Feng Yuzhang’s face turned pale one moment and flushed the next. After being both humiliated and suppressed by Xiao Yunting, not only had he failed to vent his rage, he had instead swallowed even more of it. At this point, it felt as though steam was about to rise from his head.
Xiao Yunting paid him no mind. He leaned down and looked at Feng Caiwei, his voice low and expression blank: “Miss Feng, I don’t care whether you truly don’t care about that so-called life-saving favor, or if you’re just pretending not to. Back then, you were young—so was I. You weren’t the one making decisions, and neither was I.”
“As for that so-called debt of gratitude, I’ll repay you and the Feng family what you’re owed.” His gaze turned cold. “You’ve worked hard to return. If you don’t want the entire family exiled again, with a few more coffins added in Yunnan, then from now on—stop targeting Qi Yuan.”
With each sentence he spoke, Feng Caiwei’s face paled another shade. By the end, her complexion was deathly ashen.
She was utterly humiliated.
This man—the man she had believed since childhood she would marry—was now issuing such a stern warning on behalf of another woman, telling her not to even think of making a move against that woman again!
Well, now that things had come to this, Feng Caiwei clutched her throat and raised her head stubbornly to look at him. “Your Highness, you admit I once saved your life. You know the Feng family risked everything, nearly sacrificing our lives to save you. Is this how you repay us?!”
Xiao Yunting let out a short, mocking laugh. “Don’t make it sound so noble. Back then, did the Feng family pour everything into that rescue out of selflessness? Or was it because you were already at the edge of the cliff, and your only chance at revival was to bet everything on me?”
Feng Caiwei had no answer.
Xiao Yunting gave a faint, disdainful smile. “Well, haven’t you gotten your comeback? Whatever I owed the Feng family—I’ve repaid it.”
“Miss Feng, take care of yourself.” He paused, then sneered, “If your family makes another move against Qi Yuan, there will be no need for her to get her hands dirty. I will personally send you all to join Feng Jun. If you don’t believe me—go ahead and try.”
As these words landed, all color drained completely from Feng Caiwei’s face.
Even the last sliver of hope in her heart vanished.
For Xiao Yunting to speak so definitively—wasn’t his feelings for Qi Yuan already crystal clear?
Why?! Why was she so important to him?
What was so special about that woman?
Was it because she killed without hesitation?
Because anyone who provoked her would be ruthlessly eliminated?
Why would he fall in love with a venomous snake?!
Feng Yuzhang hadn’t heard what Xiao Yunting said in that low voice, but he could guess it wasn’t anything pleasant.
The Feng family had just returned to the capital—offending the Eldest Princess or Xiao Yunting was absolutely not an option.
He shut his eyes tightly, then hurried forward and dropped to his knees before Xiao Yunting. “Your Highness, it was our failure in discipline that allowed this unfilial son to run wild. This is our just desserts—our punishment!”
Lu Mingan curled his lip in a faint sneer and let out a mental “tsk.”
He had thought the Fengs were so foolish it was almost unbelievable—especially Feng Caiwei, who had dared accuse Qi Yuan repeatedly with no evidence.
But now that Feng Yuzhang had decisively admitted fault, Lu Mingan reassessed him with a touch more respect.
Otherwise, having a person like this return would be nothing but a burden to the Imperial Grandson.
Xiao Yunting wasn’t surprised. For someone like Feng Yuzhang to survive so many years under pressure in Yunnan—oppressed and bullied by Duke Chu’s household and yet able to bring back so many people intact—he clearly wasn’t an idiot.
Foolishness, after all, is often the greatest evil.
Just look at Feng Jun.
Smart people are much easier to deal with—at least they understand that mistakes come with consequences.
Xiao Yunting reached out and lightly gestured to lift Feng Yuzhang up. He said gravely, “Uncle, it’s certainly best if this matter is treated as an accident. Don’t you agree?”
What could Feng Yuzhang say?
Of course, he understood the deeper meaning. He shut his eyes and nodded. “Yes—just an accident. Foolish young men playing around, and somehow the fire started. Unfortunately, one of the Eldest Princess’s servants got caught in it too.”
Xiao Yunting raised an eyebrow.
Now he genuinely found the Fengs to be somewhat competent.
With a faint, inscrutable smile, he said, “I hope that’s truly what Uncle thinks—not just an excuse to placate me.”
Feng Yuzhang bowed deeply again. “I wouldn’t dare. Rest assured, Your Highness—from today on, I will strictly discipline my household and not allow anyone to stray from the right path again.”
Xiao Yunting neither agreed nor objected. He simply gave a slight nod.
Feng Caiwei looked like she wanted to speak, but Feng Yuzhang grabbed her wrist in a tight grip.
He shook his head at her, face cold and stern.
Feng Caiwei had bitten her lip so hard it bled. But this time, Feng Yuzhang showed no indulgence—he turned and slapped her hard across the face.
Feng Caiwei fell to the ground beside the corpse, eyes squeezed shut.
She had never suffered such humiliation—never been wronged like this.
Her brother was dead. She couldn’t seek justice for him. She had to swallow it, pretend it was an accident, and move on?
How absurd.
How laughable.
Xiao Yunting didn’t spare her another glance. He turned to discuss next steps with Lu Mingan.
Lu Mingan had long thought it through and now said plainly, “Just as Your Highness said—this was purely an accident. They got too rowdy and sneaked into the rockery, accidentally causing a fire. No one else is to blame. That’s what we’ll say publicly.”
As long as the Fengs agreed, the Wei family wouldn’t be a problem. Lu Mingan let out a cold laugh. “It was Wei Changying who made all the moves. So the Wei family’s opinion is even less relevant. If they dare make noise, let them go sue the Eldest Princess’s household at the Shuntian Prefecture!”
He’d like to see if the Weis had the nerve.
If they did, then let them explain why Wei Changying bribed servants from the Eldest Princess’s residence. What exactly did he plan to do?
If the Wei family had the courage to speak the truth—really speak the truth—then they were welcome to try their luck at the Shuntian Prefecture.
As for the deaths—what did that have to do with the Eldest Princess’s residence? No one had told Wei Changying to bribe servants and sneak in. Was that somehow their fault?
As they spoke, the Eldest Princess approached from the other side with her attendants. Lu Mingan immediately paused and asked, “How are things on the women’s side?”
The Eldest Princess said in a low voice, “Everyone else is fine. Only Madam Feng was weeping terribly, but she’s been calmed now. The physician prescribed a soothing decoction.”
She rubbed her temples and looked to Xiao Yunting. “Yunting, what did Feng Yuzhang say?”
Xiao Yunting gave her a brief summary, then said calmly, “It’s handled. He’s a sensible man.”
