Qi Xuan paused at her words, "Does the Princess Consort have any other instructions?"
Feng Yinwan raised her hand, signaling Yu Ping to help her up.
"Where is His Highness the Prince?"
She had fainted so suddenly in the grand hall. Though she didn't know why the Emperor had changed his decree, it was Night Tinglan who had spoken to halt the matter at the crucial moment, saving the Feng family. It was likely because of him.
Qi Xuan was slightly taken aback and replied truthfully.
"His Highness the Prince is severely injured and cannot be easily moved at the moment. His Majesty has granted permission for him to remain in the palace to recuperate."
He glanced at her and added, "Princess Consort need not worry. Prince Yun is accompanying him in the palace, and Consort Rong has also sent people to care for him. His Highness the Prince will be alright."
With such an arrangement, he likely wouldn't return to the manor until his injuries healed.
Her heart sank slightly. Feng Yinwan lowered her eyelids and nodded, "I understand."
Jiang Rumou had been waiting in the front courtyard. Upon hearing the news of her awakening, he immediately rushed over.
"Princess Consort."
It had been several days since they last met. His official robes were still on, and he looked travel-worn, clearly having just returned from an assignment elsewhere.
Feng Yinwan nodded and quietly dismissed Yu Ping.
Jiang Rumou stepped forward, "How are you feeling now, Princess Consort? Are you experiencing any discomfort?"
The sharp pain in her lower abdomen had long since subsided. If there was any discomfort, it was only a faint throbbing at her temples.
She had felt this sensation a couple of days prior.
In a haze, the pungent, strange scent from when she was ambushed resurfaced. Feng Yinwan's expression turned grim, a hint of coldness in her eyes.
"When you took my pulse just now, did you detect anything unusual?"
Even in the first trimester, such a strong reaction to a slight disturbance wouldn't occur if she were merely agitated. She was certain her body was abnormal, but she couldn't diagnose it herself.
Jiang Rumou faltered slightly and shook his head.
"Princess Consort's condition was due to liver fire and anger overwhelming her. From the pulse, there was indeed no other abnormality. Why do you ask…?"
He cautiously looked up, only to find Feng Yinwan pursing her lips.
The thing that could break the stabilizing elixir, *shouzhudan*, was indeed potent.
After a moment of silence, she added, "You already knew about my pregnancy, didn't you?"
Throughout it all, only Jiang Rumou had taken her pulse. He was likely the only one who knew she was truly pregnant.
Jiang Rumou paused and nodded.
"Yes."
Just as she suspected!
From the initial miscarriage prevention medicine to the later trials for malaria, Jiang Rumou, though unable to speak directly, had implicitly warned her many times. She simply hadn't paid attention and hadn't taken it to heart at all.
Her hands, hanging by her sides, tightened. Then, as if remembering something, her expression suddenly stiffened.
"You were sent out by imperial decree to treat malaria. Have you returned so suddenly because the epidemic has been resolved?"
If her memory served her correctly, Jiang Rumou had gone to Yuzhou.
Jiang Rumou nodded, but his voice held a hint of hesitation.
"I have seen the symptoms of malaria. The patients in the Yuzhou military camp exhibited symptoms similar to those in the capital, but... their recovery seemed to be much faster."
He had noticed this phenomenon when he was treating them, assuming it was due to an improved prescription with stronger efficacy, and hadn't thought much of it.
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed even tighter at his words.
She recalled sending Qi Xuan to investigate and was about to call for him when the door was gently pushed open by Yu Ping.
"Miss, Young Master Song is outside and wishes to see you."
Was it... Song Qing'an?
She was momentarily stunned, then suddenly remembered that Night Tinglan, in his anger, had sent him to the army, to the very place where Old General Feng and Feng Jingyuan were.
Her eyes widened, and she immediately said, "Please invite him to wait in the front hall. I will be there shortly."
Seeing this, Jiang Rumou discreetly withdrew.
"His Highness Prince Mo's injuries still require treatment. After examining the Princess Consort, the Emperor commanded me to return to the palace swiftly. Since the Princess Consort is now out of danger, I shall take my leave."
The palace was in dire need of imperial physicians. Jiang Rumou's return to the capital had solved an urgent problem.
With him treating Night Tinglan's injuries, she could finally rest assured.
Feng Yinwan nodded, "Thank you, Imperial Physician Jiang."
By the time she reached the front hall, Song Qing'an had already drunk more than half of his tea.
Upon seeing her, his expression paused, and he started to rise, then stopped abruptly.
"Is... is the Princess Consort's health... alright?"
He had been away from the capital for a long time, and upon his return, everything had changed drastically.
He had felt a sense of unease while in the army. Hearing the news of the entire Feng family being exiled today, he had rushed over immediately. After sitting down, however, he felt he had been too abrupt.
Fortunately, Feng Yinwan did not dwell on it.
Feng Yinwan nodded. Before she could speak, she heard him say, "I have heard about the affairs of the Feng manor. My father, upon hearing the news, has already memorialized the Emperor. I believe that Old General Feng and Young Master Feng are loyal and upright generals, and this matter is clearly a frame-up, a great injustice."
These words stood in stark contrast to the silence of the ministers in the grand hall.
Feng Yinwan's heart stirred, and her eyes momentarily welled up.
"Thank you."
Song Qing'an shook his head.
"Princess Consort, there is no need for thanks. The Feng and Song families are old friends. Now that the Feng manor is in such a predicament, the Song family will not stand idly by."
The warmth and coldness of human relationships were clearly evident.
Feng Yinwan softly hummed "Mm," then spoke with cold determination.
"This matter is already settled. If we are to save my father and brother, we must uncover the truth. Will Young Master Song be willing to lend this Princess Consort a hand?"
Song Qing'an would know more about military affairs than she did.
Upon hearing her words, Song Qing'an did not hesitate. He raised his hand and bowed, "I am at the Princess Consort's service, and I shall not shrink from any duty."
...
The imperial decree for exile was issued at noon. The imperial guards, upon receiving the order, had surrounded the Feng manor within half an hour.
When the imperial guards entered, Madam Yu was still sipping tea, completely unaware. Without a word, she was dragged out.
"Who... who are you people, daring to cause trouble here? This is the residence of the General Who Guards the Nation!"
The imperial guards threw her to the ground, their faces devoid of expression.
"We are the Southern Imperial Guards, acting on an imperial decree to confiscate the property. General Who Guards the Nation Feng Xingjin and his son Feng Jingyuan have colluded with the enemy and committed treason. All within the General's manor, aged fifteen and above, are to be exiled!"
"You... what did you say!"
The imperial yellow scroll was like a bolt from the blue. Madam Yu glared, unable to believe her ears.
The imperial guards paid her no mind, "Behave yourself!"
"Gather everyone from the manor here!"
The moment the words fell, Feng Yiyi's sharp voice was heard. Seeing her being dragged by two imperial guards, Madam Yu's face changed, and she lunged forward.
"Let go of my daughter!"
The imperial guards glanced at her, coldly released Feng Yiyi, and threw her to the ground, then turned to apprehend others.
Imperial guards were everywhere. The servants scattered, but they were pushed back before they could even escape. A few, driven to desperation, tried to charge out, only to be impaled through the chest by spears and fall heavily to the ground.
"Anyone who dares to defy the imperial decree will be killed without mercy."
In an instant, the General's manor fell into a deathly silence.
Madam Yu tremblingly reached for Feng Yiyi's hand, but Feng Yiyi gently pressed it down. The next moment, Feng Yiyi's unusually calm voice whispered,
"Mother, there is no need to panic."