Feng Yinwan glanced at them indifferently, her ruby lips parting slightly.
"Don't mind him, let's get the sedan chair moving."
With that, she retracted her hand and let the curtain fall.
Yuping stood frozen, her small face contorting uncontrollably. "This..."
They had said it was a return visit, what kind of sense did it make for the wife to return alone? His Highness was truly too inconsiderate.
As she pouted, Qi Xuan called out to everyone ahead. Yuping glared at him, then had no choice but to follow beside the sedan chair.
Such a grand procession had already attracted many curious glances on the road. Feng Yinwan, indifferent to the chatter, busied herself with catching up on sleep.
After a while, the sedan chair swayed gently. Yuping leaned in to remind her.
"Miss, we'll reach the General's mansion in just one more street. His Highness still hasn't appeared. Could it be that he truly intends to break his promise?"
Even through the gauze curtain, her indignant pout was visible. Feng Yinwan raised her beautiful eyes and playfully poked her.
"What's there to be angry about? Qin Rulian is too ill to get out of bed, so it's only right for him to go see her. Who told him he owed gratitude to her and her brother?"
Yuping rubbed her cheek, still displeased.
"It's true that His Highness owes them gratitude, but he has taken such good care of her over the years; that's more than enough repayment. Yet, Miss Qin is not only unfulfilled but constantly brings this up, making it seem as though His Highness owes her something!"
Especially when she dared to use it to threaten the position of Crown Princess!
Utterly shameless!
"Furthermore, even if His Highness is worried about her, the return visit was agreed upon long ago. How can he simply decide not to come? Won't this make people look down on you!"
Feng Yinwan curved her lips and gently comforted her, "Alright, whether he comes or not doesn't really matter."
It was all for the sake of the General's mansion's reputation. All she wanted was this grand display. Who would know if there was one person or two in the sedan chair?
Yuping was about to say something more when the procession came to a halt.
Qi Xuan leaped off his horse. "Your Highness, we have arrived."
Feng Yinwan nodded and immediately straightened her skirt before stepping out of the sedan chair.
The Feng family was unaware that Feng Yinwan was returning for a visit. Seeing the sudden grandeur, the guards at the mansion gates rushed forward.
"Eldest Miss? What is this..."
Feng Yinwan nodded. "This Crown Princess is here today to perform the return visit rites."
The guards nodded repeatedly. Just as they were about to run back to report, Feng Yinwan called out to them.
"No need to trouble yourselves. We'll go straight in."
With that, she turned and was about to signal the accompanying guards to carry in the generous gifts from the Prince of Mo's mansion when the sound of urgent horse hooves came from the rear of the procession.
A figure in dark robes suddenly caught her eye, so deep and profound that he seemed to blend seamlessly with the handsome horse he rode.
Before Feng Yinwan could even react, Ye Tinglan reined in the horse, and he leaped off its back.
The jump was clean and decisive, landing perfectly in Feng Yinwan's heart.
Despite that, she had to admit that Ye Tinglan had a foul temper, but his face was indeed stunningly handsome, beyond compare.
Of course, it would be even better if he could just shut up.
"Didn't I say I'd be there shortly? Is the Crown Princess intending to make her return visit alone?"
He thought, why couldn't this woman just slow down on the road and wait for him!
The halo she had just conjured around him instantly shattered.
"His Highness was in such a hurry to see Miss Qin. This concubine thought you wouldn't be coming."
In fact, she had genuinely believed that.
Ye Tinglan frowned, clearly displeased with her suspicious tone.
"I have always kept my word and will never break a promise!"
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying.
As they entered the front courtyard, they ran straight into Feng Yiyi.
She had knelt in the ancestral hall for days. Now that she was finally released, the moment she saw Feng Yinwan, her hatred surged uncontrollably.
"For no reason at all, why has Eldest Sister returned? One would think you are insulted daily in the Prince of Mo's mansion and can't bear it, so you keep running back to your maiden home!"
Feng Yinwan's lips curled into a cold smile, entirely unfazed.
"Feng Yiyi, after kneeling in the ancestral hall for so long, your sharp tongue hasn't improved one bit."
"What? Should I inform Father and have you sent back to kneel for another two days?"
"You...!"
Without a word, she had managed to provoke Feng Yiyi to the point of fury with just a few sentences.
Feng Yiyi gritted her teeth in resentment. "I am also thinking of the General's mansion's reputation!"
"If His Highness were accompanying you, it would be one thing. But for a newly married bride like yourself to return home repeatedly, what is the meaning of this? Is it not enough to make others laugh at you!"
Ye Tinglan, having just followed them, overheard this. His sword-like brows furrowed in displeasure.
No matter how annoying this woman was, she was still someone from his Prince of Mo's mansion. When had it become anyone's place to laugh at her!
His handsome face darkened, and a chill emanated from him.
"Who says I wasn't accompanying her? Are you blind?"
He stepped forward with a cold tone. Feng Yiyi was stunned by his reprimand. She looked up and saw a clear and handsome face that seemed to descend from the heavens, and she was immediately struck dumb.
Ye Tinglan?!
Didn't he detest this wretched girl Feng Yinwan? Why was he accompanying her back!
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow, impressed by how sharp his tongue could be. She then turned to see Ye Tinglan's gaze sweep over Feng Yiyi, evident disgust in his dark eyes.
Indeed, they were from the same household. This concubine was even more annoying than that woman.
"That woman" Feng Yinwan: ...Just give me my social security number!
"Seen... Seen Your Highness."
Feng Yiyi trembled, her voice stuttering.
Ye Tinglan narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze clearly dismissive.
"I have specifically accompanied the Crown Princess on her return visit today to pay respects to Old General Feng. Yet, the General's mansion sends forth a mere concubine to greet us. Do you not take me seriously?"
The implication was: What right do you have to be here? Go away immediately.
Feng Yiyi's face turned pale at his words. She bit her lip fiercely, daring not to speak out of anger.
Thus, Feng Yinwan was astonished to discover.
When Ye Tinglan turned his guns on outsiders with her, his mouth suddenly became melodious and pleasant!
With a good mood, she glanced at Feng Yiyi's face, which was fouler than a rotten egg, and her red lips parted.
"Your Highness, please do not be angered. This concubine's younger sister has always been doted upon and spoils her, speaking without thinking. She meant no offense. Let us proceed to the main hall first."
Ye Tinglan snorted coldly and reluctantly agreed.
Feng Yinwan curved her lips. The two of them strode directly towards the main hall, followed closely by a stream of attendants. Left behind, Feng Yiyi was consumed by jealousy.
This wretch! Last time she returned, she only had Yuping by her side. How did she manage such a grand retinue this time!
Gritting her teeth, she quickly turned and hurried towards the back courtyard.
Feng Yinwan and Ye Tinglan sat in the front hall for a brief moment before Old General Feng, having heard the news, rushed over. Madam Yu, who had also been informed, followed closely behind.
Upon entering, she saw Feng Yinwan seated with elegant posture, her every move exuding noble grace. Madam Yu's eyes flickered subtly.
What was going on? This little wretch seemed to be doing even better than before?
As her gaze darted about, Feng Yinwan had already stood up.
"Father, His Highness accompanied this daughter on her return visit today."
Old General Feng still harbored some reservations about Ye Tinglan due to their previous encounter, and his expression tightened slightly upon hearing this.
Ye Tinglan, however, nodded humbly. "The urgent matters of border warfare previously led to my ill-considered actions. Today, I have come to complete the return visit rites and offer my apologies to Old General Feng."