Zheng Hua cursed under his breath, but deep down, he knew that only Feng Qing possessed the unique ruthlessness of the Feng family head.
Feng Yue’s growing favouritism towards Feng Qing in later years stemmed from recognising that only Feng Qing had the shrewdness, competence, and ferocity of a true Feng family heiress.
Sadly, the daughter Feng Yue cherished most, the one she tirelessly tried to protect and strengthen, ultimately did not share her heart.
Sometimes, Zheng Hua wondered: if the housekeeper hadn’t swapped their daughter back then, and Feng Qing had grown up by their side, could Feng Qing’s abilities have withstood the major families of Wan City?
One thing was certain: even if Feng Qing couldn’t hold her own, she wouldn’t treat her parents and brother the way she did now.
“That Fang fellow is unfathomable; we can’t even gauge the extent of his capabilities,” said Zheng the Second.
Zheng the Third added, “No matter how capable he is, he’s still just one man. Everyone has a weakness. If we scheme carefully, we’ll find a way to strike. Even if we can’t take him out, getting Feng Qing to send him away, even for a day or two, would give me an opening.”
Everyone agreed that luring Fang Yao away from Feng Qing’s side was the easier option.
Thus, the four Zheng men gathered, quietly plotting how to remove Fang Yao to make their move against Feng Qing.
Meanwhile, the Feng family’s grand residence in Jiang City was bustling with activity.
Feng Qing had invited many of the clan’s elders to dine at the mansion.
Some feared Feng Qing might stage a trap like her mother once did, aiming to eliminate them.
But when they heard Hai Ling had begun moving into the Feng family residence and would soon be the head of the family, the clan members felt reassured enough to attend the banquet.
The main purpose was to discuss with the clan elders and choose an auspicious date for Hai Ling to officially take over as the Feng family’s leader.
In truth, the real decision-makers were still Feng Qing and Hai Ling.
However, as Hai Ling was newly appointed, she needed to show some goodwill, making the clan elders feel respected and valued as seniors.
In the past, Feng Yue would make decisions unilaterally, sending someone to inform the clan elders, who would then relay the news to the younger generation.
Occasional family meetings were held, but they were mere formalities. The elders could make suggestions, but Feng Yue never heeded them.
The clan elders had long been sidelined under Feng Yue, their words carrying less weight than those of capable younger members.
Hai Ling, at least, made an effort to keep up appearances, hosting them for a feast and sending them off with generous gifts.
Everyone in the clan received gifts, though those for others were distributed through the elders’ registration and allocation.
After all that had happened, the Feng family members had long seen the truth.
No matter who rose to power, it would never be their collateral branches.
Only if the main line died out or failed to produce a daughter, leaving no heir, would a girl from a collateral branch have a chance.
In over a century of tradition, the Feng family’s main line had never failed to produce an heir.
Hai Ling was divorced and had only a son.
But she had remarried the previous year, and at just over thirty, she could still bear children if she wished.
To secure an heir, Hai Ling would surely try for a second child, hoping for a daughter.
Since power was beyond their grasp, the collateral branches figured they might as well take advantage of Hai Ling’s early days, when she needed to win hearts, to gain some benefits.
After all, Miss Feng Ying in Wan City was not short of money.
The Shang family’s wealth far surpassed that of the current Feng family.
The family banquet lasted until eleven at night.
After seeing off the attending clan members, Hai Ling and Feng Qing, slightly drunk, sat on the sofa, both leaning back against its cushions.
