Qin Rulian?
Feng Yinwan's delicate eyebrows rose, and a chill instantly gathered in her eyes.
After she was attacked yesterday, the Empress had repeatedly urged the imperial physicians to take her pulse. She hadn't thought much of it then, but now that she connected the dots about the assassin, she couldn't help but feel that the wretched woman had done it on purpose.
Her intentions were so obvious, as if she had already known there was a problem with her pregnancy. And by chance, Qin Rulian had been in the palace yesterday.
Before she could go find Qin Rulian to settle the score, the woman had come to her door. How interesting.
Her beautiful eyes cast a few glances outside, and Feng Yinwan's lips curled into a smile, signaling Yu Ping to open the door.
"Your Highness, are you in?"
After knocking on the door for a long time, Qin Rulian's palms were already red and swollen. Yet, the courtyard gate remained shut, showing no sign of opening.
Knowing full well that Feng Yinwan was deliberately giving her a hard time, she could only brace herself and continue calling. She secretly glared through the crack in the door, and just as she was about to raise her hand again, the courtyard gate suddenly swung open from within.
With half an arm still raised in the air, Qin Rulian was startled and nearly spilled the ginseng tea in her hand.
"Yu... Yu Ping, is the Princess inside? I've come to deliver some ginseng tea!"
Yu Ping gave her a nonchalant glance and turned back inside, "Miss Qin, please come in."
Lan Qing Courtyard had been closed for repairs for a long time, and this was Qin Rulian's first time entering.
Seeing the drastically different courtyard, ten times more luxurious than her own Xiuchun Courtyard, her eyes widened, as if she had contracted pinkeye.
Being rich was one thing, but it was actually a replica of this bitch's courtyard in the General's mansion!
Why! How could this bitch be worthy of Ye Tinglan's such meticulous attention!
She clutched the tray tightly, her knuckles white, and the teacups clinked all the way.
Before she could hold back, Yu Ping had already led her into the room. Qin Rulian's eyes widened and she lost her composure.
This house... was actually furnished according to the standards of the main courtyard!
This remote, dilapidated courtyard, why!
She could smell a sour scent from afar. Feng Yinwan raised her eyebrows and spoke faintly.
"Miss Qin?"
Realizing her impropriety, Qin Rulian regained her composure and quickly suppressed the jealousy on her face.
"Rulian... greets the Princess."
Her face was stiff, her smile uglier than crying.
Feng Yinwan curled her lips, her gaze subtly flicking towards the teacup in her hand, "Miss Qin was calling outside for a long time just now. Is there something important?"
"Yesterday, I learned in the palace that the Princess was unwell. Rulian dared not delay and ordered ginseng tea to be brewed to nourish and replenish blood upon returning to the mansion, delivering it specifically to the Princess."
As she spoke, she pushed the tray forward a bit, about to lift the teacup, when a slender hand, as white and smooth as jade, pressed down on it first.
Feng Yinwan curled her lips, but her smile did not reach her eyes.
"This red ginseng has the effect of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. I am pregnant. If I were to use this, I fear I would miscarry within half an hour. Did Miss Qin call for an imperial physician to accompany her when she came?"
Previously, she didn't know about her pregnancy and wasn't as cautious. Now that it was confirmed, even if this ginseng tea were harmless, she would never touch anything that came from the hands of this white lotus!
Qin Rulian had not expected this either. Hearing this, her face changed, and she immediately bowed tremblingly.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. Rulian was only concerned about your health and truly did not know about this matter..."
Even if she had ten times the courage, she wouldn't do something so obviously foolish. It was just that the old woman who brewed the medicine didn't understand and accidentally violated a taboo!
Naturally, tears welling up was a professional skill of the white lotus. Feng Yinwan looked at her terrified expression and let out a cold scoff from her lips.
"Miss Qin, why are you so frightened? I haven't said I'm blaming you. However, the Empress Dowager personally decreed yesterday that all tonics for me hereafter will be sent from the palace. Miss Qin needn't trouble herself further."
With the Empress Dowager brought up, Qin Rulian naturally dared not say more. Biting her lip, she had no choice but to take the ginseng tea and leave dejectedly.
Her objective achieved, Feng Yinwan picked up the tea by her side and took a sip, then called out to Yu Ping.
"Go and summon Qi Xuan. I have something for him to do."
Yu Ping nodded without suspicion, "Yes."
This time, Ye Tinglan personally led the troops on campaign, commanding the soldiers in the military camp outside the city. As his personal hidden guard, Qi Xuan should have accompanied him. However, Ye Tinglan had specifically left him behind, which made it convenient for her to handle matters.
Feng Yinwan had arranged two tasks for him.
The first was to have someone keep an eye on the comings and goings of the General's mansion and observe any abnormalities after Feng Yiyi returned.
The second was to track down Ye Tingyun and Ye Tingyan. Her intuition told her that the mysterious man was likely related to them. At this time, keeping an eye on them was always the right move.
Qi Xuan was loyal enough and did as he was told without further questions.
Since that day, Ye Tingyun had not visited the mansion again, and Feng Yinwan was quite at leisure. In a few days, several doses of anti-foetal medicine had been prepared. However, her injuries were almost healed, yet the assassin from the palace had still not been apprehended.
The war on the front lines was dire, and the Emperor was not particularly concerned about this matter. In the end, the Empress's people only managed to capture one assassin.
Feng Yinwan was not surprised by this outcome. She curled her lips, picked up her sword, and began to practice her movements in the courtyard.
Before she could finish a set of sword techniques, Qi Xuan pushed open the door and entered.
"Your Highness, there is news from the Second Prince's mansion."
With a decisive move, Feng Yinwan concluded her practice, her sharp aura receding.
Seeing this, Qi Xuan stepped forward, "Tomorrow, the Immortal Medicine Sect will be holding a secret auction in Jiangzhou City. The Second Prince will personally attend."
"Immortal Medicine Sect?"
Feng Yinwan had never heard of this name before.
Qi Xuan nodded and immediately explained, "The Immortal Medicine Sect is a gathering place for various ghost doctors and alchemists in the martial world. They are large and numerous, but they do not easily reveal their whereabouts. This secret auction in Jiangzhou City is also a recently released piece of information. The Second Prince's men have been inquiring for a long time, and they will certainly go this time."
Earlier, Ye Tinglan had already ordered him to investigate secretly, but Feng Yinwan was unaware of this.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she nodded.
Jiangzhou was not far from the capital. If they wanted to catch this secret auction, it was better to start sooner rather than later.
"Have your men prepare. We will depart for Jiangzhou immediately."
Unexpectedly, Qi Xuan shook his head upon hearing this, "Your Highness, we cannot go like this."
Thinking that he doubted her abilities, Feng Yinwan frowned, "Why?"
"Only specific individuals can enter the secret auction. If we want to get in, we need something."
"What is it?"
Qi Xuan looked up at her and said, "Imperial Physician Jiang's identity jade token."
Before entering the palace, Jiang Rumao had also been a member of the Immortal Medicine Sect. Although he was now in the official establishment, the jade token was still effective.
What made Feng Yinwan feel troublesome was that this jade token was currently in Ye Tingyun's possession.