Facing the sharp scrutiny in those dark eyes, Feng Yinwan's eyelids twitched. Before she could speak, Qi Xuan's urgent report from outside reached them.
"Your Highness, the Zen Courtyard suddenly caught fire. The Princess Consort escaped in the chaos and is now nowhere to be found!"
Not good!
He came too fast!
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes fixed on her, his thin lips silently forming two words.
[Fire.]
Feng Yinwan was so embarrassed she wanted to burrow into the ground. Just as she was about to suffocate, Ye Tinglan finally spoke.
"Immediately order someone to search for her. You must find her for me!"
"Yes!"
Qi Xuan outside took the order and retreated immediately. Feng Yinwan quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and her resentment towards Ye Tinglan lessened considerably.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
She thanked him sincerely, only for Ye Tinglan to scoff and indifferently avert his gaze.
"Feng Yinwan, I am not helping you."
"The fact that Tingyun fainted is extremely suspicious. You must investigate this matter thoroughly. If you cannot provide an explanation, I will follow the Empress Dowager's command and hold you accountable!"
Feng Yinwan's heart tightened at his reprimand.
Her first thought was, 'Damn it, how vicious!'
Her second thought was, 'Wait, is Ye Tinglan... believing her?'
Slightly startled, Ye Tinglan's cold voice rang out again.
"The Zen Courtyard caught fire, and the news will reach the Empress Dowager in a moment. If you wish to daze, I can send you back right now."
The familiar scent of threat lingered in the air.
Feng Yinwan secretly pouted and immediately stepped forward.
Ye Tingyun was still unconscious, his face pale, his lips so pale they barely showed any blood.
After being nourished by medicine for the past two days, his complexion had improved somewhat, but now all signs of it were gone.
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and reached out to feel his wrist.
After being examined by Imperial Physician Jiang and taking the blood-nourishing and qi-boosting medicine, Ye Tingyun's pulse was now very stable.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes darkened. She reached for a silver needle from her waist and lightly inserted it.
Ye Tinglan sat beside her, his dark eyes intently watching her every move, not relaxing at all.
Seeing her extract a drop of blood from Ye Tingyun's heart with the silver needle and then bring it to her nose to smell, he asked,
"How is it?"
Feng Yinwan carefully distinguished the medicine in the blood that had not yet been absorbed. After a moment, she pursed her lips and shook her head.
Strange, the herbs in this medicine were all from her prescription, and there was nothing unusual.
Could it be that the problem wasn't with the medicine?
Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed at this. Before he could say anything, hurried footsteps sounded from the front hall.
"Empress Dowager."
"Make way, I've come to see Yun'er!"
The guards dared not stop her and immediately retreated.
Feng Yinwan's heart tightened.
"Your Highness, there is something peculiar about this matter. I implore you to guard the Hall of Benevolence closely and absolutely do not let anyone approach Prince Yun."
As she spoke, she quickly climbed out the window. The moment she landed, the door to the back hall was pushed open.
Seeing Ye Tingyun safe on the couch, the Empress Dowager's anxious heart was instantly put at ease.
"Lan'er, the guards reported that Ruoqing Courtyard caught fire and Feng Yinwan escaped in the chaos. Is this true?"
Ye Tinglan rose silently, his thin lips parting slightly. "Your Majesty need not worry. Qingpu Temple is guarded by hundreds of soldiers and will not let anyone escape easily."
The Empress Dowager was still uneasy.
"Those below are prone to carelessness. I will stay with Yun'er. Why don't you personally lead an investigation?"
For a prince to personally lead a search for his own consort within a temple was not a glorious matter.
Ye Tinglan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Your Majesty, this matter is not yet concluded. Your grandson believes the Princess Consort is not such a malicious person."
If Feng Yinwan wanted to act, she would not have chosen to do so after arriving at Qingpu Temple.
The Empress Dowager was startled by the cold air emanating from him. She glanced at her own warrior grandson and her demeanor quickly regained its composure.
"Lan'er, I know she is your Princess Consort, and naturally, I must consider your reputation. However, what Imperial Physician Jiang said earlier was not unfounded!"
"Even if Feng Yinwan did not intend to harm Tingyun, quack doctors are not uncommon. Yun'er's prescription was modified by her. She cannot escape responsibility for this matter!"
Ye Tinglan frowned. Before he could speak, Qi Xuan hurried in.
"Your Highness, we have found the Princess Consort in the Zen room. The courtyard caught fire, and the Princess Consort was choked by the thick smoke and fainted. Everyone was busy putting out the fire, so she was not discovered earlier."
"She was in the Zen room the entire time?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, we indeed found the Princess Consort in the Zen room. She is still unconscious."
The Empress Dowager's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly upon hearing this.
"I understand. You may withdraw."
Qi Xuan nodded and was about to leave when Ye Tinglan spoke.
"The Princess Consort is shaken. Have Imperial Physician Jiang examine her pulse."
Although the Empress Dowager was displeased with this arrangement, Imperial Physician Jiang was the only accompanying imperial physician at Qingpu Temple. She lowered her eyelids and said nothing.
The fire was extinguished in time and did not cause serious consequences. Feng Yinwan had only pretended to faint, so she woke up before Imperial Physician Jiang arrived.
As soon as she sat up, Qi Xuan entered with Imperial Physician Jiang.
Feng Yinwan's heart tightened at the sight. Her arm supporting her on the bed trembled, and she immediately slumped back down as if weak.
"Princess Consort."
Qi Xuan rushed forward, and before he could help her, Feng Yinwan weakly waved her hand.
"I am fine."
Qi Xuan looked at the ash on her face and her slightly trembling hand, swallowing hard.
Even like this, the Princess Consort still said she was fine?
"Imperial Physician Jiang, please examine the Princess Consort."
Qi Xuan, strictly following his master's orders, spoke. However, before he finished, Feng Yinwan spoke, trying to dismiss him.
"Guard Qi, Imperial Physician Jiang examining me is sufficient. Please leave quickly."
Trying to dismiss him?
Qi Xuan frowned, sensing that something was not simple.
Could it be that the Princess Consort found Imperial Physician Jiang handsome and wanted to...
His mind flashed back to Feng Yinwan's previous "misdeeds" that were contrary to feminine virtue. He immediately said,
"Princess Consort, it was Your Highness who ordered me to ask Imperial Physician Jiang to examine your pulse. I should wait here to report back to Your Highness."
He deliberately emphasized that it was Ye Tinglan's order, hoping to awaken Feng Yinwan's conscience.
Unexpectedly, Feng Yinwan did not understand his good intentions and even frowned impatiently.
"I was just choked by smoke. Aren't I fine now?"
"Alright, go back and report that this Princess Consort has woken up and is in good health."
Qi Xuan was momentarily speechless. Before he could speak again, he was intimidated by Feng Yinwan's glare and driven out.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes shifted, fixing on Imperial Physician Jiang beside her.
"This Princess Consort is skilled in medicine herself and does not need Imperial Physician Jiang to take her pulse. I asked Imperial Physician Jiang to stay because I have questions."
Jiang Rumou had heard a few rumors about Consort Mo, Feng Yinwan.
Seeing her calm and collected amidst her predicament, and her intention to question him, he became curious about Feng Yinwan's words.
"May I ask what Consort Mo wishes to ask this humble minister?"
Feng Yinwan smirked. "Naturally, it is about Prince Yun's matter."