Cang Hanyu’s lips curved slightly, a faint, ambiguous smile appearing on his face, as if nothing around him could stir even a ripple in his heart.
He walked steadily, neither fast nor slow, with a calm demeanor that made it seem as if he were strolling in his own courtyard. Eventually, he stopped at a stone bench not far from Cang Mocheng and, without any formality, sat down.
Once seated, his eyes, as bright as stars in the night sky, fixed directly on Cang Mocheng, brimming with unhidden curiosity.
He opened his lips and asked slowly,
“Fourth Brother, what you said is true. Among all the talented people in the world, very few could match your prowess! And who would dare openly oppose the Cang family, much less strike you, the Fourth Brother of the Eastern Sovereign?”
Hearing this, Cang Mocheng’s face, normally calm as still water, darkened immediately. Inwardly, he thought,
What exactly is Cang Hanyu up to? Has he come today just to watch me make a fool of myself?
Hmph! What nonsense is this about no one being able to match me or daring to harm me?
Though Cang Mocheng’s words were firm and defiant, he knew in his heart that Feng Xi, the woman who seemed like a powerless low-level cultivator, was actually far from harmless. She not only possessed high-level artifacts but had also managed to strike him so severely through sheer force alone.
Recalling that extremely humiliating scene, Cang Mocheng felt a mixture of shame and rage.
He suppressed his anger, forcing a stiff, unnatural smile onto his face—a smile so forced it evoked unease in anyone who saw it. Then, in a low, serious voice, he said,
“Seventh Brother, your words make me feel a little wronged. I would never deliberately make things difficult for Sister Feng. Yesterday’s matter was indeed a misunderstanding on my part. I just heard that Sister Feng has injured one of the old servants by Grandmother Feng’s side. I intend to go check on the situation. Would you like to accompany me?”
Cang Hanyu, upon hearing this, pressed his lips briefly, then narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing.
He had already heard from the servants on his way here that one of the Feng family’s old servants had been hurt by Feng Xi. His real purpose in coming was simply to find an opportunity to approach Feng Xi, using Cang Mocheng’s status as Fourth Brother of the Eastern Sovereign as leverage.
Cang Hanyu’s lips curled into a slight smile, his demeanor calm and unhurried. His tone was even, carrying an air of deep significance.
“Since Fourth Brother has already said so, I am naturally happy to accompany you to take a look.”
Hearing this, Cang Mocheng’s gaze flicked to Cang Hanyu, a trace of suspicion in his eyes.
In past incidents involving the grievances of women in inner residences, his Seventh Brother would always avoid them. Why would he act so unusually today? Was he plotting something?
She’s just a low-level cultivator; taking him along won’t cause trouble. But Cang Hanyu is cunning; I must remain wary. If Mother hadn’t instructed me before leaving, I would have dealt with him on the way here.
Yesterday, he let me fend for myself, treating me as nothing alongside that madwoman Feng Xi. I want to see what his intentions are today.
Cang Mocheng pondered silently, his expression calm, and then both of them headed toward Shou’an Hall.
Shou’an Hall
Inside, the air was thick with oppressive silence, as if time itself had frozen. Everyone held their breath, unwilling to break the stillness.
Zhuang Shi sat at the main seat, her once graceful face now impassive, like a pool of still water. But within, her anger churned like a stormy sea, rising wave after wave.
Zhao Mama, supported carefully by two attendants, trembled on the side.
Her head was bowed, her face pale as paper, body shaking as if she might collapse at any moment.
Time slowly passed, yet no sign of Feng Xi appeared, even after half an hour of waiting.
Then, a clear, slightly affected voice suddenly rang out,
“Grandmother, we can’t just wait like this forever! Could it be that Sister is hiding because she’s afraid of being scolded?”
Feng Ru Yan blinked her large, watery eyes, her face full of curiosity, though a faint trace of barely concealed satisfaction shimmered deep within.
Zhuang Shi’s expression darkened like storm clouds before a typhoon, her lips slightly parted, about to reprimand, when the sound of light footsteps drew everyone’s attention.
A woman in a dazzling red dress entered the hall, as fiery and captivating as flame itself.
She was barefoot, her feet crystal-like and radiant, naturally drawing attention. Her movements exuded an indescribable allure, like a blooming poppy: beautiful, yet dangerously seductive.
A crisp, disdainful voice followed,
“Escape? Why would I escape? A mere lowly maid dared to offend me! Not only did I disable her, but if I ended her life on the spot, it would have been her own fault. How is that my mistake?”
Feng Xi’s eyes sparkled with amusement, scanning everyone fearlessly.
Zhuang Shi’s gaze fell upon Feng Xi, carefully studying her. She wore a fiery red dress with a cleverly designed high slit. With each step, glimpses of her long, fair, straight legs beneath the sheer red fabric drew limitless imagination.
In addition, Feng Xi’s wrists and ankles were adorned with exquisite high-level protective artifacts. These intricately designed devices were inlaid with dazzling gems, and as her arms moved, the attached protective bells rang out clear, pleasant tones.
Her delicate, pale face had long shed the innocence and liveliness of her youth, replaced by a cold, proud demeanor, difficult to read.
At this moment, Feng Xi, standing before Zhuang Shi, no longer bore any trace of the young, naive girl in plain white who had once existed.