She was willing to call him Emperor, and her mother, which effectively sealed off any room for the Empress to maneuver.
The Empress, feeling suffocated, stared at the two of them, the words of dismissal stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down. Her face almost turned liver-colored from holding it in.
Feng Yinwan thought for a moment and decided to help her out.
"I've heard that Your Ladyship's palace has a private kitchen, and the pastries made there are far more delicious than those from the Imperial Kitchen. I've come with great admiration and today I can finally accept your imperial favor."
The Empress felt like spitting blood upon hearing this.
She had always walked the path of setting an example, of being upright and incorruptible. How could she speak of having a private kitchen to outsiders!
As expected, when Feng Yinwan looked up, she saw the Empress's chest heaving, her face looking several times worse than before.
She suppressed her expression for a moment before speaking to Feng Yinwan with displeasure, "Consort Wan, do not easily believe slander. I dine with all the other consorts in the Imperial Kitchen, and there is no private kitchen in the palace!"
Even in death, her lips remained stubborn.
Feng Yinwan thought to herself, "Give it up, I know you better than that."
However, she responded smoothly, "Your Ladyship is absolutely right. If I hear such rumors again, I will definitely speak up to vindicate you."
After saying that, she nudged Ye Tinglan with her elbow.
The gentleman, understanding her intent, immediately chimed in, "I too."
"..."
The Empress was furious and stifled, but she had no choice but to order someone to prepare the meal.
This meal was, after all, shamelessly imposed upon them by Feng Yinwan.
Before lunchtime, the dishes were already served. It was evident that the Empress was extremely impatient and did not want to linger any longer.
Feng Yinwan was not polite either, grabbing her chopsticks and starting to eat directly.
The meal was a pretense of harmony. She and Ye Tinglan ate the food, while the Empress consumed her anger, simmering with resentment.
Finally, after they finished, the Empress immediately ordered the plates to be cleared, not wanting to give them any extra opportunity.
She propped her forehead with one hand and leaned forward on the table. Suxi, cooperating perfectly, immediately stepped forward to help her.
"Your Ladyship, what is wrong?"
The Empress shook her head, pressing her forehead hard and remaining silent.
Seeing this, Suxi immediately exclaimed, "Her Ladyship's head ailment has likely recurred. Quickly, go and summon an imperial physician!"
These words were directed at the eunuchs by the door, but in reality, they were meant for Feng Yinwan and Ye Tinglan.
Feng Yinwan glanced up with her eyelashes, and indeed, the Empress was sitting there with a ruddy complexion, showing no signs of any ailment.
Even though she knew, she still had to pretend.
Therefore, she immediately stepped forward in a feigned panic, "Your Ladyship, what is wrong? You were fine just now, how could you suddenly..."
Suxi looked up at her, and the pre-prepared excuse flowed from her lips.
"Her Ladyship's head ailment is a long-standing condition. Once it flares up, the pain is unbearable, and only after being seen by an imperial physician can it subside. At present, I fear she cannot entertain His Highness and Consort Wan."
With words reaching this point, she presumed they would have the good sense to take their leave. Unexpectedly, Feng Yinwan heard this, rolled up her sleeves, and said indifferently.
"I see, so it's a head ailment!"
"Don't worry, many people in my hometown suffer from this illness. A little massage usually helps. Come, move aside a bit."
With that, she nudged Suxi to the side and reached out with both hands towards the Empress's head.
Completely unprepared for this, Suxi's expression changed, and she sternly shouted, "Consort Wan, do not be presumptuous!"
She actually wanted to massage the Empress's head!
Was this a head she could simply massage?
Feng Yinwan was not at all intimidated. "I am here to treat Her Ladyship's illness. Her Ladyship is in so much pain, how can she possibly worry about being presumptuous or not!"
As she spoke, her fingertips hovered just above the Empress's forehead.
Ye Tinglan allowed her to proceed, leaning forward with a stern posture, blocking Suxi from advancing.
Sensing that the situation was not right, the Empress's heart tightened, and she immediately opened her eyes.
"Consort Wan, I... Ah!"
Before she could stop her, two forceful hands descended. The pain caused the Empress to cry out and jump up from her chair.
Feng Yinwan's eyes flickered. She pressed down on the Empress's shoulders with both hands, forcing her back into the chair.
"Your Ladyship, please bear with it for a moment. This method is painful, but it is very effective. After the massage, the pain will be completely gone."
The force landed one after another. The Empress was in so much pain that she couldn't hear what Feng Yinwan was saying. She struggled fiercely and yelled.
"Presumptuous! Let go of me at once...!"
"Stop!"
The palace servants outside the hall, alerted by the commotion, rushed in. Seeing the scene, they tried to step forward but were stopped by Ye Tinglan's icy gaze.
"Her Ladyship the Empress is suffering from a head ailment, and Consort is diligently treating her. Anyone who dares to obstruct will be charged with treason!"
"This..."
Everyone looked at each other.
They knew the Empress had a head ailment, but this situation... it didn't look like treatment.
Who treats someone to this extent of pain!
However, due to Ye Tinglan's decree, they dared not act rashly and stood frozen in place, their movements halted.
Feng Yinwan was not blindly indulgent. Seeing this, she loosened her grip and withdrew her strength.
The sharp pain receded, and the Empress immediately slumped back into the chair, gasping for breath.
Her elaborate hairdo had already come undone during the struggle. Now, with her temples swollen and red, her dignity was completely lost, and she looked utterly disheveled.
Yet, Feng Yinwan peered over and asked gently, "Your Ladyship, how do you feel? Has this head ailment improved?"
The Empress had been tormented enough. She was afraid that if she said "no," Feng Yinwan would come at her again with another round.
She glared at Feng Yinwan with hatred, but could only say.
"Consort Wan's method is indeed effective. I feel much better now."
As she spoke these words, her teeth were chattering.
Feng Yinwan nodded and re-adjusted her rolled-up sleeves. "That's good. It is my honor to contribute my humble efforts to Your Ladyship."
The Empress: Do you want this humble effort or not! You're such a pain!
She gritted her teeth and raised her hand, signaling Suxi to help her up.
"Consort Wan is very thoughtful. I am not feeling well today and truly have no energy to entertain His Highness Prince Mo and you here. Since you need to go to another palace, you may leave on your own."
If these two didn't leave soon, her head ailment would truly flare up!
Feng Yinwan also understood the principle of knowing when to stop. Upon hearing this, she nodded and returned to Ye Tinglan's side.
The atmosphere in the hall became instantly silent.
It was quiet all around. Feng Yinwan was waiting for the Empress to speak, while the Empress was waiting for her to leave.
After waiting for a moment and seeing that she hadn't moved, the Empress gently rubbed her swollen and painful temples and spoke impatiently.
"Is there anything else?"
Feng Yinwan curved her lips and smilingly reminded her, "Your Ladyship had promised to give me the incense..."
Ah! She still had the nerve to ask for incense!
The Empress froze upon hearing this, her face turning as black as the bottom of a pot.
It was just a polite remark made casually, yet she remembered it so clearly and could brazenly ask for it!
This damned woman!
She couldn't calm her breath for a few moments, so the Empress simply gritted her teeth and said.
"Suxi, go and get it for Consort Wan!"