Although the poison's pharmacology resembled that of Xuanmen poisons and the refining methods were identical, a thorough review of the sect's nearly one hundred types of poisons revealed no match.
Naturally, she could not admit to something that was baseless.
However, considering that Xuanmen's alchemy techniques were never disseminated, if this poison did not originate from the sect, where did it come from?
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed, but she had no time to ponder further.
Because Qi Xuan was still awaiting her treatment.
"Hold him down."
His tremors were worsening, making it impossible for Feng Yinwan to administer acupuncture precisely in this state.
Ye Tinglan paused slightly at her words. For some reason, he found himself obeying her command and reached out to restrain Qi Xuan.
In an instant, several silver needles emerged from her fingertips, driven by internal energy, and swiftly sealed Qi Xuan's acupoints.
To avoid revealing her identity, Feng Yinwan had specifically brought a set of ordinary silver needles.
Yet, even so, the proficient technique stirred a sense of familiarity within Ye Tinglan.
His gaze flickered, and fragmented memories resurfaced in his mind.
"Alright, you can let go now."
The woman's cold voice snapped him back to the present.
Ye Tinglan looked up. Her eyes met his, her gaze distant and cold.
He finally regained his senses.
"What did you give him?"
The pill was still in Qi Xuan's mouth, yet to dissolve. Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and said calmly,
"Nothing, just an antidote pill."
On the opposite side, Ye Tinglan's expression turned icy at her words.
"If you claim this poison is not from your Xuanmen, why do you possess the antidote?"
This woman was clearly contradicting herself!
Feng Yinwan found him utterly unreasonable.
Rolling her eyes, she directly pulled Feng Jin'an away. "It's poison, it's poison, alright!"
After years apart, had his suspicion developed into a terminal illness?
Ye Tinglan's face darkened further at her words.
Before he could react, two figures rushed over.
It was the guard and Jiang Rumou.
"Your Highness, Imperial Physician Jiang is here."
After years apart, Jiang Rumou appeared unchanged.
Carrying his medical box, he approached and bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."
Ye Tinglan waved his hand, his face still etched with urgency.
"I trouble you, Imperial Physician Jiang."
The guard had briefly explained the situation on the way, and knowing the urgency, Jiang Rumou nodded and stepped forward to examine Qi Xuan.
His eyes fell upon the silver needles embedded in the acupoints. They were of ordinary make, common as could be.
Above them, Qi Xuan's lips parted slightly, the pill within only half dissolved.
Upon recognizing the substance, Jiang Rumou's body stiffened, and he blurted out instinctively,
"Yushu Pill?"
Ye Tinglan's brow immediately knitted. "What, is there something amiss with this item?"
"No..."
Jiang Rumou faltered, then quickly waved his hand. "Your Highness, forgive my presumption, but has a master already examined Guard Qi?"
"A master?"
Unexpectedly, Ye Tinglan's brow tightened, and he instinctively glanced to the side.
Jiang Rumou nodded. "The one who administered this pill to Guard Qi!"
"Your Highness may not know, but this pill is called Yushu Pill, a top-grade elixir of Xuanmen, capable of suppressing a hundred poisons."
"With this pill, Guard Qi's condition will stabilize."
Ye Tinglan listened intently, his brow furrowed. Upon hearing the words "will stabilize," the tension in his brow eased slightly.
The next moment, a childish voice rang out proudly.
"Did you hear that! Even they know Mama is amazing. Humph, you just don't appreciate it!"
The voice was crisp and clearly laced with mockery.
Thus, Jiang Rumou followed the sound and noticed two people standing nearby.
A woman and... a toddler.
The woman's features were exquisite, her beautiful eyes exuding a detached and aloof aura that deterred any easy approach.
And the little one, peeking from behind her, had a face as delicate and rosy as jade, eliciting a strong desire to protect.
Combined with the previous statement, Jiang Rumou understood that this woman was likely the "Mama" the child had mentioned, the one who had given Qi Xuan the Yushu Pill.
He hadn't expected her to be so young, and he was briefly stunned. In the next instant, a chilling breeze swept past him.
Jiang Rumou's heart clenched.
"Your Highness, I will go and examine the other guards."
With that, he picked up his medical box and moved away. Before stepping off, he clearly saw Ye Tinglan's face darkening to the point of oozing ink.
Ah, Prince Mo had been mocked by a toddler; truly, he was living long enough to see anything!
There were seven or eight people poisoned, but Feng Yinwan did not have that many Yushu Pills.
Furthermore, the Yushu Pill only suppressed the poison; if the antidote was not found within a day, the poison would recur.
Jiang Rumou had no better solution and could only do his best to suppress the poison in the dark guards for the time being.
"Your Highness, this poison is extremely potent and requires a specialized alchemist to concoct the antidote. I fear..."
"I can refine the antidote."
