Ye Ziyun glanced at her with utter disdain.
"What a nuisance. Don't get our hands dirty with the Feng family's affairs! My brother is currently favored by the Emperor. If you drag him down, I'll definitely inform my mother and have her tell my brother to divorce you early!"
Divorce her early? She really dared to say that!
Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, which were slightly pale, and straightened her back.
"Princess Qingyun speaks with such arrogance. My marriage to the Prince was bestowed by the Emperor himself. Neither my husband nor I can initiate a divorce without cause. Does Consort Rong have the authority to decide such matters so easily?"
Although Ye Tinglan had given her a letter of divorce in his rage earlier, without it being brought before the Emperor, it was nothing more than a piece of scrap paper, purely meant to humiliate her.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed coldly as she glanced at her again, then she curled her lips. "I wonder whose decision it is, Consort Rong's? Or is it yours, Princess Qingyun?!"
Her voice was sharp, carrying an icy chill. Ye Ziyun's expression changed, her eyebrows knitting together.
"What are you being so arrogant about! You're just the daughter of a defeated general. Do you really think the Emperor favors you that much! I am..."
Before she could finish her haughty declaration, a eunuch's sharp voice echoed from outside.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived—"
The tense atmosphere in the room was instantly broken. Ye Ziyun's eyes flickered, and she immediately stepped away from the bed.
"Imperial Grandmother."
Her voice was soft and gentle, completely different from her earlier demeanor.
The Empress Dowager gave her a faint glance and then looked directly at Feng Yinwan on the bed.
"Ink Princess Consort, you are awake?"
The confrontation with Ye Ziyun had taken a toll on her strength. Feng Yinwan's face was pale, and she looked even more haggard than before she had fainted.
The Empress Dowager's gaze darkened. When she looked at Ye Ziyun again, there was a clear warning in her eyes.
"Your humble granddaughter greets the Empress Dowager."
She said this while making a motion to get out of bed. The Empress Dowager immediately signaled for someone to stop her.
"That will do. Your body is still very weak, so no need for formalities."
Feng Yinwan nodded. She truly had no extra strength.
Her gaze swept over the deep worry etched on Feng Yinwan's brow. The Empress Dowager paused before speaking again.
"Ink Princess Consort, victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare. Although your father and brother suffered a defeat at the front lines, our dynasty's soldiers are valiant. They have retreated to Linguan City and are holding their ground. The barbarians are crude and lack strategy. It is yet to be seen who will emerge victorious. You need not worry too much."
These words confirmed the news of her father and brother's defeat.
Feng Yinwan's heart trembled, and she felt a slight shiver.
Before she could respond, the Empress Dowager took her wrist. "You worked tirelessly to treat malaria, and today you were attacked by an assassin in the palace. You must take care of yourself now. The child in your belly is my great-grandchild, so be extremely cautious."
If the Feng family were to fall, Feng Yinwan's pregnancy would be her golden shield against death.
The Empress Dowager intended to be reassuring, but Feng Yinwan's thoughts were fixated on the word "child." Her delicate brows furrowed.
What child?
According to her plan, she was supposed to experience bleeding and then "miscarry." Although the process had gone awry with the appearance of an assassin, the imperial physicians should have detected no pulse, and the matter of her pregnancy should have been dismissed.
But... why was the Empress Dowager now urging her to take care of herself? Had the imperial physicians not reported it?!
A multitude of questions caused her brow to furrow deeply. Mistaking her concern for worry about the child, the Empress Dowager continued to comfort her.
"Rest assured, Imperial Physician Zhao has examined you. Although you were startled and experienced bleeding, the fetus in your womb is unharmed. It is likely due to the many tonics you have been taking. I will have someone select some for you from the treasury later."
Feng Yinwan was utterly stunned by these words.
The... fetus in her belly?
No, could this incompetent physician have made a misdiagnosis?!
Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly as she raised her hand to feel her pulse. She had never imagined that a simple touch would startle her so much.
Relying on the spiritual medicine from her bracelet, she had always been careless about her physical condition. Recently, her mind had been consumed by the matter of malaria. She hadn't expected that without paying attention, she would actually be pregnant, and for over two months!
This...
Her mind reeled several times, but then she suddenly realized something was amiss.
Two months ago, she and Ye Tinglan had not yet consummated their marriage. Could this pregnancy... be from that one time!
A secret thought surfaced in her heart. Feng Yinwan's face turned pale, and she froze.
Her complexion was so poor that the Empress Dowager, thinking she was unwell, spoke again.
"Alright, your body has not yet recovered. You will stay tonight at Kyushu Xiangxie. It will be fine for you to return to the manor with Lan'er tomorrow when you feel better."
Kyushu Xiangxie was Ye Tinglan's residence when he was in the palace.
Feng Yinwan nodded numbly. "Yes."
After speaking, the Empress Dowager left with her entourage, specifically calling Ye Ziyun out with her as she rose.
With the closing of the door, the noise was shut out. Feng Yinwan finally relaxed.
Everything that had happened today felt like a thick fog, with each event exceeding her expectations. It had even unearthed a new bombshell.
Since transmigrating, a mountain of miscellaneous issues had piled up. If not for the mention of pregnancy today, she would have almost forgotten about that night.
So, who was that man!
Her slender fingers involuntarily clenched into a fist. Thinking of Ye Tinglan, Feng Yinwan's heart suddenly tightened.
Everyone was present when she fainted. Since the Empress Dowager knew about the pregnancy, Ye Tinglan must also know...
With such a blatant cuckold's cap firmly in place, he must be extremely enraged.
Her heart trembled slightly. Feng Yinwan pursed her lips, unsure of how to face him for a moment.
As her thoughts were in disarray, a palace maid entered with a bowl of medicinal soup.
"Princess Consort, this is the fetal-calming medicine prescribed by Imperial Physician Zhao. Please drink it while it's hot."
She hadn't paid attention before when she didn't know, but now that she did, Feng Yinwan became cautious. At the very least, to preserve a golden shield for the Feng family, her belly could not afford any mishaps.
After carefully examining the soup in the bowl, she drank it down and then asked about Ye Tinglan's whereabouts.
"Did the Prince say when he would return?"
This matter was a ticking time bomb between them, and she felt it necessary to explain.
The palace maid shook her head. "His Highness has been summoned by the Emperor for discussions. It is unknown when he will return tonight. Princess Consort is weak; please rest early after drinking your medicine."
Her sleepiness had long since been dispelled by her heavy worries. Feng Yinwan got up and leaned against the side of the bed. She had intended to wait for Ye Tinglan to return, but the fatigue she felt made her drowsy.
As she drifted in and out of consciousness, the candles in the room had already burned out. Before she could even call for the palace maid to relight them, a tall figure pushed open the door and entered.
The next moment, her body was suddenly enveloped in coldness, and her lips were fiercely captured.
Feng Yinwan regained her senses and immediately tried to push him away. However, the moment she extended her hands, they were seized, and then pinned above her head with irresistible force.
Her heart tightened, and she bit down hard on the man's lips.
The next moment, Ye Tinglan's deep, almost viscous voice, laced with the taste of blood, coldly inquired.
"Whose child is it?"