The treatment for Noble Consort Li's old illness had been ongoing for two days, and initial results were already showing.
Seeing Noble Consort Li's improved complexion, the Emperor's attitude towards Feng Yinwan also softened slightly.
"Has the Princess of Mo found her stay in the palace comfortable these past two days?"
These words were a gentle preamble.
Feng Yinwan's heart stirred secretly, and she nodded.
"With His Majesty's blessings, everything in the palace is naturally well."
"That is good."
The Emperor nodded, his gaze shifting to Noble Consort Li, tinged with affection. "Consort, you like this straightforward personality of hers. If you have nothing to do, come to Chunhe Palace more often."
Noble Consort Li had been trying to ease things for her, and had already helped a lot these past two days.
Feng Yinwan's eyelashes drooped silently. "Yes."
As it was nearing lunchtime, Feng Yinwan was about to take her leave. However, before she could even rise, a eunuch from outside rushed in.
He cast a covert glance at her and whispered into the Emperor's ear.
Feng Yinwan had no intention of eavesdropping, but from a distance, the words "return to camp" clearly reached her ears.
Her breath tightened subtly. The next moment, the Emperor's hand, which had been idly rolling jade beads, suddenly stopped, his face clouded over with displeasure.
The atmosphere shifted too abruptly. Noble Consort Li understood and closed her eyes, speaking softly.
"Your Majesty?"
"I will return to Qinzheng Hall first."
As he spoke, the Emperor rose. As he strode away, his eyes flicked sideways, that chilling gaze clearly directed at Feng Yinwan.
Seeing this, Noble Consort Li exchanged a glance, and Yunxiu immediately followed him quietly. Moments later, she returned quickly.
"Your Highness, Eunuch Gao said that the Princess of Mo's father and brother have returned to the army. He also said... they returned from the enemy's camp."
As expected, something had happened.
With a 'buzz' as if a string had snapped in her mind, Feng Yinwan gasped, her face pale, and forced herself to rise from her seat.
"Thank you, Consort. I will take my leave now."
Noble Consort Li looked at her with concern and said gently, "Shall I have Yunxiu escort you back?"
Feng Yinwan shook her head and left with pursed lips.
Two days had passed, and there was still no news from Qi Xuan. Feng Yinwan's heart was in turmoil, wishing she could fly to the front lines.
Lost in thought, she didn't notice a chilling presence stealthily approaching from behind. By the time she sensed it, her nose and mouth were already covered by a silk handkerchief.
The moment the pungent, strange scent filled her nostrils, she thrust a silver needle at her attacker. Caught off guard, the person loosened their grip on the handkerchief. As Feng Yinwan was about to break free, her internal circulation surged, gathering in her lower abdomen.
Not good!
She collapsed in moments.
Before her consciousness faded, the only thing in her vision was a blurry figure. She looked intently, feeling an eerie familiarity.
...
"Consort, something has happened."
Thinking of Feng Yinwan's pale face when she left, Noble Consort Li couldn't rest easy and sent Yunxiu to check on her.
Unexpectedly, as she followed, she found Feng Yinwan collapsed by the palace path.
Her gaze swept over the unconscious Feng Yinwan, and Noble Consort Li's brows furrowed sharply. "What is going on?"
Yunxiu shook her head.
"When I followed just now, the Princess of Mo had already fainted by the roadside. No wounds were found on her person, so it doesn't seem like someone deliberately harmed her."
Hearing this, Noble Consort Li's brow furrowed further.
"Go and summon the imperial physician."
The imperial physician on duty today was new. To avoid complications, Noble Consort Li only stated that Feng Yinwan had fainted in Chunhe Palace.
"Your Highness Consort need not worry. The Princess of Mo was overly emotional, which caused her to have a miscarriage scare, leading to her fainting. There is no serious harm. This humble minister will immediately prescribe a decoction to calm her nerves and nourish her qi for the Princess of Mo to take."
Upon hearing that it was a miscarriage scare, Noble Consort Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then I will trouble Imperial Physician Zhang."
After the medicinal soup was administered, Feng Yinwan still did not awaken. Noble Consort Li had no choice but to have her sent back to Kyushu Xiangxie.
Ye Tingyun, upon returning from the inner cabinet and learning of the matter, immediately rushed over. He gave Clear Water a series of instructions before leaving, still with some unease.
Feng Yinwan awoke the next day.
The dull throbbing in her head had not subsided. As if remembering something, she immediately raised her hand to check her pulse. In doing so, a jade bead fell from her palm.
The emerald green bead was particularly noticeable against the bedding. Feng Yinwan's heart tightened, and her beautiful eyes suddenly sharpened.
This was what she had pulled from the attacker before she lost consciousness.
Before she could examine it closely, the door to the room was pushed open.
"Your Highness Princess, you are awake?"
Hearing the movement, Clear Water entered the room. Feng Yinwan turned her head, subtly flicking the jade bead into the bedding with her fingertip.
"How did I return yesterday?"
"Yesterday you had a miscarriage scare in Chunhe Palace, and it was Consort who sent someone to bring you back."
She paused, then nodded. "The imperial physician said there was no serious harm and has already prescribed medicine to calm your nerves. Do you feel any better now?"
Her pulse was steady, and the fetus was safe, consistent with what the imperial physician had said.
Feng Yinwan withdrew her hand, her brows furrowed as she suppressed her doubts. "I understand. You may leave now."
Her complexion was still not good, and Clear Water, hearing this, did not say much. She nodded and withdrew.
Feng Yinwan's pale fingertips re-traced the jade bead, her eyes growing cold.
It had only been ten days since she was last attacked in the palace. In such a short period, two attempts on her life indicated the audacity of the perpetrator.
Despite both attempts being successful, she had been rescued each time, suggesting that the attacker was not trying to kill her.
If not for her life, then it must be for the child in her womb.
A chill gradually gathered in her eyes. Recalling the strange scent she had inhaled before losing consciousness, Feng Yinwan frowned and checked her pulse again.
The result was still fruitless.
Remembering that she had taken the Fuzi Pill given by the bracelet, ordinary drugs probably wouldn't have any effect. Feng Yinwan pursed her lips and decided to give up for now.
The dull throbbing in her head was still strong. After a hasty meal, she fell into a deep sleep again, not waking until the next day.
It was already late morning when she got up. Concerned about the news from the army camp and Qi Xuan, Feng Yinwan immediately prepared to find Ye Tingyun.
Clear Water was sweeping outside the hall. Seeing her emerge, she quickly stepped forward.
"Your Highness Princess."
Feng Yinwan nodded and was about to step outside when she was stopped by Clear Water.
"Your Highness Princess, you have not eaten for almost two days. I just went to the imperial kitchen to get some food. Please have some first."
When Feng Yinwan had gone out earlier, she had noticed that food was indeed laid out on the table outside.
But she had no appetite now.
"I have important matters. I will eat when I return."
Saying this, she tried to step past Clear Water. However, Clear Water did not move aside upon hearing this. Instead, she took half a step back, matching Feng Yinwan's pace.
"Your Highness Princess, please take care of your health. If this food gets cold, it will not be good to eat. Why don't you..."
As Clear Water continued her hesitant words, Feng Yinwan's brow had already tensed with vigilance.
Was she deliberately trying to stop her?
Something was not right.
Her eyes narrowed, she looked towards the door and her voice instantly turned colder. "Move aside."