As soon as they reached the door, they heard Ye Ziyun’s piercing shriek.
"Brother, your cold poison hasn't flared up for years, and out of nowhere, it's suddenly relapsed. How can this be?"
"I heard it's because you transferred your inner energy to that slut... I mean, to Feng Yinyan. Is that true?"
Ye Tinglan’s brows furrowed sharply at her words. "Where did you hear that?"
Ye Ziyun, startled by his icy tone, stammered, "I... I heard it from the servants."
She didn't dare meet Ye Tinglan's gaze and immediately turned to Consort Rong.
"Mother, my brother's body is precious. How could he so carelessly put himself at risk? Feng Yinyan was merely poisoned. With Imperial Physician Jiang here, what is there to worry about?"
How could this slut possibly deserve her brother to save her with his inner energy!
Consort Rong's brows knitted slightly. Before she could speak, a graceful figure strode into the room.
"Your daughter-in-law, Feng shi, pays her respects to Consort Rong."
To facilitate her sword practice, Feng Yinyan had deliberately dressed in a fitted, short-sleeved outfit that day. Her cascade of black hair was simply coiled at the nape of her neck, with no extra adornments.
Yet, though her attire was plain, her presence was anything but. Standing there, she exuded an inimitable beauty.
Consort Rong nodded, quite pleased with her transformed daughter-in-law.
"Sit down."
Feng Yinyan didn't stand on ceremony and directly chose a chair.
"Consort Rong and Princess, you have come out of the palace, I presume, concerning His Highness's relapse of the cold poison?"
Ye Ziyun’s eyes narrowed. "Since you know, why ask? If it weren't for saving you, how could my brother's cold poison have relapsed!"
This slut is a jinx!
"Yun'er."
Before Ye Tinglan could speak, Consort Rong interjected.
"Yinyan is your sister-in-law. How can you be so rude!"
"Mother!"
"That's enough."
Ye Ziyun started to protest, but was immediately silenced by Consort Rong’s sharp command, and dared not speak further.
Ye Tinglan cast a deep glance at her, his thin lips curving into a cold smile.
"Mother, there is no need to worry. My cold poison has already been suppressed."
"Suppressed?"
Consort Rong's eyes widened in astonishment.
Ye Tinglan's cold poison had been inflicted during his youth on the battlefield, a result of falling into an enemy's trap. She had witnessed its attacks over the years and knew it was not something that could be easily suppressed.
Ye Tinglan nodded.
"This is all thanks to the Princess Consort. If she hadn't used her medical skills to help me expel the cold poison in time, I might not be sitting here today."
Ye Ziyun gasped, "Brother, you mean this cold poison was cured by her?!"
"Yun'er."
Consort Rong's expression shifted slightly.
Her son had always been indifferent and taciturn. It was rare for him to speak so explicitly, and she knew he would not lie.
"It's good that it's suppressed. It saves us from worrying."
She then looked at Feng Yinyan.
"Lan'er's cold poison has always been difficult to treat. We are very grateful for your assistance this time. It is no wonder you were able to treat Prince Yun’s heart ailment. Yinyan, your medical skills are indeed remarkable."
Such a person, with a noble background, and coincidentally her daughter-in-law.
Indeed, she was commendable.
Consort Rong, having resided in the palace for many years, possessed a discerning eye, and her refined demeanor was deeply ingrained.
To receive a word of praise from her was rare.
"Consort Rong, your praise is more than I deserve. This matter arose because of me. Expelling the cold poison for His Highness is what I, Yinyan, ought to do."
Seeing her humble and courteous words, Consort Rong was even more pleased.
Just as she was about to speak again, a commotion arose from outside the door.
"Miss Qin, Consort Rong is currently having a quiet chat with His Highness and the Princess Consort inside. You cannot enter for the moment."
Lüqin was Consort Rong’s personal maid. Qin Rulian naturally dared not offend her.
"Sister Lüqin, His Highness's cold poison has not fully recovered. I specially went to the kitchen to stew a bowl of bird's nest soup. If it gets cold..."
"If Miss Qin is worried, this servant can convey it to His Highness on your behalf."
