Looking at the little bean in front of her, Feng Ninghe bent down.
She reached out and gently stroked Si Chenchen's head, her voice filled with endless tenderness. "How did you get caught alone here? Where are your parents?"
Si Chenchen's cheeks were adorned with a pure gold mask, intricately carved with complex patterns, clearly an item of extraordinary quality.
A child like this, with an uncommon background, must have been captured by a small vendor and put on display for sale.
Mentioning his parents, Si Chenchen drooped his head in dejection, tears welling up in his eyes. "I only have Daddy, no Mommy."
His pitiful words caused Feng Ninghe's pupils to contract involuntarily.
She quickly took out a small sugar figurine from her spatial jade bracelet and offered it. "Little one, shall I take you to find your Daddy?"
Si Chenchen stopped crying. He nodded obediently, popped the sugar figurine into his mouth, and tugged at her hand with a soft voice, "Okay!"
Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind swept up.
When the wind subsided, two figures stood before Feng Ninghe, accompanied by a palpable aura of killing intent.
"Chenchen."
The masked man at the forefront spoke.
His cool, thin voice carried a hint of anger.
Feng Ninghe's gaze immediately fell upon the masked man.
The mask on the masked man's face was identical to Feng Xiaozhao's, only one was a magnified version, the other a miniature.
Upon closer inspection, this mask was intricately carved with delicate and beautiful patterns.
Beneath the mask, his phoenix eyes were as clear as glass, yet as unfathomable as an abyss.
These eyes were strangely familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before.
Si Chenchen shivered and walked towards Si Jianye, trembling. "Daddy."
It was evident that he was terrified.
"Si Chenchen, you ran out again?"
Si Jianye raised his eyebrows, his voice filled with reprimand.
Si Chenchen's chubby little hands clutched the sugar figurine tightly. He lowered his head, remaining silent.
"Have all the lessons I taught you during your confinement been in vain? You are my son, how can you be so easily caught in a cage?"
Si Jianye let out a muffled grunt, continuing his scolding.
Si Chenchen's head was almost bowed to the ground. He bit his small red lips and took all the blame. "It was Chenchen who was playing and ran around, that's why I was caught. Chenchen was wrong."
"Show me your hands."
The man's voice was low and hoarse, with an undeniable authority.
Si Chenchen tucked away the sugar figurine and obediently spread his hands. He tightly closed his eyes, awaiting punishment.
Si Jianye drew out a willow branch and brought it down sharply on his palm. "Old rule, three strikes."
The first whip fell.
Si Chenchen's palm instantly became red and swollen.
His chubby little hand was already small, and after this blow, his entire palm turned red.
Seeing this scene, Feng Ninghe felt an ache in her heart.
He was just a child, prone to playfulness, why be so severe?
The second whip had not yet fallen when Feng Ninghe caught the willow branch.
As her hand touched the branch, a cool spiritual energy surged through her body.
Her eyes immediately changed, and she looked at the willow branch in surprise.
This ordinary-looking willow branch was actually a spiritual artifact, imbued with cool spiritual energy.
This whip, when it struck, would directly infuse spiritual energy into the body, cleansing the mind and body, and even aiding in cultivation.
"What are you doing?"
Si Jianye narrowed his phoenix eyes, a dangerous glint emanating from them.
He finally looked at the woman before him properly.
Feng Ninghe's black hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders. Beneath her delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, her phoenix eyes flickered, carrying a hint of aloofness.
Yet, it was precisely these eyes that held a spark of liveliness.
This face... it's her!
The woman who stole his blue cherry grass and then humiliated him with pearls!
Excellent! He never expected to run into her!
Si Jianye's hand, gripping the willow branch, made a creaking sound, the crisp crack of bones colliding, signifying his rage.
He was Si Jianye, a legendary figure in Jinling, yet he had been demeaned by an arrogant woman from Li Country.
He could not swallow this insult!
"Daddy."
Si Chenchen sensed something and quickly tugged at Si Jianye's sleeve, saying nervously, "Daddy, I won't be so foolish and listen to others again, getting tricked into a cage. Please don't be angry anymore."
Axi could feel Si Jianye's anger and looked at Si Chenchen with pity.
However, they did not know the true reason for Si Jianye's fury.
Feng Ninghe spread her hands and said with mock seriousness, "Children are just children. I will take the remaining two whips for Chenchen!"
Her words brought tears welling up in Si Chenchen's eyes. He quickly wiped them away.
The beautiful sister was too kind, willing to bear the punishment for him!
"Beautiful sister, I was the disobedient one, and it's right for Daddy to punish me. You can't let Beautiful sister be punished!"
With that, Si Chenchen once again spread his chubby little hands, his small figure standing protectively in front of Feng Ninghe.
In response, Feng Ninghe gently patted Si Chenchen's small shoulder and generously shook her head. "Chenchen, I am doing this willingly. Let me take the remaining two whips."
The willow branch was a good thing; she could endure this small hardship.
"Very well, since you are so eager, I shall grant your wish."
Si Jianye spoke, his sudden voice sending a chill down one's spine.
He poured all his spiritual energy into the willow branch.
The willow branch grew larger at a visible rate, and in the blink of an eye, it was taller than Feng Ninghe.
Si Jianye curled his thin lips, his fierce gaze locked onto her. "Are you ready?"
Looking at the willow branch, which was now large and thick, and taller than herself, Feng Ninghe's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and her scalp tingled. "It... it can actually grow this big."
This whip would be no small matter.
She had no doubt she would be whipped flying.
"Dad... Daddy!"
Si Chenchen quickly tugged at Si Jianye's sleeve, his small face turning red. He hunched over with difficulty. "Chenchen's stomach hurts!"
Si Jianye's attention was immediately diverted. He put away the willow branch and picked up Si Chenchen. "What's wrong? Why does your stomach hurt?"
Si Chenchen looked pained. "I ate too much... I need to use the restroom!"
Si Jianye dared not delay and rushed off with Si Chenchen.
As he left, Si Chenchen winked playfully at Feng Ninghe, his earlier pain completely gone.
Understanding his hint, Feng Ninghe sighed inwardly.
This child was truly adorable.
It was a pity he had such a cruel father.
If Si Chenchen hadn't cleverly found an excuse, that enormous willow branch would have surely fallen...
Feng Ninghe did not linger. She quickly moved away.
Suddenly, she sensed something and subtly turned her gaze.
Her red lips curved casually, and she changed direction, darting towards the woods.
The dense forest was empty.
Feng Ninghe raised her eyes, and her cool voice slowly echoed, "Little tail, come out."
From the shadows, a sneaky figure froze instantly and turned to flee.
However, before she could take two steps, Feng Ninghe was already standing before her.
"Little tail, I've caught you."