The Empress was about to object upon hearing this, but the palace maid's words beat her to it.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress was just about to send bird's nest and lotus seed soup to His Majesty. Unexpectedly, an assassin suddenly rushed forward on the palace path. Fortunately, Zhou Wenquan was by her side to block, thus preventing the assassin from harming Her Majesty."
"However, Her Majesty was frightened, and her complexion is still a little pale right now..."
The Empress's complexion was indeed not good, and she didn't appear to be faking it. The Empress Dowager's face immediately turned furious.
"You scoundrels! What kind of rebellious villains dare to be so rampant in the Harem? Where are the Imperial Guards? Are they just for show!"
She was so angry that her face turned red. Seeing this, Ye Tingyun quickly spoke to comfort her, "Imperial Grandmother, please do not be angry. Your health is of utmost importance."
"Mother, I admit my dereliction of duty and dare not make excuses for myself. I only implore Mother to grant me permission to thoroughly investigate the Six Palaces and bring the mastermind to justice, to appease the frightened heart of the Mo Prince Consort!"
The Empress Dowager calmed down and immediately nodded upon hearing this, "This matter is of great importance. Empress, you must investigate thoroughly and give this Empress and the Harem a satisfactory answer!"
Her words were resounding. The moment they landed, the screen was removed.
Amidst the concern, Imperial Physician Zhao quickly stepped out.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Mo Prince Consort has woken up."
"Woken up?!"
Everyone present was startled. Ye Tingyun was the first to regain his senses and immediately helped the Empress Dowager inside.
Though it was said she had woken up, Feng Yinwan was still lying on the bed, her consciousness only slightly restored.
The wound on her left shoulder was now bandaged. The snow-white gauze was wrapped several layers thick, and blood still seeped through the gaps.
The Empress Dowager stepped forward with concern and directly took her hand.
"Good child, how are you feeling now?"
The wound on her shoulder was too painful. Feng Yinwan pulled at her lips and said weakly, "Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager... Your granddaughter-in-law is fine..."
As soon as she spoke, a fine layer of cold sweat broke out on her forehead. The Empress Dowager looked at her pale face and her heart tightened again.
"Alright, do not speak anymore. This Empress has already ordered the Imperial Guards to investigate the assassin. Your injuries are severe now, and it is not easy for you to wake up. Let the Imperial Physician examine your pulse first."
Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately chimed in, "Yes, Mo Prince Consort, this way the Empress Dowager and I can be at ease."
Although Feng Yinwan could not move now, she knew clearly that the medicine had not fully taken effect yet.
She still had to wait.
Seeing the Imperial Physician approaching, she rolled her eyes, preparing to feign unconsciousness. However, before she could make a move, she was suddenly interrupted by a sudden voice.
"Wait... wait!"
Ye Tingyun stared intently at her wrist, his face stiffening.
He almost forgot, the woman was still pretending to be pregnant!
Since Jiang Rumao had already been dispatched, if her pulse were to be taken, someone else would have to do it. But... wouldn't that reveal the truth?
His call to stop was too abrupt. The Empress Dowager turned to look at him, suddenly confused.
"Yun'er, what is it?"
Ye Tingyun was stumped.
Unable to come up with a reason, he gritted his teeth and glanced at Feng Yinwan on the bed, a spark of inspiration striking him.
"Imperial Grandmother, there is a difference between men and women. Third Sister-in-law is also a noble lady from outside the palace. Since she has woken up now, let her treat herself. There is no need to trouble Imperial Physician Zhao, is there?"
He paused and added, "After all, one knows their own body best. Third Sister-in-law is also highly skilled in medicine, far beyond ordinary people. Don't you agree?"
"This..."
This excuse was somewhat far-fetched, but it was barely passable.
The Empress Dowager hesitated for a moment. Before she could nod, she was interrupted by the Empress.
"Prince Yun, you are joking. If you speak of the difference between men and women, Mo Prince Consort's health has always been managed by Imperial Physician Jiang. Why would there be such a rule when it comes to Imperial Physician Zhao?"
"This..."
Ye Tingyun's face paled for a moment. "Imperial Physician Jiang was personally appointed by Imperial Grandmother to assist Third Sister-in-law with her pregnancy. How can Imperial Physician Zhao be the same as him!"
This reaction made the Empress's gaze even more probing.
Recalling what Qin Rulian had told her, her eyes flashed, and she immediately spoke again, "This Empress understands. Prince Yun is afraid that Imperial Physician Zhao's medical skills are inferior to Imperial Physician Jiang's."
"Prince Yun need not worry. Imperial Physician Zhao is a renowned gynecological expert in the Imperial Hospital. When this Empress gave birth to the eldest prince, it was he who attended to me."
Although her words sounded gentle, they were in fact pressing step by step. Feng Yinwan's eyes darkened, and a silent intensity gathered in her gaze.
Since she had regained consciousness, she had heard similar words several times. The Empress seemed very insistent on having an Imperial Physician examine her.
Could it be... she had sensed something?
Her heart suddenly tightened. Before she could think further, her thoughts were interrupted again.
"Imperial Aunt, this Prince did not mean that..."
Ye Tingyun gritted his teeth and spoke, his neck stiff, his face flushed.
His eyes subtly swept over the Empress, and he gnashed his teeth in hatred.
Mother was right, this old woman was indeed very difficult to deal with!
Looking at Feng Yinwan on the bed, her breathing weak, she looked like she had no strength to stand up and fight alongside him!
The Empress Dowager could naturally sense her difficulty and seemed somewhat swayed by the Empress's words.
"Yun'er..."
"His Majesty has arrived—"
The eunuch's sharp voice directly interrupted everyone's actions.
Ye Tingyun's forehead twitched upon hearing this, his heart pounding in his chest.
Why did even Father Emperor come! This woman... is she too unlucky!
Before he could react, the Empress had already risen and nodded.
"Your subject greets His Majesty."
It was only when he saw the dark robes behind the imperial yellow that Ye Tingyun's heart relaxed, and his face immediately turned joyful.
"Father Emperor, Third Brother!"
The Emperor glanced at him and stepped forward, supporting Consort Li's hand.
"Empress, you may rise as well."
Even though Feng Yinwan was lying on the bed and could not get up, and found it difficult to speak, this did not stop her from spectating with her life.
Seeing such overt favoritism from the Emperor, she couldn't help but be a little shocked.
It seemed the rumors outside the palace about the Emperor's affection for Consort Li were not baseless.
"Yes."
The Empress seemed accustomed to this and rose after responding.
Feng Yinwan wanted to continue observing her expression, but a shadow fell over her head, bringing a sudden chill.
His gaze lingered on the wound on her left shoulder for a moment. Ye Tinglan's thin lips pursed, and his handsome face immediately sank.
"What happened to the Prince Consort?"
It was unclear whether this question was directed at the Imperial Physician or someone else. The atmosphere in the hall immediately froze. Seeing this, Ye Tingyun quickly spoke.
"Third Brother, there was an assassin in the palace. Third Sister-in-law was stabbed and only woke up not long ago."
With such a commotion in the Harem, even the Imperial Guards had been mobilized. Ye Tinglan had naturally heard about the assassin.
However, he did not know that Feng Yinwan would be so severely injured!
The force on the back of his hand tightened uncontrollably. Feng Yinwan was squeezed so hard that it hurt. A faint, broken groan escaped her lips, and the next moment, the pressure suddenly lightened.
"Feng Yinwan, I am late."