Bai Niannian's eyes flashed with admiration, a burning heat in them.
She knew Feng Ninghe was innocent.
Miss Feng would never do such a despicable thing!
Feng Tongtong did not expect the situation to change so quickly.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Madam Zhang took Feng Tongtong and turned to leave.
Before they had taken two steps, a clear female voice came from behind, instantly blocking their path.
"Third Miss, didn't you just say you saw me push someone into the Spirit Pool with your own eyes? What do you have to say now?"
Feng Ninghe raised her eyes and swept a glance at Feng Tongtong and Madam Zhang.
The two figures froze instantly.
Feng Tongtong racked her brains but could not have predicted that Bai Jingjing would confess her guilt and ruin the plan.
She secretly broke out in a cold sweat. The phoenix eyes peeking out from behind her veil held a touch of innocence, and her soft, delicate voice was moving: "Eldest Sister, I'm sorry, perhaps I saw wrongly."
Madam Zhang also quickly chimed in at this moment: "Ninghe, I didn't want this matter to escalate and wanted to resolve it peacefully, so I said things you didn't want to hear. Please don't hold it against me."
The two of them clearly had ulterior motives with their expressions.
Feng Ninghe smiled dismissively, a layer of frost in her eyes: "As a member of the Feng family, you do not consider your own kin. Before the truth of the matter was clear, you slandered me. As the acting head of the family, I have the responsibility and obligation to discipline you."
"What do you want to say?"
Feng Tongtong's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and a sense of foreboding began to surround her.
Facing the question, Feng Ninghe's expression was calm, and she spoke in a low voice: "After returning, Third Miss will stay in her room and wait to be married. Madam Zhang, for her failure to discipline her daughter, will also be confined. On the day of Third Miss's wedding, you, as her mother, may attend to see her off. For the rest of the time, please stay peacefully in the manor."
"Feng Ninghe! Do you know what you are saying!"
Feng Guangyao, who had been watching from the side for a long time, could not stand it any longer. He suddenly leaped out from the shadows, his words full of accusation.
With so many people watching, Feng Ninghe actually disregarded the Feng family's reputation and spoke such words in front of outsiders.
Feng Ninghe's expression was icy, and she spoke unhurriedly: "The family has its laws. Mistakes must be paid for. Of course, I know what I am saying. Calamity comes from the mouth, Uncle, you should watch your words."
"I am your aunt. You punish me as you please. Do you have any respect for me as an elder in your eyes?"
Madam Zhang felt utterly humiliated.
No matter how she put it, she was an elder, yet she was insulted like this by a junior.
Feng Ninghe's expression did not change, and she slowly nodded: "It's good that Auntie knows this in her heart. Some words are best left unsaid, or you will only be the one embarrassed. As the acting head of the family, I must treat everyone equally. Naturally, I cannot let this matter go just because you are an elder."
"Enough."
The First Elder of the Feng family could not watch any longer and stepped forward: "Let it be as Ninghe says. Too much has happened today. This is the Bai family's banquet, and our Feng family should cause less trouble."
They were still on the Bai family's territory, so it was not appropriate to make a scene. The harmony that should exist between the two families must not be lost.
Feng Tongtong's resentment grew even stronger. How could she let it go just like that?
She gritted her teeth and poured out her heart's grievances: "First Elder, I merely misjudged. Feng Ninghe is being too aggressive, which is simply excessive."
"You were wrong to misjudge in the first place, so how can you blame others for being aggressive?"
The First Elder frowned and reprimanded in a low voice: "Disperse quickly, don't embarrass yourselves here!"
The First Elder had a certain degree of authority in the Feng family.
Feng Tongtong subconsciously turned her gaze to look around.
The turn of events caused everyone to exclaim in surprise.
"I knew the Pavilion Master of the Willow Pavilion would not lie. How could the dignified Sixth Master, with his noble status, deign to bear false witness?"
"And this eldest daughter of the Feng family, she acts with integrity and repays grudges on the spot. There is no need for her to do such a thing as slander. Even if she really pushed her, others would only assume that this junior from the Bai family had offended Feng Ninghe."
"Speaking of which, this eldest daughter of the Feng family is clear about grievances and rewards. It is truly remarkable that she manages the Feng family at such a young age. I heard that the third daughter of the Feng family was caught in bed with an outsider, and now she is about to become an imperial consort..."
The cultivators chattered amongst themselves, their words becoming increasingly unpleasant.
Xiao Zhao, on Feng Ninghe's shoulder, blinked his sapphire eyes, playfully rubbing his hands, his eyes full of amusement.
Master, Feng Tongtong wears a veil all day and doesn't find it stuffy. Why don't I help her get some air?
I don't even know what her face looks like under the veil yet!
Hearing these enthusiastic words, Feng Ninghe slightly curved her lips, immediately understanding what Xiao Zhao intended to do, and said in a voice only they could hear: "Approved."
Old Man Xu crossed his arms and watched the scene with great interest.
He knew that the banquet hosted by Old Master Bai would surely be lively, and as expected, Feng Tongtong was in for it this time.
Her fig leaf would not be able to protect her.
Old Man Xu knew that Feng Ninghe alone was enough to handle these trivial matters. What he needed to do was to open his eyes and watch how these foolish people would suffer greatly.
Xiao Zhao, with his plump figure, shot out rapidly and fiercely clawed at Feng Tongtong's cheek.
Hiss—
The veil was torn and fell to the ground.
Feng Tongtong's hideous face, hidden beneath the veil, was exposed to the public. Beneath her alluring eyes, her scarred face was like a wriggling giant centipede, with the upper and lower halves of her face being extremely incongruous.
Who would have thought that such a ravaged face would be hidden beneath those beautiful eyes?
News of Feng Tongtong's disfigurement had already spread privately.
The crowd did not know if it was true or not, only that she wore a veil every day.
Now, seeing this, the former beauty had become so disheveled. Even with thick makeup, she could not conceal the scarred face.
"Everyone, quickly look! How did the third daughter of the Feng family's face become like this! Isn't this Third Miss's appearance famously beautiful and stunning? How has she become like this now!"
"Heavens, how grotesque are the scars on her face? With this appearance, can she still marry the First Prince? I say I'm more suited to be an imperial consort than her."
The cultivators' discussions made Feng Tongtong utterly lose face.
What she cared about most was her once-proud face.
The unveiling of the veil was like exposing the scars in her heart to everyone.
"Ah!"
Feng Tongtong cried out in distress and, in her panic, quickly covered her face with her hands.
She knew that staying here any longer would be detrimental to her. She shot a venomous glare at Feng Ninghe, stamped her feet, and left in a huff of anger and shame.
Feng Tongtong ran too hastily, and the wig on her head fell to the ground. She didn't even have time to pick it up.
Under the sunlight, her bald head was particularly striking.
The third daughter of the Feng family had already lost her hair, which was quite comical, and now her appearance had become this ghastly.
Madam Zhang's heart instantly tightened. Before leaving, she did not forget to leave a harsh threat: "Feng Ninghe, you are ungrateful. Treating an elder like this will surely bring retribution!"
Watching the two figures leave in a furious rage, the First Elder shook his head helplessly.
He hadn't thought the Third Miss was so incompetent before, but now that he saw it, it was best for her to get married as soon as possible.