These words were undeniably an attempt to extricate her from the awkward situation.
Unprepared for such a turn of events, Feng Yinwan was visibly startled by the Empress Dowager’s words. She looked up to meet the Empress Dowager’s concerned gaze.
“Don’t just stand there, come, help this Empress Dowager over.”
Not a single word was spoken about the Feng family, yet every sentence was a defense of her.
Feng Yinwan’s heart stirred. She nodded mutely, “Yes.”
After news of the unfavorable war situation on the front lines reached the capital, the Empress Dowager had left the palace to pray for the dynasty’s fortune. News of the victory had only reached the Buddhist temple yesterday. It was only after returning to the capital yesterday that she learned of the Feng family’s plight.
The Empress Dowager did indeed place great importance on the child Feng Yinwan carried, but at this moment, it seemed to be more out of love for Ye Tingyun, extending to his consort.
Right and wrong resided in people’s hearts. In their eyes, Feng Yinwan’s position as the Ink Prince Consort was already unshakable.
Prince Dingnan frowned upon hearing this. Though displeased, he dared not speak out of respect for the Emperor’s silence.
It was Yunshu, however, who, upon seeing Feng Yinwan pass by, blinked her eyes and waved at her.
With the Empress Dowager present, no one in the hall dared to look down upon Feng Yinwan.
As soon as they were seated, Qin Rulian, following behind the Empress, arrived late. Her eyes clearly flashed with jealousy upon seeing Feng Yinwan’s seat.
This bitch… how could she, a daughter of a convicted official, still be seated there!
Had the Empress Dowager’s mind gone senile!
Soon, when she caught sight of Yunshu seated next to Ye Tinglan, she could no longer smile.
Who could tell her who this little slut was!
Where had she sprung from!
“There were some matters in the palace that delayed me. This consort apologizes for her lateness, I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
The Emperor glanced up, nodded faintly, and said, “Be seated.”
From Feng Yinwan’s perspective, the seats in the front row were in full view. Ning Fengyi and others were already waiting. Looking over, she unexpectedly spotted the general among them.
Feng Yinwan had seen him clearly when she was accused on the hall that day. She would never mistake that face.
“All of you are my beloved generals. Having pacified the border conflict, rooted out traitors and the corrupt, you are all meritorious officials. Today, I have specially arranged this celebration banquet to entertain you all. Let the court rejoice together, and raise your cups to this!”
As the Emperor’s words fell, the hall was filled with the clinking of cups. Feng Yinwan’s delicate face, holding a wine cup, turned slightly cold. Though she drank water, the words “rooted out traitors and the corrupt” were more pungent than wine as they went down.
Sensing her unusual demeanor, Ye Tingyun subtly reminded her from under the table. Feng Yinwan snapped back to attention, only then realizing her knuckles were already turning white from gripping the wine cup.
“What is wrong with the Ink Prince Consort? Your complexion is so pale. Are you feeling unwell?”
These words came from Concubine Ning.
With the Feng family already banished, it was difficult for her, a daughter of a “traitor and corrupt official,” to smile while drinking others’ celebratory wine.
Concubine Ning was intentionally striking at her raw wound.
Feng Yinwan looked up, her face almost devoid of expression.
“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Concubine Ning. This Prince Consort is merely feeling a bit nauseous.”
Seeing so many hypocritical, oily faces was indeed nauseating.
Concubine Ning clearly understood her veiled meaning. Her expression stiffened, and only then did she force a smile.
“I see.”
Noble Consort Li smiled faintly and smoothly picked up the conversation.
“Yes, the dishes today look quite fresh. They’re just a bit too greasy to eat. Even this Consort finds them greasy, let alone the Ink Prince Consort who is with child.”
These words were perfectly phrased, making Concubine Ning’s expression even more unpleasant.
His mother consort’s words never disappointed him!
Ye Tingyun secretly praised her in his heart and immediately chimed in, “Mother Consort speaks the truth. This son also feels that today’s meal is, especially, oily!”
