"They intend to rebel!"
The Empress Dowager clutched her prayer beads and slammed them onto the table.
Ye Tinglan remained silent.
The room was quiet for a moment before the Empress Dowager suppressed her anger. Her aged eyes gazed into the distance and she spoke in a low voice.
"There were signs of unrest a month ago. Did they already harbor wicked intentions before my birthday banquet?"
No wonder Ning Fengzhi was so arrogant back then, even daring to send carelessly prepared birthday gifts. It seemed they had planned this for a long time.
Recalling Feng Yinwan's sudden change of tune in the hall today, the Empress Dowager suddenly understood a few things.
Her gaze fell on Ye Tinglan, her face sinking slightly. "Although what happened today was not the fourth son's doing, he is not without his part in it. Did you capture him with another plan in mind?"
Such speed and thorough preparation made it clear that Ye Tingyu had known about this beforehand.
Taking him down was not a mistake, but rather how could Ye Tinglan, who had always valued that girl, want to put her in danger?
Ye Tinglan nodded. "Your Imperial Grandmother is wise. Not only the Ning clan is restless this time, but today's events are a feint within a plan."
He did not explain much about Feng Yinwan, so the Empress Dowager did not press further.
Her eyes paused for a moment before she asked again, "Lan'er, did your father leave any imperial edicts after he woke up?"
She understood her son well. Without his personal instruction, the tiger tally would never have reached Ye Tinglan's hands.
But the Emperor had suddenly fallen ill and fainted at the banquet. If he were to pass down the military seal, it could only have been during the two times he woke up.
However, she had never heard of such a thing.
As Ye Tinglan was about to speak, he was interrupted by the Empress Dowager.
"Don't say nothing. I know your father's temperament. You cannot conceal this tiger tally from me."
...
That night, a figure quietly slipped through the back gate of the Second Prince's manor.
The person was slender. As they walked with a lantern, a circle of silver-threaded cloud patterns was faintly visible on the cuffs of their cloak.
If one looked closely, it would be clear that this was unique to the official attire of the Imperial Hospital.
The candlelight in the study was dim.
Ye Tingyan, who should have been in a panic after today's losses, sat calmly behind his desk, showing no sign of worry.
Seeing the person enter, his languid posture straightened slightly.
"Imperial Physician Jiang."
The newcomer removed his wide hat, revealing Jiang Rumao's face in the candlelight.
He bowed slightly and stood at the doorway, not moving further.
"The Second Prince summoned me late at night. May I ask the reason."
Ye Tingyan glanced at him and chuckled lightly. "Imperial Physician Jiang, there's no need to be so formal. You handled things well today. I've invited you here to express my gratitude."
He said this and rose from his seat. Jiang Rumao followed his gaze and noticed that two wine cups had already been prepared on a tray nearby.
Ye Tingyan raised his hand and, in front of him, picked up the wine pot and filled both cups.
"I toast you, Imperial Physician Jiang."
The wine cup was presented, but Jiang Rumao lowered his gaze and did not move.
"If the Second Prince has something to say, why not speak it directly."
As if he had expected this, Ye Tingyan was not angered by the refusal. He withdrew his hand and brought the wine cup to his lips.
He took a sip of the wine, his expression somber, lost in thought. After a moment, he took a paper packet from his waist and handed it over.
It was bulging, seemingly filled with powder.
Jiang Rumao took it and heard him say,
"Find a way to make the Empress Dowager ingest this."