A moment of silence. The pair of narrow, elongated eyes before her slowly opened, the inkiness fading to reveal only a weariness born of exhaustion.
He looked as if he hadn't slept all night.
"Don't move."
Through the thin bedding, his long arms, solid and powerful, held her tightly against him.
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed.
"Let go."
The force on her body only intensified.
Ye Tinglan looked down at her, his eyes a deep, dark abyss.
"How did you get that injury before?"
His fingertips traced the area where a scar on her left cheek had long since faded.
She was slightly taken aback that he would suddenly bring this up. In a moment, mockery returned to her face.
"His Highness needn't trouble himself."
How long ago had it been? For him to ask now, she found it utterly ridiculous.
Unable to move, she turned her head away.
To her surprise, Ye Tinglan stubbornly pulled her back.
"Tell me."
Feng Yinwan chuckled, exasperated. "On what grounds? If I tell you, will His Highness then roll out of here?"
So many things lay between them. Now, seeing him only irritated her.
The cold anger she expected, when it came, turned into a soft hum. Ye Tinglan gazed at her steadily, his voice low.
"If you tell me, I will leave."
Feng Yinwan was speechless.
How had she not realized this man was so shameless before?!
Gritting her teeth, she spoke with exasperation.
"I was burned when the palace caught fire. Can you let go now?"
This matter was hardly a secret. Yet, the moment her words fell, the grip on her waist tightened abruptly.
"The palace caught fire? Was it in the Yuming Hall?"
His thin lips were close, his breath carrying a hint of urgency as he spoke.
Feng Yinwan, not understanding, tensed and tried to pull away.
"I don't remember."
Her memory regarding that part had always been a blank.
From Yuping's words, she knew the accident happened during the palace banquet, but she had no idea where in the palace it occurred.
However, what concern was it of his?
"Why is His Highness asking this?"
Was her scar related to this Yuming Hall somehow?
Ye Tinglan hadn't expected such an answer. He looked at her with a complex expression, his arm around her tightening.
"Follow me back to the capital in two days. When the time is right, I will tell you everything."
He rarely made promises. This statement was a concession born of deep consideration.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinwan let out a cold sneer.
"His Highness no longer minds the matter of my pregnancy?"
That night in the desolate borderlands, she couldn't have been mistaken about the situation.
If it was truly due to that medicine, then all of this felt like a joke.
The force around her waist suddenly shifted to her abdomen.
Through the thin bedding, the dry warmth of his palm slowly penetrated, and the voice above her head declared with unwavering resolve.
"As long as you are willing to return, I am willing to accept this child."
The heat from his touch tightened Feng Yinwan's heart. Sharp, harsh words faltered on her lips.
Ye Tinglan had left the mountain villa again. This time, the cold armored cavalry remained, and he had even assigned Qi Xuan to watch over her.
When Yuping returned, she happened upon Feng Yinwan chasing Qi Xuan out of the courtyard.
"Scram!"
A teacup flew out. Qi Xuan dodged, hopping, but his clasped-hand salute remained unchanged.
"My Princess, please do not be angry. I am here under the Prince's orders to protect your safety. I have no other intentions!"
Before he could finish speaking, three more silver needles shot out from within with a whizzing sound.
Qi Xuan's face changed. He dodged frantically, narrowly avoiding them. As soon as he steadied himself, the door to the inner room slammed shut with a loud "bang."
"My Princess..."
Yuping stepped forward indignantly. "What are you doing? My lady told you to leave, and you're still talking here, aren't you annoying!"
Qi Xuan clutched his sword, feeling utterly wronged.
"It was the Prince who ordered me to protect the Princess... He said this place is not as safe as the Prince's mansion. The Princess is currently pregnant, and everything must be handled with caution."
Especially that Feng Wuxi.
Yuping clearly didn't believe him.
"My lady is a powerful martial artist. Does she need your protection?"
She had just seen it herself. The silver needles flew out from her lady with a "swoosh," and this fellow Qi Xuan had spun around several times to dodge them.
After not seeing her for so long, her lady's martial arts had clearly improved again. Even though Qi Xuan had practiced martial arts for many years, he might not be as skilled as her lady now!
Thinking this, her admiration for Feng Yinwan significantly eased her resentment towards herself for being sent to Feng Yun.
She glared at him again and issued a warning.
"Hurry up and leave. Don't stay here and anger my lady!"
Qi Xuan, holding his sword, took a hesitant step back.
His gaze fell upon her smooth, unblemished nape, and he hesitantly spoke again.
"Your scar... has healed?"
When he had seen her at the military camp that day, faint reddish-purple scars could still be seen on her nape. In just a few days, looking now, it had already healed.
He assumed it was the Princess's doing.
Yuping herself was unaware of this, having only applied the medicine yesterday.
Upon hearing this and looking, her nape had indeed returned to its tender, white state.
She immediately exclaimed with joy, "My lady's Jade Skin Dew is truly effective!"
This expression was much better than her fierce demeanor moments ago.
Qi Xuan's gaze shifted, and he nodded in agreement. "It is."
Having received the news of the scar fading, Yuping paid him no more mind and happily entered the courtyard.
Behind her, Qi Xuan's hand, holding the medicine box, tightened subtly. He tucked it back into his waist.