The imperial prison.
The weather was cold outside, and by nightfall, the guards on duty ceased their patrols.
Inside the cell, Feng Yinwan leaned against the rough wooden bed, eyes closed in meditation.
Although the Empress Dowager had declared in the hall today that they would be imprisoned for strict interrogation, an afternoon had passed without anyone entering, apart from the changing guards.
Or rather, no one had entered her cell.
For caution's sake, she and Ye Tingyu were imprisoned separately, far apart, and she was unaware of the situation on their end.
However, given the current circumstances, Ye Tinglan should have made arrangements, so all she needed to do was wait for news.
The chains rattled, and the cell door was opened a crack. The guard, with a stern face, shoved in the food box, not glancing at her once.
Soon, the cell door was closed again. Hearing the footsteps recede, Feng Yinwan opened her eyes and got up to approach.
The food sent in was surprisingly good, except that every dish was laced with poison.
Feng Yinwan tested it with a silver needle. After a moment, she withdrew it with a hint of disappointment.
"A pity, this is not the work of the antagonist. Their method of poisoning is not this crude."
With a sigh that was almost imperceptible, she picked up the food box and sat back on the bed.
The night was deep and lonely. Occasionally, the wind crept in through the gaps in the door, making the entire imperial prison frigid.
Several guards, unable to bear it, had long since returned to their resting quarters.
And almost the moment they left, a figure emerged from the shadows, silently approaching Feng Yinwan's cell.
...
The next morning, as the Empress Dowager had just risen, an uninvited guest arrived outside Shou Kang Palace.
When the attending wet nurse returned to report, the Empress Dowager was reciting Buddhist scriptures. She frowned slightly at the news and slowly opened her eyes.
"Concubine Ning?"
The wet nurse nodded. "Yes, this servant informed the Empress Dowager that you were unavailable, but she insisted on entering, stating she had urgent matters to report."
Concubine Ning was Ye Tingyu's birth mother. At this critical juncture, what urgent matters could she have other than pleading for Ye Tingyu?
The Empress Dowager's expression darkened, and she closed her eyes again.
"Did she come yesterday?"
A night had passed since Ye Tingyu was imprisoned.
The wet nurse thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes, she did, but you instructed not to see her. She knelt outside for a while and then left. She has returned today, likely unwilling to give up."
The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment before issuing an order, "Let her in."
As expected, Concubine Ning began to weep and plead upon entering, saying that Ye Tingyu was being framed, that he was pure of heart and would never commit such an act of harming the Emperor.
The Empress Dowager, annoyed, retorted, "Then why did Consort Wan not accuse anyone else, but specifically him?"
Upon hearing this, Concubine Ning wept even harder. "Empress Dowager, Consort Wan has always acted provocatively, but she only heeds Prince Mo's commands. This time, she has likely been instructed by Prince Mo to deliberately frame Yu'er!"
"Absurd!"
"You keep saying this matter was instigated by Prince Mo, but what proof do you have? If there is no proof, are you not also falsely accusing a prince?"
The problem was that Feng Yinwan was the direct party involved. While what she said might not be true, it cast undeniable suspicion.
"Your humble concubine..."
Concubine Ning's lips moved, but before she could conjure up the so-called "evidence," hurried footsteps were heard from outside, and the eunuch on duty rushed in.
"Empress Dowager, the guards report that something has happened at the imperial prison."