Even though she had prepared herself mentally, Feng Yinwan couldn't help but want to shed tears upon seeing the gaunt faces of Old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan.
Years on the battlefield had not withered them as much as this single month here.
Their former pride had been utterly destroyed, leaving behind only decaying husks.
Her heart felt as if pricked by needles, a fine, sharp pain coursing through her.
Feng Yinwan watched in horror as they bound her father and brother and pushed them onto the prisoner cart. Her hand tightened around the silver needles, almost losing control.
The moment her reason faltered, a gentle warmth pressed lightly against the back of her hand.
Feng Yinwan looked up and saw Song Qing'an silently shaking his head at her.
The convoy soon departed, its destination unknown.
Feng Yinwan stood up, ready to chase after them, but Song Qing'an held her sleeve.
"What is it?"
Her heart was anxious, and her voice carried a hint of impatience.
Song Qing'an looked up at her, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating.
Feng Yinwan frowned. "Song Qing'an?"
"Wan'er, it seems Uncle had already anticipated this."
He had explained the situation to Old General Feng in the camp earlier, but to his surprise, Old General Feng had immediately ordered him to take Feng Yinwan and leave.
Before he could ask more questions, the imperial guards arrived with an edict, and he had no choice but to retreat.
Recently, the Ning clan had used various court officials to submit false evidence framing Old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan. The Prince of Dingnan had also been watching their movements, viewing the Feng family as a thorn in his side.
Under such combined pressure, the Emperor could not simply ignore it.
He knew that this escort would not be simple. However, the people who came to take them were all top-tier experts. Whether for his own sake or because of the promise he made to Old General Feng in the camp, he could not let Feng Yinwan be in danger.
"What else did Father say?"
Song Qing'an pursed his lips and replied truthfully, "Uncle asked me to take you away and not to investigate this matter further."
The same words as the last time in the prison!
But to make her sit by and watch her father and brother be persecuted, what was the difference between that and killing her?
Feng Yinwan's pretty face turned cold, and she directly mounted her horse.
"I will not leave!"
On the contrary, this time, she would chase after them!
While Song Qing'an hesitated, she had already galloped off to pursue the prisoner cart.
His expression tightened with urgency, and he quickly followed.
Unlike the hurried departure, the horse caravan slowed down to an unusual pace after taking the prisoners.
Feng Yinwan actually spotted the convoy's trail not long after she set off.
Knowing that the skilled individuals had formidable inner energy and it was not advisable to approach easily, she could only follow at a discreet distance.
When Song Qing'an caught up, the convoy had just stopped.
They both looked up, only to find two horse-drawn carriages that had appeared out of nowhere in front of them.
In an instant, the curtain of the left carriage was lifted, revealing the figure of the Prince of Dingnan!
The scene at the celebration banquet, where he had deliberately made things difficult and insisted on marrying Yun Shu to Ye Tinglan, flashed back into her mind.
Feng Yinwan's heart suddenly tightened, and her breath caught.
The leader stopped his horse in front of the carriage, facing the right one, from which no sound had come.
"Your Highness, the people have been brought."
As these words were spoken, Feng Yinwan's heart tightened further.
The next moment, the small curtain on the carriage window was slowly lifted by a pair of slender, pale fingers.
Her voice, which she knew all too well, laced with bone-chilling coldness, drifted out.
"Proceed."
Her tone was indifferent, devoid of any emotion, yet it made Feng Yinwan's body stiffen, and she instantly felt a chill run through her.
The person in that carriage was Ye Tinglan!
Before she could even begin to process why he would be there, her thoughts were interrupted by the clinking of chains on the prisoner cart.
Her father and brother were almost dragged out from above and then forcibly made to kneel on the ground.
What did they intend to do!
In a moment of panic, two sharp blades flashed with cold light in the night sky.
The Prince of Dingnan narrowed his eyes, his gaze towards them exceptionally fierce.
"Strike!"
The instant these words were uttered, those two cold blades descended swiftly, their targets clear: Old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan!
No—!
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes snapped open wide, a scream on the verge of escaping her lips.