Ye Tingyun's brow twitched at her words, and he immediately stepped forward to block the Empress Dowager's view.
"No, Your Majesty, you're mistaken."
The Empress Dowager frowned in confusion. "Am I mistaken? But I recall Little Dezi being a bit sturdier..."
So slender, looking almost like a woman.
Ye Tingyun reached out to support her, continuing his fabricated story.
"Ah, it's just that the palace staff were all confined recently, and Little Dezi suffered a lot, which is why he lost weight."
"Your Majesty, please don't mind him. Didn't you say you had something to tell me? Shall I escort you back?"
Without waiting for the Empress Dowager's lingering doubts, he helped her up and led the way.
After the banquet dispersed, figures dotted the palace path.
Feng Yinwan followed behind, using the cover of the crowd. Her original intention was to chase after Consort Yu, but she unexpectedly encountered Song Qing'an midway.
He was clad in the armor of the Imperial Guard commander, leading his men in a hurried march, his expression serious, unlike his usual demeanor.
Behind him, the guards' figures intermingled, and it was vaguely discernible that they were escorting someone.
Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed at the sight. Their gazes met, and she deliberately lagged a step behind, veering off into a quiet side path.
The procession passed through the palace path, the clinking of armor echoing. Song Qing'an soon arrived.
Seeing his grave expression, Feng Yinwan glanced in the direction of the procession and inquired.
"What happened?"
This scene looked far from simple.
Song Qing'an looked up, his hand on his sword tightening slightly.
"The night patrol just apprehended a suspicious individual attempting to infiltrate the palace. I was on my way to report this matter to His Majesty."
Feng Yinwan was slightly stunned. "An assassin?"
News of the Emperor's recovery had spread, and with Song Qing'an personally leading the guard, she couldn't imagine which assassin would dare to court death at this juncture.
Song Qing'an frowned, thinking for a moment, then shook his head.
"Not like it."
"This person carried no weapons and doesn't seem like someone who entered the palace specifically to assassinate."
"If not for assassination, then why did he go to such lengths to sneak in?"
Song Qing'an shook his head.
He found this part strange too, which was why he was going to report it to the Emperor.
His eyelids drooped, and his gaze fell back on Feng Yinwan, a hint of gentleness in his eyes.
"Wan'er, what is this attire of yours?"
Even though he had seen Feng Yinwan disguise herself many times, he was still somewhat surprised.
Feng Yinwan came back to herself, remembering that she was currently a "eunuch," and her forehead twitched.
"It's a long story."
In short, Ye Tingyun's ideas had never been reliable!
Song Qing'an had to meet the Emperor, so after a few more words, he left in a hurry. The figures on the palace path had long since dispersed. Feng Yinwan pondered for a moment and had no choice but to return to Jiuzhou Xiangxie.
The moon hung high above the branches. She closed her eyes and lay back on the couch, just about to fall asleep, when the courtyard gate was pounded upon urgently.
With this commotion, she knew it was Ye Tingyun without guessing.
Feng Yinwan's tightly shut eyes fluttered slightly, and she got up.
As soon as the door opened, Ye Tingyun rushed in, his eyes narrowing when he saw her standing with her arms crossed, yawning. He immediately spoke urgently.
"Third Brother is missing!"
This news caused Feng Yinwan to pause, her expression growing serious.
"What do you mean?"
Ye Tingyun looked at her, practically jumping with anxiety.
"News just came in tonight that Third Brother, Ye Tingyan, was ordered by Father to commit suicide. After hearing the news, his remaining followers turned and joined the rebellious Ning faction."
"Now both Jinzhou and Yuzhou are under their control. Third Brother is alone and outnumbered, without any troops by his side, I fear... he is in grave danger!"