Feng Muqing seized the opportunity to take in the life spirit pill that Jun Ruye had given her. After a brief recovery, she raised an eyebrow at the scene unfolding in front of her.

It appeared that this fifth-rank spirit weapon was Feng Wanwan's last resort for protection.

It was evident that Feng Tianling had given the best items in the house to Feng Wanwan. In this continent with scarce spiritual energy, only a few families possessed a fifth-rank spirit weapon.

Feng Tianling must truly care for his daughter.

After all, only Feng Muqing and Feng Wanwan were left in the Feng Clan over these years. And now, with doubts surrounding Feng Muqing's background, Feng Tianling had only Feng Wanwan as his offspring. He would undoubtedly focus his attention on his only daughter and give her the best he had.

He was relieved to see that Feng Wanwan was unharmed.

Fortunately, he had given the Golden Rock Ring to his daughter early. Otherwise, he might have lost her today.

The thought that Jun Ruye had the audacity to take action within his residence stirred a wave of fury within Feng Tianling.

"Regent! This is the Prime Minister's Mansion!"

"Hmph!"

Jun Ruye swiftly formed a seal and directed a white stream of wind straight at Feng Wanwan's vulnerable spot.

As Feng Wanwan sensed danger, she shivered but soon realized that she remained protected within the shield of the Golden Rock Ring. She felt relieved.

Swish... Swish...

Under Jun Ruye's attack, the protective boundary established by the Golden Rock Ring started to fracture, inch by inch.

Thud—

The protective boundary shattered, and the wind streak directly struck Feng Wanwan, causing her to collapse, coughing up blood before losing consciousness.

"Wanwan!" Feng Tianling exclaimed in horror.

"I wouldn't mind teaching those who are disrespectful a lesson on behalf of Prime Minister Feng."

Before he could finish his sentence, Jun Ruye swiftly formed another seal, aiming to take Feng Wanwan's life.

"If you dare harm Qingqing, you must be prepared to face my wrath!"

Feng Tianling was caught off guard by Jun Ruye's deadly intent, and he couldn't react in time to intervene.

As he watched his daughter teetering on the brink of death, Feng Tianling's eyes filled with a fiery determination.

Was he going to lose his only offspring right here?

"Boom!"

Just in time, a protective blue energy sphere materialized in front of Feng Wanwan, intercepting Jun Ruye's attack and exploding upon impact.

"Regent, I implore you to show mercy."

A voice was heard before its owner was seen. As everyone looked toward the source, a figure in yellow royal attire appeared against the light.

"Prince Ning." Feng Tianling sighed with relief and bowed upon seeing the newcomer.

Feng Muqing glanced at Prince Ning without any emotion.

Is this Sikong Rulang?

He doesn't seem particularly impressive. Perhaps it's for the best that the engagement was canceled.

"This woman showed disrespect to the Princess Regent. What is the reason behind your intervention, Prince Ning?"

Jun Ruye felt frustrated. It had proven that dealing with Feng Wanwan was more troublesome than he had initially thought. He should have finished her off with his first strike.

"Wanwan is still young, and if she has offended the Princess, I hope you can both forgive her," Sikong Rulang said politely with a smile.

"Tsk... I am only a few months older than Feng Wanwan, and she's considered 'still young'?"

Feng Muqing sneered, regarding Sikong Rulang with disdain.

"Princess, you and Wanwan are sisters. I hope you can show mercy."

"It's quite interesting, Prince Ning. Just moments ago, my 'half-sister' was attempting to take my life without hesitation. If not for the lord's timely intervention, I might be the one lying there."

"This..."

Sikong Rulang found himself at a loss for words, uncertain of how to approach the situation.

From the corner of his eye, as he covertly glanced at the unyielding Feng Muqing, an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.

Was this the woman he was originally supposed to marry?

He had never met her or given her much thought before, but now, as she stood there confidently, she held his undivided attention.

Despite half of her face being concealed by a delicate mask, it couldn't hide her natural grace; it was as if she were destined to shine.

He had never taken the initiative to seek out this fiancee, who had only existed as a topic of gossip. Had he done so earlier, perhaps the situation would have unfolded differently.

Now, for the first time, Sikong Rulang felt regret.

Unfortunately, there is no remedy for regret in this world.

Feng Muqing was suddenly caught off guard by Sikong Rulang's annoyed eyes. She felt her skin prickle with goosebumps.

What is wrong with this man?

Isn't he getting along well with Feng Wanwan?

What does that look mean?

"If Prince Ning insists on protecting her, don't blame me for being heartless and ruthless!"

Jun Ruye, observing Sikong Rulang's lingering look at Feng Muqing, felt his anger intensify.

Sikong Rulang shivered, feeling icy cold all over.

"Please spare Wanwan for my sake, Regent. I would be forever grateful," he implored, feeling as though a heavy weight pressed upon his chest.

As a royal lord, he now found himself beneath the Regent. Recalling the Regent's merciless nature, he had no choice but to suppress his pride and endure the situation.

This predicament had arisen because his own father had granted Jun Ruye such immense authority.

He couldn't understand his father. Wasn't he afraid the Sikong Clan's territory would fall into Jun Ruye's hands?

Sikong Rulang was bewildered for a moment but then came to a realization.

Despite Jun Ruye's formidable power, he was now a wheelchair-bound cripple, and there was someone within the palace who wished to remove him.

"Your dignity?" Jun Ruye scoffed. "Your dignity isn't worth Qingqing's well-being."

"Regent! She is the future Princess Ning!"

Upon hearing this, the courtyard went silent. It seemed both expected and unexpected.

Feng Tianling was overjoyed, believing that with Wanwan's newfound status as the future Princess Ning, her life would be secure.

"As you mentioned, she's the future Princess Ning. Nevertheless, for now, she remains a commoner from the Prime Minister's Mansion, a mere civilian. If she dares to harm me, she should be prepared to face the consequences."

Sikong Rulang's hand tightened at his side as a heavy feeling weighed his heart down.

It was evident that neither of them was inclined to spare Wanwan, yet he felt compelled to intervene on her behalf.

"If Prince Ning insists on holding onto her, then take Feng Wanwan with you. Consider it the fulfillment of your shared affection," Jun Ruye declared emotionlessly, showing no regard for Sikong Rulang.

Upon hearing this, Sikong Rulang tensed, realizing that Jun Ruye was about to take action.

He understood that Jun Ruye was a man of his word, and the Prince Ning's title held no sway over him.

As Jun Ruye was about to make a fatal move, he suddenly felt warmth enveloping his hand.

When he looked up, he saw that Feng Muqing had reached out to stop him.

"My lord, since Prince Ning is willing to protect her with his life today, perhaps we should spare Feng Wanwan for now."

Jun Ruye frowned, puzzled by her change of heart.

Feng Muqing gave him a subtle look, her eyes darting briefly toward Feng Wanwan, who was behind Sikong Rulang. A sly smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Feng Wanwan, we'll have plenty of days ahead.

After seeing Feng Muqing's change of stance, Sikong Rulang promptly instructed his attendants to remove the unconscious Feng Wanwan from the scene, anxious that Jun Ruye might reconsider.

However, Jun Ruye interrupted, saying, "Wait! Life may be spared, but punishment is inevitable. Administer thirty lashes!" As the servants prepared to take Feng Wanwan away, he made this unexpected decree.