Her movements were too swift; before Madam Yu could react, Feng Yiyi’s sallow face was abruptly revealed.
The soldiers’ expressions immediately turned graver upon seeing it.
“How is there another patient here!”
Earlier, to deceive them, Madam Yu had claimed they were carrying out some items. Little did she expect the soldiers to refuse without a second thought, leading to an argument. They hadn't had time to search thoroughly.
Seeing her scheme exposed, Madam Yu’s face paled. She quickly pulled the white cloth back over the face.
“What patient? You’re mistaken, this is my daughter, she’s just sleeping!”
The excuse was incredibly flimsy.
Feng Yinwan scoffed, “Sleeping? Why doesn’t Madam Yu say her second sister is dead? That would sound more convincing, wouldn’t it?”
The soldiers didn’t recognize Feng Yinwan, but they found her words reasonable and nodded.
“The young lady speaks sense. This woman is so brazenly speaking nonsense, is she taking us for fools!”
Madam Yu only registered the first part of that sentence.
Pushing the stretcher behind her, she glared fiercely at Feng Yinwan with reddened eyes.
“Bitch! You dare curse Yiyi to death, I knew you had ill intentions!”
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? And what can you do to me then?”
“You…!”
She couldn’t win a physical fight, and she seemed to be losing in an argument too.
Madam Yu was so enraged she nearly bit off her own teeth. After gasping for breath, she barked an order to lift the stretcher and prepared to force their way out.
Naturally, the soldiers wouldn’t allow it. Several of them stepped forward and easily blocked them.
During the scuffle, Madam Yu suddenly lunged, drawing a dagger from her sleeve and waving it wildly in the air.
“Get away, all of you, get away!”
Her eyes were bloodshot, her demeanor almost frenzied. A soldier ahead couldn't dodge in time and was grazed on the arm, tearing a gash in his sleeve exposed outside his armor.
Feng Yinwan was also startled by this.
Madam Yu had surprisingly become smarter this time, bringing a dagger with her.
Though she looked fierce, she lacked any proper technique. Her strength was quickly depleted. Seizing the opportunity, a soldier swept his spear, knocking the dagger from her hand.
Madam Yu cried out in pain, clutching her wrist as she collapsed. With her no longer blocking the way, the servants behind her began to panic, and were easily subdued by the soldiers.
The stretcher, suddenly losing its support, thudded to the ground. Feng Yiyi, still unconscious, rolled out.
“Yiyi!”
Madam Yu attempted to rush forward, but a soldier lifted her and threw her aside. Before she could get up again, Ye Tinglan, alerted by the commotion, arrived.
“What is all this noise.”
His clear, cold voice cut through the din, and the commotion immediately ceased.
Seeing Ye Tinglan had personally arrived, the soldiers immediately knelt.
“Your Highness.”
Amidst the chorus of assent, Ye Tinglan walked past everyone and stopped directly in front of Feng Yinwan.
“What happened?”
The soldiers, surprised by the sudden softening of his tone, looked up to meet Ye Tinglan’s questioning gaze and dared not look further.
“This woman was attempting to move a patient out just now. Fortunately, this young lady… had a discerning eye and saw through it immediately. We were just intercepting them.”
Unexpectedly, Ye Tinglan had come in person. Lying on the ground, Madam Yu’s face hardened upon hearing this.
Before she could speak, an invisible pressure bore down coldly.
“A rampant epidemic rages outside the capital, and we are struggling to provide treatment. At such a time, Madam Yu attempts to move a patient without authorization. I wonder, what are your intentions?”
For the mere offense of disturbing the peace of the imperial city, Madam Yu would be unable to bear the consequences.
His gaze swept over the dagger lying on the ground, Ye Tinglan’s dark eyes narrowed, his expression growing colder.
“Publicly wielding a weapon in front of the Princess Consort. Madam Yu, whom were you intending to harm? The Princess Consort, or myself?”
These words struck like a thunderclap, making Madam Yu tremble violently. Her face turned ashen.
“It’s a misunderstanding…”
She pushed the dagger aside and quickly crawled forward on her knees.
“Prince Mo, I had no other intentions. I merely wished to bring Yiyi back to the General’s mansion…”
“Her condition is stable now, it’s a mild case. The quarantine area is so severe, she cannot remain here!”
So many people had been sent out from the military camp, almost all of them critically ill. Leaving Yiyi here would be sending her to her death!
Ye Tinglan remained unmoved by her words.
“The isolation area has tents specifically for mild cases. Until the illness is cured, no one may leave.”
“How can that be!”
Madam Yu shrieked, “How can those people be the same as Yiyi!”
Feng Yiyi was indeed different from others. Her illness had been personally diagnosed and treated by Feng Yinwan at great risk.
Ye Tinglan’s expression darkened, a hint of disgust in his dark eyes.
“Take the patient to the tent for mild cases and guard the entrance strictly. If anyone dares to let people in or out arbitrarily again, I will hold you accountable.”
“Yes!”
His tone was so chilling it made Madam Yu’s body tremble. Before she could utter another word, two guards by her side stepped forward and lifted Feng Yiyi.
“Hey…”
Madam Yu hurried to speak, but only managed to utter a single syllable before a strong force yanked her aside and threw her directly out of the enclosure.
Following closely, her maid and several servants were also driven out.
The guards moved with great speed. In an instant, Feng Yiyi was carried to the entrance of the tent. Seeing that she was about to be sent inside again, Madam Yu, in her desperation, tried to approach, but several long spears were thrust out from the enclosure, forcing her back.
Inside, Feng Yinwan watched her extremely displeased expression and smiled, waving.
“Madam Yu, please rest assured. In consideration of our sisterly bond, this Princess Consort will take good care of my second sister.”
Madam Yu firmly believed that this “good care” had a deeper meaning. However, Ye Tinglan gave her no chance to speak. With a stern glance, he directly put his arm around Feng Yinwan and left.
“Madam, what should we do now?”
The maid timidly approached, but before her words fell, a sharp, painful sting landed on her face.
Madam Yu glared with burning eyes, her face contorted in ferocity. “What to do, what to do! If I knew what to do, what use would I have for you useless people!”
She cast a resentful glance inside one last time before turning away dejectedly.
“Go back!”
“Yes…”
They had already walked a considerable distance, yet Ye Tinglan’s hand still firmly held her waist. Recalling the surprised glances of the soldiers just moments ago, Feng Yinwan squirmed slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable.
However, Ye Tinglan’s hand seemed to carry anger, and not only did he not loosen his grip, he tightened it further.
Looking up, she met a rather somber, handsome face.
“Your Highness?”
Who had angered him now?
Ye Tinglan pursed his thin lips, remaining silent.
Feng Yinwan frowned slightly. Before she could ask further questions, Qi Xuan quickly emerged from a tent.
“Princess Consort, all the patients have been transferred inside. What should be done next?”
Feng Yinwan cleared her throat lightly, pulling her thoughts back.
“The decoction should be ready by now. Go and get it from Yuping and administer it to the patients.”
“Yes.”
Qi Xuan, noticing nothing amiss, nodded and withdrew directly. Just as Feng Yinwan was about to continue speaking, Ye Tinglan suddenly said,
“Something has suddenly come up. I need to go to the palace personally.”