It was that hairpin, the Ruyi hairpin, that the Empress had bestowed upon her that day in Shou Kang Palace.
Feng Yinwan's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Although she found nothing unusual about the hairpin, she truly did not wish to wear anything belonging to the Empress. After receiving it, she had simply set it aside.
She surmised that when Yu Ping had been doing her hair earlier, she must have thought the hairpin complemented her attire for the day and had attached it.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she did not remove it. Her beautiful eyes then shifted back to the bowl of soup on the table.
The silver needle showed no discoloration, proving it was indeed a bowl of stewed longan with snow clam. It was so normal that not a single fault could be found.
Feng Yinwan raised her eyebrows, filled with curiosity.
What game was this little white lotus playing now?
For several days, Ye Ting Lan had been relentlessly drilling her in swordplay. Feng Yinwan had become almost unbearably picky with him, so much so that she felt tears welling up with no outlet.
Therefore, she decided to retaliate.
"This time, why is expelling the poison more arduous than last time?"
In the bedroom, Ye Ting Lan's robes were pushed down to his waist. His thin lips were pressed tightly together, clearly enduring pain.
Feng Yinwan's fair fingertips glided over his toned, fair abdomen. A red smile curved her lips, and a hint of cunning flashed in her beautiful eyes.
Arduous?
It was meant to be arduous!
Let him find fault everywhere; I'll just keep poking until he's done for!
Licking her lips, she mercilessly inserted another needle.
The sharp needle pierced the skin, reaching deep into the acupoint. Ye Ting Lan grunted, a hint of suppressed pain escaping his lips.
"Your Highness's cold poison has long since entered your marrow. What I removed previously was merely superficial. A second expulsion will naturally be more painful and difficult to endure."
After saying this with a serious expression, she then asked with feigned concern,
"How do you feel, Your Highness? If you cannot bear it, I shall immediately prepare a dose of anesthetic."
Was this woman questioning him?
Ye Ting Lan's long, narrow eyes narrowed silently.
"Continue."
This single word was exactly what Feng Yinwan wanted to hear.
"Alright!"
Today, she wanted to see if her needle was harder, or if this scoundrel's mouth was harder!
However, she still underestimated Ye Ting Lan's endurance.
Feng Yinwan swore she had been trying her best, but after a full set of acupuncture, Ye Ting Lan hadn't even let out a single muffled groan!
She secretly observed the thin beads of sweat on his forehead, inwardly marveling.
Well, well, this stubborn duck truly had a hard mouth!
As she was marveling, Ye Ting Lan had already raised his hand to adjust his robes.
Although his complexion was slightly pale, his movements in tidying his clothes were lazy and casual. Against his cool, detached face, it was even more captivating.
This sight directly struck Feng Yinwan's heart.
She didn't want to be tempted, but the scoundrel had money, looks, and abs~
Her ironclad heart softened for a fleeting moment before Ye Ting Lan's icy voice crashed down on her.
"What are you staring at me for?"
Feng Yinwan (wiping her mouth): "N-nothing."
Her gaze was too direct, causing a nameless heat to rise in Ye Ting Lan's lower abdomen.
His thin lips pursed sternly, and he stood up directly.
"Since the cold poison has been expelled, you may return."
Kicking her out?
Feng Yinwan gritted her teeth. "Your Highness truly wastes no time. Even a donkey wouldn't be sent away like this!"
Ye Ting Lan's brows furrowed. Before he could speak, Qi Xuan rushed in from outside.
"Your Highness, the Second Prince has come to pay his respects."
Ye Ting Yan?
What was he doing here?
She had met him once at the palace banquet. She really didn't have a good impression of this Second Prince.
Frowning, she also stood up immediately. "Your consort will take her leave first."
Ye Ting Lan cast a faint glance at her, his stern jawline softening.
Little fox.
In the front hall, Ye Ting Yan sat in a grand chair, holding his tea. The expression in his eyes was inscrutable.
Ye Ting Lan's dark eyes deepened slightly as he strode forward.
"Why has Second Brother come to the manor so suddenly today?"
He and Ye Ting Yan had no particular friendship between them.
Ye Ting Yan looked up upon hearing the voice.