After painstakingly stewing for two to three hours, Qin Rulian was reluctant to hand it over.
Biting her lip, she was in a quandary when Ye Ziyun hurried out of the room.
"Sister Rulian, you're here!"
Qin Rulian immediately felt as if she had found a savior. "Greetings, Princess."
She offered a perfunctory bow, and Ye Ziyun stepped forward to address Lüqin.
"My mother said that Sister Rulian may enter."
Upon hearing this, Lüqin said no more, curtsied, and stepped aside.
The bowl of bird's nest soup was steaming hot. Qin Rulian carried it over, her fair fingertips already reddened.
"This humble subject greets Consort Rong."
This gesture was clearly deliberate. Ye Ziyun, seeing this, immediately exclaimed.
"Mother, Sister Rulian is worried about brother's health and specially stewed bird's nest soup for him. Look, her hands are already red from the heat."
Consort Rong pursed her lips, her expression unreadable.
"Miss Qin is very thoughtful. Yun'er, quickly take this to your brother."
Ye Tinglan frowned at this. Before Ye Ziyun could even lift her lips, she had already brought the bird's nest soup forward. He had no choice but to raise his hand.
"Set it down."
"Brother, this bird's nest soup is best eaten hot. Don't disappoint Sister Rulian's kind intentions."
She addressed Qin Rulian as "Sister Rulian" repeatedly, much more intimately than she did Feng Yinyan.
Consort Rong's eyes darkened. "I can smell that this bird's nest soup was stewed for at least three hours. Miss Qin, you are indeed very devoted to Lan'er."
Three hours? That little white lotus must have gotten up before dawn!
She was quite determined.
Feng Yinyan's lips curved slightly. She then saw Consort Rong looking at her.
"You are currently with child, and His Majesty has already bestowed a title upon you this morning. You must be extremely cautious in all matters, leaving no room for error."
"Miss Qin is gentle and virtuous. In my opinion, before the heir is born, the affairs of the manor should be temporarily handed over to her to manage. What do you think?"
The turn of events was so abrupt that Feng Yinyan almost couldn't suppress her urge to curse.
Yet, Consort Rong's words were clearly not a suggestion.
Feng Yinyan's red lips tightened. "Your Ladyship's consideration is thorough. Your daughter-in-law believes it is excellent."
To her surprise, Consort Rong nodded and then said lightly, "Without tangible proof, it is difficult to gain everyone's trust. Before the delivery, the Princess Consort's official seal should also be temporarily entrusted to Rulian."
To strip her of her authority was one thing, but to take back the seal as well?!
Feng Yinyan's anger flared instantly.
What was her mother-in-law implying? She had just been praising her, and as soon as the little white lotus brought out a bowl of bird's nest soup, the situation had completely reversed?
Seeing that Feng Yinyan was struggling to control her temper, Ye Tinglan curved his lips. "As Mother wishes."
This single statement settled the matter.
Suddenly receiving such importance, Qin Rulian's heart pounded, her excitement almost uncontrollable.
"This humble subject... thanks Consort Rong for your trust!"
Consort Rong glanced at her, her smile not reaching her eyes.
"Yinyan's pregnancy is a top priority for the Prince Mo's manor. Since you will be managing the manor's affairs, I shall also entrust you with the care of the Princess Consort's pregnancy. You must not make any mistakes."
This was the key point.
Inside and outside the palace, countless eyes were now on Feng Yinyan's belly.
As the direct descendant of the Emperor's grandson, she absolutely could not afford any slip-ups. Entrusting the responsibility of ensuring a smooth pregnancy to Qin Rulian was perfectly fitting.
By accepting the official seal, she had, in essence, accepted this heavy responsibility.
Qin Rulian froze at this, but the temptation of power was too great to resist.
"Please be assured, Your Ladyship. This humble subject will do her utmost to care for the Princess Consort's pregnancy!"
Feng Yinyan rolled her eyes.
Oh, please.
Caring for her pregnancy?
If that little white lotus didn't cause trouble behind the scenes, she would be incredibly grateful!