"Ye Tingyun?"
Feng Yinwan's brow twitched as a sense of urgency struck her. "Why the rush?"
Ye Tingyun was not one to make a fuss without cause. His request for her to enter the palace so abruptly must mean something of utmost importance!
Qi Xuan shook his head. "His Highness Prince Yun said the matter is grave and cannot be explained in writing. He requests that the Princess Consort enter the palace through the East Gate, where someone will be waiting to escort you."
The East Gate was a side entrance to the palace, rarely frequented. Entering through there would attract the least attention.
In a flash, Feng Yinwan nodded. "Understood. Prepare the carriage."
Qi Xuan was swift. By the time she reached the exit, the carriage was ready in the courtyard. They galloped along, and upon reaching the East Gate, she indeed spotted a figure clad in aquamarine.
She had assumed it would be someone from Ye Tingyu's retinue, but to her surprise, it was Yunxiu from Consort Li's palace. Feng Yinwan blinked and immediately alighted from the carriage.
"Princess Consort Mo."
Just as before, Yunxiu bowed her head upon seeing Feng Yinwan, her expression impassive.
"Please follow me."
Feng Yinwan nodded, then turned to instruct Qi Xuan, "Wait for me outside."
"Yes."
They proceeded to Consort Li's palace. The moment Feng Yinwan stepped through the gates of the Chunhe Palace, Ye Tingyun rushed out from within.
"You're finally here!"
His steps were clumsy and hurried, his brow furrowed with anxiety. Seeing this, Feng Yinwan's heart grew tighter.
"Why the urgent summons?"
Ye Tingyun pursed his lips. "Let's discuss it inside."
He grabbed her sleeve and pulled her towards the hall. Feng Yinwan's delicate brows knitted. Before she could speak, Consort Li's gentle chiding echoed.
"Yun'er, have you no decorum!"
The palace was not as unrestrained as the outside world. Realizing this, Ye Tingyun immediately withdrew his hand.
"Mother Consort, I was just anxious..."
The only person who could make Ye Tingyun this anxious was likely Ye Tinglan.
Feng Yinwan's lips tightened as she looked at Consort Li and then nodded. "I have yet to thank Her Ladyship for the previous incident. To trouble you again today, this Princess Consort feels truly remiss."
She was referring, of course, to the assassination attempt in the palace last time, when Consort Li had kindly taken her in. At the time, circumstances had been chaotic, and she had left the palace discreetly, without the opportunity to express her gratitude in person.
Consort Li smiled faintly. "Princess Consort Mo need not be so formal. You have managed to diagnose and treat Yun'er's heart condition to this extent, and for that, this Consort is already immensely grateful. This small gesture is nothing in comparison."
These words were spoken from the heart, her expression solemn, devoid of any pretense. Feng Yinwan's heart stirred slightly.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship."
Ye Tingyun impatiently urged, "Alright, alright, you two, come in quickly!"
Before he spoke, Feng Yinwan had braced herself. Yet, the moment she heard the news, her body trembled uncontrollably, and the color drained from her face.
"What did you say..."
Ye Tingyun pressed his lips together, his fair hands clenched into fists.
"I just heard with my own ears outside the Hall of Diligent Governance. Third Brother was ambushed by the enemy forces while leading the troops. He is now severely wounded and unconscious. As for the veteran General Feng and your brother, their whereabouts are unknown."
Feng Yinwan's heart lurched. Before she could utter a word, she saw him subtly glance at her and whisper.
"They suspect... there is a spy within the army."
The word "spy" hit her like a crushing stone. Feng Yinwan shuddered and immediately exclaimed in alarm.
"Impossible!"
Her father and brother were the most loyal and patriotic individuals. How could they be spies!
Having anticipated her reaction, Ye Tingyun pursed his lips and quickly added, "Don't worry. This is just their speculation, and nothing has been confirmed yet. It's not necessarily..."
Regarding the Feng family, Feng Yinwan found it difficult to remain calm.
"What about the Emperor? What is his attitude?"
In this era, right and wrong were determined solely by the Emperor. The Feng family were meritorious subjects, and the veteran General Feng was loyal. Even considering their years of service, the Emperor could not possibly believe such accusations without proof.
Ye Tingyun's gaze, however, flickered evasively.
"Father Emperor's intention is that veteran General Feng and your brother have been fighting for a long time, and a period of rest and recuperation is indeed due. Moreover, as they have not yet been found, even if they are, it will be dealt with after the war concludes and they return to the capital."
This was tantamount to house arrest. A sudden realization chilled Feng Yinwan to the bone, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her dress. Ye Tinglan was injured, and the accusations were pointed at the veteran General Feng and Feng Jingyuan. The person behind this was aiming to eliminate the Feng family with the Emperor's hand. Cutting off reinforcements with the plague was only the first step. Manipulating the army, severely wounding Ye Tinglan, and framing her father and brother – this was their ultimate goal! Though it was the sixth month of the year, Feng Yinwan suddenly felt as if she had plunged into an ice cellar, with only bone-chilling cold remaining.
Seeing her face turn alarmingly pale, Consort Li's watery eyes showed concern, and she reached out.
"Don't worry too much. It's just speculation, and there's no evidence yet. The Great General who Guards the Nation has rendered great service, and the Emperor's order to deal with the matter after their return to the capital suggests he still trusts the character of veteran General Feng and your brother."
A warmth enveloped her fingertips, and Feng Yinwan trembled slightly, regaining some semblance of life. Consort Li squeezed her hand gently. "Princess Consort Mo, if there is anything I can do to help, this Consort will not hesitate."
Ye Tingyun, not to be outdone, squeezed forward. "Neither will I!" He paused, then added with a pout, "Don't misunderstand, this is all for Third Brother's sake!"
Feng Yinwan's heart stirred. Before she could utter her thanks, the eunuch's elongated voice suddenly sounded from outside.
"His Majesty arrives—"
Unprepared for this, Ye Tingyun's expression changed drastically. Before he could speak, the imperial yellow robes entered the hall. Upon seeing Feng Yinwan, his steps visibly paused.
"Why is Princess Consort Mo here?"
His tone was unreadable, yet it carried an unspoken pressure. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened. Just as she was about to rise, Consort Li spoke.
"Your Majesty, it was this Consort who summoned the Princess Consort Mo."
The Emperor's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. As his gaze shifted to Consort Li, its sharpness clearly softened. Consort Li's lips curved into a faint smile, and she nodded.
"This morning, when Yun'er came to pay his respects, he felt unwell. This Consort feared his heart condition might have relapsed, so I hastily sent for the Princess Consort Mo."
She glanced at Feng Yinwan and added, "Fortunately, it was only a minor discomfort, and the Princess Consort Mo has already treated Yun'er."
With these words, the Emperor was already seventy percent convinced. The remaining thirty percent was bolstered by Ye Tingyun's continued explanation.
"Yes, Father Emperor. Imperial Physician Jiang was ordered to travel to treat the plague, and it is fortunate that Third Sister-in-law was here, otherwise, my health would have been severely compromised."
The credit for treating the plague had yet to be bestowed upon Feng Yinwan. The Emperor's expression shifted, and when he spoke again, his tone had noticeably softened.
"So that is how it is. Then we are indebted to the Princess Consort Mo."
Feng Yinwan quickly nodded. Before she could utter "I dare not," she heard the Emperor continue, "Imperial Physician Jiang will still take some time to return to the capital. In that case, Princess Consort Mo may reside in the palace for the time being. It will also give this Consort an opportunity to have her old ailments treated."