With the implication of "Night Listening to Clouds," within half an hour, Si Hai Yun Yan sent over many dishes. Feng Yin Wan looked at the neat row of food boxes, vaguely getting the illusion of ordering takeout.
After eating and drinking, Ye Ting Lan's figure had still not appeared. Feng Yin Wan patted her belly and yawned lazily, calling over Qi Xuan beside her.
"Why hasn't the Prince returned yet?"
Didn't he say he went to the military camp in the suburbs of the capital? Is it that far?
The sky outside had already darkened. Qi Xuan shook his head, a faint frown appearing between his brows.
Before he could speak, Qin Ru Lian had already brought a bowl of bird's nest and squeezed over.
"The Princess Consort returned in a hurry today and must not have brought any tonics. This is the bird's nest that Ru Lian asked the kitchen to prepare. Princess Consort, please have it while it's hot."
The bird's nest looked well-stewed, but after a dinner of rich meat, Feng Yin Wan had no appetite.
"I appreciate Miss Qin's kindness. Yu Ping, take it first."
She yawned again.
Feng Yin Wan had woken up early today and her nap was disturbed by a nightmare at noon. Now, as drowsiness set in, tears began to well up in her eyes.
Qin Ru Lian originally wanted to urge her to drink the bird's nest, but seeing this, her eyes subtly flickered, and she immediately said as if out of concern.
"Is the Princess Consort sleepy? Brother Ting Lan doesn't know when he'll be back. Why don't you go and rest for a while?"
This suggestion was exactly what Feng Yin Wan wanted.
Nodding, she got up and was about to return to her Lan Qing Courtyard.
Qi Xuan, who had been about to agree, suddenly remembered something and his expression changed.
Lan Qing Courtyard had been sealed off by order of the Prince. If the Princess Consort found out, what would happen?!
His forehead twitched fiercely, and he immediately stepped forward to stop her.
"Princess Consort!"
Feng Yin Wan stopped and looked at him, puzzled, "What is it?"
"Lan... Lan Qing Courtyard is still under repair. You'll have to trouble yourself to rest in the guest room for now."
Qi Xuan was guilty and didn't dare to look her in the eye.
Feng Yin Wan frowned, "Under repair?"
How come she didn't know her courtyard was being repaired?
Qi Xuan had to grit his teeth and continue to lie, "Lan Qing Courtyard is inherently remote and simple. Although the Princess Consort does not seek luxury, the Prince cares a lot about it. So, while you were away at the General's mansion, he instructed his subordinates to find people to thoroughly repair it."
Ye Ting Lan cared about her and secretly repaired her courtyard?
Feng Yin Wan: Even dogs would shake their heads at that!
Therefore, she let out a sneer without any concealment.
"I, the Princess Consort, have lived in Lan Qing Courtyard for two months. It's only now that the Prince has a sudden impulse to repair my courtyard."
"Princess Consort, please don't say that. The Prince just found an opportunity..."
Qi Xuan was running out of excuses. Fortunately, Feng Yin Wan magnanimously didn't pursue it further.
"Alright, I'll go to the guest room for now."
The main reason was that she had thought about it just now, and there really wasn't anything valuable left in her courtyard, so she wasn't afraid of others entering.
Seeing her change direction, Qin Ru Lian secretly bit her lip and immediately said with self-blame.
"It's all Ru Lian's fault. I didn't expect the Princess Consort to return so suddenly and didn't order the servants to prepare a guest room. This..."
Qi Xuan's brows, which had just relaxed, furrowed again because of this sentence.
"The mansion doesn't often have guests, and the guest rooms are cleaned by servants regularly, so they are basically empty. If the Princess Consort wishes to stay, it can be arranged quickly."
Unexpectedly, Qin Ru Lian still insisted, "The Princess Consort is of noble status and is now pregnant. How can she casually stay anywhere? It's better..."
"Miss Qin!"
Qi Xuan frowned.