The Empress Dowager gently set down her silver chopsticks and frowned, “Perhaps this Empress Dowager is accustomed to eating vegetarian meals at the temple, and prefers a lighter taste…”
Unforeseen by them, their protection was so direct. Feng Yinwan’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. However, with the atmosphere already at this point, if the food wasn’t greasy, it had to become greasy.
Thus, her expression changed, and she gagged, making the words a reality.
Facing the triple pressure from the Empress Dowager, Noble Consort Li, and Ye Tingyun, the Emperor knitted his brows and placed his prayer beads on the table.
“The people in the Imperial Kitchen are becoming increasingly careless in their duties. Go, have them replace some dishes with lighter ones!”
“Yes.”
A eunuch nearby immediately exited the hall in haste. With several light and appetizing dishes served, the Empress Dowager’s expression finally softened.
Noble Consort Li tapped a plate in front of her, her watery eyes turning to Concubine Ning again, “These cucumber slices are good for clearing heat and relieving summer heat, and they’re best for reducing anger. Concubine Ning, do try some.”
The cucumber she spoke of was bitter gourd.
Concubine Ning’s face stiffened upon hearing this, her complexion immediately turning greener than the gourd skin.
It was obvious to everyone present that Feng Yinwan had protectors, yet Prince Dingnan seemed to be blind to it. He raised his wine cup, unreservedly.
“Your Majesty, I have heard that the Ink Prince Consort’s father and elder brother are suspected of colluding with the enemy and have since been exiled. Your Majesty, in your benevolence and wisdom, spared the Ink Prince Consort out of consideration for the royal bloodline. This humble subject deeply admires it.”
After speaking, he drank his wine in one gulp and then turned to Yunshu and Ye Tinglan, cupping his hands.
“Your Majesty, I have only one beloved daughter, Shu’er. She and the Ink Prince have known each other since childhood. Although they were not together every day, they can still be called childhood sweethearts, having grown up together. To be frank with Your Majesty, Shu’er is nearly of age. This time, I have accepted the imperial summons to the palace with a private wish to choose a husband for Shu’er.”
His gaze flickered from Feng Yinwan, and he spoke with a hint of displeasure.
“Since the Ink Prince already has a principal consort, this humble subject dares to petition for a secondary consort position for Shu’er. May I know if Your Majesty would grant this?”
The words came out too suddenly, and the entire hall fell silent in an instant.
The Emperor was clearly not expecting such directness. His brows furrowed, and his reply was somewhat hesitant.
“Yun Qing, it’s not that I’m unwilling to agree, but wouldn’t making Chao’an a secondary consort be too much of a hardship for her?”
Given Yunshu’s status, being a secondary consort was already a hardship. Moreover, Feng Yinwan was now the daughter of a convicted official, so making Yunshu subservient to her seemed like a hardship no matter how one looked at it.
Feng Yinwan naturally understood this reasoning.
Her heart felt inexplicably clenched. For a moment, looking at Yunshu’s pure eyes, she wished that Yunshu would say “no.”
To her surprise, Yunshu shook her head.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Shu’er does not care about status. As long as she can marry Lan Gege, being a secondary consort is not unacceptable.”
She still liked Ye Tinglan after all.
It felt like a heavy blow from above. Feng Yinwan tried her best to steady her mind, only to see Yunshu looking at her.
“Moreover, Wan Jiejie is beautiful and kind-hearted. Shu’er likes her, and I believe we will be able to get along harmoniously if we are to reside in the same Prince’s manor in the future.”
Yun Ling nodded approvingly, his gaze towards Feng Yinwan noticeably sharper.
“The Ink Prince Consort appears to be a person of great understanding. She surely will not object to this matter, will she?”
Before, the Empress Dowager had suppressed her, so Consort Rong was not in a position to speak. Now, she would seize the opportunity.
“Prince Dingnan speaks truly. Yinwan has always been magnanimous and generous, and would naturally not quibble over such a trivial matter.”
Yunshu’s gaze, Yun Ling’s pressure, Consort Rong’s authority, and Ye Tinglan’s silence – all these factors prevented her from uttering a “no.”
A suffocating sensation overwhelmed her. Feng Yinwan’s face turned pale, and her vision darkened as she stood up.
“This humble woman is feeling unwell and will take my leave…”