"Mistress! Mistress you are still alive? This is great… really… too great…" Linghe completely broke down when he saw Ji Fengyan. Tears streamed down his face.
The eyes of Zuo Nuo and the rest were also red; a bunch of grown men sobbing uncontrollably.
Looking at Linghe and company crying and sniffling, Ji Fengyan really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Where did you get such news? Aren't I standing here all well and good?"
How could I have died?
"As long as you are fine… as long as you are fine… Mistress you are truly fortunate. The gods must be protecting you." Linghe's eyes were red from crying as he nodded vigorously.
Ji Fengyan couldn't help smiling as she shook her head. Her gaze suddenly landed on the pale face of Ji Qingshang.
Ji Qingshang never expected Ji Fengyan to still be alive. Having been spotted by her, Ji Qingshang's already pale face lost all color.
"Ji Qingshang." Ji Fengyan's lips curled up. "Haven't seen you in a few months—the rules I set down earlier—have you already forgotten them?"
Ji Qingshang shuddered. Her legs started shaking involuntarily.
Ji Fengyan narrowed her eyes. "I said before that I have a bad temper. Don't disturb my people. My words… I am afraid you didn't take them to heart?"
"It's not… not like that…" Ji Qingshang felt sheepish. Despite her earlier bravado, she was truly afraid of Ji Fengyan.
Ji Fengyan crooked her finger at Ji Qingshang.
Ji Qingshang walked trembling to Ji Fengyan's side. "Ji Fengyan… I… I…"
"Ji Qingshang, do you know what are the consequences of breaking my rules?" Ji Fengyan suddenly laughed out loud.
Ji Qingshang shivered as she shook her head.
Before she could say a word, Ji Fengyan had kicked Ji Qingshang in the stomach and sent her flying onto that so-called altar, smashing it.
Ji Qingshang had never endured any kind of beating before and she couldn't even stand up after that kick. She could only lay moaning and trembling on the floor.
"Now you know." Ji Fengyan lifted her chin and looked down at Ji Qingshang. "Ji Qingshang, remember now. This is the first time. The next time I hear you spout nonsense, I will make sure you never utter another word for the rest of your life."
Ji Qingshang continued quivering on the floor, her back soaked in sweat. She was in so much pain that she had absolutely no intention of resisting.
In Ji Fengyan's hands, Ji Qingshang's existence was akin to that of a tiny ant.
The commotion on the altar attracted the attention of the other Ji family members. Ji He came over to see what was happening. He saw Ji Fengyan the moment he entered the hall… his red face immediately blanched.
"Ji… Ji… Ji Fengyan?" Ji He's eyes had nearly popped out of their sockets. It was Ji He who had been sent to fetch Ji Fengyan's body. It was also Ji He who brought news of her demise to the Ji family.
But…
Here she was alive and kicking right before his very eyes!
"Second uncle, I see that you have been living rather well." Ji Fengyan scanned his luxurious clothing and the cup of wine in his hands.