Chapter 16: Provocation

The Prince's words indeed carried weight. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the people and the bloodstains in the courtyard had all been cleaned away, as if nothing had happened there just moments ago.

Leaving Lanyue Pavilion, Xiao Ruohan was still digesting the scene from earlier. Look, this was the price of watching a good show; even though he was an outsider to the drama, he had been forcibly dragged into it, making it impossible for him to remain uninvolved. Once he returned, he would have to find a way to make it up to the Fifth Prince.

After seeing off the Sixth Prince and his entourage, Feng Qingcheng returned to her room and lay down. Having acted for so long and exerted so much energy, she was exhausted and needed to rest properly. However, it seemed some people truly would not allow her a moment of peace; no sooner had that group left than someone else arrived.

"Miss, the Third Madam requests an audience." Not long after she had lied down, Xin'er ran in in a panic. Feng Qingcheng shook her head. "Don't see her. Go tell her that this Miss is tired, and whatever it is, we can discuss it tomorrow."

"Miss, would that not be inappropriate? Although the Third Madam has never been close to you, she hasn't made things difficult for you since you were a child. Coming at a time like this, she likely truly has something to say."

Xin'er spoke with difficulty; she felt for her Miss, but perhaps the Third Madam really did have business. After this recent commotion, the Miss had even more enemies in the Feng Estate; having a Third Madam who was not an enemy to help her out would be a good thing, to some extent.

"Fine, I'll see her," Feng Qingcheng said nonchalantly. She truly did not have much of an impression of this Third Madam. In her memory, the Third Madam was a woman of few words who seemed to be pleasant to everyone, so almost no one in the entire Feng Estate knew of her existence besides the Second Madam.

It wasn't until her daughter, Feng Qingyao, made a stunning debut at Chancellor Feng's birthday banquet at the age of fourteen that people realized the Feng Estate had a mistress like the Third Madam and a daughter like Feng Qingyao.

It was from then on that the beauties of Feng Qingqing and Feng Qingyao spread throughout the capital, and everyone knew that the "Twin Beauties of the Feng Family" were not only breathtakingly beautiful but also possessed unparalleled talents.

Over the years, the Second Madam had focused all her energy on managing the household, accumulating wealth, and bullying Feng Qingcheng. Moreover, the existence of the Third Madam posed no great threat to her; in terms of beauty, she was not as lovely, and in terms of schemes, the Third Madam could not escape her grasp. Thus, the Third Madam's life had been relatively peaceful all these years.

"This servant greets the Miss." The Third Madam walked up to Feng Qingcheng with neither humility nor arrogance, bowing slightly with an elegant and thorough grace. Her demeanor was not something a shrew like the Second Madam could compare to.

"There is no need for such formalities, Third Lady. Please, rise," Feng Qingcheng said indifferently. Following her words, the Third Madam rose and sat in the chair beside Feng Qingcheng.

Feng Qingcheng glanced up at her. Though she was a woman in her middle years, she possessed an extraordinary charm; she must have been a beauty in her youth. However, for some reason, Feng Qingcheng felt she could not see through this Third Madam; she always felt the woman was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

"Miss, you were ill a few days ago and I did not come to visit you. I hope you do not blame me." The Third Madam smiled faintly, her expression gentle and kind.

"I wonder what business brings the Third Madam here?" Feng Qingcheng did not engage in pleasantries and asked directly.

The Third Madam was slightly taken aback before handing an exquisitely crafted box into Feng Qingcheng's hands. "Miss, to tell you the truth, I was an old acquaintance of your mother. Before she passed, she asked me to give this to you when you grew up, saying that you might need it in the future."

"Why choose to give it to me today?" Feng Qingcheng did not take the box, but instead asked in confusion. She did not want to know what was inside, nor was she interested in it; she simply did not understand why she was being given this now. What exactly did her mother mean?

"I also asked the Madam, but she only said to give it to you when you were capable. Perhaps one day, Miss, you will understand your mother's painstaking intentions." The Third Madam placed the box on the table, wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, and after standing up, said, "Very well, I shall take my leave."

As she spoke, the Third Madam bowed to Feng Qingcheng and turned to leave, but as she reached the door, she suddenly turned back.

"Miss. No matter how bad the Second Madam is, she is, after all, the lady the Master married into with great honor. Furthermore, she is the sister of the Great General. If the Master truly punishes her severely because of this matter, it might cause trouble if the Great General finds out."

"And so? So I am supposed to endure her bullying time and time again without fighting back?" Feng Qingcheng gave a cold laugh. She, Feng Qingcheng, had never been one to be threatened; even if the woman was an old acquaintance of her mother, she did not need to consider her feelings.

"Miss, I have said all I can. Take care of yourself." Having said this, the Third Madam turned and left.

Feng Qingcheng picked up the box and toyed with it. The front of the box featured a phoenix pattern carved in fine gold thread, while the back featured an exquisitely crafted Qingcheng flower. It felt heavy in her hand. Feng Qingcheng tried to manipulate it, but she actually could not open the box; it was so tightly fitted that she could not even find an opening.