While Ye Ting was still hidden in the shadows with the Empress's people, the city would inevitably become a focal point of contention without Ye Tinglan to maintain order.
Fei Ping was left alone there, and Feng Yinwan couldn't help but worry.
Sensing her concern, Ye Tinglan pondered for a moment before nodding. "Let Qi Xuan accompany you back."
Outside the palace, Qi Xuan drove the carriage, which was inconspicuous and didn't attract much attention.
The city was under martial law, and there were few people to be seen along the way. Feng Yinwan let down the curtain and asked casually, "Where has Guard Qi been recently?"
He was Ye Tinglan's personal guard. Unless he was on a top-secret mission, he wouldn't leave so easily, especially not for so many consecutive days. She had no intention of prying into his secrets, but she found his unusually detached demeanor before he left perplexing.
Qi Xuan, outside, could hear her clearly. The hand holding the reins paused. "It's a personal matter entrusted by the Prince. Please forgive me for not being able to disclose it to the concubine."
She knew it would be like this.
Feeling rebuffed, Feng Yinwan lowered her eyes and asked no more.
The carriage stopped at the back gate of the Prince of Mo's mansion. Feng Yinwan went straight to Lan Qing Yuan, while Qi Xuan entered the mansion but headed in a different direction.
Yu Ping had clearly heard the news from outside. Upon seeing her return, she nervously stepped forward. "Miss, your maidservant heard that war is about to break out. Have you finished your business in the palace? When can you leave?"
Although she was in the mansion, her heart was still concerned.
Feng Yinwan felt a warmth spread through her and held her hand. "I cannot leave right now, but with the war imminent, you cannot stay here any longer."
Yu Ping stopped immediately. "Miss, if you haven't left, how can your maidservant..."
Knowing her loyalty and that she wasn't one to abandon others for her own safety, Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and interrupted. "I know you are loyal, but I am constrained in my actions now. If the situation descends into chaos, I may not be able to look after you." Yu Ping staying here would distract her.
Yu Ping understood and no longer insisted. She looked at Feng Yinwan intently and nodded. "I will listen to you, Miss."
Feng Yinwan nodded, then remembered something and her gaze drifted to a corner of the courtyard. "Is Qin Ru Lian in there?" She hadn't paid attention to her during her few days in the palace.
Yu Ping reacted and nodded. "She's been here all along. After she woke up and found her face disfigured, she became quite deranged. How do you plan to deal with her, Miss?"
Feng Yinwan's eyes darkened, and after a moment's thought, she pursed her lips. "Letting her off so easily would be too kind. Let her stay here for now. I will find a use for her when the time comes."
Yu Ping didn't quite understand but obediently nodded. "Yes."
Feng Yinwan intended to send Yu Ping to Song Qingan's place. Both the Prince of Mo's mansion and the imperial palace were no longer peaceful. After much consideration, only Song Qingan's residence seemed reliable.
She wrote a letter and handed it to Yu Ping, then personally found someone to escort her. As she was leaving, she ran into Qi Xuan, who was walking from Yu Fu Yuan with a solemn expression.
Seeing Yu Ping with a bundle on her shoulder, looking as if she were about to leave, he was taken aback. "Concubine, what is this?"
"The city is unstable right now. I'm having Yu Ping stay elsewhere temporarily." She walked forward. Qi Xuan, however, caught up with a hint of urgency. "Wait."
Feng Yinwan looked up and met his gaze calmly. "Does Guard Qi still have business?" Such an action was already impolite. Qi Xuan blocked her path, uncharacteristically not stepping aside. "Concubine, where are you sending Miss Yu Ping?"