Gong Ningsi smiled gently, but Su Shang shivered and instinctively took a step back, suppressing the urge to cover her head.
She remembered her mother often smiled gently, yet was utterly ruthless in her actions.
Her most severe injury had been seven broken bones, leaving her bedridden for over a month.
She had always felt more fear than admiration for her mother.
However, she dared not show it, for she knew that any sign of fear would only lead to harsher treatment—a lesson learned from years of experience.
Therefore, even though she could now defeat her mother, she harbored no thought of resistance in Gong Ningsi's presence.
Su Shang suppressed her trembling hands, maintaining a specific curve to her smile, and said softly, "Mother, are you tired? Perhaps I could escort you back to your room to rest!"
Gong Ningsi smiled with satisfaction, patting Su Shang's hand. "They say daughters are like little cotton-padded jackets, and it seems true. Our Shang'er is truly gentle!"
Su Shang lowered her gaze, trying her best to appear docile. "Mother is too kind. This is all I should do."
"By the way, have there been any developments regarding your father's affairs?"
Su Shang nodded. "Some clues have been found, but it seems those who might have known back then have been silenced."
"Now, if we want to uncover any leads, we might have to start with those in the imperial court. This is rather troublesome, as I am, after all, a military officer," Su Shang explained her predicament softly.
Gong Ningsi, feeling superior to that other woman, was in a good mood. After urging Su Shang to find a solution quickly, she didn't press further.
Only after escorting Gong Ningsi to her room did Su Shang let out a heavy sigh of relief.
She actually dreaded being alone with Gong Ningsi, as it made her feel incredibly stifled.
She feared this mother so much that in her presence, she only dared to speak in a low voice, unable to utter a single word of defiance.
This oppression had begun in her childhood, and by now, this fear was deeply ingrained.
Su Shang's delicate eyebrows trembled incessantly. After calming herself, her expression returned to its usual cool demeanor.
If she had a choice, she wouldn't have brought Gong Ningsi here.
However, she needed a wicked mother, and Feng Zeyue needed a wicked mother-in-law. Otherwise, how could they prevent the two from consummating their marriage?
Su Shang deliberately avoided Feng Zeyue, trying to foster rumors that they were not well-acquainted.
Such obvious actions naturally did not escape Feng Zeyue's notice.
She had blocked Su Shang several times but had never succeeded.
Feng Zeyue, unaccustomed to such treatment, felt both angry and uneasy. Unable to bear it, she directly went to the General's mansion to wait for her.
As a result, she didn't see Su Shang but instead met Su Shang's rumored mother.
Although Gong Ningsi grew up in a bandit stronghold, Gong Ming, having her late in life, doted on her immensely, spoiling her into a veritable princess.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have pursued Su Yu relentlessly upon first sight, for she had always gotten what she desired.
Gong Ningsi, full of pride, glanced at Feng Zeyue after her introduction, shook her head with displeasure, and said sarcastically, "So you're that Yongle Princess! You look alright, but why are you interested in Shang'er?"
Gong Ningsi possessed a possessiveness over Su Shang, even if this possessiveness stemmed from her father.
Feng Zeyue's existence could disrupt her original plan, so how could she possibly be pleased with her?
Facing the disdain of her future mother-in-law, Feng Zeyue smiled faintly and retorted:
"Aunt, this marriage was decreed by my father, the Emperor. If you are displeased, why not personally petition His Majesty to revoke the decree? What can I do if you speak to me?"
She smiled gently, but her words left Gong Ningsi with no room for rebuttal.
Gong Ningsi knew very well that, given her status, she likely wouldn't have the privilege of meeting Emperor Feng.
Gong Ningsi re-examined the woman before her and chuckled meaningfully, "Your Highness the Princess is quite different from what I imagined. I didn't expect you to be so sharp-tongued."
"Honestly, I don't like you, and I don't want Shang'er to marry you. What do you intend to do?"
Feng Zeyue's heart trembled rapidly, but her expression remained unchanged. "I address you as Aunt out of respect for you and for Su Shang's sake. As for whether you like me or not, does that matter?"
Feng Zeyue's lips curved into a sarcastic smile. "Your dislike for me can't make my father revoke the imperial decree, can it? Nor can it stop him from marrying me, can it? I am a Princess, a favored daughter of heaven. My liking is enough."
"Moreover, Su Shang will like me in the future. What can you change?"
Feng Zeyue's sarcasm was palpable, and Gong Ningsi's face turned red, especially when she recalled the past and how that other woman had once mocked her in a similar fashion.
"I am my husband's legal wife. As long as I don't agree, he will never let you into this house, not even as a concubine."
In her rage, she lost all reason, drew a whip from her waist, and lashed out.
The guards behind Feng Zeyue cried out in alarm and rushed forward, but a figure was faster.
Su Shang caught the whip with one hand, blood flowing from her palm. She seemed to feel no pain, only looking coldly at Gong Ningsi.
Her voice turned icy, "Mother, you have gone too far."
Gong Ningsi snapped back to reality, realizing what she had done, and a wave of dread washed over her.
Rarely did she overlook Su Shang's actions. She simply dropped the whip and turned to enter the house.
Hearing no further sound, Feng Zeyue slowly opened her eyes.
She looked at the familiar, tall figure before her, her eyes shimmering with moisture. Noticing the wound on Su Shang's hand, she rushed over in a panic.
"Xingzhi, are you... are you alright?" Feng Zeyue's voice was tinged with a hint of a sob.
She carefully pulled the whip from Su Shang's bleeding palm while simultaneously ordering someone to fetch a doctor.
Su Shang actually felt nothing. She had suffered far more serious injuries before, and later, as long as it wasn't fatal, she paid little attention to such wounds.
Having endured so many injuries, her pain receptors had become desensitized.
However, seeing the tears streaming down Feng Zeyue's face, Su Shang felt a strange pang in her heart, even an urge to cry.
Su Shang blinked in confusion, not understanding the origin of this inexplicable feeling.
She used her other, uninjured hand to wipe away the tears from Feng Zeyue's eyes and said softly, "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt at all."
"How can it not hurt?" Feng Zeyue looked up at Su Shang, her eyes brimming with tears and an emotion Su Shang couldn't comprehend.
She gazed into Su Shang's eyes and said, word by word, "It pains me."