"Oh? I wonder what good news Pavilion Master Feng has brought back for this King."
His words held a sneer, devoid of any trust.
Feng Wuxi smirked, "Prince Mo's guards are heavily armed, killing him is no easy feat, so this Pavilion Master never intended to succeed in one go. The frontal assault was merely a ruse."
"A ruse?"
Ye Tingyan's eyes narrowed at the sound. He looked up and saw Feng Wuxi glance at Feng Yinwan behind him.
"Didn't the Second Prince not understand why this Pavilion Master brought Divine Doctor Jiang along just now?"
"During the chaos, to have Divine Doctor Jiang poison Prince Mo. This was this Pavilion Master's plan."
The words "poisoning" clearly caused Ye Tingyan's brow to furrow for a moment.
He was still unclear about Jiang Wan's strength. If this person was truly a master of poison, why had no news of Ye Tinglan meeting misfortune come from the painted boat after half a day?
"Pavilion Master Feng, you aren't trying to deceive this Prince, are you?"
"Dare not."
Feng Wuxi cupped his hands, "The Emperor's intention in sending Prince Mo on this southern tour, the Second Prince likely understands very well. If he were to be killed in Jiangzhou at this very moment, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion."
"Therefore, this Pavilion Master ordered Divine Doctor Jiang to administer a slow-acting poison that is difficult to detect. It will slowly take effect during the southern tour, making it appear as if there are no abnormalities, yet it will silently drain Prince Mo's life."
Ye Tingyan naturally knew all this.
After the Feng family's affair, although the Emperor did not voice it, he had already grown suspicious of him and Ye Tingyu. This time, he specifically sent Yun Shu to accompany Ye Tinglan on the southern tour, intending to use the power of the Prince of Dingnan to sound a warning for them.
Only a few days into the southern tour, acting now was indeed too hasty. However, following the predetermined route, Jiangzhou would be followed by Jinzhou and Yuzhou.
Jinzhou was his stronghold, and Yuzhou was the power base of Ye Tingyu's maternal family. By then, it would be even more difficult for them to act!
"This Prince cannot wait that long. Ye Tinglan will remain in Jiangzhou for a few more days. Find another opportunity and ensure that person is eliminated before they reach Jinzhou! Otherwise..."
A deep ferocity rose in his eyes, and Feng Wuxi's expression darkened. He immediately nodded.
"Understood."
The carriage slowly drove out of the inn, but stopped again in the shadows.
A corner of the carriage curtain was lifted, and in the dimness, Ye Tingyan's somber face vaguely appeared.
"Immediately send a message to Wuxi Pavilion, and before this matter is successful, ensure Feng Yueli is well controlled for this Prince."
His gaze covertly glanced towards the inn, and he spoke fiercely, "If he dares to play any tricks, this Prince will surely make him regret it to his dying day!"
...
The "poisoning" was supposed to be a part of their plan, but Feng Yinwan still didn't understand what it had to do with her disguise.
"Can it be removed now?"
Her fingertips had just touched the fake skin beneath the mask when Feng Wuxi immediately stopped her.
"What's the hurry? You can't take this thing off yourself. Wear it properly, this Pavilion Master will help you remove it tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
Upon hearing that she had to wear it for the entire night, Feng Yinwan's face instantly felt somewhat numb.
However, this fellow hadn't lied to her. She reached out and touched it a few times but couldn't even find the seams where it fit. She had no choice but to give up.
Turning her head, she saw Feng Wuxi adjusting his clothes, as if he was about to go out.
Feng Yinwan glanced at the night sky that had already enveloped everything and frowned, "You're still going out?"
Feng Wuxi glanced at her, forcing an explanation, "This Pavilion Master needs to return to Wuxi Pavilion tonight. You wait here patiently."
"?"
This fellow was actually going back without her!
Before she could voice her protest, Feng Wuxi had already flown out of the window. In an instant, she was alone in the room.
Feng Yinwan looked at the flickering candlelight on the table and said, "You're welcome."
It was peaceful without anyone bothering her.
After dinner, she returned to her room to rest. Just as she was about to diligently practice again, she happened to look at her precious bracelet and was immediately startled.
Her bracelet seemed to be fading even more.
After taking the Qi Awakening Pill, several brown patterns had appeared on the bracelet. She had just assumed she'd been tricked into buying a cheap item and hadn't paid much attention. But now, these patterns were clearly expanding, becoming much more noticeable than before.
Accompanying this was a hidden and peculiar fragrance.
Recalling the unusual changes in the bracelet yesterday, Feng Yinwan furrowed her brows. The figure of the man in black reappeared in her mind.
Last night, she had followed the guidance to the outside of the ruined temple, only to unexpectedly discover traces of the man in black again.
Although she still didn't know the other party's origin, she could be sure that there seemed to be a subtle connection between the bracelet and them, especially... that man who had his back to her the entire time.
A wave of shock surged through her. Before she could thoroughly investigate the matter, the candlelight in the room suddenly extinguished.
At the same time, a chilling coldness suddenly assailed her from behind. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened, and she immediately dodged to the side.
The icy aura brushed past her temples. In the dim moonlight outside, she could only vaguely discern the silhouette of the person in the room.
It was a man, or rather, a man whose skills far surpassed hers!
Without wanting to exchange any words, another wave of dense palm strikes came at her. Feng Yinwan dodged and counterattacked, not daring to be careless in the slightest.
She had only learned half of the Clear Shadow Needles technique. After a few moves, she was at her wit's end. The man's killing moves continued, pressing closer and closer, not giving her any space to breathe.
"Ugh..."
That palm strike was aimed at her heart, but for some reason, it deviated to her left shoulder as it landed.
Feng Yinwan clutched her shoulder and retreated. The man on the other side seemed to have discerned something and stopped his attack at this moment.
"You are not her."
The moment these words were spoken, Feng Yinwan's body stiffened.
This voice... it was Ye Tinglan!
So, his relentless pressure just now was to test her?
In a moment of shock, her slender neck was firmly grasped.
The candlelight in the room reignited, and Ye Tinglan's chillingly cold face came into view.
"Speak, why is this silver needle in your hand."
Between his long, slender fingers was indeed her unique silver needle, and the tip of the needle was faintly tinged with a pale purple. It was undoubtedly the one she had thrown into the ruined temple last night!
Feng Yinwan's heart trembled, and a hidden thought emerged in her mind.
The mysterious person lurking on the roof of the ruined temple last night was Ye Tinglan?!
So, his sharp gaze filled with murderous intent when he looked at her on the painted boat today clearly indicated that he had recognized her long ago!
More precisely, he recognized her as the one who had secretly schemed last night and shifted the target onto him.
"This King is asking you. Why is this silver needle in your hand?"
Feng Yinwan's silver needles were of a special make, with a specially crafted pattern on the tail. He could never mistake it.
But the Jiang Wan in front of him was a man, and his needle-wielding technique was completely different from Feng Yinwan's. How could he...?
His ink-black eyes narrowed in an instant. The pair of well-defined hands moved away from her neck and went straight for the mask on Feng Yinwan's face.