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墨書 Inktalez
"Fu Family, you truly are a leopard that cannot change its spots," Yun Yang said, staring at Fu Lianyin calmly. "Even at this point, you still don't forget to kick someone when they're down and drag others into the water."
Fu Lianyin was taken aback, her eyes twitching slightly. "What do you mean, my lord? What the Consort says is all true. If you don't believe me, let the Zhuo Family check their own conscience to see if they have colluded with the Marquis of Jiangyin," she paused, looking at Yun Yang with utmost sincerity. "My lord, although the Consort has been blinded by hatred and committed great sins, I have adhered to my duties as a wife and have never wronged you. My loyalty to you and the Third House is as clear as day..."
Feng Yinxiao and Yun Yun Kexin, who arrived later, heard Fu Lianyin's words. The former shook his head repeatedly in disbelief, while Yun Yun Kexin looked on with weary disdain. If the Fu Family could be like the Marquis of Jiangyin and end her life with a few strikes for revenge on behalf of her father, she would not hesitate!
"Enough!" Yun Yang said, his authority evident even without anger. "Fu Family, as the legitimate wife of the Third House, your discord with your sisters-in-law is already known. You conspired to adopt the Seventh Young Lady, and even after that, you were not satisfied and actually allied with outsiders to kill my brother. And yet you speak of 'adhering to your duties as a wife' and claim loyalty to me and the Third House? How shameless!"
However, Fu Lianyin suddenly became surprisingly calm, her expression unchanged as she listened quietly. This was a stark contrast to her previous anxious demeanor—Yun Yang was somewhat surprised by her transformation and silently stared at the Fu Family member who hung her head. He inadvertently caught a glimpse of her nonchalant expression that seemed to give up everything, and he instantly understood something, responding with a cold smile.
"My lord," Fu Lianyin raised her head, still fixated on Yun Yang, speaking softly, "the Consort knows her sins are grave and irredeemable. I am willing to accept any punishment; I only ask for your mercy to allow me to see my brother-in-law and nephew, as well as my Second Brother. Even if I die afterward, I will die with my eyes closed!"
Yun Yang, Feng Yinxiao, and Yun Yun Kexin narrowed their eyes simultaneously, a sarcastic smile hidden from view: Fu Lianyin had indeed placed all her hopes on her family's backing. She was confident that being the elder brother of King Han and having a Second Brother who was then the Deputy Minister of War would save her. With all the glory of the Fu Family and its connections to the Predecessor Emperor, who would dare touch her? Who would dare do anything to her? Fu Lianyin was not genuinely seeking to see any family members; she was outright threatening Yun Yang and warning the Duke of Yan's residence. The foolish Fu Family did not realize that due to Fu Yueheng being caught by Feng Yinxiao for treasonous activities, it had already been reported to the emperor. In order to stabilize the situation, Qin Ke gave Feng Yinxiao time before taking action. King Han had lost the emperor's trust due to his brother's involvement and was left neglected at home as "the idle king." All of this information had been kept from Fu Lianyin while she was confined at home by Yun Yang.
"Very well, I will grant your wish," Yun Yang saw through the schemes and tricks of the Fu Family without wasting more words. "However, my lord has been busy with official matters lately and cannot personally escort you back to your family home; therefore, you must endure for a little longer."
Fu Lianyin's eyes flickered as she smiled. "The Consort knows that my lord always prioritizes official business and would never dare disturb him. So let the Consort take Xiao'er back home herself to see my brother-in-law."
You still want to take Eighth Young Lady away? Dream on! Yun Yang's face was shrouded in a dark mist, unclear for a moment before he coldly interrupted, "No need for that. Since you have already shown your intentions toward me so clearly, if I do not appreciate it, wouldn't that give you grounds for complaint? It's settled then; wait until I finish my official business before..."
