It was the Second Prince's carriage!
Unlike their low-profile approach, the lantern bearing the words "Second Prince's Estate" was still affixed to Ye Tingyan's carriage. The curtains were half-drawn, offering a blurry glimpse of the figure seated within.
Unexpectedly encountering them at the inn, Feng Yinwan subtly turned her face away.
"Lower your head."
Qi Xuan had also noticed the movement from their side. Once Yuping helped Feng Yinwan down, he directly bent to retrieve the horse mounting block.
The sky was already dim, and the three of them had changed their attire. As Ye Tingyan and his party passed by, they didn't pay much attention.
They seemed to have made arrangements beforehand. Carrying their belongings, they went straight upstairs. Only after their figures disappeared around the corner did Feng Yinwan step further inside.
"Princess Consort, your subordinate is in the next room. Summon me anytime if you need anything."
They had booked two private rooms at the far end of the second floor. From the back, they had a clear view of the street, and Ye Tingyan's room was directly above them.
Feng Yinwan nodded, her beautiful eyes moving away from the window. "Mm, go ahead."
"Yes."
Qi Xuan bowed his head and turned to leave. With Yuping handling the unpacking, Feng Yinwan took out the Jiangcheng map from her bundle and sat down at the desk.
The secret auction was to be held at the Xianle Tower in the city. To the east lay a river, surrounded by intricate water alleys. To the west were several straight, wide streets, providing convenient access in all directions. The inn where they were currently staying was located at the intersection of water and land, concealed by the bustling marketplace, making it ideal for stealth and escape.
No wonder Ye Tingyan had chosen this location.
As her beautiful eyes deepened in thought, a knock sounded on the door. Feng Yinwan casually pushed the drawing aside.
A young servant stood outside with a food hamper. "Two esteemed guests, your meal."
To prevent any unnecessary trouble, Feng Yinwan had already instructed that the food be delivered. Yuping nodded upon seeing this, took the hamper, and closed the door again.
After the footsteps outside faded away, she stepped forward again and asked, "Miss, would you like something to eat?"
Perhaps it was psychological, but ever since she knew she was pregnant, Feng Yinwan's appetite seemed to have increased. She had felt hungry on the road earlier, and now, smelling the food, she felt even hungrier.
She nodded and immediately took a silver needle from her sleeve. "I'll test for poison first."
Unlike the food in the capital, the dishes in Jiangzhou were light but possessed a unique freshness. Feng Yinwan's mood brightened, and she drank two more bowls of fish soup.
Just as she was contemplating whether to have a third bowl, Qi Xuan knocked on the door.
"Princess Consort, there was movement upstairs just now."
Tomorrow was the secret auction, so Ye Tingyan would naturally make a move tonight.
Feng Yinwan's long eyelashes drooped. It was as she expected. "Follow and see."
She knew nothing of martial arts like Qinggong. For professional tasks like tracking, she had to rely on Qi Xuan.
"Yes."
After Qi Xuan left, Feng Yinwan wasn't idle. After much thought, she picked up her brush and wrote a letter to send back to the capital.
Just as the pageboy from the posthouse took the letter, Feng Yinwan turned, and a subtle medicinal fragrance wafted into her nostrils. Her delicate brows immediately furrowed.
Though faint, this was undoubtedly the scent of Zishen!
How could Zishen be here?
Within her sight was only a figure in dark purple clothing. The man, with his back to her, walked towards the inn. His tall frame exuded a hint of allure.
Feng Yinwan frowned, about to step forward to follow, when the figure suddenly paused.
In the dim light, a pair of narrow, cold eyes turned sharply towards her. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened, and her body instantly became stiff.
It was killing intent.
This man's martial prowess was far superior to hers.
Her breath caught for a moment. Taking advantage of the night's cover, she quietly pressed her fingertips, hidden in her sleeve, against a silver needle. But before she could act, the man withdrew his gaze and moved forward again.
The intimidating pressure suddenly receded. Feng Yinwan relaxed, only then realizing that a thin layer of sweat had appeared on her palms.
"Young Master."
Seeing that she hadn't returned for a while, Yuping came out and found her standing there, lost in thought. She immediately stepped forward.
"Young Master, what's wrong?"
Feng Yinwan shook her head, pushing her thoughts aside. "Nothing, let's go back."
They had barely returned to their room when a faint sound came from the windowsill, and Qi Xuan appeared in the room.
"Princess Consort."
Feng Yinwan looked up. "How was it?"
"At tomorrow's secret auction, there will be a Purple Ginseng Profound Pill. The Second Prince is here for this very item."
Hearing "Purple Ginseng" again, Feng Yinwan couldn't help but drift for a moment.
Her delicate brows knitted. She immediately pressed for details. "What is this thing?"
Qi Xuan nodded.
"This pill is made by individuals from the Immortal Medicine sect. It is said to have miraculous effects of cleansing marrow, removing bones, and warding off all poisons. If a person with severed meridians takes it, their meridians can heal on their own, and their inner energy will greatly increase. For ordinary people, it can also prevent them from being poisoned, strengthen their bodies, and prolong their lives."
He paused, then added, "However, I have only heard of it. It has never appeared in the martial world, and this is the first time it has surfaced in Jiangzhou City. Whether it is genuine or not is yet to be determined."
As he said, this Purple Ginseng Profound Pill was indeed a rare treasure.
Feng Yinwan's eyelashes lowered. The image of the man in purple suddenly flashed in her mind.
Purple Ginseng Profound Pill, the scent of Purple Ginseng...
Seeing her beautiful eyes narrow in thought, Qi Xuan remained silent for a moment before gently reminding her.
"Princess Consort?"
Feng Yinwan came back to her senses, her lips pursed. She still voiced her doubts.
"I encountered someone downstairs just now. He carried the scent of Purple Ginseng, and his killing intent was intense. He is by no means an ordinary person."
Apart from Ye Tinglan, she had never felt such powerful killing intent from anyone else. And strangely, there was even a hint of familiarity, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
Unexpectedly, Qi Xuan was also startled by this. After considering for a moment, he spoke seriously.
"Individuals from the Immortal Medicine sect are indeed very elusive. With the secret auction approaching, it's not surprising if one appears at an inn."
He paused, then added a reminder. "The inn is a place of mixed company. If there are any developments, please use 'two long, one short' as your code word, Princess Consort, and your subordinate will come immediately."
"Two long, one short" was a common code among secret guards.
Feng Yinwan nodded and immediately replied, "Understood. It's getting late, you should go back and rest."
"Yes."
This night was far more peaceful than imagined. The poisons and poisoned needles Feng Yinwan had prepared in advance were not used.
By the time Qi Xuan came to knock, Feng Yinwan had already cleaned up any traces.
"Princess Consort, your subordinate has brought breakfast. We shall depart after you've eaten."
This matter could not be delayed, so Feng Yinwan hastily ate a little before going downstairs with Yuping.
Coincidentally, they ran into Ye Tingyan again.
Yuping's body stiffened for a moment, but before she could stop, Feng Yinwan pressed against her lower back, and their pace did not slow.
As the two descended the stairs, Ye Tingyan's gaze swept over the two masks. Before he could linger, his guards stepped forward.
"Your Highness, preparations are complete."
His gaze returning to find no trace, Ye Tingyan's eyes darkened. He nodded. "Depart."
Moments later, the Second Prince's carriage drove out of the inn. At the alley entrance, Feng Yinwan released her grip, lowered the carriage curtain, and her voice was icy.
"Follow."