The next morning, as the doors of Hengwu Courtyard opened, a figure stood outside.
Upon recognizing the visitor, Song Qing'an's slight surprise instantly turned to vigilance. Before he could react, Ye Tinglan's deep voice resonated before him.
"Follow this King."
In the backyard of the prince's mansion, two figures stood at a moderate distance, yet remained silent, neither initiating conversation.
Beneath the seemingly calm atmosphere, an undercurrent of tension flowed, carrying a subtle sense of impending confrontation.
After a long pause, Ye Tinglan's thin lips moved, and the hand behind his back tightened slightly.
"You returned to the capital yesterday?"
Though he was reluctant to mention it, Song Qing'an knew how much Ye Tinglan valued Feng Yinwan. Judging by the situation yesterday, Feng Yinwan must have come straight to the prince's mansion upon his return to the capital.
He had initially thought Ye Tinglan summoned him here to question him about Feng Yinwan, only to find the conversation turned to himself.
Song Qing'an faltered slightly at the words, his expression remaining impassive.
Ye Tinglan shot him a glance, his tone suddenly turning stern. "The supply convoy is slow, and the troops' advance is delayed. They are still en route, yet you, as the commander-in-chief, have disobeyed imperial orders, abandoned your post, and entered the capital privately. Such negligence and laxity, how can you bear such a heavy responsibility!"
The moment his words fell, Song Qing'an's heart tightened, a ripple of emotion surfacing.
His return to the capital was based on an imperial decree issued a month ago. Since it was a secret decree, and issued a month prior, others naturally had no way of knowing.
Furthermore, his army was comprised of troops drawn from various border garrisons, with no prior connection to the capital, making them entirely clean.
If that were the case, how could Ye Tinglan know of this matter? And be able to deduce the army's route so clearly...
His gaze darkened, and he looked up, his eyes suddenly glinting with sharp coldness.
"This matter is a top secret. How would Your Highness know?"
Before returning to the capital, he had also heard about the situation in the palace.
The Emperor was plagued by a severe illness and could not speak. At present, all eyes were fixed on the position of Crown Prince, and conflict could erupt at any moment.
The secret decree ordering him to return at this time seemed as if it had been anticipated long ago. However, what puzzled him was that with the imperial guards at a vulnerable point, the Emperor had only ordered him to station his troops outside the capital, without mentioning entering the city or the palace.
He was unsure if it was due to inconvenience or if there were other arrangements.
Ye Tinglan had no intention of answering. His thin lips pressed coldly, and he merely rebuked him sternly.
"Look after your soldiers. This matter is of great importance; not the slightest error can be made!"
Song Qing'an's clear brows furrowed slightly. Before he could speak, he saw Ye Tinglan's chilling aura recede slightly, and he continued,
"Since you are back, their safety, mother and son, I entrust to you."
The matter of Feng Yinwan and Feng Jinchen was understood between them. Ye Tinglan's words were particularly solemn, as if entrusting him with a weighty task.
Song Qing'an's heart stirred, and a thought flashed through his mind at lightning speed.
Just as he was about to inquire further, a shadow flickered in his peripheral vision, and a woman's slightly cold, pretty face came into view.
"Wan'er?"
Almost the moment he spoke, the chill at his side quickly dissipated. When Ye Tinglan looked up, his brows subtly furrowed, and there was no trace of the oppressive intensity from moments before.
But it was clear that Feng Yinwan was somewhat immune to him.
Meeting the faint coolness in her eyes, Ye Tinglan's gaze trembled slightly, and he opened his lips.
"I was merely speaking with him; I did not lay a hand on him."
The question he was about to ask was thus stifled, leaving Feng Yinwan momentarily stunned and disoriented.
Earlier, she had gone to Hengwu Courtyard but found only Feng Jinchen. It was only after asking Xiwen that she learned Ye Tinglan had called Song Qing'an away.
Recalling the ambiguous words he had spoken last night while feverish, fearing they might clash again, she had hurried over, only to find the scene surprisingly harmonious.
And...
Hearing his words, why did they sound inexplicably a little wronged?
Feng Yinwan's forehead twitched slightly. Looking up to meet that stern face, she felt even more awkward.
Her brows furrowed in suspicion, and she half-believingly averted her gaze. Only after hearing Song Qing'an personally say "That is indeed the case" did she quietly exhale a sigh of relief.
Before she could speak again, a cool breeze swirled around her, and Ye Tinglan had already walked away.
Feng Yinwan did not know what they had discussed, and since Song Qing'an had not brought it up proactively, she did not inquire further.
After breakfast, Song Qing'an had already departed. Feng Jinchen insisted on accompanying Feng Yinwan to see him off. In broad daylight, and still at Ye Tinglan's residence, they dared not be too brazen, escorting him only to the back gate of the prince's mansion.
As they parted, Feng Jinchen tugged at Song Qing'an's hem with his small hands, his eyes teary as he emphasized,
"Uncle Song, now that you've finally returned to the capital, you must visit me and Mother often!"
Alas, once Uncle Song left, there would be no one to help him fight against that bad old king. The thought made him incredibly sad!
He was reluctant to part, and continued to give repeated instructions. Song Qing'an patiently nodded and agreed to each one with a smile.
Finally, seeing that he still wouldn't stop and seemed unwilling to let go, Feng Yinwan grabbed his small nape and lifted him, forcibly separating him from Song Qing'an's lap.
Feng Jinchen (kicking his legs wildly): "Mother, what are you doing? Put me down quickly!"
Feng Yinwan: "If you chatter any more, you'll scare away the ghosts. Come, let's go back!"
Feng Yinwan dragged him along, and Feng Jinchen kicked his legs all the way. When they reached the edge of the pond and he still hadn't calmed down, Feng Yinwan's patience wore thin. She extended her hand, suspending him a foot above the ground.
Seeing this, Feng Jinchen's little face immediately paled. "Mother, what are you trying to do?"
Feng Yinwan: "The water here has frozen over. I'll take you to see the scenery."
Feng Jinchen: I believe you...
"Mom, Mother, I've seen enough..."
The formerly restless little dumpling was now clinging tightly to her arm, as quiet as a mouse.
The effect was immediate. Feng Yinwan withdrew her hand with satisfaction. "That's good. I'll bring you back again next time."
Finally allowed to touch the ground, Feng Jinchen patted his still-recovering chest and ran more than ten meters away before shouting,
"There won't be a next time!"
This ice thing was utterly terrible!
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow. Before she could utter "That's not necessarily true," she caught sight of a figure in a crabapple-colored dress peeking from behind the sparse flower bushes.
It was Yun Shu.
She hadn't heard any news of her since her wedding, and she didn't expect to run into her here today.
Seeing that she had been discovered, Yun Shu made no attempt to conceal herself. She turned her steps and had her maid assist her back.
Feng Yinwan watched her retreating back for two seconds, then turned her gaze to Feng Jinchen in the distance, her eyes darkening slightly.
On that day, they had entered the mansion together, she as a principal consort, while Yun Shu was undeniably a concubine. She heard from the servants that Ye Tinglan hadn't even visited Yufu Courtyard once.
Given how desperately she had acted before, she didn't believe she would remain indifferent this time.
They say a barking dog doesn't bite, so it seemed she still needed to instruct Xiwen and Jianye to be more diligent.