Regarding Ye Tinglan personally going to the General's manor to pick up Feng Yinwan, Qin Rulian felt a sour pang in her heart.
She now desperately tried to hide the jealousy in her eyes, but her gaze kept darting towards Feng Yinwan, as if blaming her.
Feng Yinwan raised her delicate eyebrows and retorted unyieldingly, "Miss Qin arrived early, what are you still waiting for here?"
Since it was the Empress Dowager's imperial decree, and Ye Tinglan had not hurried her along the way, she figured there was no need to rush.
This little white lotus, however, was acting like an anxious eunuch when the emperor wasn't even worried.
Stung by the retort, Qin Rulian's face faltered, turning a little pale.
Ye Tingyun, unaware of the poisoning, assumed Feng Yinwan was still putting on airs. Seeing this, he immediately voiced his displeasure.
"Why are you so sharp? Rulian is just concerned about you all."
He pursed his lips secretly and added, "Since Third Brother personally went to the General's manor to pick you up, you shouldn't make such a fuss. There are no lingering grudges between husband and wife; just apologize properly to Third Brother."
Feng Yinwan shot him a glare, giving him a look that promised violence. Ye Tingyun instantly shut his mouth.
Her beautiful eyes swept over Qin Rulian, who was subtly biting her lip, and a barely perceptible curve formed on her lips.
Previously, the little white lotus had feigned obedience. However, ever since Ye Tinglan ordered the Lanqing Courtyard sealed, her true intentions had begun to surface.
Now was a good time to put her in her place again.
"Thank Prince Yun for his concern. It's merely marital banter. This Princess Consort and His Highness have already reconciled, and Miss Qin is aware of this."
What she was referring to, of course, was the incident where Qin Rulian had seen her coming out of the main courtyard that morning.
Upon hearing this, Qin Rulian's expression immediately changed. Before she could make an excuse, Ye Tingyun looked over with confusion.
"Rulian, you knew?"
Qin Rulian's face contorted again. She dug her nails into her palm and hesitantly replied.
"That day, Princess Consort returned to the manor and stayed in the main courtyard. She must have already resolved her conflict with Tinglan Brother."
"Is that so?"
Ye Tingyun nodded, half-believingly. He then met Feng Yinwan's approving gaze.
"Yes, yes. His Highness's bed is both soft and large. This Princess Consort slept very comfortably, and by the next morning, my anger had subsided."
"You... you stop talking!"
Ye Tingyun's fair face flushed crimson. He couldn't believe his ears.
In broad daylight, what was this woman saying!
What was this about the bed... how could she be so shameless!
Feng Yinwan, however, raised her eyebrows, "What's wrong? What this Princess Consort said is true. If Prince Yun doesn't believe me, he can personally ask His Highness."
She was betting that Ye Tinglan wouldn't dare to act rashly!
Ye Tingyun's face turned even redder. Before he could reprimand her further, Ye Tinglan calmly nodded.
"What the Princess Consort says is indeed true."
With the confirmation from the person himself, Ye Tingyun became even more exasperated.
"Third Brother!"
It was one thing for this woman to speak without restraint, but why was Third Brother indulging her!
Ye Tinglan glanced at him and placed his large hand around Feng Yinwan's waist again.
"It's about time. The Empress Dowager is concerned. Let's go over."
By the lotus pond, the palace consorts were already gathered. As Feng Yinwan and the others arrived, Jiang Rumeng was taking the Empress Dowager's pulse.
Upon seeing them, the Empress Dowager immediately waved for the physician to step aside.
"Your grandson greets the Empress Dowager."
"Your grandson's wife greets the Empress Dowager."
Seeing that she was about to curtsy, the Empress Dowager's heart ached. She quickly stopped her.
"Enough, enough, rise. Quickly, bring seats."
Palace maids immediately brought chairs. Feng Yinwan nodded and did not refuse, taking a seat. Ye Tinglan sat beside her.
She had likely been summoned today because the Empress Dowager was concerned about her health.
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment before finally speaking, "This old woman heard you were unwell a couple of days ago and sent someone in a hurry to fetch Imperial Physician Jiang. Is there anything unusual?"
Jiang Rumeng had been in the palace taking the Empress Dowager's regular pulse that day, so this commotion had not escaped her notice.
Feng Yinwan nodded truthfully, "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for your concern. That day, upon waking, I suddenly felt unwell, my head felt dizzy, and I was quite nauseous. After Imperial Physician Jiang examined me, I felt much better. I am fine now."
Hearing that the fetus was fine, the Empress Dowager immediately felt relieved. After a moment of thought, she spoke again.
"You just said nauseous?"
Her gaze swept over Feng Yinwan's abdomen, and her eyes lit up with joy. "You are two months pregnant, so you must be experiencing morning sickness."
Pregnancy between two to three months was indeed the peak time for morning sickness.
As soon as this was said, the surrounding activity ceased, and several gazes subtly shifted towards Feng Yinwan.
Feng Yinwan, who was faking her pregnancy, had not paid much attention to this matter. In her daze, the Empress Dowager cast a questioning look at Jiang Rumeng.
Jiang Rumeng's gaze flickered slightly, and he immediately nodded, "What the Empress Dowager says is correct."
With his affirmation, the Empress Dowager's joy intensified.
"That's wonderful. When I was carrying the Emperor, I also started experiencing morning sickness around this time. Although it's difficult, it will pass after a while. Fortunately, with Imperial Physician Jiang's care, you will naturally suffer less."
Feng Yinwan thought to herself, You old dear, don't worry, I won't suffer at all.
She smiled demurely, but before she could even nod, the Empress suddenly spoke.
"Mother is absolutely right. With Imperial Physician Jiang personally taking care of her, she will surely feel much better. However..."
Her gaze swept over Feng Yinwan's belly, and she said hesitantly, "Since Princess Consort Mo's pregnancy is already two months along, why hasn't she started to show yet?"
As soon as these words were spoken, several pairs of eyes turned towards Feng Yinwan's belly like sharp arrows.
She was dressed in luxurious robes, and although the fabric was loose, it was evident that her abdomen was still flat underneath.
So flat... as if she weren't pregnant at all!
A heavy silence fell over the large lotus pond. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened.
The Empress's eyes were indeed sharp.
She subtly tightened her hand hidden in her sleeve. When she spoke again, her expression was so calm that it showed no signs of disturbance.
"Empress, you may not know this, but I have been slender since childhood. Even if I gain weight, it is difficult to show."
She gently smoothed her lower abdomen and then smiled, "It's a little less obvious now, but it should be fine in another two months."
Her frame was naturally small, with no excess fat, making her quite delicate.
Jiang Rumeng also nodded, "The rate of fetal development varies in early pregnancy. Princess Consort Mo has been subjected to several frights, which has indeed affected the fetus. Coupled with her slender physique, it is therefore difficult to show."
The "frights" he referred to were self-evident.
The Empress Dowager's brow furrowed with suspicion, which then eased slightly. She suppressed her expression and spoke.
"There's no need to rush matters of pregnancy. Yinwan is right. It's only been two months, so it's normal not to be showing. You'll naturally be able to see as the months progress."
With her personal declaration, the palace consorts dared not discuss it further. Just then, the monks who were to chant Buddhist scriptures arrived, and the matter was naturally dropped.
Feng Yinwan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Her expression remained unchanged, but a thin layer of sweat had begun to form on her palms.
She felt a slight instability as she stood up, but a warm, strong hand gently came to rest on her side.