Chapter 4: 004 Humiliation

A mocking, cold sneer curled at the corners of her mouth. This was the man she had hoped for her entire life. She had originally thought that in three days, she could escape the magnificent yet agonizing cage of the Minister's Manor to spend her life by his side, walking the path toward happiness.

She never thought, she never imagined... that what awaited her was a letter of engagement annulment. This single piece of paper shattered all of Feng Qingzhuang's hopes, pushing her from a dark cage into a much more desperate, bottomless abyss.

"Second Miss, the steward of the Prince Qing Mansion is still waiting in the front hall, waiting for Second Miss to return the Phoenix Pendant," the butler, Qin Zhong, reminded her.

But Feng Qingzhuang seemed not to hear him. She continued to stare down at the Phoenix Pendant that had been broken into several pieces, looking utterly soul-shattered and motionless.

"Madam, look, this..." The butler looked toward the Second Madam on the side, seeking help. He did not have the courage to make the steward of the Prince Qing Mansion wait for long.

"Since Second Miss is not speaking, it means she agrees to annul this marriage. Cui'er, go find the Phoenix Pendant your mistress has in her collection and hand it to the steward to return it," the Second Madam spoke at the appropriate moment. She swept a glance over Feng Qingzhuang, her dark, shrewd eyes flickering with a hint of pleasure and the thrill of revenge.

The Second Madam, Ruan Suyun, was the legitimate daughter of the Minister of War's manor. Given her status, she was fully capable of being a primary wife. However, after Feng Qingzhuang's mother appeared and became the official Madam of the Minister's Manor, the proud Ruan Suyun could not bear to reside in the position of a concubine. She had originally thought that after Feng Qingzhuang's mother, Bai Wanqing, died, she would have the chance to be promoted to primary wife. But ten years had passed, and she was still merely the Second Madam of the Minister's Manor. This fact made her hate with a passion. She hated Bai Wanqing for occupying her husband's heart, and by extension, she naturally hated Feng Qingzhuang as well, viewing her as a thorn in her side.

"Second Madam, the Young Miss has not given any orders. This servant does not dare to touch the Young Miss's things at will," Cui'er refused stubbornly, a flash of determination in her eyes. She was illiterate, so although she did not know the letter in Feng Qingzhuang's hand was an annulment, she could guess quite a bit from everyone's expressions and conversation.

"You lowly girl, you're rebelling!"

As soon as Cui'er finished speaking, the Second Madam, Lady Ruan, stepped forward and raised her hand to deliver a slap to Cui'er. What she hated most was that title, "Second Madam"; it signified her status as a concubine rather than a primary wife, a permanent wound in her heart. Within the Minister's Manor, everyone was well aware of this. After Bai Wanqing passed away, the servants in the manor had all tactfully begun to call Ruan Suyun "Madam" directly.

Cui'er lowered her head aggrievedly, tears welling in her eyes as she dared not let them fall. Meanwhile, Feng Qingzhuang's gaze remained fixed on the shattered Phoenix Pendant, unable to accept this sudden reality and blow.

"Sister, why must you lose your temper with a lowly maid? If that wench refuses to do the work, there are plenty of servants in the courtyard. Isn't it enough to just let them do the hard work?" The caustic voice of the Fifth Concubine rang out. She cast a hateful glance at Feng Qingzhuang, a gloating, malicious smirk curling at the corners of her mouth.