After the explanations were given, they set off. The carriage moved quickly, and in little more than half an hour, they arrived at the Prince Mo's manor. Ye Tinglan dismissed the guards, and he and Feng Yinwan shared a carriage into the palace.
Along the way, Feng Yinwan remained silent, having rehearsed her speech to the Emperor several times in her mind.
Thinking she was nervous, Ye Tinglan spoke in a low voice to comfort her, "Report truthfully before Father Emperor. As long as you don't lose decorum, there's no need to be so anxious."
Feng Yinwan's lips twitched slightly. After a moment's thought, she swallowed her words.
Never mind. If this man knew her little plan, he would probably turn red with anger again.
Seeing her silence, Ye Tinglan frowned. Just as he was about to speak again, the carriage gently swayed to a halt.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, we have arrived."
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinwan immediately stood up. "Your Highness, let's go quickly. His Majesty must be waiting impatiently."
Ye Tinglan pursed his lips and had no choice but to rise and follow her.
When the two arrived outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, the eunuch who had delivered the decree that day immediately greeted them.
"Prince Mo, Your Highness, you arrive at an inopportune time. His Majesty is discussing matters with several ministers inside. It will likely be some time before they finish. Why don't you visit the Empress Dowager's palace first? The Empress Dowager is very concerned about the Princess Mo's pregnancy!"
Sounds of angry reprimands could be heard from within the hall, likely related to the epidemic in the three prefectures. Feng Yinwan nodded and immediately agreed.
"Thank you, Eunuch, for your guidance."
"Ah, you are too kind~"
The two turned towards the rear palace. However, as they passed through the corridor, the eunuch hurried after them.
"Prince Mo, please wait—"
Thinking the Emperor's meeting had ended, Feng Yinwan stopped. To her surprise, the eunuch looked at her apologetically and then at Ye Tinglan.
"Prince Mo, His Majesty requests your presence to join the discussion."
Well, it was about that earlier matter.
The Emperor specifically summoned Ye Tinglan, which suggested the situation was dire.
Therefore, Feng Yinwan immediately put on a show of understanding, "Your Highness, please go. This consort will wait for you at the Empress Dowager's palace."
The eunuch was very impressed with her sensible demeanor. He smiled and then said, "Prince Mo, hurry along."
Ye Tinglan nodded, looked up at her, and said, "I will find you at the Empress Dowager's palace when we are finished."
"Mhm."
Feng Yinwan nodded and headed directly towards the rear palace.
The powder she had swallowed in the carriage was already taking effect. Within a few steps, she felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen, and her face instantly turned pale.
Just as she was about to sit on a nearby stone bench to rest, a palace maid suddenly approached before she could even get close.
"Princess Mo, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence in her palace for a chat."
The Empress?
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed. She looked up and saw that the maid was Pan'er from the Empress's palace.
It was this same Pan'er who had served her hawthorn cakes at Shou Kang Palace earlier!
A cold glint silently surfaced in her eyes. Feng Yinwan straightened her posture and spoke in a slightly chilly voice.
"This consort has just returned from the isolation area and was on my way to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Her Majesty the Empress has urgently summoned me. Is there something important?"
She had just entered the rear palace, and this maid appeared immediately. The Empress was openly making her plans known.
Seeing that she mentioned the Empress Dowager, the maid was not angered. She curtsied and said, "This servant merely conveys Her Majesty the Empress's wishes and dares not inquire about her mistress's affairs. The Empress Dowager is currently accompanying Prince Yun in chanting scriptures at Linghua Hall. It is not too late for Princess Mo to visit the Empress's palace first."
The Empress Dowager was chanting scriptures?
What a coincidence.
Feng Yinwan's lips curved into a smile, and she immediately nodded. "Her Majesty the Empress is so gracious. In that case, this consort would be remiss to refuse."
The maid secretly pouted and began to walk. "Princess Mo, let's go."
Upon arriving at Changle Palace, Feng Yinwan discovered that Qin Rulian was also present.
After a few days, the "little white lotus" was now leaning against the Empress, truly appearing to be in favor.
Her long eyelashes drooped slightly. Feng Yinwan stepped forward. "Your consort pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May I ask why Her Majesty the Empress has specially summoned this consort?"
Her back was straight, and she only gave a token bow. The Empress's eyes flickered inwardly, but her expression was one of a faint smile.
"Princess Mo has worked hard on this mission to treat the terrible disease. This consort heard that you were entering the palace today and thought that His Majesty is currently worried about state affairs, so I ordered Pan'er to invite you here."
"Grant her a seat."
The palace maid immediately brought a chair upon hearing this. Feng Yinwan did not stand on ceremony and thanked her before taking a seat.
"Princess Mo is already suffering from the hardships of pregnancy, and yet you went to treat the patients without regard for your own health. This consort and His Majesty both believe you understand righteousness and are worthy of being the daughter of the General who defends the nation."
"However... after being away for several days, how is your health?"
Her words were full of concern, but her gaze was extremely unsettling.
Feng Yinwan nodded, her expression unassailable. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your consort is well."
"Your Highness is always like this."
Qin Rulian spoke at the opportune moment. "Auntie, you may not know, but Rulian stayed with the patients in the isolation area for a few days and was terrified by them. Yet, Your Highness stayed by their side day and night, and even accidentally contracted the epidemic. It truly makes one worry."
"The epidemic?"
The Empress's expression changed. "What kind of terrible disease is that malaria? Princess Mo..."
"Her Majesty the Empress need not worry. Your consort's illness has long since been cured. To be safe, I even took a decoction before entering the palace today."
Her body was already bolstered by many medicines, and she had paid great attention to disinfection while treating patients. That minor illness had long since healed.
The incense in the Empress's palace was irritating her. Feng Yinwan was considering whether she should just miscarry right here and perhaps even shift the blame, when the Empress, as if sensing her thoughts, spoke again.
"That is good. Seeing you in person has put this consort's mind at ease. It is likely that the Empress Dowager has finished chanting at Linghua Hall by now. Princess Mo is filial, and this consort will not keep you any longer. This consort will invite you to the palace again another day."
Trying to get rid of her?
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and contemplated for a moment. However, apart from the occasional sharp pain in her lower abdomen, her dress was as clean as new, showing no sign of any abnormality.
Damn it, it wasn't time yet.
These two, aunt and niece, benefited for nothing!
With a barely perceptible sigh, she had no choice but to rise. "Your consort takes her leave."
Changle Palace was not far from Shou Kang Palace, but the sun was scorching at the moment, so Feng Yinwan decisively chose to take a detour.
As it was nearing lunchtime, the servants from various palaces had returned, so apart from encountering a palace maid carrying a food box, there were not many people on the path.
After a few steps, the pain in her lower abdomen returned. Feng Yinwan placed one hand on the palace wall, biting her lip with a mix of frustration and self-reproach.
"Why are you so useless? Why didn't you just..."
Before she could finish speaking, a chilling presence suddenly loomed behind her. Although Feng Yinwan felt unwell, her reaction was still swift.
Her brow furrowed, and she immediately dodged to the side.
"Chh—"
It was the sound of her dress being torn.
A sharp cold light flashed in her peripheral vision, approaching rapidly. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened. She wanted to dodge again, but her legs felt uncontrollably weak.
For a moment, she froze in place, unable to move!