The body of Ye Tingyu was placed in the imperial prison. After Ye Tinglan had the guards withdrawn, Feng Yinwan crept in from the shadows.
The dimly lit cell was silent. Feng Yinwan stepped forward and pulled off the white cloth, revealing a broken and stiff corpse.
During the autopsy earlier that day, the coroner had found no wounds on Ye Tingyu's body. To ensure accuracy, several incisions had been made. Although the internal organs had been replaced, the skin had not yet been sutured, which conveniently aided Feng Yinwan's examination.
Her breath hitched for a moment. She took out a pair of gloves from her waist and put them on, then began her inspection.
The stench of blood filled the air, making one nauseous. When Ye Tinglan pushed open the door, Feng Yinwan was carefully examining a piece of bloody flesh in her hand.
She was completely engrossed and didn't notice the slight movement. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as she stared intently at one spot, then a silver needle quickly darted out from her fingertips.
"Found it."
As the silver needle was retrieved, a small, brown object, mixed with the blood and flesh, was precisely extracted. Feng Yinwan placed it in her palm. The object was hard to the touch and reflected light, looking like a piece of an insect's carapace.
"What is this?"
A voice sounded beside her. Feng Yinwan started, realizing someone else was in the cell. Her brow arched slightly as she held out the object. "If I'm not mistaken, it should be a gu worm."
The term 'gu worm' was not unfamiliar to her. She had encountered this kind of thing on Feng Yuli at Wuxi Pavilion before, and now, she herself had one inside her.
Ye Tinglan's eyes darkened almost imperceptibly at her words. He then heard her continue, "The coroner's examination was correct. Ye Tingyu had no wounds and was not poisoned. His sudden death was likely caused by this thing."
Although she didn't know how it got into his body, it was clear that the person responsible was not the same one who had given him the Fragrant Soul Elixir previously. Moreover, judging by the timing, the sudden disappearance of the Fragrant Soul Elixir was likely related to the appearance of this gu worm.
Ye Tinglan clearly understood this as well. After a moment of contemplation, his thin lips pressed into a cold line. "It seems someone was well-prepared."
This gu worm could kill Ye Tingyu, meaning that from the beginning, the person behind it only intended to use him as a catalyst for the Ning clan's rebellion, with no intention of letting him live.
The atmosphere around them became heavy. Feng Yinwan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Ye Tingyan seems to have a gu master by his side." From the way Feng Yuli was handled previously, it was evident. This current scheme involving Ye Tingyu was very likely his doing.
Ye Tinglan, however, remained silent.
The light in the prison cell was dim. She frowned in thought, a trace of blood smudged on her fair face from the earlier examination. Under the dim light, it possessed a striking, unconventional beauty. Ye Tinglan's dark eyes shifted. When he came to his senses, his fingertips had uncontrollably reached out.
The moment a faint coolness touched her cheek, Feng Yinwan looked up in bewilderment. Their eyes met, and she sank deeply into that profound gaze, her heart suddenly tightening as if scalded. Just as she was about to speak, the light before her suddenly dimmed. Ye Tinglan raised his hand and pulled her forcefully into his embrace.
Feng Yinwan stiffened and immediately struggled. "What are you doing?"
Her hands were still stained with blood, yet Ye Tinglan did not loosen his grip despite her resistance. Unlike his previous composure and restraint, his actions were possessive, almost forceful, as he held her close. Yet, when he spoke, his voice was low, almost a tender coaxing. "Promise me, when I am not in the palace, no matter what you do, you will never put yourself in danger."