Qi Xuan's arrival at Feng Yin Wan's residence was expected, but Fei Se's presence alongside him was a surprise.
As if certain that Feng Yin Wan would not be able to produce evidence, she entered with a pout, her eyes practically rolling to the heavens.
"Today is the deadline, has the Princess found any evidence yet?"
Yu Ping, naturally unable to tolerate her attitude, immediately retorted, "Whether my young lady has found evidence or not, what business is it of yours? Is this a question a mere maid should be asking?"
Unexpectedly being rebuffed by Yu Ping, Fei Se's expression turned unsightly.
She shot Yu Ping a resentful glance, then sneered, "Indeed, ever since returning to the General's mansion, people are different. Even a maid has such a big mouth!"
A dog's bark?
Feng Yin Wan couldn't even be bothered to look at her properly. She lazily flicked her eyelids, raised her hand, and slapped Fei Se.
Before Fei Se could finish her sentence, she received a heavy slap across her face, leaving a red mark on her fair skin.
"Ah...!"
She widened her eyes in shock. Feng Yin Wan stretched her wrists and glanced at her indifferently.
"What are you looking at? Do you want this Princess to slap you again, to make it symmetrical?"
After saying this, she seemed to find the suggestion excellent. She nodded slightly and, very decisively, delivered another slap.
Fei Se knew she was arrogant, but she never imagined she would be... this arrogant!
She clutched her face, unable to speak, as if she had just realized the pain after a long moment. She immediately scrunched up her face and cried out sharply.
"What are you doing! I was ordered by the Prince to come today, what right do you have to hit me!"
Feng Yin Wan glanced at her.
"Just because this is the Zhen Guo General's mansion."
"Didn't you just say that people are different when they return to the General's mansion? If this Princess doesn't slap you a couple of times, I wouldn't be living up to your words."
That wasn't what she meant at all!
Fei Se, unable to argue, could only cover her face and glare at Feng Yin Wan resentfully.
Feng Yin Wan curled her lips. "Why are you looking at this Princess like that? Feeling wronged?"
"This Princess knows you are Qin Ru Lian's maid. I naturally understand the principle of not hitting a dog without considering its master, but... your master isn't here."
"This Princess is bullying you, this dog, what's wrong with that?"
Not only did Feng Yin Wan hit her, she also insulted her. Fei Se was so enraged that her features were contorting.
Feng Yin Wan calmly sat back down.
"In any case, there's still half a day left before the three-day deadline. If you dare to bark again, this Princess will first beat your mouth bloody here in the General's mansion, and then slowly report back to the Prince."
Her tone was extremely cold, laced with a chilling ferocity. Hearing this, Fei Se trembled and tightly shut her mouth, daring not to utter another sound.
Seeing this, Feng Yin Wan sipped her tea with satisfaction and looked up at Qi Xuan.
"Qi Guard, you came so early. Are you also here on the Prince's orders?"
Qi Xuan, who had been observing the entire scene and secretly licking his lips, was startled when the topic suddenly shifted to him, and his body trembled slightly.
"Reporting to the Princess, it is the Prince who ordered this subordinate to invite you back."
His bow was extremely standard, his expression perfectly respectful. His desire to survive was practically overflowing.
Fei Se glared at him with dissatisfaction.
The Prince didn't say it like that when he gave the order!
The Prince's exact words were, "Bring that damned woman back to me by force!"
Feng Yin Wan nodded. "Then please wait here for a moment. Since I am to return, this Princess naturally needs to inform my father."
She then rose and left the front hall. Although Fei Se was displeased, she dared not say more. Her eyes darted around, and she quietly followed.
Feng Yin Wan noticed the anomaly after a few steps. She curved her lips and pretended not to see.
They walked into the backyard. Fei Se wanted to follow but was stopped by the guards. She stomped her foot in frustration and had to retreat.
Outside the dining hall, Madam Yu emerged with a greasy sheen on her face. Upon seeing Fei Se, she immediately knitted her brows.
"Where did this maid come from? She looks so unfamiliar."
The maid glanced and whispered, "Just now, I heard the servants say that Prince Mo's mansion sent someone to call the eldest young lady back. I suppose this maid is with them."
"Prince Mo's mansion?"
Madam Yu's eyes darted around quickly. She stood up. "Let's go, let's go take a look!"
...
Considering how Ye Ting Lan had acted yesterday, Feng Yin Wan naturally wouldn't grant his wishes by returning obediently with Qi Xuan.
She played chess with Old General Feng for nearly an hour before slowly mentioning her departure. Old General Feng, naturally doting on his daughter, gave her several worried instructions before nodding.
Since Feng Jing Yuan had already gone to the army early in the morning, after informing Old General Feng, Feng Yin Wan prepared to return to the front hall. However, before she even reached the flower gate of the backyard, two figures flashed past the flower bushes.
She glanced around and instructed Yu Ping.
"You stay here. Later, bring Granny Sun. After they have left the mansion, have the guards quietly transport Pang Liu out. Remember not to make a sound."
"Yes."
Yu Ping nodded and ran off. Feng Yin Wan pursed her lips and glanced towards where the figures had disappeared, then walked back to the front hall.
She never imagined that her "informing" would take so long.
As noon approached and she still hadn't brought her back to the Prince's mansion, Qi Xuan was terrified of being slapped to death by his Prince upon his return. However, he was equally afraid of being slapped by Feng Yin Wan!
So, he could only pace anxiously in the hall.
Fei Se frowned and said, "Qi Guard, can you stop fidgeting? What's the use of worrying here? You're making my head spin!"
Qi Xuan already had an opinion of her and did not hold back his retort.
"Didn't you volunteer to supervise on behalf of Miss Qin? Why are you so terrified to speak after being dealt with by the Princess?"
Not only was he not helping her, but he was also mocking her.
Fei Se took a deep, angry breath, then seemed to think of something. A calculating glint flashed in her eyes, and she snorted and retreated.
Feng Yin Wan returned to see this scene and raised her beautiful eyebrows. Qi Xuan immediately stepped forward.
"Princess, time is getting late. Let's set off quickly."
Estimating that the time was about right, and any further delay would likely cause Ye Ting Lan to lose his temper again, Feng Yin Wan nodded. "Let's go."
Seeing that she had finally agreed, Qi Xuan felt a wave of relief and quickly got up to lead the way.
They arrived back at Prince Mo's mansion at about 3 PM. As soon as she alighted from the carriage, Fei Se rushed back to report. Feng Yin Wan glanced at her and followed at a leisurely pace.
Ye Ting Lan had already been waiting in the main hall for a long time. Three pots of tea had been served, and just as his patience was about to run out, he saw Feng Yin Wan's figure. He immediately put down his teacup with a cold face.
"I ordered someone to fetch you at noon. The journey from the Prince's mansion to the General's mansion is less than twenty minutes, yet you've dragged it out to two hours."
"Feng Yin Wan, are you afraid?"
He still remembered yesterday's ledger. As long as this woman couldn't produce evidence, he would immediately arrest and punish her!
Seeing him smugly waiting to punish her, Feng Yin Wan secretly rolled her eyes. Before she could speak, Qin Ru Lian entered gracefully with Fei Se.
"Sister Princess is back? Ru Lian thought that the General's mansion was so pleasant, you wouldn't bear to leave!"