"I heard that there was an assassination attempt on the main street a couple of days ago. This matter has even alarmed the Empress Dowager, so I came specifically to visit."
His gaze swept over Ye Ting Lan's face, and he subtly rotated his teacup halfway.
"It seems Third Brother is not in any serious trouble."
Ye Ting Lan's expression had already returned to normal. His features were indifferent, showing no hint of abnormality.
"They were just a few unknown ruffians acting on someone's orders; they couldn't harm me. Second Brother need not worry."
Ye Ting Yan's eyes narrowed secretly. "I naturally know of Third Brother's capabilities. However, I heard from the Empress Dowager that your consort seemed to have been struck by a poisoned arrow?"
This matter was no longer a secret.
A flicker passed through Ye Ting Lan's eyes, and he nodded.
"The Princess Consort's injury was personally treated by Imperial Physician Jiang. She is now out of danger."
The implication was that the poison had already been resolved by Jiang Ru Mo.
Ye Ting Yan nodded with an unfathomable expression. "That's good then."
As the words fell, the teacup suddenly slipped from his hand. Just as it was about to fall, it was precariously held by a surge of energy.
Ye Ting Lan's palm rotated, and the teacup flew back onto the table.
"Second Brother, be careful."
His expression remained as usual, so calm that not a single crease appeared on his brow.
Ye Ting Yan stared intently for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Third Brother has impressive skills."
Not wishing to linger, he immediately stood to take his leave. Ye Ting Lan stood up, his gaze sweeping over the teacup, and his eyes settled with a deep, dark hue.
Qi Xuan understood and immediately stepped forward. "Your Highness, should we..."
"No."
As Ye Ting Lan emerged from the front hall, he bumped into Feng Yinwan, who was coming out of the back courtyard with Yu Ping.
She had a small bundle on her shoulder and her sword in hand, clearly looking like she was about to go out.
His brows furrowed slightly, and his long legs strode forward.
"Where are you going?"
Seeing him, Feng Yinwan stopped at a leisurely pace. "Your consort wishes to return to the General's manor to stay for two days. I was just preparing to inform Your Highness, and I happened to meet you here."
Feng Yinwan's mouth was a den of lies.
This woman was accustomed to acting on her whims. If he hadn't run into her by chance, she would have already returned to the General's manor, and he would still be completely unaware.
His dark eyes swept over the sword in her hand, and Ye Ting Lan curved his lips. "Why are you returning so suddenly?"
Feng Yinwan, neither humble nor arrogant, replied, "Your consort misses home."
This was hardly a reason, but coming from her mouth, it somehow felt convincing.
Ye Ting Lan raised his eyebrows, thought about the recent events in the manor, and agreed.
"In a couple of days, I will have Qi Xuan fetch you."
Feng Yinwan was quite surprised by this statement. Before she could react, Ye Ting Lan had already walked away, giving her no chance to refuse.
Frowning suspiciously, she immediately raised her foot. "Let's go."
It was dusk by the time they returned to the General's manor. The guards at the entrance were clearly accustomed to Feng Yinwan's surprise visits; they greeted them without a hint of astonishment.
"Eldest Miss, you have returned."
Feng Yinwan nodded and walked directly into the manor.
The lotus flowers in June had not yet bloomed, but the pond in the General's manor was already a vast expanse of clear water. Madam Yu and Feng Yi Yi were admiring the scenery nearby. Upon seeing her, Madam Yu was visibly startled.
"Yin... Yinwan, why have you returned?"
Having learned from past lessons, Madam Yu was still somewhat afraid of Feng Yinwan.
Feng Yi Yi, however, was the complete opposite. She lazily slanted a glance at Feng Yinwan, fanning herself with a round fan, her eyes practically rolling to the heavens.
"For no reason at all, why has Eldest Sister returned again?"
She still remembered how that shrew had ruined her plans that day at the Phantom Sound Pavilion!
Feng Yinwan's delicate brows arched, and her beautiful eyes cast a cold glance.
"This General's manor is, after all, the maternal home of this Princess Consort. Since it is my maternal home, this Princess Consort can return whenever she pleases. There is no need to report to you."
To consider herself so important.