With a "Hold your hand" still unsaid, Feng Wuxi's chilling aura instantly erupted.
The scorpion, barely reaching him, was flung back by the blast of energy. It spun around and crashed heavily against the door panel, its shape beyond recognition.
Feng Yun's expression shifted, and she rushed forward in alarm to inspect it.
Feng Yinwan followed closely, tutting softly, thinking a roasted scorpion might not be so bad.
"You!"
Feng Yun dared not provoke Feng Wuxi, so she directed all her grievances at Feng Yinwan.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and readily nodded, "Here."
That single word almost sent Feng Yun's blood pressure soaring. She shot Feng Yinwan a furious glare and carefully retrieved the scorpion into her sleeve.
Feng Yinwan's gaze followed.
Well, her crispy snack was gone.
Sadly, she retracted her gaze, paused, then curled her lips, "Miss Yun, do you wish to continue the match?"
Since the scorpion was gone, she gambled that Feng Yun had no more ultimate moves.
To her surprise, Feng Yun's eyes flickered. As she looked up, several poisoned needles suddenly shot from her sleeve.
The flashes of cold light appeared too suddenly. Feng Yinwan was momentarily stunned, then a smile immediately curved her lips.
Playing with needles?
Then she could only consider herself, unlucky.
Feng Yun was a master of poisons in the Wuxi Pavilion, her poisoned needles rarely seen, and when they were, they were deadly.
The appearance of these needles had already altered the atmosphere in the hall. Feng Wuxi narrowed his eyes, not yet moving to intervene, when Feng Yinwan flicked her fingertips. Several silver needles, unseen, had already been prepared.
She waved her needles to counter Feng Yun's poisoned darts. Her movements were swift, ghost-like, and more importantly, each silver needle was perfectly aimed, point to point, blocking the poisoned needles precisely.
As the needle tips collided, Feng Yinwan's silver needles had the slight advantage. With the faintest sparks, the tips of the poisoned needles were instantly blunted.
The crowd watched, dumbfounded.
Feng Yun's martial prowess was undeniable. Blocking her poisoned needles with such force required profound inner strength.
This pretty boy... he wasn't weak at all, he was clearly hiding his true strength!
Seeing this, Feng Wuxi's eyes also flashed with a hint of approval.
Not bad. After so long, her needlework had indeed improved. It seemed Ye Tinglan hadn't let her go to waste.
With matters reaching this point, the outcome was clear.
Feng Yun was still frozen in place when a light yet crisp slap echoed.
Feng Wuxi rose and walked down slowly, "Divine Doctor Jiang has indeed not disappointed this Master."
He glanced at the still resentful Feng Yun beside him and said coldly,
"Retreat quickly."
Feng Yun pursed her lips, bowed her hands, and retreated through gritted teeth.
Seeing that stern, cold gaze turn back to her, Feng Yinwan, who hadn't intended to speak, could only offer a fake smile in response.
"Pavilion Master Feng flatters me. Wuxi Pavilion has a multitude of experts, and my being able to neutralize Miss Yun's poison was purely by chance."
Did you get your fill of me saying that, albeit insincerely?
Subtly rolling her eyes, she meticulously put her silver needles back. She hadn't even managed to fully relax when another person suddenly spoke.
"Divine Doctor Jiang's needlework... it looks somewhat familiar."
Feng Yinwan's body stiffened instantly.
The only time she had previously encountered an assassin from Wuxi Pavilion was on her way back to the capital from Qingpu Temple.
He said it looked familiar... this was not a good thing.
Pausing slightly, hesitating on how to respond, in the next instant, a scream rang out in the hall.
A palm strike descended from above, fierce and ruthless, a fatal blow.
The hall instantly fell silent. Feng Wuxi slowly retracted his hand, his cold face showing no flicker of emotion.
"We will conclude for today. Divine Doctor Jiang will reside here from now on. I do not wish to hear any further gossip."
"Yes...!"
When Feng Yinwan emerged from Cunfeng Hall, she was still somewhat numb.
Feng Wuxi glanced at her, clearly displeased with her sluggish pace.
"If you don't wish to walk, you can go back and collect his corpse."
Feng Yinwan thought, how could she? She was carrying a baby, and violence was bad for prenatal education.
"Pavilion Master Feng jested. I was merely thinking, you are truly unhesitating in striking your own people."
She had almost been fooled by his tenderness towards Feng Yue Li. This man was, at his core, still a devil who killed without blinking.
If he was so ruthless to his own, what would happen if she couldn't wake Feng Yue Li...
Unexpectedly, Feng Wuxi let out a light scoff.
"Own people?"
He curled his lips mockingly and strode forward.
Feng Yinwan's brows furrowed slightly.
Weren't they?
...
For several days, the people sent out seemed to have vanished into thin air, sending back no news.
Ye Tinglan couldn't help but start to panic.
He had once vowed to pursue her to the ends of the earth, but now, in the absence of any news, he suddenly realized that if Feng Yinwan was determined to hide, finding her would be no easy feat.
The Duke of Dingnan was departing the capital today. At the banquet, when the matter of a secondary consort was brought up again, the Emperor found it difficult to refuse him. He decreed that Yun Shu would first reside in the prince's manor, and as soon as Feng Yinwan was found, an imperial edict would be issued for their marriage. Only then did the Duke of Dingnan seem satisfied.
Returning to the manor, he encountered Qi Xuan coming from the direction of the study. Seeing Yun Shu, and the several maids behind her carrying large bags of luggage, he was clearly taken aback.
"Your Highness."
Ye Tinglan nodded and coldly ordered, "Have someone prepare Yu Fu Courtyard for the County Princess to reside in."
He had drunk a lot of wine at the banquet just now. Now, his stern eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and the scent of alcohol on him was even more chilling.
Qi Xuan dared not ask further. "Yes."
"Brother Lan, then Shu'er will go over first."
Yun Shu blinked and bid him farewell. Ye Tinglan nodded and strode directly towards the study.
Qi Xuan did not delay, immediately leading Yun Shu and her entourage towards Yu Fu Courtyard. Meanwhile, a dark figure quietly appeared from behind the flower bushes. After casting a glance at Yun Shu's retreating back, he quickened his pace towards the study.
"Brother Ting Lan?"
The alcohol took hold, and Ye Tinglan pressed a hand to his forehead, already feeling a bit tipsy.
He opened his eyes impatiently at the sound. His gaze met the earnestness in Qin Ruilian's eyes, and he was momentarily stunned, his expression immediately turning cold again.
"Who allowed you in?"
His study had always been a place of great importance.
This was Qin Ruilian's first time entering as well. She paused at his words and immediately offered the teacup in her hand.
"Brother Ting Lan, your injuries have not yet healed, and you drank a lot of wine at the banquet. Your stomach must be uncomfortable. Please drink this hangover soup quickly."
Ye Tinglan shot her a cold glance, not taking it.
"My body is fine. Leave."
His tone was even colder than before.
Qin Ruilian's face fell, and she bit her lip, lowering her head to place the teacup down.
Ye Tinglan had spent most of his time in the study these past few days; seeing him was harder than reaching the heavens. If it weren't for him being drunk today, she probably wouldn't have gotten in so easily.
Since she had finally managed to get in, how could she be willing to leave!
Her eyes flickered, and she stood up, feigning a stumble. Turning, she lunged straight into Ye Tinglan's arms.