His gaze swept across the faces of the gathered crowd, a chilling frost descending upon Ye Tinglan's expression as he reached for an object at his waist.
"Lord Li claims my command of the Imperial Guard is a sign of ambition and treachery. Then perhaps you would care to see what this is."
The man looked up, his eyes falling upon a bronze tiger-shaped token in Ye Tinglan's hand. Its jaws were slightly agape, and its eyes were adorned with gems. It was none other than the Tiger Tally, the very symbol of authority over the capital's forces!
The revelation sent a ripple of shock through the hall, erupting into an immediate clamor.
Ye Tingyan stared, his eyes fixed on the Tiger Tally as if trying to bore a hole through it. "How did this Tiger Tally come into your possession!"
The Emperor, notoriously suspicious, had always refused to entrust military power to any of them. Ye Tinglan, having once been a war god, was naturally the most feared. He had always surrendered his command immediately upon returning to the capital after campaigns. Now, having taken Yunshu as his secondary consort, and with the ties of marriage to Prince Dingnan, the Emperor would certainly never have entrusted him with the Tiger Tally.
*Damn it, how did he get it?*
*Could it be true what Ye Tingyu said, that the Emperor had secretly decreed him as the crown prince?*
Ye Tinglan glanced at him, his expression still placid. "It was bestowed by Father Emperor, naturally."
"Impossible!" The minister nearly leaped from his spot on the ground. "His Majesty hasn't even established a crown prince. How could he possibly hand over the military authority first? Empress Dowager, Prince Mo's Tiger Tally is likely of dubious origin!"
*So what if he has the Tiger Tally? As long as the imperial decree hasn't been issued, they would never acknowledge it.*
Ye Tinglan, however, was unfazed. "Lord Li claims this Tiger Tally is of dubious origin. On what basis do you say that?"
The man scoffed. "Today, His Majesty was poisoned in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Imperial Physician Jiang has already personally testified that your secondary consort was responsible."
"A woman of the inner chambers, where would she get the audacity to poison His Majesty? She must have been instigated by someone, and besides Prince Mo, who else would have the motive to order her to commit such an act!"
"If this Tiger Tally was truly bestowed by His Majesty, why would you resort to such a treacherous scheme to achieve your aims?"
Not long ago, the two had just married. Ye Tinglan had insisted on marrying his secondary consort with the ceremony befitting a primary consort, clearly indicating their deep connection. Thus, in the eyes of many, it didn't matter whether Ye Tinglan had committed the poisoning himself; Feng Yinwan's actions were a reflection of his will!
However, the moment these words fell, a gentle voice, laced with a hint of coldness, rang out. "Indeed, it was the Fourth Prince who instructed me."
Ye Tingyu had never imagined that the blame would be shifted onto him. His expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and he immediately jumped up. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
*When did I ever instruct her? I've only met this woman a few times!*
As he vehemently denied it and tried to distance himself from the matter, the blade at his throat suddenly moved. Feng Yinwan released her hold on him, even handing the knife back into his hands.
Ye Tingyu, still stunned, heard her speak again. "Earlier, I failed in my duty to attend to His Majesty, and the Empress Dowager, in her anger, punished the Fourth Prince with house arrest at his residence. The Fourth Prince, knowing his chances of becoming crown prince were slim, harbored thoughts of rebellion."
"Today's poisoning was his doing. He told me that once he succeeded, I was to feign threatening him and escaping the palace. He also instructed me to frame the Prince, so that he might eliminate a formidable rival."
Her explanation came so suddenly that even Ye Tingyu and the ministers supporting Ye Tingyan were momentarily taken aback. After a few choked sounds, Ye Tingyan angrily berated her. "Utter fabrication!"
"The Fourth Prince is unacquainted with you, so why would he instruct you to act like this? You are Prince Mo's secondary consort; why would you so readily cooperate with him?"
Feng Yinwan shrugged. "I didn't want to, but I wanted to live."
"I am terminally ill and do not have long to live. The Fourth Prince promised to give me the Hundred Wood Rhinoceros Grass after the deed was done, so that I could be cured. That's why I agreed."
She then propped up her chin and analyzed with a serious expression. "Speaking of which, the palace was burgled a few days ago, and the Hundred Wood Rhinoceros Grass went missing then. I suspect the Fourth Prince was originally carrying a potent poison, but it seems to have been removed from him now. Perhaps he used the Hundred Wood Rhinoceros Grass on himself."
She spoke fluently, her words calm and coherent. Ye Tingyu, even with his dull wit, could not withstand her relentless accusations. He trembled with rage, pointing at her. "You... what utter lies! When did I ever promise you such things? What Hundred Wood Rhinoceros Grass, what potent poison, I know nothing of it!"
He didn't know if the mention of poison was a fabrication by Feng Yinwan or if she had known it all along, but he dared not let her continue. His gaze turned fierce, and the hand holding the knife slashed towards Feng Yinwan. "I'll cut down this rebellious traitor who spews lies!"
The cold blade descended heavily, but before it could even touch a strand of Feng Yinwan's hair, it was repelled. She had merely used a silver needle, and the knife flew from Ye Tingyu's hand, clattering onto the floor by the ministers' feet, sending them scrambling in fright.
Ye Tingyu, still in the motion of striking, stared blankly at his empty hands, feeling a tingling sensation on half of his face.
Feng Yinwan didn't even look at him. "Fourth Prince, at this point, what meaning is there in continuing this charade?"
"Our plan has been exposed today, and escape is impossible. Instead of awaiting our doom, why don't we fight our way out together!" She then picked up the knife and shoved it back into Ye Tingyu's hand. "Here, hold it properly this time."
Ye Tingyu: "...Um, if I say I've been framed, will you believe me?"
Very well. Ye Tinglan was the first not to believe him. His dark eyes narrowed, and he spoke with chilling severity. "Fourth Brother, I never expected you to be the one plotting against Father Emperor, and to conspire with my secondary consort!"
Ye Tingyu clutched the knife, feeling utterly unable to defend himself. "I didn't, I didn't..."
But Ye Tinglan refused to listen. "Guards, apprehend these two traitors who have plotted against Father Emperor!"
Seeing that he was so ruthless as to order the arrest of his own secondary consort, Ye Tingyu's face turned ashen. He desperately dodged towards Ye Tingyan. "Second Brother, please speak up for me!"
He realized then that this woman and Ye Tinglan were playing good cop, bad cop, devising ways to pin the blame on him! If Ye Tingyan didn't help him, he was surely going to be arrested today!
The turn of events had surpassed everyone's expectations. As the Imperial Guard began to surround them, Ye Tingyan's lips tightened severely. He spoke. "Empress Dowager, your grandson believes that Consort Wan's words cannot be fully trusted."
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow. *Why weren't you this rational earlier?* "My words cannot be trusted, but Second Prince's words can?" *What shamelessness, playing such double standards with me.*