The tone was so indifferent it was almost unbelievable, yet the crowd gasped.
The person had been sent flying… and that was considered a minor reprimand?
The Empress's face flushed with cold fury.
Frowning, she glanced at Qin Rulian, who was lying on the ground, and signaled the palace maids to quickly help her up.
"Prince Mo, you are not yet married, so how can you have a concubine? It was merely a few words, yet you publicly struck a noble lady in the hall. What is the meaning of this!"
Her sharp gaze swept over, clearly holding him accountable.
Feng Yinwan, however, did not flinch. She dusted off the residual wine on her robes and stood up straight.
"Your Majesty the Empress may not have seen clearly. The one who made a move in the hall was Miss Qin, not this concubine. This concubine, just now, was merely retaliating."
"Retaliating?"
The Empress's voice was so cold it was almost a growl.
"You've injured her to this extent, and this is your so-called retaliation?"
When Qin Rulian had fallen to the ground earlier, her face had been obscured, and it wasn't clear how serious it was.
Now that she was helped up, it was discovered that both her cheeks were red and swollen, truly an unsightly sight.
It was evident that Feng Yinwan's slaps had not held back.
As the gazes of the crowd turned towards her, Qin Rulian, at the opportune moment, pursed her lips and wept sadly.
"Auntie…"
Feng Yinwan glanced at her, her expression unchanged.
"This concubine was indeed retaliating."
With so many eyes watching, she was not speaking without reason.
Moreover, in any situation, it was never the case that the weaker party was in the right.
"Miss Qin, after failing to ensnare the Prince, flew into a rage, threw wine at this concubine, and not only that, but disregarding all warnings, she struck me with the wine cup."
"If this humiliation were not returned in full, I fear it would disgrace the Prince."
What was wrong with slapping her twice? It was only because she hadn't used her internal energy.
"Your Majesty the Empress, as the head of the harem, knows best how to discipline concubines. Miss Qin, being your niece, behaved in such a manner today, and this concubine believes it truly unacceptable."
"Presumptuous! Are you implying that I am negligent in my upbringing!"
How dare she be so audacious!
"Empress, please calm your anger. This concubine lacks etiquette and acted rather roughly. Your son apologizes to you on her behalf."
While saying he was apologizing, Ye Tinglan merely stood up and pulled Feng Yinwan back. He made no move to bow.
The Empress frowned, about to erupt again, when the Emperor and Empress Dowager returned from their resting chambers.
Seeing the situation, their expressions darkened. The Empress had no choice but to wave for someone to help Qin Rulian away.
The farce subsided. Feng Yinwan retreated to the side but did not sit down.
"Prince, my dress is wet. I shall go and change."
Although attending the banquet, she had not forgotten her main task.
The Hundred Wood Spirit Rhinoceros had already appeared. Now that night was falling, the other party would surely make a move.
Just now, she had been worrying about an excuse to leave, and Qin Rulian's cup of wine had come at the perfect time.
Ye Tinglan glanced at her and nodded in agreement.
"The palace roads are winding at night. Concubine, please return early."
Guided by a palace maid to a nearby side chamber, Feng Yinwan incapacitated the guards with a迷香 (mi xiang - a type of sleep-inducing incense) and changed into her night-fighting attire. She then slipped out the window and headed straight for the imperial harem.
Ye Tinglan had arranged for people to be stationed there earlier. As soon as she approached, Qi Xuan appeared from the eaves.
"What's the situation?"
"All the birthday gifts presented today have been sent to the Empress Dowager's palace. I have been watching here, and there has been no unusual activity yet."
Feng Yinwan nodded and pulled up her face covering.
"You continue to guard outside. I will go in alone."
"This…"
Qi Xuan hesitated.
Last time, in the Imperial Household Department, although the Prince had intentionally let the person go, judging by the few moves exchanged, the opponent's skill was certainly extraordinary.
Letting her go in alone was truly too risky.
Feng Yinwan waved her hand, seeing his concern. "Don't worry, this is Shou Kang Palace. They wouldn't dare make any major moves here."
With that, she leaped from the roof, leaving behind a figure that was so clear and graceful it was almost a blur of familiarity.
A moment of stunned silence, Qi Xuan frowned and looked away.
As the first watch bell chimed, the night banquet at Ruilin Hall was in full swing. A figure evaded sight and silently entered Shou Kang Palace.
In the side chamber, Feng Yinwan hid on the roof beams, her fingertips armed with silver needles, faintly gleaming in the dim light.
The wind picked up, the candles flickered, and the palace door was pushed open by a sliver.
In the darkness, Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes suddenly snapped open.
They're here.
The person's footsteps were extremely light. It was almost unnecessary to discern their direction; they were clearly heading for the table.
The Hundred Wood Spirit Rhinoceros had been displayed at the banquet during the day and had been sent directly to Shou Kang Palace after leaving Ruilin Hall, so the box containing it had not been changed.
The person quickly recognized it and reached out to open the brocade box. At that moment, a faint, exotic fragrance brushed against their fingertips.
Almost as soon as she noticed, six silver needles from behind attacked simultaneously.
The person stiffened, and three flying daggers from their sleeve were immediately flung out, spinning as they intercepted the silver needles.
As they tried to sweep them away, a sudden blockage occurred in their left arm, causing one flying dagger to slip. The silver needles then shot through the air.
They leaned backward, their body bending halfway before barely dodging.
Seeing this, Feng Yinwan narrowed her eyes, a chill instantly radiating from her body.
"Whoosh—"
Another needle shot towards their face. As the person dodged, a cold blade had already arrived before them.
Feng Yinwan's short saber chopped down, directly repelling them several steps.
She had deliberately left something on the brocade box earlier. This person had fallen for the trick and was now no match for her.
With her saber edge held horizontally, she was about to capture them when the person severed the meridians in their own left shoulder, instantly halting the spread of poison.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow, her eyes gathering a hint of seriousness.
In an instant, the flying daggers arrived once more.
The person controlled three flying daggers with one hand, surrounding her from all sides, their power still not to be underestimated.
Feng Yinwan dodged, using her right hand to wield the saber while silver needles shot from her left fingertips, blocking the person's hand from reaching the brocade box.
A fierce look flashed in the opponent's eyes. They abandoned the Hundred Wood Spirit Rhinoceros and attacked her instead.
The three flying daggers were still whirling, and the person seized the opportunity, bringing down a palm directly towards her left shoulder.
As the palm wind grazed past, a familiar sensation struck her. Feng Yinwan's heart suddenly tightened.
"It's you?!"
The other party had not expected her to speak. Hearing this, their eyes widened slightly, and they immediately broke through the window and fled.
Feng Yinwan chased after them, but they had already vanished.
The commotion had not been small, and the palace staff were alerted. They rushed towards the area with lanterns. Feng Yinwan's brows tightened, and she immediately leaped onto the roof.
That strike just now, she could never be mistaken about!
The weapons had changed, the moves had changed, but the habit of practicing martial arts was difficult to alter.
The palm that had aimed for her left shoulder was eerily similar to the technique used by the assassin who had attacked her in the palace years ago!
She had never expected the villain to have been lurking in the palace for so long!
As a dark contemplation brewed in her eyes, a slight movement came from the side. Qi Xuan, who had been nowhere to be seen, retreated rapidly.
"Something has happened at Ruilin Hall."