Old Madame Guogong couldn’t quite figure out what this girl was really thinking.
Had she truly awakened?
Or was she only half-awake?
She especially didn’t want Feng Jinxuan to cause a scene now, so she waved her hand dismissively. “Since Xuan’er is awake, she should return to her own courtyard.”
“Yes,” Madam Yun replied, lowering her gaze to suppress the displeasure in her heart.
Feng Jinxuan tugged at her sleeve absentmindedly, and with a sharp rip, the fabric tore.
She raised her arm, revealing a slender wrist. “Has the household fallen on hard times?”
“Ahem…”
Only then did Old Madame Guogong notice her attire, glaring at Madam Yun.
Madam Yun was about to explain, but Feng Jinxuan spoke first.
“I remember my mother left behind many fine things. Even though she’s no longer here, I shouldn’t be dressed like a beggar.”
Old Madame Guogong frowned deeply, turning her anger toward Madam Yun. “How have you been taking care of her all these years?”
Madam Yun lowered her eyes. “It was my negligence. Perhaps some careless servant grew lax.”
“Lax?” Feng Jinxuan scoffed. “Second Mother makes it sound so simple. I’d like to ask, which servant would dare be so negligent as to make the eldest daughter of the Guogong Manor dress worse than a beggar?”
As if prepared, Madam Yun turned to look at Nanny Chen, who was waiting nearby.
Nanny Chen hurried forward and knelt. “It was this old servant’s fault.”
“Fault?” Feng Jinxuan glanced at her sideways. “What have I eaten and used all these years since I moved to the side courtyard?”
“It was my oversight,” Nanny Chen quickly admitted.
“Does Grandmother truly care for her granddaughter, yet know nothing of this?”
Feng Jinxuan turned to face Old Madame Guogong.
Old Madame Guogong clutched her head and threw the teacup in her hand directly at Nanny Chen’s forehead.
“Wretched creature! How dare you withhold even the eldest young lady’s belongings?”
Nanny Chen’s forehead was cut open, tea and blood dripping down her face onto the floor.
Madam Yun also knelt.
“It was my failure in discipline.”
“Xuan’er, you may return for now. I will deal with this wicked servant and make sure you are avenged.”
Old Madame Guogong looked up, her voice gentle as she comforted Feng Jinxuan.
Feng Jinxuan lowered her gaze. “Very well. Grandmother must compensate me.”
“Of course,” Old Madame Guogong nodded.
Feng Jinxuan extended her hand. “Then Xuan’er will go to Grandmother’s small storeroom to pick out some useful things.”
“Go ahead.” Old Madame Guogong paused but still agreed with a smile.
She turned and gave Nanny Zhao a meaningful look.
Nanny Zhao obediently took the key to the small storeroom from her waist and personally placed it in Feng Jinxuan’s hand.
Feng Jinxuan gripped the key and glanced at the maid Lingchan, who stood silently in the corner.
“Grandmother, I’ll take this maid with me.”
Old Madame Guogong glanced over and nodded. “She was originally assigned to you. Take her if you wish.”
“Thank you, Grandmother.” A hint of satisfaction appeared in Feng Jinxuan’s smile.
Then, she looked at Madam Yun and grinned slyly. “Second Mother must return everything you’ve withheld from me over the years.”
“Rest assured, Xuan’er,” Madam Yun replied with a forced smile.
Only then did Feng Jinxuan leave, content.
Lingchan followed silently.
Once they were outside the old madame’s courtyard, she finally dared to speak.
“Young Miss, have you truly awakened?”
Feng Jinxuan nodded. “You’ve suffered all these years.”
Lingchan’s eyes instantly reddened. “Young Miss, you’re awake… you’re truly awake.”
Feng Jinxuan knew that Lingchan had stayed to serve in the old madame’s courtyard out of concern that the old madame might harm her.
Yingge spoke up at that moment, “Young Miss, are we really going back just like this?”