The numbing sensation spread through both of them instantly, and the strength in their hands weakened. With a strong survival instinct, Granny Wang seized the opportunity as their grip loosened and quickly broke free, curling up towards Feng Jin for protection.
"You're all mad, mad... You dare to trample on human lives in the presence of the court!"
Lord Wang's anger surged. He had presided over the Dali Temple for over a decade, and this was the first time he had witnessed such arrogance. Daring to murder a witness in court was an attempt to create a case with no evidence and to force his hand!
Seeing that their plan had failed, Feng Yuanping looked at the two of them with disappointment, deeming them useless!
"Nonsense! In the presence of the court and Lord Wang, you dare to act so recklessly."
Feng Yunping, without any hint of pretense, berated the two with feigned anger, pulling Madam Sun back.
"Lord Wang, my wife was anxious to protect our daughter and acted in haste..."
"Haste and anxiety to protect a daughter are merely excuses for these two, mother and daughter, to commit violence and disregard human life in public!" Feng Jin spoke leisurely, her eyes filled with ferocity.
"If we are to judge cases based on emotions, then what is the point of these laws and regulations? Even the Emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners. Does Prime Minister Feng believe he is more noble than the Emperor, attempting to shield Madam Sun and her daughter's crimes with his power? I wonder... what His Majesty will think if he learns of this matter?"
Feng Yuanping's face turned ashen, his furrowed brow suppressing his inner rage, yet he could not vent it.
"You unfilial daughter, speaking ill of the Emperor is a grave offense. Do you wish to drag our entire family to our deaths with you!"
"Prime Minister Feng, don't flatter yourself. I severed ties with the Feng family long ago. Even if I commit a crime, it will not implicate Prime Minister Feng or the Feng family. You needn't worry excessively."
Feng Jin remained calm, her eyes radiating a fierce glint as she swept her gaze over Feng Yuanping and the others.
"Prime Minister Feng, my wife's actions are my responsibility as her general. You need not worry. However, if any member of the Feng family disrespects my wife further, then do not blame me for abandoning all pretense of decorum!"
Ling Mohan would not allow anyone to disparage Feng Jin, his voice filled with protectiveness.
Feng Yuanping snorted coldly and sat on his chair, his beard bristling with anger, yet utterly helpless.
"Lu Shi, escort Madam Sun out of the court!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
With Ling Mohan's command, Lu Shi, along with his men, drove Madam Sun out with sticks.
"You... you are simply causing chaos!" Feng Yunping pointed at them furiously, "This is nothing but the actions of a brute, utterly uncivilized!"
"Prime Minister Feng flatters me. I am but a warrior from the battlefield and know no etiquette!"
Lu Shi stepped in front of Feng Yuanping and readily accepted the compliment.
"All of you, be silent! Prime Minister Feng, out of respect for our shared position in court, I have tolerated you and your family repeatedly. I hope Prime Minister Feng will not make things difficult for me."
Lord Wang was frazzled by the commotion, but the officials and their ranks were all above him. He could only humbly beg them to be merciful, "Young General, I implore you, show some leniency!"
"Lord Wang, you are too kind. Please continue with the trial. With me present, I assure you, Lord Wang will not be threatened!"
"Many thanks, Young General!"
*Bang!* Lord Wang slammed the gavel heavily onto the table, his expression stern.
"Feng Ruoyan, do you have a rebuttal to the elderly woman's testimony!"
"It wasn't me, it wasn't me... I don't know anything!"
Feng Ruoyan insisted that she had nothing to do with it.
"My Lord, I had previously treated Yan Yu. Yan Yu was poisoned with arsenic and also drugged into silence. The proprietor of the Imperial City Ji Shi Tang saw Granny Wang purchasing a large quantity of arsenic. Here are the invoices and the testimony from Ji Shi Tang, all presented here!"
Feng Jin had prepared thoroughly. She instructed Cai Qing to present the invoices and testimony together.
Upon examining the testimony and invoices, Lord Wang's expression changed drastically. With both human and material evidence present, he could no longer do any favors for Prime Minister Feng, even if he wished to.
"With both human and material evidence present, Feng Ruoyan's attempted murder and framing, according to our dynasty's laws, I sentence Feng Ruoyan to..."
"Wait!"
A voice from outside the court stopped them. Immediately, a squad of soldiers surrounded the courtroom.
Then, a man in fine brocade robes walked in from outside and went straight towards Feng Ruoyan.
Chu Yanxi, seeing Feng Ruoyan in such a state after many days, his eyes filled with distress. He removed his cloak and draped it over Feng Ruoyan, pulling his beloved into his arms, "I'm late."
"Third Prince, you..." Before Feng Ruoyan could finish speaking, she fainted into Chu Yanxi's arms.
"Miss Feng..."
Chu Yanxi's heart clenched. He directly picked her up and was about to leave when he was blocked by Ling Mohan's men.
"Blind cur, you dare to stop me, a Prince? Get out of the way!"
"Third Prince, you truly have quite the air. To dare to take away a prisoner, are you not afraid of His Majesty's displeasure!"
Ling Mohan rose and stood in front of Chu Yanxi.
"Young General Ling, do you know that intercepting a prince with a weapon is a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire family? Do not presume on your merits and forget your station. You are a subject, and I am your sovereign!"
Chu Yanxi, solely focused on taking Feng Ruoyan away, had lost all reason.
"Third Prince, I urge you to choose your words carefully. Today, the Third Prince will either leave alone, or accompany this prisoner to prison!"
Ling Mohan refused to yield, his words resolute. The guards beside them drew their swords, and the two sides remained at an impasse.
"Both of you, please calm down! This is the Dali Temple. If news of private fighting with swords reaches His Majesty, it is a grave offense!"
Lord Wang, who was usually timid, had never witnessed such a scene. His legs trembled with fear, and he had to be supported by someone beside him.
"Ling Mohan, are you truly going to oppose me!"
"Third Prince, you are mistaken. I am merely enforcing the law impartially, with no personal agenda. On the contrary, it is the Third Prince who is acting out of personal emotion!"
Ling Mohan's sarcastic retort showed utter disregard for Chu Yanxi.
As a prince, Chu Yanxi had only ever encountered sycophants. To be publicly humiliated by Ling Mohan so thoroughly, he naturally lost face. Rage replaced reason, and he foolishly ordered his men to force their way out of the Dali Temple.
As the two parties were about to clash, Feng Jin quickly intervened, "Third Prince, Feng Ruoyan is a prisoner. You insist on taking her away!"
"My word is my bond, and it cannot be unsaid. If you know what's good for you, step aside immediately, or do not blame me for taking your lives!"
A smile played on Feng Jin's lips. This Third Prince was indeed quite boastful. "Third Prince truly acts rashly for the sake of beauty!"
"Everyone, please bear witness. The Third Prince, in order to save Miss Feng, has privately mobilized troops and is attempting to force his way into the Dali Temple, even resorting to armed conflict."