When Feng Yinwan arrived at the back kitchen, many people were already gathered outside, with Chef Xu guarding his freshly roasted meat, not letting anyone get close.
"Don't touch anything," he warned. "The Pavilion Master and Divine Doctor Jiang haven't arrived yet. No one eats first!"
Feng Yun, assisting by his side, strongly agreed. "Exactly! Behave yourselves, or I'll tell the Pavilion Master you're stealing food!"
"Don't do that, junior sister..."
A chorus of groans filled the air. Feng Yinwan chuckled softly and then cleared her throat.
"Divine Doctor Jiang!"
Almost instantly, Feng Yun spotted her and hurried out. "You're finally here! These people have been eyeing the food for ages, and Chef Xu and I couldn't stop them..."
Even as he spoke, someone couldn't resist reaching out. Feng Yinwan glanced at them with a smile and nodded. "The Pavilion Master said we can eat first."
A cheer erupted from the crowd. Chef Xu's forehead twitched violently, but before he could utter a word, he was swallowed by the throng.
By the time Feng Wuxi and Yu Che arrived, they had already eaten more than half. Feng Yinwan, holding a piece of roasted rib, had just returned and was about to take a bite when she met his scrutinizing gaze.
"How much have you eaten?"
"Not much, just... *hiccup*."
The burp said it all. Feng Wuxi casually patted her back, half-praising, "Not bad."
The words didn't sound like praise. As Feng Yinwan frowned, her hand suddenly felt empty. The roasted rib she had just snatched was gone. Looking up, she saw Feng Wuxi take a bite, nodding with a poker face.
"Indeed, not bad."
"..."
Feng Yinwan shot him a death glare. He, however, seemed oblivious, even hooking his lips at her playfully. *Old scoundrel!* Feng Yinwan grumbled inwardly as she walked away.
Just as she was about to get another piece, a commotion arose. A guard came running, scrambling.
"Pavilion Master, bad news! The second, Second Prince..."
Before he could finish, an arrow pierced his chest. Blood splattered everywhere, and the once lively back kitchen instantly fell into a deathly silence.
Ye Tingyan had returned. This time, his face was dark and clearly angrier than before, likely over the matter of the spy.
"Pavilion Master Feng's manor is quite lively."
A hundred archers followed him, their bows drawn, arrows nocked, all aimed at them without exception. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened. Before she could figure out how they had invaded, something was shoved into her hand.
It was the beef rib. Faint teeth marks were visible on it, fresh ones. The perpetrator patted his sauce-stained hand, his conscience unmoved, and stepped forward.
"It is my oversight that I did not welcome the Second Prince's esteemed arrival. May I inquire as to the reason for your visit today?"
Ye Tingyan's face was darker than the bottom of a pot. "Feng Wuxi, how dare you meddle with my people! You have a lot of nerve!"
He had heard that Ye Tinglan had stayed in Yuzhou for several days, investigating state affairs. He had been busy with the matters of Jinzhou and hadn't paid attention to Wuxi Pavilion until now. When he thought of it again, he realized his spies hadn't reported back for days. If Feng Wuxi hadn't acted secretly, how could this have happened!
Feng Wuxi pretended not to understand. "I don't understand what the Second Prince means."
"Feng Wuxi! How dare you speak to me like this? Don't you care about your sister's life!" Feng Yueli's蛊 (gu) poison was his biggest bargaining chip.
Confident that Feng Wuxi would surrender obediently, Ye Tingyan snorted and flung a short dagger. "I will forgive you this time, considering your past service. You have worked hard, even if you haven't earned much merit. Today, if you sever your left hand, I will let this matter go. Otherwise, you should know Feng Yueli's fate!"
Based on the effects of the Sanhun Water he had previously administered, Feng Yueli must be on her last breath. Feng Wuxi had asked for too much from her! He was confident, but only received a cold sneer.
Feng Wuxi glanced at him, a chilling smile curling his lips. "As the Second Prince wished, the蛊 (gu) worm in Li'er's body has been removed. Divine Doctor Jiang saw her this afternoon, and her complexion seems to be recovering well."
"What did you say?!" Ye Tingyan's brows furrowed deeply. He had already learned about the蛊 (gu) worm? But that was a little-known secret蛊 (gu), how could Feng Wuxi have removed it? Or was it... this Jiang Wan again?! His eyes turned to Feng Yinwan, filled with furious killing intent.
Ye Tingyan narrowed his eyes, about to order his men to fire, when a rumbling sound suddenly echoed from outside the manor. The sound, growing closer, like rolling thunder, with a majestic force, was the sound of hooves! But... how could Wuxi Pavilion have so many horses!
"What are you up to!"
Feng Wuxi raised an eyebrow. "What, does the Second Prince, who has led troops himself, not recognize the sound of cavalry?"
"Cavalry?!" In an instant, Ye Tingyan's expression changed drastically. It was cavalry! No... such orderly and majestic hoofbeats, it was Ye Tinglan's Iron Cavalry!