Feng Yinwan never expected to encounter Li Chengyan in the Jinzhou military camp, let alone an injured and unconscious Li Chengyan.
The military doctors chattered amongst themselves, and Xu Yunxiao, his head aching, frowned and asked in a deep voice.
"Wasn't General Li's wound already stopped last night? Why has it recurred now?"
The military doctors exchanged glances. "Perhaps it's because General Li has only recently arrived in Jinzhou and is still unaccustomed to the climate..."
Li Chengyan had sustained a flesh wound. His chest was wrapped in a thick layer of gauze, through which blood had seeped, faintly revealing several bloodstains of varying lengths.
The few military doctors offered conflicting explanations and seemed to be bickering. Xu Yunxiao's brow furrowed, and just as he was about to lose his temper, his forearm was gently touched.
He turned his head and met Feng Yinwan's eyes. He paused for a moment and immediately waved everyone away.
"Stop your clamoring here, all of you get out!"
The military doctors were obedient. Upon hearing this, they withdrew without a word.
The boisterous clamor in the tent instantly vanished. Xu Yunxiao immediately turned his gaze back to Feng Yinwan. "Did the Consort have something to say just now?"
Feng Yinwan nodded. "Brother Xu, you didn't return last night. Was it because of this matter?"
Although she didn't know why Li Chengyan was in Jinzhou, he was severely injured, and his condition was clearly not optimistic.
Xu Yunxiao nodded, not hiding anything from her.
"General Li was only recently transferred to Jinzhou. With something like this happening, if His Majesty questions us, I'm afraid..."
Li Chengyan had been dispatched after the victory banquet.
Previously, he had failed to protect Ye Tinglan during the border skirmish, which led to his demotion and departure from the capital, making him a deputy general. However, he was the sole heir of the Yongding Marquisate, and his return to the capital was only a matter of time. Xu Yunxiao, who had been assigned under his command, naturally dared not be negligent.
Feng Yinwan's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her fingertips began to undo the layer of gauze.
"Consort."
Xu Yunxiao was startled, but when he opened his mouth, he met her serious expression. Recalling how she had treated Yuping's wounds these past two days, he did not stop her.
"Why is he injured like this?"
The wounds were long and sharp, yet deep enough to expose the bone. Most importantly, they were neatly arranged, not looking like they were inflicted by ordinary blades.
Xu Yunxiao's face tensed, and he pursed his lips. "Judging by the wounds, it should be an adult wild bear."
To the west of the military camp lay a dense forest. For some reason, the camp's horses had gone mad and charged into the forest yesterday. Li Chengyan, unaware of the situation, had pursued them and was thus injured by a wild bear.
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed again upon hearing this. "The military camp is heavily guarded. How could such a dangerous beast be allowed to remain nearby?"
Xu Yunxiao shook his head. "The terrain in the dense forest is complex, and it's often infested with snakes, rats, and insects. The soldiers here are aware of the situation and rarely venture in. However... this is the first time I've heard of a wild bear."
He then raised his eyes. "Does the Consort have a way to save General Li?"
Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she nodded. "I can, but I hope Brother Song will keep this a secret for me."
She was unsure if Li Chengyan knew about her departure from the capital, but he was as close as brothers with Ye Tinglan. She didn't want to save him only to be captured by Ye Tinglan!
Xu Yunxiao nodded. "Please rest assured, Consort."
Although Li Chengyan's injuries were deep, fortunately, the wild bear had not been poisonous. Feng Yinwan cleaned his wounds again, applied medicine, and then re-wrapped the gauze.
Dipping a brush into ink, she was halfway through writing a prescription to reduce inflammation when the tent flap was lifted. A burly man in soft armor strode in. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be the commander of the military camp.
Unexpectedly, he had come so suddenly. Xu Yunxiao was taken aback and stepped forward.
"General Xie."
The man glanced at the unconscious Li Chengyan on the bed and then at Feng Yinwan, who was standing with her head bowed beside him. His eyes suddenly sharpened.
"Commander Xu, who is this?"
"Reporting to the General, this is an old acquaintance of this humble soldier. They are skilled in medicine and have come to the military camp specifically to treat General Li."
The probing gaze intensified. Feng Yinwan cupped her hands and lowered her eyelashes further.
"This humble one greets the General."
His eyes swept over the half-written prescription on the table, then he turned away. When he turned back to Xu Yunxiao, his gaze was sharp.
"Commander Xu, General Li has his own military doctors to treat him. The camp has always had strict discipline. As a commander, how could you disregard the rules and casually bring an outsider in?"
The oppressive tone made Feng Yinwan uncomfortable. Xu Yunxiao, however, nodded.
"This humble soldier admits guilt. Please rest assured, General. After the treatment is complete, this humble soldier will go to receive punishment."
The man responded with a noncommittal "mm" and then turned and exited the tent.
Feng Yinwan frowned and looked up. Xu Yunxiao shook his head, unwilling to say more.
The prescription was quickly finished. The atmosphere in the military camp was peculiar, and Feng Yinwan did not wish to linger. After giving Xu Yunxiao a few more instructions, she got up to leave.
On the way back, her heart was inexplicably uneasy. She was focused on thinking about why Li Chengyan had come to Jinzhou, completely unaware that two figures were silently following her. After confirming something, they quickly retreated.
...
The moon hung high in the branches, and the Ink King's mansion was peaceful. A figure quickly emerged from the darkness and entered the study silently.
"Your Highness, there is a secret letter from Jinzhou."
Li Chengyan had been transferred by imperial decree several days ago, and they had been waiting for news from Jinzhou.
Behind the desk, Ye Tinglan's brows moved slightly. With a wave of his large hand, his palm wind directly drew the secret letter over.
He read it for a long time, his face expressionless. Qi Xuan stood respectfully to the side, saying nothing.
After a long while, the secret letter was folded. Ye Tinglan's cold voice sounded.
"What about Yuzhou? Have there been any news of the Consort?"
Qi Xuan pursed his lips, feeling immense pressure. "The secret guards have been searching Yuzhou for two days, and still haven't..."
Before he could finish, a chilling coldness swept over him. Qi Xuan chose to shut his mouth.
"Order someone to contact the local government offices. No matter what, you must find her for this king!"
If not in the capital, then search outside the capital. If not in Yuzhou, then search every prefecture. Even if he had to turn the entire Jing Dynasty upside down, he would find that woman!
Qi Xuan dared not say more and immediately nodded. "Yes."
...
Li Chengyan's condition had not yet stabilized, so Xu Yunxiao remained in the military camp tonight.
The first bottle of Jade Muscle Elixir had been applied, and its effects would be visible by tomorrow morning. Feng Yinwan gave a few more instructions, tucked Yuping into bed, and returned to her room to rest.
She had just returned, and the room was not lit by candles. As soon as she entered, a sharp chill shot out from the darkness, aimed directly at her face.
It was a knife!
The gleaming blade flashed with a cold light under the moonlight, embedded in the door frame, an inch above her head.
In an instant, her heart tightened.
The next moment, before she could even react, her slender neck was firmly gripped by a pair of icy fingers.
"Don't move."