Feng Ruoyan had clearly endured much suffering, and not a trace of her former beauty, the finest in the capital, remained.
Her originally fair face was now smudged with dirt, her fine hair a disheveled mess. A few scattered hairpins held up a loose bun. Her exquisite dress was creased and wrinkled, and having not been properly washed for days, Feng Ruoyan carried a peculiar scent.
Feng Ruoyan had gone hungry for days. When she was helped onto the carriage, she was dazed. It wasn't until she disembarked and saw where she had arrived that she panicked and tried to flee. However, the guards quickly restrained her.
"Let me go... let me go! My father is the current Prime Minister. He will not let you off!"
Feng Ruoyan screamed loudly, her demeanor completely stripped of the noble lady she once was, transforming her into a shrew from the marketplace.
"You assaulted your servants, disregarded human lives, and deliberately framed others. Even your father may not be able to save you. After the trial, you will reside peacefully in prison, and when you emerge, you'll be an old woman past your prime."
Lu Shi looked at Feng Ruoyan with utter disdain. This woman's heart was so venomous and ruthless, truly a heart of a snake and scorpion. If not for the young madam's quick wit in discovering the truth, she would have been framed and her guilt cemented, leaving the young madam no way to clear her name, no matter how much she tried.
Such a person was not worthy of pity; those who deserve pity often have detestable qualities.
"Guards, take her inside."
The guards stepped forward, pushing Feng Ruoyan inward.
The presiding judge of the Dali Temple was pulled to the hall by Lu Shi.
"Lord Wang, our young general requests that you handle this case with utmost diligence."
Lord Wang, seeing the guards filling the hall, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He wiped his brow.
"Esteemed official, this case only has the suspect. Without witnesses, and based solely on your oral statements, it cannot be judged."
He recognized the woman kneeling below. She was the eldest daughter of the current Prime Minister, already betrothed to the Third Prince as a concubine.
To be asked to pass judgment on her, he truly lacked the courage.
However, he also could not afford to offend the young General Ling. Lord Wang found himself in a predicament, his heart in turmoil.
"Without witnesses, you have no right to pass judgment. I advise you to think carefully and release me quickly. This young lady can then consider asking my father to spare your life!"
Feng Ruoyan's confidence immediately swelled, her tone aggressive and coercive towards Lu Shi.
Alas, her intimidation might have worked on the timid and sycophantic Lord Wang.
But for Lu Shi, who had fought on battlefields, it was merely a joke.
"Miss Feng, your words are all nonsense to my ears. I advise you to keep your mouth shut. Perhaps the young general will show you leniency."
If this were in the past, the young general would have already taken Feng Ruoyan's life, let alone her mouthing off like this today.
"Leniency? I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the current Prime Minister. I am the Third Prince's concubine. You have no right to question me. Even Ling Mo Han has no such right!"
Her status as the legitimate eldest daughter was her shield. To question her, to silence her, one would first have to petition the Empress, and then the Dali Temple would conduct the investigation.
"Lord Wang, if you dare to question me without the Empress's decree, it is a grave offense. My father and the Third Prince will not forgive you!"
Feng Ruoyan's mind was racing now. She seized upon her status as a legitimate daughter to delay the trial, hoping her father would get wind of the situation and find a way to rescue her.
"Sister, you are mistaken."
Feng Jin's voice carried from outside. A male and female figure appeared before the hall.
Lord Wang, startled, quickly got down from his chair and stumbled forward to greet them. "Greetings, young general. This subordinate failed to welcome you properly. I beg for your forgiveness."
"Lord Wang, no need for formalities. This general has merely brought the witness for this case. Yan Yu, step forward and greet Lord Wang. With Lord Wang present, justice will naturally be served."
As Ling Mo Han finished speaking, a handsome boy of thirteen or fourteen stepped forward. "Greetings, Lord Wang."
When Yan Yu's gaze fell upon Feng Ruoyan, his eyes filled with hatred, his hands clenched tightly.
"Of course, of course..." Lord Wang murmured, wiping his sweat.
"Guards, quickly prepare seats for the young general and madam, and bring tea."
Lord Wang, with a fawning smile, tried to please Ling Mo Han.
"Feng Jin, it really is you, you wretched woman! I am the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter. If you wish to question me, you must obtain the Empress's permission and have her decree. Otherwise, you have no right to question me!"
Feng Jin did not bother arguing with the frantic woman. She stood up, slowly walked in front of Feng Ruoyan, and looked down at her from a superior position. "Sister, you are truly muddled. Didn't I tell you long ago that you were mistaken?"
Feng Jin let out a mocking chuckle and continued, "Ah, I forgot. Sister, you've been confined to the estate these past few days, and your information must be limited. The Empress Dowager has decreed that my mother be posthumously honored as Lady Si Yi of the first rank, while Madam Sun must perform the rites of a concubine before my mother. And on the family genealogy, you are already listed as a庶女 (daughter of a concubine)."
"You're lying! Father would never do this! Father wouldn't!"
Feng Ruoyan screamed, sounding like a madwoman, her appearance utterly lost and dejected.
"Believe it or not, this matter is settled. Madam Sun is a concubine, and you are a庶女. To deal with a庶女, one does not need to seek the Empress's permission."
"Lord Wang, I still ask you to handle this case justly."
Feng Jin finally cast her gaze upon the trembling Lord Wang. This man had always been adept at playing both sides, but it was unclear if he could see the situation clearly this time.
"Of course, this official always handles cases justly and never bends the law for personal gain."
Lord Wang cupped his hands and said, a hint of guilt in his voice.
The cases handled by the Dali Temple all involved members of the royal family and powerful nobles, individuals who could shroud the sky with their hands. He had managed to hold his position for over a decade solely through his shrewd and flexible approach to handling matters.
Otherwise, not only would his official cap be lost, but his very life would be in jeopardy.
Lord Wang cleared his throat. "Who is kneeling below, and what is being accused?"
"My Lord, this humble servant Yan Yu was formerly a servant in the Prime Minister's mansion. I accuse Feng Ruoyan of abusing and poisoning me, and then deliberately framing the clinic opened by the young madam Ling."
"You are lying! It is because you took Feng Jin's medicine that you fell gravely ill! I kindly tried to treat you, and you collude with Feng Jin to accuse your master! What benefits did she give you? Do you know that a servant accusing their master is an act of treason? You deserve to be beaten to death with sticks!"
*Bang!* Ling Mo Han's face darkened. The teacup in his hand slammed heavily onto the table, the sound striking a chord in everyone's hearts.
"Ranting in court is punishable by ten heavy boards, Lord Wang, are you not going to carry out the sentence!"
Ling Mo Han's voice was extremely soft, yet it carried immense pressure. Lord Wang's palms grew sweaty, and he appeared greatly conflicted.