"Hmm?"
She looked up in surprise, meeting a somber gaze in her eyes.
"This is just a prescription. However, its effect is to induce symptoms very similar to malaria after consumption, thus achieving the effect of passing off as a patient and being indistinguishable from one."
As if remembering something, Jiang Rumuo's body suddenly stiffened. "Your Highness means..."
Feng Yinwan's eyelashes lowered, offering no confirmation.
Jiang Rumuo had previously mentioned that the patients in the Yuzhou military camp recovered remarkably quickly. If her guess was correct, those so-called "patients" should have been ordinary soldiers who took this prescription.
Since it was to deceive, the harm this prescription caused to the human body would be far less than malaria. That was why those soldiers recovered so swiftly after taking the decoction, and coincidentally, it was right after Ye Tinglan was injured, that they were sent to reinforce under imperial decree.
A chill seemed to seep from her bones. Feng Yinwan's fingers, gripping the silver needle, tightened for a moment before finally loosening.
Ye Tingyun's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing this. He was stunned for a full moment before finding his voice again.
"R...really?"
If this were true, it would be a grave offense of deceiving the emperor!
The only response he received was Feng Yinwan's silently tightened lips. "Setting aside other matters, this prescription was found by Qi Xuan from Ning Fengyi's manor. I'm afraid..."
In the Yuzhou military camp, no one had more authority than Ning Fengyi. The implication was self-evident.
Ye Tingyun immediately paused upon hearing this. After a moment, his brows furrowed deeply.
"No, such a major matter must be reported to Father Emperor!"
He said this and was about to leave, but as soon as he took a step, Feng Yinwan called him back.
"Stop. How do you plan to report this matter to the Emperor?"
"How else but the truth!"
This matter not only involved Yuzhou and the Ning family, but it might even involve the Feng family. Although Father Emperor had already exiled the members of the Feng family, he was not an unreasonable person. If the truth of this matter could be uncovered, perhaps the Feng family's predicament could be resolved.
Unexpectedly, Feng Yinwan shook her head. "We have no evidence."
The only clue was this prescription, which Qi Xuan had secretly retrieved from the Ning manor. Presenting it as it was would be difficult to justify. In fact, it might even alert them and cause them to destroy evidence prematurely.
Ye Tingyun opened his mouth to retort, but after hesitating, he could only speak with a sigh of frustration.
"Then what do we do? We can't just sit here and do nothing."
An investigation was necessary, but it could only be conducted in secret.
Her gaze sharpened, Feng Yinwan lifted her lips. "I have a plan."
Her plan was for Qi Xuan to go to Yuzhou again.
She had been in the palace for two days. Previously, she had tasked Qi Xuan with finding Feng Yiyi's whereabouts. Upon returning to her manor, she had not received any news. Helplessly, she had to put that matter aside for the time being.
"Regarding Feng Yiyi's matter, let the secret guards continue their investigation. For now, I need you to go to Yuzhou again. That prescription is problematic."
Having anticipated this, Qi Xuan nodded. However, he hesitated before speaking, "Your Highness, regarding the malaria, the Emperor has already ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple to jointly investigate. Is this matter..."
Feng Yinwan paused slightly upon hearing this.
If her memory served her correctly, this was the first time Qi Xuan had refuted her orders.
"The Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple have been investigating for nearly half a month. If there were any results, why would we have to wait until now?"
Her brows furrowed slightly. She then looked up with suspicion.
"What's wrong? Are there any difficulties?"
Qi Xuan immediately waved his hand. "None. It's just that this subordinate has important matters to attend to recently and it is truly inconvenient to leave the capital."
As he said this, his eyes flickered slightly. Feng Yinwan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
This was originally not a matter for the manor, nor did it have much to do with Ye Tinglan. Knowing that his reaction was problematic, she did not press further.
"Very well. Since you are unable to get away, I will find another way."
Qi Xuan looked at her, wanting to speak but stopping.
Although she said she would find another way, at present, apart from Qi Xuan, there was no one she could entrust with this matter. After much thought, Feng Yinwan could only think of Song Qing'an.
She picked up her brush and wrote a letter. As she summoned Yuping to deliver it, she hesitated again.
Song Qing'an was unrelated to this matter. He had already been involved in a dangerous situation by trespassing into the prison previously. Now, going to Yuzhou...
Troubling him like this made Feng Yinwan feel uneasy. After some thought, she put the letter down.
However, she had not gone to trouble him, but before dinner, Song Qing'an suddenly arrived at the manor.
Feng Yinwan was still contemplating the matter of going to Yuzhou and appeared somewhat distracted upon seeing him.
Sensing her unusual demeanor, Song Qing'an asked with gentle concern, "Has Your Highness been feeling well these past two days?"
Feng Yinwan finally came back to her senses.
"I'm quite well. Young Master Song, did you come today for a specific reason?"
Given Song Qing'an's temperament, he would not have come without important matters.
His guess was correct, and Song Qing'an did not hide it. He nodded and took out a booklet from his sleeve.
"After I returned, I thought about it carefully. This is the roster of soldiers responsible for transporting provisions in the army. I thought it might be useful to Your Highness, so I brought it."
His offer to help was not just casual politeness.
Feng Yinwan's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this. She reached out and took the booklet.
"This was originally a matter concerning the Feng family. I am truly indebted to you for personally coming all this way."
Song Qing'an's gaze towards her was particularly firm as he said, "Your Highness need not be so distant with me. I promised that I would do my best to assist you."
His gaze was clear and pure, carrying a strange warmth. Feng Yinwan blinked and subconsciously turned her eyes away.
"One favor is worth a thousand gold. The favor of the Song family, this Princess remembers it well."
She spoke of the Song family, not Song Qing'an.
Song Qing'an's eyes dimmed slightly. He then spoke with even greater resolve, "If Your Highness has any difficulties, feel free to ask me. I will spare no effort."
Such a firm tone made the hesitation in Feng Yinwan's heart surge again. She pursed her lips and finally spoke.
"Then I will trouble Young Master Song to accompany me to Yuzhou."
As it concerned the Feng family, she could not help but investigate.
Song Qing'an nodded, as decisive as before, "I am at Your Highness's disposal."
Since they were traveling together, Feng Yinwan did not intend to keep it from him. She briefly explained the cause and effect, and they agreed to depart early the next morning.
Even with Song Qing'an accompanying her, Yuping was still worried.
"Miss, Qi Xuan said he was occupied, but the manor's secret guards are not. The journey is long and the distance is far, you should bring more secret guards."
Feng Yinwan shook her head.
They intended to travel incognito, and having more people would make them easier to expose. Moreover, if Qi Xuan was unwilling to go, the secret guards might even less so.
Seeing Yuping about to frown again, she raised her hand and patted her hand reassuringly.
"It's getting late, go and rest."
The candlelight in the room was soon extinguished. At the same time, a dark figure clinging tightly to the rooftop turned and quietly retreated.