Qin Rulian, unwilling and angry, dared not act presumptuously towards Ye Tinglan. Seeing her standing there, biting her lip until it was almost broken, Qi Xuan spoke to remind her.
"Miss Qin, please proceed."
Her words seemed to offer Qin Rulian an opportunity. She pursed her lips and then looked at him hesitantly.
"Guard Qi, you just came, you must have something to report to Brother Tinglan, right? If so, how can Rulian trouble you to escort me? It's still early, Rulian can..."
Before she could utter the words "wait outside," Qi Xuan had already nodded decisively.
"Miss Qin is truly understanding."
"I do indeed have an urgent matter to report to His Highness. Since you have spoken, I will not escort you back. As for the burn medicine, I will send it to you after I have reported to His Highness."
She had merely wanted to subtly express her desire to stay, but she hadn't expected Qi Xuan, who was so literal, to directly dismiss her!
The rest of her sentence was stuck in her throat, unable to be uttered. Qin Rulian gritted her teeth secretly, her neck feeling rather stiff.
To her misfortune, Ye Tinglan tacitly agreed.
"Since that is the case, you may go back first. I will see you later."
He had not visited Xiuchun Courtyard since leaving last night. Saying this now clearly meant he would not go.
Qin Rulian's hand, clutching her handkerchief, tightened. She gritted her teeth and nodded, still retreating from the study.
The moment she stepped out, Ye Tinglan's voice sounded again in the room.
"Any news?"
His tone was still as cold as before, but it now carried a hint of imperceptible anxiety.
Upon hearing this, Qin Rulian's steps faltered. A deep sense of malice flashed in her eyes.
He was still thinking of that wench!
Qi Xuan's "urgent news" was that there was no news. The city had been searched almost entirely, let alone Feng Yinwan, not even Yu Ping's shadow had been seen!
"We have searched the entire city and found no trace of the Princess Consort. I have already ordered people to pursue her outside the city. Previously, the Princess Consort was keen to investigate the matters of Yuzhou. I suspect that she has most likely gone straight to Yuzhou."
Ye Tinglan's brows furrowed upon hearing this.
Feng Yinwan valued the matters of the Feng family above all else. He knew she would not let it go.
After a long silence, his thin lips parted again.
"Send more people. Above all else, prioritize her safety."
"Yes."
...
When they arrived in Jinzhou, Yu Ping's injuries had relapsed.
The rough journey had inevitably chafed her wounds, and some areas had become inflamed. Without time to rest, Feng Yinwan immediately began to tend to Yu Ping.
It was only after she had just put down the gauze that Song Qing'an knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Upon opening the door, she saw Song Qing'an holding some food. His gaze swept over the faint tiredness on her face and then turned to Yu Ping on the bed.
"I just went out to buy some food and brought it for the Princess Consort. How is Miss Yu Ping now..."
Feng Yinwan shook her head. "Her wound has become inflamed, and she fell asleep again earlier."
She had already given Yu Ping the medicine from the bracelet, but with such a serious injury, it would likely take several days of careful recuperation to prevent recurrence.
Seeing her still with red eyes, Song Qing'an's gaze dimmed as he sensed her distress. He said softly,
"Miss Yu Ping will get better, and everything will get better."
He then handed over the food. "Princess Consort, please eat something. I also have something to discuss with you."
Feng Yinwan was slightly taken aback and nodded. "Thank you."
What Song Qing'an wanted to discuss with her was precisely the matter of going to Yuzhou.
Jinzhou was not far from Yuzhou. Since they were already here, the matter had to be investigated further, but with Yu Ping's current condition, it was probably not suitable to act.
Song Qing'an had naturally considered this.
"In my opinion, I can go to Yuzhou alone. Miss Yu Ping's injuries still require careful recuperation. Princess Consort, please stay in Jinzhou to look after her. I will handle matters in Yuzhou."
Whether Yu Ping's injuries were serious or not, he did not want Feng Yinwan to be in danger. This was his personal wish.
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, but found herself unable to refuse. In the current situation, this was indeed the best course of action.
Sensing her hesitation, Song Qing'an mistook it for worry and added,
"Princess Consort, please do not worry. I have an old friend in Jinzhou. With his care, Princess Consort can rest assured."
Every word was for her sake.
Feng Yinwan lowered her gaze, staring at the pastry in her hand, her eyes welling up again.
"Song Qing'an, thank you."
This sentence was spoken so softly that Song Qing'an's body suddenly froze. After a while, he gently withdrew his gaze.
"I know Princess Consort has a strong will, but Princess Consort... you don't have to be so polite with me."
Even as he said this, he still maintained his etiquette.
A subtle strangeness flashed through Feng Yinwan's mind, and before she knew it, a sudden question escaped her lips.
"That day at the tavern, what were you asking me?"
...
Changle Palace.
The Empress had already heard about the fires at the Mo Prince's estate, but after listening to Qin Rulian's account, she was still surprised.
"What did you say? Feng Yinwan has already left the Prince's estate?"
Qin Rulian nodded. "Aunt, her maid was injured and is still unconscious. She definitely couldn't have taken her away alone. Although His Highness didn't say, Rulian believes someone must have been helping her in secret."
The word "someone" carried a hidden meaning.
The Empress recalled Song Qing'an's strange behavior at the celebration banquet that day. Her eyes narrowed, and she immediately stood up.
"This matter has nothing to do with you. You were implicated and injured. I certainly cannot let you suffer this hardship in vain."
With the Emperor's tacit approval, the matter between Yun Shu and Ye Tinglan was almost settled. Although the Empress Dowager was displeased, she could not intervene directly.
Having just returned to her palace from Linghua Hall after chanting scriptures, the Empress brought Qin Rulian with her.
"Greetings, Mother Empress."
Qin Rulian followed closely behind. "This humble woman greets the Empress Dowager."
She was wearing a round-necked garment, and as she curtsied, her posture was extremely low, easily revealing the hideous scar on her neck.
The Empress Dowager could not stand seeing such things. Upon seeing it, her expression immediately darkened.
"What happened to your neck? Why haven't you had an imperial physician tend to it?"
She had just paid respects to Buddha and felt a sense of foreboding. Qin Rulian, however, seemed startled and immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. This humble woman did not intend to offend your noble eyes, but the palace physician instructed that burn wounds should not be bandaged tightly, so this humble woman..."
Seeing her kneel, the Empress Dowager became even clearer. She frowned and looked away.
"You were burned?"
She had a general idea of the recent events at the Mo Prince's estate, but this orphan had been staying in the palace recently, so how did she get involved?
The moment the question was asked, the Empress spoke.
"Mother Empress, I have something that I must report to you."