Chapter 4: 第４章 反击

The fact that he had ignored her for so many years did not mean he did not love this child, and for such a thing to happen was something he, as a father, could not accept.

"Father, do you think what this Fu Shun says is true?" Feng Qingcheng pursed her lips, a tear falling from the corner of her eye. It was true that she had been drugged with an aphrodisiac, and it was true that she had sought someone to neutralize the poison, but even if she were to die, she would never seek out such a disgusting person to defile herself.

However, everyone was acting in front of Feng Tiande today; who didn't know how to do that?

"Second Madam, Qingcheng is still an innocent maiden. What is your true intention in letting someone humiliate me like this? Could it be... that you are plotting against our Feng family's property?"

Feng Qingcheng pinched her thigh hard, struggling to squeeze a few pear-blossom-in-the-rain tears from her eyes. She looked at Feng Tiande with a sincere gaze; to anyone watching, she appeared to be a weak and helpless young woman.

"You bitch, what are you saying? How could my mother plot against the Feng family's property?" Feng Qingqing stood up abruptly, glaring fiercely at Feng Qingcheng, looking as if she wanted to kill her.

Feng Qingcheng stood tall, meeting her gaze, a daunting brilliance surging in her eyes.

That brilliance actually made Feng Qingqing shiver involuntarily, as if she had seen a hint of murderous intent within it. She rubbed her eyes, but Feng Qingcheng still stood there looking frail and delicate, as if the look from just a moment ago had been a mere illusion. Feng Qingqing suppressed the doubt in her heart and turned her gaze toward Feng Tiande.

In her eyes, Feng Qingcheng was just a cowardly, easy-to-bully little girl; how could she possibly have such a sharp, piercing gaze?

"Father, listen to her. Regardless of anything else, I am Qingqing’s elder sister by blood, yet she actually calls me a bitch..." Feng Qingcheng said, weeping. "Father, it doesn't matter if I am bullied by them, but now they are making a mockery of my purity. If this word gets out, how am I supposed to live? Are they trying to force me to dash my head against a wall and die right here?"

"Lin Yun, is this the fine daughter you’ve raised? She has no sense of seniority or respect. If this gets out, where will the Feng family’s reputation be? Someone, take the Second Miss back to her chambers to reflect. Without my permission, she is not to be let out."

Hearing Feng Qingcheng’s words, Feng Tiande glared indignantly at Madam Lin and Feng Qingqing, then looked at Feng Qingcheng’s haggard, thin cheeks. His heart ached; it was his negligence over these years that he had never truly cared for this sensible and well-behaved daughter.

"Father, how could you treat me like this for the sake of this bitch?" Feng Qingqing was furious. "Bitch, it is you who have tarnished our Feng family’s reputation. I, Feng Qingqing, will never acknowledge you as my elder sister."

"Shut up! Take the Second Miss away at once." Feng Tiande barked coldly. Looking at Feng Qingcheng’s tearful expression and then at the spoiled and arrogant Feng Qingqing, a wave of inexplicable anger rose in his heart.

"Master, Qing’er is your daughter, how can you imprison her? Our priority now is to find a way to resolve Qingcheng’s situation." The Second Madam was shocked and hurriedly pleaded for Feng Qingqing.

Her goal today was only Feng Qingcheng; she never imagined that Feng Qingcheng would abandon her usual cowardice and turn the tables on her. This situation was something she had not anticipated.

"Say no more!" Feng Tiande waved his hand. Qingcheng’s matter was already enough to annoy him; how could he have the time to worry about Feng Qingqing?

"Master..." The Second Madam wanted to say more, but seeing Feng Tiande’s dark and uncertain expression, she fell silent. She glanced at the departing Feng Qingqing, suppressed her resentment, and walked up to Feng Tiande with a fawning expression.

The Second Madam composed herself and said calmly to Feng Tiande, "Master, let’s put Qing’er aside for now and talk about Qingcheng. After such a thing has happened, how can Qingcheng still marry the Third Prince? If this gets out, we might all be implicated."

"Second Madam, you should speak with a clear conscience. I don't know where you found this Fu Shun, but I can tell you clearly: I have never met this person, let alone surrendered my purity to him."

"Father, I am your daughter. You must know what kind of person I am; how can you listen to the slander of others? I am tired, I will go back to rest now." Feng Qingcheng said, turning to leave.

"Oh, right. I was so focused on seeing Father that I haven't had breakfast yet. Send someone to bring breakfast to my quarters later. Nothing too fancy—just two baskets of meat buns, two bowls of wontons, and four chicken legs will do."

Feng Qingcheng walked to the door and turned back, speaking to Prime Minister Feng in a leisurely manner. If she weren't so hungry, she would have liked to continue teaching the Second Madam a lesson, but there would be plenty of time for that later. For today, it was better to fill her stomach first.

With that, she didn't look at the Second Madam again. She bowed to Feng Tiande and left directly. As she passed by Fu Shun, her eyes cast a cold glance at the trembling man still kneeling on the floor. With just that one look, the servant named Fu Shun felt as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar, a chill surging through his entire body.

"Wait a moment." The Second Madam suddenly called out to stop Feng Qingcheng. Ginger is spicier when it's old; she hadn't achieved her goal yet, so how could she allow Feng Qingcheng to leave? "Qingcheng, you keep insisting that you are innocent, then tell your Second Mother: where did you go last night? Why didn't you return with the Second Miss?"