Realizing what was in her mouth, she hastily tried to spit it out. However, Feng Yin Wan, as if anticipating this, stomped heavily on her embroidered shoe. Qin Ru Lian cried out in pain, and the crab meat was then slapped into her abdomen by Feng Yin Wan.
Seeing this, Fei Se rushed forward to intervene. But having been peeling crabs just then, her hands were covered in spicy juices. As she reached out, she inadvertently touched Qin Ru Lian's rash.
A burning pain spread across her face, and Qin Ru Lian immediately let out a series of screams.
"Ah—my face!"
"Miss!"
The maids rushed forward. Feng Yin Wan calmly picked up her stool and moved it aside.
In the chaos, no one noticed a figure outside quietly retreat.
Qin Ru Lian took a long time to recover. Her eyes were half-closed as if in a daze. The areas on her face where the spicy liquid had touched were red and swollen, looking as if she had been stung by a swarm of bees.
Feng Yin Wan clicked her tongue.
Swollen like this, it seemed the spicy crab was indeed quite potent. Once these people were driven out, she would have to try some!
Reluctantly glancing back at the basin, Qin Ru Lian's maid spoke indignantly.
"Our miss kindly offered to peel crabs for the Princess Consort, what is the meaning of this!"
Feng Yin Wan calmly withdrew her gaze. "What about me?"
"Miss's facial rash has not yet healed, she absolutely cannot consume anything spicy. Forcing her to eat it, are you deliberately making things difficult!"
And the worst part... the crab also contained laxatives!
Seeing her eyes about to bulge out, Feng Yin Wan raised an eyebrow.
This move of hers was simply retaliating in kind!
"Oh dear, this Princess Consort was merely thinking that since Miss Qin has been away from home for so many years, she must miss the flavors of her hometown. I didn't expect to accidentally offend her."
She covered her mouth in feigned surprise, her gaze sweeping over Qin Ru Lian's swollen and unsightly face, then she continued.
"However, from this Princess Consort's perspective, Miss Qin's facial rash has worsened, and it seems to be due to you touching it with your hand."
Fei Se's heart jolted upon hearing this. She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but before she could move, her wrist was firmly grasped.
Feng Yin Wan, noticing the oil stains on her fingertips, tutted twice.
"Look, you didn't wash your hands after peeling the crab, did you? No wonder Qin girl is suffering so much from the spice!"
"I... I didn't!"
She tried to break free in panic, but a bone-cracking pain suddenly shot up her wrist, causing her to cry out in agony.
"Stop!"
A figure in black suddenly burst into the room. A gust of wind swept towards her. Feng Yin Wan looked at the uninvited guest and released her grip, tossing her aside.
"For no apparent reason, why would Your Highness grace my Lanqing Courtyard with your presence."
As she spoke, she noticed Granny Sun trailing meekly behind him. Her heart instantly understood.
What was she thinking? It turned out to be this sycophant again.
Ye Ting Lan shot her a stern glance and strode forward to examine the little white lotus's injuries.
Upon seeing Qin Ru Lian's face, his handsome features instantly clouded with a thin layer of anger. "What did you do to her!"
Feng Yin Wan shrugged.
"Your Highness misunderstands. Just now, Miss Qin came to deliver dinner to this consort. This consort, thinking of her homesickness, kindly gave her a bite of crab."
Ye Ting Lan's brow furrowed. Before he could speak, he saw her smiling and curling her lips.
"As for her face... that has nothing to do with this consort either. You'd better ask her maid."
The intense pain in Fei Se's wrist had not yet subsided when she was pointed out again, and she immediately became fearful.
"Miss, Miss she..."
"Brother Ting Lan."
Her words were interrupted by a weak call. Fei Se, as if granted amnesty, quickly stepped forward to help Qin Ru Lian.
"Miss, you're awake."
Qin Ru Lian struggled to rise, clutched Ye Ting Lan's hem, and immediately began to complain.
"Brother Ting Lan, I don't understand why the Princess Consort is targeting me like this. She knows I can't eat spicy food, yet she still..."
As she accused him, two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks, making it seem as if she had suffered greatly.
Feng Yin Wan clasped her hands in feigned distress. "This Princess Consort truly feels hurt hearing Miss Qin's words. Even a three-year-old child knows to repay kindness. This Princess Consort doesn't expect you to be overwhelmingly grateful, but resorting to biting the hand that feeds you, such a despicable act, this consort truly cannot do."
She drawled, feigning a sigh. Ye Ting Lan frowned.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Feng Yin Wan continued to shake her head.
"The farmer and the snake, Mr. Dongguo and the wolf, a dog biting Lu Dongbin. Alas, times have changed, and kindness truly goes unrewarded."
Although Qin Ru Lian didn't fully understand, she could instinctively feel the sarcasm in her words and gritted her teeth.
Just as she was about to retort, a soft "poof" escaped her lips, incredibly clear in the silent atmosphere of the room.