She now felt that the time she spent with Ling Mohan was too long, and her actions were increasingly mirroring his.
Zhenzhu was also intimidated by Feng Jin’s terrifying aura, trembling slightly. She had initially thought that wet nurse Sun’s anger was frightening enough, but after seeing Feng Jin today, she finally understood what true terror was.
Her aura was naturally formed; even a single glance could instill fear.
"Madam, is that so? What are the chances of success?"
"Since I'm doing it, I have full confidence."
If there were no certainty of success, doing it would be a waste, a futile expenditure of time. She would absolutely not engage in something that yielded no results.
"You only need to inform the others among you and strive to get them to agree, just as you have. This way, I can ensure that all of you can survive."
If even one of them was not of one mind, this matter could not be accomplished. Ultimately, it depended on Zhenzhu’s ability to succeed.
"Everyone is different. It is difficult for me to guarantee that I can persuade the others. I fear that if someone harbors ulterior motives and informs wet nurse Sun of this, what then shall we do?"
Zhenzhu only worried that someone might reveal the matter to wet nurse Sun. Given wet nurse Sun’s nature, she would surely choose to cut the weeds and eliminate the roots, killing them.
"To harm the lives of a hundred people for the sake of one is a grave sin. If saving a hundred lives by losing one is supreme merit, then you must weigh for yourself whether to protect one or save a hundred."
"I understand!"
Zhenzhu’s gaze was no longer as lost as before. She had made up her mind, and when she looked up again, her eyes were filled with determination.
"Madam, I still have something I wish to ask the young madam?"
"Are you asking about your sister?" Feng Jin saw through her thoughts at a glance.
"I am concerned about my sister. I request that Madam inform me a little?"
Upon learning that Cui’er was still alive, her heart had been filled with excitement, and she was eager to know Cui’er’s current situation.
"She is doing well. I have found her a safe place, and she looks after herself with Liuli and Yan’er. They are living fulfilling lives."
"However, wet nurse Sun is still alive, which is the greatest threat to them. For safety reasons, I cannot tell you their current whereabouts. But there are long days ahead, so don't worry, there will be a time when we meet."
The reason she wasn't telling her Cui’er's whereabouts now was twofold: firstly, she worried about the exposure of their movements, which would lead wet nurse Sun to know, rendering all the efforts made so far in vain. Secondly, she intended to use Cui’er to keep Zhenzhu in check, as human hearts are unpredictable, and she needed to make more plans.
"I understand."
Zhenzhu had also roughly guessed Feng Jin’s intentions. However, knowing that Cui’er was safe was enough for her now.
She wanted to ensure Cui’er could live safely forever. All factors that could potentially harm Cui’er, she would remove them.
After Zhenzhu left, she returned directly to her residence. As soon as she entered the room, the people who had been gathered together dispersed. Seeing her, they all acted as if they had seen a plague god, skillfully avoiding her.
She was being isolated. Zhenzhu immediately understood what was happening and walked towards the instigator.
"What do you mean by looking at me like that? Do you think you can kill me!"
Lan Cui felt a shiver run down her spine at Zhenzhu’s gaze. She asked in a slightly timid tone,
"Put away your despicable tactics. Your tricks are not enough!"
To instigate others to encourage her – such a dim-witted tactic, and she actually brought it out. Was she not afraid of being ridiculed?
She felt embarrassed for Lan Cui just looking at her; how old was she to still play such games?
"What did you say? Do you really think I dare not lay a hand on you!"
Lan Cui was instantly enraged. Disregarding everything, she raised her hand high, intending to slap Zhenzhu’s face.
Before her hand could touch Zhenzhu, her wrist was tightly grasped, rendering her immobile.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Lan Cui looked at her tightly clasped wrist and shouted angrily. She struggled fiercely, but to no avail.
"It is I who should ask you, what exactly do you intend to do!"
Zhenzhu suppressed her voice and questioned her furiously, unconsciously tightening her grip.
"Let go… release me…" The pain in her wrist spread throughout her body. She felt a slight numbness all over, and Lan Cui’s expression contorted with pain.
"Zhenzhu, let go quickly! If you continue like this, Lan Cui’s hand will be crippled!"
Yu Rong, who had rushed over, saw this scene and her face turned pale with fright. She quickly stepped forward to separate the two.
Seeing this, Zhenzhu no longer bothered with Lan Cui and released her hand. Her intention was to teach Lan Cui a lesson, and once the effect was achieved, she naturally stopped.
Clutching her bruised wrist, Lan Cui lost her previous arrogance. Instead, a trace of fear appeared in her eyes as she looked at Zhenzhu.
"What happened today ends here. No one is allowed to speak of it. If anyone is found to be a gossip, then do not blame me for disregarding our sisterly bond!"
Zhenzhu’s gaze swept over everyone one by one, her warning words spoken.
Everyone timidly nodded and then silently dispersed.
Lan Cui was filled with anger but dared not vent it. Gritting her teeth, she glared at Zhenzhu, her rage palpable but unspoken.
Yu Rong pulled Lan Cui away and applied medicinal liquid to Lan Cui’s swollen wrist, "I’ve told you long ago not to provoke Zhenzhu, but you insisted on it. Now you’re enjoying the pain."
"What’s the use of you saying this now? I underestimated her this time. If there’s a next time, I absolutely won’t be like this!"
It was all her carelessness that allowed Zhenzhu to exploit the situation. Next time, it would not be like this.
"We are all sisters, and some bumps and bruises are inevitable. If everyone were as petty as you, this sisterhood would be impossible to maintain!"
Yu Rong truly didn’t understand how much animosity these two had! They could start fighting the moment they met, and they hadn’t been quiet for a moment all these years.
If this continued, something big would eventually happen, and everyone would suffer punishment along with these two.
"It’s clearly Zhenzhu intentionally making things difficult for me, yet you’re siding with her and nagging me. Why don’t you go find trouble with Zhenzhu!"
"I only see that every time it’s you looking for trouble with Zhenzhu, and I’ve never seen Zhenzhu look for trouble with you. To be frank, it’s you who is narrow-minded and cannot tolerate others. So don’t find other excuses!"
Lan Cui pouted unhappily, secretly making a note of Zhenzhu in her heart and planning how to cause trouble for Zhenzhu again.
"Put away those little thoughts in your mind. If I see you instigating others to cause trouble again, don’t blame me for being impolite."