In executing Ye Tinglan's orders, Qi Xuan never faltered. If he was told to protect her safety, he truly stayed by her side, never leaving.
Feng Yinwan's attempts to throw needles and poison were useless. This fellow was not only skilled in Qinggong, but also incredibly resilient!
Stuck with him like a piece of sticky candy for an entire day, Feng Yinwan was so fed up that she didn't even want to leave her room.
Yu Ping couldn't bear to see her young lady angry, but she was quite satisfied with Qi Xuan blocking Feng Yun outside.
She brewed a cup of tea, offered it to her, and then spoke again.
"Miss, perhaps your servant could go and speak with him again?"
Feng Yinwan waved her hand weakly, wanting to say that this fellow was utterly impervious to reason. Before she could even speak, however, a small stone pierced through the paper of the window and landed precisely in front of her.
The candlelight on the desk flickered, illuminating the stone.
Wrapped around it was a slip of paper.
"Miss?"
Yu Ping also noticed the commotion and was immediately startled.
She hurriedly opened the door to look, but when she returned, she saw that Feng Yinwan had already reached out and taken the paper.
Her expression was solemn as she glanced at Yu Ping, then nodded.
"You may go."
Yu Ping understood, nodded, and headed towards the door.
The atmosphere in the room grew quiet for a few moments. A dark shadow, taking advantage of Qi Xuan being called away, swiftly entered the room.
Almost instantly, Feng Yinwan stood up and stepped forward.
"You..."
The person who had appeared in the room was Song Qingan, who had not sent news for a long time.
"Greetings, Princess Consort."
Feng Yinwan shook her head and quickly helped him up.
"When did you return? Was it... Xu Yunxiao who told you?"
If he could find his way here, he must already know the whole story.
Song Qingan nodded.
"There was an urgent family matter that required my return, so I came back to the capital directly from Yuzhou without informing the Princess Consort. This was my oversight."
Unprepared for this, Feng Yinwan was slightly taken aback, and only then did she notice the haggard look in his eyes.
Meeting her gaze, Song Qingan added, "It's just some trivial matters, the Princess Consort need not worry."
His tone was light, but for him to rush back from Yuzhou, it was likely no small matter.
Feng Yinwan subtly pursed her lips.
"Is Uncle... alright now?"
With her father and brother framed, Minister Song had always been indignant, always at the forefront of submitting memorials.
Ye Tingyu's maternal clan was already rampant, and the matters Song Qingan was investigating in Yuzhou were related to them. They might retaliate out of personal vendetta and act behind the scenes.
The figure beside her trembled for a moment.
Knowing he could not hide it from her, Song Qingan paused before continuing.
"There was a problem with the accounts approved by the Ministry of War, and His Majesty is currently ordering an investigation."
These few words were enough to show the seriousness of the situation.
Recalling the news from the Jinzhou military camp in the past two days, Feng Yinwan's heart tightened.
"Is it related to this matter?"
Song Qingan shook his head. "More than that."
The problem extended far beyond just Jinzhou.
No wonder he had to return to the capital in such a hurry. Minister Song was likely deeply implicated in this matter.
"Then Uncle..."
"My father accompanied His Majesty on a campaign in his early years and has an old ailment. His Majesty has shown great kindness and specially granted him permission to recuperate at home."
This statement was no different from being dismissed from office.
Unforeseen that things would turn out this way, Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, but before she could speak, she heard him say again,
"Princess Consort, I have investigated the matter of the prescription, but there is one more thing that is of utmost importance."
His tone was even more grave than before.
Feng Yinwan's heart tightened, her voice trembling slightly.
"What is it?"
"His Majesty has issued a secret decree to secretly transfer General Feng and Young Master Feng from the barren lands. The situation is not optimistic."
The moment these words were spoken, another figure flashed into the room. Before Feng Yinwan could see clearly, a palm struck towards Song Qingan.
The palm wind collided, and a wave of energy exploded in mid-air.
Feng Wuxi narrowed his eyes and looked at Feng Yinwan.
"One leaves, and another arrives."
"What is this Wuxi Pavilion of mine, a marriage hall?"
The mockery in his words ceased the moment he met Feng Yinwan's gaze.
Sensing something was amiss with her expression, he frowned. "What's wrong?"
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, her hands by her sides clenched tightly, her knuckles turning somewhat pale.
"Feng Wuxi, you must help me this time."
For two consecutive days, Qi Xuan had monitored her more closely than money itself.
Ye Tinglan had returned at some unknown time. When she returned to her room, that figure in black was already seated there.
Seeing her, he extended a large hand.
"Come here."
His tone was intimate, as if they were lovers.
Feng Yinwan's eyes subtly sharpened, and she stepped forward.
Her body was easily pulled into his embrace. His fingers were long and slender, appearing even more fair against the backdrop of his black attire.
A moment of daze, and a very light weight fell onto her hair.
Feng Yinwan startled and instinctively glanced at the bronze mirror on the desk.
It was a wooden hairpin.
The color did not match her clothes well, and the craftsmanship was somewhat rough, not like something sold in a shop.
Her gaze shifted, and she instinctively tried to remove it, but before her hand could touch it, her wrist was grasped.
"Wear it."
"You haven't been sleeping well lately. This agarwood has calming properties and can be of some help."
He had just touched the hairpin, and a faint, light fragrance lingered on his fingertips, captivating the senses.
Feng Yinwan's eyelashes fluttered. She lowered her eyes, withdrew her hand, and said softly,
"Ye Tinglan, I agree to go back with you."