Qi Xuan was startled by the words.
Seal the courtyard?!
It seemed the Prince was truly enraged.
As he hesitated on how to respond, a guard strode in from outside.
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the General's mansion."
The General's mansion, wasn't that Feng Yin Wan?
The heavy atmosphere in the room was instantly broken.
Ye Ting Lan's anger had not yet subsided. Seeing this, Qi Xuan quickly stepped forward and took the letter.
"Your Highness, the Princess sent a letter this late, she must still care about you."
He prayed this precious letter would quickly calm the Prince's wrath!
Unexpectedly, Ye Ting Lan cast him a cold glance and said sternly, "What she thinks, what does it have to do with me."
Despite his words, he had already taken the letter and unfolded it.
Qi Xuan clicked his tongue.
Could this be the legendary "mouth says no, body says yes"?
He looked up and saw his Prince's dark eyes sweep across the letter, a flicker of light in their depths, and the coldness on his face quietly melted away.
This expression meant he was likely appeased.
Qi Xuan breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Your Highness, what about your order just now?"
Before he could finish speaking, a chill was directed at him.
Ye Ting Lan shifted his gaze from the letter and looked at him coldly.
"What, do you have an objection?"
How would he dare!
Qi Xuan shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Dare not, dare not, your subordinate merely..."
He had thought the Prince's anger would dissipate after reading the letter.
Ye Ting Lan held the letter in his fair white fingers and pressed it down unhurriedly. "Since you have no objections, why are you still standing there? Go!"
This woman would not get rid of him with just one letter!
Perhaps it was due to practicing swordplay yesterday, but Feng Yin Wan felt exceptionally tired. She slept until the late morning the next day and had not yet woken.
Her eyes swept over Song Qing An, who had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time. Yu Ping pursed her lips and had no choice but to go into the room to wake her.
"Miss, Miss?"
Feng Yin Wan was dreaming of eating hot pot when a tickle on her face made her frown impatiently.
Seeing her push Yu Ping away and turn over to continue sleeping, Yu Ping was helpless.
"Miss, I just finished brewing a pot of plum and lychee drink. I imagine it has cooled down by now."
Before the words were even out, there was a slight rustle from behind. Feng Yin Wan immediately sat up from the couch.
"Where, where? Where is the plum and lychee drink?"
Still groggy, her beautiful eyes were a bit unfocused. Yu Ping stepped forward with a smile.
"Miss, Young Master Song has been waiting downstairs for a long time."
Yesterday, she had agreed with Song Qing An to "discuss sword techniques" this morning.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yin Wan instantly woke up. "What time is it?"
The sky outside was bright. It was at least the hour of巳 (si shi), the time between 9-11 AM. As expected, she heard Yu Ping say:
"Miss, it is already巳时."
Feng Yin Wan slapped her forehead and quickly scrambled off the couch.
"Quick, quick, help me get ready."
Downstairs, Song Qing An stood with his hands behind his back by the flower bushes. His posture was straight, showing no signs of impatience.
"I am truly sorry. I accidentally slept in and made Young Master Song wait for so long."
For the sake of speed, she had only asked Yu Ping to tie her hair into a simple bun before coming downstairs. Yet, her face, with every frown and smile, remained stunningly beautiful.
Song Qing An was momentarily lost in thought.
"Princess, there is no need to blame yourself. The flowers and plants in the courtyard are tranquil and elegant. I have been captivated by them, completely entranced."
The scenery was beautiful, and so was the person.
Feng Yin Wan breathed a sigh of relief.
Hearing you say that makes me feel at ease.
Just as she was about to offer another polite remark, the courtyard gate was pushed open. As expected, it was Feng Yi Yi.
Seeing the two standing together from afar, Feng Yi Yi's eyes flashed subtly, and she quickly stepped forward.
"Eldest Sister, I heard you summoned Young Master Song to learn sword techniques early this morning and even skipped breakfast. You truly make people worry!"
She chirped in a shrill voice, her arm hooking very naturally onto Feng Yin Wan's.
