A long time passed, and a shallow breathing sound could be heard.
In the darkness, Ye Tinglan got up silently. The moment the door was quietly closed behind him, the surging blood and qi within his body immediately broke through the suppression and rushed to his throat, producing a faint, sweet metallic taste.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and it took a few moments to suppress the surging sensation. Ye Tinglan raised his hand, staring intently at his palm for a while, then listlessly lowered it.
He returned with equally light steps. The door closed softly, without a single extra sound.
As soon as he walked back to the chair, a rustling sound came from the depths of the room. In the darkness, Ye Tinglan froze, stopping silently.
The person on the bed seemed to be sleeping restlessly, with a slight turn every few moments.
He listened quietly, and through the dimness, he could almost imagine Feng Yinwan frowning slightly as she turned over.
His thoughts snapped back, and he found himself standing by the bed.
The bed curtains were only half-drawn. Moonlight drifted in from the window frame, hazy and dim, but still enough for him to see the woman's sleeping face.
Ye Tinglan's breathing unconsciously softened.
With half the quilt covering her face, the woman's brows were furrowed, and she looked as if she were only lightly asleep. Perhaps subconsciously aware that he was in the room, even in her sleep, she maintained a strong sense of defense and vigilance.
People were least aware of danger when asleep, especially in the palace. It should be a good thing that she was so alert, but as he watched, his chest felt tight and constricted.
He hadn't seen any expression other than defense on her face for a long time. Perhaps, to her, he had long been an unforgivable person.
The breath he had finally managed to suppress seemed to be surging again uncontrollably. He quickly averted his gaze, his retreating figure showing a hint of his inner turmoil.
Feng Yinwan slept reasonably well, neither too good nor too bad.
In the first half of the night, she was still consciously or unconsciously wary of Ye Tinglan, but in the latter half, she had completely fallen into a deep sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, the sky was already bright. She instinctively glanced towards where he had been, but it was completely empty. Ye Tinglan was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing that he was not in the room, she unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. As she sat up, Qing Ruo's clear voice came from outside.
"Has Consort woken up? This servant is here to bring breakfast."
It was already time for breakfast.
Feng Yinwan was slightly startled by this. She immediately said, "You may come in."
When she returned after washing up, Qing Ruo had already set the table. Seeing only one set of chopsticks and bowls, Feng Yinwan asked instinctively.
"Is the Prince not here?"
Qing Ruo nodded. "The Prince is concerned about His Majesty's health and returned to Yangxin Hall early this morning."
Returned?
Feng Yinwan frowned and then heard her say, "When he left, the Prince specifically instructed this servant not to wake Consort. It would not be too late for Consort to eat breakfast and then go."
Whether it was late or not, going there wouldn't bring any good news anyway. Feng Yinwan nodded and proceeded to eat her breakfast with gusto.
After the meal, Qing Ruo came in to clear the dishes. Feng Yinwan agreed and immediately got up to go out.
Jiuzhou Xiangxie was a bit out of the way, and it would take some time to get to Yangxin Hall from here. Feng Yinwan walked along the path, heading towards the inner palace.
To be precise, towards Yuxiu Palace.
Last night, Ye Tinglan had said that the person had gone missing near Yuxiu Palace. The area was already secluded and very close to the garbage disposal area, making the situation quite complicated. She planned to go and take a look again today.
Lost in thought, she unconsciously arrived at her destination.
After breakfast, it was the time for the Imperial Household Department's people to transport the garbage out of the palace. A carriage passed by her and stopped not far ahead.
She hadn't encountered such a scene the last time she came. Feng Yinwan looked up and then followed.
The palace's garbage was processed in batches every seven days. It was the seventh day, and the stench was clearly stronger than last time.
Two eunuchs bustled about, loading the garbage into the cart. Feng Yinwan stayed a little distance away, observing the situation inside the cart.
She watched for a long time without noticing anything unusual. Just as she was about to step back, she saw the door of Yuxiu Palace open a crack, and Ling Xiang came out with a basket.
It wasn't the first time she had seen her, and Feng Yinwan was not unfamiliar. Seeing her approach, she directly asked.
"What are you carrying?"
The basket was already quite tall, and it looked bulging and very heavy. Ling Xiang, whose attention was focused on her hands, paused slightly upon hearing the question before turning her head.
At first glance, the young maid did not recognize her.
After a moment of daze, Ling Xiang realized that the person in front of her was Feng Yinwan. The hand holding the basket trembled, and almost immediately, the fear that Feng Yinwan had instilled in her resurfaced.
"Consort... Consort."
Why her again!
Last time! It was right here! She had spoken wildly and badmouthed the Empress.
For that matter, she had been so scared that she hadn't dared to go out to dump garbage for three days!
What day was it today? Why had she been blown here again? She would have to check the almanac when she got back.
Still frozen, Feng Yinwan had already moved closer and directly lifted the lid with her hand. She was so fast that Ling Xiang didn't even have a chance to stop her.
"Consort!"
Upon realizing what was happening, Ling Xiang immediately and fearfully placed the basket on the ground, bowing towards Feng Yinwan.
"This servant had no intention of offending, please do not blame Consort..."
What kind of normal person would eagerly go to look at garbage!
She had just come out to dump garbage, and she hadn't provoked anyone. This Consort had come up to her herself.
This could not be blamed on her at all! Those two eunuchs had also seen it!
Seeing her bowing continuously, almost about to kneel, Feng Yinwan chuckled and put the lid back on, her gaze never leaving the basket.
"Is this whole basket charcoal ash?"
This nonsensical question stunned Ling Xiang for a moment. When she recovered, she hesitantly nodded.
"Replying to Consort, yes."
She was telling the truth, feeling that there was nothing inappropriate about it. Little did she know that Feng Yinwan's brows slightly raised upon hearing this, and a hint of darkness appeared in her eyes.
Ling Xiang's eyelids twitched, and she then heard her say.
"This is high-quality Hongluo charcoal, isn't it?"
From the few glances she had taken earlier, she noticed that the charcoal ash was white and powdery, with no impurities.
Such a color, such uniformity, could only be achieved by Hongluo charcoal.
And this Hongluo charcoal seemed to be quite rare in the inner palace.
Feng Yinwan glanced at her, her tone direct and undisguised.
"Your Lady Yu is not very favored, yet the charcoal used in this palace is of excellent quality."
"...!"
Ling Xiang's face immediately changed color. "Consort, you must not speak carelessly!"
How could she say things like "Your Lady Yu is not favored" right in front of her!
Ah! She was going mad!