Where his gaze fell, everything was a scene of grotesque, demonic forms.
The surrounding flower bushes had transformed into flickering flames, the stone platforms and pillars had contorted into horrifying shapes, and the most terrifying was Yun Shu.
She looked up, her once delicate and somewhat frail face now that of a monster with a gaping maw!
The maid's face turned ashen, and she immediately let out an uncontrollable scream.
"Ah—a demon… a monster!"
This accusation was clearly directed at Yun Shu.
Upon hearing this, Yun Shu frowned and immediately rebuked with displeasure.
"Yan'er? What nonsense are you spouting!"
The maid, however, heard nothing.
Seeing her inching closer, she was overcome with terror and wildly swung her hands.
"No… don't come near! Don't come near me!"
Her screams pierced the eardrums.
The slaps rained down, incredibly fast and vicious. Yun Shu had no time to dodge and took two solid blows.
Already weakened, she stumbled back several steps and then crashed heavily to the ground.
"Yan'er, you've gone mad!"
This maid was usually very well-behaved. In Yun Shu's eyes, her actions were indeed those of madness.
She was furious, and a flush of red rose to her face, masking her illness. Yet the maid seemed possessed, picking up a broken stone from the ground and preparing to hurl it.
Yun Shu, seeing this, was instantly terrified. "You… stop! Ah…!"
With a "bang," the stone was shattered by a gust of palm wind before it could fall.
Ye Ting Lan, his face grim, stepped forward and with another palm strike, sent the maid flying back.
"Enough. Even playfulness has its limits."
He directed this at Feng Yin Wan, who was watching from the side.
However, before his words had even landed, the little dumpling in his arms, with a fierce pout, spoke.
"Why are you yelling! I was the one who threw the poison, it has nothing to do with Mama!"
It was clearly the maid who had provoked them first. Mama hadn't even killed her, which was already merciful!
Ye Ting Lan's brow furrowed, and he spoke again in a deep voice, "The antidote."
To his surprise, the woman opposite him smirked and said coldly.
"It's merely a 'Huan Dan' (Illusion Pill). This pill is not a poison, so naturally, there is no antidote."
Her gaze swept over Ye Ting Lan, carrying a hint of unspoken mockery.
"In half an hour, its effects will naturally subside. Before then, there is no remedy."
With that, she hugged the little dumpling and left directly.
Afterwards, Ye Ting Lan's tightly furrowed brow darkened with gloom, and he had no choice but to knock the maid unconscious with a palm strike.
Yun Shu, still shaken, breathed a sigh of relief upon witnessing this scene.
If not for Ye Ting Lan, she couldn't even imagine the consequences…
Her face pale, she looked up and saw Ye Ting Lan's gaze fixed on a certain spot, his expression like stone.
Yun Shu started, then looked down to find that in the chaos, the food box had been overturned, its pastries scattered everywhere, most notably.
Her heart tightened, and she immediately spoke.
"Your Highness, these are all…"
Her explanation was cut short by the icy glint in his ink-dark eyes.
Ye Ting Lan glanced at her, the depths of his eyes darkening as if with frost.
"Chao An."
This simple utterance, neither light nor heavy, carried a clear warning.
The person on the ground trembled, then fell silent.
"The path you chose is your own. Do not forget your station. Today's incident, I do not wish to see a second time."
"Yes…"
As they entered Hengwu Courtyard, the little dumpling on her shoulder made a face at the retreating figures.
Feng Yin Wan glanced down and gently patted his back.
"Alright, what's so interesting to look at."
It was nothing more than a tiresome display of feigned pity and solicitous words, enough to make one lose their appetite just thinking about it.
Hearing this, Feng Jin Chen immediately turned, his small hands affectionately wrapping around her neck, calling out "Mama" sweetly.
Seeing her expression soften slightly, he then pouted his lips and complained aggrievedly.
"Mama, why did you only just return… You don't know, they almost tricked me just now. Luckily, I was strong-willed and didn't give them any chance. Otherwise, someone would have surely picked up a smart and obedient son like me and wouldn't have returned me."
Mama had been gone for several days and hadn't sent any news. She didn't care about him enough!
Hmph! ╭(╯^╰)╮
His pout was so pronounced, it seemed as if he were truly wronged.
Feng Yin Wan let out a soft snort, unmoved.
"A few pastries managed to trick you? Feng Jin Chen, where's your backbone?"
His bluff called, Feng Jin Chen's small face flushed, and he clung to her even tighter.
"I… I didn't!"
"Didn't?"
He buried his face in her shoulder for a moment, guiltily, then gave up struggling.
"Okay, Mama, don't be angry. I didn't mean to eat them. It's… it's all that bad old King's fault!"
"He wouldn't let me eat pastries and had people watching me. I was momentarily confused and strayed from the path, sob sob sob…"
As he spoke, he secretly observed Feng Yin Wan's expression. Seeing that she looked surprised, as if she were hearing this for the first time, he gained confidence.
"That's right, Mama! The bad old King abuses children. It's not good here at all. I… I want to go back."
Afraid of displeasing Feng Yin Wan again, he said this cautiously.
To his surprise, his demeanor struck Feng Yin Wan deeply.
Her son was a piece of her own flesh and blood. How could she not feel for him? But the current situation did not allow her to act on her whims.
Hearing his words, she tightened her embrace around him and could only comfort him gently. "Wait a little longer. Mama will take you back as soon as possible."
She paused, then added resolutely, "Until then, Mama will stay here with you."