"Elder, I was unable to persuade Feng Xian," Feng Ling said with a trace of self-reproach.
The Elder replied, "This is not your fault. Feng Xian has always been her own person; no one can change what she decides."
"But..."
"Ling'er, if this is what she wishes to do, let her. Sometimes, one must experience things to understand them..."
"But, I'm afraid..."
"Feng Xian is not someone who dwells on things she cannot let go of. She is stronger than you imagine. Through this, we can see what the King of the Northern Territory truly intends."
Feng Ling could only nod. Even if she were to try to persuade Feng Xian now, it was unlikely she would be listened to. It was better not to, and as the Elder said, to see what the King of the Northern Territory truly intended.
"Elder, regarding the Fifth Elder, back then..."
Upon hearing her mention the Fifth Elder, the Elder sighed, "How many years ago was that?"
"Elder, can you tell me about the Fifth Elder and Xue Wenjie?"
The Elder paused slightly. "Let the past remain in the past."
The Elder then turned and left.
Feng Ling pouted, realizing the Elder did not wish to discuss it.
As she walked towards the entrance of the royal mansion, a guard stepped forward to block her path. "Miss Feng, the King has given an order that no one is to enter or exit."
Feng Ling frowned and said coldly, "On what grounds? I am not a prisoner of your mansion. Why am I not allowed to leave?"
"Miss Feng, I am very sorry, but the King has given the order, and we dare not disobey."
Feng Ling was about to argue with the guards when someone called out, "Ling'er..."
Feng Ling turned and saw Feng Xian. She quickly walked over and said, "Feng Xian, please settle this. Why won't they let me leave? They claim it's the King of the Northern Territory's order. I am not a servant of this mansion; why do they get to control me?"
Feng Xian took her hand and said, "Ling'er, calm down."
Feng Ling took a deep breath. "I am very calm, Second Sister."
Feng Xian replied, "Ling'er, it is indeed the King's order."
Feng Ling became angry. "Why is he restricting my freedom? I am not a servant of his estate."
"Ling'er, please don't be angry. Let me finish speaking first."
Feng Ling patiently replied, "Alright, I'll listen to your explanation."
Feng Xian explained, "The King is doing this for our safety. After all, our eldest uncle and second uncle both died at the hands of the Empress. Although the Empress is not in the Northern Territory City at this moment, her pawns are still here. If they wish to kill us, we are no match for them."
"Second Sister, the Empress's pawns would not attack us without reason. Besides, we have an agreement with the royal family. They should not break it so readily," Feng Ling still found it hard to believe.
"Ling'er, you are thinking too simply. The royal family fears our existence; they want to eliminate us..."
"Second Sister, who told you this? The King of the Northern Territory?" Feng Ling inquired.
Feng Xian responded, "Ling'er, no matter who told you, the royal family is already acting this way. Are our eldest uncle and second uncle not the best examples?"
"Second Sister, I still find it hard to believe the royal family would do this. It offers them no benefit. Moreover, I haven't even spoken with the Empress yet; we cannot act on our own." Feng Ling did not want to disrupt the balance that had been maintained for a hundred years.
"Speak? Speak about what? Continue to live beneath the desert forever? Let the Feng Yin clan remain unknown to the world? Ling'er, I've had enough of that kind of life. I believe most of our clansmen are as weary as I am of living year after year, day after day, confined beneath the desert, unaware of the wonders of the outside world."
"Second Sister, what exactly are you planning to do?" As Feng Xian spoke, a terrible premonition arose in Feng Ling's mind.
Feng Xian heard this and smiled faintly. "What can I do? Ling'er, you are thinking too much. Whatever I do, it will be for the good of our Feng Yin clan."
"Second Sister, do not use the Feng Yin clan as an excuse. Did the King of the Northern Territory promise you something?"
"What are you talking about?" Feng Xian feigned ignorance.
However, Feng Ling could see that Feng Xian appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
"Second Sister, the King of the Northern Territory is not as simple as you think; he..."
"Ling'er, I know the King of the Northern Territory treats me better than he treats you. In your heart, the King of the Northern Territory should still be like the men of the past, showing you great admiration. However, Ling'er, this is not the Feng Yin clan; this is the Northern Territory. What kind of woman the King of the Northern Territory likes is not something I can control."
Feng Ling frowned. "Second Sister, I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't understand. But what I do know is that the King of the Northern Territory is not a good man. His approaching you is definitely with ulterior motives. Don't be deceived by him."
"Ling'er, the King of the Northern Territory will not deceive me, nor do I have anything for him to deceive me about."
"Second Sister..."
"Let's not say any more unnecessary words, lest it affect our sisterly affection."
"Second Sister, you've changed." Feng Ling could hardly believe that Feng Xian had become like this.
"I've changed? Indeed. In the past, I lived in your shadow, watching you admired by people, loved by men, even doted upon by elders. And me? Nothing but being urged to cultivate, and cultivating. You easily received praise from others, while I..."
"Do you know how much effort I put in to earn the praise you so easily received?"
Feng Ling was taken aback. She had never realized that what she obtained so effortlessly was something others desperately wished for.
"Second Sister, I didn't know you actually..."
"There is much you do not know, yet have I ever told you? Never. Feng Ling, on what grounds do you interfere with me?"
Feng Ling trembled and stumbled back several steps. "I'm sorry, Feng Xian, I'm truly sorry..."
"Sorry is enough. I only hope that from now on, you will not meddle in my affairs. Although you are the clan leader, you have no right to interfere in my life..."
"I understand..." Feng Ling replied softly, her eyes cast down.
Feng Xian turned her face away. "Since that is the case, I have nothing more to say."
With that, she turned to leave.
Feng Ling couldn't help but call out, "Feng Xian, I know you dislike me, but I still want to say that the King of the Northern Territory is not a good man. I hope you will consider it carefully."
"I understand. You should take care of yourself!" Feng Xian left.
Feng Ling stood there dejectedly. For the first time, she felt utterly lost, realizing what it felt like to be abandoned.
Perhaps this was heaven's retribution. All the favor she had received in the past would now be lost.
"You're crying?"
Feng Ling startled and looked up to see the man she had seen that day.