"Dead?"
The news came too suddenly. For the first time in a while, Feng Yinwan showed surprise on her face.
Yuping nodded. "I just heard that Consort Yu tried to escape with her travel money last night, but somehow she died in the back alley of the General's Mansion. The Imperial Guards found her already dead."
Given that they were about to be exiled, Consort Yu's attempt to escape was understandable.
However, the General's Mansion was heavily guarded by the Imperial Guards. How did she get out, and how did she die? These were questions.
Frowning, Feng Yinwan then asked, "Where is Feng Yiyi?"
Consort Yu valued Feng Yiyi's life even more than her own. If she planned to escape, she would definitely take Feng Yiyi with her.
Yuping shook her head. "I heard that only Consort Yu's body was found. The Second Miss doesn't seem to be with her."
How could that be?
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed again. She turned and immediately retreated from the mansion.
"Return to the General's Mansion."
When they arrived, the Imperial Guards were counting the household staff. Seeing her, they maintained a professional demeanor.
"The General's Mansion has been sealed. Princess Consort Mo, please return."
Feng Yinwan pressed her lips and nodded. "This Princess Consort has no intention of interfering with the imperial decree. I heard about the murder case here today and specifically returned to investigate. Could the General grant me some convenience?"
The Emperor's decree only mentioned exiling the people of the General's Mansion. Now that Consort Yu was dead, things had become a little different.
If Feng Yinwan were to bring this matter to the Emperor's attention, they might be accused of incompetence.
The Imperial Guards hesitated, then nodded after a moment's silence. "Please make it quick, Your Highness."
"Mm."
The guard opened the gate for Feng Yinwan and retreated. The household staff were gathered in the front courtyard, their sobs intermittent. Feng Yinwan knew they were not crying for the General's Mansion, but for themselves.
She glanced from afar, and Feng Yiyi was not among the crowd. Her brow furrowed, and she strode forward with Yuping.
"Eldest Miss?"
When the Imperial Guards read out the imperial decree yesterday, they had already stated that Feng Yinwan was not among those to be exiled.
The household staff were clearly surprised to see her at this time and immediately stood up.
"Eldest Miss, are you here to save us?"
"Oh, if that's the case, that would be wonderful!"
The household staff rose, their faces filled with joy, without any trace of their previous mistreatment of Feng Yinwan.
Feng Yinwan raised her eyes and looked at them coldly, her beautiful eyes devoid of emotion.
"The Emperor's orders are difficult to defy. This Princess Consort cannot save you."
These parasites, who had followed Consort Yu in their arrogance and enjoyed riches, should now pay for their deeds.
Hearing this, everyone's spirits immediately fell, and they slumped back down.
Their attitude was a stark contrast to what it had been moments before.
Feng Yinwan paid them no mind. She lowered her eyelids and walked directly towards Consort Yu's body.
"Has a coroner been called to examine the body? What was the cause of death?"
The guard's eyes flickered. "The Emperor's decree did not mention this matter. The General's Mansion is sealed, and it's not convenient for a coroner to enter. Please understand, Your Highness."
For someone about to be exiled, there was indeed no need for such formalities.
Feng Yinwan nodded. "May this Princess Consort examine it herself?"
Knowing her medical skills, her understanding of autopsies was normal. The guard nodded and did not obstruct her.
"Please, Your Highness."
Feng Yinwan nodded and leaned down, about to lift the white cloth. At that moment, the household staff, like starving dogs fighting over a bone, erupted in protest.
"Eldest Miss, what are you doing! The deceased deserve respect. Madam Yu was your concubine mother. Her passing is already a tragedy. Why are you disrespecting her?"
"Exactly! We thought she had come back to save us out of kindness, but who knew she wouldn't care about any of us! We're all being exiled to the wilderness to suffer, while she remains in the capital, still the noble Princess Consort Mo!"
"Alas, people say the master was biased, and it's true. Look at the Second Miss, she's a concubine's daughter, and yet she's suffering the same fate as us!"
"Hey? Speaking of which, where is the Second Miss?"
As if just noticing Feng Yiyi's absence, the person's face flushed, and they quickly tried to cover it up.
"I saw her last night. She must be heartbroken after hearing the bad news about Madam Yu and has gone somewhere to hide. I hope she doesn't do anything rash."
These words were laced with sarcasm, and Feng Yinwan listened coldly, her expression unruffled.
"Are you done?"
"What..."
The servant was stunned and looked up to meet her icy gaze.
"If you're done, then shut your mouth."
"Instead of being sarcastic and sharp-tongued, you'd be better off thinking about how to survive after your exile. After all, the Emperor isn't sending you on a vacation."
The desolate borderlands, one could imagine the hardship without even thinking.
The servants' faces changed upon hearing this. Feng Yinwan raised her beautiful eyes, her voice growing colder.
"Of course, if anyone cannot bear the hardship and does not wish to be exiled, it's not impossible."
She raised her slender finger and pointed directly at a carved stone pillar opposite them.
"See that pillar? My suggestion is, you can just smash your head against it."
"Consort Yu did not become the General's wife in life. In death, this Princess Consort wouldn't mind sending a few of you to accompany her."
Her gaze was sharp, and her demeanor was so chillingly formidable that, even though they knew she was fearlessly telling them to die, the servants dared not retort.
Because Feng Yinwan would truly do it!
The clamor in the courtyard instantly subsided. The guards watched from the side, secretly clicking their tongues.
Princess Consort Mo, truly lived up to her reputation.
While they were stunned, Feng Yinwan had already lifted the white cloth. To be frank, Consort Yu's appearance was rather unpleasant, even horrific.
Yuping, unaccustomed to such a sight, was startled and immediately covered her eyes.
Feng Yinwan's expression remained indifferent as she examined Consort Yu's wounds.
Two knife wounds, one on the throat and one on the left chest, both sharp and fatal.
The throat wound was inflicted before the one on the left chest. After being cut, it gave her half a moment to survive. A lot of blood was lost, and then a stab to the heart killed her, which explained Consort Yu's terrifying expression.
It was certain that the person who killed Consort Yu was a professional assassin.
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed, and she found it somewhat puzzling.
With the General's Mansion in ruins and Consort Yu about to be exiled, who would want to silence her at such a juncture?
If it were revenge, they would not have dared to challenge the Imperial Guards so boldly. Excluding revenge, there was only one possibility—
Consort Yu harbored a secret, a secret that might be related to the framing of the General's Mansion!
Her brow furrowed, and her beautiful eyes involuntarily became focused.
Feng Yinwan pondered for a moment, and her heart suddenly tightened.
The marriage contract!