His words were cut off before he could finish.
Beside them, Feng Yinwan stood with her arms crossed, a confident smile gracing her face.
Ye Tinglan was silent for a moment, then his thin lips curled into a cold smile.
"Terms."
"Allow us to leave."
It was not difficult to detoxify this poison; she could refine the antidote within a day at most.
This matter could serve as their opportunity to depart.
Unexpectedly, Ye Tinglan's response was cold. "Then resolve the poison first."
As he spoke, the little one who had been leaning against his side was suddenly drawn towards him by a gust of wind from his palm.
"Until then, he will remain with this prince."
This was a clear threat using his son.
Feng Yinwan's face turned frigid, her fists clenching.
"Despicable!"
Feng Jin'an thrashed, biting down on his arm.
"Shameless!"
His sharp teeth pierced the skin, and the taste of blood immediately filled his mouth.
However, Ye Tinglan didn't even flinch. He held him firmly and moved forward.
"Your time is running out."
Feng Yinwan gritted her teeth. "If you dare lay a hand on him, I will poison your entire household!"
Ye Tinglan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly at her words, but his steps did not falter.
"Watch her."
He said this to the guard standing nearby.
The guard nodded and immediately turned his gaze towards Feng Yinwan.
"Please."
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, cast a stern glance at the retreating figure, and said coldly,
"Find me a room. I need to refine pills."
She had not slept all night.
As dawn broke, a figure descended into the courtyard. After subduing the guard with a blow, the person quickly pushed open the door and entered.
The room was filled with the aroma of alchemy. The woman's eyes were tightly shut, and the nascent form of the pill was faintly visible in the furnace.
The man glanced inside and waited quietly by the side.
A moment later, the dust settled, and the woman on the ground slowly opened her eyes.
In an instant, her expression tightened again.
"Why are you here?"
Song Qing'an was unaware that she had entered Prince Mo's mansion tonight.
Firstly, his injuries had not yet healed, and he shouldn't be worried.
Secondly, even with a disguise, appearing under Ye Tinglan's gaze was equally perilous.
As if recalling something, Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed slightly. "Did Yuzhu tell you?"
Yuzhu was another subordinate among the Xuan Yi people.
"I thought he was reliable, but I didn't expect his mouth to be as big as Xi Wen's. I'll have to have a good word with him when we get back."
A gentle smile spread across Song Qing'an's lips.
"Wan'er, it was I who insisted on asking. It's not his fault."
She had ventured into Prince Mo's mansion alone; how could he not worry?
"Has Chenchen been found?"
Feng Yinwan nodded, a complex expression in her eyes. "There was a slight accident, but it's almost resolved."
She had already refined the antidote, and if all went smoothly, they could leave today.
She glanced at him and then instructed,
"I am fine, you should go back first."
His identity was sensitive, and it would be extremely dangerous if Ye Tinglan discovered anything.
Song Qing'an, however, shook his head.
"There's no need to worry about me. Just do what you need to do. I will wait for you and Chenchen to leave together."
His demeanor was gentle yet firm. Feng Yinwan hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
"Alright."
Not long after the pill was administered, Ye Tinglan arrived gracefully.
The little one followed closely behind. Upon seeing Song Qing'an, he paused slightly, then ran towards them.
"Mama! Uncle Yuzhi!"
Mama had told him that Uncle Song's identity was sensitive when he was disguised, and he needed to cooperate!
Having been forcibly kept by Ye Tinglan overnight, he felt wronged and worried. He clutched Feng Yinwan's neck, his eyes beginning to redden.
Feng Yinwan soothed him tenderly, "It's alright, Mama is here."
The little one nestled into her embrace, then turned to look at Song Qing'an, his face breaking into a bright smile.
"Uncle Yuzhi, why are you here too!"
He hadn't seen Uncle Song in a long time. He must have come because he was worried about him and Mama.
Uncle Song was such a good person; he had indeed made the right judgment.
Song Qing'an smiled and stroked his head.
"Chenchen, it's been a long time."
The little fellow didn't seem to have lost weight. Seeing that he hadn't been mistreated, Song Qing'an was relieved.
While they were affectionately interacting, a picture of harmony, Ye Tinglan stood alone on the opposite side, his entire being radiating a gloom so intense that a chill seemed to emanate from him.
The mother and son who had treated him with indifference last night were now smiling unguardedly at this stranger.
The little one had even affectionately called him "uncle."
The tone, the demeanor, compared to how he had called him earlier, Ye Tinglan's expression darkened further.
He did not want to hear the word "uncle" again today!
"Since when has this prince's manor become a place that outsiders can freely enter?"
He spoke through gritted teeth, his voice as cold as if it had been squeezed from between his molars.
Unexpectedly, the woman and the little one on the other side looked up at him in unison, their eyes clearly conveying –
"Just shut up, you're the outsider!"