"Side consort, what is this?"
Yuping, unfamiliar with Song Qing'an, was startled when she saw him being helped back. Her gaze involuntarily flickered towards the two guards in the courtyard.
Feng Yinwan shook her head, offering no further explanation, and walked directly inside.
Seeing her begin to examine his wounds as soon as she entered the room, Song Qing'an felt a touch of embarrassment and immediately leaned back to give her space.
"Wan'er, I'm truly alright."
As he spoke, the conspicuous bloodstain on his shoulder trembled slightly. Feng Yinwan's pretty face darkened at the sight, and she tightened her grip on his clothing.
"Don't move."
Her tone was rarely this cold, indicating she was genuinely angered.
Song Qing'an knew he had acted impulsively and lost his composure today. Upon hearing her words, he obediently sat back down.
Upon examination, he had several superficial wounds. Though not severe, they were infuriating to look at.
Feng Yinwan furrowed her brows and said with a cold expression, "You are not a reckless person, so why did you resort to fighting in Prince Mo's mansion?"
The other party was still Ye Tinglan. When he made his move, his identity had already been exposed!
Song Qing'an's lips parted slightly. Before he could speak, Feng Jinchen, holding his sword, approached them.
The little one nuzzled against her leg and spoke cautiously.
"Mother, please don't scold Uncle Song. It's all my fault."
"If I hadn't written that letter, Uncle Song wouldn't have gotten so angry and fought with that bad old king..."
"Letter?"
Feng Yinwan blinked, then remembered his exaggerated letter of complaint. Her forehead twitched heavily.
She looked up, gritting her teeth, "Feng Jinchen!"
Uh oh, that look is scary.
Feng Jinchen's small body shivered. He mumbled in response and hid behind Song Qing'an.
"Mother... Mother, I already know I was wrong."
Heavens above, he had already received a good beating earlier!
Feng Yinwan's anger intensified.
Just as she was about to pull him out, Song Qing'an shifted and blocked her.
"Wan'er, it's not Chenchen's fault. I made him do it."
"You are in the capital, and I was not able to be by your side to know the situation. Therefore, I arranged with Chenchen that he would inform me immediately if any trouble arose. This time... I was too hasty."
The letter claimed Ye Tinglan had coerced and threatened her into remarrying him as a side consort, and that Ye Tinglan was tyrannical and treated their mother and son harshly.
When he received the letter, he was already on his way to the capital.
The army moved slowly, but he couldn't wait. He rode ahead alone and, upon arriving today, immediately sought out the Prince's mansion.
In the Hengwu Courtyard, Ye Tinglan's arrival was sudden. He was consumed by anger and did not restrain himself, directly engaging him in a fight.
However, Ye Tinglan's submissive attitude just now, even allowing Wan'er to strike him... this seemed inconsistent with what was written in the letter.
His brows furrowed slightly, and Song Qing'an asked with doubt, "Wan'er, has he truly mistreated you?"
Feng Yinwan's head ached. She pressed her forehead and waved her hand.
"Nothing of the sort. Don't listen to this child's nonsense."
Feng Jinchen's head popped out in dissatisfaction. "What nonsense? He spanked my butt! Mother, you can't pretend you didn't see it!"
Feng Yinwan: "..."
She realized that ever since leaving the sect, this little dumpling had been going increasingly astray.
Alas, her innocent and adorable son was gone forever!
After finally clarifying the matter with Song Qing'an, Feng Yinwan was tending to his wounds when she saw his gaze fixed on her.
"Wan'er, did you willingly become his side consort this time?"
Such a disrespectful question, he shouldn't have asked it. But Ye Tinglan's unusually strange attitude just now made him unable to refrain.
Feng Yinwan's expression froze. Her voice was slightly cold as she replied, "It was merely a temporary measure."
Song Qing'an nodded, but his words carried a trace of worry.
"But now, your identity is likely impossible to conceal."
He had had a premonition when he saw Yuping upon entering.
Thinking back now, Ye Tinglan's pointed words and attacks that specifically countered his moves during their initial confrontation clearly indicated he had anticipated this.
If even his identity had been guessed, then Feng Yinwan's was even more obvious. Even with the Huan Yan Gu, it could no longer be hidden.
With this thought, he pursed his lips slightly and added, "I am entering the capital on a secret decree, and it is inconvenient to expose my whereabouts. Will you leave with me?"
His identity had been exposed. If she were to remain in the Prince's mansion, it would be equivalent to being directly under Ye Tinglan's surveillance. Even if he had no ill intentions, Chenchen's identity...
Feng Yinwan's worries only grew.
Her expression turned serious, but she still shook her head. "Not yet."
Song Qing'an's gaze dimmed slightly, as he had already anticipated this answer. Just as he was about to nod, he heard her speak again.
"But it will be soon. Since you are back in the capital, you can help me."
His clear eyes on the side widened slightly, then filled with firm warmth. "Wan'er, if you need me, I will always offer my full support."
...
After dinner, Qi Xuan suddenly came to find her. He entered the room without a word and knelt before her.
Feng Yinwan was caught off guard and startled. "What are you doing?"
He was Ye Tinglan's personal guard, loyal and dedicated. Why would he kneel to her without reason?
Qi Xuan knelt upright, his eyes lowered, hands clasped. His expression was unreadable.
"Please, Side Consort, go and see the Prince."
So it was for Ye Tinglan.
Feng Yinwan frowned, her expression cooling slightly. "Get up and report."
Qi Xuan remained motionless, repeating, "Please, Side Consort, go and see the Prince."
This half-coercive stance greatly displeased Feng Yinwan. She frowned, her voice turning cold.
"Why should I go? Between Ye Tinglan and me, there is only cooperation, nothing else. You should be clear about this."
He had wantonly injured someone today without reason. Although the injuries were not severe, his actions were repulsive.
Regardless of whether he had seen through her identity, she didn't want to say another word to him about anything other than the Hundred Woods Spirit Connection and the villainous plot.
Qi Xuan, however, seemed not to hear her, persisting.
"Please, Side Consort, go and see the Prince."
"You!"
Feng Yinwan was exasperated. "Fine, since you want to kneel, then do as you please!"
She uttered this and left for the Hengwu Courtyard.
Inside the room, Feng Jinchen was playing "guess the dice" with Song Qing'an. Seeing her, he greeted her with joy.
"Mother, hurry and come! Let's play together!"
As he spoke, the paper strips on his soft cheeks fluttered.
Feng Yinwan's irritation lessened, and she happily joined them.
It wasn't until after the second watch, when Feng Jinchen had fallen asleep, that Song Qing'an closed the door and looked at her with concern.
"Wan'er, you seem a little preoccupied."
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips. "It's nothing. You still have injuries; you should rest early too."
Upon returning, Qi Xuan was still kneeling in the courtyard. Yuping was trying to shoo him away with a feather duster, but to no avail.
Feng Yinwan, unable to refuse, her eyes darkened slightly, and she said coldly.
"Get up, I'll go."
She truly couldn't bear to see Qi Xuan like this.
The statue on the ground finally reacted to her words. He bowed and paid her obeisance.
"This subordinate thanks the Side Consort."
The night was silent. However, the room in the main courtyard was unlit. Feng Yinwan glanced at it, took the food box from Qi Xuan, and pushed the door open.
The moment she entered, a strong scent of alcohol hit her nostrils. Feng Yinwan frowned slightly and spoke.
"Ye Tinglan?"
The room was dim.
After calling out a few times without a response, she put down the food box and prepared to leave. However, the instant she turned, a chill suddenly enveloped her from behind.
"Don't go..."