Feng Ruoyan, as if released from a great burden, rose from the ground with the help of her maid.
"Father, Mother..." Feng Ruoyan, who was considered filial, did not forget to plead for Madam Sun.
"Let her continue kneeling. No one is allowed to beg for her. I was truly blind back then to let her into this family. It's because of her that so many troubles have arisen."
Feng Yuanping was filled with regret. How could he have been so infatuated with Madam Sun and insisted on her entering the family, even to the point of breaking ties with Miaoqing?
"Master, I truly know I was wrong. Please, for Ruoyan's sake, forgive me this once."
"I never would have imagined you had the audacity to tamper with Miaoqing's dowry."
The Empress Dowager had already issued a decree, entrusting all of Miaoqing's dowry to Feng Jin. Now that Madam Sun had touched it, with the dowry incomplete, how would he explain it to the Empress Dowager?
"Sister is the legitimate wife and mistress of the household. Ruoyan is considered her child. As the mistress, she should also prepare a dowry for Ruoyan."
"Nonsense! The situation is dire, and you're still trying to deny it. Miaoqing's dowry has always been stored in the treasury. You've managed all household affairs for years. You've stolen from the family. If you don't replenish the dowry, you can explain it to the Empress Dowager yourself."
Feng Yuanping's eyes were filled with determination. He would not risk the entire Feng family for Madam Sun alone.
If the Empress Dowager were to blame him for this matter, he would have no choice but to shift all the blame onto Madam Sun.
"Master, you are so heartless! I've served you for more than a decade, diligently managing household affairs and raising children. Even if I have no merit, I have toiled hard. Are you going to discard me for these matters, Master!"
Madam Sun began her usual act of playing the victim, weeping and recounting her grievances, still fantasizing that if she cried, Feng Yuanping would soften his heart and let it go, as he always had.
Unfortunately, Madam Sun had still not understood Feng Yuanping's true intentions.
To Feng Yuanping, everything he did was for the revival of the Feng family.
Marrying He Miaoqing was to leverage the He family's influence and climb step by step.
Madam Sun was merely a comforting solace he had found for himself, proof that his achievements were not solely due to his wife's family influence, a way to soothe his pathetic self-esteem.
"Since it has come to this, you can find your own way to explain it to the Empress Dowager."
With these words, Feng Yuanping turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
"Mother, what do we do..."
Feng Ruoyan had never seen her father so enraged and asked her mother fearfully.
Madam Sun was also in a panic, the situation having spiraled out of her control.
"The only way now is to preserve our current wealth and luxury, and then plan for other things."
"No, Mother! You promised me you'd leave that dowry for me. Now you won't even give me a small portion. Are you really going to make me marry off alone?"
Feng Ruoyan insisted, her face flushing with shame at the thought of marrying off alone.
Moreover, the Empress already disliked her, and Miss Liu would be the primary consort. How could she survive as a secondary consort without a dowry to support her in the Third Prince's manor?
Seeing her daughter's petulance, Madam Sun became angry and slapped her.
"Mother, you hit me! This is the first time you've ever hit me since I was born!" Feng Ruoyan was filled with grievance. She had lived a life of luxury, pampered by her parents, and no one had ever spoken a harsh word to her. Now her mother had struck her.
"Ruoyan, our grand plan has failed. Money and gold are but external possessions. The most important thing now is for you to successfully marry the Third Prince. The Third Prince has feelings for you. Once the Third Prince ascends the throne, you won't have to worry about becoming Empress."
"But the Empress and Miss Liu are still above me. As long as the Empress is here, I can never be Empress."
The Empress's plan was for the Liu family to continue to hold the position of Empress. After she married, the Empress would surely suppress her.
Miss Liu also seemed to be a difficult person to deal with. Without some financial resources to manage affairs, wouldn't she suffer neglect from everyone?
"Everything must be done gradually. As long as you have the Third Prince's favor, combined with the Feng family's support, the position of Empress will be yours sooner or later. If the Empress Dowager blames us and the Feng family is implicated, you won't even have the position of secondary consort. Think about it carefully!"
Madam Sun's harsh words immediately made Feng Ruoyan panic. She grabbed Madam Sun's sleeve and begged, "Mother, you can't abandon me! I only have you."
Her father no longer favored her as before. The only person she could rely on was her mother.
Madam Sun sighed and helped Feng Ruoyan up. "My child, you are good in all other aspects, but you are too concerned with gains and losses. Seeing everything as too important may not be a good thing, do you understand?"
"Daughter understands. I will strictly follow Mother's teachings."
"You are your father's daughter, and his only hope. He has doted on you for so many years, and he will not stand by and watch you marry off empty-handed. That would be a disgrace to him and the Feng family."
Over the years, Madam Sun had come to understand Feng Yuanping well. He valued face more than anything. If she hadn't bribed people to spread rumors that Feng Yuanping relied on the He family for his current status,
Feng Yuanping, eager to prove himself, would not have elevated her to the position of primary wife.
"In a while, take a bowl of bird's nest soup to your father. You know what to do."
"Mother, daughter understands."
Inside the Ling Manor, after the group had finished their meal, a young servant at the door came in to report.
"Young Madam, Prime Minister Feng and Madam have arrived."
Feng Jin looked at Madam Yun. "Mama, please accompany me."
Madam Yun nodded slightly. "Young Madam, please."
"Take Prime Minister Feng and Madam Sun to the main hall to wait."
"Yes, Young Madam."
When Feng Jin arrived, Feng Yuanping and Madam Sun were already seated in the hall.
Considering Feng Yuanping was her nominal father, Feng Jin said unwillingly, "Father has arrived."
Feng Yuanping responded gruffly.
"Feng Jin! How have you been these past two days? I..."
"Madam Sun, as a secondary wife, how can you address the legitimate daughter of the primary wife by name? Furthermore, she has now been conferred the title of Princess Jianing by His Majesty. Madam Sun has no rank or title and should perform a kowtow to the Princess."
"This... Mama, after all, I am an elder. It's also not fitting with the etiquette."
Madam Yun's expression tightened. "Etiquette? What is etiquette? Even the Empress, the Queen Mother's daughter, must perform a kowtow when meeting the Empress. You, merely elevated to the position of primary wife from a concubine, have a lowly status. Are you more noble than the Empress's concubines?"
"Princess Jianing is a second-rank princess personally conferred by His Majesty. Madam Sun, do you dare to defy His Majesty's imperial decree!"
Madam Yun was truly worthy of being by the Empress Dowager's side. Without anger, she possessed an inherent majesty that exerted an invisible pressure on people just by standing there.
"Madam Sun, pay your respects to the Princess."