Feng Jiu strolled through the courtyard to aid her digestion, calculating the time. Had it been over half a month now? They should be returning soon. She wondered if those little ones had grown more skilled since leaving. After taking a sip of tea while pacing, she decided to head to the front courtyard. With the head of the Song household absent, and since this was Mi'er's family, though the Song clan elders were present, Feng Jiu felt it would be better to pay a visit, especially considering the gentle nature of Lady Song. As she made her way to the front courtyard, chaos reigned at the main gate of the Song residence. The middle-aged gatekeeper lay sprawled on the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Several Song family guards were locked in a fierce scuffle with the intruders' own guards. Though swords and blades weren't drawn, and no lives were lost, the force behind each punch landed squarely on its target. Those hit hard enough might not be fatally wounded, but they certainly wouldn't escape with minor injuries. "Cease this at once!" A furious voice cut through the air, and both sides immediately halted their fighting. All eyes turned to the beautiful woman stepping forward. The Song family members, recognizing her, instantly stepped back to make way, bowing in unison. "My lady." Lady Song's expression darkened slightly. She stepped forward, her gaze fixed with anger on the group ahead: "Who are you? Forcibly entering my residence and injuring my household staff—do you intend to make enemies of the Song family?" Even someone of gentle disposition now carried herself with the authority of the patriarch, her voice firm and commanding. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶 "Heh heh, Sister-in-law, please calm your anger!" A man in his forties chuckled, his gaze lingering on Lady Song with a subtle appraising glance. His smile broadened as he said, "It was truly the servants' misconduct that led to the altercation with your household staff. This was not my intention." His words trailed off as he observed Lady Song, her face flushed crimson with fury, anger blazing in her eyes. He offered an apologetic tone, "The blame rests squarely on my shoulders for failing to discipline my servants properly, allowing them such audacity. I shall personally address this matter with you, My Lady." With that, he moved swiftly, drawing the sword from a guard's sheath beside him. With a sharp whistling sound, the blade sliced clean through the guard's arm. "Aah!" The piercing scream jolted everyone present. As they watched the scene unfold, the expressions of the Song family members shifted noticeably. This man had acted without hesitation, and his first move was to sever a guard's arm. It must be said, such a resolution did extinguish the smoldering anger in their hearts. The guard whose arm had been severed let out a piercing scream of agony before collapsing to his knees under the force of the blow. The severed limb rolled to his feet. Clutching the bleeding stump with his remaining hand, his face drained of color. He dared not utter another sound, instead bowing his head. His voice trembled with restraint as he pleaded, "Please, Lady Song, calm your anger." Lady Song had never imagined this man would suddenly sever the guard's arm. She too was stunned, watching the scene unfold, momentarily speechless. Not far away, Feng Jiu leaned against the wall, observing the scene before her. Her gaze flickered especially when she saw the middle-aged man strike and sever the arm of the guard beside him. It was unclear what she was thinking as she stood there, watching silently. While the expressions of the Song family members shifted slightly, the group standing behind the middle-aged man showed not a flicker of change, as if they were utterly accustomed to such violence.