Thus ended what was expected to be a fierce confrontation filled with blame-shifting; Zhou was absent-mindedly chatting with Feng Yinxiao and his wife for a few moments before returning with Yun Yang to the Duke of E's residence with a grim expression. For several days afterward, he refused to go out. The Second Matriarch, who had not gone at that time, was horrified when Old Lady Zhou recounted what had happened; she fell ill from shock and thereafter shut herself away in reflection.
Although Fu Lianyin remained the legitimate wife of the Third House in name, she was completely sidelined in reality. Yun Yang ordered that no matters were allowed for the Fu Family to interfere in; anyone who dared meddle would be held accountable. He directly instructed his servants to keep watch over her and forbade her from stepping out of her room even once—effectively placing her under house arrest.
Fu Lianyin endured again and again, only wishing to return home quickly to escape her current situation and predicament. But days passed without any movement from Yun Yang; he hadn't even appeared at her door once. Thus, ten days later, Fu Lianyin began a hunger strike "to make a statement," forcing Yun Yang and even the Yun family members to take a stand.
Yun Yang arrived unexpectedly; Fu Lianyin thought he had softened his stance and felt so proud that she nearly lifted her tail in triumph but soon noticed the guards following closely behind him and felt a chill run down her spine.
"Master, what are you trying to do?"
"Nothing, I just came to tell you some good news," Yun Yang mocked. "You can go meet your family now; I'll take you there."
Fu Lianyin sensed something was wrong and refused to move, saying warily, "Where are you taking me? Yun Yang, don't mess around; otherwise, my family won't let you off."
At this point, Fu Lianyin finally dropped her pretentious facade and completely tore her face off with Yun Yang, calling him by his name.
Yun Yang remained unfazed and simply said, "I'm taking you to the prison to see your family."
His tone was low, but it felt heavy as if he were choking her, making it hard for her to breathe.
"What? Prison?" Fu Lianyin exclaimed in shock, her eyes wide. Her lips moved as she struggled to speak. "Yun Yang, don't scare me."
"Fu Family, have you ever seen me scare anyone?" Yun Yang's gaze turned icy. "Let me tell you, Fu Yueheng has committed treason. After the matter was exposed, he attempted to flee to the border out of fear of punishment but was intercepted by the Palace Front Commander and executed on the way; the Han Wang family, who were implicated in this matter and had been idling at home, were found to have sheltered him and thus faced even more severe charges. Now their entire family is trapped in prison; all that's missing is you, sister, for a 'reunion,'" Yun Yang continued to mock relentlessly. "Fu Family, after being married for over a decade, you still haven't experienced the Ministry of Justice Prison, right? I can 'lead' you there."
"No, Yun Yang, you're definitely lying to me," Fu Lianyin shouted uncontrollably. "My family can't possibly be in trouble; it must be you! You're afraid that our Fu Family is getting too powerful and have colluded with the Duke of Yan's Residence to frame us—"
Amidst her curses, Fu Lianyin was dragged out of the Third House bedroom by several attendants. It wasn't until she entered the Ministry of Justice Prison and saw her older brother Fu Yueze looking haggard and ragged, her sister-in-law Wang Ling, and her nephew Fu Yihang still reeling from the family crisis along with her niece-in-law Feng Yulu that Fu Lianyin finally realized: the Fu Family was about to be destroyed.
Yun Yang stood outside the iron bars, casting a cold glance before turning to leave.
"Uncle, wait!" Fu Yihang rushed over without hesitation, gripping the prison bars tightly with both hands and shaking one hand out towards him. "Nephew has something to say."
Yun Yang frowned but hesitated for a moment before turning back to face Fu Yihang.
“Lord Yun,” Fu Yihang suddenly changed his tone, feeling embarrassed as he said, “I know it might be inappropriate to still call you ‘uncle’ at this time, but I really have something I would like to ask for your help with.”
“What else can I help you with?” Yun Yang replied quietly. The Fu Family was notorious for their crimes, but the younger generation was not at fault, and Fu Shizi himself was not a bad person. However, he would not show favoritism because of that, so his expression remained cold.