Why did he always feel that Miss Qin seemed to be intentionally letting the Princess Consort know that Lan Qing Courtyard was sealed off?
Feng Yin Wan didn't know the twists and turns behind it, only feeling that the two of them arguing was too troublesome. She waved her hand.
"Forget it, in that case, I'll go to the main courtyard to rest."
Ye Ting Lan's courtyard was large and spacious, and even the side rooms were very luxurious. Why would she go to a guest room when she had such a good place?
Unexpectedly, Qin Ru Lian's body stiffened upon hearing this, and her expression instantly froze.
This slut... actually wants to go to Ye Ting Lan's courtyard!
Before she could voice her objection, Qi Xuan nodded. "What the Princess Consort said is very true. The side rooms of the main courtyard have always been unoccupied and are always ready for the Princess Consort's arrival."
Feng Yin Wan expressed her approval of his prompt response and immediately headed towards the main courtyard.
Behind her, Qin Ru Lian, who was left out in the cold, glared hatefully in the direction she left, her anger raging in her chest.
Damn it, this slut got off easy!
The side rooms of the main courtyard were probably as luxurious as ten of her own bedrooms combined.
Feng Yin Wan sighed, "Money is a powerful thing," and immediately lay down comfortably on the bed.
She had originally intended to take a short nap and then get up, but she didn't expect the bed to be so soft and comfortable that she fell asleep without realizing it.
And strangely, Yu Ping hadn't come to rush her.
It was quiet outside, and not even a lamp was lit. Feng Yin Wan yawned and got up lazily. Pushing open the door, she saw Yu Ping guarding the entrance.
"Miss, you're awake?"
Feng Yin Wan nodded and asked casually, "What time is it?"
"Miss, it is already the hour of Xu (7-9 PM)."
The hour of Xu?
As the cold wind blew, Feng Yin Wan immediately became alert.
She glanced at the dark bedroom and her delicate eyebrows knitted.
It was already the curfew hour in the city, and Ye Ting Lan hadn't returned yet?
Her forehead twitched for no reason, and she immediately got up to go out.
Yu Ping was startled, "Hey, Miss, where are you going?"
As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she met Qi Xuan, who was leading people on patrol. Feng Yin Wan quickly walked up and said.
"Guard Qi, I have something to tell you."
Seeing her solemn expression, Qi Xuan understood and waved his men away.
"What are the Princess Consort's orders?"
Feng Yin Wan pursed her lips, "It's so late, and the Prince hasn't returned to the mansion yet?"
Thinking she was impatient, Qi Xuan shook his head, but before he could console her, he heard her solemn voice again.
"The Prince may be in trouble."
Although Ye Ting Lan was skilled in martial arts, the people from Wu Xi Ge were not to be trifled with. Moreover, she had seen Ye Ting Yan's skills at Ju Xian Lou that day, and he was not bad.
Hearing her say this suddenly, Qi Xuan was slightly stunned.
"Why does the Princess Consort say that?"
"There's no time to explain. Immediately gather a team of trusted guards, and we will head to the military camp in the suburbs of the capital right away."
"Remember, this must be kept absolutely secret."
Her calm and decisive demeanor made people inexplicably trust her. Qi Xuan was stunned for a moment and immediately agreed.
"Yes."
In just a moment, Qi Xuan had gathered a team of dark guards. Feng Yin Wan instructed Yu Ping and stepped out, only to meet Qi Xuan bringing the guards into the main courtyard.
The dark guards were all equipped with face coverings, but they were not wearing them now. Seeing the faces of several people clearly, she was immediately stunned.
This one seemed to be Little Liu from the storeroom; she had seen him when she went to move the property...
That one seemed to be Little Li from the kitchen; she had spoken to him when she went to ask for food...
Looking around, Feng Yin Wan's heart turned cold, and she felt a chill.
So... they were all Ye Ting Lan's confidantes?
What a Prince Mo's mansion, it's truly deep and complex, and they've hidden themselves well!