Yan Zhengfeng's face was stern, his gaze fixed chillingly on Yan Jiaojiao.
The clan elder also felt as if thorns were pricking his back, involuntarily stepping aside.
As for Chen Wenyu, the moment she saw Yan Jiaojiao approaching, she immediately retreated to the side, her eyes fearfully darting to the little black dog in Yan Jiaojiao's arms. Having witnessed the little black dog's power earlier, she was deeply afraid it still harbored resentment for her previous disdainful words.
No one wished to be caught in a charnel house, yet they were forced to face a cruel hell.
Perhaps Sheng Mobai was the only one who enjoyed participating. He stepped forward with great eagerness, feigning curiosity as he deliberately asked Yan Jiaojiao, "What object does Miss Yan hold? Could it be a Lingering Memory Pearl?"
Yan Jiaojiao had to look at him again before replying, "Yes, it records the fact that Yan Zhengfeng intended to harm me."
"Yan Jiaojiao, watch your tongue!" Yan Zhengfeng’s expression was as if he were about to devour someone. "Do you think you know how you grew up? I advise you not to be an ungrateful wretch."
Yan Jiaojiao sneered, "Everyone present is a witness. Everyone saw you trying to kill me, and even your good wife wanted to put me to death!"
Seeing Yan Jiaojiao turn her attention to herself, Chen Wenyu became flustered. "What does this have to do with me? Yan Jiaojiao, you're spouting nonsense!"
Yan Jiaojiao, too lazy to waste more words, tossed the Lingering Memory Pearl in her hand upwards. In mid-air, a phantom image appeared, precisely the scene of Yan Jiaojiao being drugged and knocked unconscious in her room by Chen Wenyu that day.
In the projection, Chen Wenyu was seen kicking the unconscious Yan Jiaojiao on the ground, and then cruelly saying, "If you were sensible and agreed to take the exam for Liu'er, I would have given you some poison and spared your life. But alas..."
Chen Wenyu's face instantly turned pale. She lunged towards the Lingering Memory Pearl in terror. "This is not true!"
Yan Zhengfeng’s palm strike also moved rapidly towards the Lingering Memory Pearl.
Yan Jiaojiao sensed danger. She raised her hand and retrieved the Lingering Memory Pearl first. Sheng Mobai, in perfect cooperation, stepped forward to shield Yan Jiaojiao.
"Patriarch Yan, wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate to destroy evidence so forcefully?" Sheng Mobai said, his tone playful, as if he were not entirely serious.
Yan Zhengfeng halted his palm strike just in time, barely suppressing his anger as he cast a cold glance at Sheng Mobai. "Young Master Sheng, this is a private matter within our household. Once we have resolved it, we will naturally give you an explanation regarding the engagement. You may leave for now."
"What if I refuse?" Sheng Mobai stood his ground resolutely. "Yan Jiaojiao can be considered my future wife. Now that she, a weak woman, is in danger, if I were to leave now, what kind of man would I be?"
These words struck a nerve, implying that even an outsider like him knew to protect Yan Jiaojiao, while Yan Zhengfeng, her own father, intended to bully and harm his own daughter.
Yan Zhengfeng's eyes were filled with ferocity. Had it not been for Sheng Mobai's lineage from the Sheng family of Jiangnan, he might have already become a vengeful spirit in Yan Zhengfeng's hands.
The Yan clan elder also found it difficult to watch. "Zhengfeng, Yan Jiaojiao is still young, after all. Why resort to threats and violence in a fit of anger? Just talk things out properly."
With irrefutable evidence before them, Chen Wenyu knew that any further denial would be futile. Seeing that the clan elder had provided a way out, she immediately seized the opportunity, saying before Yan Zhengfeng, "Yes, yes, Clan Elder is right. Jiaojiao is the legitimate daughter we raised from childhood. These matters were just a momentary outburst of anger. What family doesn't have a few quarrels and heated words? We will explain things to Jiaojiao properly."
"There's no need," Yan Jiaojiao said coldly, holding the Lingering Memory Pearl. "Today, Yan Zhengfeng attempted to kill me three times. Chen Wenyu and her daughter have also repeatedly tried to take my life, and my legitimate mother's death was also unclear. I have evidence of all this recorded here."
"Yan Jiaojiao!" Yan Zhengfeng roared. "Don't force me to truly enforce household discipline!"
"I'm the one who wants to enforce it!" Yan Jiaojiao lifted her chin, turning with arrogance. She addressed the Yan clan elder and several other clan members, "I trouble you elders to bear witness. Today, Yan Jiaojiao formally severs ties with Yan Zhengfeng. From this day forth, we go our separate ways!"
Yan Jiaojiao turned back to face Yan Zhengfeng. "If I later discover that you were involved in my legitimate mother's death, we will settle this blood debt when we meet again!"
"This..." The clan elder was speechless. He had seen people expelled from families for transgressions, but never had a woman dared to sever ties.
Another elder clan member was even more unable to accept it. "Yan Jiaojiao, parents are paramount. Even if their methods of educating you were somewhat lacking, it is no reason for you to be so disrespectful."
"Then I deserve to be killed by them," Yan Jiaojiao sneered.
It was precisely because of people who treated their children as mere possessions that they lived such arduous and miserable lives.
Yan Jiaojiao, at this moment, did not know if she was mourning for the original owner or if she had also assimilated into this state of mind. She felt indignant, stifled, and desperately wanted to break free from it all. Her current strength was insufficient to exact revenge, so leaving the Yan family was her only choice.
"Fine, Yan Jiaojiao, you may leave with nothing then." Yan Zhengfeng said coldly, without a trace of reluctance, even harboring a desire to eliminate her swiftly.
"Zhengfeng, this matter requires careful consideration. Yan Jiaojiao's transgression does not warrant this," the clan elder said patiently, acting as a mediator.
Yan Jiaojiao let out a scoff. These people had no normal moral compass; how could she reason with them?
Yan Jiaojiao immediately declared, "I am wrong? Ridiculous! This matter is settled. From today onwards, I have no further connection with the Yan family! I will make multiple copies of the Lingering Memory Pearl. Once anything happens to me in Kunyang City, these Lingering Memory Pearls will appear in every corner of the Boundless Continent."
With that, Yan Jiaojiao cast one last glance at the Yan family members and turned to leave. Her retreating figure was solitary yet unyielding, disappearing from everyone's sight step by step.
Sheng Mobai was the first to react. He nodded slightly at Yan Zhengfeng. "Patriarch Yan, since Jiaojiao has left, I will not linger further. Farewell."
Yan Zhengfeng's face was cold, and he did not respond. Chen Wenyu, however, anxiously asked, "Young Master Sheng, at what time do you depart tomorrow? I'll have Xue'er see you off."
Sheng Mobai waved his hand. Before he could even refuse, Yan Zhengfeng roared furiously, "You shut up! Can't you see he's interested in that lowly wretch? Are you not embarrassed enough already!"
Chen Wenyu was startled and then lowered her head, retreating sheepishly and falling silent.
Yan Ruxue, who had been secretly observing from her room,'s eyes welled up with tears. She knew that regardless of whether she was the legitimate daughter of the Yan family, Yan Zhengfeng had abandoned any thought of a marriage alliance with the Sheng family.
Sheng Mobai, of course, understood that Yan Zhengfeng had completely fallen out with them. He said nothing further, maintaining basic courtesy, and gave a slight bow to the Yan clan elder and members before heading in Yan Jiaojiao's direction.
"What a mess this has turned into..." The clan elder shook his head and sighed, yet he was helpless.
Yan Zhengfeng merely gazed intently ahead, his rough palm clenching tighter and tighter.