The journey back to the capital was uneventful; they encountered no more assassins like the ones from yesterday. It seemed Night Tinglan was correct, and those people were indeed targeting the Empress Dowager.
According to their original itinerary, they should have returned to the palace yesterday, but the schedule was adjusted due to Night Tingyun's condition.
It was just her bad luck to stumble upon them by chance.
Feng Yinwan rested her chin on her hand, yawning lazily. She then glanced at Qin Rulian beside her.
Having knelt all the way from Qingpu Temple, the "little white lotus" was already trembling. She could barely stay upright by gripping the pillar with both hands.
Upon seeing the city gates, her strength completely gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground like a puddle of mud.
Feng Yinwan eyed her, her fair fingers tapping the teacup lid lightly against the small table.
Qin Rulian's expression changed, and she immediately bit her lip, looking at Feng Yinwan.
"We're already in the capital, what more do you want!"
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and took a sip of tea.
"When did this Princess Consort say you only had to kneel until the city gates?"
"This carriage is not stopping for a moment, so you will kneel obediently for this Princess Consort."
"You...!"
Qin Rulian bit her lip hard, her grip on the hem of her skirt tightening so much that her knuckles turned white.
Her knees were already bruised from kneeling all the way, and this bitch still wouldn't let her go. She was clearly tormenting her on purpose!
"Staring won't help. Miss Qin should understand the principle of seeing something through to the end."
Feng Yinwan curled her lips into a faint smile, looking at her. "Of course, if you don't understand, this Princess Consort doesn't mind teaching you."
Seeing that escape was impossible, a venomous glint flashed in Qin Rulian's eyes. She gritted her teeth and stood up again.
After the procession entered the city, it split into two. One group, led by Night Tinglan and Song Qingan, escorted the Empress Dowager back to the palace. The other, led by Qi Xuan, would take Feng Yinwan and the others back to the Prince Mo's mansion.
As the Empress Dowager's imperial carriage drove away, Qi Xuan was about to mount his horse when the curtain of the carriage was suddenly lifted.
"Stop."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xuan quickly stepped forward. "Does the Princess Consort have any instructions?"
Feng Yinwan tidied her skirt and stood up. "This Princess Consort wants to return to the General's mansion."
As she spoke, she leaped off the carriage with great agility. Qi Xuan was stunned. Before he could react, he felt his hand go slack as Feng Yinwan snatched the reins away.
"This horse is quite good. Lend it to this Princess Consort to ride for a bit."
She wasn't asking for permission.
Qi Xuan opened his mouth, but before he could utter a sound, the horse in front of him reared up, and Feng Yinwan, with horse and rider, galloped away.
Qi Xuan watched Feng Yinwan's retreating figure, his heart aching.
That was the Western Regions' prized steed that he had saved up ten years' worth of merit for before the Prince bestowed it upon him!
At least… Princess Consort should be a little careful when riding it!
Feng Yinwan had no time to concern herself with his thoughts.
The horse was indeed a fine steed. In just over fifteen minutes, Feng Yinwan had returned to the General's mansion.
The young servant at the gate immediately came forward upon seeing her. Before he could speak, General Feng and Feng Jingyuan emerged from within the mansion.
Both were clad in armor, their expressions solemn. The situation was clearly different from usual, as if there was some military matter.
"Father, Brother."
Upon seeing her, both of them were taken aback.
"Wan'er, you're back? Why isn't the Prince with you?"
Feng Yinwan nodded, decisively omitting any mention of that scoundrel, Night Tinglan.
"The Empress Dowager's imperial carriage has already returned to the palace. I missed my family dearly, so I rushed back directly."
Her gaze swept over them, and she asked curiously, "Father, Brother, where are you two off to?"
General Feng's heart felt a pang of guilt. He immediately explained.
"A war has broken out at the border. The Emperor has ordered your father and Yuan'er to lead troops out immediately. It seems… we won't be able to stay for dinner with you."
"Expedition?"
Feng Yinwan was startled.
Normally, a military expedition required at least half a month for preparations of supplies and provisions. What kind of war was so urgent that there was no time for preparation?
