"No need!"
With things having come to this, only disappointment remained.
Feng Yinwan stood up and walked towards the exit, her steps resolute and without a hint of hesitation.
"Your Highness."
Qi Xuan hesitated whether to pursue her, but Ye Tinglan's dark eyes deepened, and he turned his gaze away.
"Go and receive your punishment."
"Yes."
The two guards on the ground responded and withdrew from the secret chamber. Qi Xuan's gaze followed them, yet he faintly perceived a hint of paleness on that handsome face.
"Your Highness, your injuries..."
Although Ye Tinglan had "woken up" these past few days, his injuries were severe and he had not yet recovered.
His dark eyes closed for a moment. Ye Tinglan pursed his thin lips, but his opening words shifted the topic.
"How is the matter I ordered you to investigate?"
He was referring to the trip to the estate.
Qi Xuan nodded, his eyes filled with deepened worry. "Your subordinate was just about to report to Your Highness on this matter."
Fei Se had been sent away a long time ago; prying information from her should not have been difficult. The difficult part was that, before he could bring her back to the capital, Fei Se had suddenly died, and the method of her death was almost identical to that of the mysterious assassin who ambushed them on the night they returned to the capital!
"This matter is extremely peculiar. Upon investigation, your subordinate found that the assassin's tracks... seem to point towards the palace!"
Given that it concerned Qin Rulian, the answer to who in the palace would make a move at this time was obvious.
A fleeting coldness enveloped him. Ye Tinglan's brows furrowed sternly. "Have your people continue to investigate this matter. Do not alert her for now."
Qin Rulian had a deep connection with the Empress, and some secrets would still require finding answers through her.
Qi Xuan nodded, recalling the matter of Feng Yinwan's facial scar that he had just been instructed to investigate. He hesitated before speaking again.
"What about the Princess Consort then..."
According to Fei Se's words, Feng Yinwan had indeed been framed that night. Even if Zhao Si had not visited the estate, after such an incident, it was likely not entirely her wish.
Now, Lan Qing Yuan had suddenly caught fire, and Yu Ping was seriously injured...
Ye Tinglan pursed his lips, his handsome face revealing fluctuating emotions. "This King knows."
...
Changle Palace.
A teacup was heavily thrown to the ground, splashing the tea everywhere and drenching Qin Rulian's face.
The Empress, seated on her embroidered couch, visibly displayed a cold fury.
"Foolish girl! I advised you to prevent you from becoming overconfident, who allowed you to act so recklessly without regard for the consequences!"
Although Qin Rulian was often willful, she usually acted with propriety and discretion. It was precisely for this reason that the Empress had chosen her and kept her by her side to teach her. But who knew she would now become increasingly unruly!
On the ground, Qin Rulian knelt with her head bowed respectfully, her gaze not daring to lift.
"Aunt, now that we know her stomach is problematic, she has lost her value. Since that is the case, why should we keep her alive!"
Regarding the incident years ago, if the Empress had not reminded her, she would not have recalled it. Keeping that wench in the prince's estate had always been a hidden danger!
"Insolent!"
The Empress, enraged, grabbed another tea lid and threw it, hitting Qin Rulian's temple squarely, instantly raising a bruise.
"Regarding the Feng family's affairs, although the Emperor was enraged, he only ordered exile. How do you know they will never rise again?"
Even if the fourth brother and his associates had handled the framing flawlessly, the Emperor still held some trust in his heart. Feng Yinwan's stomach was a handle. If the Feng family were to rise again in the future, she could use this as leverage to make them fight each other, allowing her to reap the benefits.
However, this plan was almost ruined by Qin Rulian!
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Qin Rulian felt only fear.
"Aunt, the Feng family father and son have already been proven guilty of treason. He... they have all been exiled with their families. How could they possibly rise again!"
She had been certain that the slut Feng Yinwan would never rise again, which was why she chose to act at this time. If she could rise again in the future, wouldn't she surely not let herself off...
The Empress glared at her, feeling she was a fool whose mind had been clouded by jealousy.
"Enough! Since it has come to this, stop speaking such useless nonsense!"
"Go back and reflect! If you dare to act on your own again, I will not intervene for you a second time!"
When the Empress said she wouldn't intervene, she truly meant it.
Qin Rulian's face turned pale, and after a long while, she mumbled, "Yes... Rulian knows her mistake."
The Empress looked at her with disappointment, a trace of displeasure flashing across her face.
"The matter of the maidservant, I have already ordered someone to handle it for you. For now, Ye Tinglan and Yun Shu's affairs are not yet settled. Focus your thoughts on what is important, and do not cause trouble for me again!"
"Yes..."
...
It was nearly the fourth watch when she returned from the secret chamber last night. The imperial physicians' methods were rough, and Feng Yinwan frowned, driving them away and personally tending to Yu Ping's wounds.
"Princess Consort."
Qi Xuan appeared behind her at some point. Feng Yinwan glanced at him indifferently, her hands still working.
"What are you doing here?"
Having not slept all night, the faint dark circles under her eyes were very noticeable. Qi Xuan nodded and brought the food basket forward.
"The Prince Consort is worried about the Princess Consort's health and has specially ordered your subordinate to bring you some nourishing soup."
Feng Yinwan scoffed, her gaze not shifting at all.
"Take it back. I have no use for it!"
Yu Ping's injuries were more stinging than anything else.
Unexpectedly, Qi Xuan did not move. "Princess Consort, your subordinate brought two servings."
The implication was that one serving was for Yu Ping.
Feng Yinwan was slightly taken aback. She did not stop him this time.
"Put it down."
She could refuse to eat it, but Yu Ping was injured and needed nourishment.
Qi Xuan nodded, placing the food basket on the table, but did not leave immediately.
Seeing him standing there as if he had something to say, Feng Yinwan frowned and asked, "Is there something else?"
"How is Miss Yu Ping's injury..."
Hesitantly, the words were spoken, and Qi Xuan's expression became somewhat stiff. Feng Yinwan glanced at him, her expression softening slightly.
Those matters were ultimately Ye Tinglan's doing; it was not something to blame Qi Xuan for.
Her eyelashes lowered, and her tone softened a little.
"She rushed in to save me, and her back was burned quite badly. It's truly not a light injury."
Just looking at it made one imagine how painful it must be.
Qi Xuan pursed his lips for a moment, and after a short silence, he spoke again.
"If Princess Consort needs any medicinal herbs, please feel free to ask your subordinate."
He then felt it was redundant.
Feng Yinwan even had immortal medicine like Yu Ji Lu, so how could she lack his medicinal herbs?
Just as he was about to bow and withdraw, Feng Yinwan turned her gaze towards him.
"Qi Xuan, thank you."
Thank you for genuinely worrying about Yu Ping.
It was already Chen Shi when the wound was completely bandaged. As soon as she regained consciousness, the sharp pain on her back rapidly spread. Yu Ping lay on the bed, her fair face contorted in pain.
Feng Yinwan's eyes welled up with concern as she reached out to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. Outside, quick footsteps approached.
She raised her eyes sharply, and the first person she saw was Qin Rulian, her face a mixture of guilt and curiosity. In an instant, Feng Yinwan's expression turned icy.
How dare she show up!