"Madam Feng is right, I should have a good word with the Sage," a girlish voice, tinged with childishness, approached from afar.
The onlookers who had gathered to watch the commotion instinctively parted to make way for Yu Mingyue.
Yu Mingyue's apricot-yellow riding attire was stained with blood, and she should have appeared disheveled. Yet, she did not.
Her back was straight, her bearing noble, and her gaze sharp, making it difficult for others to meet her eyes.
It wasn't that they feared a thirteen-year-old child; rather, Yu Mingyue was covered in blood. Illuminated by the setting sun, she exuded an eerie crimson aura. This combination lent her an inexplicable aura of menace.
"What do you want?" Madam Feng instinctively took a step back, looking at Yu Mingyue, who resembled a bloodied figure.
"I've come to settle this score with you, Madam Feng!" Yu Mingyue sneered.
"You caused my daughter to break her leg, and our Feng family, in our magnanimity, chose not to pursue it. Who would have thought that your Dingguo Duke's mansion would repeatedly harass us? Do you think our Feng family is of low standing, or do you disregard the Sage himself?" Madam Feng, not entirely foolish, knew to seize the narrative and mislead the crowd.
"Madam Feng, lying will bring divine retribution. If you are not afraid, are you not worried about bringing misfortune upon your descendants? It is common knowledge that my father and brother are not in the capital, and the Dingguo Duke's mansion is in decline. Meanwhile, Grand Governor Feng holds considerable power and enjoys the Sage's favor. In terms of official rank, Lord Feng is your father's superior. Madam Feng claims the Feng family is of low standing? Are you implying dissatisfaction with the official positions bestowed by the Sage?"
Before Madam Feng could reply, Yu Mingyue continued, "Your daughter, Lady Feng, bullied me for being young and has humiliated me on multiple occasions, as many have witnessed. She fell from her horse due to her own carelessness. The Feng family then retaliated against me by tampering with my horse, attempting to take my life. Fortunately, my ancestors protected me, and I escaped death. I am here today to seek justice."
Yu Mingyue's expression was one of profound calmness, far beyond her years, imbued with the innate nobility and reserve of a noble lady.
Even in her disheveled state, her demeanor was undiminished. Her composure and methodical approach, though glossing over the perilous details of the incident, lent her words greater credibility.
"Do not speak nonsense. Who would want to harm you? How does the Duke's mansion raise its daughters? To falsely accuse someone so brazenly! Your mother hails from the Cui family of Qinghe. Is it possible that the Cui family teaches its daughters in such a manner?" Madam Feng, having seen more of the world, remained relatively composed, even going so far as to invoke the Cui family of Qinghe.
Yu Mingyue let out a faint, knowing smile, an expression that made Madam Feng's heart inexplicably tighten.
"So, Madam Feng, are you suggesting that I killed my own horse and covered myself in blood to frame you?"
Madam Feng feigned composure with a faint smile. "Who knows?"
The implication was clear.
"My Blood-Sweating Horse is priceless, a birthday gift from my maternal uncle. Does your Feng family even deserve it?"
Yu Mingyue raised her chin, looking coldly at Madam Feng. Her voice was not loud, but every word was distinct.
"You..." Madam Feng was so stung by the remark about the Feng family's unworthiness that she nearly erupted in a torrent of abuse.
However, some words could be spoken by a child, but not by an adult.
Yu Mingyue, a mere child, storming their gates alone was already enough to embarrass the Feng family.
The crowd of onlookers grew larger. Further argument would only be detrimental to the Feng family.
"Even a child like me is not spared by the Feng family. I truly wonder how arrogant the Feng family is in Jizhou."
"Today it is me, but who will it be tomorrow? Are those whom the Feng family dislikes unworthy of living?"
"You have the courage to act but not to admit it. The Feng family, after all, comes from a lineage of generals. Are you all as timid as turtles?"
Yu Mingyue's taunts grew harsher with each sentence, each one a deliberate provocation.