Yesterday, the marriage contract and jade ring appeared too abruptly in the imperial court, leaving them no time to consider how such a secret matter could have fallen into the hands of that副将.
Coupled with the current situation, there was likely a mole within the General's mansion.
The moment her brows furrowed, a question slipped out.
"Where is Feng Yiyi? Where is she now?"
Unprepared for her sudden question, the guard paused, his evasiveness more pronounced.
"Princess Consort..."
"Don't tell me you don't know. Feng Yiyi is the second young lady, born to a concubine, of the General's mansion. Surely, her name must be on your Imperial Guard roster?"
Knowing she couldn't be deceived, the guard lowered his head further, clenching his fist.
"To be honest, Princess Consort, after the incident last night, Miss Feng the Second... is now missing."
Gone?
Even though she had suspected it, Feng Yinwan's brow still tightened involuntarily upon hearing this.
"When did this happen?"
"Last night, when we discovered Madam Yu's body, she was no longer to be seen. We've sent out several search parties, but no news has returned yet."
An imperial decree had gone awry, and no one could bear such a grave responsibility. The Imperial Guard dared not make a public announcement, so they could only search discreetly.
However, with such a long time having passed since last night, Feng Yiyi had likely already fled the city.
It was almost time for the exile, and Feng Yinwan had obtained the information she needed. She lingered no further.
As the two emerged from the General's mansion, the prisoner cart responsible for escorting the old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan had already reached the center of the bustling market. Inside the cart, the old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan sat with their eyes closed, appearing somewhat resolute.
The world, unaware of the truth, cursed them relentlessly, seemingly having forgotten who had once defended the nation and protected their peace.
Yuping, having never witnessed such a scene, saw people throwing vegetable leaves at the prisoner cart. Her eyes reddened, and she was about to rush forward to stop them, but her forearm was firmly grasped by Feng Yinwan.
"Miss..."
The prisoner cart soon passed. Feng Yinwan's eyelashes lowered, her expression impassive, but her tightly pursed lips trembled slightly.
"Let's go."
Futile struggles would achieve nothing. All she could do was uncover the truth.
Sensing her suppressed emotions, Yuping nodded and followed.
Upon returning to the mansion, they encountered Qi Xuan, who was looking for them. Seeing them, he immediately stopped.
"Princess Consort."
Feng Yinwan was weary and had no intention of questioning his whereabouts last night. She nodded and was about to enter the mansion when she was called back.
"Regarding the matter you asked me to investigate in Yuzhou, Princess Consort, I have made some progress."
This statement successfully lifted Feng Yinwan's spirits.
"This item was found in Ning Fengyi's residence by my subordinate. Please examine it, Princess Consort."
The "progress" he spoke of was a medicinal prescription.
Feng Yinwan took it and scanned it briefly, her brows furrowing slightly.
This prescription was more peculiar than any she had ever seen. She was unsure of its purpose, but one thing was certain: it was definitely not for treating malaria.
With a press of her fingertip, Feng Yinwan tucked the prescription into her sleeve.
"You've worked hard."
Today was the day the Feng family was to be exiled. Knowing she was in low spirits, Qi Xuan nodded and withdrew.
Back in her room, the heavy burden on her finally began to lift. She noticed her lips were somewhat pale, and Yuping's brow furrowed. Only then did she remember that her young lady had not returned from the palace all night.
"Miss."
A cup of hot tea was offered. Feng Yinwan's wandering thoughts returned. "Mm."
The scene in the bustling market replayed in her mind. Although she held a cup of hot tea, her fingertips uncontrollably felt cold.
Yuping stared at her quietly for a moment and said in a muffled voice, "Miss, your health is paramount."
If she collapsed, the Feng family would truly have nothing left.
After drinking the tea, Feng Yinwan was half-coaxed, half-forced by Yuping to lie down on the bed. She closed her eyes but felt no sleepiness.
A moment later, she took out the prescription from her sleeve and began to examine it again.
The peculiarity of this prescription lay in the fact that several seemingly non-toxic ingredients, when combined, were highly incompatible.
This prescription did not seem like something a human would write.
She couldn't discern much from mere observation. It would be best to procure the ingredients and try it out. Her eyelashes fluttered, but her thoughts snagged. Several ingredients listed were extremely difficult to find.
"Miss, why are you up again!"
Upon entering, she saw her sitting by the edge of the bed again. Yuping pursed her lips and stepped forward, annoyed that she didn't take care of her own health at all.
The young maid's worry was too evident. Having made up her mind, Feng Yinwan put down the prescription and lay back down.
"I'll sleep now."
This sleep was not long. Lingering thoughts of Feng Yiyi prompted Feng Yinwan to seek out Qi Xuan immediately after waking up.
Hearing that she wanted to find Feng Yiyi's whereabouts, Qi Xuan was not surprised. He nodded and agreed.
Yuping had just returned with food and was about to call her to eat when she saw Feng Yinwan emerge, holding the prescription.
"I'm going to the Jiang mansion."
Jiang Rumian was fond of collecting rare plants and herbs. Firstly, he might have the difficult-to-find ingredients on the prescription. Secondly, she wanted to discuss the matter with Jiang Rumian.
Seeing her about to leave without even eating, Yuping's brow furrowed. "Miss, the Imperial Hospital has not yet closed for the day. Imperial Physician Jiang probably hasn't returned home yet, has he?"
Her reminder made Feng Yinwan suddenly recall.
It wasn't yet closing time, and with Ye Tinglan's serious injuries, it was unlikely Jiang Rumian could leave the palace easily.
Seeing her pause, Yuping quickly offered her chopsticks. "It's not too late for you to eat first and then go, Miss."
"Mm."
As expected, when they arrived at the Jiang mansion, Jiang Rumian had indeed not yet left the palace.
The servants at the mansion recognized Feng Yinwan and bowed to her. They then nodded and informed her.
"Princess Consort, Master Jiang instructed before entering the palace that he might not return today. If you have urgent matters, it would be best to seek him out in the palace."
The Imperial Hospital had long since passed its closing time, and with only three quarters of an hour left until the palace gates closed, it seemed Jiang Rumian would indeed not be returning home today.
The hatred for her family allowed her no time for delay. Feng Yinwan nodded and immediately entered the palace with Yuping.
...
The Fourth Prince's Estate.
Ye Tingyu glared at the assassins kneeling on the ground, his expression extremely fierce.
"A bunch of useless trash! You can't even kill a woman, what use are you to me!"
The leader, hearing this, slightly raised his eyes. A shoe print was clearly imprinted on his swollen right cheek.
"Your Highness, we were about to succeed. It was that group of Imperial Guards. If they hadn't interfered, that woman definitely wouldn't have escaped..."
"Shut up! Useless trash is useless trash. I don't want to hear your nonsense!"
The assassins dared not speak after being berated. Ye Tingyu glared at each of them, then picked up a teacup only to slam it down heavily.
"Go investigate for me! I want her alive, or her corpse. If you fail again this time, you can bring your heads to see me!"
With matters having reached this point, there could be no mistakes due to one woman. No matter what method he used, he absolutely could not let Feng Yiyi escape alive!
The assassins immediately nodded repeatedly.
"Yes."