Ye Tinglan kept his word and indeed ordered Qi Xuan to go into the city to buy pastries.
While Feng Yinwan waited, Ye Tinglan pulled her into his embrace again.
"Stay with me for a while."
The military dispatches he was handling were too numerous for Feng Yinwan to understand, so she simply snuggled beside him to catch up on sleep.
He exuded a faint, inexplicably pleasant scent. She sniffed it subtly, then was about to comfortably adjust her posture when the tent flap was suddenly flung open.
"Third Brother, you have no idea how the food here..."
Before he could finish, he saw Feng Yinwan in his embrace. Ye Tingyun's eyelids twitched violently, his face turning green and then black.
In broad daylight, this… this woman was actually nestled in Third Brother's arms!
Did she have no shame?
Feng Yinwan looked up and spoke before he could.
"What did Prince Yun just say? What's wrong with the food here?"
Seeing her calm demeanor, devoid of any embarrassment at being caught, Ye Tingyun frowned and glared at her, feeling even more displeased.
However, since he still had to remain there and rely on her, he pursed his lips and tried to soften his tone.
"Third Sister-in-law, Third Brother is handling military affairs. Why aren't you attending to the patients and staying here instead?"
The word "disdain" was practically written on his face.
Feng Yinwan thought, I'd love to, but those imperial physicians are too competitive! And… can't you see this hand around my waist!
"It was I who asked the Princess Consort to stay and keep me company."
Ye Tinglan raised his clear, cold eyes slightly. "Tingyun, what were you saying just now?"
Since his own Third Brother had permitted it, how could he dare to say otherwise?
Ye Tingyun shifted his gaze sheepishly and pouted, "Third Brother, you don't know, but I just went to the kitchen to find something to eat, and the food was so plain and terrible, it was practically inedible!"
If it weren't for the fact that a few soldiers had already eaten it, he would have suspected the food wasn't meant for human consumption!
Ye Tingyun had been a pampered prince since childhood, unaccustomed to such harsh conditions, so his reaction was understandable.
Ye Tinglan remained silent for a moment, his thin lips pressing together slightly.
"When you wanted to stay, I already reminded you that this is not like the prince's manor. If you cannot bear it, then go back."
Why was he bringing up leaving again!
Ye Tingyun's face visibly paled. "Third Brother, I didn't mean it like that! It's just this food…"
"The quarantine area is far from the city, and all food needs to be transported from within the city. Under the current circumstances, this is already not easy."
During times of war, it would be even more arduous.
Ye Tingyun's head drooped dejectedly. "Third Brother, I understand."
It's just a bit unpalatable. Third Brother can eat it, so why can't he!
Secretly resolving to finish his braised pork with cabbage, he was about to leave when Qi Xuan entered first.
"Your Highness, the pastries from Shifangzhai have been bought. I also brought a few hot dishes, enough for you and the Princess Consort."
Before he finished speaking, he sensed the strange atmosphere in the tent. Looking up, he saw Ye Tingyun's pupils contract, his eyes fixed on the food containers in his hands, with an expression of disbelief and melancholy.
"Third Brother…!"
What Shifangzhai pastries! What hot dishes brought back!
Weren't they all eating cold shredded cabbage, vinegar-braised cabbage stalks, and braised pork with cabbage?
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes remained on his scroll, feigning ignorance.
Ye Tingyun was heartbroken.
"Third Brother!"
He called out again, not giving up, but Ye Tinglan remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard a word.
Ye Tingyun's heart shattered into a million pieces.
Feng Yinwan, seeing his almost constipated expression, almost burst out laughing.
"Guard Qi bought quite a lot. Prince Yun, why don't you stay and have some too?"
Ye Tingyun never dreamed that it would be Feng Yinwan who would extricate him!
He froze for a moment, his voice catching with emotion as he said, "Many thanks, Third Sister-in-law…"
He decided then and there, he would increase the shares he was gifting this woman by another ten percent!
Qi Xuan had indeed brought back a considerable amount of food. With Feng Yinwan's permission, Ye Tingyun immediately went from timid to brazen.
However, his own Third Brother's expression seemed to be darkening subtly.
This darkening reached its peak after Feng Yinwan let out a satisfied burp and told him, "Eat more."
"Take it away. Tingyun has finished."
Hearing this, Qi Xuan immediately moved to clear the dishes. Ye Tingyun stared blankly, and before he could speak, the food was whisked away at lightning speed.
Ye Tinglan glanced at him, his expression indifferent.
"Your health is important. Go back and rest."
Ye Tingyun was forced to realize a fact—he was being kicked out!
Third Brother was chasing him away! Third Brother was actually chasing him away!
"Third Brother…"
"Qi Xuan, escort Prince Yun back."
The dismissal was swift and decisive. Before Ye Tingyun could react, Qi Xuan had already grabbed him and was leading him away.
With the commotion gone, Feng Yinwan yawned lazily and prepared to return to the bed for a short nap, completely unaware of the dangerous gaze that had quietly fallen upon her from behind.
As soon as her body touched the bed, a large shadow fell over her. Before she could even look up, Ye Tinglan's handsome face loomed close.
"Your Highness?"
She called out with a frown, but the oppressive aura did not recede.
Feng Yinwan's forehead twitched subtly. The next moment, her delicate wrist was firmly grasped.
"Full?"
"Fu… full."
Ye Tinglan let out a low "Mm," his emotions unreadable.
Feng Yinwan remained stiff, her eyelids fluttering faster than her heart.
"Your Highness…"
"Princess Consort!"
A hurried, trembling voice from outside the tent overlapped with hers. Feng Yinwan stiffened and immediately got up.
"Princess Consort, the severe patients' conditions are relapsing. The newly prescribed medicinal soup is also ineffective!"
How could this be!
Her eyes narrowed, and she immediately strode out.
Jiang Rumo's face was etched with anxiety. Seeing her emerge, he immediately bowed.
"Princess Consort, after lunch, the severe patients' conditions suddenly relapsed. My colleagues and I, the imperial physicians, have examined them, but nothing has worked."
If not for this, he would never have dared to disturb her at this time.
Feng Yinwan nodded, her feet already moving. "Let's go see."
It was the same tent as before. The severe patients now had high fevers, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea, all of which had clearly returned.
Feng Yinwan's gaze was grave. "Have you ordered the decoction for vomiting to be prepared?"
Jiang Rumo nodded. "I have ordered it."
"After it's brewed, give it to the patients first. Stop the medicinal soup and switch to acupuncture to assist in treatment. Give them plenty of hot water."
"Yes."
Feng Yinwan quickly gave her instructions and hurried back. Ye Tinglan was no longer in the tent. Without time to ponder further, she found the previous prescriptions and began to revise them.
After trying several versions of the prescription, the patients' conditions showed no improvement.
Feng Yinwan was extremely anxious. Before she could devise a solution, Jiang Rumo rushed out of the tent, shouting.
"Princess Consort, no… no good, someone has died!"