"Feng Yiyi?"
Feng Yinwan furrowed her brows, her gaze sweeping over the sharp shards of porcelain in the other woman's hand, a silent shock rippling through her.
In that moment, Feng Yiyi, having regained some lucidity from her fall, seethed with hatred for Feng Yinwan. She snatched up a piece of broken porcelain and charged forward recklessly.
Fortunately, Ye Tinglan reacted with lightning speed.
Missing her target, Feng Yiyi let out a frustrated cry. Just as she was about to press her attack, the heat within her surged once more.
Her vision blurred, and she collapsed back onto the ground, limp.
Feng Yinwan clicked her tongue. Before she could even lift her eyes, a large hand covered her vision.
Ye Tinglan, without a word, led her away to the side.
Feng Yinwan: ???
If you're not looking, don't block me!
Ye Tinglan's hand was a tight barrier, leaving no gap for her to peek, but Feng Yiyi's cries were too piercingly loud…
Feng Yinwan's face burned with embarrassment. She squirmed uncomfortably, only to be held firmly in place by a pair of hands.
"Don't fidget."
Why so fierce!
As she pouted, the courtyard gate was flung open in haste.
Entering the courtyard, Yu Shi's eyes landed on the rather scandalous scene. Her steps faltered, and her face drained of color, turning green from head to toe.
"Yiyi!"
Her cry was like a heartbroken wail.
She rushed forward, scooping the disoriented Feng Yiyi into her arms, her eyes crimson as she glared at Feng Yinwan.
"You venomous bitch!"
"Slap—"
A crisp, resonant slap echoed through the air. The perpetrator, astonishingly, was Feng Yiyi.
Taken by surprise by the resounding blow, Yu Shi stiffened, utterly dumbfounded.
"Pfft."
Feng Yinwan, having stealthily peeked out from behind Yu Shi's entrance, couldn't contain her laughter upon witnessing this.
"Madam Yu, stop scolding. Look, even Second Sister can't bear to watch."
Yu Shi's face turned greener.
Her eyes, filled with rage, fixed on Feng Yiyi, who was struggling unconsciously in her embrace. Concern overriding her anger, she gritted her teeth, deciding to vent her fury on Feng Yinwan.
"Feng Yinwan, you audacious wretch! Do you think you can do as you please with the master away? How dare you frame Yiyi like this!"
"I shall report you to His Majesty myself!"
This was merely a blustering threat; she wouldn't even get to see the Emperor.
Feng Yinwan knew this all too well. Her thoughts drifted to the title of "Madam" she had just used, and a cold smile curved her lips.
"Madam Yu, you are truly ungracious."
"Calling you Madam is a favor I bestow. You, a mere concubine, how dare you be so arrogant as to refer to yourself as Madam in front of me!"
"Are you truly so foolish, or is your skin so thick!"
Her voice was icy, yet she spoke while separating Ye Tinglan's hand, revealing only half her head.
There was a charming playfulness to her actions.
Her soft breath brushed against his palm, and Ye Tinglan looked down at the crown of her head, his throat bobbing subtly.
Yu Shi was almost choked with rage by those words.
"Feng Yinwan! Regardless, I am your concubine mother. Is this how you speak to an elder?"
"Such vulgarity and lack of upbringing! You are utterly unworthy of the dignified bearing of a Princess!"
With Ye Tinglan present, this was all she could criticize Feng Yinwan for.
However, even this was met with Ye Tinglan's disapproval.
"I have always disliked women who are weak, reserved, and lifeless. They are truly dull."
Yu Shi's face stung.
"Your Highness must consider the reputation of Prince Mo's mansion; I understand. But this is the General's mansion, and it concerns Yiyi. It is a private matter of the General's inner court!"
She emphasized the words "inner court private matter" intentionally, hoping to deter Ye Tinglan from interfering.
Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed sharply. Before he could speak, he was interrupted by the person in his embrace.
"Madam Yu says this is a private matter of the General's inner court. Does that mean outsiders are not to interfere?"
"Naturally!"
Without Ye Tinglan's backing, this bitch would surely not be so arrogant!
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and offered a seemingly kind reminder, "What I mean is, does that apply to the authorities as well?"
The previous incident where Feng Yiyi was released so quickly must have involved interference from someone behind the scenes.
Unprepared for this turn, Yu Shi faltered. She stiffened her neck and replied,
"Naturally!"
Feng Yinwan's lips curved. "Good."
She then turned to Ye Tinglan, "Since Madam Yu considers this a family matter of the General's mansion, I humbly request His Highness not to interfere."
Ye Tinglan's brow instinctively furrowed.
Letting his Princess be bullied?
He could not do that.
But as his young Princess blinked her beautiful eyes, his heart stirred, and he inexplicably nodded.
Ye Tinglan came back to himself, hearing his own voice say, "I shall agree."
Then, the captivating smile on Feng Yinwan's face quickly faded.
Ye Tinglan's temple twitched.
How could he forget? This woman was a little trickster!
Having obtained the answer she wanted, Feng Yinwan turned, her delicate face now cold.
"Since it is a family matter, then this Princess will settle accounts properly with Madam Yu. Let us begin with... that dish of Jade White Lotus Blossom Cake?"
Since that incident, the name of this pastry had become taboo in the General's mansion.
Yu Shi's expression drastically changed upon hearing this. Clearly, she knew the inside story.
"Wha… what Jade White Lotus Blossom Cake? That pastry is what you like to eat; no one else enjoys it!"
Feng Yinwan hummed, "Madam Yu seems to know my preferences very well."
"Why would I know your preferences? I merely heard it from the servants! Stop changing the subject. Yiyi was kind enough to bring you breakfast, why did you harm her like this!"
"Where does Madam Yu get such an idea? This Princess merely asked Second Sister to personally taste the food. His Highness was present just now. If Madam Yu doesn't believe me, you can ask His Highness yourself."
With a glance, Ye Tinglan immediately nodded in agreement.
"I can attest that what the Princess says is indeed true."
Seeing them act in such perfect accord, Yu Shi was furious enough to spew fire.
"If that were the case, why are Yiyi's clothes torn like this? Where did the wounds on her body come from!"
This bitch still wanted to deceive her!
Feng Yinwan spread her hands. "This Princess cannot say. Perhaps Second Sister fell by herself?"
"You're spouting nonsense!"
Yu Shi gritted her teeth and yanked a maidservant from behind her.
"Yuan'er, tell them!"
Yuan'er bit her lip. Upon hearing the command, she immediately spoke.
"Reporting to Madam, for the past few days, the Princess has had Young Master Song come to the courtyard to teach her swordplay. Second Miss, fearing gossip, specially brought me to visit frequently."
"This morning, she heard the Princess had summoned Young Master Song upon waking and hadn't even eaten breakfast. Second Miss was worried, so she specially brought me to deliver breakfast."
"Unexpectedly, not only was the Princess not grateful, but she… she tampered with the food and harmed Second Miss like this!"
As expected of someone by Feng Yiyi's side, they were skilled at twisting the truth.
Feng Yinwan sneered, "According to your words, then this Princess deliberately poisoned Feng Yiyi?"
If that were true, she certainly had a lot of nerve!