As the cane, carrying a fierce gust of force, was about to strike her, Feng Xi initially intended to catch it with her right hand. However, upon seeing Cang Muchen and Cang Hanyu appear at the doorway, she froze midair as if under a binding spell.
Quickly, she lowered her right hand and secretly imposed a restriction on the protective bell she carried.
Just as everyone watched in astonishment at the falling cane, Feng Xi raised her hand to intercept it—but then let it fall. The crowd’s eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
What was Feng Xi intending?
Was she trying to confront her grandmother directly? Why had she suddenly stopped?
If she weren’t constrained by Tian Mu, she would never have yielded.
“Smack!”
Because her protective artifact was under restriction, the unexpected cane struck Feng Xi like a heavy egg, producing a sharp, crisp sound against her flesh.
“Tian Mu, this time I’ve really risked it. You better not threaten me with Heavenly Lightning afterward! As the divine consciousness of the Way, you’re being far too lenient.”
While enduring the pain, Feng Xi even scolded Tian Mu in her mind.
Meanwhile, everyone in the hall first showed expressions of astonishment, as if witnessing the impossible. Then confusion creased their brows as they tried to comprehend the reason behind what they saw. Finally, initial shock gradually faded into silent contemplation.
Yet, each of them’s heart churned with hidden thoughts.
After all, Feng Xi possessed a high-level protective artifact! Everyone who had seen her or confronted her knew that this mysterious artifact held immense power, capable of reflecting any form of attack without harm.
Previously, when Feng Xu and Feng Jingce, following Song He’s orders, tried to capture Feng Xi, even minor spiritual attacks sent them flying from the sheer power of her artifact.
But now—what was happening? A huge question mark formed in everyone’s minds, as if a bright lamp hovered above their heads.
They exchanged puzzled, bewildered glances.
At this moment, Zhuang Shi, consumed by anger, had lost all reason and completely abandoned consideration.
As the cane fell hard upon Feng Xi, she hesitated for only a second before receiving the second, third, fifth, seventh, and subsequent strikes without flinching.
“Do you acknowledge your mistake?” Zhuang Shi asked while striking, her voice full of rigid authority.
“No matter how many times you ask, I’ve done nothing wrong. I allow you to strike out of respect, not because I’ve sinned,” Feng Xi said through clenched teeth.
“Miss, please stop, we admit it already! If this continues, you’ll be beaten to death. Old Madam, I beg you, don’t hit her again!” Qin Yan cried, restrained by two servants.
“Qin Yan, don’t cry. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to us,” Feng Xi comforted softly, though inwardly grinding her teeth in rage.
“Tian Mu, did you see that? I endured so many blows, and the two at the door didn’t react at all. At this rate, I might as well fight back and get it over with.”
Tian Mu chuckled, clearly amused.
“Hold on! You must earn their sympathy, let them see your predicament in the Feng family.”
If the first strike that Feng Xi endured without her protective artifact rebounding could be called an accident, now there was no doubt left. Everyone’s certainty grew: her high-level protective artifact had failed!
Especially Feng Ru Yan, whose eyes glimmered with smug calculation.
“As expected! That supposed high-level artifact is just a crudely made inferior item. For a demoness like her from Beiling, how did she even get such a chance? Must be some powerful being’s carelessly forged defective artifact.”
She looked coldly at Feng Xi enduring the punishment, full of disdain.
“Without her artifact, this lowly, weakling Feng Xi won’t be able to resist in the future.”
Just as she finished this thought, she noticed Cang Muchen and Cang Hanyu standing silently at the doorway.
“Lord Cang, Your Highness, how did you come here? My sister is being punished for her mistake—please excuse her,” Feng Ru Yan said.
The two at the door were slightly stunned. They had expected Feng Xi to be punished, but never imagined she would endure it willingly.
Was this still the proud, tsundere Feng Xi they knew?
A glint appeared in Cang Muchen’s eyes. Feng Xi enduring the punishment was exactly what he wanted to see—his opportunity had arrived.
“Do you really think Miss Feng deserves this? Old Madam, isn’t this too harsh?” Cang Hanyu observed quietly, unconvinced that Feng Xi, cunning and unpredictable, would simply comply.
Ha! No way he’d trust that. That girl must be hiding something; he wanted to see what she was up to.
With that, the hall’s attention shifted fully to Cang Muchen and Cang Hanyu.
Zhuang Shi paused her strikes. Feng Xi stood straight, lips curved in a faint, almost imperceptible smile. Qin Yan, taking advantage of the pause, broke free from restraint and moved in front of Feng Xi.
“Miss, are you alright? Are the injuries severe?”
Tears streaked down Qin Yan’s face.
Feng Xi smiled faintly, soothing her,
“I’m fine, don’t cry.”
Zhuang Shi respectfully acknowledged the two men entering the hall.
“Please forgive my negligence, Lords. I am disciplining this willful granddaughter and unintentionally caused you both to witness it. Please, have a seat.”
Yet it wasn’t negligence; earlier, the servants had reported their arrival. Zhuang Shi, blinded by anger, simply ignored them, while everyone’s attention was drawn to the malfunction of Feng Xi’s protective artifact.
The two men had entered, unable to leave, and watched Feng Xi endure the punishment, each forming their own thoughts, eager to see how it would unfold.
“Please, Lord Cang, have a seat!” Feng Ru Yan gestured with a serious smile.
Cang Muchen and Cang Hanyu stepped in, circled Feng Xi, and took seats.
Before Cang Muchen could speak, Cang Hanyu interjected, his voice calm and cold,
“On our way here, I already heard that a mere maid was disciplined. Old Madam, there’s no need to mobilize so much over Miss Feng.”
Feng Ru Yan’s face darkened as she replied gravely,
“Lord Cang and Your Highness may know that Zhao Mama is an elder servant of Grandmother. Though not blood relatives, she is more loyal than family. This morning, she only spoke to my sister out of concern, yet my sister cruelly disabled her arm.”