The Emperor had always been most wary of military power.
"Lan'er, do you like the gift I've prepared?"
The Emperor's eyes held a sharp glint as he fixed his gaze on Ye Tinglan's expression, unblinking.
"Father Emperor."
Ye Tinglan nodded, his brows set and resolute, unmoving as a mountain.
"This unworthy son is incapable. Defeating the enemy was purely a stroke of luck. I would die rather than accept this. I implore Father Emperor to retract the reward."
Ye Tinglan's reputation was known throughout the land. If he claimed to be incapable, then no one else in the world would dare claim to be able to lead troops in battle.
However, the Emperor was quite pleased with this clumsy excuse.
Just as he was about to speak, a voice from the side interrupted him.
"Third Brother's words are but humility."
The speaker was the Second Prince, Ye Tingyan.
Ye Tingyan narrowed his long, foxy eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips, and clasped his hands.
"Father Emperor, Third Brother is valiant and skilled in battle, with great military achievements. He is truly the Great Jing's foremost God of War. In terms of merit, perhaps only the Grand General Zhenguo can be compared to him among the court officials."
Grand General Zhenguo, of course, was Old General Feng, who was also Ye Tinglan's father-in-law.
The Emperor's expression darkened further upon hearing this.
"Grand General Zhenguo is valiant and has served this Emperor with all his might, making countless contributions. Although Lan'er has achieved victory, he cannot yet be compared to him!"
There was a distinct hint of animosity in these words.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager interjected appropriately.
"The Emperor is correct. Lan'er is brave and skilled in battle, and he is a blessing for the future of Great Jing. However, in this old one's opinion, he is still too young to bear the heavy responsibility of military power. Perhaps the Emperor could bestow some other reward."
After speaking, she glanced towards Feng Yinwan beside her.
"It so happens that Princess Mo has recently become pregnant. Princess Mo has merit in treating Yun'er's heart ailment at Qingpu Temple, and she is also the beloved daughter of Grand General Zhenguo."
"Why doesn't the Emperor bestow this reward upon the child in her womb? Firstly, it is to pray for the blessing of the royal bloodline, and secondly, it is to comfort the Feng family father and son who are fighting on the front lines."
Unexpectedly, the Emperor was clearly taken aback by this suggestion, and a flicker of sharpness in his eyes quietly vanished.
"Mother Empress speaks wisely. The child in Princess Mo's womb is the eldest legitimate descendant of our imperial family. Though not yet born, I shall bestow a title upon them first."
"If it is a boy, he shall be enfeoffed as Crown Prince Yuan Chun, and if it is a girl, she shall be enfeoffed as Princess Yuan Ying. On the day of their birth, they shall be bestowed the full ceremonial rites. What does Mother Empress think?"
To have a title bestowed before birth was an honor of the highest order.
The Empress Dowager nodded. "This old one finds it most appropriate."
Feng Yinwan was still in a daze. Suddenly, her unborn child had been so clearly arranged, and she was immediately stunned.
She hadn't even gotten around to "causing a miscarriage" yet, and now a title had already been given?
The direction this matter was taking seemed to be getting more and more absurd!
Ye Tinglan subtly tugged at the cuff of her sleeve. Feng Yinwan snapped back to attention and immediately rose to express her gratitude.
Ye Tinglan, already renowned for his military achievements, was now at the zenith of his influence with Feng Yinwan gaining favor with the Empress Dowager.
Throughout this banquet, the princes and consorts ate with forced smiles, the atmosphere extremely delicate.
As the banquet dispersed, the Empress Dowager kept Ye Tingyun in the palace for two days of company.
Feng Yinwan was summoned to receive some instructions from Jiang Rumo. Upon her return, she saw Ye Tingyan walking towards Ye Tinglan with his hands behind his back, a somewhat malicious smile on his face.
"Qingpu Temple is hundreds of miles away from the capital. Third Brother must have had a difficult journey escorting the Empress Dowager."
Ye Tinglan's profile was stern.
His thin lips parted, his gaze unwavering, "Thank you, Second Brother, for your concern. The journey was merely met with minor troubles."
Feng Yinwan's delicate brows furrowed. She immediately recalled the group of black-clad assailants.
