She didn't know whether to be shocked by Lu Qingwan's malice or by Lu Qingwan's arrangements. In any case, she looked at Lu Qingwan as if she were a monster.
Lu Qingwan met her gaze without surprise or hurt.
After all, Liu Hanyan had done so many inhumane things, and yet the people of the Reincarnation Hall were subtly urging her to forgive Liu Hanyan, practically begging to be her good son!
This mere glare held no power over her whatsoever.
She even smiled brightly at Feng Ziyi, her voice laced with laughter, "What do you mean, Senior Aunt? How can you say I'm sending him to his death?
My dear mother wanted both her sons to inherit the throne of Southern Qi, so sending them back to Southern Qi is merely fulfilling my mother's heartfelt wish!
Besides, the current Emperor of Southern Qi is their own uncle. I'm helping them reunite as a family!"
What a joke. When Liu Hanyan was plotting against Si Fengwu and trying to achieve her goals indirectly, she had already disregarded Lu Qingwan's life.
Lu Qingwan refused to believe that Nangong Che was unaware of all the good deeds Liu Hanyan had done.
Since he hadn't stopped her, he should bear part of the consequences.
As she spoke, her smile vanished. "Ah, yes, what did you all say? Liu Hanyan thought the blood flowing in my veins was impure, and she was afraid Nangong Che would feel uncomfortable seeing me, right?
Then guess this: with that broken body she's wearing now, would Nangong Che find her more uncomfortable, or would he find me more uncomfortable?"
She clearly didn't care about how Liu Hanyan and Nangong Che treated her, yet she chose to utter such soul-piercing words.
Feng Ziyi, unable to ignore the implication, understood that Lu Qingwan was reminding her, and everyone in the Reincarnation Hall, that her actions were trivial compared to what Liu Hanyan had done to her.
It was also a subtle way of telling those who wanted to mediate between her and Liu Hanyan to shut up.
Feng Ziyi stammered for a long time before finally managing to speak, "I'm not asking for anyone's leniency, but A'wan, you must understand that in the eyes of the world, parents are always the weaker party.
Once you do this, the pressure you'll face in the future will be endless.
Even Si Fengwu, and indeed your children, the court will be implicated.
Is it worth it to hold onto a grudge?"
One had to admit that regardless of Feng Ziyi's inner thoughts, her words held some truth.
Lu Qingwan could afford to disregard accusations of unfilial conduct, or even matricide and patricide, but she could not tolerate implicating Si Fengwu and their child over such trivial matters.
Even if that so-called child was not yet even a cell.
Feng Ziyi, being in the Reincarnation Hall and managing affairs in Tuyur with such success, possessed exceptional skills in reading people.
Seeing Lu Qingwan waver, she pressed on, "As things stand, killing them won't do you any good.
It's a mutually destructive act, killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own, which is simply not worth it.
The position of Saintess of the Reincarnation Hall will still be yours. I will have people keep a close eye on them, and they won't be able to make any more moves against you.
You won't have to do anything, and you'll avoid a lot of trouble. This is a very worthwhile deal, and you're a smart person, you should see that, shouldn't you?"
Feng Ziyi's analysis was calm and rational, appearing fair and impartial, but in reality, it was completely belittling Lu Qingwan's intelligence.
However, at this point, Lu Qingwan no longer seemed in a hurry to respond.
She calmly asked, "I want to know, is this your own decision, or Liu Xunran's?"
Before coming to the island, Lu Qingwan had thought that although Xue Hongyi was annoyingly brainless, Liu Xunran and Feng Ziyi at least had some genuine affection for her.
But now, it seemed she had overestimated her standing in their hearts.
For reasons unknown, Feng Ziyi did not directly answer Lu Qingwan's question, but instead skirted around it, saying, "You know, Master only has one daughter."
Yet, before coming to the island, Liu Xunran hadn't gained another daughter.
In that instant, Lu Qingwan understood completely. Feng Ziyi, while appearing to show no reaction to her identity as a transmigrator, had actually made her choice the moment she learned of it.
Between Liu Hanyan and Liu Xunran's valued granddaughter, she chose Liu Xunran's valued granddaughter.
But between Liu Hanyan and herself, Lu Qingwan, Feng Ziyi had firmly chosen Liu Hanyan.
Even though she herself loathed Liu Hanyan to the core, in Feng Ziyi's mind, Liu Hanyan, who shared a blood relation with Liu Xunran, was at least far more valuable than her granddaughter, who was not what she seemed.
At this moment, Lu Qingwan could no longer be sure that Liu Xunran would still firmly choose her over Liu Hanyan after learning her true identity.
Lu Qingwan never wanted to be an option for others. If someone tried to make her one, she would unhesitatingly strike first, making them the one who was abandoned.
Therefore, she said coldly, "I understand Senior Aunt's meaning. I'll say it again, I will return the position of Saintess and the Blood Crow Token. I will also take Yuan'er away.
I will also arrange for Nangong Che and his two sons to be sent back to Southern Qi.
Of course, if you still wish to protect them, you are welcome to send people to intercept.
At that time, whether Nangong Che returns to Southern Qi or follows you to the Reincarnation Hall will depend on each person's ability."
After speaking, she took Si Fengwu's hand and said without a hint of lingering attachment, "Let's go, we'll go find Father King and Mother Consort."
Here was the cold, unfeeling Liu Hanyan and Nangong Che, and there were the affectionate Father King and Mother Consort. This clear disparity in treatment made the usually calm and composed Feng Ziyi lose her composure.
She blurted out, "Lu Qingwan, do you have to be so ruthless?
Don't forget that the man beside you is a potential emperor. You've been married for six years, yet you've never borne him a child.
Now that you have the Reincarnation Hall behind you, he can't do anything to you.
But if news spreads in the future that you were unfilial, or even personally poisoned your parents, and it harms his and the court's interests, do you think you'll remain unscathed?"
As they say, the closer people are, the better they know how to strike at one's heart.
Feng Ziyi, of course, was unaware that Si Fengwu was taking contraception. Therefore, she truly believed she had grasped Lu Qingwan's weakness and was deliberately poking at her sore spot.
Before Lu Qingwan and Si Fengwu could react, Wu Ying's expression turned cold. "Madam Ziyi, please watch your words."
Wen Jiting also cried out in alarm, "Senior Sister!"
Feng Ziyi seemed to realize what she had said and quickly tried to cover it up, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that..."
But before she could finish her explanation, Si Fengwu had already placed himself in front of Lu Qingwan, signaling his refusal to let her speak further with Lu Qingwan.