“Seventh Madam, I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry! Did I hurt you when I bumped into you?”

Feng Jiu’er lightly patted down the Seventh Madam’s clothes before releasing her.

“It’s all my fault—I was just so curious, it got the better of me. I apologize, Seventh Madam.”

The Seventh Madam’s twisted nature wasn’t something that had developed in a day or two. Within Lei Manor, no small number of wronged souls had met their end because of her.

But she was beautiful, and deeply favored by Lei Shenbao, so he never investigated such matters too closely.

From time to time, she would slip away from the manor to visit an old man living alone, to purchase poison.

Feng Jiu’er’s people had already looked into all of this long ago.

Today’s entire arrangement, while ostensibly prepared for all the madams, had in truth been set up specifically for the Seventh Madam.

“It’s nothing.” The Seventh Madam shook her head, feigning generosity.

“Sister Jiu’er, don’t you want to go see the prison cells?” She believed she had read Feng Jiu’er’s thoughts correctly.

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together, carefully concealing her own eagerness, and nodded.

“Is that all right?”

“Of course it’s all right.” The Seventh Madam simply took her hand.

She hadn’t forgotten that this woman had a skilled fighter at her side.

“Jiu’er.” The Seventh Madam turned, leading Feng Jiu’er along, and leaned in a little closer.

“Since your friend Qiao is so skilled in martial arts, would you have her stand guard out here?”

“You understand, when we’re doing something like this, it’s best that no one finds out, isn’t it?”

“In case something goes wrong, it’ll be easier to handle too, don’t you think?”

“Even if it costs someone their life, that’s all right?” Feng Jiu’er blinked her eyes innocently.

“As long as no one sees, it’s perfectly fine.” The Seventh Madam lowered her voice again.

“Of everyone here, your friend’s skill is the best. Have her stay and stand guard—that way nothing can go wrong.”

“All right then.” Feng Jiu’er nodded, stopped walking, and turned to look at Qiao Mu.

“Qiao, stay here and keep watch. I’ll take you hunting later, all right? Xiao Yingtao can just come in with me.”

“Whatever.” Qiao Mu didn’t object.

Feng Jiu’er gave her a smile, then turned back to face the Seventh Madam.

“Let’s go—let’s go in and have a look.”

The Seventh Madam led Feng Jiu’er toward the prison, a light of anticipation shining at the bottom of her eyes.

They went around a path that wasn’t particularly short, then turned another corner, and a cliff appeared ahead of them.

In the middle of the cliff stood a large gate, with two guards stationed at its entrance.

The Seventh Madam strode past with great swagger, paying the guards no mind at all.

The two guards, seeing it was the madams, both turned to face them, stepping back and bowing.

The Seventh Madam swept them a triumphant glance and said disdainfully, “I told you, the Master dotes on me the most. I can go wherever I please.”

Such blatant showing off didn’t bother Feng Jiu’er in the slightest—it only soured the mood of the women walking behind them.

Everyone walked in together, without any obstruction.

“Seventh Madam, you’re really something!” Feng Jiu’er glanced around inside a few times, then looked at the Seventh Madam with an admiring gaze.

“This prison is actually quite clean—much cleaner than I imagined.”

“Mm.” The Seventh Madam released Feng Jiu’er’s hand, looked at her, and raised an eyebrow.

“Little sister, do you dare to play?”

“Play.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Isn’t that exactly why we came in here—to play?”

“Good, then I’ll pick out the most fun one for you to play with.” The Seventh Madam turned, pleased with herself, and continued deeper inside.

“The most fun one?” Feng Jiu’er followed along, looking puzzled.

The Seventh Madam had made up her mind—rather than release some unimportant prisoner, she might as well go straight for the biggest target.

In this prison, the only person she didn’t dare touch was Lang Yu—the Master had said he couldn’t be killed.

If Long Jiu’er killed this man, surely no matter how much the Master favored her, he would no longer protect her, and would have her sent away outright.

Even if Lang Yu didn’t die, once she made it public that Long Jiu’er had abused Lang Yu, Long Jiu’er would find it hard to escape death herself.

The Seventh Madam’s scheming mind was working hard, but she had no idea that everything was already part of Feng Jiu’er’s own plan.

“Go, bring Lang Yu out.” The Seventh Madam walked into the punishment chamber and waved her hand.

Two guards hurried over.

“Greetings, Madams!” they called out in unison.

After bowing, one guard lifted his head to look at the Seventh Madam. “Seventh Madam, the Master gave orders that Lang Yu is not to be touched.”

“I never said anything about touching him. Do you two even know who this young lady is?” The Seventh Madam glared at the guard and looked toward Feng Jiu’er.

“Miss Jiu’er is the Master’s honored guest. She arrived at the manor just yesterday, and the Master has already given the entire East Wing over to her alone.”

“She wants to see Lang Yu—what’s wrong with that? Is that not allowed?”

“Seventh Madam, Lang Yu’s status is rather prominent. Perhaps we should choose someone else instead, to avoid causing trouble for Master Lei?”

Feng Jiu’er pulled at the Seventh Madam’s sleeve, her finely arched brows knitting together.

“What’s there to change? You are the Master’s honored guest—how could Lang Yu, a mere prisoner, possibly be compared to her?”

“Quickly! Go bring him out! Go, do you hear me? You don’t take me seriously anymore, do you?”

“Yes, Seventh Madam.” The guard had no choice but to cup his hands and leave.

“Seventh Sister, Lang Yu mustn’t be touched.” The First Madam stepped forward to stand beside the Seventh Madam.

“Eldest Sister, I never said I’d lay a heavy hand on him. We’re just having a bit of fun.” The Seventh Madam waved her hand.

“The Master despises Lang Yu so much—if I rough him up a little, the Master might even reward me for it.”

“Jiu’er, don’t be afraid! This Lang Yu previously harmed Bao Lei’s entire family. The Master not killing him is already something he should be grateful for.”

“We’ll teach him a lesson, see if he ever dares act recklessly again!”

Feng Jiu’er frowned slightly, then turned and walked back to stand beside Xiao Yingtao.

“Jiu’er, sit for a while.” Xiao Yingtao pulled over a chair.

Feng Jiu’er nodded and sat down.

“Seventh Madam, I’m not very familiar with how things work here—why don’t you go first and play for a bit.”

What came next—just watch the show unfold.

“All right then.” The Seventh Madam didn’t mind either way.

She was in no hurry at all.

Soon, four guards pushed in a prisoner’s cart.

Seated in the cart was something that looked neither fully human nor fully ghost.

His clothing had been freshly changed, so his injuries weren’t visible through it, but the skin he did show was hardly intact anywhere.

The man sat in the chair-shaped prisoner’s cart, his whole body bound, his head hanging low.

It hadn’t been many days since Feng Jiu’er had last seen Lang Yu, and yet he had already become this withered.

Still, Feng Jiu’er had not the slightest inclination to pity such a vicious and cruel man.

“Lang Yu, are you dead?” The Seventh Madam looked at the man in the cart and said coldly.

“Splash some saltwater on him, see if he’s dead.”

“No!” Hearing that saltwater might be poured on him again, Lang Yu finally lifted his head.

Beneath his disheveled long hair, his face was pale, utterly drained of color.

“Awake?” The Seventh Madam stared at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Lang Yu, this state of yours—you brought it entirely on yourself. You can’t blame anyone else.”

“Lift your eyes and look—who is this?” The Seventh Madam glanced back at Feng Jiu’er again.

“This is the Master’s honored guest. She came here today specifically to seek revenge for the Bao Lei family!”