After a moment of hesitation, weighing the pros and cons, he caressed the gavel in his hand and finally spoke: "Feng Ruoyan has shouted at the court and disrespected this official. I order you to administer ten planks!"
"Let me go, let me go... my father will kill you, kill you..."
Feng Ruoyan was dragged to the wooden board and had her hands and feet bound. She immediately panicked, her words becoming incoherent.
"Scoundrel, so ungrateful! Add another five planks!"
Lord Wang was, after all, the Minister of Dali Temple. How could he be cursed at by a woman, with threats of death at every turn?
"Ah!"
The solid planks fell upon Feng Ruoyan. How could her tender skin withstand them? With one strike, her skin split open. Feng Ruoyan was in such pain that she almost fainted.
"Ah!"
Feng Ruoyan cried out in pain, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her body trembling.
The guard raised the plank high, about to strike again, when a voice of restraint came from outside the hall.
"Stop!"
Feng Yuanping shouted in a hurry. Madam Sun, behind him, saw her daughter, whom she hadn't seen in days, being beaten until her skin was torn and bleeding. Her heart ached, and she rushed to Feng Ruoyan's side to check on her.
"Yan'er, Yan'er, how are you..."
"Mother... Mother..." Feng Ruoyan called out weakly, lacking the strength to even cry out loudly. Her breath was faint.
Feng Jin watched everyone with cold eyes. She took a pill from her embrace and put it into Feng Ruoyan's mouth. She couldn't let her die so easily; that would be too kind to her.
She would use the pill to save her life for now, as the real show was yet to come.
"What do you want? Do you want to harm my Yan'er!"
Madam Sun immediately accused Feng Jin of malicious intent, almost resorting to curses.
"Those with wicked hearts see evil in everyone. I am not like you and naturally disdain to do such shameless things!"
Feng Jin taunted Madam Sun before standing up and sitting on a chair. "I gave her the Nine Revolutions Pill, a life-saving medicine, worth three hundred gold a piece."
After giving it to Feng Ruoyan, Feng Jin regretted it. She had used dozens of precious medicinal ingredients to obtain only three Nine Revolutions Pills. How could she have impulsively given one to Feng Ruoyan today?
Regret and hatred instantly filled Feng Jin's heart.
It was a pity that the deed was done. She couldn't possibly retrieve the Nine Revolutions Pill from Feng Ruoyan's mouth.
"Lu Shi, after the trial, don't forget to collect the medicine fee from the Prime Minister."
She couldn't afford to make such a loss-making deal; she had to at least get the medicine money back.
"Yes, young madam."
Lu Shi was also loyal. After the trial, for several consecutive days, he went to the Prime Minister's mansion daily to demand the medicine fee.
Prime Minister Feng was so vexed that he had no choice but to pay double the medicine fee to send Lu Shi away. Of course, this was all later.
"Lord Wang, what crime has my daughter committed for you to administer such a punishment? She is but a weak woman. Is this not taking her life!"
Madam Sun wept and pointed at Lord Wang, scolding him.
"You, a mere woman, trespassing in the court is a grave offense. This official, out of consideration for Prime Minister Feng, did not pursue it. Yet you dare to point fingers and scold this official without distinguishing right from wrong. How audacious! Guards, escort this woman out!"
Lord Wang's face turned red with anger, and he directly ordered Madam Sun to be expelled.
"Lord Wang, my wife is uncultured and was simply anxious seeing Yan'er's severe injuries, leading to her rash words. I implore Lord Wang to spare my wife this once for my sake."
Feng Yuanping, holding the position of Prime Minister, second only to the Emperor, had never begged anyone so humbly. This act of showing weakness was giving Lord Wang ample face.
Lord Wang, being adept at handling matters, saw Feng Yuanping bow and give him face, and he did not press the issue further.
They were all officials, and in terms of rank, Feng Yuanping was above him. If he thoroughly offended Feng Yuanping now, it would not be beneficial for his future career.
"Prime Minister, you are too kind. Since the Prime Minister has spoken, this official shall grant the Prime Minister this favor!"
Lord Wang beckoned, and his guards dragged Madam Sun back from outside the hall.
Madam Sun dared not cause any more trouble. She stayed obediently by Feng Yuanping's side, fearing being thrown out again.
"The case will continue. Anyone who dares to shout at the court again will not be excused by this official."
"Yan Yu, you said Feng Ruoyan poisoned you. Do you have any evidence?"
"Reporting to Lord, this humble one has a witness. The woman who poisoned me with Feng Ruoyan is outside the hall. She can testify for me."
"Bring the woman in."
Lord Wang gave the order, and the woman from outside was brought in by the guards.
Upon seeing who it was, Madam Sun's expression immediately turned panicked. She stared intently at the woman, her eyes full of warning.
"Greetings, Lord." The woman knelt below the hall, timidly lowering her head.
"Do you know about Feng Ruoyan poisoning Yan Yu?"
The woman paused, her voice timid as she replied, "Reporting to Lord..."
"Granny Wang, you have been by my side for so many years, and I have treated you well. Do not betray your conscience for a small profit from others and falsely accuse your mistress?"
Madam Sun, worried that Granny Wang would say something unfavorable to her, hastily warned her.
Feng Jin sipped her tea, her voice light and airy. "Aunt Madam Sun, Lord Wang's court proceedings are always fair and just. Why do you need to interject? Or are you worried that Lord Wang will bend the law for personal gain and pass an unjust sentence?"
"One more word, and you will be removed!" Lord Wang's tone was slightly displeased.
"You shut up!" Feng Yuanping had never felt so humiliated. He warned Madam Sun.
Madam Sun, having lost face, nodded sheepishly and stepped back.
"Reporting to Lord, the eldest daughter indeed mistreated and verbally abused the servants, and the poison was administered by the eldest daughter. It was to frame the Ling young madam for reckless endangerment and selling fake medicine. To prevent Yan Yu from revealing the matter, she also administered aćèŻ to Yan Yu, not expecting the Ling young madam to notice the clues..."
Her scheme exposed, Feng Ruoyan's face turned a mottled green and purple. She struggled with all her might and lunged at Granny Wang, grabbing her by the neck with all her strength, wishing she could strangle her to death and prevent any further testimony.
"Here they come, release them quickly!" Lord Wang said urgently.
Seeing this, Feng Yuanping quickly signaled Madam Sun to help Feng Ruoyan.
Without witnesses, even if there were accusations, he could find a way to get Feng Ruoyan acquitted.
"Yan'er..." Madam Sun cried out in alarm and joined the fray. Ostensibly to break them apart, she was secretly using force.
Feng Jin saw through the pretense. She subtly twisted her hand, and with a flash of silver, two silver needles were directly inserted into the necks of Madam Sun and her daughter.