Ning Pin?
The unusual behavior she and Ye Tingyu had displayed recently was still unexplained. Hearing her name, Feng Yinwan's brow tightened, and her gaze immediately grew serious.
The Emperor, upon hearing this, also seemed surprised.
"What kind of urgent illness is it? Have the imperial physicians been sent to examine her?"
The eunuch shook his head. "Your Majesty, most of the imperial physicians are currently away on imperial decree. The Tai Hospital is already short-handed, so the people from Zhonghua Palace had no choice but to seek help here..."
There were only two imperial physicians on duty in the palace. One had accompanied the Empress Dowager on a pilgrimage, and the other was currently taking Feng Yinwan's pulse at Jiuzhou Xiangxie.
The Emperor's brow furrowed in displeasure. The eunuch trembled in fear and lowered his voice.
"Your Majesty, Ning Pin Niang Niang usually lives a secluded life and has always been in good health. For them to send for someone in such haste now, it is likely quite serious."
As the eunuch said, knowing that the Fourth Prince was incompetent, Ning Pin had always been law-abiding and had not engaged in any petty jealousies.
Although he felt indifferent towards her, she was still a noble consort, and her maternal family commanded troops. He should go and see her.
The Emperor nodded. Before he could speak, Feng Yinwan had already spoken with great understanding.
"Your Majesty, your daughter-in-law's health is no longer a problem. Ning Pin Niang Niang has a sudden critical illness, which cannot be delayed. It would be best to have Imperial Physician Zhao hurry to treat her."
Her face was still somewhat pale, but she was clearly much stronger than before.
Seeing this, the Emperor nodded and rose, striding out.
The commotion in the hall quickly subsided. Feng Yinwan patted her slightly stiffened cheeks, sighing with genuine emotion.
Acting was also a physically demanding task.
"Wangfei Niang Niang, are you feeling any better now?"
Qingruo approached with a cup of hot tea, her eyes filled with unwavering concern.
Feng Yinwan looked at her intently and nodded. "I'm much better."
She had calculated that the Emperor would emerge from Chunhe Palace and had timed her act of "falling" accordingly. Qingruo was, in a way, a tool.
Although she was ordered by Ye Tinglan to serve her diligently, this action would clearly offend Ye Ziyun and Consort Rong. As someone from Chunxi Palace, wasn't she afraid?
Qingruo, upon hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Does Niang Niang wish to dine?"
The meal that had been brought back was still placed aside. After all the fuss, Feng Yinwan also felt a bit hungry and nodded, averting her gaze.
"Bring it over."
Halfway through her meal, Ye Tingyun arrived.
He rushed in, only to see her sitting calmly by the table, as if nothing had happened. He immediately frowned.
"You're alright?"
He had just returned from the imperial kitchen when he heard palace maids mention that Ye Ziyun had caused trouble at Jiuzhou Xiangxie. He had rushed over, only to find that this woman was completely unharmed?
After a mere second of stunned silence, he met Feng Yinwan's meaningful gaze and his eyes widened.
"You were faking it?"
He knew it. This woman not only knew how to prick people with needles but could also wield a sword. How could Ye Ziyun, that gaudy peacock, possibly be her match!
Feng Yinwan cast him a look of approval, thinking that the young man had made progress. However, mindful of Qingruo's presence in the hall, she pursed her lips and spoke in a calm tone.
"Princess Qingyun acted impulsively, and it was not intentional. Since the fetus is unharmed, this Wangfei bears no resentment towards her."
"..."
This woman was truly ruthless!
"Well then... since you're alright, I'll be going back now."
He said this and prepared to make his exit, but before he could even take a step, Feng Yinwan called him back.
"Why the rush? I have something to ask you."
Ye Tingyun immediately became vigilant. "What is it?"
Fearing that she would surprise him again and torment him, Ye Tingyun became uneasy, instinctively feeling as if the chair beneath him was scorching hot!
In stark contrast to his restless discomfort was Feng Yinwan's unhurried posture as she sipped her soup.
"What do you want to ask?"
Finally, on his 10086th attempt to escape, Feng Yinwan magnanimously spoke.
