The guards by the tent had already spoken.
"Reporting to the Princess Consort, we two were on watch outside the tent. When we heard a commotion, we immediately came to investigate, but we were still a step too late. The Second Miss Feng had already swallowed the candle."
On the nearby candle stand, the newly replaced candle was indeed half a section shorter. Feng Yiyi had a distinct bulge in her throat, likely the candle itself.
Feng Yin Wan nodded, but a few strands of doubt quietly gathered in her beautiful eyes.
She didn't swallow it earlier, nor later, but chose this moment to do so. It truly made it hard for her to see clearly.
She pursed her lips and decided to save the person first.
The candle was a solid piece of hard wax. After Feng Yiyi swallowed it, it hadn't melted. To retrieve it was a matter of a few simple maneuvers, but with her currently acting as if possessed, constantly foaming at the mouth, it added a bit of difficulty.
Feng Yin Wan glanced at her, her brow furrowed in distaste. "Qi Xuan, pry her mouth open."
"Princess Consort, this..."
Feng Yiyi was, after all, a noble lady from the General's estate, and besides, men and women should maintain a proper distance.
Seeing his hesitant expression, Feng Yin Wan frowned. "What 'this' is there? You're the only one with enough strength here. You must hold it firm."
"Yes."
Qi Xuan hesitated for a moment, then reached out and pried Feng Yiyi's mouth open.
Feng Yin Wan nodded in satisfaction, her jade-like fingers tightening around Feng Yiyi's neck. A clear "snap" resounded.
The two guards froze, watching as she pressed two knuckles against the side of Feng Yiyi's neck. The bulge quietly shifted its position.
"Ugh—"
A moment later, accompanied by a series of retching sounds, half of the yellowish candle sprang from Feng Yiyi's mouth.
Throughout the entire process, Qi Xuan's hands, prying Feng Yiyi's mouth open, remained perfectly still.
"Alright, let go of her now."
Feng Yin Wan withdrew her hand and took out a brocade handkerchief from her waist, meticulously wiping her fingers.
The instant she was practically released, Feng Yiyi's body stiffened, and she collapsed by the bedside, vomiting violently.
Despite the commotion, she hadn't missed a single meal. The vomiting continued until her stomach was completely empty.
Her illness had not yet fully recovered, and the vomit still contained pathogens. Feng Yin Wan covered her mouth and nose, ordering everyone to step back.
"Go to the back and fetch a bowl of medicinal soup to drink. Oh, right, Qi Xuan, remember to wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect them."
"Go on."
After giving her instructions, she waved her hand and sent them out. Her beautiful eyes swept over the motionless figure on the bed, and she directly sat down in the grand tutor's chair beside it.
"Feng Yiyi, if you're awake, stop playing dead."
"If you're looking to die, you should pick a better time than broad daylight. What, are you afraid that I, your Princess Consort, wouldn't save your wretched life in the dead of night?"
Unexpectedly having been seen through, Feng Yiyi's body trembled. She immediately struggled to sit up weakly.
"I didn't want you to save me..."
Her throat, having just passed an obstruction, was now burning. Her voice, when she spoke, was hoarse like a broken gong.
Feng Yin Wan scoffed. "Is that so? Then it seems I've been meddling. How about you swallow this half candle again?"
Feng Yiyi certainly wouldn't!
Her gaze was too sharp, as if it would pierce through Feng Yiyi.
Feng Yiyi bit her lip. Before she could respond, Qi Xuan's hesitant voice drifted in from outside the tent again.
"Princess Consort, Madam Yu has arrived with a contingent of household guards from the General's estate, saying... they are here to take the Second Miss Feng home."
Madam Yu again?
Feng Yin Wan's delicate brows arched slightly. Looking back, Feng Yiyi, who had been propped up moments ago, had already collapsed back onto the bed, her eyes tightly shut, appearing as if she had fainted dead away.
