The words had barely fallen when a figure strode in from outside. The hidden guards' expressions shifted, and they immediately stepped back.
"Brother Lan."
The door was knocked, and Yun Shu's voice came from outside.
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes flickered with a momentary gloom, his thin lips parting. "Enter."
Yun Shu approached with a small bowl, "Brother Lan, this is a dessert I found in the city today, called 'Tian Wan Zi.' It's quite delicious, you should try some."
On this southern tour, she had practically followed him around for fun. Normally, Ye Tinglan was busy with state affairs, so she would wander and eat with her maids, their activities completely independent of each other.
Ye Tinglan nodded upon hearing this and was about to tell her to put it aside when Yun Shu spoke again first.
"Brother Lan, my father sent a message today asking about Sister Wan's whereabouts."
The people from Dingnan King's manor had accompanied them throughout. Ye Tinglan was aware of their correspondence, but he hadn't expected her to be so direct. He paused slightly.
"The whereabouts of the Crown Princess have yet to be found. If there is any news, I will naturally have someone inform you."
As long as Feng Yin Wan couldn't be found, the matter of the secondary consort couldn't be settled. Dingnan King was the most insistent on this issue and wouldn't easily back down.
Unexpectedly, Yun Shu shook her head.
"I've already handled my father's side, Brother Lan. Our marriage doesn't need to be rushed."
Ye Tinglan's brows twitched slightly, but he remained silent.
Yun Shu didn't intend to linger. She placed the sweet bowl down and curtsied, "Shu'er will take her leave now."
...
The hour had passed midnight, but Feng Wu Xi still hadn't returned. Feng Yin Wan felt a sense of foreboding and immediately set off for the Immortal Medicine Sect.
All was silent. Most of the city's lights had been extinguished after curfew. However, the Immortal Medicine Sect was different, its brightly colored lamps conspicuous in the night sky.
As she neared a dark alley, a figure flashed out from the shadows, covering her mouth and pulling her back, instantly drawing her into the darkness.
"Don't prick. It's me."
This voice, it was undoubtedly that scoundrel Feng Wu Xi.
Feng Yin Wan frowned upon hearing this, and the silver needle at her fingertips retracted.
Before she could ask, hurried footsteps sounded from nearby.
"The Guild Leader has ordered a thorough search. We absolutely cannot let that person escape!"
"Yes!"
Flames scattered in response.
Feng Yin Wan observed the situation, her delicate brows rising slightly.
"Did you get it?"
Feng Wu Xi smirked and proudly raised the brocade pouch in his hand.
"It took some effort, but with this master here personally, it was naturally no problem."
He was full of confidence. However, the moment the pouch was opened, a strange fragrance wafted out. Feng Yin Wan's brow furrowed, and her expression immediately changed.
"Something's wrong."
Feng Wu Xi started. "What's wrong?"
Before he could finish speaking, Feng Yin Wan covered his nostrils, and in the next instant, she quickly tightened the pouch.
"There's something on this Ling Jiang Grass. Didn't you notice when you took it?"
That scent was clearly a sedative. With Feng Wu Xi's perceptiveness, he shouldn't have failed to notice.
Feng Wu Xi shook his head. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a bit dizzy. His eyes narrowed, showing a hint of ferocity.
"Not good."
In the next moment, flames erupted around them. The man from earlier, along with his guards, surrounded them.
"Sect Leader Feng, taking without permission is hardly the conduct of a sect leader."
They were trapped in a dead end, with nowhere to retreat. The other party was well-prepared, clearly having anticipated this.
Feng Yin Wan's delicate brows tightened, her pretty face instantly turning cold.
"Feng Wu Xi?"
She called out softly. From behind her came an even softer "En." He leaned against the wall, his body already starting to waver.
He had indeed been drugged.
"Swallow this."
A pill was thrust into his mouth, and Feng Wu Xi instinctively obeyed, swallowing it.
The figures in front shifted. The old man approached and saw her shielding Feng Wu Xi protectively. His face, however, showed expected joy.
"Little girl, we meet again."
Feng Yin Wan's hand gripping the silver needle tightened, indicating she wasn't particularly pleased to see him.
But the antidote Feng Wu Xi had swallowed would take another half a quarter-hour to take effect. Until then, she had to negotiate with these people.
"My friend was indeed wrong to trespass on your sect and steal the Ling Jiang Grass. Since things have come to this, please name your terms."
The old man, confident of victory, seemed to have anticipated this. He immediately replied,
"My condition is singular, as I already explained to you both in the hall today."
He was exceptionally persistent in taking Feng Yin Wan as his final disciple.
"Little girl, if you agree, not only will I not pursue tonight's incident, but I will also offer this Ling Jiang Grass to you. Think carefully whether to stay or go."
This was a simple choice for Feng Yin Wan, but because Feng Wu Xi was secretly tugging at her clothes behind her, she decided to feign reluctance.
"Why do you insist on taking me as your final disciple?"
Seeing her waver, the old man quickly pressed on.
"Your aptitude is superior. At such a young age, you have already applied needle techniques to such a degree; it is truly rare in the world."
"Moreover, the rules of our sect have been established for many years, yet no one has been able to detoxify themselves without an antidote. I see in you both the decisiveness and calmness of a healer, as well as the potential and possibility required to become a medicine master."
"If you agree to be my disciple, you will surely shine brightly in the future, becoming a powerful force in medicine, dominating the region. At that time, all the immortal medicine sects will be led by you, and the entire headquarters will obey your commands. Wouldn't that be magnificent?"
The prospect painted was so grand that Feng Yin Wan almost fell for it.
But she managed to restrain herself. It felt incomplete, like eating without sesame seeds.
"What you say is one-sided. A healer's duty is to heal the suffering and save the people; only then can they be worthy of the words 'benevolence and righteousness,' not to remain entrenched in one area, doing as they please and treating human lives as mere grass."
Knowing she was referring to the double meaning of the poison, a flicker of guilt crossed the old man's face.
"To be honest, countless people come seeking immortal medicine every day. The sect established these rules to deter those with ulterior motives and to prevent the immortal medicine from falling into the hands of those who don't understand medicine, thus wasting it."
He secretly glanced at Feng Yin Wan, emphasizing,
"Of course, for a righteous and talented disciple like you, I am very confident entrusting the immortal grass to your hands!"
Feng Yin Wan, who had been directly upgraded to "disciple":?
Before she could utter a word of refusal, her waist suddenly tightened, and in the next moment, she was lifted into the air.
Then, Feng Wu Xi's slightly triumphant voice rang out.
"I can discuss any other demands, but this person cannot be left behind. Esteemed sir, please find another suitable disciple. We shall meet again someday, and Farewell..."
His words were cut short as he suddenly sensed something was wrong. Before he could react, the old man snapped his fingers, and they plummeted from the air.
Feng Yin Wan, startled, reverted to her original voice.
"Feng Wu Xi, what are you doing!!!"