“I want to see Seventh Sister.” Fu Yihang spoke earnestly, noticing Yun Yang's brows furrow in surprise. He quickly explained, “I’m not asking her for help; I just have a few important things to say to her.”
After pondering for a moment, Yun Yang said, “I can pass on your message, but whether Seventh Aunt is willing to meet you is beyond my control, and I won’t force her.”
“Okay,” Fu Yihang replied with a glimmer of hope, smiling as he nodded. “I’m very grateful that Lord Yun can help convey my message; thank you, Lord Yun.” He bent slightly to express his gratitude.
Yun Yang merely glanced at Fu Yihang and then shifted his gaze past him into the prison, looking at the disheartened Fu Family Member. After a moment of silence, he turned and walked out of the Ministry of Justice Prison.
****
Feng Yinxiao and her husband brought the Yue Clan along with Yun Ke to Tian Zhuang Residence. In front of Second Master Yun You’s spirit tablet, Yun Kexin could not help but stare at the large sealed bag in Feng Yinxiao’s hand.
“Feng Yinxiao, do you have what you wanted to give me before? Can you take it out now?”
Yun Ke seemed a bit anxious; clearly, he knew what was in Feng Yinxiao’s bag. He interjected, “Feng Yinxiao, I think it’s better to leave it be. Let’s just perform the ritual for Father today; don’t scare Mother and my sister with what’s in that bag.”
Feng Yinxiao thought for a moment but insisted, “I must show this to Mother-in-law and Yun Kexin; only then can it be considered a comfort to my father-in-law’s spirit.”
The Yue Clan and Yun Kexin instinctively felt that whatever was in the box was significant and closely related to Father’s death. They urged, “In that case, Feng Yinxiao, stop hesitating and open it up for us to see.”
Feng Yinxiao glanced at the two of them and said, “Alright, but Mother-in-law and Yun Kexin, you need to be mentally prepared so you won’t be shocked.”
He had Yun Ke turn the two of them around first. Only after he placed the items from the bag on the spirit table did he allow them to turn back. When Yue Clan and Yun Kexin saw the two severed heads on the spirit table, despite being mentally prepared, they were still shocked and nearly vomited: the heads of Jiangyin Marquis, Feng Hongwen, and Zhuo Min appeared before their eyes.
Thinking of Father's tragic death, the initial shock in Yun Kexin transformed into countless feelings of hatred, leaving no trace of fear.
She stared intensely at the two grotesque heads, wishing she could stab them a few more times. After a moment of dizziness, Yue Clan steadied herself, turned her head away, and said with disgust:
“Feng Yinxiao, this is Master's spirit hall; do not let these filthy things defile Master's sacred ground.”
“Right, they should be dismembered and fed to the dogs!” Yun Kexin said disdainfully with extreme hatred.
“Of course!” Feng Yinxiao replied respectfully, his expression cold. “How can we allow these treacherous beings to pollute the place of Lord Yue's father?” His gaze flickered as he spoke emphatically, “They must be used for sacrifice; we must apologize to Lord Yue!”
Only then did Yue Clan exchange glances with her two children. The three of them faced Yun You's tablet together, muttering incantations. Yun Kexin sighed, regretting that Fourth Sister Yun Yan was pregnant and due soon, leaving Brother-in-law to take care of her; otherwise, she truly wished they could witness this moment together.
After the ritual was completed, Feng Yinxiao swiftly drew his sword and lifted the two heads like gourds before stepping outside. With a swing of his long arm, he sent the heads flying out. At the sound of his whistle, two dogs rushed over and each took one of the severed heads that had rolled onto the ground.
The group returned to the spirit hall for another round of worship before heading back to the Duke of E State Mansion, where they ran into Yun Yang, who informed them that Fu Yihang wanted to see Yun Kexin.
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