The message was sent out in the morning, and the Hundred Wood Spirit Rhinoceros was delivered to the special storeroom of the Imperial Kitchen in the afternoon. Eunuch Gao personally carried it, and the Imperial Guards escorted it all the way, making it a conspicuous sight.
The door to the Hall of Mental Cultivation was pushed open, and Eunuch Gao hurried in.
"Your Highness, this servant has sent the item as per your instructions. The Imperial Guards accompanying me are responsible for guarding it, and the storeroom has been sealed so tightly that not even a fly can get in!"
His round physique and the earnestness in his words created an odd sense of amusement.
Feng Yinwan’s lips twitched. Then she saw Ye Tinglan nod, "Thank you, Eunuch."
The trap was set; they just needed to wait for the bait.
It wasn't until dusk, when the palace gates were being locked, that Feng Yinwan and Ye Tinglan emerged from the Hall of Mental Cultivation and proceeded to leave the palace.
A carriage was waiting outside the palace gates. Ostensibly, the two were returning to their manor by carriage. In reality, the carriage circled the palace and stopped at a side gate, where they disembarked silently and returned to the palace.
This pretense was executed so well that even Eunuch Gao was unaware. Glancing at the sky, the two headed straight for the Imperial Kitchen.
By this hour, there were few people left in the Imperial Kitchen. The storeroom containing the Hundred Wood Spirit Rhinoceros was easy to find. It was a standalone room, not large, but as Eunuch Gao had said, it was surrounded by the Imperial Guards three layers deep.
Feng Yinwan observed their diligent expressions and nodded inwardly.
With such dedication, it was indeed hard not to believe.
The two of them hid on the roof of the opposite building, from where they could clearly see the surrounding situation.
The weather had already turned cold with winter. As night fell, it became chilly. Feng Yinwan was intently watching for any movement when her shoulder grew heavy. A cloak was draped over it.
The fine soft silk carried a slight warmth. She was momentarily stunned and turned to look. Ye Tinglan had already averted his gaze, and in the dim light, she could only see a sharp profile, his emotions unreadable.
Her brow rose slightly as she heard a sound.
The sound was very faint, intermittent but ordered. It was the footsteps of someone scaling eaves and walls, but there were two sets.
This realization made Feng Yinwan's eyes tighten slightly. As she looked, two flying knives had already severed the throats of the foremost Imperial Guards.
The attack was ruthless and swift, precisely from the person who had fought her before.
This one was not unfamiliar, an old acquaintance. But the other one?
This storeroom had no windows. To get the item, they would have to force their way in.
Two figures landed simultaneously in front of the storeroom door. Feng Yinwan’s gaze traced back. The person in front held no weapons, fighting bare-handed. Yet, several Imperial Guards were no match for him. His skill was even superior to the previous one.
Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed, and three silver needles shot from her fingertips.
She dared not underestimate the opponent's skill. This attack was launched with nearly nine-tenths of her strength and from the shadows. Under such a surprise attack, it should have been accurate, piercing the person's chest directly. However, the moment the silver needles penetrated, they bent sharply and fell straight to the ground.
Not a single one of the three needles missed its mark.
This was not internal energy; it was that the person’s flesh was so tough that it could easily block the attack.
Her silver needles… could not even pierce him!
While she was still in shock, a chill swept past her. Ye Tinglan had already engaged the person.
The storeroom door had been broken open. Seeing this, Feng Yinwan immediately leaped forward and intercepted the other person who was trying to break in.
As they fought, her gaze flickered, and she clearly saw a very small brown mole on the person's wrist, identical to the one she had seen in Changle Palace that day.
Her heart sank, and she immediately grinned, "It really is you!"