Zhao Mama felt extremely aggrieved. She had served the Feng family for many years and had never been treated like this. She stared at Zhuang Shi, her eyes glistening with tears.
She recounted the events in detail, carefully omitting any mention of her own rough actions toward Qin Yan, instead exaggerating Feng Xi’s disrespectful words toward Zhuang Shi and her violent treatment of Zhao Mama.
Tears streaming down her face, Zhao Mama choked as she continued,
“Miss… also said…”
Zhuang Shi frowned deeply, her expression darkening.
“What else did she say?”
Zhao Mama wiped the tears from her uninjured hand, trembling as she lowered her head and replied hesitantly,
“Miss… also called you a ‘dead old woman’ and sent me here to report, and she said she herself would come over later.”
Feng Ru Yan’s expression darkened, and she abruptly rose from her chair.
“What? How dare my sister speak such words against Grandmother!”
Zhuang Shi was furious. Her body trembled violently, as if her entire being had been ignited by anger. Her normally well-preserved face darkened with rage, and her lips quivered uncontrollably.
With a loud “bang,” Zhuang Shi slammed her hand heavily on the unyielding desk before her. The tea cups and teapot on the table jumped with a crisp clatter.
Her eyes widened, filled with wrath.
“This is lawless behavior! Bring that insolent girl to me at once! I want to see what she has become after all these years, daring to disrespect her elders and completely disregard me!”
Feng Jingce, standing quietly beside her, observed Zhao Mama’s already broken arm. His gaze, initially calm, grew deeper with time, like twin bottomless pools, making it impossible to discern his true thoughts.
After a moment of silence, Feng Jingce spoke slowly,
“Grandmother, please restrain your anger for now. Regarding this matter, I wish to ask Zhao Mama something first.”
“You mentioned that Xi’er only spoke harshly to you and even broke your arm? From what I know, Xi’er is principled; if you had not provoked her, would she act so recklessly?”
Hearing Feng Jingce’s words, Zhao Mama was momentarily stunned. She quickly lowered her gaze, concealing her guilt and panic, and then responded in a bluffing tone,
“I merely spoke a few words of instruction to the maid beside Miss Xi. How could that be such a grave mistake? Are you accusing me of deliberately offending Miss Xi?”
At that moment, Feng Xu, sitting nearby, furrowed his brow and interjected,
“Brother, Zhao Mama has watched us grow up since childhood. Over the years, she has been diligent in the household, never making any mistakes.”
“Furthermore, she is one of Grandmother’s senior servants, with considerable influence in the manor. If Feng Xi really did this, it proves she utterly disregarded Grandmother. In my opinion, this cannot be allowed to slide; Feng Xi must pay the price for this!”
Feng Ru Yan nodded in agreement.
“Yes, elder brother, what Xu’er said is true. Regardless of the details, Zhao Mama has been hurt by my sister. When she arrives, we will clarify everything with her.”
Seeing this, Zhuang Shi forcibly restrained her anger.
“Ru Yan is right. When she arrives, we shall see how she explains herself.”
Tingxiang Pavilion
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a slight chill. Cang Mocheng reclined lazily on a finely crafted rocking chair, legs crossed, swaying slightly, exuding an air of leisure as if all the world lay before his eyes.
Qiao Ju stood respectfully to the side, head bowed, speaking softly,
“Master, I have heard that the young lady of the Feng family broke the hand of one of the old servants by Feng Laofuren’s side! The matter has already caused a great stir in the Feng household.”
Cang Mocheng’s lips curved slightly into a faint, almost imperceptible smile, a glint of cunning in his eyes.
“Oh? Really? Feng Xi truly has a fierce temperament.” He straightened, folding his arms across his chest, and continued,
“Good. This works out perfectly. Surely, this incident will cause the Feng family to reprimand her severely. That will be the ideal time for me to step in. Once I assist her, that crazy girl will have to view me differently.”
He lifted his head slowly, letting out a low, resonant laugh that echoed in the air, laden with sarcasm and mockery.
“Heh… let’s see how the Feng family oppresses and neglects her. The more they do so, the more satisfaction I feel. There is no need for me to act against her personally; the Feng family alone can push her to the brink.”
His eyes narrowed, calculating.
“When she reaches a dead end, abandoned by all, I merely need to feign support. Then, she will surely feel grateful and may even develop feelings for me. Once her heart leans toward me, the powerful fortune belonging to the girl of destiny will gradually transfer to me naturally.”
With that, Cang Mocheng’s smile faded, replaced by a calm and confident expression, as if the world itself lay under his control.
Qiao Ju, silent until now, finally asked,
“Master, should we go to Shou’an Hall immediately?”
Cang Mocheng slowly raised a hand, signaling Qiao Ju to be patient.
“There is no need to rush. Let her first experience the coldness of the Feng family. Once she has endured all suffering, it will not be too late for us to move in and see for ourselves.”
“Fourth Brother, how is your injury? I heard you were hurt by that Miss Feng, and I was genuinely concerned, so I came to check.”
Cang Hanyu, clad in a flowing white robe, entered the courtyard of Tingxiang Pavilion. His voice was clear and magnetic, though tinged with seriousness.
Cang Mocheng glanced at him, a faint, almost imperceptible delight flashing in his eyes.
“Hmph, thanks to Seventh Brother’s concern, I am largely unharmed. No need for pretenses here.”
He snorted coldly, turning his head but immediately added stubbornly, as if to cover something,
“Besides, what position do I hold? That Feng Xi is merely a low-level cultivator with weak spiritual power, incapable even of reaching the Dao stage. How could she possibly have injured me? Pure nonsense!”