The incident brought the banquet to an abrupt end. The Emperor lingered for a moment before dismissing everyone from the palace with a few perfunctory words.
As the guests dispersed, Feng Yinwan tidied her robes and stood up. As soon as she left Ruiqing Hall, she spotted Old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan and immediately stepped forward to catch up.
"Father, brother."
Hearing her, the two immediately stopped in their tracks.
"Wan'er?"
Feng Yinwan hurried forward and looked directly at Feng Jingyuan. "I recall, brother, you seem to be quite friendly with Lord Zhang from the Imperial Library?"
The Imperial Library, as its name suggested, was a repository managed by the royal family. Besides its official duties of collecting, compiling, and printing books, it also engaged in some... less reputable activities.
For instance, drafting flattering remarks for the Emperor; or writing slanderous pieces targeting court officials and their families, in essence, spreading gossip!
As if surprised by her question, Feng Jingyuan paused for a moment before nodding quickly.
"Indeed, that's the case. Why do you suddenly ask about it?"
A smile played on Feng Yinwan's lips. "Naturally, there's something I need brother's help with."
She said this and then leaned in to whisper. Feng Jingyuan listened intently for a while, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.
Feng Yinwan blinked her eyes, smiling charmingly. "Yinwan thanks brother here."
Seeing her secretive demeanor and her refusal to speak plainly, Old General Feng, unable to intervene, could only fret anxiously from the sidelines.
"Is there anything you cannot tell your father?"
His implication was clear: he wanted to know too!
Feng Yinwan chuckled, then noticed that Feng Yiyi was nowhere to be seen behind them. She froze.
"Why isn't sister with Father and brother?"
Old General Feng, as if seizing an opportunity, immediately replied, "Yiyi said earlier that she was feeling tired and went ahead to the carriage."
Feng Yinwan's eyes darkened slightly. "So that's how it is."
She had arrived with the carriage from Prince Mo's estate. After they advised her a few more times, they left. Feng Yinwan turned to look for Ye Tinglan's figure, only to realize he had already vanished.
"Strange, he was here just a moment ago..."
Yubing murmured, "Miss, when you came to speak with the Master and Young Master, the Prince had already left."
"Left?!"
Feng Yinwan was stunned.
She had been thinking of maintaining the pretense of a harmonious, respectful marriage with him, only for the so-called Prince Ye to abandon her and flee.
He must have been rushing to see his little white lotus, his feet practically greased!
Sneering inwardly, she raised her hand. "Yubing, let's go!"
They had left late, and most of the carriages in front of the palace gate were already gone. At a glance, Feng Yinwan spotted her own humble carriage.
It was parked forlornly in a corner. Beside it, there wasn't even a shadow of a person, let alone another carriage!
Feng Yinwan finally remembered Qi Xuan, her tool.
"Yubing, did you happen to see Guard Qi just now?"
Yubing thought hard for a moment, then frowned.
"Miss, when we returned to Ruiqing Hall from the garden, Guard Qi seemed to be helping Qin Rulian towards the palace exit..."
Feng Yinwan was taken aback. She vaguely recalled something of the sort, and her heart sank like a stone.
"You mean, he's already left?"
Yubing glanced at the empty space where Prince Mo's carriage should have been and nodded. "Miss, it appears so."
Feng Yinwan: !!!
She had come with people, and now she was leaving alone!
It was bad enough that he had taken her tool, but he hadn't even left her a coachman. Ye Tinglan, you truly are heartless!
Gnashings her teeth at the empty air, Feng Yinwan kicked the carriage in frustration.
"Yubing, can you drive?"
Yubing looked terrified. "Miss, are you asking me?"
Seeing her reaction, it was clear she didn't know. The last shred of hope dashed, Feng Yinwan gritted her teeth. "I'll do it myself."
Yubing became even more frightened.
"Miss, are you...?" capable?
Meeting her doubtful gaze, Feng Yinwan pulled off the reins, her expression resolute. "Get in the carriage!"
Driving a carriage, how hard could it be? She could drive four-wheeled SUVs, surely she could handle a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage?
Taking a deep breath, she jumped onto the carriage, fixed her eyes forward, and flicked the whip.
Yubing, who hadn't even sat down properly, saw her whip strike the horse's leg and turned pale.
The next moment, the usually docile horse let out a cry and bolted forward wildly.
Yubing burst into tears, clutching Feng Yinwan's arm tightly.
"Wuwuwu, Miss, I'm so scared!"
She was only sixteen, she hadn't seen Miss find happiness, hadn't held Miss and the Prince's baby, she didn't want to meet the Madam so soon!
Feng Yinwan, jolted violently, almost fell off. She held the reins tightly, her heart pounding. "Don't cry... I'm scared too!"
The carriage careened wildly, but miraculously, they arrived at Prince Mo's estate without incident. Seeing the gates, Feng Yinwan shed tears of relief.
Yubing, still shaken, couldn't help but praise her. "Miss, I didn't expect you could actually drive."
Feng Yinwan alighted, her legs trembling. "I didn't expect it either..."
As they supported each other into the estate, they ran into Ye Tinglan, who was emerging from Xiuchun Courtyard.
Seeing them, Ye Tinglan's brows furrowed, his expression visibly darkening.
"Was today's incident your doing?"
Feng Yinwan hadn't even caught her breath when she was met with such a direct accusation. Her anger flared instantly.
"Your Highness, what are you saying? I don't quite understand."
Ye Tinglan's handsome face darkened further. He grabbed her collar. "Feng Yinwan, I am not joking. Was it you who plotted to frame Rulian today?!"
The coldness in his ink-black eyes was too piercing. Her heart ached inexplicably. Feng Yinwan's delicate brows tightened, and she met his gaze with equal coldness.
"As I've already said, I know nothing about this. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, feel free to ask the palace maids and eunuchs on duty at Ruiqing Hall."
She hadn't even had the chance to question him about leaving without a coachman, and he was already interrogating her!
Feng Yinwan tried to pull her collar free, but he was gripping it too tightly. Before she could devise a plan, Ye Tinglan let out a cold snort and flung her away.
"I told you, Rulian is the only surviving sister of Deputy General Qin, and she once showed me kindness. If I discover this was your doing, I will make you pay!"
Feng Yinwan's already trembling legs gave out, and she fell to the ground.
Ye Tinglan's eyes held no pity. He gave her a sharp, cold glance and walked away.
Feng Yinwan was furious and wanted to curse him. However, the original body's deep affection for Ye Tinglan caused her heart to ache intensely. Gritting her teeth, she called out to his retreating back.
"Your Highness, feel free to investigate. This consort will be waiting!"
She wanted to see who would pay the price!