"Who are you calling dead? What nonsense are you spouting!"
Just as Madam Yu was about to reprimand him, she caught sight of the sinister expression flashing across the black-clad man's face and immediately paused.
"Yiyi..."
Feng Yiyi also sensed something was amiss. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and the hand hidden in her sleeve clenched tightly.
"You weren't sent by the Fourth Prince to fetch us. Who are you!"
The leader of the black-clad men grinned ferociously, "Miss Feng Er, we were indeed sent by the Fourth Prince to fetch you. However, your destination is not the prince's manor, but the underworld!"
The moment he spoke, several cold glints flashed around them. The blades were terrifyingly pale, causing Madam Yu and Feng Yiyi to gasp.
Feng Yiyi suppressed her trembling and spoke, "What... what do you mean? The Fourth Prince and I had an agreement. I need to see him personally!"
Her words were met with a sneer from the man.
"There's no need to see him. The Prince has already decreed that the Feng family are traitors who have colluded with the enemy. The Ning family has just earned military merit and it would be inconvenient to be associated with rebels."
"As for Miss Feng Er, the borderlands are not a place for a sheltered maiden like yourself. The Prince, being compassionate, has ordered us to grant you a swift end. With Madam Yu accompanying you, you won't be lonely in the afterlife."
The carefully woven dream shattered in an instant. Feng Yiyi glared, refusing to believe.
"You're lying! This is impossible! The Prince clearly promised me the position of a concubine after this was done! It must be you... you have ill intentions and were ordered by someone else to kill me!"
Seeing her persistent foolishness even now, the man's face flickered with malice, and he raised his hand.
"Attack!"
At his command, the black-clad men surged forward. Feng Yiyi was still stunned when Madam Yu shoved her forward.
"Yiyi, hurry and go!"
Before she could finish speaking, she was pushed down by a black-clad man. The bundle on her back fell to the ground, scattering gold and jewelry everywhere.
Feng Yiyi suddenly snapped back to reality, "Mother!"
Madam Yu was not the target. The black-clad men bypassed her and lunged at Feng Yiyi. However, before they could get close, Madam Yu grabbed their pant legs.
Ignoring the injury to her face from the fall, Madam Yu desperately held onto the black-clad man's calf and shouted at Feng Yiyi.
"Yiyi, hurry and go!"
"Go? Heh, don't worry, neither of you will escape today."
With that, the black-clad man kicked her away. Madam Yu fell backward and a mouthful of blood surged to her throat.
Feng Yiyi's body froze, her face ashen.
"Hurry and go!"
As if finally understanding, Feng Yiyi turned to flee, but stumbled as she got up.
The blade descended before her eyes, mere inches away.
In a moment of silence, Madam Yu's hand gripping the blade bled profusely, and she turned to look at Feng Yiyi.
"Hurry and go!"
His target missed, the black-clad man angrily withdrew his sword and slashed Madam Yu across the back.
"You old hag, then I'll finish you first!"
A piercing scream echoed through the sky. Feng Yiyi finally couldn't help but look back.
"Mother!"
With a scream, she lunged forward, only for the black-clad man to unceremoniously kick Madam Yu aside and charge at her with his sword.
Feng Yiyi's face turned deathly pale, and she stumbled forward again.
"Run, no matter how fast you run, you'll end up like your mother and die!"
The cold words, like a venomous snake's tongue, chased after her. Feng Yiyi ran on instinct, with only one thought in her mind.
Escape, survive!
Ahead, there was a faint flicker of fire – the imperial guards patrolling outside the General's mansion.
Sensing her intention, the black-clad man was about to make a move, but Feng Yiyi shouted first.
"Help—"
This cry successfully drew the attention of the imperial guards. Seeing this, the black-clad man's face twisted with malice. He swung his sword, but it only struck Feng Yiyi's back.
Feng Yiyi grunted and, with all her might, dashed into the dark alley. The black-clad man wanted to pursue, but the imperial guards arrived first.
"Who goes there!"
...
The night was already exceptionally turbulent, and Feng Yinwan had not rested well in the Bixueqingju.
At the end of the fifth watch, Ye Tingyun was making arrangements for her departure from the palace when the door to the side room was opened from within.
"You're awake at just the right time. The imperial physicians haven't entered the palace yet. You said last night you wanted to see Third Brother. Come with me quickly."
It was not yet dawn, and there were few palace maids and eunuchs on the palace roads. To avoid attracting attention, Ye Tingyun had specifically asked her to change into eunuch attire.
Those left to attend her at Jiuzhou Xiangxie included Qingruo and a new palace maid sent from Consort Rong's palace. As Feng Yinwan entered, the two were sweeping the courtyard and didn't notice her.
"Your Highness Prince Yun."
"Mm, I've come to see Third Brother."
Ye Tingyun led her directly into the hall. On the bed in the inner chamber, the figure in black was as still as ink, as cold as if devoid of any life.
Feng Yinwan's heart stirred, and she heard Ye Tingyun whisper, "Go in, I'll watch from here."
He then sat down on a master's chair nearby. Feng Yinwan nodded and immediately stepped inside.
As soon as she approached, a strong medicinal scent filled her nostrils, with a faint, almost imperceptible hint of cold fragrance mixed in.
Feng Yinwan paused, finding the scent somewhat familiar.
"Ye Tinglan?"
The person on the bed had a stern face and his eyes were tightly closed, offering no response. Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she stepped forward to check his pulse. Her fingertips felt only a faint beat.
She pursed her lips, dismissing it as her imagination.
Indeed, Ye Tinglan was so gravely injured; how could the person from last night have been him?
When Ye Tingyun entered, he saw her re-bandaging Ye Tinglan's wounds. Her movements were careful and precise, with a hint of... gentleness?
He rubbed his eyes, finding it hard to believe what he was seeing.
Before he could marvel, Feng Yinwan saw him, pulled the quilt up, and stood up.
"It's done."
Ye Tingyun:?
What was done? He hadn't seen enough yet!
He rubbed his nose and had no choice but to nod, "I'll have someone escort you out of the palace."
The events of last night had not yet subsided, and the palace gates were still heavily guarded. Feng Yinwan left hidden within the imperial kitchen's food delivery convoy.
As she reached the manor gate, a figure descended from the eaves – it was Song Qing'an.
"Your Highness Consort."
Seeing that he was unharmed, Feng Yinwan nodded, her heart easing considerably.
"It's good that you're alright."
Last night, he had left her to draw the pursuers away alone, and the situation had been dire. Although she had been rescued by Ye Tingyun, she had still been worried about Song Qing'an.
As if not expecting such a reaction, Song Qing'an was slightly taken aback, a faint blush quickly appearing on his face.
He hesitated, then spoke again, "Did Your Highness Consort encounter any trouble?"
Feng Yinwan paused for a moment, then shook her head, "With Prince Yun's assistance, everything is under control."
Song Qing'an nodded, not seeming surprised. "That's good. I shall take my leave."
He had originally been waiting here for news of Feng Yinwan, and now that she was safe, he departed.
Feng Yinwan turned, about to step into the manor, when Yùpíng caught up from behind.
"Miss, something has happened at the General's mansion. Madam Yu... is dead."