The Slender Waist-Chapter 602 - 434 Righteousness Destroys Kinship_2
Don’t even mention a Village Chief, even the Emperor would not dare to do so.
Therefore, some people supported what Lady Chen said.
Many people, fearing that Feng Yun’s actions would damage her reputation, kindly advised her to be forgiving toward her stepmother... 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"Even if Lady Chen has done something wrong, she is, after all, your mother, and you must not go against the major principles of human relations."
"Village Chief’s wife, you must think it over carefully."
With a smile, Feng Yun remained silent until everyone had finished speaking, then she swept her eyes towards Lady Chen with a look that said ’you can’t do anything to me,’ and spoke lightly:
"Not to mention that I have long severed my filial ties with the Feng Family, even if I still acknowledged her as my stepmother, I would still have to prioritize justice over kinship..."
What a lofty declaration of ’prioritizing justice over kinship.’
Lady Chen clenched her teeth in fury.
"You are just intent on revenge..."
Feng Yun smiled faintly, "Why don’t you tell me what you have done to me, to make me harbor thoughts of revenge?"
Lady Chen was left speechless, her lips quivering twice before she raised her voice again.
"You want to usurp the Feng Family’s property! Just as you said earlier, you have long severed your relationship with your father, so why do you still occupy the Feng Family’s property?"
"Huh."
Feng Yun chuckled softly.
"Lady Chen, it seems you got it wrong, no wonder you are so angry, so rash..."
She glanced at the crowd of onlookers and said nonchalantly:
"Alou, bring me my deed."
Lady Chen brought a house deed and land deed with her, does she also have a deed?
Feng Yun saw through the crowd’s desire to watch the excitement, she cooperated very well; her expressions and movements were all relaxed and elegant, exuding an air of composure.
"My deeds were personally handled by Lord He, who acted as the governor of Andu County after the Governor of Andu abandoned the city and fled, presenting the entirety of Andu County and his own biological daughter to the Great General. Thus, my estates, fields, forests, barren hills, and shops were not acquired from the Feng Family, they were re-assigned to me by the New Dynasty according to the new policies..."
"Shi’er Niang, you need to speak with conscience." Lady Chen had just finished yelling, her throat was hoarse, her voice sounding a bit raspy, but she still used all her strength, shouting at the top of her lungs.
"If it weren’t for the Feng Family’s property being there first, why would the New Dynasty divide these properties to you? There’s a cause before there’s an effect. Everyone here has clear eyes; they understand what’s going on without me explaining, only you, Feng Shi Er Niang, feign confusion despite knowing the facts!"
Feng Yun smiled slightly, "I am truly confused. You, a county magistrate’s wife from Nanqi, by what right do you demand things on Dajin’s land?"
Lady Chen scoffed.
"After the two countries formed alliances, there were mutual trade and interactions, Jin people owning property in Qi, Qi people trading in Jin, it’s a common sight and encouraged by the Imperial Court for the prosperity we see today. In the case of civilian property disputes, the Government Office recognizes deeds and contracts. Could it be that what your Imperial Court allows, you do not?"
Feng Yun watched the hint of triumph flash in Lady Chen’s eyes and laughed.
"My mistake, Lady Chen didn’t act rashly but came prepared. It seems you have not neglected to study the laws and decrees of both countries."
Lady Chen humphed, "No matter what, the Feng Family’s property should be returned to the Feng Family. If you are willing to admit that you are part of the Feng Family, as your mother, I can also prepare a generous dowry for you. If you really insist on severing ties, then don’t blame me for not giving you a single penny."
She nodded, "Fair point. Then the dispute lies in, whose deeds, yours or mine, should be deemed valid, right?"
Lady Chen again exerted herself, shaking off the retainers restraining her.
"What dispute is there? I came first, you came after. I bought the land and manor with real gold and silver, whereas you have occupied it without paying a dime. This is the truth everywhere."
Feng Yun smiled lightly.
"You say you are in the right, I say I am in the right. If we argue for three days and nights, we will not be able to clarify. How about this, you lay claim to the property, then you sue me at the Government Office, accusing me of occupation, and let’s see how the Government Office decides?"
Of course, the Government Office of Dajin would speak in her favor.
Lady Chen had no illusions; with a disdainful snort, she glanced at her.
"So, if I sue in Qi Country, will you acknowledge it?"
Feng Yun laughed, "Where you sue is entirely up to you. How the Qi Country Imperial Court handles the case is your affair, too. But whether I acknowledge it will depend on my mood."
Lady Chen scoffed coldly, about to speak, when Feng Yun suddenly stopped smiling, her cold gaze fixed on her, and her tone shifted sharply.
"The dispute over property is a private matter between you and me. Since both sides insist on their own version of events, let’s defer that discussion for later. What we need to deal with now is the matter of you, Lady Chen, violating the rules of Huaxi Village. One thing at a time..."
Her voice trailed off slightly.
In the bewildered gaze of Lady Chen, she suddenly gave a stern command.
"Guards, take Lady Chen to the bench, flog her fifty times."
"Feng Shi Er Niang!" Lady Chen’s eyes widened in horror as she watched Feng Yun’s unhurried, even smiling demeanor, nearly going insane.
"Don’t be reckless. Even if I am not your stepmother, I am still the wife of the Prefect of Qi Country. You, a Village Chief of Jin, by what right can you punish me?"
Feng Yun said, "Matters between Jin and Qi should be dealt with according to national law. As for matters in Huaxi Village, we follow the village rules."
Lady Chen screamed, "What about filial piety, your filial piety?"
Feng Yun curled her lips slightly, "Suppose I’m unfilial then? Proceed!"
Two guards dragged Lady Chen toward the bench. She struggled with all her limbs, shouting and screaming, her disheveled appearance like that of a fierce ghost.
She had never suffered such humiliation in her life...
She shouted out Feng Yun’s name loudly, without begging for mercy, full of curses and foul language.
Feng Yun turned a deaf ear, as if she hadn’t heard any of it.
What was this humiliation in comparison?
Compared to what she and Madam Feng Ying and Daughter had inflicted on her and Queque in their previous lives, this was just a drop in the ocean.
"Beat."
One word, calm and undisturbed.
As if what was being beaten was a pig, a dog, someone utterly insignificant, not her own stepmother...
The chatter in the crowd grew fiercer, and there were more voices urging her to calm her anger.
Those guards from Nanqi who had come from Bingzhou couldn’t sit still any longer either, and began to shout out in unison.
"Our lady is an emissary of Qi Country; how can a mere Village Chief of Jin have the right to punish her? You’re bullying others by throwing your weight around, we’ll fight you..."
It must be said, this group of men were hot-blooded and loyal, roaring loudly as they rushed forward to protect Lady Chen.
But on Changmen’s territory, their little strength amounted to nothing.
Shouts and pleas were intermittently heard around the Great Pagoda Tree.
Feng Yun looked on expressionlessly, her voice rising.
"The guards of the Feng Residence are accessories to the crime, and shall receive the same punishment: fifty lashes each."
Upon hearing this, a surge of rage sparked among the Feng Residence guards.
"There’s a limit even to murder. Feng Shi Er Niang has gone too far; kill her!"
Just as blood seemed destined to spill right there, a series of hoofbeats echoed from the village path.
"An imperial edict from the Empress Dowager arrives—"
