The faint light of dawn broke, and the sky was just beginning to brighten.
The younger generation of the Feng family gathered at the mansion's entrance, their voices occasionally murmuring amongst themselves.
Xiao Zhao, still half-asleep, yawned as he rested on Feng Ninghe's shoulder.
"Immortal Xu."
Upon seeing Old Man Xu, Feng Guangyao quickly approached and politely said, "Several elders wish to seek your guidance. We've prepared wine and snacks in the carriage, along with some medicinal pills and books. Would you be so kind as to grace us with your presence?"
Old Man Xu did not immediately respond. Instead, he turned his gaze to Feng Ninghe, his eyes holding a hint of inquiry.
He had no interest in such discussions.
If it weren't for Feng Ninghe, he would never have come to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
Feng Ninghe subtly nodded her head.
Old Man Xu was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and Feng Guangyao could not control him, so she wasn't afraid of encountering danger.
Old Man Xu then nodded and agreed, "Since it is the Feng family's invitation, I shall respectfully accept."
"Eldest Miss, shall we also get into the carriage?"
Chi Xia lifted the curtain of a carriage and spoke softly.
Feng Ninghe did not refuse and quickly got into the carriage.
Not far away, a gaze was fixed intently on Feng Ninghe.
Seeing her board the carriage, Feng Tongtong's lips curved upwards unconsciously, her eyes burning with a strange interest, as if she couldn't tear her gaze away from the figure before her.
Sensing where her gaze was directed, Taohua said softly from the side, "Third Miss, we should also depart."
Feng Tongtong then withdrew her gaze, but the affection in her eyes turned cold at that moment.
The Feng family members set off in a grand procession.
Inside the carriage.
Old Man Xu drank the rice wine, holding a book on medicinal pills, his eyes shining brightly, clearly engrossed in the text.
The Feng family elders in the same carriage, seeing his intense focus, didn't dare to disturb him and chatted amongst themselves.
Old Man Xu's reaction was within Feng Guangyao's expectations.
He had searched the entire Feng family to find this book.
Immortal Xu enjoyed alchemy, and this book was sure to pique his interest, thus keeping him occupied.
Feng Guangyao lowered his eyelids, concealing the gloom that flickered in his eyes.
In another carriage.
Chi Xia poured a cup of tea and offered it.
The carriage was filled with a strong aroma of tea.
Although this tea couldn't compare to the one gifted by Sixth Master, it was still a fine brew.
Xiao Zhao excitedly lifted the carriage curtain and poked its head out.
As if sensing something, it quickly extended a paw and gently tugged at Feng Ninghe's sleeve, its sapphire eyes filled with a hint of doubt, and it let out soft whimpers.
Master, something seems wrong.
"What's wrong?"
Feng Ninghe put down the teacup in her hand and turned her gaze outside the carriage curtain.
Another carriage was traveling ahead of them, and there was no sign of any other vehicles behind them.
"Chi Xia, whose carriage is that?"
Sensing something amiss, she raised her eyelids and asked proactively.
Chi Xia also turned her gaze to the carriage ahead, and after a brief observation, quickly explained, "That carriage belongs to Third Miss."
In her memory, this wasn't Feng Ninghe's first trip to the mountain villa, and this wasn't the road to the villa.
Chi Xia seemed to sense something and said with a hint of surprise, "Where is the carriage going? This isn't the road to the villa. Eldest Miss, I'll go ask the coachman."
Just as Chi Xia reached out to lift the curtain, the carriage that had been leading them suddenly turned in another direction.
In a moment, only Feng Ninghe's carriage remained.
At this moment, she finally understood why Feng Guangyao had so enthusiastically invited Old Man Xu.
In the eyes of the world, her greatest reliance was Old Man Xu. Even if she wasn't a good-for-nothing and could cultivate, without Old Man Xu, she was still nothing.
By sending Old Man Xu away, she would lose her backing.
"Coachman, why are we alone?"
Chi Xia looked at the coachman in front of her with a face full of surprise.
The coachman ignored her question, as if he hadn't heard it, and noticeably sped up the carriage.
Chi Xia became anxious and quickly turned to look at Feng Ninghe, her eyes filled with inquiry, "Eldest Miss, this carriage is not right. We need to get down quickly."
Feng Ninghe's eyes sharpened, and a strand of spiritual energy appeared in her palm, swiftly striking towards the coachman.
The palm strike came unexpectedly, catching the coachman off guard, and he was sent hurtling forward.
She leaped up, steadied the horse, quickly dismounted, and walked towards the coachman who had fallen to the ground.
The coachman ignored the pain and struggled to his feet, quickly fleeing.
No matter how fast the coachman ran, he couldn't outrun her.
Feng Ninghe flicked her sleeve, and a palm strike filled with oppressive spiritual energy descended upon the coachman.
The coachman seemed to be immobilized, unable to escape, and pleaded with urgent eyes, "Eldest Miss, please spare me!"
Initially, the coachman had planned to find an excuse to leave after reaching their destination, but he never expected to be discovered so soon.
Feng Ninghe raised her delicate eyebrows, her icy gaze falling on the coachman, "Who sent you? Was it Feng Tongtong?"
She already had a suspect in mind.
Only Feng Tongtong's carriage had been leading the way earlier, making her the most suspicious.
She bent down, took out a dagger from her spatial bracelet, and gently pressed it against the coachman's neck. Her voice was soft, yet it sounded like a demon's.
"Do you want your life or to tell the truth?"
The cold dagger made the coachman shiver, and he quickly blurted out, "Eldest Miss, please spare me! I'll tell you anything you want to know! It was... it was Third Miss who arranged for me to come!"
A gust of wind suddenly swept through the jungle.
A sinister male voice echoed through the woods, "Such a cruel girl. You should be lying in my arms, letting me dote on you."
As the male voice rang out, Feng Ninghe felt goosebumps rise all over her body.
The coachman also seized this opportunity to quickly get up and escape.
Xiao Zhao's sapphire eyes darted around, whimpering.
What kind of monster is this, playing tricks here?
A sharp figure lunged rapidly towards Feng Ninghe.
The figure was so fast that it was almost impossible to react.
Feng Ninghe narrowly dodged, and only then did she get a clear look at the man who had been lurking in the shadows.
The man had an evil, charming face, his eyes fixed on her, his sharp gaze making her uncomfortable.
"Mo Zisang?"
Feng Ninghe was somewhat surprised that the person who appeared before her was him, and she raised her eyelids.
This time, she also felt a sense of nausea.
She slightly frowned, covering her nose and mouth with her hand, and even took a step back.
This action surprised Mo Zisang, and his gaze subtly shifted, "Feng Ninghe, you seem to have some misunderstanding about me. It seems I should introduce myself properly today."
"No need."
Feng Ninghe refused without hesitation, "Elder Mo is renowned. Of course, I know you. Weren't you the one caught in bed with Third Miss a few days ago?"
Her words instantly drew Mo Zisang's attention back to that day.
Thinking of the naked head lying beside him, his mood immediately soured.