Feng Yinwan truly hadn't expected Ye Tinglan to keep his word and stay the night in her embroidery tower.
As she slept in a daze the next morning, a clamor arose outside. Before she could even make out the sounds, a pair of large hands cupped her ears, completely blocking the noise.
Still drowsy, Feng Yinwan simply didn't bother. She tilted her head and continued to sleep. When she awoke again, the sun was high in the sky.
"Miss, you're awake?"
Yuping was arranging flowers in the room. Seeing her sit up from the bed with a yawn, she immediately stepped forward.
"Do you feel hungry? This servant will fetch you something to eat."
Her words indeed made Feng Yinwan feel a bit hungry. Just as she was about to nod, she noticed the empty bed beside her and her mind instantly cleared.
"Where is Ye Tinglan?"
The bedsheets were cool. She figured he must have gotten up long ago. Had he... returned to Prince Mo's manor?
Before she could feel a moment of joy, Qi Xuan's voice sounded from downstairs.
"Your Highness, the people from the Jingzhao Prefecture are here again."
Feng Yinwan deflated instantly.
Well, it seemed she had been overthinking.
Wait, Jingzhao Prefecture?
Frowning, she got out of bed immediately.
Downstairs, Ye Tinglan sat rigidly in a grand armchair, his gaze cold and sharp. He was still wearing his eternally unchanging dark robes.
Yet, for some reason, Feng Yinwan found them exceptionally pleasing to her eyes today.
Qi Xuan was reporting in a low voice when he saw his master's gaze drift past him, directly towards the stairs. He wisely stopped speaking.
"Awake?"
This gaze carried a hint of tenderness.
Seeing them pause, Feng Yinwan nodded and quickly descended the stairs.
"Qi Xuan, what were you just saying?"
What Jingzhao Prefecture? Had Feng Yiyi stirred up more trouble?
Surprised by her sharp hearing, Qi Xuan faltered and secretly glanced at his master.
"Say something!"
Impatient, Feng Yinwan urged him on. Suddenly, a force gripped her waist, and Ye Tinglan gently pulled her into his embrace.
"Your half-sister has had an accident in prison."
It was indeed Feng Yiyi!
Slightly startled, Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes widened. "What happened to her?"
The Jingzhao Prefecture prison was right beneath the imperial city. She was the illegitimate daughter of the Zhenguo General's manor. Did someone dare to act with impunity?
Ye Tinglan glanced at her and said in a deep voice, "A malaria outbreak occurred in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison. Feng Yiyi's cell was the closest, and she has already been infected."
"Malaria?"
Feng Yinwan never would have expected this.
Malaria was not a major illness in modern times, but in ancient times, with extremely underdeveloped medical facilities and limited medicine, it was a deadly disease that could spread rapidly.
But how could it be such a coincidence that it broke out in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison and happened to infect Feng Yiyi?
As she was contemplating, Qi Xuan spoke.
"The Jingzhao Prefecture constables came this morning. Since the Princess Consort was not yet awake, your subordinate did not dare to disturb you."
"The Prefect of Jingzhao said that the matter of Feng Yiyi attempting to harm your unborn child has not yet been finalized. Now that she has suddenly contracted malaria, she will likely need to be isolated elsewhere, so he sent constables to ask for your decision."
Without Feng Yinwan's command, Zhao Yong did not dare to act rashly. However, if Feng Yiyi remained in the prison, she might infect others.
Feng Yinwan understood.
The commotion she had heard in a daze this morning must have been when the Jingzhao Prefecture constables arrived.
Qi Xuan did not dare to say more, only reminding her softly, "Princess Consort, the constables are still waiting outside."
This matter was likely extremely urgent.
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Tinglan's voice descended from above.
"If you are worried about complications, this Prince can order her transferred to the Ministry of Justice for confinement."
The Ministry of Justice's prisons were usually for heinous criminals. Feng Yiyi would likely not survive three days there.
Furthermore, if malaria were to spread carelessly, it would be even more troublesome.
Feng Yinwan pondered for a moment and shook her head. "Your Highness need not trouble yourself. Whether it is true or not, this consort will go and see for herself."
Hearing that she intended to go in person, Qi Xuan's expression immediately changed. "Princess Consort, absolutely not!"
That malaria was life-threatening, even if the Princess Consort possessed medical skills and a stronger constitution than others, she could not take such a risk!
Feng Yinwan waved her hand. Before she could even utter "It's fine," the hand around her waist tightened.
"Malaria is no trifle. Even when it broke out in my army previously, the military doctors could not cope. If you are worried, have Qi Xuan take the manor's physician to examine her."
Qi Xuan: ?
Your Highness... has ultimately been betrayed!
Feng Yinwan shook her head.
"This sudden illness in the prison, ordinary doctors will likely be helpless. As a physician, this consort cannot stand idly by."
She was not someone with universal compassion, but Feng Yiyi could suffer some hardship, yet she absolutely could not have an accident. And the capital, even less so.
Either of these outcomes would cause Old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan at the front lines to worry.
Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed even deeper. He was about to say more, but when he met her determined gaze, he pursed his lips and remained silent.
"This Prince will accompany you."
"Absolutely not!"
Now it was Feng Yinwan's turn to be anxious.
Although malaria was not a major illness in modern times, she had not yet seen the situation firsthand and absolutely dared not risk Ye Tinglan.
Moreover, his internal cold poison was not yet healed, and his body had not fully recovered.
Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan's face also turned pale with fright. "Your Highness, the situation in the prison is unclear. Please allow your subordinate to scout ahead!"
However, no one could stop what Ye Tinglan decided to do.
His thin lips pressed together coldly, and he rose, his demeanor frosty. "This Prince said he would personally accompany the Princess Consort."
Qi Xuan dared not disobey his master's wishes, and Feng Yinwan ultimately could not sway him.
"If Your Highness insists on going, then fine. However, I am the physician, and everything will be done according to my arrangements once we enter the Jingzhao Prefecture."
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes imperceptibly deepened. He nodded, "This Prince promises you."
As Yuping came down from upstairs, she saw the three of them preparing to leave together and was astonished.
"Miss, breakfast is not yet served. Where are you going?"
Feng Yinwan naturally did not want her to know the truth. She pursed her lips and looked at Qi Xuan beside her.
"Um... I need His Highness to go out for a while. Qi Xuan, you stay in the manor with Yuping."
"Miss?!"
"Princess Consort?!"
The two questioned her in almost perfect unison.
Feng Yinwan felt a flush of embarrassment. Before she could speak again, she heard them both say in unison:
"I don't need to!"
"I can't!"
Feng Yinwan: Hmm? Qi Xuan, how can a man say he can't!
Seeing her playful expression, and no intention of retracting her order, Yuping pouted indignantly. "Miss, this servant can be perfectly fine on her own in the manor, she doesn't need anyone to accompany her!"
Feng Yinwan looked away guiltily.
I'm just afraid you'll cry if you know the truth...
Qi Xuan also said sternly, "Princess Consort, please forgive me, but I cannot obey this order."
He was His Highness's subordinate. If His Highness was venturing into danger, he could not enjoy peace alone!
Being questioned by the two of them made Feng Yinwan's head spin. She pursed her lips and unhesitatingly threw the problem to Ye Tinglan.
"What does Your Highness think?"