The fair-skinned concubine's face changed slightly upon hearing this. "Sister misunderstands. It's not that Rulian is greedy for vanity, but I injured my leg yesterday and it's indeed not suitable for movement right now."
The spring sunlight was pleasant today, and she wore a light-colored, embroidered blouse. Beneath her skirt, one could vaguely see the bandages wrapped around both her knees.
Feng Yinwan glanced at her and a cold smile touched her red lips. "If it's not suitable for movement, then you shouldn't have come out. Sitting there like a persimmon, what, are you waiting for this prince's consort to greet you?"
She hadn't expected her to speak so rudely. Being called a persimmon in front of all the servants, Qin Rulian's face turned extremely unpleasant.
Perhaps realizing she was being too ostentatious, she bit her lip and immediately signaled to Feise.
"Idiot! Seeing the consort, why aren't you quickly lowering the sedan chair? Do you want the young lady to be accused of disrespect!"
The servants quickly lowered the sedan chair. As their status was suddenly diminished, Qin Rulian's subtle sense of triumph vanished without a trace.
Yesterday had truly frightened her, leaving her terrified of Feng Yinwan. Her eyes flickered, and she uncomfortably tilted her head back.
"Imperial Physician Jiang from the Imperial Hospital personally examined me yesterday and specifically instructed that I must not move for the next two days. Therefore, Rulian cannot rise to pay respects. I hope my sister will understand."
She disdained using the same trick twice, especially as she had important matters to attend to. Feng Yinwan raised her eyes and was about to leave, but as she took a step, Feise suddenly blocked her path.
"Consort, please wait!"
Feng Yinwan's delicate eyebrows furrowed. "A good dog doesn't block the way."
Seeing that she was directly calling her a dog, Feise gritted her teeth in anger. "The Empress has newly bestowed upon the young lady a pot of Luoyang brocade. The young lady finds it novel and specially invites the consort to go and admire it together."
"Scram, this prince's consort has no time."
After speaking, Feng Yinwan waved her hand and pushed Feise aside. Perhaps not expecting her to have such strength, Feise stumbled to the side several steps, watching helplessly as she walked away.
"Young lady..."
Qin Rulian glared at her hatefully. "Useless!"
Returning all the way to Lanqing Courtyard, the bracelet thoughtfully produced a jar of ointment.
After these days of understanding, Feng Yinwan could generally sense that besides occasionally providing her with elixirs and miraculous medicines, the bracelet was also a significant storage space, capable of temporarily storing items from the outside world.
Fearing it might accidentally spit out her silver as well, Feng Yinwan quickly patted it and told it to stop.
The bruises on her neck had now healed, looking somewhat frightening. As it was inconvenient for her to apply the medicine herself, she could only hand it to Yuping.
Yuping, with concern, helped her apply the ointment and asked carefully, "Miss, why did His Highness lay hands on you?"
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and handed her the sachet.
Yuping asked curiously, "Is this your sachet?"
"It was found on the corpse of that thief."
"This... His Highness suspects you of harming Miss Qin?"
After a slight pause, she trembled and asked, "Miss, what exactly happened that day?"
Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed. "After the grand ceremony, she led me to the garden. Zhao Si had already ambushed there beforehand. If I hadn't discovered it in advance, I would have been caught in a compromising situation in public."
Thinking of that scene, Yuping still felt a lingering fear. "Miss..."
"You want to ask me why I followed her?"
"The night Ye Tinglan returned to the manor, I was knocked unconscious and sent to the Water Pavilion. This matter was also arranged by her intentionally."
Although she didn't explicitly state it, Yuping could vaguely guess what had happened when she recalled the events of that night, and her eyes immediately widened in shock.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes deepened. "I have no intention of harming her purity, but I am not a soft persimmon to be trifled with. If someone offends me, I will repay them a hundredfold."
Yuping snapped back to reality and immediately clenched her fists in anger.
"Miss does not compete or snatch and has not provoked her, yet she, relying on His Highness's indulgence, has been harsh towards you at every turn since you married. Now, she has repeatedly tried to ruin your reputation. Her current predicament is entirely her own doing!"
This wicked woman with a venomous heart must not be allowed to bully Miss!
Seeing her indignant little expression, Feng Yinwan, who had been serious for only a second, immediately remembered the two slaps Qi Xuan had received, and her composure broke.
Yuping frowned. "Miss, why are you still smiling? Are you angered foolishly?"
Feng Yinwan patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I have asked Ye Tinglan for a three-day extension. There is still room for maneuver in this matter."
Zhao Si was dead, so they could only focus on Granny Sun. A direct approach would not work; they now needed an opportunity to make the old woman speak.
As she was pondering, Yuping suddenly spoke, "Why does this sachet have a medicinal scent, Miss? Strange, I used jasmine and begonia fragrances..."
She muttered to herself, but Feng Yinwan froze upon hearing this. "What did you say?"
Yuping handed her the sachet. "I said this sachet has a medicinal scent."
Feng Yinwan took it and sniffed. Indeed, there was a faint medicinal aroma. The scent was very light; even if it had adhered to her body, it would be difficult to detect if one wasn't paying attention.
As she concentrated, Yuping, following the scent, leaned closer. The bracelet on her wrist was touched, and Feng Yinwan's heart tightened.
"Miss, this scent seems to be emanating from this bracelet."
Feng Yinwan startled and quickly raised her hand. As Yuping had said, it was indeed the case.
She wore this bracelet every day, and perhaps because the scent was faint, coupled with her habituation, she had never noticed it.
Her beautiful eyes flickered, and she then stood up with a serious expression. "Let's go get the things. We're returning to the General's Manor now."
Upon hearing that they had to return, Yuping was surprised. Feng Yinwan added.
"My own efforts are limited in this matter. Perhaps Father and Elder Brother can help."
Hearing this, Yuping immediately nodded and ran off.
The two of them returned to the General's Manor near noon. From a distance, they could see two towering white marble lions flanking the entrance, exuding immense power.
As soon as Feng Yinwan alighted from the carriage, the guards at the gate rushed forward.
"Eldest Miss, you've returned."
Feng Yinwan nodded, signaling him to help move the items from the carriage.
As she entered the front courtyard, she bumped into several figures. Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and recognized the one in the lead as Feng Yiyi.
She was still wearing the peach-pink dress from the grand ceremony, but the pearls and jades adorning her hair had been reduced, making her appear somewhat less noble.
Seeing her, Feng Yiyi's steps clearly faltered before she finally stepped forward.
"Eldest Sister, why have you returned?"
Her first words were stinging. Feng Yinwan glanced at her. "What, am I not allowed to return to this home?"
Choked back by this remark, Feng Yiyi's expression changed. She could only nod.
"Where did you get that from, Eldest Sister? The General's Manor is your maternal home. Of course, you can return if you wish. It's just that King Mo didn't say anything when he saw you return?"
She looked at Feng Yinwan's expression with her eyes, full of cautious probing.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow.
"What do you want the King to say? Speaking of which, you drenched my dress on the day of the grand ceremony. I haven't settled that account with you yet."