"Nonsense."
Ye Tinglan frowned, warningly glancing at her.
"If you need to wash, you have maids to serve you. Why do you need Ru Lian to personally attend to you?"
Even though Qin Ru Lian had made mistakes, she was still half a lady of the Mo King's manor.
Was he protecting her now?
Feng Yin Wan raised her delicate eyebrows. Before she could even speak, Qin Ru Lian preempted her.
"Ting Lan Ge Ge, it's alright. The Consort was unfortunate enough to be shot, and it is Ru Lian's duty to take care of her for Ting Lan Ge Ge."
She absolutely could not let Ye Tinglan feel guilty towards this lowly woman because of this matter!
The little white lotus lowered her eyes, her expression pitiable, truly appearing as if she had come to take care of her.
Feng Yin Wan's lips curved.
"Alright, then I'll trouble Miss Qin."
"Feng Yin Wan."
Ignoring Ye Tinglan's low growl, Feng Yin Wan directly raised her hand.
"This Consort is now returning to Lan Qing Courtyard. Miss Qin, please."
Her tone was as indifferent as if she were giving orders to a servant. Qin Ru Lian's face stiffened intensely at this, and she bit her lip before stepping forward to support Feng Yin Wan's arm.
"Consort, please."
This address was extremely unwilling, her demeanor somewhat obsequious.
From Feng Yin Wan's perspective, she could clearly see the venom and unwillingness in her eyes.
Closing her beautiful eyes, Feng Yin Wan rose with dignity, her bearing like that of a noble goddess, further contrasting Qin Ru Lian to the dust.
The two women were of similar stature. Along the way, Qin Ru Lian supported her with her body half-bent. By the time they reached Lan Qing Courtyard, her legs were already sore and trembling.
"Miss!"
Yu Ping ran out from the courtyard and saw this scene, her eyes immediately widened in surprise.
"Miss Qin...?"
Qin Ru Lian pulled at her lips, forcing a difficult smile.
Yu Ping was even more astonished.
She looked over in confusion and saw her own young lady blink her beautiful eyes, glancing indifferently at Qin Ru Lian before withdrawing her hand.
"Miss Qin, you have worked hard. Since we have arrived at Lan Qing Courtyard, Yu Ping will attend to me."
"She is one of our own, and this Consort feels more at ease with her serving."
Yu Ping understood and immediately took her arm. Qin Ru Lian, upon hearing this, turned ashen.
There were many servants who had witnessed their progress on the way, and she had already lost face. If Feng Yin Wan were to discard her now, then what she had said to Ye Tinglan earlier would all be in vain!
She secretly bit her lip. When she looked up again, the venom was gone from her face.
"Consort, you jest. Earlier, in the main courtyard, Ru Lian already said she wanted to take care of you for Ting Lan Ge Ge. How can I just send you back and leave? Yu Ping has served you for many years and knows your preferences, but Ru Lian heard you say you wanted to wash earlier. Since you are injured, it is difficult for one person to attend to you properly. Please allow Ru Lian to stay and help."
Her words were earnest, as if Feng Yin Wan would not agree to let her leave.
Yu Ping's eyes widened as she listened.
"Miss, is she alright?"
She whispered and leaned closer. Feng Yin Wan's lips curved slightly, and she placed her hand on Yu Ping's hand.
"Since Miss Qin is so sincere, this Consort would not want to refuse your kind intentions."
"Before washing, one must naturally bathe. Please trouble Miss Qin to go to the kitchen and fetch some hot water."
The little white lotus was eager to work, so why should she not make use of her?
Feng Yin Wan lifted her chin. "Yu Ping, quickly get the wooden tub for Miss Qin."
Yu Ping understood and immediately ran inside, bringing out a solid wood tub nearly half a person's height.
The tub looked heavy just by sight, and when it was placed on the ground, it made a dull thud.
Qin Ru Lian's face turned green at the sight.
Carrying this tub of water back would break her back.
This lowly woman was asking her to do such rough work and using such a large tub; she was clearly trying to torment her on purpose!
