Zhuang Shi instinctively grasped her cane and struggled to stand. Her slightly unsteady body leaned forward, as if summoning all her strength to take a step closer and see clearly.
However, her movement was interrupted by Feng Xi’s cold, unfamiliar voice.
“Why I’ve become what I am is none of Old Madam Feng’s concern. You’re getting old; why fuss around in Shou’an Hall instead of enjoying your rest?”
On her exquisite face lingered a faint sneer. Her gaze toward Zhuang Shi was deliberately distant and unfamiliar.
Zhuang Shi’s lifted foot seemed frozen in midair, as if under a binding spell, then slowly dropped back down.
Her expression remained calm, but only she knew the deep pain within, like being cut by a thousand blades. Her hands gripping the cane trembled uncontrollably.
“What did you call me?”
Zhuang Shi barely opened her lips, her voice so light it was almost inaudible. She tried to suppress the storm of emotions inside, forcing herself to remain composed.
Feng Xi merely glanced at her and slightly raised the corner of her mouth in a faint, resigned smile.
“Old Madam Feng! Is there another way to address you?”
Feng Ru Yan frowned, pretending to look concerned, and lightly reproached,
“Sister, how can you speak to Grandmother like that? She has long cared for you. Your current attitude will only make Grandmother deeply sad.”
Feng Xu, sitting beside them, could no longer restrain his anger. His expression darkened, and he shouted,
“Feng Xi! It may be one thing to speak disrespectfully to your elder brothers, but Grandmother is still our elder! You were clearly at fault, yet you dare treat Grandmother with such insolence! Fortunately, Yan’er is gentle and understanding enough to appreciate Grandmother’s good intentions.”
Feng Xi kept her cherry-red lips tightly shut, holding all her words deep within, remaining silent.
Yet beneath her calm, serene exterior, her heart churned like a raging ocean, swelling with complex, indescribable emotions.
Those emotions twisted like entangled threads, vexing her mind. Memories of the past surged like tides, especially the painful experiences she could barely bear to recall.
Once, she had been the Feng family’s highly regarded daughter, possessing enviable inherited power.
Yet fate had played cruelly with her. Those with ill intent had brutally stripped the inheritance from her, a pain so intense it left lasting trauma.
Even more bitter was that after losing her inheritance, the Feng family showed her no mercy or support, instead listening to slanders and expelling her from the family. At that moment, she felt as if the world had collapsed, abandoned to a dark abyss, utterly alone.
Thinking of this, her gaze fixed directly on Zhuang Shi, her eyes calm and unreadable.
After a moment, Feng Xi said coldly,
“That’s right! Feng Ru Yan is a legitimate Feng family lady—what am I in your eyes? There’s no need to beat around the bush. Zhao Mama’s arm was indeed disabled by me. Now, tell me—how do you intend to handle this?”
Crossing her arms, she looked at everyone calmly.
Disappointment flickered in Zhuang Shi’s eyes. After a long silence, she said,
“Very well! Now that your wings are strong, I must discipline you strictly to prevent future mistakes. Do you acknowledge your wrongdoing today?”
Feng Xi met her gaze without fear.
“If I have done nothing wrong, why should I admit it?”
Zhuang Shi’s chest heaved with indignation.
“You… you Feng Xi! No matter what, you must admit this today. Come, family discipline!”
Feng Xi’s eyes darkened slightly, and a mocking laugh escaped her.
“Family discipline? Hahaha…”
She laughed so hard, clutching her stomach, that her body shook violently.
Soon, the disciplinary instrument was brought forward: a thick cane on a tray, engraved with intricate runes—clearly a type of magical artifact.
Feng Ru Yan, seeing Feng Xi laugh, provoked her further,
“Sister, what are you laughing at? Admitting mistakes is noble. Grandmother doesn’t wish to punish you, but your attitude leaves her in a difficult position!”
Feng Xu, silent until now, stepped in,
“Xi’er, if you have reasons, speak them. Your elder brother knows you’re not unreasonable.”
Zhuang Shi infused spiritual power into the cane, then looked at Feng Xi.
“Feng Xi, I ask again: do you acknowledge your mistake today?”
Feng Xi’s laughter abruptly ceased. She wiped the tears from her laughing eyes and said,
“A mistake? What a joke! How could I, of all people, merit such a show of force over a lowly maid?”
At this moment, Qin Yan, who had not dared speak, knelt and kowtowed to Zhuang Shi,
“Old Madam, please don’t blame Miss. It is entirely my fault. Punish me instead—please spare Miss!”
Feng Xi’s expression darkened.
“Qin Yan, what are you doing? Stand up! In the future, kneel only to me, no one else!”
Qin Yan seemed not to hear, continuing to plead on Feng Xi’s behalf.
“Old Madam, I beg you. Miss just returned, her inheritance is gone, and she cannot withstand family discipline in her current state!”
Feng Xi grew angrier.
“Qin Yan! I told you to stand up! Did you hear me?”
Zhuang Shi glanced coldly at Qin Yan but ignored her, addressing Feng Xi sternly,
“Feng Xi! Again, do you acknowledge your mistake today?”
Feng Xi gritted her teeth.
“If I have done nothing wrong, why should I acknowledge it?”
Zhuang Shi’s hands trembled as she gripped the cane, her chest heaving violently with anger. Her face dark as iron, she strode to Feng Xi, raised the cane high, and shouted,
“Very well! Since you refuse to repent, I will strike until you admit your fault!”
At that moment, a report came from the door,
“Old Madam, the Young Lord and His Highness have come to pay a visit.”
The sudden news left everyone stunned. A voice echoed in Feng Xi’s mind:
Feng Xi, they are here. There’s no time to hesitate. Remember, endure the family discipline no matter what—if you try to dodge, the Heavenly Lightning will punish you!
With that, Zhuang Shi’s cane fell mercilessly.