"I..."
Feng Tongtong bit her lip, her expression inexplicably flustered. "This has nothing to do with me. I don't have the key to the treasury, so it naturally wouldn't be me."
Feng Guangyao chimed in, "I've already lent Tongtong quite a bit of silver. If she asks her friends for more, it shouldn't be difficult."
He didn't know the full story, but Tongtong was his daughter, and if something happened, he, as her father, naturally had to step in and help. After all, he was the head of the Feng family. Even if he couldn't afford eighty thousand spirit stones, affording thirty to forty thousand wouldn't be a problem.
Xiao Zhao grumbled on Feng Ninghe's shoulder. It rolled its plump body, flailed its four paws, and suddenly lunged at Feng Tongtong.
"Ah! Feng Ninghe! Control your beast!"
Feng Tongtong cried out and used her spiritual power to swat Xiao Zhao away. The Immortal Xu intervened just in time to protect Xiao Zhao.
Clang!
As Xiao Zhao flailed, something fell from Feng Tongtong's collar, hitting the ground with a clear sound. Everyone shifted their gaze to the ground.
A silver key lay on the floor.
"Isn't this the key to the treasury? How did it end up with the third miss?" Feng Tian was the first to speak. He deliberately rubbed his eyes, as if afraid he was mistaken.
The people in the treasury remained silent, their gazes fixed on Feng Tongtong. The truth was self-evident. Feng Tongtong's face turned ashen, and she couldn't utter a single word, her eyes fixed on the key on the ground. At that moment, she was filled with regret. She had hidden the key in her collar to remind herself to return it, thinking it would be easier than forgetting if she put it in a spatial pouch. Who would have thought this would become her downfall?
"This... there must be some misunderstanding!" Madam Zhang's face also paled, but she resolutely stood by Feng Tongtong. "Tongtong is an honest child. She wouldn't do such a thing!"
Feng Ninghe produced a small, silver key from her spatial jade bracelet. This key was identical to the one Feng Tongtong had dropped. Feng Ninghe let out a cold laugh and swept her gaze over Feng Tongtong. "Third Miss, how do you plan to argue your way out of this now?"
"This... I... this key..." Feng Tongtong stammered for a long time, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Slap!
At that moment, a crisp slap echoed. Feng Guangyao's expression turned stern, and he unceremoniously slapped Feng Tongtong. "Tongtong, as the third miss of the Feng family, you would do such a thing. From now on, you are confined to your room to reflect and cultivate!" If others found out that he had made a copy of the key, it would cast a shadow on him, and the repercussions would be even greater. Feng Tongtong, being a junior, wouldn't suffer too much even if she made a mistake.
"Since you've made a mistake, you must be punished. Your branch will be responsible for the eighty thousand silver taels that are missing. All spirit stones from your branch will be deducted from now on until the eighty thousand taels are repaid." With that, Feng Ninghe looked at the elders. Noticing her gaze, the Second Elder nodded calmly. "This is reasonable. Let's proceed as such." Feng Tongtong was immensely displeased but could only resign herself to her fate.
"First Elder." Feng Tian turned his head as if he had seen something and respectfully addressed the First Elder standing outside the treasury. The First Elder had a ruddy complexion and appeared much younger, exuding a spirited aura. He had been in seclusion, cultivating his inner arts and adjusting his body. The First Elder's gaze fell upon Feng Guangyao. "There have been many rumors in Li Country recently. Let's go to the main hall to discuss how to handle this matter." The other elders nodded in agreement. The Fourth Elder stroked his long beard and said with a hint of approval, "These rumors are escalating. We cannot let them continue to spread." Feng Guangyao's gaze darkened, and his heart grew uneasy. He knew what rumors the elders were referring to. The rumors circulating in the city were very unfavorable to him. And, unfortunately, these rumors were based on facts.
The First Elder then turned his attention to Feng Ninghe and said softly, "Ninghe, you come to the main hall as well." They all proceeded together. Soon, they arrived at the main hall and took their seats. Feng Guangyao spoke first. "I believe everyone has heard the wild talk circulating in Li Country. Someone must be maliciously slandering the Feng family! Targeting me!" The elders did not rush to speak. The First Elder turned to Feng Ninghe, his eyes holding a hint of inquiry. "Do you have any thoughts on this?" Faced with the question, she feigned confusion, though a glint of light flickered in her eyes. "I am not yet aware of the wild talk circulating in Li Country."
"Feng Ninghe, you wouldn't know?" Madam Zhang, unable to contain her irritation, grumbled, "Ever since you returned, this household has changed. All sorts of troubles have piled up, and the external rumors are also related to you!" Feng Ninghe smiled it off, deliberately drawing out her words. "So you're saying I shouldn't have returned? Should I take Immortal Xu and return to Medicine Valley, never to concern myself with worldly affairs again?"
"Nonsense!" The First Elder frowned, looking at Madam Zhang with slight displeasure. "This is the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, a residence personally bestowed by the Emperor. It was gifted to the Duke of Zhenguo. Ninghe living here is only right and proper. As for rumors, if you haven't done it, no one will know!" In recent years, the Feng family had already fallen behind. They were counting on the arrival of Immortal Xu to revitalize the Feng family. At this critical juncture, they could not afford to let Immortal Xu leave. The Second Elder nodded repeatedly in agreement. "The rumors are not entirely unfounded. Ninghe, this is your home. You and Immortal Xu should live here with peace of mind." The Third Elder sipped his tea, contemplating. "The outside world insists that we Fengs are ill-mannered and do not know who the true master of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion is. To be frank, it is only natural for Ninghe to inherit the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, but she is still young..."
Feng Guangyao hastily interjected, "What the elders say is true. If Ninghe proves capable, I will gladly hand over the position of family head. But her aptitude is mediocre. In which of the four great families of Li Country is the family head's cultivation below the Golden Core stage?" The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had been in the hands of Feng Guangyao and Madam Zhang for many years. They were reluctant to relinquish control at this time. Madam Zhang seized the opportunity to chime in. "Yes, Ninghe's aptitude is truly not up to par. If she were to become the family head, it would only make other families laugh at our Feng family." In everyone's eyes, Feng Ninghe was incapable of handling important matters. She did not retort but instead responded to their words. "Uncle and Aunt are right. I am young and naturally cannot bear the responsibility of family head." This statement brought an undisguised look of triumph to Feng Guangyao's face.
Feng Ninghe's next sentence made his expression instantly darken. "Why don't I become the acting family head and learn from Uncle? This way, we can silence the gossips?" Even if she wasn't the true family head, becoming the acting patriarch and gradually learning would make it much easier to replace Feng Guangyao in the future.
"Absolutely not!" Feng Guangyao denied it without hesitation. "What you should be doing now is diligently cultivating, not wasting time on other matters."