The order of attending to the sick was arranged by seniority, so Feng Yinwan had no duties for the first two days.
News from the palace kept coming, and Feng Yinwan overheard gossip mostly about the Emperor's deteriorating condition and his imminent death.
At this time, the court was in a state of agitation, and the matter of establishing a crown prince was quietly brought up again. The foremost figure in this whirlwind was Ye Tinglan.
Many people visited these past two days, and it was no surprise that they were mostly here for this very reason.
The paving stones outside the Mo Prince's manor had almost been worn out by visitors. The principal figure, however, remained calm, staying shut in his study day after day, making his intentions impossible to discern.
Feng Yinwan was curious. "The struggle for the crown prince is imminent. This is a prime opportunity to win over officials. Isn't Your Highness worried at all?"
With the sudden shift in the political landscape, apart from the foolish Ye Tingyun who remained in the palace to accompany the Emperor, the other three were likely already making their moves in secret.
This struggle for the crown prince was not just about imperial power, but also about survival.
Ye Tinglan, of course, understood such basic logic.
Unexpectedly, his eyes remained glued to the official documents, as if he hadn't heard her question.
Finding it uninteresting, Feng Yinwan clapped her hands, scattering melon seed shells. She got up.
"Then I won't disturb you."
As she spoke and was about to return to her courtyard, Qi Xuan hurried in from outside.
He glanced at her and nodded.
"Your Highness, Miss Qing, this is a list of names investigated from the palace in recent days."
He leaned in and handed over a document filled with densely packed names, presumably all related to that particular pearl and jade.
Her thoughts caught on a certain point in his words, Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before he reached out to take it.
After glancing at it a couple of times, his movement stopped. "Order people to investigate thoroughly, without any fanfare. If anything cannot be investigated, leave it; I will investigate it myself."
"Yes."
He received the order and withdrew. As he passed Feng Yinwan, he gave her an extra glance.
Although the King's mention of a secondary consort at the birthday banquet was a temporary measure, someone as perceptive as him had immediately noticed something unusual.
To put it plainly, the King's attitude had changed these past two days.
Not only had he become much more amiable, but he had also become more tolerant and patient.
For example, he had actually allowed this woman to crack melon seeds in his study!
Cracking melon seeds! In the study!
Help...
Heaven knew how much the King detested noise, he had been utterly astonished when he saw it just now!
Feng Yinwan clearly couldn't empathize with this astonishment. She glanced at the list on the desk and walked straight forward to pick it up.
As she scanned it with a quick glance, she indeed saw several familiar names, and her eyebrows immediately rose.
"What are Your Highness's plans for the rest?"
Ye Tinglan's thin eyelids drooped, his wrist turning slightly as he made a stroke on the paper.
"Tomorrow, for attending to the sick, you will need to accompany me into the palace."
Feng Yinwan had expected this. "What do you need me to do?"
"You don't need to do anything. However, you could perhaps take a stroll in the inner palace."
...
After nightfall, two carriages drove into the Second Prince's manor.
Before long, lights were lit in the main hall.
Without bothering to drink tea, Ye Tingyu took a hasty sip and leaned forward.
"Second Brother, what is the situation in the palace now? The matter is so critical, shouldn't you and I make plans?"
Officials had been making many suggestions these past two days, and news had also leaked from the palace that the Emperor's illness was extremely severe, and he likely had only a few days left.
He had discussed this with Ye Tingyan early in the morning, but had not managed to ascertain his stance. It was only today, upon learning that he was to attend to the Emperor, that he had waited outside at the opportune moment.
Ye Tingyan paused his hand holding the teacup upon hearing his voice, his long, narrow eyes narrowing.
"There was nothing unusual today while attending to the sick, but I somehow feel this incident is rather peculiar. Father Emperor has always been robust; how could he have fallen gravely ill without any warning?"
It seemed too sudden.
Seeing his continued hesitation, Ye Tingyu gave a wry laugh.
"Second Brother, you are perhaps too overly cautious. If a grave illness had warning signs, would it still be called a grave illness? Besides, the imperial physicians also said that Father Emperor was not poisoned."
Ye Tingyan raised his hand. "How much credibility do you place on what Jiang Rumao said?"
Ye Tingyu was taken aback by this.
"What does Second Brother mean?"
"Order someone to investigate him. This matter must not have the slightest error."
...
Although the princes were taking turns to attend to the sick, the Empress Dowager and Ye Tingyun had also been present these past two days.
However, when they entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, they did not see either of them.
"Oh, the secondary consort has also arrived."
As they approached, Eunuch Gao hurried over. Ye Tinglan glanced at him and, as if casually, curved his lips.
"Why do I not see the Empress Dowager and Prince Yun?"
"Your Highness, you may not know, but the Empress Dowager stayed up all night again yesterday, and it is only now that Prince Yun, under His Highness's assistance, has taken her back to rest."
"Is that so."
Ye Tinglan nodded and walked directly inside.
Although they were there to attend to the sick, the Emperor had not woken up, and they were merely keeping him company.
Following Ye Tinglan's instructions, Feng Yinwan only stayed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for half an hour before rising and leaving.
Eunuch Gao was still guarding outside. Seeing this, he immediately stepped forward.
"Does the secondary consort have any instructions?"
This time entering the palace, everyone was in a state of self-preservation, and the atmosphere of dread was even more intense than before.
Under such circumstances, Eunuch Gao's diligence in his duties was rare.
Feng Yinwan nodded. "I wouldn't dare. His Highness said I wasn't necessary inside, so I thought I'd take a walk."
Considering it, she, as a secondary consort, had never been to the inner palace before. Eunuch Gao understood and nodded.
"Then please proceed. This servant will not see you off."
"Eunuch, please remain."
Seeing that she was heading towards the inner palace, Eunuch Gao glanced at her before turning back.
Ye Tinglan had only told her to take a stroll in the inner palace, but hadn't specified where. Feng Yinwan walked along the palace path, finding the route exceedingly desolate.
She mused that with the Emperor critically ill and unconscious, and the various consorts ordered by the Empress Dowager to remain confined to their residences, the vast inner palace would indeed be deserted.
Just as she was contemplating changing paths, a figure flickered and hurried footsteps approached rapidly.
"Stop!"
Feng Yinwan froze and turned to see Ye Tingyun, his face full of suspicion.
Upon clearly recognizing her face, the young man's expression contorted even further.
"Hey, it really is you!"
This woman dared to come here!
And dared to wander aimlessly in the inner palace at such a time!
Wasn't this purely giving her third brother an excuse to be gossiped about?
As if he, Ye Tingyun—the brains behind Third Brother—would let this foolish woman tarnish Third Brother's reputation!
"Come with me!"
Without any further explanation, he grabbed Feng Yinwan and pulled her into the palace gate.
Upon entering, Feng Yinwan realized she had been walking towards the Spring Harmony Palace of Consort Li.
So many events had transpired consecutively, and her departure from the capital had been hurried and chaotic. She had not had time to attend to many people and matters.
Stepping back into this place, she couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
Before her thoughts could fully coalesce, a stern female voice sounded in front of her.
"Yun'er, how unbecoming of you! Let go quickly!"