These words were spoken with great weight. Madam Wen tugged at her sleeve, but it was to no avail; her mother continued her scolding.
"An姨娘 can be so audacious, to the point of being utterly disrespectful! And you, who serve in the imperial court, cannot even distinguish between the proper order of things and the status of concubines? I hear your in-laws' household is peaceful, but why is your own inner court so filled with trouble!"
"Mother..."
Madam Wen did not want her husband to be scolded like this. In truth, the discord between them was not entirely Feng Jinxu's fault, and besides, they had already reconciled. What was the point of her mother saying these things now?
Looking at her daughter's distressed expression, Madam Wen felt a pang of disappointment.
"You, child, if your heart were not so soft, how could you be bullied by an姨娘?"
The unspoken words lingered: "Look at your father's inner court. None of his concubines and maids dare to be so presumptuous in front of him."
However, these words were not suitable to be spoken in front of Feng Jinxu, so she planned to discuss household management with her daughter when they had a private conversation later.
Feng Jinxu listened respectfully to Madam Wen's reprimands. His sincerity was such that Madam Wen eventually ran out of things to say, leaving only one final admonition.
"If I ever learn that you have bullied my Wen family's daughter again, I will risk my life and your husband's reputation to have a serious talk with you and the Feng family! Do you understand?"
Her tone was fierce, but Feng Jinxu knew it stemmed from her deep concern for her daughter. He nodded and respectfully kowtowed to Madam Wen to apologize again.
"Mother-in-law, please rest assured. If I ever fail Madam Wen again, may I die a terrible death!"
After uttering such a solemn oath, Madam Wen ceased her scolding.
"Get up. You and your wife have a long life ahead of you. There will inevitably be bumps along the road, but no matter what, always remember she is your companion in bed, the mother of your children. For that reason alone, you must not let anyone bully her!"
"Your son-in-law humbly accepts your teachings, Mother-in-law. I will never forget them!"
"Good."
By speaking her mind frankly now, even though her words were harsh, it would prevent much suspicion in the future.
Therefore, when Yun Li appeared before Madam Wen, and acted particularly affectionately with Madam Wen, she felt a slight discomfort but quickly suppressed it.
She selected a few suitable gifts from the ones she brought and presented them to Yun Li.
Children are naturally playful, and at over four years old, their curiosity is at its peak. Upon receiving the gifts, he was eager to play.
Sister Meng had never met him before. Such a lively little nephew was quite compatible with her temperament.
Within a short time, she and Yun Li had become quite familiar.
Alas for Brother Hui, as soon as he arrived, Feng Jinxu took him to the study. Madam Wen gave a wry smile, knowing he would likely be tested on his studies again.
And so, the three members of the Wen family settled into the Feng residence.
With three new people in the household, it became much livelier. Even Bai Siruo came to join them for a while.
As expected, her temperament matched Sister Meng's, and the two of them became quite close, even making plans to go on an outing in a few days.
Feng Jinyao watched them with a gentle smile, feeling a touch of envy.
Such carefree spirits, just like she used to be. She hoped they would never experience the nightmares she had endured, and that they would live a life of peace and happiness.
Two days later, at noon, at the entrance to the marketplace, the Wen father and son were to be executed.
Many commoners and impoverished scholars who had not yet left Dongdu City gathered to watch the spectacle.
Some were driven by curiosity, while others were filled with righteous indignation.
Feng Jinyao also appeared at the scene, disguised and appearing to be a mere youth who had not yet fully matured.
In a private room on the second floor, Xiao Tingyi's gaze was fixed on that slender, frail figure.
It would be unthinkable for a young lady of a noble family to disguise herself and come to witness an execution.
Yet, happening with Feng Jinyao, it only made him more certain of his suspicions.
Her enmity with the Wen family was likely one that would not cease until death.
Otherwise, he could not explain her presence here.
Ayao, oh Ayao, when will you open your heart and tell me about the hatred in your heart?
At this moment, Feng Jinyao's eyes were filled with immense hatred. She looked up at Wen Mengsheng and let out a chilling laugh.
On the execution platform, the Wen father and son were already in a state of being flayed alive. The methods of the Dali Temple were terrifying.
If they had not been kept alive to endure until today's execution, they would have surely died in the dungeons of the Dali Temple.
Looking at their blood-stained forms, Feng Jinyao felt a surge of satisfaction.
Wen Mengsheng, after waiting so long, you have finally received your retribution?
Are you satisfied with your fate today?
Do not worry, this is only the beginning. Soon, those who harmed the Feng family along with you will follow you down, and you will all suffer torment in the eighteen levels of hell.
The supervising official glanced at the sun, dropped the execution token in his hand, and shouted loudly, "Execute!"
The ropes, already prepared, were placed around the heads, hands, and feet of the father and son. The horses, held by riders, were whipped fiercely in five directions. The taut ropes ripped the father and son into pieces, and a bloody expanse filled the heavens and earth.
Feng Jinyao watched as Wen Mengsheng's head rolled before her, his eyes wide with unfulfilled hatred, without even blinking.
Then, she quietly turned and left.
On the second floor, Yang Zhao, standing behind Xiao Tingyi, felt a sense of admiration for Feng Jinyao.
She could watch such a bloody scene as if it were a song and dance performance, without a trace of fear.
Indeed, the woman the Prince fancied was extraordinary.
Perhaps Xiao Tingyi's gaze was too direct, and Feng Jinyao happened to look up and see him.
Standing by the window, he possessed an air of ethereal detachment.
Although his complexion was pale, his physique did not appear weak; instead, there was a resilient pride. Perhaps it was related to his past as a war god in the army, as his aura had never changed.
The two, one high and one low, one looking up and one looking down, remained silent, yet it seemed they saw a kindred spirit in each other's eyes.
After a moment of thought, Feng Jinyao, who had been about to leave, walked into the room and directly ascended to the second floor.
No one stopped her, and she smoothly arrived before Xiao Tingyi.
If the Feng Jinyao of a few days ago had been somewhat deliberately trying to avoid Xiao Tingyi, today she came without hesitation.
"What is Your Highness doing here?"
Before she could speak, Yang Zhao, who was in the room, withdrew and stood guard at the door.
With the Prince Ding's Mansion's hidden sentries all around, there was no need to be guarded in their conversation.
"Whatever Ayao is doing here, that is what this Prince is doing here."