Ye Tingyun kept his word and stayed by her side, even forcing her to face the wall with him.
Feng Yinwan stared at the recently renovated brick wall before her, feeling dejected.
He actually thought of such a thing!
If this continued, she feared she would lose her mind before Ye Tinglan even emerged.
As she shifted her weight, Ye Tingyun pinched her arm.
The young man looked at her warily, his eyes filled with a mix of warning and triumph.
“What do you think you’re doing? Go back!”
Feng Yinwan: “……”
I swear, your entire brain is dedicated to this!
As she turned her wrist, about to make a move, a teasing voice sounded from behind.
“Fifth Brother, what are you doing?”
The newcomer was Ye Tingyu.
After not seeing him for several years, he seemed even more dissolute. Now, he was staring at them, a clearly ill-intentioned smile on his face.
Ye Tingyun’s brows furrowed, and he stepped forward to shield her.
“Why are you only arriving now, Fourth Brother? The birthday banquet is about to begin. Eldest Brother and the others came to pay their respects early.”
Several princes had visited throughout the morning, but he alone was conspicuously absent.
A flicker of unease crossed Ye Tingyu’s face at his words.
“There were matters at the residence, so there was a slight delay.”
“Was it genuinely a matter, or are you unwilling to put in the effort, Fourth Brother? It would have been fine in the past, but today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. You arrive smelling of perfume and powder; it’s rather disrespectful!”
Judging by his disheveled appearance, he had clearly just returned from some dalliance. He was truly incorrigible.
His face instantly changed upon being exposed.
His gaze shifted towards Feng Yinwan behind Ye Tingyun, sneering, “I think you should worry about yourself first!”
With that, he flicked his sleeve and moved forward.
The scent wafted over, and Ye Tingyun instinctively covered his nose in disgust.
Feng Yinwan frowned and was about to hold her breath when she suddenly sensed something unusual. Her eyes immediately narrowed.
The scent of medicine.
Mixed within the perfume was a faint, exotic fragrance. It was very subtle, but she was certain it was the lingering scent of an elixir.
Ordinarily, the smell of elixirs dissipated very quickly after use. This must have been left not long ago.
But why would Ye Tingyu have it on him?
Her brow furrowed. Before she could ponder further, a figure in black robes approached.
“Third Brother.”
Ye Tingyun, unaware of anything amiss, stepped forward, intending to lecture again. However, Ye Tinglan showed no sign of stopping.
“Let’s go.”
He was still speaking to Feng Yinwan.
Ye Tingyun’s pupils dilated, his heart shattering into a million pieces.
The seductive arts… they were truly that potent!
By the time they arrived, the Rui Lin Hall was already quite crowded. Feng Yinwan’s appearance immediately drew many gazes.
She was here to cause trouble, so she naturally didn’t mind. What surprised her was Ye Tinglan’s uncharacteristic composure.
He didn’t seem to care much, did he?
Before long, the Emperor and others arrived, accompanied by a young man besides Ye Tingyun.
The man appeared significantly older than Ye Tingyun, dressed in a simple, elegant long robe that exuded a refined aura. He was the First Prince, Ye Tingzhu, who had yet to make an appearance.
Feng Yinwan could believe that his demeanor was that of a recluse living in the mountains. As for his appearance…
He was likely the least like the Emperor among the five princes.
Especially with Ye Tingyun standing beside him, the contrast was stark.
As she was observing, she received another warning glance from Ye Tingyun. Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and looked back, only to meet the gaze of the Prince of Dingnan.
The latter seemed momentarily taken aback, smiling at her for two seconds before his smile vanished.
He then glared at her, his anger palpable, as if he wished he could draw his sword and cut her down right there.
Further back, Qin Rulian was mingling in the crowd.
She had been looking up at Ye Tinglan when her gaze fell upon Feng Yinwan. Her face froze, and her expression became incredibly stiff.
Watching these individuals, their faces contorted in such expressions, Feng Yinwan’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Today’s top priority: Be a diligent and proper mistress.
Who she was trying to infuriate, she wouldn’t say.
The Prince of Dingnan was less patient than anticipated. The moment everyone was seated, he spoke with displeasure.
“Prince Mo, why is Shu’er not present at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, such a grand occasion?”
He addressed Ye Tinglan, but his glare was fixed on Feng Yinwan.
It was his outburst that drew the attention of the entire hall, and only then did people notice Feng Yinwan’s presence.
Instantly, gazes fell upon her, numerous and sharp as knives.
Feng Yinwan’s back remained straight, and Ye Tinglan beside her sat as solid as a mountain, unmoved.
“Princess Zhao’an has been bedridden for a long time. The imperial physicians have advised against her leaving the house. I have conveyed her regards to the Empress Dowager on her behalf.”
“Preposterous!”
The Prince of Dingnan was furious. “My daughter had no prior illness before entering the capital. Even if she were afflicted with a severe disease, how could she have been treated for so long without improvement? Have the imperial physicians been negligent!”
As a regional prince, he rarely visited the capital. After Yunshu moved into Prince Mo’s residence, their interactions were mostly through letters.
Since she became unwell and unable to leave the house three years ago, he had only seen his daughter a few times at Prince Mo’s residence.
He had intended to see his daughter again at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet and finalize their marriage. Who would have thought Ye Tinglan would brazenly bring another woman with him!
What did this make him and Shu’er?
Ye Tinglan’s expression remained unperturbed.
“The Prince of Dingnan’s feelings are understandable, but the physicians treating the Princess are personally selected by His Majesty.”
“The imperial physicians are acting under orders and cannot be said to be negligent.”
He had invoked the Emperor’s name. To question further would be to show disrespect to the imperial authority.
The Prince of Dingnan’s expression shifted slightly. He glared at Feng Yinwan once more before withdrawing his gaze.
“This subject thanks His Majesty for his concern.”
The Emperor’s eyes were slightly closed.
“Your Grace, there is no need for such formalities. The Princess is afflicted with illness, and Lan’er is also deeply worried. Though he is a man of few words, I have witnessed all his actions.”
His tone was evasive, deflecting the issue.
The Prince of Dingnan’s heart sank. His anger subsided somewhat.
Recently, there had been reports from spies that Ye Tinglan had been poisoned while seeking the Jade Ganoderma for Shu’er at the Immortal Medicine Sect.
Looking at it this way, he did have some affection for Shu’er.
Men, after all, desired multiple wives and concubines, a variety of beauties. Especially one destined to be an emperor, these things were understandable.
However, bringing such a woman to this occasion today was indeed inappropriate!
Before he could speak further, someone else voiced his thoughts.
“Since Third Brother cares so much for Princess Zhao’an, why have you brought another woman today?”
“This woman looks unfamiliar. Is she a new addition to Third Brother’s residence?”
The speaker was Ye Tingyu, holding a jade cup and leaning lazily, clearly relishing the drama.
Earlier, in Shou Kang Palace, he had been puzzled by when the foolish Ye Tingyun had learned about romance, only to realize he had been covering for Ye Tinglan.
At a palace banquet, only the Princess Consort and secondary consorts were permitted to attend, not other female members of the prince’s household.
This woman had no proper title or status. Ye Tinglan bringing her was an act of self-humiliation!
This remark instantly ignited whispers throughout the hall. Seeing this, the Emperor finally spoke.
“Lan’er, what is the meaning of this?”
Ye Tinglan rose and bowed.
“Father, though this woman’s background is humble, she and I share a deep connection. I wish to request your decree to take her as a secondary consort.”