Ye Tinglan was either possessed or not, Feng Yinwan couldn't tell, but her hundred-plus jin turtle definitely had over eight hundred jin of cunning.
She was absolutely, positively sure! (She rubbed her hands and cursed vehemently.)
After the lengthy interruption, the birthday banquet finally returned to its main purpose.
The Emperor's spirits were not high; he merely uttered a few perfunctory blessings before falling silent. The eunuch in attendance, with keen eyes, waved his whisk and immediately clapped his hands.
"Present the birthday gifts—"
A solid gold Buddha statue was carried in from outside the hall.
The statue, once placed on the ground, was half a person's height. Its lotus pedestal was made of jade, adorned with numerous emeralds, jades, and gold and silver discs, appearing incredibly opulent from afar.
The moment the red silk was removed, Feng Yinwan's jaw dropped further.
"This... this is too much!"
Even the topknot was carved from black jade. This Buddha was outrageously expensive!
Sensing her reaction, Ye Tinglan glanced at her and explained.
"This Buddha statue was commissioned by the Emperor himself, and it took a total of sixteen artisans from the Imperial Gold Workshop and Jade Bright Workshop half a year to cast it together."
"Among all Buddha statues in the world, this one is undoubtedly the foremost."
Feng Yinwan looked at the dazzling golden light emanating from the entire statue and silently added a word in her heart.
Expensive.
There was probably no Buddha statue in the world that could surpass its cost!
She was mesmerized by the opulence, her gaze becoming somewhat fanatical.
Seeing this, Ye Tinglan's eyes darkened for a moment before he calmly shifted his gaze away.
Aside from the concubines who had already presented their gifts in Shou Kang Palace, everyone took turns stepping forward. The items they presented were all exquisite, some even things Feng Yinwan had never seen before.
She had just taken a sip of tea when, upon looking up, a brocade box was presented.
The brocade box was red with gold threads and cloud patterns. While it looked luxurious, compared to the many gifts presented earlier, it seemed rather unremarkable.
Feng Yinwan glanced at it, her tea-sipping motion unabated.
"From the Northern Shang Kingdom, a sacred artifact is presented: the Hundred-Eyed Spirit Rhinoceros—"
This announcement almost made her choke to death.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
The grand hall was bustling with people. While not completely silent, such a sudden sound was extremely noticeable.
Everyone looked over, and Feng Yinwan choked even harder.
Before she could regain control, the teacup in her hand was snatched away, and a warm hand landed on her back, patting her in an orderly fashion.
"How can you be so careless?"
Ye Tinglan gently patted her back, his other hand holding a brocade handkerchief and offering it to her with a calm expression.
Feng Yinwan glared at him with slight indignation, doing her best to stifle her coughs.
How dare he ask!
She happened to catch a glimpse of a trace from within the brocade box.
Confirming it was indeed the Hundred-Eyed Spirit Rhinoceros, Feng Yinwan furrowed her brows, her heart instantly tightening.
No wonder he had been so hesitant to agree earlier; he had secretly ordered it sent back to the palace.
To display it publicly at the banquet today, and in such a common brocade box, was he doing this deliberately?
As if sensing her thoughts, Ye Tinglan's ink-black eyes met hers. Feng Yinwan understood. She tidied her skirt and set aside the handkerchief.
The banquet continued for a long time before finally winding down.
Having been scrutinized by countless eyes, both overt and covert, Feng Yinwan's smile had become almost numb.
Just as she was rubbing her aching face, the light in front of her dimmed, and a figure swayed into view.
Feng Yinwan blinked slightly and, upon looking up, met a face too familiar to be any more familiar.
"Brother Tinglan."
Qin Rulian, holding a wine goblet, approached gracefully. Although she stood before Ye Tinglan, her eyes darted towards Feng Yinwan.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow and met her gaze unflinchingly.
Her stare was sharp, imbued with a hidden edge and killing intent. Unexpectedly encountering such a powerful aura, Qin Rulian was startled and awkwardly averted her eyes.
"Ting..."
The word escaped her lips before a coldness immediately silenced her.
Qin Rulian's hand holding the wine goblet trembled. She bit her lip and said, "Prince Mo."
Ye Tinglan spoke, his voice colder than his gaze.
"What is it?"
"Rulian wishes to toast the Prince."
As she spoke, she moved to offer the goblet forward, but before it could descend, Ye Tinglan coldly refused.
"No need. I never drink with women. You are the Empress's nephew, and there is no reason for you to toast me. Begone."
This statement was utterly cold, devoid of any past affection.
Qin Rulian had not expected such a straightforward refusal. Her face immediately turned pale.
Beside her, Feng Yinwan, however, propped her chin with amusement.
Interesting.
The little white lotus had been causing trouble in the manor for a long time, and Ye Tinglan's attitude towards her was never like this before.
Earlier, she hadn't quite believed the servants who said Ye Tinglan had kicked Qin Rulian out of the manor. Now, it seemed, she was somewhat curious about what kind of trouble this little white lotus had gotten herself into.
Perhaps her obvious enjoyment of the spectacle caused Qin Rulian's knuckles to whiten as she gripped the wine goblet. She glared at Feng Yinwan with a mixture of humiliation and anger.
Then, as if making a great decision, she looked back at Ye Tinglan.
"Does the Prince truly intend to take such a woman as a concubine?"
If not for the Empress's restraint, she would have spoken up earlier during the banquet.
This woman's words and actions were crude, lacking any etiquette, yet Ye Tinglan publicly requested to make her a concubine. And she! Having shamelessly stayed in the manor for years, she had never even earned a second glance from him!
Why?
Where was she inferior to Feng Yinwan?
The raging jealousy in her eyes was about to consume her.
However, before she could receive Ye Tinglan's reply, Feng Yinwan lightly chuckled and spoke.
"Miss Qin, you seem to be quite well-read and virtuous. Why don't you tell me then, what kind of woman am I?"
Her voice was unhurried and carried a faint smile, which, in Qin Rulian's eyes, was like a triumphant flaunt.
She glared fiercely, her eyes almost venomous.
"Do you not know what kind of person you are? The Prince is of noble status. How can you be so easily matched with him!"
Biting her lip, she looked at Ye Tinglan in a distressed and annoyed manner. "Brother Tinglan, she is a lowly person, her behavior is crude and vulgar, and she lacks any semblance of etiquette. How can she be worthy of being a concubine! You..."
"Enough."
The jade goblet on the table cracked with a sharp sound, immediately silencing Qin Rulian.
Seeing this, Feng Yinwan calmly interjected.
"Your Highness, don't rush. I think this lady's words are quite right. Regarding the matter of the concubine, why don't you reconsider?"
She gently placed her hand on Ye Tinglan's hand, fearing he might have thrown the jade goblet and scared Qin Rulian away.
Unexpectedly, her fingertips felt a weight as Ye Tinglan held her hand in return.
"Pay no mind to what others say. My mind is made up and will not change."
Feng Yinwan: "...I am truly impressed, you old scoundrel!"
She was utterly speechless. Her gaze fell on their clasped hands, and Qin Rulian's heart seethed with hatred.
A flash of malice in her eyes, she recklessly flung the cup of wine towards Feng Yinwan.
Almost the instant she moved, Feng Yinwan sensed her intention. A smirk played on her lips, but she did not dodge.
"Splash—"
The wine fell and soaked her clothes, immediately leaving a large wet stain on her dress.