"My Marquis of Wenchang's household has been honored for generations, and my maternal family was once exceptionally influential. To be so rudely insulted by someone as unreasonable as you today is an unforgivable offense. The Marquis of Wenchang's household will not let this matter rest. If you are willing to withdraw now, I will not pursue this further. Otherwise, I will report this directly to His Majesty."
Feng Jin cast a disdainful glance at Madam Ye. Unable to win with reason, she resorted to using her influence. Such behavior was truly despicable.
"If Madame Hou wishes to report, please do so. As the saying goes, justice prevails everywhere, and injustice leads nowhere. Since I dared to have this polo field surrounded, I will not be caught off guard."
"You... you are simply..." Madam Ye was so enraged that she couldn't even form a complete sentence.
"Madame Hou, excessive anger harms your health. Please take care of yourself. Prepare a chair for Madame Hou to rest, lest you claim I angered you to illness. I cannot bear such a charge."
After seeing the "canary bird" that was Madam Ye fall, everyone witnessed Feng Jin's prowess. Even the Marquis of Wenchang's wife was no match for her. Furthermore, with General Ling, Princess Jing, and Young Master Gu present, they knew they stood no chance and could only obediently follow instructions.
Feng Jin carefully examined the wound on the horse's leg. The cut was neat, without any bruising, and only three inches long. Such a wound could only have been made by a dagger.
Only someone who had been playing polo with Ling Muzhu just moments ago could have gotten close enough to injure him with a dagger.
"Bring all those who were playing polo with us."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Lu Shi quickly withdrew after receiving the order.
"What have you figured out?" Gu Beichen asked from the side.
Feng Jin turned to look at Gu Beichen. "You were playing polo with them. Did you notice anyone acting strangely?"
Gu Beichen shook his head directly. "No, everyone seemed normal. Perhaps the horse was truly startled. It's normal for a mallet to injure a horse during polo. It's possible you're just being overly sensitive."
He had seen horses lose control on polo fields before, so he felt this incident was no different from the past.
After hearing Gu Beichen's words, Feng Jin glared at him with the look one would give an idiot.
He was truly lucky. If he were the Zhennan King's son marrying a concubine and having more sons, she could guarantee that Gu Beichen would never have survived to adulthood.
"Young Madam, the people have been brought."
Soldiers behind Lu Shi escorted several individuals in.
"I'll give you one chance. Tell me the truth about who injured Ling Muzhu's horse. If you don't, and I find out, it won't be so simple."
Feng Jin got straight to the point. She genuinely wanted to give them a chance. Judging by their ages, they were not very old. To bear the crime of attempted murder at such a young age would significantly impact their future careers.
The few looked at each other, their minds made up, and unanimously denied any involvement.
One even dared to threaten Feng Jin.
"My father is a high official in the court. If you treat me like this, my father will surely not let you go."
Feng Jin sneered dismissively. "A high official sounds important, but is he as powerful as Ling Mohan?"
Ling Mohan was a Zhenguo General personally enfeoffed by Emperor Xuanwen, with a fiefdom of ten thousand households, akin to a king or marquis. He had also previously been the Imperial Tutor. There was no comparison; even a fool would understand whose official position was greater.
"You... I... no matter what, my father is a minister, holding the second rank. You should at least show him some respect and release me quickly!"
Feng Jin covered her mouth and laughed. This child was pitifully naive, clearly spoiled by her parents and inexperienced in the ways of the world, completely unaware of society's harsh realities.
"The position of a minister is indeed not small, and in any other place, some respect would be shown. However, you seem unaware of a principle: a higher rank crushes a lower one. Even if your father were here today, facing us, he would only be able to bow his head. Therefore, the best you can do is shut your mouth and remain silent!"
After admonishing one, Feng Jin stood up and looked at the others. "If any of your fathers or elder brothers hold a higher official position than them, feel free to step forward and state it. Then, I might consider letting you go directly. Otherwise, you will have to stay here obediently for a while."
Feng Jin observed their expressions; they were all somewhat dazed with fear.
"The wound on the horse's leg is truly unrelated to you?"
As Feng Jin's voice fell, they all uniformly denied it.
"Since it has nothing to do with you, I will let you leave immediately. However, I had already applied some Mandragora powder to the horse. If mixed with Oleander powder, it produces a potent poison, causing skin ulcers in the mildest cases, and death in severe ones."
"You all claim to be innocent; the truth will be revealed with a single test."
Feng Jin took off her purse and placed it before everyone. "My purse contains Oleander powder. To prove your innocence, you only need to place your hand into the purse. Lu Shi, go get paper and a brush, have them sign, and then place their hands into the purse, after which they may leave."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Lu Shi brought the paper and brush, and after they signed one by one, they proceeded to place their hands into the purse.
"Good. You may go."
"You're fine too, you can go."
Feng Jin stood by the door, checking each person's hand before letting them leave.
"It's your turn, hurry up. Don't waste time here," Feng Jin said to the man slowly approaching behind.
The man slowly stepped forward. His right hand, hanging by his side, twitched slightly before he subtly lowered it again. He then raised his left hand and placed it inside. Just as he was about to withdraw it, his wrist was suddenly grasped.
"What are you doing? Let go of me... my hand isn't ulcerated at all! Let me go!" the man exclaimed in panic. He struggled with all his might to break free from Feng Jin's grip and turned to run, but was blocked by Ling Mohan, who was guarding the exit.
Feng Jin stood up, her gaze cold as she looked at him and snorted, "You were the one who cut the horse's leg, weren't you?"
"You have no evidence. Why do you say it's me? And I also touched the Oleander powder, and my hands are fine. You can't frame me!"
The man held up his hands, urgently trying to prove his innocence.
Feng Jin found his innocent and serious expression amusing. With such a shallow plan, he dared to try and harm others, not knowing his own limitations.
"This purse doesn't contain any Oleander powder. It's just flour."
Feng Jin poured out the contents of the purse. Indeed, it was a handful of white flour, not Oleander powder at all.