With Jiang Rumoxian present, they were not entirely at ease to speak freely, and furthermore, this was hardly the place for intimate conversations.
Feng Yinwan snapped back to attention and immediately stepped forward to administer the pill to the Emperor. Seeing this, Luo Qingyi did not linger and was the first to leave the hall.
When Feng Yinwan emerged from the sleeping chambers, Feng Jingyuan was respectfully conversing with Luo Qingyi.
Unlike the leniency and indulgence he showed her, Luo Qingyi was somewhat stern when facing Feng Jingyuan, likely due to his mother's death having created a prejudice against Old General Feng.
Feng Yinwan's emotions stirred slightly. Before she could approach, both of them looked up.
A moment of silence fell between the three. She paused briefly before speaking.
"Uncle, Brother, let's find another place to talk."
As the three landed at Jiuzhou Xiangxie, Luo Qingyi seemed to recall something and asked her.
"Where is Yuzhi? He entered the capital with you, why do I not see him?"
Feng Yinwan lowered her eyelids and softly replied, "The imperial decree has been tampered with, and Prince Yun is in a precarious situation. He has already left the city to gather troops and will not return until tomorrow at the earliest."
This was also why she had reminded Ye Tingyun to hold on.
Luo Qingyi's brows twitched slightly upon hearing this, and he remained silent.
It was Feng Yinwan, however, who finally found a moment to rest and inquire about Feng Jinchen's recent condition.
"Uncle, you said earlier that the poison in Chenchen's body has been completely cleared. How is he at the sect? Have there been any other issues with him?"
After all, he was her own flesh and blood; how could she not worry?
Luo Qingyi, knowing her concern, nodded and said gently, "Don't worry. This boy can now eat two bowls of rice in one sitting. He's much more robust than before."
He paused for a moment before adding, "With the internal strife in Yue Kingdom, I have ordered the sect to be closed. With Xiwen and Jianye looking after him, he is very safe."
His thoughtfulness immediately put Feng Yinwan at ease.
"That's good."
As long as Feng Jinchen was safe, nothing else could cause her worry.
She paused, then remembered something and immediately spoke.
"Uncle, do you know if there is a Saintess from Yue Kingdom in this palace?"
As if her question hit the mark, Luo Qingyi looked at her and said, "I was just about to tell you about this."
After listening, Feng Yinwan learned that this person was from the same sect as the sorceress in the Moon Kingdom's imperial palace. Furthermore, during the years when Moon Kingdom sent a concubine, the palace was not without princesses or county princesses of suitable age.
In the end, it was the Emperor of Moon Kingdom who, against all objections, selected and dispatched this person.
As if touching upon a vague truth, Feng Yinwan frowned and met Luo Qingyi's thoughtful gaze.
"This person has been entrenched in the Jing Kingdom's imperial palace for many years and has likely made many preparations in secret. The Moon Kingdom's army has now entered the pass, and there will likely be changes in the palace."
Being from the same sect as that sorceress, this person would undoubtedly be difficult and troublesome to deal with.
Recalling the forbidden Xuanmen techniques on Yu Guiren previously, and her connection with the Empress, Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed deeper.
"Uncle, what is the relationship between the sorceress and the antagonist?"
Luo Qingyi's brow knitted, and he paused slightly. "Our Xuanmen has always been independent of all factions. We are not from the same sect, so there wasn't much connection before. However, I can't say for sure now."
The antagonist had been away from the sect for a long time, and with both of them in the imperial palace, some connection would not be unusual.
Feng Yinwan nodded, then saw him looking at her, holding something in his palm and handing it over.
"Keep this with you for self-defense."
With the Moon Kingdom's imperial palace being a difficult place to leave, Luo Qingyi did not linger. After giving her and Feng Jingyuan a few more instructions, he set off to return.
The palace was relatively calm that night. It was only at dawn that the Empress summoned Ye Qingzhu to the palace.
Immediately after, Qin Rulian, as if following orders, led people to Chunxi Palace early in the morning.
Having been severely punished just last night, Ye Ziyun was still lying on her bed, unable to move.
Consort Rong had been accompanying her in the hall. Hearing the commotion outside, she frowned. Just as she was about to call for Luqin to inquire, the door to the palace was forcefully broken open.
Luqin was shoved hard and stumbled in, followed by Qin Rulian and several eunuchs.
It was evident from their demeanor that they meant no good. Consort Rong's eyes narrowed slightly, and she rose from the bedside.
"What is it?"
The current situation was no longer like before when she could face them with force. To ensure Ye Ziyun's safety, she could not easily offend the Empress.
Qin Rulian walked in with a faint smile, meeting Consort Rong's probing gaze. She offered a perfunctory bow.
"Good morning, disturbing Consort Rong and the Princess. There have been many delays regarding the Royal Treasury Scroll. My aunt has ordered me to retrieve it today."
Consort Rong had already guessed her intention to some extent. Hearing this, she said no more, merely nodding to Luqin beside her.
As if surprised that things were going so smoothly, Qin Rulian subtly raised an eyebrow, a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
"Your Highness."
Luqin quickly retrieved the Royal Treasury Scroll. Consort Rong did not wish to prolong the matter, merely glancing at Qin Rulian and gesturing for Luqin to hand it over.
Qin Rulian's eyes still glinted with calculation. Seeing this, she listlessly reached out to take it. Unexpectedly, Ye Ziyun on the bed had woken up at that moment.
Looking up, she saw Luqin handing the scroll outward and immediately cried out to stop her.
"No, this scroll cannot be given to them!"
Luqin's action paused, but the scroll was swiftly snatched away by Qin Rulian.
Ye Ziyun, unable to tolerate this, struggled to get up.
Consort Rong quickly stepped forward to support her, and fearing further trouble, whispered sternly, "Yun'er, don't be difficult."
"Mother Consort!"
She had been severely punished by the Empress yesterday and was filled with resentment, naturally unwilling to listen.
Just as she opened her lips to say more, a figure appeared by the bedside. Looking up, she saw Qin Rulian, holding the Royal Treasury Scroll.
Ye Ziyun's face lit up at the sight and she immediately exclaimed, "Sister Rulian? Why is it you?"
Qin Rulian looked her up and down, her response not particularly warm.
"Oh? Princess Qingyun, who did you think it was?"
Ye Ziyun instinctively wanted to berate the Empress's lackeys, but then she suddenly realized that Qin Rulian was also one of the Empress's confidantes.
Her gaze fell on the eunuchs behind her, and the words that were about to be spoken got stuck in her throat.
"Sister Rulian, you're not also here to snatch my mother's Royal Treasury Scroll for her, are you?"
She hesitated, but before she could finish, Consort Rong sharply reprimanded her. Consort Rong stepped forward to shield her bedside, her gaze sweeping over Qin Rulian, and said coldly.
"The Royal Treasury Scroll has been retrieved. You may leave now."
Her intention to dismiss them was obvious, but Qin Rulian remained rooted to the spot.
Her gaze went past Consort Rong to Ye Ziyun behind her, and with a smile that was both gentle and venomous, she said.
"Princess Qingyun and I have always been acquainted. I would like to chat with the Princess for a while longer. I don't think Consort Rong would mind, would she?"