
"I gave you time to investigate that day's events, not to exchange glances with Song Qing An under my very nose!"
Feng Yin Wan was stunned for a moment.
When had she exchanged glances? She had only gone to ask for two pigeons.
Ye Ting Lan gazed down at her, the crimson fire surging in his dark, ink-black eyes.
"If you dare to overstep even an inch further, I will cast you into the mountains tonight to be fed to the wolves!"
Feng Yin Wan was startled by his ruthless tone.
She felt that Ye Ting Lan would indeed do as he said.
"Your Highness must be mistaken. This concubine merely wanted to look at the pigeons…"
Feng Yin Wan swallowed, speaking truthfully. "This concubine thought the pigeons were quite plump. If roasted, they would surely be delicious."
Ye Ting Lan remained silent, his eyes silently scrutinizing her, a hint of doubt in his gaze.
This woman, all for a pigeon?
"Does Your Highness not remember? Two days ago, this concubine and Prince Yun roasted a wild rabbit in the courtyard. You arrived a bit late and missed it."
She was confident that if Ye Ting Lan ate it, he would find it incredibly delicious too!
Hearing this, Ye Ting Lan's brows furrowed slightly as he seriously recalled the events.
Yun always had a picky palate for food, yet he had eaten quite a lot that day in Lan Qing Yuan. Could it be… as this woman claimed?
"If you went to ask for pigeons, why did you speak up for Song Qing An?"
Was she deliberately trying to provoke him!
Feng Yin Wan coughed lightly, sheepishly. "This concubine simply did not wish to see talent go unappreciated!"
"Your Highness, your archery is indeed superb, but Deputy General Song is not to be underestimated. Wouldn't it be a pity if his talents were wasted?"
"The army always needs outstanding talent. Your Highness leads and commands troops; this concubine was considering it for you!"
Ye Ting Lan was somewhat receptive to her flattery. He closed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice.
"If you want something, just say so. Would this prince ever fall short for you?"
The implication was that he would hunt it himself.
Feng Yin Wan thought, how dare she ask such a distinguished person. After a moment's consideration, she understood.
After all, it was a matter of a man's pride; normal.
"It was this concubine's lack of foresight. I beg Your Highness's pardon."
Her tone was polite to the point of being distant.
Ye Ting Lan's sword-like eyebrows knitted tightly, a strange sense of irritation stirring within him.
"Feng Yin Wan, this prince's consort requires no care from outsiders."
Feng Yin Wan responded in a very cooperative manner, but her mind was elsewhere.
"Mm-hmm, this concubine understands. May this concubine return to roast the meat now?"
Ye Ting Lan frowned. Before he could reply, his peripheral vision keenly detected a wisp of smoke emerging from behind the bushes.
It was a fire pit that had not yet been completely extinguished.
His eyes narrowed, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.
Someone had been here before them.
When they returned, Ye Ting Yun had already directed the guards to prepare the game. Seeing Feng Yin Wan, he eagerly approached.
"I had them hunt more game, it's all prepared, you start cooking!"
Feng Yin Wan raised her eyebrows, looking at his expectant gaze.
"Does Prince Yun take this prince's consort for his cook?"
Ye Ting Yun said righteously, not finding anything improper about it. "You're a physician, what's wrong with doing a little more?"
Feng Yin Wan wanted to poke him with a needle, but Ye Ting Lan was standing nearby.
Excluding the missing pigeons, a deer, a chicken, three unfortunate geese, and a group of new friends, half a bag of seasonings was far from enough.
Just as Feng Yin Wan was preparing to reluctantly spend another fifty taels to buy a bag, the black-hearted bracelet began to flash brightly towards the jade pendant on Ye Ting Lan's waist.
Feng Yin Wan raised her eyebrows and immediately leaned in.
"Your Highness's jade pendant…"
Ye Ting Lan was contemplating with his head lowered. Seeing her suddenly approach, the icy chill in his eyes had not yet receded.
Feng Yin Wan trembled, startled.
It seemed he was unwilling to give it.
Just as she was about to retreat, she saw him lift his lips.
"What?"
His expression had already returned to normal.
Feng Yin Wan pursed her lips and, gathering her courage, asked again, "Is Your Highness's jade pendant something special?"
The bracelet had been with her for so long, and this was the first time it had reacted like this.
Feng Yin Wan suspected that Ye Ting Lan's jade pendant was extraordinary.
Seeing her eyes fixed intently on his waist, her gaze inexplicably heated, Ye Ting Lan frowned and unnaturally turned his body.
Staring at him so directly, this woman had no shame!
"This is one of many jade pendants I own; it is nothing unusual."
Not unusual?
Feng Yin Wan's beautiful eyes flashed.
Even better!
"Since it is not a valuable item, could Your Highness bestow it upon this concubine?"
"What do you want my jade pendant for?"
Feng Yin Wan, without changing her expression, lied, "This concubine finds the style of this jade pendant very attractive and wishes to collect it."
Ye Ting Lan didn't believe her preposterous story at all, but he inexplicably raised his hand and removed the jade pendant.
The moment the warm, soft touch entered her hand, Feng Yin Wan gasped.
What a treasure! No wonder even the bracelet was fond of it!
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity!"
The corners of her lips curved, and she immediately walked away, holding the jade pendant.
Pretending to tuck the jade pendant into her sleeve, she actually stuffed it directly into the bracelet.
In an instant, various seasoning packets appeared before her like a flowing stream.
Feng Yin Wan was slightly stunned, surprised to find that Ye Ting Lan's jade pendant was truly effective!
With the addition of the seasoning packets, the aroma quickly spread through the mountains. Ye Ting Yun watched eagerly from the side, already impatient.
"Is it ready? Is it ready?"
Feng Yin Wan nodded, but first broke off a chicken leg and offered it to Ye Ting Lan.
"Your Highness, would you like to try?"
Ye Ting Lan looked at the slightly greasy item before him. Before he could accept it, it was already stuffed into his mouth.
"Feng Yin Wan, you let go—"
The rich aroma exploded on his taste buds, and Ye Ting Lan's half-frozen expression faltered.
Fragrant.
Judging by his expression, it was undeniable. Feng Yin Wan smiled and was about to distribute the meat to Ye Ting Yun when she saw the little white lotus, holding her handkerchief, gracefully approach.
"Brother Ting Lan, Brother Ting Yun, I just saw some wild fruits by the roadside, so I picked a few…"
Before she could finish speaking, she saw the chicken leg in Ye Ting Lan's hand, and her pupils instantly trembled.
"Brother Ting Lan, you…"
Damn it, how could Ye Ting Lan be willing to eat the food roasted by this cheap woman!
Out of guilt from the previous encounter, Ye Ting Yun quickly snatched another chicken leg and offered it.
"Ru Lian, those wild fruits are very sour. How can they be as delicious as this meat? Try it!"
As the chicken leg was brought to her lips, Qin Ru Lian's already unsightly face trembled again, and she tightly pressed her lips together.
"You guys eat."
She dropped these words and quickly ran away.
While Ye Ting Yun was stunned, the chicken leg in his hand was snatched away by Feng Yin Wan. He immediately paid no attention to her.
Inside the carriage, Qin Ru Lian held the sour fruits in her hand, a venomous glint flashing in her eyes.