Qi Xuan (rubbing his eyes): "?"
No, that couldn't be. Was this the same person who just moments ago looked exhausted and dispirited?
Whether it was or wasn't, Feng Yin Wan didn't care.
She was here to discuss entering the palace, but before she could speak, Ye Ting Lan broke the silence.
"The carriage is ready. Let's go."
Feng Yin Wan nodded and followed him.
This wasn't her first time riding in Ye Ting Lan's carriage, and it was still quite spacious.
However, Feng Yin Wan couldn't understand why, in such a large space, he insisted on crowding so close to her.
Frowning, she silently tried to shift away, but it was barely effective, as the clingy person moved closer.
Feng Yin Wan: "..."
Seeing herself squeezed to the very edge, Feng Yin Wan's brow furrowed. She was about to speak when he interrupted her again.
"Yesterday's matter has been investigated. How do you wish to deal with her?"
Feng Yin Wan blinked, then remembered he was referring to Qin Ru Lian secretly drugging her.
Calling it a "drug" was an exaggeration; it was so weak it wouldn't even tickle her.
With the Emperor still gravely ill and the Empress Dowager burdened with worry at her age, a mere tranquilizer, which hadn't caused any major harm, would at most result in a reprimand if handed over to the Empress, who would surely protect her.
Such a lukewarm punishment was utterly uninteresting, and her time was limited and precious. She was too lazy to waste her thoughts on an idiot.
Waving her hand, she said with weariness, "Your Highness can decide."
Ye Ting Lan's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly at this. He then said, "Then let's have her held for now. It's not too late to deal with her when you've made up your mind."
Feng Yin Wan wanted to say it wasn't necessary, but meeting his unyielding gaze, she decided it wasn't worth arguing.
Nodding, she simply got up and moved to a different seat.
"Alright, then hold her for now."
As the carriage swayed, Feng Yin Wan nestled into the soft couch, poring over documents the entire journey.
The list of people investigated by Qi Xuan regarding Zhu Yu had been mostly cleared. The remaining few were difficult to investigate covertly. Today, with the opportunity to enter various palaces, she could take the chance to look them over herself.
Her gaze drifted over a few names, and then, within her line of sight, a pair of fingers descended, tapping lightly, and settling on the entry for Chang Le Palace.
Feng Yin Wan paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.
It seemed they had come to the same conclusion.
Although the Emperor had awakened, he had mostly been in a stupor these past few days. As they arrived at Yang Xin Palace, Ye Ting Yun was helping the Empress Dowager out.
Upon seeing them, a rare emotion flickered across his weary face.
"Third Brother."
Ye Ting Lan nodded, his gaze falling on the Empress Dowager. Feng Yin Wan followed suit and bowed.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager and Prince Yun."
Although she held the title of concubine, her actions were those of a principal wife. The Empress Dowager, who greatly valued etiquette, should have been displeased by such presumption. However, as her gaze fell upon Feng Yin Wan, it was much gentler than expected.
Feng Yin Wan was slightly taken aback. Before she could fathom the reason for this gentleness, the Empress Dowager retracted her gaze.
She then spoke, addressing Ye Ting Lan and Ye Ting Yun.
"You two brothers likely have matters to discuss. Never mind, there's no need to escort me. I can return on my own."
Ye Ting Yun indeed had matters to discuss. If not for the public setting, he would have rushed to Ye Ting Lan's side long ago.
Hearing this, he looked at the Empress Dowager, still hesitating. "Imperial Grandmother..."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "It's alright, I'm not that fragile."
With that, she took her leave with her attendants. Seeing this, Ye Ting Yun immediately pulled Ye Ting Lan aside.
"Third Brother, I heard about what happened yesterday. What is the reason behind your... actions?"
He hadn't known about the matter of the principal wife's rites before.
Yesterday, the Prince of Ding Nan had suddenly entered the palace, insisting on an audience with the Emperor, with an air of complaint. It was only when the Empress Dowager intervened that the situation was quelled.
Originally, Third Brother's insistence on taking this woman as a concubine had already displeased the Prince of Ding Nan. This latest development had truly offended him.
His gaze flickered towards Feng Yin Wan beside them as he clenched his fist.
This woman... is she truly just an outsider?
"Third Brother, do you also feel she resembles Third Sister-in-law?"
When Consort Li had said this the other day, he had argued against it, but doubt had lingered in his heart. Now, looking at her, he was becoming increasingly uncertain.
In fact, if it were just a resemblance, it would be understandable. But the crucial point was that she had a son who was almost three years old.
The timing and personality matched perfectly. So, what about her identity...
Hidden assumptions ran wild in his mind, but Third Brother had personally brought back "Feng Yin Wan's" body. Ye Ting Yun felt he was going mad.
After a moment, as if having made a great decision, he tightened his fist.
"Third Brother, I know this might be an unforgivable transgression, but if she truly is Third Sister-in-law... please tell me. Mother, Grandmother, and I all miss her."
The Feng family might have made mistakes, but Feng Yin Wan herself was not to blame. They had always held her in their hearts.
Ye Ting Lan had not intended to answer. Hearing this, his expression shifted slightly, and his eyelashes finally drooped with dejection.
"I... dare not be certain either."
This meant...!
Ye Ting Yun's head snapped up. His eyes, filled with shock, also blazed with a spark of joy.
"If that's the case, why doesn't Third Brother simply ask her directly?"
He had kept the woman at his residence for many days. Wouldn't it be easy to get an answer?
Ye Ting Lan shook his head at this.
One grows more timid the closer they are to home, afraid to ask the person before them.
This saying was perfectly applicable to him.
It wasn't that he didn't want to ask. But at Wu Xi Pavilion, he had already lost her once.
Even if he recognized her, what then? She harbored resentment and was determined not to engage with him. If not for the Bai Mu Ling Xi and those black-clothed men, would she have returned so easily?
Being able to keep her by his side like this was already more than he dared to hope for... If he rashly spoke and startled her, this fragile peace would shatter into dust.
Ye Ting Lan closed his eyes, then looked at Ye Ting Yun with a somber expression and shook his head.
"Let's not speak of this matter again."
"But Third Brother..."
Ye Ting Yun was reluctant, yet he could empathize with his feelings. Like Ye Ting Lan, the person was right before them, but neither dared to step forward and ask.
He hesitated for a long moment, then finally suppressed his words.
Pausing, as if struck by a sudden thought, he pursed his lips and said in a low voice.
"A few days ago, Physician Jiang gave Mother a dose of medicine. Although he didn't disclose its origin, Mother's condition improved significantly after taking it. It was very effective."
His gaze fell on Feng Yin Wan, his heart filled with indescribable complexity. "When you brought her into the palace before, she witnessed Mother's illness flare up."
The implication was clear.
He hadn't been sure before, but now...
If this woman truly was Feng Yin Wan, then the medicine given to Mother must have come from her.
However, if she was willing to help, why wouldn't she reveal her identity?
If what Third Brother said was true, then their chances of reconciliation would be incredibly difficult.