As it concerned military affairs, General Feng couldn't say much. He merely nodded and cautioned her.
"The enemy is fierce. This journey will take at least a month. With your father and Yuan'er not in the capital, be careful in all matters and take good care of yourself."
Seeing that he still remembered to caution her before marching to war, Feng Yinwan's heart stirred, and she nodded.
"Don't worry, Father. The battlefield is fraught with danger. You and Brother must also take care of yourselves on the front lines."
In his memory, Feng Yinwan, as a young girl, wouldn't have cared about such things. General Feng was immediately gratified.
"It seems you've truly grown into a young lady after getting married. Don't worry, your father and Yuan'er know what they're doing."
Servants were already waiting at the mansion gates. After a few more words of caution to Feng Yinwan, they headed out.
For a soldier, every step was imbued with a resolute spirit. Under the setting sun in the west, its afterglow fell upon their armor. General Feng's body, nearing fifty, was still as straight as bamboo, his integrity unyielding.
In her memory, this scene had appeared countless times, but now, looking at it, Feng Yinwan felt an inexplicable wetness in her eyes.
A sense of inexplicable tension and unease enveloped her heart. Just as she was about to speak, they had already mounted their horses and ridden away.
Feng Yinwan's breath caught, and her hand, hanging by her side, quietly clenched.
These two closest relatives in this world, she must ensure they returned safely.
When Feng Yinwan entered the backyard, she suddenly remembered that she had, once again, left Yú Píng in the Prince Mo's mansion!
Pressing her forehead, she was about to call for a servant to send a message to the Prince Mo's mansion when, before she could speak, a commotion erupted from ahead.
"Quick! Move all of this to my courtyard!"
"Those, and those, move them all to Yilan Courtyard!"
The courtyard, which should have been sealed off, now had its gates wide open. Inside, Madam Yu stood with her hands on her hips, directing people, spittle flying.
"Hurry! Be quick with your hands!"
"Hey, hey, hey—be gentle! If anything gets damaged, I'll whip you!"
A group of servants moved quickly with their heads bowed. Boxes of items were being carried out of the courtyard. Feng Yinwan watched coldly, her face a mask of icy fury.
This courtyard was her late mother's.
Therefore, these items were her mother's遺物 (yí wù -遗物)!
Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she tightened her grip on the horsewhip, stepping forward decisively.
Two servants at the gate were carrying a box when they bumped into Feng Yinwan, clearly not expecting her to return. They immediately stopped.
"Da…"
Before they could even utter "Eldest Miss," Madam Yu's impatient voice sounded from behind.
"What are you doing! What are you doing!"
"Hurry and move it, who told you to stop…"
Before she could finish speaking, she saw Feng Yinwan outside. Madam Yu's body shuddered, and her face turned ashen, as if she had seen a ghost.
"You… you…"
Before she could even say "you," Feng Yiyi, who was in the courtyard, emerged humming a little tune with great smugness.
"Mother, that old bitch's things are really nice! Fortunately, Father is out on campaign, so we have this opportunity. Otherwise, how could we move so easily!"
She hurried out and ran straight into Feng Yinwan's sharp gaze. She gave a shiver, and her voice abruptly stopped.
What… what was going on!
How could this bitch have returned!
She looked at Madam Yu in terror, but Madam Yu's face was pale, her lips sealed as if glued shut.
Feng Yinwan snorted, her beautiful eyes fixed on Feng Yiyi, the corner of her lips curling coldly.
"Why aren't you speaking anymore? Continue speaking."
Her voice was bone-chillingly cold. Across the air, Feng Yiyi and Madam Yu could feel the bone-piercing chill. They retreated timidly, neither daring to utter a sound.
"Old bitch?"
A coldness flashed in Feng Yinwan's eyes.
"This Princess Consort was saying that Father and Brother went out on campaign just now. As a concubine and a庶女 (shù nǚ -庶女 - daughter of a concubine), why didn't you two go out to see them off."
"So, you were hiding in the mansion, using this opportunity to steal my mother's遺物!"