Feng Jiang stood in place, his gaze fixed in Feng Jiu’er’s direction, yet his eyes were utterly hollow, as if unfocused.

“Want some or not?” Feng Jiu’er raised an eyebrow.

Feng Jiang remained motionless, giving no response at all.

Feng Jiu’er pursed her lips and withdrew her hand. “Fine, if you won’t eat it, I will.”

Tossing out those words, she put the chicken leg in her mouth and took a fierce bite.

Not far away, a figure leapt down from the treetops.

“Jiu’er, are you all right?” Feng Yinan strode toward the campfire.

“What could possibly happen to me?” Feng Jiu’er held out the rest of the chicken. “He doesn’t know how to appreciate good food — you eat it.”

“All right.” Feng Yinan took the chicken and sat down beside Feng Jiu’er. “Jiu’er, when are we heading back?”

“You think I don’t want to go back? We can’t leave.” Feng Jiu’er licked the grease off the corner of her mouth and crooked a finger at Feng Yinan.

“Yinan, come closer. I’ll tell you a secret.”

Feng Yinan nodded and shifted his body closer to Feng Jiu’er.

“What are you two up to?” The captain guarding nearby saw this and strode over.

But before he could get close, three pairs of eyes fixed on him so sharply that his legs froze in place.

“N-nothing, carry on, you two.”

The captain swallowed hard, backed away several steps, then turned and ran.

“Forget it, the general just said not to let them leave the forest.” Back with his unit, the captain still couldn’t help comforting himself with that thought.

Since even the captain said so, no one else dared approach again.

With Zhao Yusheng keeping watch, Feng Jiu’er and Feng Yinan chatted and laughed freely, completely at ease.

Aside from the two of them, no one knew what they were actually plotting.

……

Inside Feng Luan Palace, Noble Consort Ya knelt on the ground, trembling.

“Spare me, Your Majesty! It wasn’t your concubine, your concubine did not poison Your Majesty.”

Noble Consort Ya had no idea what was going on — her poisoned soup hadn’t even reached him yet, and the Emperor had already coughed up blood.

Right after, several dozen palace guards rushed in and surrounded her.

“Your Majesty, this concubine didn’t do it, this concubine…” Noble Consort Ya’s hands trembled, and the medicinal broth she was holding slipped from her grasp.

A guard’s reflexes were quick, and he caught the falling broth steadily.

“Whether Her Ladyship poisoned His Majesty or not, one test will tell.” Chief Eunuch An’bao approached with a silver needle.

“No!” Noble Consort Ya tried to step forward to stop him, but the guards held her back.

An’bao inserted the silver needle into the medicinal dish, and it immediately turned black.

“Noble Consort Ya, how dare you! To think you would poison His Majesty.”

“It wasn’t me!” Noble Consort Ya slumped weakly to the ground. “It wasn’t me! Besides… His Majesty hadn’t even drunk the soup I brought.”

“Your Majesty.” Noble Consort Ya looked at the man on the couch. “Someone means to harm this concubine, Your Majesty must seek justice for me!”

It was impossible! There was no way her plan could have been found out beforehand — who, who had betrayed her?

“Your Majesty, this concubine begs you, for the sake of my father’s honor, please have this thoroughly investigated. This concubine is innocent, Your Majesty, please!”

“The crime of regicide implicates nine generations of kin. Guards! Take Noble Consort Ya to the imperial prison to await sentencing!”

An’bao waved his hand, and the guards immediately obeyed the order and hauled Noble Consort Ya up.

“Your Majesty, this concubine has been wronged!” Noble Consort Ya struggled desperately.

Feng Qiongcang remained leaning against the couch the entire time, not having spoken a single word.

Just as Noble Consort Ya was about to be dragged away, Gong Xinyue pushed past the guards and ran in, kneeling in the middle of the hall.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider! It’s absolutely impossible that Her Ladyship the Noble Consort poisoned Your Majesty, absolutely impossible.”

“Moreover, Her Ladyship is currently with child and cannot be sent somewhere like the imperial prison. Please, Your Majesty, withdraw the order!”