Judging by Ye Tingyan's expression, he clearly knew about the incident.
Could he possibly be involved with those assassins?
Before she could ponder further, Ye Tinglan had already walked over.
"Let's go."
As they exited the palace gates, Feng Yinwan was still trying to make sense of the matter. Just as she was about to board their carriage, a pair of hands suddenly stretched out, blocking the carriage door tightly.
She looked up blankly, meeting Ye Tinglan's overly cold gaze.
"Get out."
Feng Yinwan: ???
"What play is Your Highness putting on now?"
This man was so finicky. Could it be because she had drooled on the couch when she arrived?
Seeing her obediently retract her legs, Ye Tinglan reached out and lowered the carriage curtain, coldly ordering Qi Xuan.
"Drive."
As a result, Qi Xuan actually flicked the whip and started the carriage.
Feng Yinwan silently cursed, her hand reaching out before her mind could process, gripping the carriage frame.
Was he even human? He takes me out but doesn't see me home?!
Her slender frame was easily tossed by the carriage. Unexpectedly, Qi Xuan panicked and uttered hesitantly.
"Princess, please let go!"
If this carriage were to speed up, wouldn't she be flung into the sky?!
Feng Yinwan was also doing this for the first time. Gritting her teeth, she gripped the carriage frame with her other hand.
"Stop... let this Princess get on!"
To abandon her? Impossible!
Qi Xuan was stunned by her ferocity but dared not stop without his master's command.
He could only weakly persuade Feng Yinwan, "Princess, please let go quickly, the carriage... is about to reach the main street!"
Before he could finish speaking, another carriage sped towards them. Qi Xuan's heart leaped into his throat, and he immediately yanked hard on the reins.
The two carriages passed each other, the side of the other carriage grazing Feng Yinwan's back.
Ye Tinglan's handsome face grew cold, and he said, "Stop."
The carriage halted as commanded. Feng Yinwan's body lost its strength, and she immediately fell to the ground with a thud.
The next moment, the curtain was violently thrown open, and she was sucked into the carriage by a powerful force.
Ye Tinglan's face, etched with anger, filled her vision.
"Feng Yinwan, how dare you disregard my words!"
Clinging to a carriage in the street, what kind of decorum is this!
Feng Yinwan was still shaken, her beautiful face slightly pale.
"Your Highness wanted to leave alone, and I'm not a fool!"
Letting her walk back to the manor on her own two legs? Dream on!
A flicker of cold anger flashed in Ye Tinglan's eyes. He glanced at her coldly and pushed her aside.
He didn't want to bring her, yet he'd let her fall?
Feng Yinwan was furious.
"Ye Tinglan, don't push your luck!"
"I have your royal bloodline in my belly. Is this how you should be acting!"
This is utterly inappropriate!
To her surprise, Ye Tinglan's ink-black eyes narrowed, and a mocking smile curled his thin lips.
"Father Emperor bestowed titles publicly today. The matter has reached this point, and I would like to ask you, where do you intend to conjure up this pregnancy from?"
"Feng Yinwan, have you considered the consequences!"
Feng Yinwan naturally knew the gravity of the situation.
"No need for Your Highness's concern. This consort has her own methods."
The method she spoke of was, of course, to create a false miscarriage as soon as possible. However, these words took on a different meaning in Ye Tinglan's ears.
His ink-black eyes swept across Feng Yinwan's confident face, his expression turning cold, his anger intensifying.
"What other methods do you have? Are you going to meet your illicit lover behind my back!"
His heart was engulfed by a nameless rage. Ye Tinglan's large hand forcefully gripped her slender wrist, his voice a chilling warning.
"Feng Yinwan, if you dare to have illicit relations with another man, I will kill you myself!"
What in the world was going on!
Feng Yinwan's wrist felt like it was about to break. Gritting her teeth, she frowned and pulled her hand free.
"Stop the carriage, this Princess wants to get out!"
She couldn't stand being in this dreadful place for another moment!
Not wanting to linger for even half a moment, she lifted the carriage curtain and prepared to exit, only to be met with a whistling sound as a cold arrow pierced the air straight towards her.