Chapter 38: Did You Really Think I Was Someone You Could Push Around?

The night was as thick as ink, heavy enough to drip. Feng Ruqing’s silhouette wove through the shadows, light and soundless.

She carefully skirted the patrolling guards. The Zhou mansion was a place of high walls and deep courtyards, guarded with rigorous intensity. Sentries circled back and forth, their blades shimmering with a cold light in the moonlight, the air heavy with an oppressive atmosphere. Feng Ruqing narrowed her eyes slightly; the defenses of the Zhou estate were even tighter than she had anticipated.

Clinging to the base of the wall, she used the cover of night to press toward the heart of the mansion. Her breathing was shallow, her sharp eyes flashing with intense focus in the darkness. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps shattered the silence. Several guards appeared, carrying lanterns, their gazes scanning the surroundings with piercing vigilance.

Feng Ruqing immediately melted into the shadows of a corner, holding her breath and remaining perfectly still. Only when the guards had moved away did she continue her approach. Just as she was about to reach her destination, a shrill whistle pierced the night air. "Assassins!" A swarm of guards surged toward her.

A cold smirk curled the corners of Feng Ruqing’s lips, and with a flash of movement, she met them head-on. She darted through the guards with fluid grace; her soft sword moved like a nimble serpent, striking lightly one moment and hacking heavily the next, forcing the guards to retreat repeatedly.

She fought while retreating, intentionally exposing flaws in her defense—her steps staggered, her breathing ragged. Thinking she was losing her strength, the guards wore smug expressions of contempt. Their offensive grew more aggressive, and the circle tightened around her. Suddenly, Feng Ruqing stumbled, appearing as if she were about to collapse. The lead guard sneered and raised his blade to strike.

At that very moment, a meaningful smile played on Feng Ruqing’s lips. Her figure vanished like a phantom, leaving behind only the words: "Did you truly think I was so easily bullied?"

Immediately, she reappeared, her wrist flicking lightly. Her soft sword moved like a dragon in flight. The guards felt a numbness in their wrists as their weapons were knocked free, and with sharp pains in their chests, they were sent flying backward. In an instant, the ground was littered with wailing guards.

Feng Ruqing stood like an avenging spirit bathed in blood, standing proud amidst the broken limbs. The killing intent radiating from her was bone-chilling. Ignoring them, she headed straight for the depths of the Zhou mansion.

Inside, the mansion was brilliantly lit, dripping with opulence. Lord Zhou sat upright, sipping warm tea with a somber expression. Opposite him, Lady Sun curried favor with a sweet voice: "My lord, rest assured, I have everything arranged. Tomorrow, I will ensure Feng Ruqing’s reputation is ruined, leaving her entirely at your mercy."

Lady Sun had been flaunting her influence among the circle of noblewomen, spreading rumors about how wretched and shameful Feng Ruqing was. Many of the noblewomen believed her, making her even more smug, convinced of the brilliance of her schemes.

Upon hearing this, Lord Zhou’s lips curled into a sinister smile: "Lady Sun, I trust your work. If this succeeds, I will surely reward you handsomely!" "Thank you, my lord!" Lady Sun’s face was full of flattery, as if she could already see the tragic scene of Feng Ruqing being cast aside by society.

However, a cold, clear voice suddenly rang out: "Oh? Is that so? Why don't you let me hear as well how you plan to ruin my reputation?"

Lord Zhou and Lady Sun were struck as if by lightning, their faces turning deathly pale. They looked up to see Feng Ruqing standing before them like an envoy from hell, a cold sneer on her lips and sharp, icy light in her eyes. Lady Sun was so terrified that her face lost all color; her folding fan dropped, and she trembled so violently she could not speak. Lord Zhou’s expression turned grim as he stared fixedly at Feng Ruqing, never imagining she would be so bold.

"What? Are you both surprised to see me? Or are those conspiracies of yours simply too fragile to withstand scrutiny? It seems the methods of Lord Zhou and Lady Sun are nothing more than this..."

Feng Ruqing walked toward them, radiating a piercing chill. Lady Sun stammered in defense: "You... what nonsense are you spouting? We... we did nothing..." She then shrieked with forced bravado: "You are slandering us! When have we ever plotted against you? It is clearly your own lack of character that has disgraced your family! A discarded Empress dares to scream here? Do you think you are still the high and mighty Empress Feng? You are nothing but a stray dog now!"

Feng Ruqing scoffed, her gaze like a blade: "A stray dog? I would like to see who is the one scurrying away in a pathetic state today!" Her tone turned frigid, carrying an air of majesty: "Do you think I am unaware of the rumors you have been spreading among the noblewomen? You accuse me of jealousy, of framing the loyal, and of tarnishing the reputation of the royal house—every single count, I remember them clearly!"

Lady Sun’s expression shifted, and she tried to maintain her composure: "You... do you have any proof?" "Proof?"

A mocking arc appeared on Feng Ruqing’s lips. She pulled a stack of letters from her sleeve and flung them at Lady Sun. The letters burst into flames in mid-air, and the ashes fell upon Lady Sun. The surrounding people were initially shocked, then began to turn on Lady Sun, pointing fingers at her. The letters contained the evidence of Lady Sun’s defamation. Lady Sun turned deathly pale, her lips trembling, unable to utter another word.

"Do you have anything else to say?" Feng Ruqing looked down at Lady Sun, her eyes filled with contempt and disdain. "Did you think those little tricks of yours could fool anyone? You have greatly underestimated me!"

Lady Sun collapsed to the floor, the people around her whispering and casting looks of scorn and mockery. Despite all her scheming, she had ended up in this state, filled with resentment but utterly helpless. Lord Zhou’s face turned livid; he had not expected Feng Ruqing to be so well-prepared. He glared fiercely at Lady Sun.

Feng Ruqing turned her gaze to Lord Zhou, her tone icy: "Lord Zhou, you have seen it too. Your fine accomplice has reached the end of her rope. Now, it is your turn..." Feng Ruqing’s sharp gaze swept over Lord Zhou and Lady Sun like a keen blade piercing their hearts.

"I shall treat today’s incident as a lesson for you both. If there is a next time..." Feng Ruqing paused, a dangerous aura filling the air. "You will face the consequences!"

Cold sweat beaded on Lord Zhou’s forehead. He forced himself to remain calm and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty’s instruction is well-taken; I shall certainly remember it." Lady Sun tremblingly echoed his words, her previous arrogance completely gone.

Feng Ruqing gave a cold laugh and turned to leave. Her figure vanished into the night, leaving Lord Zhou and Lady Sun behind like two walking corpses.

When Feng Ruqing returned to her residence, her heart was not at ease. She knew the struggle had only just begun; her enemies would not stop here. She rubbed her temples, feeling exhausted. Just then, her personal guard rushed in to report: "Master, something has happened at the shop in the West District!"

Feng Ruqing opened her eyes sharply, a cold glint flashing within them. The shop in the West District was a crucial source of income and a pillar in her resistance against the old powers; if something happened there, it was surely the work of an enemy.

"What happened?" Her tone was cold, carrying suppressed rage. "It is said that ruffians caused a disturbance, smashed the shop, and injured our people..." the guard’s voice trembled. A colder light shone in Feng Ruqing’s eyes. She stood up abruptly, her voice chilling: "Prepare the horses!" She wanted to see who dared to run wild on her turf.

The night deepened, and the cold wind howled as Feng Ruqing galloped toward the West District. The sound of horse hooves shattered the silence of the night, signaling that a storm was approaching. In the distance, she saw a blaze of fire in the West District, with noise and shouting intermingled. Feng Ruqing roared: "Zhao San! You have quite the audacity!"