Bai Mu Ling Xi, Ye Ting Lan had not given it to her after all.
Fortunately, after the last incident, a lot of the toxins in Feng Jin Chen's body had been cleared, and it should not recur in the short term.
Although Xi Wen, the big mouth, had revealed the truth, the little dumpling was still quite bothered by Feng Yin Wan using him for a deal.
“Mother, this so-called poison in my body, is it really that powerful?”
He turned his little fleshy hands over and over, but he couldn't see anything unusual.
Feng Yin Wan pinched his small hand and sighed softly.
“Your repeated fainting spells were all caused by this toxin. If it weren't for finding Bai Mu Ling Xi this time, Mother would have been helpless.”
Feng Jin Chen's little face looked listless. “Mother kept me here because of this?”
“Mm.”
This single sound made Feng Jin Chen lower his head.
“So that's how it is…”
Then, was his fussing about wanting to leave for the past two days a bit foolish?
He cautiously glanced at Feng Yin Wan's expression and moved a little closer.
“Mother, then how did this potent poison get into my body?”
He didn’t feel anything at all.
Feng Yin Wan paused as she held his hand.
The toxin had been in Feng Jin Chen's body since birth. If one were to ask for its origin, it would undoubtedly be from his mother's womb.
But what she couldn't understand was that if it had been transmitted from her, why had she remained unharmed for so many years, with no trace within her?
Was it because of the bracelet, or because of that life-binding蛊 (gu)?
Her eyelashes involuntarily drooped slightly. She raised her hand and gently stroked Feng Jin Chen's head.
“Be good, you'll be alright.”
Two days passed quickly, as if in the blink of an eye.
Although it wasn’t the Empress Dowager’s major birthday this year, the banquet’s grandeur was no less than before. The venue was even chosen to be the most magnificent Rui Lin Hall.
As the carriage approached the palace gates, Ye Ting Lan finally spoke.
“The palace is a mixed bag of people today. I have already ordered people to keep an eye on the movements in the inner court. After nightfall, you act according to the situation.”
The birthday banquet lasted until the end of the戌 (xu) hour. Besides the civil and military officials who came to offer congratulations and envoys from neighboring countries, many monks who recited scriptures for blessings and various talented individuals from all walks of life also gathered in the palace.
With such a large number of people, it could indeed be called a mixed crowd, and it was indeed easy for things to happen.
Feng Yin Wan nodded and was about to respond when the carriage stopped.
Ye Ting Lan glanced at her and got out of the carriage himself.
“Follow me closely.”
According to etiquette, one had to pay respects to the Empress Dowager in her palace before the banquet began.
As they passed by Rui Lin Hall, Feng Yin Wan took a glance. It was indeed much more magnificent than Rui Qing Hall.
“Third Brother!”
As soon as they entered the palace gates, Ye Ting Yun rushed forward. Upon seeing Feng Yin Wan behind him, his steps immediately halted.
“Third Brother, this, this, this!”
How did this mistress tag along!
Today was the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, not to mention that the Prince of Ding Nan was also present. Bringing a mistress to such an occasion would be a great loss of royal dignity!
Had Third Brother lost his mind!
He was furious, pointing at Feng Yin Wan and unable to speak.
Feng Yin Wan was bewildered, thinking her disguise had been exposed, and her alarm bells immediately rang.
“Third Brother, come here for a moment.”
There were many eyes and ears, with guests all around. It was inconvenient for Ye Ting Yun to reprimand her publicly.
After thinking for a moment, he could only pull her aside.
After composing himself, he spoke, “Third Brother, today is the birthday banquet, and the Empress Dowager is in a joyous mood. Bringing… this woman is truly inappropriate!”
He spoke with earnest concern, but Ye Ting Lan frowned upon hearing this.
“What is inappropriate?”
“This…!”
Recalling how he had been thrown out of the study that day, Ye Ting Yun glanced at him and still forced himself to advise him.
“She is a mistress… not fit for public display, and the Empress Dowager detests people with ulterior motives. You know this!”
“While no one has noticed yet, Third Brother, quickly make her go back!”
The implication was, do not go in and embarrass yourself.
Feng Yin Wan, who had quietly followed, originally intended to scout for enemies. Unexpectedly, as soon as she approached, she heard these words, and her pretty face instantly turned cold.
“Mistress?”
Her beautiful eyes cast a cold glance at Ye Ting Lan, her voice even colder, “Is that what the Prince said?”
This scoundrel had some nerve!
As this sentence suddenly rang out from behind him, Ye Ting Lan's expression remained unfazed, but Ye Ting Yun's hairs stood on end.
His heart tightened, and he jumped away from his spot.
“You…! Who told you to eavesdrop!”
Before he could even shout “Presumptuous,” Feng Yin Wan’s cold snort landed.
“Good words are not spoken behind people's backs. Does Prince Yun not understand this principle?”
After all her worry, she was truly exasperated.
Ye Ting Yun was stunned by this.
“You recognize me?”
He had never met this woman before.
The moment they met, she called out his name. What did that mean?
Feng Yin Wan had not expected this. Realizing she had slipped up, her heart immediately tightened.
“I was fortunate to have heard of Prince Yun's great name.”
After speaking, her gaze, tinged with coldness, swept over from his side, sharp and deep, as if trying to see through her.
Feng Yin Wan's body tensed, and the blood in her veins momentarily froze.
As she stood rigid, Ye Ting Yun's gaze returned to scrutinize her.
After lingering on her face for a moment, he snorted coldly, his eyes filled with even greater disdain.
“It seems you have indeed put in a lot of effort to cling to Third Brother!”
“However, since you recognize me, you should also know my status. This is not a place for you to be. Leave the palace immediately!”
Otherwise, he would report her to their father and grandmother, and she would suffer the consequences!
Feng Yin Wan: “…”
After not seeing him for a few years, why was he still a bit clear-headedly foolish?
She glanced at Ye Ting Lan beside her and immediately curved her lips, “Prince Yun's words are reasonable. I will leave the palace immediately.”
She curtsied perfunctorily and turned to leave.
However, after only two steps, a voice with a cold chill sounded from behind her.
“Stop.”
Ye Ting Yun was stunned and incredulously exclaimed, “Third Brother?!”
“Wait here. I will go and see the Empress Dowager first.”
These words were clearly not directed at him.
He stated this indifferently, and the figure in black had already strode towards the hall.
Feng Yin Wan raised an eyebrow, glanced at the almost petrified Ye Ting Yun beside her, and slowly stopped moving.
“I'm sorry, Prince Yun. You heard what the Prince said. It seems I cannot leave the palace yet.”
She spoke with utmost regret.
Frowning, covering her mouth, and sighing.
Her performance was smooth and natural, like an arrogant mistress taking advantage of the situation.
Ye Ting Yun was so angry he twitched. He glanced around and then dragged her to a nearby corner.
“You stay here honestly and do not go anywhere!”
With so many people in the palace today, he absolutely could not let this woman go out and shame Third Brother!
He glared at her unhappily and warned her again.
“Don't even think about any crooked ideas. I will personally keep an eye on you here!”