The next morning, an imperial decree arrived from the palace.
Having spent considerable effort preparing medicine the previous night, Feng Yinwan was still somewhat drowsy. The sudden mention of "marriage" in the imperial decree instantly jolted her awake.
What... the hell?
The eunuch who delivered the decree was none other than Eunuch Gao, whom she had met yesterday in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
After reading the decree, Eunuch Gao looked at her with a smile.
"Consort, you are blessed with profound fortune. This servant congratulates you."
Feng Yinwan rose from the ground, her hand, which had been dusting off her clothes, froze. She murmured her thanks, but her eyes blazed with fury.
*What kind of blessing is this? Do you want this good fortune?*
Eunuch Gao, oblivious, said, "The decree has been delivered. There are matters to attend to in the palace, so this servant shall take his leave."
With that, he handed the imperial decree to Ye Tinglan and led his retinue away.
Feng Yinwan watched them go, a sarcastic smile curving her red lips.
"His Highness truly has powerful means."
At this critical juncture, he could still persuade the Empress Dowager to personally facilitate the ceremony of taking a secondary consort. She couldn't fathom what methods he had employed.
Knowing he wouldn't spill the beans, and certainly not to her, Feng Yinwan had no intention of prying further.
Unexpectedly, the man, letting the imperial decree hang by his side, broke his usual silence and offered an explanation.
"News from the palace: the Emperor awoke last night."
He delivered such momentous news with the casual tone one might use to say, "I drank two bowls of porridge this morning."
Feng Yinwan:?
"What does this have to do with hastening the wedding?"
She didn't believe it was relevant.
Ye Tinglan glanced at her and reminded her, "Yesterday, you and I accompanied the Emperor during his illness."
Feng Yinwan frowned. "So?"
Was he implying that the Emperor's recovery was thanks to... their efforts?
The gaze from his side was unmistakable, and Feng Yinwan chuckled.
It was indeed.
"The Emperor was critically ill, and the palace was in a state of unease. It was not difficult to push this matter into the open."
Ye Tinglan paused, then looked at her again. "With this excuse, after we marry, you and I can be in the palace more often to attend to the Emperor. It will make things much easier."
Feng Yinwan: *Impressive.*
As expected of a master manipulator of power. The royals, after all, were always using and being used.
A slight curl of her lips, her eyes also revealed a hint of coldness.
"Besides this, Your Highness must have other plans, haven't you?"
Given Ye Tinglan's indifferent and detached nature, if he were merely trying to find the villain with her, he wouldn't expend such effort.
Going to such lengths for this arrangement, she reasonably suspected he was paving the way for the succession.
A moment of silence, and the chill beside her suddenly solidified.
Feng Yinwan looked over. His thin lips were already pressed into a stern line.
Not speaking?
That meant she had guessed correctly.
She gave a silent sneer and was about to walk away when Ye Tinglan called out to her.
"As a secondary consort, you must have a title. I have already chosen one for you."
Feng Yinwan found him to be overly troublesome.
It was merely a disposable identity, a position she didn't even covet the main consort's title, so why would she care about a secondary consort's appellation?
She frowned and looked at him, her eyes clearly questioning.
Ye Tinglan's lips moved silently. His ink-dark eyes met hers, appearing deep and insightful.
"How about the character 'Wan'?"
A seemingly simple phrase, yet it landed like a thunderclap. Feng Yinwan froze, a chill running down her spine.
Ye Tinglan's gaze remained fixed on her, with a touch of inexplicable tenderness, as if genuinely seeking her opinion.
Feng Yinwan collected herself, her voice hoarse.
"May I ask which character Your Highness is referring to?"
The bright yellow imperial decree flipped in his palm. The coldness surged, and the intense gaze on his face finally shifted.
"'There is a beautiful woman, with bright eyes and a gentle demeanor,' the character I chose for you, naturally, implies beauty and gentleness."
Gentleness?
Feng Yinwan's knuckles twitched, the sweat on her palms receding slightly.
Ye Tinglan curved his lips, his gaze silently following her. "Consort Wan, go and prepare yourself well."
...
In the most renowned pleasure district in the capital, Chunmian Residence.
Just as the night's revelries were winding down and the doors were being bolted, a powerful force suddenly burst them open.
Ye Tingyan, his face a dark scowl, entered and headed straight for the second floor.
The attendant had brought thugs to block him, but upon recognizing him, he immediately followed with trepidation.
"Second Prince, what brings you here today? The ladies just retired, I'll go and..."
A "bang" interrupted his words as Ye Tingyan kicked open a door.
Seeing which room he had kicked open, the attendant's face turned pale, and he almost dropped to his knees.
"Second Prince... Fourth Prince ordered that no one be disturbed, this, this..."
"Scram."
Ye Tingyan shoved him aside without preamble and strode inside.
On the bed, two figures were entwined.
Ye Tingyu was still asleep, completely unaware of the commotion. However, the woman in his arms, upon opening her eyes and seeing several men in the room, let out a shriek.
A cruel glint flashed in Ye Tingyan's eyes. He threw a dagger, and the scream was abruptly cut short as the woman died instantly.
"Ah...!"
Unprepared for his ruthlessness, which even surpassed Ye Tingyu's, the attendant cried out in shock. Cold sweat broke out on his back, and he quickly covered his mouth.
On the bed, Ye Tingyu stirred with a frown. His eyes snapped open to see the woman's stiff, staring eyes, and he was instantly awake.
"Ah—An assassin!"
He roughly shoved the corpse aside, and in his panic, he rose only to meet Ye Tingyan's indifferent gaze, causing him to freeze.
"Second Brother?"
How had he found him here?
Ye Tingyan shot the attendant a cold glance, and the attendant immediately withdrew with his men.
Ye Tingyu patted his chest, a lingering fear in his voice, still unsteady. "You nearly scared me to death."
He then noticed his brother's troubled expression and spoke while dressing.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"What happened?"
Ye Tingyan gave him a look that seethed with anger. "What day is it today? You don't even remember?"
*What day?*
*The day of the Chunmian Residence's courtesan selection?*
Ye Tingyu almost blurted it out, but seeing his brother's cold, piercing eyes, he faltered.
"What day?"
For some reason, he had been feeling rather absent-minded lately, easily forgetting things.
Seeing this, Ye Tingyan was enraged.
"The Empress Dowager's decree about attending to the Emperor's illness—it seems you haven't taken it to heart at all!"
Ye Tinglan had gone yesterday. According to the schedule, it was Ye Tingyu's turn to attend the Emperor today.
Yet, at this hour, he was still carousing in this pleasure house, having completely forgotten the matter. This was practically inviting criticism from the censors!
Reminded by his brother, Ye Tingyu suddenly recalled the matter and felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
"I... I'll go to the palace now!"
"No need to go!"
Ye Tingyan looked at him, his brow deeply furrowed.
"The Emperor awoke last night. Everyone in the palace is now spreading the word that this was the merit of Ye Tinglan and that woman. The Empress Dowager has punished you to ten days of confinement in your residence. You don't need to leave the house anytime soon."