This command was like a death sentence, utterly extinguishing all of Ning Pin's hopes.
The guards quickly stepped forward and dragged her away. Silence fell upon the hall once more, but the atmosphere was no longer as serene as before.
Knowing the Emperor was enraged, everyone held their breath, daring not to make a sound.
The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows in thought for a moment, then turned to Concubine Rong. "Have you sent someone to keep an eye on Zhongcui Palace?"
The imperial banquet held that night was not particularly important, but it was certainly not an ordinary day.
Ning Pin had gone mad, but she had been staying well within the palace before. Why did she choose this very night to run out and blurt nonsense in the grand hall?
There was bound to be something fishy behind this.
When questioned, Concubine Rong's heart tightened subtly, and she quickly rose.
"It is my negligence. With the myriad trivial matters in the harem these past few days, I have not yet had the chance to attend to it."
Since the Empress was detained, the authority over the harem was split in two. The palaces in the eastern courtyard were under the jurisdiction of Noble Consort Li, while those in the western courtyard belonged to her.
Zhongcui Palace was located in the western courtyard.
When Ye Tingyan was present, he had ordered his men to control all the palaces, and her Chunxi Palace was no exception.
Now that the palace was somewhat settled, she had been able to emerge. She had to appease the consorts in several palaces and arrange for the eunuchs and maids one by one. She had been busy with these matters and had no time to spare for that madwoman, Ning Pin.
But tonight's incident...
The Empress Dowager's brow indeed furrowed upon hearing this. After a moment, she waved her hand again, her disappointment evident in her tone.
"I understand. You may sit down."
After this ordeal, any good mood had been spoiled. The Emperor ate only a few bites of the food served before listlessly setting down his chopsticks.
Seeing this, Eunuch Gao wisely refrained from presenting the prepared song and dance performance.
Halfway through the feast, a figure flickered outside the hall, and a young eunuch hurried in.
He stepped forward and whispered a few words into the Emperor's ear. The Emperor's expression changed drastically upon hearing them, and he immediately rose from his seat.
Left behind, everyone was somewhat bewildered. The Empress Dowager suppressed her expression and stood up, halting any speculation.
"The Emperor is tired. You should all return to your respective palaces."
With that, she dismissed everyone.
Feng Yinwan's gaze had been fixed on Consort Yu. Seeing her leave the hall, she immediately made to follow, but Ye Tingyun stopped her.
"Hey, you are this prince's attendant! I haven't left yet, where are you going?"
Feng Yinwan gave him a cold look, and the scoundrel immediately cowered.
Taking advantage of being in public, Feng Yinwan could not openly retort. She stiffened her neck and then feigned a stern instruction.
"Ahem... This is the palace. You must remember your identity and follow obediently!"
He said this and was about to walk in front of Feng Yinwan. However, as he stepped out of the hall, he was directly called by the Empress Dowager waiting outside.
"Yun'er, come here. I have something to tell you."
Ye Tingyun froze for a moment, his eyes secretly glancing at Feng Yinwan, who was following behind him, his expression unreadable.
The Empress Dowager, unaware of the truth, followed his gaze and saw only a eunuch. She immediately gave an order.
"Prince Yun is to accompany me to Shou Kang Palace. You need not follow and serve."
Feng Yinwan lowered her head. The wide brim of her hat obscured half her face, revealing only her porcelain-white, delicate jaw and overly crimson lips beneath.
She nodded, performed a proper curtsey, and turned to retreat.
Ye Tingyun's eyes followed her, silently conveying a sense of resentment and accusation.
He had thought he could go on an adventure with her!
Sensing his unusual behavior, the Empress Dowager's brow furrowed slightly, and she spoke.
"Is this a new person you've hired? I find them somewhat unfamiliar."