Song Qing'an’s hand, steadying Feng Yiyi, stiffened slightly, caught off guard by her presence.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” he bowed. His deference was the same as before, and Feng Yinwan felt a flicker of guilt, recalling the commotion at the Four Seas Banquet. She had intended to treat him to a meal as thanks, but Ye Tinglan had ruined it.
“It has been many days, Master Song. Have your injuries fully healed?”
Song Qing’an nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am well.”
“That is good.” Feng Yinwan nodded, her gaze sweeping over Feng Yiyi beside him. “Yiyi is unwell, so I must trouble Master Song to look after her.”
“I was invited by the second young lady, it is only right,” he replied.
Feng Yinwan smiled and nodded, leading the way into the dining hall. Yu Shi had already been waiting inside. Hearing the movement, she rushed past Feng Yinwan towards Feng Yiyi.
“Oh, my dear, why are you walking by yourself? You should have sent someone to inform me, and I would have sent food to you!” She reached out to take Feng Yiyi’s hand. Feng Yiyi quickly warned her, subtly glancing at Song Qing’an.
“Mother, Master Song is still here!”
Hearing this, Yu Shi reluctantly looked up at Song Qing’an. “Master Song has already gone to the trouble of escorting Yiyi here. Since we are at the door, I will personally help her inside.” With that, she pulled Feng Yiyi’s arm and led her inside.
Song Qing’an was not bothered by being pushed aside and quietly followed. The dinner was filled with an awkward and peculiar atmosphere. Feng Yinwan, with no interest in delving into it, returned to her embroidery building after finishing her meal.
Yúpíng was in the room arranging a box of pastries. Seeing Feng Yinwan return, she spoke up. “Miss, His Highness sent over some pastries. Would you like to try them?”
Feng Yinwan was already full from dinner and found the pastries sickening. She waved her hand. “Put them aside for now. Go and fetch my medicine basket for me.” Ye Tingyun was due to enter the next stage of his treatment in a couple of days, and she needed to prepare a new batch of medicine.
A cool breeze rustled outside as she sat by the window, diligently organizing prescriptions. The lamplight from the eaves cast a beautiful silhouette.
This scene was observed by Song Qing’an.
“Master Song?” He was gazing intently when Feng Yiyi’s voice, calm and unhurried, called out twice. Her eyes flickered in the shadows. “I said, Master Song, what are you looking at?”
Song Qing’an snapped back to attention, hastily withdrawing his gaze. “Miss Yiyi, what were you saying?”
Feng Yiyi glanced at him, then turned her head towards the embroidery building, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Master Song, you seemed so engrossed just now. Were you looking at my elder sister?”
His thoughts exposed, Song Qing’an’s heart tightened, and he immediately denied it. “Second young lady, you misunderstand. I…”
“It’s alright, I know your feelings for my elder sister. If not, why would you come at my every invitation?” She had already realized this during Song Qing’an’s previous visit.
Hearing this, Song Qing’an’s expression turned serious. “The Consort is of noble status and dotes on Prince Mo. I have no other intentions beyond respect. I hope the second young lady will not jest with me.”
*Hypocrite!* Feng Yiyi scoffed inwardly and continued her enticement. “Master Song, why are you in such a hurry to deny it? I am doing this for my sister’s own good.”
Song Qing’an’s brows furrowed, and before he could speak, he heard her continue, “You may not know, but Prince Mo has a white moonlight, a cherished favorite by his side.”
“His affection for my sister is merely a show. In reality, he neglects her immensely and even allows others to bully her. Otherwise, why would my sister return to the general’s mansion time and again!” As if to confirm her words, Feng Yiyi sighed softly. “My sister is the legitimate daughter and must consider the general’s mansion’s reputation. Such embarrassing matters are difficult to speak of.”
“I invited you here for no other reason than our families’ connection. I hoped you could help open my sister’s heart and make her happier.” Her words sounded genuinely concerned for Feng Yinwan.
Song Qing’an’s clear brows tightened. He suddenly recalled the incident at Qingpu Temple. The “white moonlight, cherished favorite” that Feng Yiyi mentioned must be Miss Qin. Although Prince Mo had not explicitly stated it, his care for her was undeniable. The scene at the Four Seas Banquet flashed through his mind again, and the hand at his side clenched into a fist.
Sensing the time was right, Feng Yiyi spoke again. “Master Song, you also know that my elder sister’s face was once injured, which makes her somewhat solitary and unwilling to open up. I will have to trouble you with this matter.” With that, she turned and walked away, her hips swaying. Song Qing’an stood frozen, watching her retreating figure, his eyes darkening slightly. Feng Yinwan had always treated him with polite distance.
The next day.
The morning air was crisp and refreshing. Feng Yinwan suddenly felt inspired and began practicing her swordplay in the courtyard. She felt an unusually good flow, except her strength was somewhat uncontrollable.
“Miss…” Yúpíng emerged from the room, only to be met by a surge of sword energy that instantly severed the lantern hanging overhead. Her face paled in fright.
“Ah!” Feng Yinwan’s heart lurched. She wanted to tell Yúpíng to dodge but it was too late. Just as she was about to swing again to split the lantern, a figure flew through the air.
With a thud, the lantern hovered above Yúpíng’s head. Feng Yinwan breathed a sigh of relief and turned, only to see Song Qing’an’s face, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
“Master Song?” His guest room was near the front courtyard, quite a distance from her embroidery building. Nevertheless, he had saved Yúpíng. “Thank you for your timely rescue just now.”
Song Qing’an shook his head and removed the lantern. “It was a small matter, Your Highness need not thank me.” Yúpíng, having recovered from her shock, scrambled to her feet. “Miss, that… that nearly scared me to death.” The lantern’s frame was made of beech wood. If it had fallen from that height, her head would have been split open!
Feng Yinwan felt guilty. “I’m sorry. My swordsmanship is still not very proficient, and my strength… is a bit uncontrollable.” That strike just now was as powerful as any seasoned soldier. She had somehow developed such internal energy.
Song Qing’an’s gaze swept over the long sword in Feng Yinwan’s hand, his eyes widening further. In an instant, his expression returned to normal. “For a beginner, Consort, this is already remarkable. The loss of control in your strength is due to poor mastery of internal energy, not yet being able to release it freely.” He offered a gentle smile and nodded. “If you do not mind, I could teach you how to control your internal energy.”
Song Qing’an’s skills might not match Ye Tinglan’s, but they certainly wouldn’t be inferior. Feng Yinwan was somewhat tempted, but it wasn't appropriate for an outsider man to be here. “I appreciate Master Song’s kind offer, but I am of dull aptitude and may not learn it easily in a short time. It’s best not to trouble you.”
His rejection was expected, and Song Qing’an had no intention of overstepping. As he was about to nod, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open. A biting chill swept in, and Feng Yinwan looked up, her body trembling.
“Your… Your Highness?” Why was Ye Tinglan here?
Ye Tinglan’s dark eyes swept over Song Qing’an. His thin lips tightened, and the coldness on his handsome face was chilling. “Feng Yinwan, is this what you call diligent practice to me?” Practicing with another man, that was indeed very… diligent.