Before Qin Rulian could even get close, a sharp needle tip pressed against her neck.
Startled, Qin Rulian froze in place. Only when a sharp sting bloomed on her neck did she snap back to reality, her face instantly turning ashen.
"Princess... Princess Consort?"
Feng Yinwan glared at her, her lips pressed into a thin line, her expression icy. Her eyes, slightly reddened at the corners, made her appear like a handsome Asura from the deepest hell.
"Qin Rulian, how dare you?"
Yubing was one of the few soft spots in her heart. To dare harm her was a path to death!
Qin Rulian was already shocked that she was unharmed. Now, sensing the killing intent in Feng Yinwan's eyes, her body stiffened, and her face drained of all color.
"Princess... Princess Consort, what are you saying? Rulian just... just returned from the palace and doesn't quite understand..."
She had secretly orchestrated last night's events and had actually stayed in the palace to distance herself from it. Her return at this hour was likely to ascertain the truth.
Feng Yinwan certainly didn't believe her.
"Don't understand?"
With a flick of her slender finger, the sharp needle tip left a bloody scratch on her neck.
Qin Rulian cried out, her face pale. Before she could react further, her hair was roughly grabbed.
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. This Princess Consort wants you to experience the same pain Yubing did!"
Several candles were still burning in the room. Feng Yinwan dragged her all the way to the desk, her hands exerting all their strength.
Seeing her intention, Qin Rulian trembled violently, then screamed uncontrollably.
"You... What are you doing! I did nothing, why are you treating me like this! It's your maid's fault for dying and you getting burned like this, don't blame me!"
She shrieked as if driven mad, attracting the attention of the guards outside. Feng Yinwan, however, paid no heed. With a raise of her hand, she slapped Qin Rulian hard across the face.
The force of this blow was unprecedented. Qin Rulian's vision swam, her head snapped to the side, and blood immediately seeped from the corner of her mouth.
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes locked onto her, her gaze exceptionally cold.
"As you said, this slap is also because of your own misfortune!"
With a yank of her hair, Qin Rulian's body lurched forward, and Feng Yinwan firmly pressed her onto the table.
The burning candle was close at hand. With a delicate lift of her slender, jade-like hand, the candlestick was entirely lifted.
The flickering flames cast an ambiguous shadow on half of Feng Yinwan's face. In the dim light, the bloodthirsty killing intent in her eyes was piercing.
"Remember well for this Princess Consort, what it feels like to be burned."
Her body pinned down, unable to move an inch, Qin Rulian twisted her head, her eyes wide open. She could only let out a scream.
The guards rushed forward.
"Princess Consort, open flames are dangerous, please put it down!"
"Let's talk, Princess Consort, please release Miss Qin first..."
As they spoke, they attempted to intervene, but as soon as they got close, the candlelight swept across their eyes, forcing them to retreat.
Feng Yinwan withdrew her hand and said coldly.
"Get out. This does not concern you. If you dare to step forward again, do not blame this Princess Consort for being impolite!"
As she spoke, the flame licked at Qin Rulian's nape. Scalding wax dripped down, eliciting a pig-like scream from Qin Rulian.
"Princess Consort!"
The guards still wanted to press forward, but two silver needles suddenly flew out, sealing their acupoints.
Qin Rulian wore fine brocade, which melted into a large hole upon contact with the flame. As she struggled, strands of her scattered hair caught fire, immediately emitting a pungent smell of burning.
Feng Yinwan watched her with a calm expression, her face devoid of any emotion.
"Ah—!"
The flames licked greedily at her nape. Qin Rulian's carefully maintained tender white skin instantly turned red and swollen, her flesh becoming blurred. However, this was nothing compared to the horrifying wounds on Yubing!
"I will repay Yubing for all the suffering she endured!"
Her grip was strong and unyielding. Qin Rulian cried out for a long time while pinned down, her eyes rolling back slightly.
The guards watched the scene, their foreheads beaded with sweat from fear. They forced the silver needles out with internal energy, but before they could advance, a chilling voice echoed in the room.
"Feng Yinwan, what are you doing."
The next moment, a sharp, cold aura filled the room, and her wrist was gripped tightly by a powerful hand.
The candlestick flew from her hand, scattering. Ye Tinglan glared at her with a dark, menacing expression, his face ashen and somber.
"Who permitted you to lay a hand on her."
Qin Rulian, who had been barely conscious, managed to lift her head upon hearing this. "Tinglan Gege..."
The words had barely left her lips before she slumped back down.
His gaze fell on the patch of red on her nape. Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed. He looked down and met Feng Yinwan's sarcastic gaze.
"Does Your Highness feel pained?"
"This concubine is merely making her suffer a little. Yubing's wounds are a hundred times more severe than this!"
Ye Tinglan's grip on her wrist tightened.
"Nonsense! I told you about this last night, why wouldn't you listen!"
A sharp pain suddenly shot through her abdomen. Feng Yinwan's face paled slightly. She pursed her lips and scoffed.
"Does Your Highness truly believe what he said?"
"Not just this matter. She has framed me many times before. Did Your Highness ever believe this concubine!"
If he had believed her, why would he have shielded her time and again!
And this time, he would do the same!
Ye Tinglan gave her a profound look and coldly released her hand.
"Go and summon the imperial physician!"
With that, he scooped up Qin Rulian and hurried out. The guards followed suit, but none paid any attention to Feng Yinwan behind them.
The intense pain from the premature labor made Feng Yinwan bite her lip to endure, a fine layer of cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.
"Miss..."
A faint murmur from Yubing by the bed. Feng Yinwan gritted her teeth and straightened up, stepping forward.
...
As night fell, a group of imperial physicians remained in Xiuchun Courtyard.
Ye Tinglan had left in a hurry, leaving no guards behind, which made it convenient for Feng Yinwan to leave.
"Princess Consort."
Yubing was still unconscious. Song Qing'an looked apologetic, unable to believe so much had happened in just three days.
"I should have come sooner."
Feng Yinwan shook her head and pulled Yubing's cloak tighter around her.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Song Qing'an nodded, then bent down to carry Yubing onto his back.
"The carriage is waiting at the back gate of the manor, Princess Consort, let's go."
Feng Yinwan nodded, then knocked over the candlestick on the desk and pushed the door open.
As the fire started in the front courtyard, Ye Tinglan was still in Xiuchun Courtyard. Qi Xuan was the first to notice the anomaly and rushed in to report.
"Your Highness, the front courtyard is on fire! It seems to be... in the direction of Runyu Pavilion where the Princess Consort is!"
Ye Tinglan's expression changed upon hearing this, and he made to rise. Qin Rulian, who had been feigning unconsciousness, immediately spoke.
"Tinglan Gege..."
However, the figure in black seemed not to hear, and he left her, rushing outside.