She had no time to ponder why she was here before Ye Tinglan's questioning voice sounded beside her.
"What's wrong?"
Feng Yinwan's breath hitched for a moment as she suppressed the oddity on her face.
She looked at Yuping and asked coldly, "What does Your Highness mean by this?"
Ye Tinglan also looked up. Hidden by the night, his dark eyes seemed unfathomably deep.
Before he could speak, she continued, "I said I don't like people serving me. You had me move back here, yet you've installed someone. Are you intentionally trying to monitor me?"
She knew Yuping was at the imperial mausoleum.
She hadn't planned to bring her back hastily, as matters here weren't yet settled. To her surprise, Ye Tinglan had acted before her, and at precisely this moment.
She had reasonable grounds to suspect he was deliberately testing her.
He couldn't discern any other emotion from her face for a long while. His ink-black eyes darkened slightly, and he looked away.
"I have no such intention."
Feng Yinwan: "I don't believe you."
Yuping, who had been tidying the courtyard, was startled by the commotion and quickly hurried over.
Her eyes fell on Feng Yinwan, and she was momentarily stunned before bowing.
"Greetings, Your Highness and... concubine."
Ye Tinglan nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on Yuping. "Yuping was a maid beside the former Princess Consort and always served in Lanqing Courtyard. She is not an outsider."
His words were ambiguous, and Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow, unwilling to engage.
"If she was the former Princess Consort's maid, isn't it rather inappropriate for her to serve me, a concubine?"
As if he had anticipated her response, Ye Tinglan pursed his lips, his tone calm yet leaving no room for dissent.
"The Princess Consort's temperament was similar to yours. Yuping would be happy to care for you."
Given that he had said this much, refusing further would seem impolite. Feng Yinwan nodded and walked directly into the courtyard.
"Alright, then I shall heed Your Highness's words."
Outside the window, the night was deep. In the residual light of the corner lamp, a solitary, chilling figure stood for a moment before quietly departing.
Inside, Feng Yinwan paused her tea-drinking, a silent sigh of relief escaping her.
The moment she put down the teacup, hurried footsteps entered the room. She looked up abruptly, meeting a pair of slightly red eyes.
Yuping stopped at the doorway, her gaze fixed on Feng Yinwan, her face trembling.
"Miss?"
This address was spoken with extreme caution, and her voice trembled as she uttered it. Feng Yinwan's eyes welled up, and she nodded, her voice choked.
"Mm."
Like a snapped lute string, tears fell instantly. Yuping rushed forward.
"Miss... it really is you!"
Three years. Even though her face had changed, just one look from her eyes was enough for Yuping to confirm it was her Miss.
She had waited in the capital for three years... and finally, her Miss had returned. All of this was real!
The dampness kept falling on their hands. They gripped each other so tightly that their knuckles were white, as if propelled by an unseen force.
"Miss..."
Yuping's eyes were blurred with tears. Her words were choked with sobs. Feng Yinwan shook her head, indicating she didn't need to say more.
From the General's Estate to the Prince of Mo's Estate, from the capital to Wuxi Pavilion... and now to this day, there was no need for further words between mistress and servant.
Allowing her to cry for a while until the intense emotion subsided, Feng Yinwan finally took a breath and spoke softly.
"Yuping, have you been well in the capital?"
Although Feng Wuxi had arranged for people to protect her secretly, the imperial mausoleum was a formidable place. She had been there alone, and for three whole years.
The thought made Feng Yinwan's heart ache.
Though tears still clung to her own eyelashes, she reached out to wipe Yuping's, who pursed her lips and shook her head vigorously.
"Miss, this servant is fine..."
The imperial mausoleum was remote, and news from the capital did not reach it easily.
If not for the Emperor's grave illness and the increased stir within the imperial mausoleum, she might never have known about Prince Mo taking a concubine.
Upon hearing this news, she had been somewhat indignant. However, upon learning that besides Yun Shu, there was also a Concubine Wan, she inexplicably felt a certainty arise within her.
That Concubine Wan must be Miss!
This strange certainty persisted until Qi Xuan appeared today.
At that moment, it felt as though a heavy stone had landed in her heart, telling her she had guessed correctly.
But when it was time to leave the imperial mausoleum, she became uneasy.
The Prince's sudden summons for her return was likely related to Miss's identity...
Recalling the dark look on Ye Tinglan's face as he left, Yuping hardened her heart and gripped Feng Yinwan's hand tightly.
"Miss, this servant knows you cannot reveal your identity. Tomorrow morning, please find an excuse to send this servant away. That way, the Prince can no longer test you!"
She was already overjoyed to see her Miss again. How could she dare disregard the bigger picture and stay, becoming a burden to her Miss?
Feng Yinwan's hand, held tightly by Yuping, transmitted a warmth that was as burning and passionate as Yuping's words.
The eyes that looked at her were as pure as ever. Her Yuping was still that loyal little maid.
A slight tremor ran through her heart. Feng Yinwan placed her hand over Yuping's and patted it gently. She looked at her earnestly, shaking her head.
"It's useless."
Lanqing Courtyard, Concubine Wan, the ceremony of a principal consort.
Ye Tinglan had already begun to suspect her.
His mind was always astute. Those doubts could not be dispelled by such minor actions.
With things having reached this point, she had no better recourse but to feign ignorance until this thin veil of secrecy was completely torn.
Fortunately, the day of their escape was fast approaching.
"Since you're back, stay at ease. I'll handle everything. Once this is over, we'll leave here together."
The Miss of today was more composed than she had been three years ago, and her words were highly reassuring.
The familiar feeling welled up in Yuping's heart again. She nodded, her trust in Feng Yinwan boundless.
After such a long separation, they had many things to talk about.
As the hours chimed, the night grew silent, yet the soft whispers in the room continued.
And as the stars shifted, the three-year void seemed to be silently filled amidst the flickering candlelight.
Seeing her with swollen eyes, propped up at the table, yet her gaze still sparkling, Feng Yinwan smiled and nudged her.
"It's late. Sleep here tonight. We can continue chatting in bed."
She also had many things she wanted to tell Yuping.
Saying this, she got up to prepare the bedding. To her surprise, Yuping, who had been sitting quietly at the table, suddenly stood up.
The stool scraped against the floor with a sharp, urgent sound. Feng Yinwan turned in surprise.
"What's wrong?"
"No... nothing."
Yuping lowered her head, her face a little pale. "Miss, you are the mistress. How can this servant sleep with you..."
Seeing that she was still adhering to the rules, Feng Yinwan was not overly concerned.
"What does it matter? In my heart, I've already considered you half a sister."
She quickly spread out the bedding and then beckoned, "Come over quickly. It's just the two of us here, and no one can see."
"Miss...!"
Sensing her strong resistance, Feng Yinwan frowned.
She raised her eyes and keenly noticed Yuping's arm recoiling behind her. Her beautiful eyes immediately narrowed.
"What's wrong with your arm?"