"The Emperor has asked me to treat your mother's old ailment. I am not well-acquainted with the situation of Noble Consort. I wonder what old ailment she suffers from?"
So, she was looking for him to understand the situation.
Ye Tingyun's tense heart relaxed. He paused, then spoke with some hesitation.
"Mother's ailment stems from complications during childbirth."
Consort Li was highly favored by the Emperor. Although she was only a consort when she was pregnant with him, she had attracted much jealousy. She had been cautious and vigilant throughout her pregnancy, constantly on guard. Little did she expect to suffer such a difficult labor.
Her health began to decline from that point on.
"For many years, Father Emperor has had people diligently treating her, but the imperial physicians' skills are limited, and coupled with the passage of time, it is truly difficult to recover..."
He pursed his lips and added, "A while ago, a servant in the palace caught a cold, and Mother was inadvertently infected. Her old ailment was aggravated, and she had to recuperate in the palace for a long time because of it."
Feng Yinwan knew a little about the cold.
When the Empress Dowager had invited people to the palace to lecture on Buddhism, Consort Li had indeed carried the scent of cold medicine on her.
She nodded and then saw Ye Tingyun looking at her eagerly.
"Your medical skills are so remarkable, you must have a way, right?"
Feng Yinwan really didn't want to dash his hopes, but postpartum complications were very complex issues. She wasn't an immortal after all.
"Don't worry, this Wangfei and Consort Niang Niang get along well, and the Emperor has personally issued the order. I will naturally do my best to treat Niang Niang."
Personally, Consort Li had already helped her twice, and she didn't wish for Consort Li to be in trouble.
She glanced at Ye Tingyun and then comforted him. "Alright, I've understood the basic situation. Specifics will have to wait until after the afternoon nap when I personally go to Chunhe Palace to take a look."
"Hmm..."
Although she had said she would go to Chunhe Palace after the afternoon nap, when Feng Yinwan emerged from Jiuzhou Xiangxie, Ye Tingyun was already waiting by the side.
She glanced at him in surprise, raised her eyebrows, and walked forward without further comment.
When the two arrived at Chunhe Palace, Consort Li was admiring lotuses in the palace accompanied by Yunxiu. Upon seeing them, she immediately withdrew from the water's edge.
"Mother! It's hot outside, why are you out again!"
Ye Tingyun rushed forward to hold a fan for her. Feng Yinwan followed behind, also bowing slightly.
"Greetings, Consort Niang Niang."
"What's all the fuss about? I'm not that fragile."
Consort Li waved away the fan handle before her, her beautiful eyes looking at Feng Yinwan. "I heard that Princess Qingyun went to Jiuzhou Xiangxie to cause trouble during lunch, and even alarmed the Emperor and the imperial physicians. How is your health...?"
A trivial matter in the palace would spread throughout half an hour. Feng Yinwan was used to it.
"Thank you for your concern, Consort Niang Niang. This Wangfei is unharmed."
"That's good. You and Yun'er came here suddenly, what is it for?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Tingyun immediately interjected, "Mother, Third Sister-in-law is here to treat your old ailment!"
What had initially been just an excuse for the Emperor to keep her there, she had unexpectedly taken to heart. Consort Li was slightly taken aback and looked up, meeting Feng Yinwan's earnest expression.
"Consort Niang Niang, let's go to the hall to talk."
As Ye Tingyun had said, Consort Li's old ailment was indeed a lingering sequela from her difficult childbirth.
As if she had long grown accustomed to it, Consort Li calmly called Yunxiu to serve tea while Feng Yinwan took her pulse. Ye Tingyun, beside them, was already as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Seeing that she remained silent after taking his pulse for a long time, Ye Tingyun couldn't help but ask, "How is it? Can it be cured?"
"Yun'er, do not be rude."
Scolded, Ye Tingyun retreated sheepishly. In the very next instant, Feng Yinwan's brows furrowed slightly, her expression suddenly turning grave.
"Musk?"
"What musk?"
Ye Tingyun did not understand. Upon hearing this, Consort Li's expression flickered for a moment.
"Yun'er, go and help Yunxiu with the tea."