Unsure of Consort Ning's intentions, Feng Yinwan didn't wish to act rashly. After a perfunctory exchange with Physician Zhao, she returned to Kyushu Fragrance Pavilion.
That night.
As the moonlight thickened, the candlelight in the living room of the Second Prince's manor flickered. Ye Tingyan tapped his fingers on the table, his expression rather somber.
Beside him, Ye Tingyu, holding a cup of tea, appeared significantly more relaxed. "Second Brother, I haven't seen you these past few days. Where have you been?"
The gaze beside him lifted slightly at the sound of his voice, but he responded with a question instead of an answer.
"How are things progressing?"
Ye Tingyu took a sip of tea. "Rest assured, the memorial from Yuzhou has been submitted, and His Majesty visited Mother Consort's palace today. This matter is as good as done."
As if anticipating this, Ye Tingyan simply let out a soft "Mm." A moment later, he spoke again.
"What about the item from over there?"
Knowing what he was referring to, Ye Tingyu nodded. He hesitated before replying, "I've seen it, but I truly don't understand what's on it. Second Brother, what exactly is this thing? Can it really..."
His words were cut short.
Ye Tingyan looked up, his tone firm and unyielding. "You just need to bring the item here. The rest, this Prince will handle."
Seeing his confident demeanor, Ye Tingyu paused, his doubts immediately dispelled.
"Yes, I naturally trust Second Brother's abilities."
...
In principle, one should "accept what one cannot change," but in reality, her heart was full of worries. She tossed and turned all night, only falling into a hazy sleep as dawn broke.
Qingruo called out to her twice. Seeing no response, she wisely retreated. However, before Feng Yinwan could fall into a deeper sleep, that annoying knocking sound began again, as if intent on her demise.
"Who is it?"
Was someone trying to hasten her death this early in the morning?
As she opened the door, she came face-to-face with Ye Tingyun. Feng Yinwan squinted, thinking she was still groggy from sleep.
Just as she was about to retreat, Ye Tingyun's urgent words rained down on her.
"At the morning court today, His Majesty and the officials discussed the war. They said Third Brother was injured, and the army is currently without leadership, which is not ideal. So, they've ordered Consort Ning's father to lead the Yuzhou troops to reinforce them. The imperial decree has already been sent out!"
The subordinates under Ye Tinglan all had a certain character, like Li Chengyan and Qian Guan. Without him keeping them in check, the army might indeed become chaotic.
However, Feng Yinwan took half a moment to process this before grasping the crucial point, her senses instantly clearing.
"What did you say?"
The Yuzhou military camp, like Jiangzhou, had been infected with malaria. The soldiers had not yet recovered. What would Consort Ning's father use to reinforce them?
Ye Tingyun's gaze swept over her messy hair and inside-out outer garment. He knitted his brows and immediately added, "Consort Ning's father is the Commander of the Yuzhou Military Affairs. Now that the epidemic in Yuzhou has been cleared and it's closest to the border, His Majesty has no choice but to appoint him!"
These words successfully made Feng Yinwan frown, but it was because of the first half.
"The epidemic in Yuzhou has been cleared?"
Ye Tingyun nodded. "The Yuzhou governor personally submitted a memorial yesterday. His Majesty must have already seen it. Ye Tingyu and Consort Ning have been instigating this in secret for so long, surely it's to seize this opportunity to gain merit, so their maternal family can gain influence!"
He frowned, his face full of worry. Feng Yinwan, however, furrowed her brow and asked in a low voice.
"What about the other two provinces? Have any memorials been submitted?"
Ye Tingyun was taken aback by the question, then shook his head. "Not that I know of..."
None.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinwan's lips thinned, and a coldness gathered in her eyes.
Before leaving Jiangzhou, she had ordered Qi Xuan to investigate. Although the rampant illness in the military camp had been brought under control, the efficacy of the medicinal formula was limited. It would take at least several more days for the patients to fully recover.
The epidemics in the three provinces had broken out almost simultaneously. Why was only Yuzhou recovering so quickly?
There was definitely something fishy going on!
Her beautiful eyes deepened, and she immediately spoke again. "Send someone out of the palace to find Qi Xuan at the manor."
Although she didn't know her intention, Ye Tingyun followed her orders. To avoid attracting attention, Feng Yinwan specifically changed into a palace maid's attire.
It was still at Donghua Gate. Upon seeing her, Qi Xuan appeared somewhat hesitant.
"Princess Consort."
"What is it?"
Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed in doubt. She looked up and saw him take a secret letter from his sleeve.
"The dark guard sent to deliver the message has returned. The Prince was ambushed and escaped with serious injuries. General Feng and your elder brother... have indeed disappeared without a trace."
There was one more sentence he didn't say.
Vanished along with her father and brother were ten thousand *shi* of grain supplies stored at the transfer station.
Grain supplies were a military secret.
In an instant, her body felt as if its strength had been drained. Feng Yinwan's hand, clutching the letter, tightened, her knuckles turning pale.
Someone was setting a trap!
Even the evidence was arranged so perfectly.
The handwriting before her eyes began to blur uncontrollably. Noticing her unusual state, Qi Xuan immediately asked with concern.
"Princess Consort?"
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and shook her head. After a long while, she managed to regain her voice with difficulty.
"Qi Xuan, there is something I need you to do for me. This matter has nothing to do with the Prince; it is entirely a request from this Princess Consort. If you do not wish to, you may refuse."
Given the current situation, her father and brother were indeed highly suspicious. Qi Xuan was ultimately Ye Tinglan's subordinate. Faced with this secret letter, he might not remain entirely unaffected.
She had expected him to hesitate, but to her surprise, Qi Xuan nodded without a second thought.
"Princess Consort has given an order, and this subordinate dares not disobey. Having been ordered by the Prince to serve by your side, I am willing to be at the Princess Consort's command."
Ever since Feng Yinwan led them to rescue Ye Tinglan that time, he had already regarded Feng Yinwan as half a master.
He believed in the Princess Consort's character, and he also believed in the character of the Princess Consort's father and brother.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved.
Feng Yinwan nodded, her eyes inexplicably feeling a warmth.
"This Princess Consort wants you to go to Yuzhou."
Her intuition told her that there was definitely something wrong with the Yuzhou troops. This matter involved Ye Tingyu and Consort Ning, and it must be investigated.
Qi Xuan nodded without further questions. "Yes."
After giving her instructions, remembering that he had been injured on their previous trip to Jiangzhou, Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and took out a pill from her waist.
"Take this medicine. It can help you recover your internal strength rapidly in a short period. If you encounter any troublesome difficulties, it might be useful."
Qi Xuan was slightly stunned. He immediately accepted it. "Thank you, Princess Consort."
Feng Yinwan glanced at him and nodded.
"Take care."
After giving her instructions, she turned to leave. Ye Tingyun, who had been waiting impatiently in the distance, quickly stepped forward upon seeing her.
"What did you say to Guard Qi? You were being so secretive."
"Did you tell him about Consort Ning's maternal family matters? What about Third Brother, did the dark guard sent to deliver the message return?"
He was like a curious baby with ten thousand questions rattling in his head.
Upon hearing the news just now, Feng Yinwan felt weary. She lowered her eyes listlessly and handed him the secret letter.
Unexpectedly, there was no scream. Ye Tingyun's expression shifted strangely, and he forced a dry smile.
"Ten thousand *shi* of grain, how could it just disappear? Don't believe them, they're definitely trying to deceive you!"
Feng Yinwan's lips curved into a helpless smile. She found herself thinking that this young man wasn't as noisy as usual.