The Sour Plum and Lychee drink at Juxian Tower was indeed delicious. Feng Yinwan walked and drank, and by the time she returned to her embroidery room, the bamboo tube was empty.
Just as she let out a burp, a figure darted out of the room.
In the dim lamplight, Feng Yinwan narrowed her beautiful eyes, instinctively reaching to throw the bamboo tube at the figure.
"Yinwan, you're finally back!"
It was Yu Shi?
Feng Yinwan raised her delicate eyebrows slightly, her pretty face instantly turning cold.
"It's so late, why is Madam Yu here at my embroidery room?"
More than half of the candle on the desk had burned away, indicating that Yu Shi had likely been waiting for some time.
Hearing this, Yu Shi's expression flickered. She bit her lip and actually knelt down.
This caught Feng Yinwan by surprise.
However, she could accept such a grand gesture.
"Yinwan, Yiyi was indeed wrong about the ointment. I apologize to you on her behalf."
"Although you are not full sisters, you are both daughters of the General's Mansion. Even for the sake of the Master and the reputation of the General's Mansion, concubine begs you to be magnanimous and spare Yiyi this time!"
Yu Shi spoke in a low, submissive tone, her eyes already red. She was a completely different person from the one who had threatened to smash her with a vase in the dining hall earlier.
Feng Yinwan sneered, her eyes showing no trace of pity.
"Madam Yu is good in every way, except that she didn't teach her second sister how to behave."
"Haven't her past mistakes been enough? I've never shown her any mercy, but what was the result? She smugly thinks she's hitched herself to the Fourth Prince, becoming arrogant and looking down on everyone."
Her beautiful eyes swept across Yu Shi's face, and the coldness in Feng Yinwan's gaze intensified.
"I'd like to ask Madam Yu, about the second sister's extravagance at Huanyin Fang, do you, as her mother, know or not?"
Her voice was cold and imposing.
Yu Shi's body trembled violently upon hearing this.
This wench... how could she know about this!
"The General's Mansion's second young lady, an unmarried woman, Madam Yu, how could you instigate such behavior? Where does that leave the reputation of the General's Mansion?!"
"Do you want me to report this to Father and have him properly discipline the family?"
"No..."
Her red lips parted and closed, and the words that came out were icy cold. Yu Shi's fear was beyond measure.
"No! Don't tell the Master! Yinwan, I was momentarily confused, which led Yiyi to do this. You absolutely cannot tell the Master!"
She had used such disreputable means to enter the General's Mansion back then. Old General Feng detested it. If he found out about this, then...!
Feng Yinwan coldly glared at her with her eyes as sharp as knives.
"This Princess Consort is not concerned with Madam Yu's calculations, but if you dare to do anything that harms the reputation of the General's Mansion, this Princess Consort will never let you off!"
"Second sister's nature is thus. If she is not strictly disciplined, she will surely bring great disaster."
"This time, let her reflect on her wrongdoings properly in prison!"
After speaking, she walked past Yu Shi and directly into the room. Yuping followed closely behind.
The room door was heavily closed. Yu Shi seemed to have all her strength drained away and immediately collapsed back onto the floor.
"No... Feng Yinwan, you can't...!"
Feng Yinwan paid no heed to Yu Shi. She asked Yuping to close the door and went upstairs to sleep, not even glancing outside.
When she woke up the next morning, Yu Shi was no longer outside. It had been quiet downstairs last night, and she didn't know when she had left.
Feng Yinwan yawned lazily, and Yuping quickly ran back.
"Miss, constables from the capital's prefecture are seeking an audience outside. They say they are here specifically to see you on the orders of the Prefect!"
She assumed it was about Feng Yiyi's matter, and Feng Yinwan nodded.
"Tell him to wait in the front courtyard. I will be there shortly."
"Yes."
When she tidied up and went to the front courtyard, she didn't see Yu Shi.
The constables, upon seeing her, respectfully stepped forward.
"Greetings, Princess Consort."
Feng Yinwan nodded, "This Princess Consort understands. Please tell your Prefect to handle everything impartially. The General's Mansion will not tolerate any wrongdoing."
Seeing her firm attitude, the constable was slightly taken aback but dared not say more.
"Yes."
It was still early. After giving instructions, Feng Yinwan went to the dining hall for breakfast.
She felt a bit greasy after eating, and upon returning, she found that Yuping had already brought out the leftover Sour Plum and Lychee drink from last night. Her mood immediately improved.
"How can it be so delicious..."
She mumbled while holding the bamboo tube. Yuping smiled.
"If Miss likes it, shall I send someone to buy more?"
Feng Yinwan glanced at the increasingly bright sun outside and listlessly shook her head.
"The summer heat is gradually increasing. Buying from Juxian Tower is always troublesome. It would be great if I could make it myself."
Yuping smiled upon hearing this, "I've learned how to brew fruit teas. If Miss trusts me, I can try."
"Really?!"
Feng Yinwan was completely surprised.
"Yuping, you've truly surprised me!"
Yuping blushed slightly from the praise and immediately went to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes swept over the exquisite white jade box on the table, and she also stood up and went out.
She hadn't found any clues yesterday, but today she needed to look again carefully.
At noon, Yu Shi had not yet returned to the mansion, but Qin Rulian arrived first.
Feng Yinwan looked at the uninvited guest before her, with "unwelcome" written all over her face.
"Miss Qin, why have you come to the General's Mansion?"
Qin Rulian nodded, her expression as respectful as yesterday.
"I heard that the Princess Consort returned to the General's Mansion yesterday. Rulian thought you left in a hurry and didn't bring any tonics for pregnancy, so I specially came to deliver them."
She beckoned, and the servant behind her presented the tonics.
Feng Yinwan raised her beautiful eyes.
"It's thoughtful of you to track down the General's Mansion to deliver tonics. Truly considerate."
Qin Rulian nodded, "It is only right to care for the Princess Consort."
As she spoke, her gaze secretly glanced at Feng Yinwan's hair.
Seeing that it was simply adorned with a pair of jade hairpin flowers, she was about to speak when Yuping entered with a tray.
"Miss, the Sour Plum and Lychee drink is ready. Please try it."
Before she finished speaking, she saw Qin Rulian beside her and was slightly taken aback.
"Miss Qin."
As she bowed, the sour plums in the white porcelain cup floated to the surface.
Qin Rulian's eyes flickered subtly, and she saw Feng Yinwan raise her hand and drink the broth in one go.
"Yuping, you're amazing! This tastes exactly like the original!"
Licking her lips, she immediately said,
"Is there any more? Bring me a few more bowls!"
"Miss, rest assured, I've brewed a whole pot."
She replied and went back to the kitchen to fetch more for Feng Yinwan. Qin Rulian, listening from the side, clenched her hand hidden in her sleeve.
It is said that sourness indicates a son and spiciness indicates a daughter. This wench's particular fondness for sourness, could she be carrying a son!
A nameless sense of unease suddenly surged in her heart. Qin Rulian bit her lip and immediately announced her departure.
"Since the tonics have been delivered, Rulian will take her leave."
She bowed and headed out, only to bump into two figures as she left the front hall.
Yu Shi's face was bruised, with dark circles under her eyes.
Beside her, being supported, was Feng Yiyi, her steps unsteady and her eyes swollen like walnuts.
Qin Rulian was immediately startled.
She had seen this mother and daughter pair outside Prince Mo's mansion last time. How had they become like this?
As she pondered, the two figures opposite them also saw her. Seeing her coming out of the front hall with someone, they knew she was here to deliver gifts.
They immediately retorted unhappily.
"What are you looking at? The General's Mansion does not welcome outsiders!"