The Empress Dowager's body, already weary from the day and the long wait outside the hall, began to falter upon hearing this.
Ye Tingyun quickly supported her.
"Imperial Grandmother..."
Her words were cut short by the Empress Dowager's raised hand.
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts, and then spoke, "Enough. It is late. Since there is no poisoner involved, let them each leave the palace."
The banquet had long been halted by the incident. Although the Emperor had not yet awoken, they could not keep everyone confined to the palace.
The Empress nodded immediately upon hearing this. "This concubine shall make the arrangements."
After offering her respects, Jiang Rumuo retreated to a side hall. The Empress Dowager swept her gaze over those present and gave an order.
"Go inside and wait."
It was past the second watch when Jiang Rumuo emerged from behind the screen again.
"His Majesty's condition has stabilized. However, it is still unknown when he will awaken tonight. Please instruct, Your Majesty."
After all, this was where the banquet was held. The side hall of Ruilin Palace was not comparable to the inner palace.
The Empress Dowager nodded upon hearing this.
"Have someone move him back to Yangxin Palace."
She then looked around. "You all may also return to your respective residences. The Emperor will be attended by this empress and Yun'er. We shall await tomorrow for further news on his condition."
"Mother, you cannot."
"Empress? Do you have something to say?"
The Empress curtsied.
"Mother has been laboring long today and is truly not suited for further exertion. In this concubine's opinion, perhaps this concubine and a few of my sisters could keep watch at Yangxin Palace."
Although these words came from her, the other consorts dared not disobey and immediately bowed.
"This concubine and others are willing to wait upon His Majesty."
The Empress Dowager frowned but did not wish to entertain further discussion. "There is no need for more words. Do as this empress has instructed."
"Yes."
Soon, eunuchs brought sedan chairs. The entourage returned to the inner palace in a grand procession. Feng Yinwan watched as Ye Tinglan spoke beside her.
"Let's go."
At this hour, Qi Xuan and the others must have already left the palace.
Feng Yinwan nodded and followed him.
The guests who had attended the banquet had long dispersed. The area in front of the palace gates was deserted, utterly silent.
As they were about to board their carriage, two figures chased after them from behind.
One was nonchalant, the other rigid. It was Ye Tingyu and Ye Tingyan.
Feng Yinwan frowned subtly. Before she could avert her gaze, Ye Tingyu spoke.
"Congratulations, Third Brother, on your new concubine. I am truly impressed by what transpired in the hall today."
His bow was perfunctory, and the smile on his face was frivolous.
Ye Tinglan listened with a cold expression, giving him no glance.
"With our father, the Emperor, in his current state, you come to offer congratulations? What is your intention?"
"I..."
Ye Tingyu's heart tightened upon hearing this. Before he could respond, Ye Tingyan placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Naturally, as sons, we are worried about our father. It was merely a casual remark, Third Brother need not be so serious."
"We shall take our leave."
He said this and then half-pushed Ye Tingyu away.
Recalling the faint scent of medicinal pills from Ye Tingyu in Shou Kang Palace, Feng Yinwan glanced at him with narrowed eyes.
As she turned, Qi Xuan landed gracefully.
"Your Highness."
Ye Tinglan nodded and walked directly to the carriage. "We will discuss it back at the residence."
It was close to midnight when the carriage returned to their manor.
Feng Yinwan thought that she had conveyed all that needed to be said. As she alighted from the carriage, she prepared to return directly to her courtyard. However, before she could take a step, Ye Tinglan called out to her.
"You will come to the study with me."
Upon returning to the manor, he no longer referred to her as a side consort.
A wry smile touched Feng Yinwan's lips, and she had no choice but to turn and follow.
"Subordinate followed the clues provided by Miss and found this in a secluded spot by the palace road."
As soon as she stood still, Qi Xuan produced something from his怀.
Feng Yinwan glanced at it. It was a bloodstained piece of gauze.
"When subordinate found it, the bloodstains were still fresh. It must have been discarded only recently tonight."
The person's injuries indeed left traces.
Ye Tinglan stared at it for a moment, then said coldly.
"Which palaces are nearby?"
"Chunxi Palace, Yuxiu Palace, Zhonghua Palace... and the Empress's Changle Palace."
Changle Palace.
Feng Yinwan's fingers, which were toying with a medicine box, paused. A flicker of contemplation appeared in her eyes.
During her first assassination attempt, in Chunhe Palace, the Empress had seemed to say the assassin was targeting her?
Ye Tinglan's gaze swept over her, then subtly shifted away.
"Have they been investigated?"
Qi Xuan nodded. "All have been searched. No suspicious signs were found. Subordinate suspects that person has hidden themselves."
Not hiding in the literal sense, but shedding their disguise and blending into the inner palace.
As night fell, those who donned night attire were assassins and villains. Once they took it off, they became ordinary people within the palace.
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes deepened. The jade bead on his fingertip reappeared.
"Investigate."
Qi Xuan took his orders and retreated. Feng Yinwan saw this and prepared to leave, but Ye Tinglan's expressionless voice sounded from behind her.
"You are injured?"
Since being in the palace, she had only used her right hand to drink tea, and her left shoulder had remained largely immobile. He had already noticed something amiss.
And just now, as well.
Feng Yinwan had hidden it extremely well, but she was not surprised that he had seen through it.
She nodded, stopping her movement.
"It's nothing, merely an old injury."
Her left shoulder had been gravely wounded in the past. During the fight tonight, the force of the opponent's palm had also struck it, making the pain almost unbearable.
Ye Tinglan, upon hearing this, suddenly stood up.
Seeing him approach, Feng Yinwan's heart tightened, and she instantly retreated.
"What does Your Highness intend to do?"