The bracelet flickered perfunctorily a couple of times after a moment's pause: Not present.
Feng Yin Wan chuckled softly and said, "Alright, darling, then let's have some antidote. You wouldn't want me to starve, would you? And it's not good to eat food with laxatives, right?"
The bracelet was extremely resistant to her slightly greasy rhetoric. To prevent her from being any more greasy towards it, it reluctantly spat out a packet of powder.
Feng Yin Wan nodded in satisfaction, "Love you~"
The bracelet resolutely stopped flickering and played dead.
Stop calling, I'm not here!
Feng Yin Wan didn't mind. She sprinkled all the powder into the food.
As expected, Yu Ping returned empty-handed moments later.
"Miss, Granny Sun and the others have already left. The guards at the entrance are completely unreasonable. I spoke with him for a long time, but it was useless. He's like a block of wood!"
Feng Yin Wan nodded, immediately recalling Qi Xuan, who wasn't very bright but had stared at her while kneeling for two full hours.
People from the Night King's household were indeed very dedicated and responsible!
Gritting her teeth secretly, she smiled and served Yu Ping a piece of braised fish, "It's alright, let's eat."
Yu Ping had served Feng Yin Wan since she was young. Although they were mistress and servant, they were like sisters. Eating together was also common. Hearing this, she immediately sat down honestly.
"Miss, they didn't lie this time. This fish is indeed delicious!"
Feng Yin Wan curved her lips, "Then you should eat more."
...
In the rear garden.
A maid was carefully dyeing Qin Rulian's fingernails when Granny Sun hurried over.
"Miss, the food has been delivered. That lowly woman has never seen such fine cuisine. She didn't suspect a thing!"
Her face was swollen high, making her speech slightly grotesque. Qin Rulian glanced at her indifferently, her lips curling into a sneer beneath her veil.
"Well done."
With hunger pressing, she wanted to see if Feng Yin Wan, that lowly woman, would eat it or not!
Granny Sun cast a low glance at her, then said coaxingly, "This old servant has already sent people to search for Zhao Si everywhere. The West Market is such a small place, I believe he can't escape."
A fierce glint flashed in Qin Rulian's eyes upon hearing this, "This matter is of utmost importance. You must find him for me!"
She didn't believe that her meticulous arrangements that night had resulted in nothing happening.
As long as Zhao Si was found and the matter clarified, with irrefutable evidence, Brother Ting Lan would definitely drive that lowly woman out of the mansion!
After giving instructions, she smiled at Granny Sun and said, "This matter will require Granny Sun's continued effort. Scarlet."
The maid beside her immediately took out a dark purple jade from her purse.
"This is a gem the Prince specially brought back from the Western Regions. I am still young, and this color is a bit too mature for me. I thought it would be very suitable for you, Granny Sun, so I am gifting it to you."
Granny Sun was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly reached out to take it, "Oh my, thank you, Miss, for your concern. Please rest assured, your matters are my matters. This old servant will do her utmost!"
Qin Rulian gave a cool "hmm" and waved her away.
Granny Sun clutched the gem and walked away quickly. Just as she was about to examine it closely, she didn't notice two figures approaching from the垂花门 (chuíhuā mén - a type of decorative gate) and walked straight into them.
"How dare you!"
Before she could even see the situation clearly, her lower abdomen was hit heavily, and she was kicked flying. The gem also flew out of her hand.
"Ah—"
Clutching her lower abdomen, she quickly got up. Just as she was about to retrieve it, a pair of long, jade-like hands got there first.
Her brow furrowed deeply. Just as she was about to curse, she looked up and saw a stern, imposing face. She uncontrollably shivered.
"Your... Your Highness."
Qi Xuan, holding a saber, glared at her, "How dare you, colliding with the Prince, what crime do you deserve!"
Granny Sun immediately knelt down in a panic, "Your Highness, please forgive me. Your Highness, it was this old servant's carelessness. I beg Your Highness not to be angry!"
Ye Ting Lan didn't listen to her nagging. He held the gem between his fingers and examined it for a moment, his brow slightly furrowing.
"This gem is something this Prince bestowed upon Rulian. How did it end up in your hands?"
Granny Sun's eyes flickered, and she honestly replied, "Miss Qin bestowed it upon this old servant. Your Highness can ask Miss Qin."
Ye Ting Lan's gaze deepened upon hearing this. He reached out and tucked the gem into his waist sash.
Granny Sun's eyes glazed over a little. Before she could say anything, Qi Xuan impatiently said, "Hurry up and leave!"
"Yes, yes, yes, this old servant will leave now."
Granny Sun gritted her teeth and left unwillingly.
Ye Ting Lan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his brow furrowed.
"Investigate what this old woman was doing the night this Prince returned to the mansion."
He remembered that it was this old woman who led him to Lanqing Courtyard that night.
And the place where he was drugged was none other than the Water Pavilion, not far from Lanqing Courtyard.