Feng Chengze cast a cold glance at Song He, then, full of apology, addressed the peak masters: “Honorable Peak Masters, your words are too heavy.”
After speaking, he turned to Nian Yi and politely refused.
“This matter concerns internal affairs of the Feng family. Feng Xi is, after all, a daughter of the Feng family. The Celestial Master has no right to interfere. If you insist, then do not blame the Feng family for being ruthless.”
Upon hearing this, Nian Yi’s expression immediately darkened, and his tone turned icy.
“Feng Patriarch, are you threatening me? Do not forget, I am the Celestial Master, and my words represent the will of Heaven. If you dare defy Heaven’s will, you will surely face retribution.”
“Heaven’s will?” Feng Chengze sneered disdainfully. “Regardless of Heaven’s will, the Feng family would never act against the morality of our ancestors, nor abandon our own flesh and blood.”
Hearing this, Nian Yi became furious and laughed uproariously.
“Good, very good! Since you are so stubborn, then should great calamity occur in the future, this Celestial Master will show no mercy.”
With that, he transformed into a cloud of black smoke and departed swiftly.
“No, even if you want to protect Feng Xi, you need not draw a line against the Celestial Master! If disaster truly befalls in the future, where will the Feng family stand?” Song He exclaimed, looking heartbroken, as if he alone among the Feng family retained clarity while the others were blinded by emotion.
Yuan Sujun looked at the woman before her, once familiar, and felt a flood of complicated emotions.
She remembered the virtuous woman, full of maternal concern, who had existed a hundred years ago, and now, over the long century, had gradually become sharp-tongued, selfish, and self-serving.
Yuan Sujun’s displeasure was evident, her tone reproachful.
“Good, even a tiger will not harm its own cub! Song He, Feng Xi is your flesh and blood, born from your womb. She has returned only now, having been unconscious for days, and you have not even once visited her, let alone cared for her. Now that she has just awakened, you rush to the Steward Hall to berate her—what kind of mother is that?”
Song He wanted to speak, but was silenced by her relentless reproach.
“Could it be that a mere hundred years have not only erased your conscience deep within but even wiped away the last traces of familial affection?”
Yuan Sujun’s eyes blazed with fury; she could hardly comprehend how a mother could be so cold and heartless toward her own daughter.
“I…” Song He fell silent, her hands clenched tightly into fists at her sides, as if restraining herself from acting on something.
Mrs. Zhuang, witnessing this, could not help but sigh with helplessness.
“Very well, let this matter rest. Honorable Peak Masters, please move to the guest quarters to rest. I am weary; Chengze, take your wife back. Tomorrow I will handle things properly.”
Yuan Sujun wanted to say more but was interrupted by Xiao Suyi and Murong Gang.
“In that case, we shall take our leave,” Xiao Suyi said.
“Rest early,” Murong Gang added in agreement.
“Ah, you—”
Before Yuan Sujun could finish, Xiao Suyi covered her mouth, and together they pulled the outspoken Yuan Sujun outside.
These two were the peak masters of Qiyuan Sect: Tianzhu Peak, Wanxue Peak, and Zilin Peak.
Murong Gang was their senior brother, and Yuan Sujun had long been the troublesome junior sister, since the founding of Qiyuan Sect over a thousand years ago.
Qiyuan Sect was one of the major sects in Eastern Yuan Shengju, ranking among the top.