For an instant, her body felt as if it had frozen solid, utterly stiff.
Feng Yinwan remained frozen in place, afraid to move. Seeing the guards drawing nearer, Song Qingan tightened his grip on the waist token. Before he could utter a word, a commotion suddenly arose from the shadows behind them.
The guards’ alertness spiked in an instant. They immediately looked up and shouted, "Who's there!"
In the next moment, several guards at the prison gates had already drawn their swords and moved forward. Seizing this opportunity, Feng Yinwan quickly squeezed into the prison.
As the commotion outside faded, Song Qingan saw her pale face and stopped, lowering his voice.
"Princess Consort, are you alright?"
Feng Yinwan shook her head, realizing her palms had broken out in a thin layer of cold sweat.
"Let's go."
The prison guards were extremely strict, and even Song Qingan had never entered before. Not knowing where General Feng and Feng Jingyuan were imprisoned, they could only search cell by cell.
The prison was dimly lit by candlelight. Feng Yinwan walked slowly, and her gaze met a choked cry.
"Wan'er?"
The chains clanked, and a familiar face appeared before her eyes.
General Feng and Feng Jingyuan were held separately. Only General Feng was in this cell. Upon seeing the shackles on his hands, Feng Yinwan's eyes suddenly turned red.
"Father."
Their former glory had been extinguished in an instant. The person before her was no longer the imposing Grand General who defended the nation.
Yet, even at this moment, his eyes, looking at her through the prison bars, held only concern.
"Why have you come! Trespassing in the imperial prison is a capital offense. Before anyone discovers you, hurry and leave. Do not concern yourself with your father or Yuan'er!"
His words were unusually stern, but Feng Yinwan felt a pang in her heart, her eyes blurring with tears.
Song Qingan bowed, "Uncle, it was my rash decision to bring the Princess Consort here."
"Qing'an?"
Seeing it was him, General Feng paused slightly, then his expression darkened again.
"Nonsense! What sort of place is the imperial prison that you can act so recklessly? Hurry and take Wan'er away from here. It would not be in vain that you call me Uncle!"
"Father!"
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke, "What is going on?"
The marriage contract, her mother's identity, and the Azure Luan Jade Ring of the Moon Kingdom—what was all this about?
Too many questions swirled in her mind; she desperately needed an answer.
Knowing she would ask, General Feng was silent for a long moment, then closed his eyes as if accepting his fate.
"That jade ring, it was indeed your mother's."
"Is Mother truly the eldest princess of the Moon Kingdom?"
This news was like a stone cast into still water, stirring ripples. Feng Yinwan's brow twitched. She tried to ask more, but General Feng interrupted.
"Wan'er, your father knows you are worried, but this matter is too deeply involved, and investigating further will not benefit you."
"You already risked great offense by pleading for your father and Yuan'er before the Emperor. Now, being pregnant, you absolutely must not anger His Majesty further and put yourself in peril."
He looked at her deeply, then spoke again.
"Your father has entrusted your care to Prince Mo. Since you have married into Prince Mo's mansion, he will naturally be responsible for you from now on. The General's mansion has fallen. Stay in the Prince's mansion and do not return."
Thinking of her strong-willed nature, he paused for a moment, then added.
"If you grow tired of the disputes in the capital in the future and wish to leave… your father had a residence in Jiangzhou. There are people specifically managing it, and the money in the accounts should be enough to cover your and Yuping's expenses."
The man before her was nearly fifty, with streaks of white at his temples. At this critical juncture, he was still racking his brains to plan for her with his remaining energy.
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and shook her head, tears already streaming down her cheeks.
"Father, you don't need to worry about me. Wan'er is a daughter of the Feng family, and it is only natural that I cannot abandon my father and brother to cling to life. I will definitely investigate this matter and clear your names before His Majesty."
"Wan'er, don't be willful! Remember what I said, do not investigate this matter further."
He looked at her with deep sorrow, waved his hand, and said, "Qing'an, take her out."
After he spoke, he turned away, unwilling to say more. No matter how much Feng Yinwan questioned him, he did not answer another word.
Seeing that time had passed, Song Qingan whispered, "Princess Consort, it is getting late. If we do not leave soon, it may arouse suspicion."
Feng Yinwan's lips tightened. She had no choice but to take two detoxification pills from her waist and hand them in.
"Father, Brother, take care on your journey."
The chains on the gate began to rattle. Not daring to delay, Feng Yinwan adjusted her clothes and immediately headed out with Song Qingan.
As they left, only half of the guards remained at the prison gates. The guard who looked like a leader was also gone, likely having taken men to investigate and not yet returned.
Without further thought, she quickly left with Song Qingan. However, before they reached the palace gates, they heard the stern voices of the guards.
"Suspicious individuals were discovered near the prison gates just now. All personnel must strictly guard the palace gates tonight and conduct thorough searches. Absolutely no suspicious persons are to be let out of the palace!"
"Yes!"
There were clearly twice as many guards at the palace gates as before.
They had originally snuck in stealthily. In the current situation, trying to sneak out would be a pipe dream.
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed, her eyes suddenly narrowing. "Besides sneaking out, are there any other ways?"
Song Qingan was also troubled.
"If it were before, I could have used my lightness skill to take the Princess Consort out. But now..."
Strict orders had been issued, and there were quite a few Imperial Guards patrolling the palace walls. If Song Qingan tried to take her with him, it would likely be difficult.
As they were at a loss, a group of guards approached them head-on. Leading them was the very person who had stopped her at the prison gates earlier.
Feng Yinwan's heart tightened. She instinctively tried to turn her face away, but before she could move, she met the guard's eyes and immediately turned to flee.
"Halt!"
Her helmet was struck off by a sword, and her long hair fell loose, exposed in an instant.
Everyone present was startled. Before they could question her, Song Qingan had already grabbed her and fled rapidly.
"Seize them!"
The sounds of swords clashing filled the air. Forcing their way through the city gates was a dead end. They had no choice but to retreat back into the inner palace.
Song Qingan's martial arts were good, but the Imperial Guards were not ordinary folk. With her in tow, being caught was only a matter of time.
Feng Yinwan's lips tightened. She decisively said, "Put me down, and you quickly leave the palace."
She was pregnant, and her pregnancy was a shield for her life. But Song Qingan was different.
This was the least damaging method.
Unexpectedly, Song Qingan seemed to ignore her words. He carefully discerned the direction of the pursuers, his resolute eyebrows furrowing.
"Princess Consort, the situation is urgent. I will first place you in the Imperial Garden to hide. After the pursuers are lured away, you can find an opportunity to leave."
These words were not a suggestion.
The moment he finished speaking, Song Qingan spun and landed, releasing her before turning to face the direction of the pursuers.
Feng Yinwan's heart surged with urgency, and she was about to call out when a large hand tightly covered her lips.
A chilling aura emanated from behind her, instantly engulfing her.