"Learning martial arts is the hardest. Even if Sister is interested, you must take care of your body."
As she drew near, a pungent scent of cosmetics wafted over. Feng Yin Wan frowned and subtly withdrew her hand.
"Yu Ping has already brought back breakfast. If I were hungry, this Princess would eat it herself."
Despite being rebuffed, Feng Yi Yi was not particularly bothered by her cold demeanor.
"Eldest Sister, breakfast time has long passed. The food Yu Ping brought back must be cold, right?"
"You eat mine. These were just made by the kitchen. They are still warm!"
She beckoned, and the maid behind her immediately handed over a food basket.
Feng Yi Yi took it, smiling solicitously. "I know Eldest Sister likes vinegar-braised meat strips, so I specifically had them made!"
Feng Yin Wan glanced indifferently at the food basket and did not reach for it.
"It's thoughtful of you to put in so much effort. However, this Princess feels a bit greasy right now and doesn't wish to eat this."
Feng Yi Yi's eyes flickered upon hearing this, and she immediately plastered on a smile. "If Eldest Sister finds it greasy, there are light side dishes too. The chef also made winter melon and mushroom soup!"
She had prepared quite comprehensively.
Feng Yin Wan raised an eyebrow and remained silent.
Seeing this, Feng Yi Yi rejoiced inwardly and forcefully thrust the food basket into Yu Ping's hands.
"Yu Ping, quickly take the food inside. Remember to have Eldest Sister eat it later when it cools down!"
After giving instructions, she looked back at Feng Yin Wan. "Eldest Sister, I won't disturb you and Young Master Song then. I'll be going back now."
With that, she left with her entourage. Feng Yin Wan raised her beautiful eyes slightly and walked towards the stone table in the courtyard.
Yu Ping, carrying the food basket, followed hesitantly.
"Miss, this food?"
Feng Yin Wan nodded. "Put it all on the table."
"Yes."
The dishes were indeed freshly made, just as Feng Yi Yi had claimed. Feng Yin Wan tested each one with a silver needle, finding no abnormalities.
Her gaze sharpened. She picked up her chopsticks and was about to take a dish when a pair of hands stopped her first.
"Princess, allow me."
Song Qing An had observed Feng Yi Yi's suspicion.
"The Princess is skilled in medicine. If anything is amiss with me, you can diagnose it quickly."
Unexpectedly, Feng Yin Wan was slightly taken aback.
It was good that he was willing to be the guinea pig.
"Then I will trouble Young Master Song. If you feel unwell in any way, please stop immediately."
Song Qing An nodded, picked up a piece of meat strip, and put it into his mouth.
Feng Yin Wan's delicate brows furrowed, her beautiful eyes fixed on his expression.
"How is it?"
After chewing several times without feeling anything unusual, Song Qing An shook his head and swallowed directly.
"There is nothing amiss."
Before Feng Yin Wan could speak, he picked up a slice of winter melon. After a moment, he still shook his head.
After trying all the dishes on the table, Song Qing An's expression remained normal. He truly showed no signs of anything being wrong.
Feng Yin Wan frowned.
Had she been overthinking things?
Her gaze sharpened. She picked up a piece of meat strip and put it in her mouth.
The taste was the normal sweet and sour. Feng Yin Wan swallowed hesitantly, and just as she was about to try something else, a strange warmth surged within her body.
Her heart tightened. The silver needle she held at her fingertips immediately pierced an acupoint.
The warmth quickly spread throughout her body, and her consciousness began to blur. Before her awareness was completely swallowed, Feng Yin Wan quickly stabbed several more needles into other acupoints.
Then her body went limp, and she fainted.
"Miss!"
She had fainted too quickly, the needles still in her body.
Yu Ping was stunned by the sight and quickly supported her.
"Young Master Song, Miss she... this..."
She was flustered and at a loss, and Song Qing An's brows were also tightly furrowed.
Before either of them could come up with a solution, the courtyard gate was forcefully pushed open.