The moment the words were heard, the person on the opposite side froze, clearly having recognized her identity.
Feng Yin Wan's fingertips still held onto her wrist. Exposed, the person seemed to stake everything and swung a powerful palm at her, then rushed straight into the room.
Outside, Ye Ting Lan was still engaged in a fight with another person. Their movements were swift as ghosts, and for a moment, it was hard to tell who would win.
Feng Yin Wan pursued them. After only a few exchanges with the person, a surge of fire erupted outside, and Eunuch Gao had already brought his men rushing over.
Seeing the chaotic fighting scene, he immediately exclaimed,
"Oh dear, how audacious!"
When Ye Ting Lan had given his orders, he had explained his intentions, but he had never imagined that the other party would dare to strike so brazenly.
This was in the palace!
"Quick, apprehend these two thieves who stole the Emperor's spiritual medicine!"
As soon as the words fell, the Imperial Guards behind him swarmed forward, directly blocking the entrance to the storeroom.
Inside, the person searched the room but found no trace of the Hundred Wood Spirit Rhinoceros. Realizing they had fallen into a trap, they immediately attempted to retreat.
Feng Yin Wan naturally gave them no opportunity. With her relentless pursuit, the person was unable to escape.
Seeing themselves trapped between an inner and outer attack, like a turtle in a jar, the person grew anxious. A moment of distraction, and their left shoulder took a heavy blow.
The meridians, which had not yet fully recovered, were severed again by this blow. Instantly, large amounts of blood seeped from beneath the skin, dyeing the night-walking clothes through.
Seeing this, Feng Yin Wan's wrist turned, and the short knife skillfully returned to her sleeve.
With this strike, the person's left arm was completely crippled.
Before the severe pain in their shoulder had even begun to subside, a palm landed in front of them again. The person was sent flying out of the room, and the moment they landed, the swords of several Imperial Guards were placed at their throat.
The other person's gaze shifted slightly upon seeing this. With a forceful parry of Ye Ting Lan's attack, they immediately retreated.
Feng Yin Wan emerged from the room and saw this. As she stepped forward to pursue, Ye Ting Lan stopped her.
"I'll go."
He said, then leaped away. Feng Yin Wan's lips pursed slightly as Eunuch Gao quickly approached.
"Oh my, Consort Wan, it's you!"
He adjusted the brim of his hat and scurried over, his eyes fixed on Feng Yin Wan, a mixture of surprise and a touch of fear in his gaze.
Stopping, and seeing that her expression was unchanged, he continued, "Didn't you and His Highness already leave the palace? Why didn't you inform anyone of your return? This old servant almost arrived too late."
He was referring to the apprehension of the thieves.
As he spoke, Eunuch Gao's eyes flickered to the ground. Seeing the thief with swords at his throat, he clicked his tongue in amazement.
He had no idea that Consort Wan actually knew martial arts!
The fierce thief that so many Imperial Guards couldn't subdue was just sent flying out by her palm…
No wonder Prince Mo was so fond of her. Consort Wan… truly extraordinary!
Despite his admiration, his expression remained impassive.
Feng Yin Wan was unaware of his inner thoughts, only feeling that the matter was not yet concluded and it was not a good time for conversation. She casually responded a few times before turning to look at the person on the ground.
With a single glance, her beautiful eyes instantly narrowed.
"Swish—"
Three silver needles shot through the air, piercing the person's arm. The acupoint was instantly sealed, and the person's right hand stiffened for a moment, rendering it completely immobile.
Eunuch Gao blinked, looking somewhat bewildered.
"This…"
Feng Yin Wan remained silent and walked directly towards the person.
Seeing her approach, the surrounding Imperial Guards opened a gap. Feng Yin Wan stepped forward, grabbed the person's right hand, and pulled it out.
Her fingers were forced open, and the poison hidden within fell out. It was intact, not yet crushed for use.
A slight curve touched her lips. She looked up at the person's eyes and said playfully,
"You want to commit suicide? It's not that easy."
After all the effort she had put into capturing them, she would never let them die so easily.
Eunuch Gao leaned in and roughly pulled off the person's mask, exclaiming in shock,
"It's… it's you!"
This thief was actually Su Xi!
Su Xi was Empress's dowry maid, who had been by her side since she first entered the palace. She had been in the palace for over twenty years, yet she had never revealed any martial prowess.
Even the steady Eunuch Gao was now greatly astonished.
Almost instantly, he connected the dots behind this incident.
His heart leaped, but when he looked up, he saw Feng Yin Wan's calm expression, clearly having anticipated this.
"Consort, this thief…"
This was in the palace. Although Feng Yin Wan was favored, she was, after all, a prince's consort who was not even a titled lady. She had no right to interfere in palace affairs.
Moreover, this matter involved the Empress and the dignity of the royal family, so it had to be handled with extreme caution.
But if this was Ye Ting Lan's intention…
While he hesitated, Feng Yin Wan spoke, "Matters within the palace should naturally be handled by Your Excellency."
This statement was quite clear.
Eunuch Gao understood, immediately nodded, and his gaze shifted to Su Xi on the ground, a hint of sternness now in his eyes.
"This rebel trespassed into the storeroom and stole spiritual medicine, a heinous crime. Take her to Shou Kang Palace and request the Empress Dowager to dispense her judgment!"
The Imperial Guards responded and were about to move, when Feng Yin Wan spoke again softly.
"What about Her Majesty the Empress…"
Eunuch Gao glanced at her expression and considered his words, "This matter is not yet clear. Although Su Xi is from Chang Le Palace, Her Majesty the Empress may not be aware of her actions. This old servant believes it would be more appropriate to inform her after the Empress Dowager has passed judgment, to avoid any misunderstandings."
Upon hearing this, Feng Yin Wan's lips curved subtly. "Your Excellency's consideration is thorough."
How could the Empress not know about tonight's events? Su Xi's capture was directly a major threat to her. The more secretly it was handled, the more anxious the Empress would be, as if her heart was being clawed.
At such a time, it was easiest to reveal a flaw.
After exchanging pleasantries with her, Eunuch Gao led his men towards Shou Kang Palace. Feng Yin Wan glanced at the mess on the ground, preparing to go to Chang Le Palace to keep watch. But as she took a step, Ye Ting Lan returned.
Feng Yin Wan glanced behind him; the area was empty.
"Where is that person?"
Ye Ting Lan lowered his gaze, his expression tinged with a heavy, somber hue.
"I did not catch him."
Feng Yin Wan's brow immediately furrowed.
Even Ye Ting Lan couldn't catch him; the person's skill was that profound.
After a moment of thought, she heard him continue,
"The person disappeared near Yu Xiu Palace. I have already searched and found nothing suspicious."
"Yu Xiu Palace?"
Feng Yin Wan's delicate brow furrowed slightly. Her mind instinctively recalled the scene of her previous investigation.
As she was silently contemplating, Ye Ting Lan's thin lips pressed together, and he gently took her hand.
The fingertips pressing into her palm were slightly cool. Feng Yin Wan, slightly dazed, raised her eyes, meeting his almost imperceptible frown. Then, the hand holding hers tightened its grip.
"This matter is not as simple as it seems. Let's go to Shou Kang Palace first."