With the items in hand, Feng Yin Wan left under the Empress's furious gaze, completely satisfied.
Shortly after exiting Changle Palace, Ye Ting Lan's eyes darkened as he glanced at her.
"Did you find anything?"
Her persistence in getting food and incense, this shamelessly acting manner was no different from before.
Regarding her identity, he seemed to be more certain.
His dark eyes gazed at her, a flicker of daze in their depths for a moment.
Unaware, Feng Yin Wan examined the incense in her hand, her red lips parting slightly.
"It's been a good hour, yet the scent in the hall hasn't dissipated at all. Doesn't Your Highness find it strange?"
She had seen it; the incense in the burner was extinguished halfway through, its potency truly astonishing.
Ye Ting Lan nodded, a shallow coldness in his eyes.
"It is indeed a bit strange."
The crimson brocade box spun halfway in his hand, Feng Yin Wan pursed her lips, "I'll take a look at the incense when I get back."
Her gaze met his, her brow furrowed with more concern.
"I checked just now, the Empress has no internal energy. However, that palace maid by her side, she has some skill."
When she threw the teacup, she had deliberately calculated the trajectory.
At such a tricky angle, Su Xi was still able to catch the teacup without a single drop spilled. She must have some martial arts, and possibly quite advanced.
"Did Your Highness know about this before?"
Ye Ting Lan looked at her and shook his head truthfully, "There's no such talk in the palace."
Oh, so she was hiding it deliberately.
Getting the answer she expected, Feng Yin Wan wasn't surprised. Her delicate eyebrows rose, and she tucked the incense box into her sleeve.
"Let's go."
There were many concubines in the harem. Apart from Consort Rong and the Empress, whom they absolutely had to visit, the other palaces were optional; it wasn't that strict.
Feng Yin Wan and Ye Ting Lan chose a few places, paid brief visits, and then left the palace.
It was late by the time they returned to the manor. The carriage stopped, and Feng Yin Wan, holding the incense, headed straight for Heng Wu Courtyard.
As Ye Ting Lan alighted from the carriage, he only saw a receding figure. His dark eyes dimmed, and he felt a pang of discomfort.
His thin lips pursed for a moment before he finally strode towards the main courtyard.
As he entered, Qi Xuan happened to land in the courtyard, his movements agile, carrying a hint of unusual joy.
Ye Ting Lan raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, he was spotted by Qi Xuan.
"Your Highness."
His nod was serious for a fleeting moment, making his emotions unreadable now.
Ye Ting Lan glanced at him and continued walking inside.
"The person has been brought back?"
"Yes."
He asked as he walked, and Qi Xuan replied, a hint of hesitation appearing on his face.
He followed for a few steps, unable to hold back, "Does Your Highness really intend to let her serve the side consort? She is..."
"She is what?"
Ye Ting Lan's dark eyes shifted towards him, calm and unperturbed, revealing no emotion.
Qi Xuan feared this look from him the most.
He cupped his hands, immediately lowering his head further, "This subordinate misspoke. I ask for Your Highness's punishment."
He considered it overstepping his bounds and deserved to be punished. To his surprise, Ye Ting Lan's brow furrowed upon hearing this, and he immediately stopped.
"Do I seem so unreasonable to you?"
Always quick to punish, acting without logic, is that how he saw him?
Qi Xuan, as his personal guard, was the closest to him. If even he thought this way, then what about her?
Did she... also think so?
A surge of frustration rose to his brow. Ye Ting Lan lowered his gaze, his expression chillingly frightening.
Qi Xuan: "Ah... ah?"
What just happened? He had no idea?
Still dazed, a cold gust of wind suddenly swept past him. The figure in black had already passed him and entered the room directly.
"Your Highness..."
Before he could finish speaking, the room door slammed shut with a powerful force, the commotion so great that he himself trembled.
Amidst the swirling dust, Qi Xuan swallowed hard and quietly stepped out of the main courtyard.
The Prince seemed to be in a bad mood today. Best to stay away.