The city gates opened at Yinmo, and as the sky began to lighten, Feng Yinwan rose and went out.
"Miss."
Yuping had already prepared her luggage. Seeing her come out, she immediately stepped forward.
"Your servant has asked the kitchen to prepare food. You must be tired from the journey, please have some first."
There was still some time before Song Qingan would arrive. Feng Yinwan nodded, but before she could speak, a rustling sound was heard from outside the courtyard gate.
As she walked out, she bumped into Qi Xuan, who was quietly giving instructions to the guards. He seemed unprepared for her to get up so early, and his expression faltered, his demeanor immediately becoming somewhat evasive.
Recalling his unusual behavior yesterday, Feng Yinwan's delicate eyebrows subtly rose. Beside her, Yuping had already frowned and leaned in.
"Miss, what are they doing so mysteriously early in the morning? Your servant feels it doesn't bode well."
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes swept over the circle of guards, and she nodded in agreement.
Their furtive behavior was indeed suspicious.
Looking up, she met her cool gaze, and Qi Xuan's forehead twitched. He had no choice but to brace himself and step forward.
"Greetings, Princess."
Feng Yinwan responded with a noncommittal "Hmm" and eyed him deliberately.
"Yesterday, this Princess mentioned going to Yuzhou. Guard Qi said he had important matters and could not leave."
"If it was so important, why not attend to it with more urgency, but instead bring people to this Princess's courtyard so early in the morning?"
Did it look like they were going to seal off her Lanqing Courtyard?
Qi Xuan's expression indeed changed at her words. After a moment of hesitation, he clasped his fists.
"Please, Your Highness, do not go to Yuzhou."
Caught off guard by his attempt to stop her, Feng Yinwan narrowed her eyes, a cold glint appearing within them.
"Why?"
"The General's residence has been confiscated, and General Feng and Young Master Feng have been exiled from the capital. This matter is settled. Even if Your Highness finds anything unusual, the imperial decree will not be changed. Moreover... this journey will undoubtedly be perilous."
Feng Yinwan had considered how the matter would be handled after the investigation.
The Emperor's temper was capricious and unpredictable. To change the decree would undoubtedly show the world that he had believed slander and wronged a loyal subject.
Such a price was too great for a ruler.
But if he didn't change it, her father and brother's innocence would have no future!
Her fingertips tightened on the hem of her sleeve, Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, a resolute glint in her beautiful eyes.
"Whatever the outcome, I must go on this trip, and I cannot not go."
"Your Highness..."
"No need to say more!"
Her pretty face was etched with cold determination.
Knowing he could not dissuade her, Qi Xuan's eyes slightly dimmed. He tightened his grip on his clasped hands. "Your Highness, then I must offend you."
The moment he spoke, several guards surrounded her. Qi Xuan lowered his head and called out loudly.
"Please return to your courtyard and rest."
"Please return to your courtyard and rest!"
Everyone echoed in unison, their attitude extremely resolute.
Feng Yinwan looked at the situation before her and couldn't help but sneer, "Qi Xuan, you dare to confine this Princess? You are bold indeed!"
Qi Xuan's brow was like a mountain, unmoved.
"This subordinate is also considering Your Highness's safety. Please abandon the Yuzhou trip and return to your courtyard to rest."
He was usually the most obedient, but his current assertiveness was even more infuriating.
Feng Yinwan's lips curved into a cold smile, and anger flared in her beautiful eyes.
"Do you really think this can stop this Princess?"
The moment she spoke, a silver needle shot from her fingertip. Unprepared for her sudden move, Qi Xuan flinched and immediately dodged to the side.
"Your Highness, this subordinate has no intention of offending you, but this matter is indeed extremely dangerous. You should still..."
Feng Yinwan let out a cold snort, showing no mercy.
The silver needle aimed for vital points. Qi Xuan dared not attack and could only dodge, while the surrounding guards could only watch anxiously, unable to intervene.
Yuping had been torn between whether Feng Yinwan should go to Yuzhou. Seeing them actually start fighting, she became instantly anxious.
"Miss, please stop quickly! We can talk things through. Be careful not to harm the fetus!"
Feng Yinwan knitted her brows. "You tell him to stop first!"
She realized then that Qi Xuan hadn't attacked, and her expression faltered. She lowered her eyelashes and still struck out with her palm.
This blow landed on Qi Xuan's left shoulder. She hadn't held back her strength, and Qi Xuan hadn't dodged. He was directly repelled by the palm strike.
"Your Highness, this subordinate has committed insubordination and is willing to accept punishment. However, you truly cannot go to Yuzhou!"
Feng Yinwan's eyebrows furrowed even tighter. "As this Princess has said, you no longer need to mention this matter. If you dare to obstruct me again, do not blame this Princess for being impolite!"
With that, she flicked her silver needle towards the crowd. The crimson smoke of Mu Zi-purple burst in mid-air. Taking advantage of this opening, Feng Yinwan quickly disengaged.
She reckoned Song Qingan should have arrived at the residence by now. Feng Yinwan hurried towards the front courtyard, but as she passed the hanging flower gate, a chilling aura instantly stopped her in her tracks.
"Go back."
The man's back was to her. His presence was chilling, his silhouette tall and deep. Those two simple words sent a tremor through Feng Yinwan's heart.
"It really is you?"
She was too familiar with that tone. Besides Ye Tinglan, no one else in the world could replicate it.
So, it was him who had saved her twice in the palace?
But he clearly...
While she was in shock, her feet had already moved.
She saw a dark, black mask. The man's face was hidden behind it. His long, narrow, ink-like eyes almost merged with the mask, and all she could see was a pair of cold, thin lips.
However, even this was enough.
The blurred figure under the moonlight quickly overlapped with the person before her. So many questions flooded her mind. Feng Yinwan spoke, her voice already tinged with a slight tremor.
"Why?"
Why did he pretend to be unconscious after waking up? Why did he save her each time but show himself with a mask? Why... did he not want her to go to Yuzhou?
Her only response was silent coldness.
The stiff silence made Feng Yinwan's heart sink. After a long while, those handsome thin lips parted again.
"Yuzhou, you cannot go."
There was no explanation.
Her heart plummeted, and the coldness seemed to seep from her bones, instantly igniting her anger.
"Why can't I go? You know this matter is related to the Feng family. I must go, I absolutely must!"
As she spoke, she tried to push past him to leave. Unexpectedly, a sharp, cold force struck her before she could react, landing on the back of her neck.
With a brief, dull pain, Feng Yinwan lost consciousness and her body went limp, falling into those strong arms.
"Your Highness..."
Qi Xuan hurried over from behind and was visibly taken aback by this turn of events.
At such a critical moment, His Highness had personally left the palace. If he were discovered...
In response, Ye Tinglan let out a faint "Mm."
After a moment's pause, the figure in black holding the person in his arms headed towards the main courtyard.
Knowing he had failed, Qi Xuan lowered his head and stood to the side, not daring to offer any excuses.
Gently placing her on the bed, Ye Tinglan stood up, his voice deep and unreadable.
"Watch her closely."
Feng Yinwan was a stubborn person. She would likely cause trouble when she woke up.
Qi Xuan nodded, but felt the coldness before him suddenly intensify.
"Where is he?"