"Mother... Mother Consort?"
Ye Tingyun's body trembled in fright, and he immediately withdrew his hand.
"No, why did you come out?"
He had pulled this woman in purely as a temporary measure, never expecting such a coincidence as running into his Mother Consort.
Consort Li glanced up, her gaze carrying a hint of admonishment.
"This is Lan'er's side consort. Although the ceremonies are not yet complete, she is considered half your sister-in-law. How can you be so disrespectful!"
"I..."
Consort Li's gaze swept over him, and Ye Tingyun immediately backed down.
"Mother Consort, I was presumptuous."
Admitting fault was still considered obedient.
Consort Li remained silent and looked at Feng Yinwan behind him.
"My child is a bit lax in his disposition, please do not mind him."
Three years had passed without seeing each other, and their reunion was as if no time had elapsed.
Feng Yinwan shook her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "I dare not."
With the Emperor still critically ill, Consort Li was not in the mood to see anyone. However, since she was already here, it was not good to ask them to leave.
She looked at Feng Yinwan and added, "I have a few frost-resistant flowers here that are blooming beautifully. Would you like to see them together, side consort?"
It was rare for her to have the inclination to admire flowers. Upon hearing this, Ye Tingyun immediately stepped forward.
"Mother Consort, your son will accompany you as well!"
The scene in Chunhe Palace was no different from before.
The place where the frost-resistant flowers were planted was not far from the Qicai Xiao Jinli pond. As winter approached, the lotuses in the pond had withered, making the Qicai Xiao Jinli appear even clearer.
Feng Yinwan glanced at it and smiled, "Does your Highness have a preference for lotuses?"
The lotus had just faded, and now the frost-resistant flowers were blooming; both the water and the plants were lotuses.
Seeing her meticulous observation, Consort Li nodded, and a hint of a smile finally appeared in her eyes, which were filled with mist.
"They were all bestowed by the former Emperor. Never mind, does side consort also understand flowers and plants?"
Feng Yinwan shook her head. "I only know a little."
Three years in Xuanmen, growing medicinal herbs was a common task. There were also many flowers in the sect, and tending to them allowed her to gain some understanding.
Consort Li nodded and was about to say more when a gust of cool wind blew towards her, interrupting her.
For a moment, she covered her mouth and coughed incessantly, her face turning noticeably pale compared to moments before.
Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed as she saw this, her hand already reaching out to support her.
"Mother Consort!"
Ye Tingyun quickly turned his head and, seeing the situation, knitted his brows. He looked at the palace attendants who had fallen a few steps behind and said urgently,
"Quickly help Mother Consort back. She must not be exposed to the cold wind any longer."
Yunxiu immediately stepped forward, supported Consort Li, and hurried back.
Ye Tingyun rushed to follow but suddenly remembered Feng Yinwan beside him. He had to stop and reluctantly explained,
"Mother Consort has a chronic illness. She has been worried about Father Emperor these past few days, which has weakened her body. She was just caught by the cold wind."
His gaze fell on her, and he inwardly felt a surge of annoyance.
He should not have brought her in.
Feng Yinwan was still thinking about Consort Li's old illness and, hearing this, wisely did not linger.
"Since Consort Li is feeling unwell, I shall not intrude. Prince Yun, please stay."
With that, she turned and headed out of the palace. Ye Tingyun watched for a moment, then quickly walked into the hall.
As he entered, Consort Li had just finished drinking a cup of hot tea, served by Yunxiu. Although her face was still pale, her coughing had subsided considerably.
Seeing this, Ye Tingyun quickly stepped forward. "Mother Consort, how are you feeling? Are you better?"
Consort Li nodded and spoke with little strength. "It's not a major issue. I'll be fine once I recover."
Ye Tingyun was still a bit worried. "Perhaps we should call for the imperial physician. I'll go now."
"Stop."
Before he could take a step, he was halted. He paused, then obediently stood back.
"Mother Consort..."
Consort Li raised her eyes, but her gaze went past him and looked towards the outside of the hall. "Has Lan'er's consort from Prince Mo's estate left?"
Ye Tingyun frowned upon hearing this. "Mother Consort, you are like this, yet you are still thinking about asking about her."
The hall fell silent for a moment. Yunxiu, understanding, immediately led her people out.
Consort Li's eyes turned back to him, carrying a hint of seriousness.
"Yun'er, have you not noticed that she bears a resemblance to someone?"
"Who?"
Ye Tingyun thought for a moment, his brow furrowing even tighter.
"Mother Consort, are you mistaken? Who could possibly resemble her..."
Before he could finish speaking, a face suddenly flashed in his mind. Ye Tingyun froze, his body instantly stopping.
"Mother Consort means... she resembles Third Sister-in-law?!"
The moment this thought arose, even Ye Tingyun himself was startled.
Consort Li raised her hand, signaling him to help her up.
"If not, why would Lan'er cherish her so much?"
What happened back then was not a secret. This woman bore some resemblance to Feng Yinwan, which was enough.
Ye Tingyun, however, blurted out without thinking, "That's because she gave Third Brother a child."
"A child?!"
Consort Li was clearly taken aback and startled.
Realizing he had let slip something he shouldn't have, Ye Tingyun took a deep breath and immediately fell silent.
However, in the next moment, his Mother Consort's death stare was upon him.
"Yun'er, what exactly is going on?"
...
After leaving Chunhe Palace, Feng Yinwan took a detour to the place where Qi Xuan had discovered the blood-stained gauze.
As he had said, this palace corridor was very secluded, and there was no one in sight.
Feng Yinwan found the place from memory and looked up, only to find that it was the back entrance to Yuxiu Palace.
One of the palace gates was open, and a woman resembling a palace maid emerged, carrying some items. It looked like she was going to dispose of them.
Feng Yinwan's eyes moved, and she immediately followed.
After a moment, a foul odor wafted towards her. Feng Yinwan frowned, looked up, and discovered that ahead was a pile of garbage. Her beautiful eyes immediately narrowed.
The palace had a large population. Ordinarily, the garbage from each palace was collected by servants and temporarily stored somewhere, after which the Ministry of Internal Affairs would assign personnel for unified processing.
However, she hadn't expected this place to be set up at the back entrance of Yuxiu Palace.
The palace maid soon returned. Their eyes met. She did not recognize Feng Yinwan, but Feng Yinwan felt a sense of familiarity.
After thinking carefully, a vague outline appeared in her mind.
This was the palace maid, Lingxiang, who had discovered her on the palace road when she was attacked.
Yes, she had said at the time that she was from Lady Yu's side in Yuxiu Palace. It was a coincidence to run into her now.
Having identified her, Feng Yinwan immediately called out to her.
"Noble... Noble Lady is?"
Lady Yu was not favored and lived in a secluded place. She had not attended the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, so it was normal for Lingxiang, who served her, not to recognize herself.
Feng Yinwan nodded and introduced herself. "I am Prince Mo's newly appointed side consort. I was wandering in the back palace just now and took a wrong turn. May I ask which noble lady resides here?"
Lingxiang was slightly startled upon hearing this, but still replied respectfully.
"Greetings, side consort. This is Yuxiu Palace, where Lady Yu resides."
Feng Yinwan's eyebrows slightly raised. "Since this is a noble lady's residence, why are there so many foul things outside? Isn't this extremely disrespectful to Lady Yu?"
Unexpectedly, she spoke so astonishingly. Lingxiang's face turned pale, and she trembled instantly.
"Side consort, speak with caution..."