Feng Ruoyan had certainly suffered a lot, and no longer possessed the grace of the capital's foremost beauty.
Her once fair face was now covered in dust, her beautiful hair a tangled mess with a few stray hairpins stuck in her loose bun. Her exquisite dress was also full of wrinkles. Having not been washed for days, Feng Ruoyan exuded a rather distinct odor.
Feng Ruoyan had starved for several days. When she was brought into the carriage, she was in a daze. It wasn't until she got out of the carriage and saw where she had arrived that she panicked. She immediately tried to run, but was quickly restrained by the hidden guards.
"Let me go... let me go! My father is the current Prime Minister, and he will not let you off!"
Feng Ruoyan screamed loudly, completely devoid of her usual noble lady's demeanor, appearing like a common shrew. kuAiδugg
"You beat servants, trample on human lives, and maliciously frame others. Even your father will likely find it hard to save you. After the trial, you will reside peacefully in prison. By the time you are released, you'll be a mature woman."
Lu Shi looked at Feng Ruoyan with mockery. This woman's heart was so wicked and cruel, truly as venomous as a snake. If it weren't for the young madam's quick wit in discovering the clue.
If she had been framed and convicted, the young madam would have been unable to clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Such a person was not worth pity. Those who are pitied must have something hateful about them.
"Guards, take her inside."
The guards stepped forward and dragged Feng Ruoyan inside.
The chief judge of the Dali Temple was brought to the hall by Lu Shi.
"Lord Wang, my young general asks you to preside over this case diligently."
Lord Wang, facing the full hall of guards, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He reached up to wipe away the perspiration.
"Esteemed official, this case only has a suspect. Based solely on your verbal statement, without witnesses, it cannot be judged."
He recognized the woman kneeling below the hall; she was the eldest daughter of the current Prime Minister and had been designated as a concubine to the Third Prince.
He truly didn't have the courage to pass judgment on her.
However, he also could not afford to offend General Ling. Lord Wang was immediately in a dilemma, his heart fluttering uneasily.
"Without witnesses, you have no right to judge. I advise you to behave yourself and release me quickly. This young lady can consider asking my father to spare your life!"
Feng Ruoyan instantly gained confidence, her tone aggressive as she threatened Lu Shi.
It was just that her threats might be effective against the timid and sycophantic Lord Wang.
But for Lu Shi, who had fought on the battlefield, it was nothing but a joke.
"Miss Feng, everything you've said is nonsense to me. I advise you to shut your mouth. Perhaps the young general will show you leniency."
If this were in the past, the young general would have already taken Feng Ruoyan's life, and she wouldn't be babbling nonsense here today.
"Leniency? I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the current Prime Minister, and the concubine of the Third Prince. You have no right to question me, not even Ling Mohan has that right!"
Her status as the legitimate eldest daughter was her shield. To question her or sentence her, one would have to first petition the Empress and then have the Dali Temple conduct the investigation.
"Lord Wang, without the Empress's decree, if you dare to judge me, it is a grave offense. My father and the Third Prince will not forgive you!"
Feng Ruoyan's mind was working very quickly now. She grasped her identity as the legitimate daughter to delay the trial. As long as her father got wind of it, he could find a way to rescue her.
"Sister, you are mistaken."
Feng Jin's voice came from outside, and two figures, a man and a woman, appeared before the hall.
Lord Wang, frightened, quickly got down from his chair and stumbled forward to greet them: "Greetings, young general. This subordinate has failed to welcome you properly. I beg the young general's forgiveness."
"Lord Wang, there is no need for such formality. This general has merely brought the witness for this case. Yan Yu, come forward and meet Lord Wang. With Lord Wang here, justice will naturally be served."
As Ling Mohan finished speaking, a handsome youth of thirteen or fourteen years old walked in, "Greetings, Lord Wang."
When Yan Yu's gaze fell upon Feng Ruoyan, his eyes were filled with hatred, and his hands were clenched tightly.
"Naturally, naturally..." Lord Wang kept murmuring, wiping his sweat.
"Guards, quickly bring seats and tea for the young general and Madam."
Lord Wang fawned over Ling Mohan with a subservient expression.
"Feng Jin, it's you, you贱人! I am the Prime Minister's legitimate eldest daughter. If you want to question me, you must first get the Empress's permission and have an imperial decree. Otherwise, you have no right to question me!"
Feng Jin did not argue or quarrel with the deranged woman. She stood up and slowly walked to Feng Ruoyan, looking down at her from above: "Sister, you are truly muddled. Didn't I tell you long ago that you were mistaken?"
Feng Jin let out a sarcastic chuckle and continued, "Yes, I had forgotten. Sister has been confined to the estate these past days, and news might be limited. The Empress Dowager decreed that my mother be posthumously honored as a First-Rank Lady Siyi, and that Madam Sun must perform the rites of a concubine before my mother. And on the family tree, you are already a庶女 (daughter born of a concubine)."
"You're talking nonsense! Father would never do this! Father wouldn't!"
Feng Ruoyan cried out incessantly as if she had gone mad, her appearance utterly dejected.
"Believe it or not, this matter is already settled. Madam Sun is a concubine, and you are a庶女. To deal with a庶女, there is no need to seek the Empress's approval."
"Lord Wang, I still request you to handle this impartially."
Feng Jin finally cast her gaze towards the trembling Lord Wang. This man had always been adept at shifting with the wind, but it remained to be seen if he could grasp the situation this time.
"Naturally, this official always handles cases impartially and never bends the law for personal gain."
Lord Wang cupped his hands and said, a trace of guilt in his voice.
The cases accepted and handled by the Dali Temple were all matters involving royalty and nobility, individuals who could shroud the sky with their hands. He had remained in his position for over a decade, all thanks to his skillful and astute handling of affairs.
Otherwise, not only would his official hat be lost, but his life would also be in peril.
Lord Wang cleared his throat lightly: "Who is kneeling before the hall, and what is the accusation?"
"My lord, your humble servant Yan Yu was a lowly servant in Prime Minister Feng's household. I accuse Feng Ruoyan of beating and poisoning me, leaving me with just enough breath to maliciously frame the medical clinic opened by Young Madam Ling."
"You're lying! It's because you took Feng Jin's medicine that you fell gravely ill. I kindly offered to treat you, and you colluded with Feng Jin to accuse your master. What benefits did she give you? Do you know that a servant accusing their master is a heinous crime? It wouldn't be excessive to beat you to death with sticks!"
*Bang!* Ling Mohan's face darkened, and he heavily slammed his teacup onto the table. The sound struck everyone's hearts.
"Disrupting the court is punishable by ten boards according to the law. Lord Wang, are you not going to execute this?"
Ling Mohan's voice was very soft, but it carried immense pressure. Lord Wang's palms were sweating, and he looked troubled.