She certainly knew how to feign unconsciousness.
With a cold snort, Feng Yin Wan glanced at her and stood up.
"Tell them to wait. This Princess Consort will be there shortly."
"Yes."
Qi Xuan acknowledged and retreated. His gaze shifted away from the half candle. Feng Yin Wan's lips curved into a smile, and she immediately went outside.
When Qi Xuan had reported, he mentioned that Madam Yu had brought people today. Feng Yin Wan discovered upon going out that her 'bringing people' meant a considerable number.
Originally, the soldiers at the military camp had withdrawn for the day, and the guards at the isolation ward had been reduced by nearly half. Now, relying on her numerical advantage, Madam Yu became even more brazen.
"Feng Yin Wan, we've come to pick up Yiyi. Hurry up and send Yiyi out. Today, no matter what, I must take her back to the General's estate!"
Feng Yin Wan's delicate brows subtly arched, but her voice was one of regret.
"Madam Yu, you've come at such an unfortunate time. Many of the patients in the isolation ward have recovered these past two days. Originally, Second Sister's condition was also very stable. I was planning to send her back in another two days. It's a pity..."
"A pity what?!"
Madam Yu glared fiercely, clearly not believing she could be so kind.
Feng Yin Wan sighed, her expression even more sorrowful. "It's a pity that a moment ago, the guard reported that Second Sister suddenly had suicidal thoughts. Taking advantage of the guards' inattention, she swallowed a candle and immediately began foaming at the mouth, gasping for breath. Her limbs are currently convulsing!"
"Swallowed... swallowed a candle?!"
This statement clearly startled Madam Yu greatly. Her expression flickered, and she immediately spoke in a rough voice.
"Impossible! How could Yiyi do such a foolish thing!"
Feng Yin Wan raised an eyebrow. "This matter was reported by the guards themselves. If Madam Yu doesn't believe it, just consider me as having never said it."
She said this and was about to turn away, but Madam Yu, in her anxiety, quickly called out.
"Wait... wait a moment!"
"Hm?"
Feng Yin Wan merely stopped and looked at her without speaking. Madam Yu became even more uneasy.
"If that's truly the case, then why are you still standing there? Quickly... quickly tell someone to go and treat her! I only have Yiyi as my daughter. She absolutely cannot be harmed!"
She had originally intended to happily pick up Feng Yiyi and bring her home. Who would have expected such an accident? Madam Yu was so anxious that her eyes were practically spitting fire. However, Feng Yin Wan glanced at her and spoke unhurriedly.
"Madam Yu, you may not know, but the Emperor just recently issued a decree to transfer the imperial physicians away. Now that the number of patients is very small, the entire isolation ward currently has only me as a physician."
She paused, then looked up at Madam Yu again, a smile forming on her lips.
"Oh, when the guard went to inform me earlier, I was just about to go and examine Second Sister. Who would have thought Madam Yu would suddenly arrive? I had no choice but to come over and take a look first."
"What! Yiyi... Yiyi's health is paramount. Hurry and go treat her!"
This little vixen spoke nicely, but in essence, she was deliberately refusing to treat Yiyi!
Madam Yu was both anxious and hateful, her words becoming somewhat incoherent. However, she dared not offend Feng Yin Wan, so she had no choice but to force a smile.
"Yin Wan, we can discuss other matters later... Yiyi, hurry and go save Yiyi! Your sister has always been frail. She can't afford any delays!"
As if hesitating, Feng Yin Wan's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"Then, Madam Yu?"
"It's nothing, we're fine! Hurry and go. We'll wait patiently outside and absolutely won't cause you any trouble!"
As she spoke, she immediately turned and ordered everyone to step back, then plastered on a fawning smile. "Yin Wan, you believe me now, right?"
Feng Yin Wan's lips curved almost imperceptibly. She nodded. "Then I will trouble Madam Yu to wait outside. This Princess Consort will go and examine Second Sister."