Even though she already knew about his and Ye Tingyu's intentions, hearing his harsh tone so directly still sent a shock through Feng Yinwan's heart.
Ye Tingyan's gaze was sharp as he scrutinized her, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Can the Wuxi Pavilion agree to this request?"
After a brief moment of surprise, Feng Yinwan nodded, "We can discuss it."
Ye Tingyan scoffed, his eyes holding an even more profound meaning. "Physician Jiang, this Prince is not here to negotiate today."
"Ye Tinglan is still recovering from severe injuries, his strength is far from what it was. He is about to be dispatched on an imperial tour south, which presents a perfect opportunity to strike. This matter brooks no delay."
News of the southern tour had not yet reached the capital, and Feng Wuxi was only just hearing it now.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes flickered at the news, but she still cupped her hands.
"I understand Your Second Highness's intent, but assassinating Prince Mo is no easy task, especially since he is acting under imperial decree this time. It would require further deliberation."
This was the point where Feng Wuxi was supposed to chime in and play along. However, when she looked up at him, he had already shed his previous cold anger and was watching her with an expression of someone enjoying a show.
"Physician Jiang is correct."
Feng Yinwan: "?"
Did I want you to say I was correct? I wanted you to cooperate!
She glared at him, but his next words were even more outrageous.
"On this matter, I will follow Physician Jiang's lead."
This was tantamount to him handing the mess directly to her.
With Ye Tingyan lurking on her left and Feng Wuxi shirking responsibility on her right, Feng Yinwan felt trapped between them and utterly miserable.
"I appreciate Pavilion Master Feng's trust. Please rest assured, Your Second Highness, Wuxi Pavilion will provide you with a satisfactory answer."
The words were spoken with a hint of clenched teeth.
Ye Tingyan, however, looked pleased.
"Very well, I shall await your good news."
He glanced at her again, his meaning profound. "Physician Jiang, you are indeed capable."
Having clashed with Ye Tingyan several times before, Feng Yinwan, fearing he would see through her disguise, remained stiff and dared not move.
Only when everyone in the room had departed did she finally breathe a sigh of relief. In the next instant, her sharp gaze silently flew towards Feng Wuxi.
Yet, he acted as if nothing had happened.
"Why is Physician Jiang looking at this Pavilion Master like that?"
Like what?
He had clearly heard about Ye Tinglan and deliberately kicked the ball back to her. Why call him Feng Wuxi? He might as well be called Feng Gou (Feng Dog)!
Mindful of Feng Yun's presence, she shot him a sidelong glance and could only go to help her up.
"How is it?"
Feng Yun's face had turned ashen from that earlier blow, cold sweat clinging to her hair and smearing it across her face, clearly caused by pain.
Feng Yun, being strong-willed, lowered her arm and shook her head, enduring the pain without a cry.
Feng Yinwan frowned. "I should still examine you."
Concerned about Feng Yun's injury, she lifted her sleeve and pushed it up.
"It's a contusion. The bone might be injured, but luckily it's not dislocated. Apply this ointment to the affected area, and you'll recover in a few days."
She explained seriously, completely unaware that Feng Yun's previously pale face had now turned completely red.
Feng Wuxi's expression turned cold at her words, but after a moment, he nodded.
"Take good care of yourself."
"Yes."
Feng Yun took the ointment and withdrew. Feng Yinwan was about to settle scores when she saw Feng Wuxi already striding towards the exit.
Inside the Yingyue Hall, everyone was sprawled about, seemingly drunk into unconsciousness. Feng Wuxi's eyes narrowed slightly as he directly walked over and picked up a wine jar from the table.
The scent, mingled with the wine, was faint, but Feng Yinwan detected a hint of something unusual.
There was something in the wine.
The subordinates of Wuxi Pavilion were not ordinary men. Even if drunk, they shouldn't have lost all consciousness. Being this intoxicated meant the wine had been tampered with.
The scene of Feng Wuxi taking a life with a single blow in the hall that day flashed back to her mind. Combined with today's events, Feng Yinwan's eyes flickered, and her breathing tightened.
There was an informant of Ye Tingyan within Wuxi Pavilion!
"What do you plan to do?"
Feng Wuxi should have known about the infiltration of the manor long ago. However, he hadn't expected Ye Tingyan to be so heartless as to act against Feng Yueli.
Neither Feng Yueli's situation nor tonight's events would be left unresolved.
"Lier cannot leave Yingyue Pool."
For years, he had searched everywhere but found only this cave with its mysterious crystal, which was why he had built the manor there.
Feng Yueli's current condition meant she absolutely could not leave, which was the crux of the difficulty.
Since she couldn't leave, the only option was to comply with Ye Tingyan's demands and assassinate Ye Tinglan.
"What, you can't bear to part with it?"
Knowing full well he was asking deliberately, Feng Yinwan still felt a flicker of annoyance. "This is your affair; it has nothing to do with me."
Even if she hadn't known about this, Ye Tingyan would still have sought Feng Wuxi's assistance for the southern tour, and Feng Wuxi, in order to protect Feng Yueli, would still have agreed.
Now, it had simply taken a detour, informing her of the matter as well.
Feng Wuxi raised his eyebrows at her words but had no intention of letting it go.
"Nothing to do with you? But this Pavilion Master recalls that day at the Xu family..."
The matter of the jade tablet was undeniable and could not be glossed over.
Seeing her expression shift slightly, Feng Wuxi continued,
"As you just heard, Ye Tinglan's power has greatly diminished after his injury. With his current skills, he is likely no match for this Pavilion Master."
"If you wish for revenge, Wuxi Pavilion will naturally go along with it and offer a token of sincerity."
Feng Yinwan: "?"
If it weren't for the clear words "watching the show" written in your eyes, I might have actually believed you.
Therefore, she let out a cold snort and nodded, "Alright, then I will accept this favor from Pavilion Master Feng for now."
...
The southern tour was decided suddenly. The Emperor publicly announced Ye Tinglan's dispatch, and the officials displayed varied expressions, clearly harboring ulterior motives.
The Ning clan was currently in power and had reservations about this decision. However, Ye Tingyu was indeed incompetent, so they did not intervene in the imperial court.
As he returned to his manor, he encountered Yun Shu coming from the direction of the study. Ye Tinglan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, and Yun Shu quickly approached.
"Brother Lan, you're back!"
Ye Tinglan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the tray she was holding, and paused silently.
Sensing his gaze, Yun Shu smiled and immediately announced.
"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I specifically had someone make mooncakes for you to send over. You must try them later!"
She had gone to the study just now to deliver this?
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes dimmed slightly, and he nodded. He then pursed his lips and instructed,
"I understand. From now on, just send anything directly to the main courtyard. Don't go to the study anymore."
Yun Shu obediently nodded and did not question further. "Okay."
Upon entering, he saw a plate of mooncakes on the table. Ye Tinglan glanced at them and walked directly to the back of his desk. As soon as he sat down, Qi Xuan pushed open the door and entered.
"Your Highness, we have a lead on the matter."
"Where?"
The words, once spoken, carried a subtle and anxious undertone that even he hadn't detected.
Qi Xuan paused slightly at his question and then replied,
"Your Highness, I am speaking of a different matter."
Hearing this, Ye Tinglan's expression grew colder.
Besides Feng Yinwan's whereabouts, the only other thing he had asked Qi Xuan to investigate was the matter from years ago!