The curfew had just passed when a swift horse stopped silently at the back door of the inn.
In an instant, Qi Xuan emerged from the darkness.
"Your Highness."
Ye Tinglan nodded, his handsome face shrouded in a dark expression. "Where is the person?"
"Upstairs."
The woman waiting in the room was elderly and stooped, yet she carried herself with an air of strong discipline, clearly indicating a palace background.
"Your Highness, this is Shuang Ning, a palace maid who served in the Yu Ming Hall back then."
Qi Xuan had arrived in Jinzhou ahead of time, investigating this matter in secret.
"This old servant greets Prince Mo."
Ye Tinglan stared at the woman for a few moments, a chilling coldness suddenly seeping into his eyes.
"I remember you."
No longer the innocent and immature youth of the past, his words carried immense pressure.
After so many years, she hadn't expected them to find her. The woman knelt on the ground, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Qi Xuan glanced at her and spoke, "Tell His Highness everything that happened back then."
...
The courtyard was limited in space. Just before going to bed, Feng Yinwan decisively sent Yu Ping to Feng Yun.
Yu Ping looked wronged. "Miss, I don't want to be here."
Feng Yinwan held her hand and earnestly advised.
"But my courtyard only has one bed, how can I trouble you? Her place has more rooms, so you can sleep here!"
She had arrived at Wu Xi Ge late, and the larger residences in the estate were already occupied.
Feng Yun was a woman who studied poisons, so her residence was significantly larger than others.
"But..."
"Oh, stop with the 'buts'."
As they spoke, the courtyard gate opened from the inside. Feng Yun looked at them with suspicion.
"Why are you standing outside my door so late?"
Acting suspiciously, not like they were up to anything good.
Yu Ping fell silent instantly but was still forcefully pulled forward.
"I only have one bed, and Yu Ping has nowhere to sleep. Can she sleep here for a couple of days?"
She blinked her beautiful eyes, clearly not asking for permission.
Feng Yun's brows furrowed, and she instinctively wanted to refuse, but Yu Ping had already been pushed over.
"Alright, then it's settled!"
Without giving her a chance to refuse, Feng Yinwan handed over the servant and left, running faster than a rabbit.
The two women watched her retreating figure, their faces filled with resentment and dissatisfaction.
You better be able to sleep tonight!
Feng Yinwan not only slept but slept quite soundly. Apart from being a little cold, everything else was fine.
Autumn nights were cool. She pulled the thin quilt tighter around herself, but it was still somewhat ineffective. As she curled up, a warmth enveloped her from behind, and in her half-conscious state, she instinctively snuggled closer.
Mmm, this is nice, no longer cold.
As if satisfied, the corners of her lips curled up, and she even rubbed her face against it.
The warmth in front of her suddenly stiffened, and then quickly intensified.
A strong grip landed on her waist, and Feng Yinwan mumbled softly before falling into a deep sleep again.
When she opened her eyes again, the sky was already bright.
Pressed close against her was a patch of pale jade skin.
Below, a man's robe was slightly loosened.
Above, thin lips, a straight nose, and long, cold eyebrows.
Feng Yinwan's mind was muddled for a moment before she instantly sobered up. Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she raised her leg, intending to kick the person off the bed.
However, the moment her leg extended, her ankle was firmly grasped by a large hand.
A dry heat pressed against her cool skin. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and she was pulled back, her body wrapped tightly in the quilt.
"Awake."
A pair of lips, a voice carrying a hint of sleepiness, and a low huskiness. Feng Yinwan couldn't move, but her delicate face turned cold.
"What does Your Highness mean by this?"
Hadn't this person left last night?
When did he return, and sneak into her bed?