The numbness instantly spread through the bodies of the two, and the strength in their hands weakened. With a strong survival instinct, Granny Wang seized the opportunity while their grip loosened and quickly broke free. She curled up towards Feng Jin, seeking shelter.
"They've all gone mad... in the hall of justice, you dare to disregard human life!"
Lord Wang's anger surged. He had presided over the Dali Temple for over a decade, and this was the first time he had seen such audacity. In the hall of justice, they dared to kill a witness, intending to create a situation with no corroborating evidence and forcing his hand!
Seeing the plan foiled, Feng Yuanping looked at the two with disappointment, thinking they were useless!
"Nonsense! In the hall of justice, in front of Lord Wang, you dare to act so recklessly."
Feng Yunping, without any trace of performance, berated the two with feigned anger and pulled Madam Sun back.
"Lord Wang, my wife was eager to protect our daughter and acted in a moment of distress..."
"A moment of distress, eagerness to protect a daughter – these are excuses for you mother and daughter to commit murder and disregard human life in public!" Feng Jin spoke leisurely, her eyes filled with ferocity.
"If cases are to be decided by emotion and reason, what use are laws and regulations? Even the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished the same as a commoner. Is Prime Minister Feng more noble than the Son of Heaven, wanting to use his power to shield Madam Sun and her daughter's crimes? I wonder... what will His Majesty think if he learns of this?"
Feng Yuanping's face turned ashen, his tightly furrowed brows suppressing his inner rage, yet he could not lash out.
"You disobedient daughter, speaking ill of the Son of Heaven is a grave offense. Do you want to drag our entire family to death with you!"
"Prime Minister Feng, do not flatter yourself. I severed ties with the Feng family long ago. Even if I commit a crime, it will not implicate Prime Minister Feng or the Feng family. You need not worry unnecessarily."
Feng Jin's expression was calm, but her eyes exuded a fierce gaze as she swept them over Feng Yuanping and the others.
"Prime Minister Feng, my wife's actions will be handled by this general. Prime Minister Feng need not worry. However, if any member of the Feng family disrespects my wife again, then do not blame this general for abandoning all pretense of decorum!"
Ling Mohan would not allow anyone to slander Feng Jin, his words filled with protectiveness.
Feng Yuanping snorted coldly and sat back in his chair, his beard bristling with anger, yet utterly helpless.
"Lu Shi, escort Madam Sun out of the hall!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Ling Mohan's command was followed instantly by Lu Shi, who led his men to beat Madam Sun with cudgels and drive her out.
"You... you are simply making a mockery of things!" Feng Yunping pointed at them hatefully, "This is simply the behavior of ruffians, utterly lacking in civility!"
"Prime Minister Feng flatters me. I am but a soldier from the battlefield, naturally I know little of courtesy!"
Lu Shi stood in front of Feng Yuanping, readily accepting the compliment.
"All of you, be silent! Prime Minister Feng, out of consideration for our shared official position, I have tolerated you and your family repeatedly. I hope Prime Minister Feng will not make things difficult for me."
Lord Wang was at his wit's end by their incessant demands, but their official ranks and influence were all superior to his. He could only humbly plead with them to show mercy: "Young General, I implore you to be lenient!"
"Lord Wang, you speak too highly. Just continue with the trial. With this general present, I will never let Lord Wang be threatened!"
"Thank you, Young General!"
*Bang!* Lord Wang struck the table heavily with his gavel, his expression stern.
"Feng Ruoyan, do you have a defense against the old woman's testimony!"
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me... I know nothing!"
Feng Ruoyan adamantly claimed her innocence.
"My Lord, I treated Yan Yu. Yan Yu was poisoned with arsenic and drugged to silence. The proprietor of Ji Shitang in the capital saw Granny Wang purchasing a large quantity of arsenic. Here are the invoices and Ji Shitang's testimony, all submitted!"
Feng Jin, having prepared thoroughly, had Cai Qing present the invoices and testimony together.
After examining the testimony and invoices, Lord Wang's expression suddenly changed. With both human and material evidence present, even if he wanted to do Prime Minister Feng a favor, it was impossible.
"With human and material evidence present, Feng Ruoyan attempted to commit murder and framed another. According to our dynasty's laws, I sentence Feng Ruoyan..."
"Wait!"
A voice from outside the hall stopped the proceedings. Instantly, a troop of soldiers surrounded the hall of justice.
Following that, a man in brocade robes walked in from outside, heading straight for Feng Ruoyan.
Chu Yanxi, seeing Feng Ruoyan, whom he had not seen for days, in such a state, his eyes filled with heartache. He removed his cloak and draped it over Feng Ruoyan, pulling his beloved into his embrace. "I'm late."
"Third Prince, you..." Before Feng Ruoyan could finish speaking, she fainted into Chu Yanxi's arms.
"Miss Feng..."
Chu Yanxi's heart pounded with urgency. He lifted her horizontally and was about to walk out when he was blocked by Ling Mohan's men.
"Blind, uncouth dogs! You dare to stop this imperial prince, get out of the way!"
"Third Prince truly carries himself with great authority. To dare to obstruct someone from leaving, are you not afraid of His Majesty's displeasure!"
Ling Mohan rose and stood in front of Chu Yanxi.
"Young General Ling, do you know that obstructing an imperial prince with a weapon is an offense punishable by the execution of the entire family? Do not mistake your merits for a forgotten sense of your own identity. You are a subject, and I am the sovereign!"
Chu Yanxi, at this moment, was solely focused on taking Feng Ruoyan away, having lost all reason.
"Third Prince, please speak with caution. Today, either you leave alone, or you will accompany this criminal to prison!"
Ling Mohan showed no intention of backing down, his words resolute. The guards beside him drew their weapons, and the two sides remained locked in a standoff.
"Your Excellencies, please calm your anger! This is the Dali Temple. Private duels with swords, if heard by His Majesty, are a grave offense!"
Lord Wang, who was always timid and fearful, had never witnessed such a scene. His legs trembled with fright, and he could only be supported by those beside him.
"Ling Mohan, are you truly determined to oppose this imperial prince!"
"Third Prince, you are mistaken. This general is merely upholding the law impartially and without any personal agenda. On the contrary, it is the Third Prince who is acting out of personal sentiment!"
Ling Mohan's sarcastic remarks showed utter disregard for Chu Yanxi.
As an imperial prince, Chu Yanxi had only encountered sycophants. Being publicly humiliated by Ling Mohan, he naturally lost face. Rage replaced reason, and he foolishly ordered his men to forcefully break out of the Dali Temple.
As the two parties were about to engage in a deadly clash, Feng Jin quickly intervened, "Third Prince, Feng Ruoyan is a criminal. You insist on taking her away!"
"My word is my bond. If you are wise, you will get out of the way quickly, otherwise, do not blame this imperial prince for taking your lives!"
A smile played on Feng Jin's lips. This Third Prince certainly had a big mouth. "Third Prince, truly rushing headlong into battle for the sake of a woman!"
"Everyone, please bear witness. The Third Prince, in order to save Miss Feng, has mobilized troops without authorization and is attempting to force his way into the Dali Temple, resorting to armed combat."