"Consort..."
Qin Ru Lian bit her lip secretly. Before she could utter her refusal, she looked up and met Feng Yin Wan's condescending gaze.
"What is it, Miss Qin? Do you feel that fetching water for this Consort is beneath your dignity, or do you think this tub is too large for you to carry?"
Her expression clearly proclaimed "doing this on purpose" in its arrogance.
Yet, she was utterly powerless.
Qin Ru Lian lowered her head, biting her lip tightly without a sound.
Feng Yin Wan naturally did not have that much patience to wait for her to speak.
"If you feel wronged, or if you are unable to do this work of serving, you may return to your Xiu Chun Courtyard. This Consort is not begging you to stay."
With that, she indifferently turned her face away. "Yu Ping, help this Consort inside."
"Yes."
Yu Ping was about to move when she saw her young lady turn back.
"Oh, right. This Consort has always disliked others handling her belongings. If Miss Qin wishes to fetch water, please remember to do it personally."
Personally.
These four words almost crushed Qin Ru Lian to death.
She glared hatefully at Feng Yin Wan's retreating back, her sharp nails digging into her palm, leaving red marks.
As soon as they entered the room, Yu Ping quickly closed the door and leaned on the doorframe in surprise.
"Miss, what is going on?"
Qin Ru Lian came to serve Miss as a maid? Was the sun rising from the west today!
Feng Yin Wan's injuries had not yet healed, and her face had already turned pale from standing for so long.
She pursed her lips and sat down directly on the couch.
Sensing her discomfort, Yu Ping immediately hurried forward.
"Miss, how are you? Shall I go and fetch a physician?"
She knew about Feng Yin Wan's injury and poisoning last night, but the guards at the main courtyard were too strict for her to get in. She could only wait outside.
Only when she heard the news that the poison had been neutralized did she feel at ease and return to Lan Qing Courtyard.
Since the imperial physician could not stay at the manor indefinitely, Jiang Ru Mo had already returned to the Imperial Hospital this morning. There were only a few ineffective manor physicians in the manor now.
Feng Yin Wan waved her hand, signaling her to fetch a bowl of hot tea for her.
While waiting for the tea, her bracelet tightened. A medicinal pill was passed into her hand. Feng Yin Wan, as if drinking tea, swallowed it directly.
A strange aura slowly flowed within her dantian, then warmth spread, instantly enveloping her body.
Seeing that her complexion had improved, Yu Ping finally relaxed and stepped back. Just as she was about to take the tea bowl down, she turned and heard a commotion outside the courtyard.
Yu Ping froze and leaned forward, only to see Qin Ru Lian's bulky figure leaving, carrying the wooden tub.
"Miss, Miss, she seems to have actually gone to fetch water!"
Feng Yin Wan's beautiful eyes lifted slightly, showing no surprise at this outcome.
The little white lotus was a determined person who would go to great lengths. Since she had said those words in front of Ye Tinglan, she would surely endure it.
Her lips curled coldly, and she stood up and sat in front of the vanity. "Help me take off my jewelry first."
She still wanted to take a good bath later.
It took Qin Ru Lian half an hour of arduous effort to bring back one tub of water. She gritted her teeth and glared, working as hard as an ox.
"Consort... water, the water is here."
The little white lotus entered, panting heavily, her fine hair at the temples soaked with sweat.
Feng Yin Wan rose. Her black hair cascaded down to her waist. Dressed in her inner robe, she was as white as frost, like exquisite, translucent white jade.
The two, one before and one after, were like clouds and mud, worlds apart.
Feng Yin Wan probed the water and lazily withdrew her hand. Her fair fingertips, moistened by the water, appeared even more crystal clear.
Qin Ru Lian watched secretly, her eyes flashing with intense jealousy.
"The water temperature is quite suitable."
Qin Ru Lian immediately breathed a sigh of relief. However, before she could get up, she heard Feng Yin Wan give another order.
"Alright, carry it inside."
"Yu Ping, teach Miss Qin properly how to attend to a bath."