“Can the people who used to serve by Mother’s side still be found?”
Feng Jinxuan inquired as she walked forward.
Only then did Lingchan confirm that her young mistress had truly awakened.
Even after eight years of being mentally impaired, her temperament had not changed in the slightest.
She hurriedly replied, “Some were sent away to the manors, while others found excuses to leave the estate. Only about thirty percent remain in the mansion now.”
“Summon them all back.”
Feng Jinxuan lifted her gaze to look ahead. “My courtyard has been left uninhabited for years; it’s time for a thorough cleaning.”
“Yes.” Lingchan responded, then turned and beckoned to an elderly woman who had been discreetly following them from a distance.
The old woman quickly stepped forward and bowed to Feng Jinxuan. “This old servant greets the Eldest Miss.”
“You are Granny Zhang, the one in charge of the gardens.”
Feng Jinxuan recognized her at a glance.
After all, the original host’s memory was excellent, especially regarding those who had secretly helped her all along.
Yet even so, the original host could not escape death.
Feng Jinxuan understood deeply that within the Duke’s estate, dangers lurked everywhere, and many wished for her demise.
Granny Zhang and Lingchan went off to summon the people.
Yingge, meanwhile, followed Feng Jinxuan back to her courtyard.
At this moment, Old Madame was leaning on the soft couch with a gloomy expression.
“By my reckoning, the Princess should be returning to the capital soon.”
“Her Majesty’s birthday is next month.” Madam Yun cautiously glanced at Old Madame. “And now, after that fall into the water, she has regained her senses.”
“She truly has a tough fate.” Old Madame murmured. “For now, keep her steady. We must not arouse the Princess’s suspicions.”
“What about Nanny Chen?” Madam Yun looked at Nanny Chen, who was still kneeling.
“There are still many of her informants within the estate. We cannot go too far and must give her an explanation.”
Old Madame spoke slowly and deliberately.
Clearly, Nanny Chen was not one of her trusted confidantes, so she felt no heartache over her.
Madam Yun pursed her lips and then withdrew, taking Nanny Chen with her.
“Madam, after I am gone, you must take good care of yourself.”
Nanny Chen knew her fate was sealed and gave her final, worried instructions.
Madam Yun clutched her handkerchief. “I will see to it that your family is well taken care of.”
Nanny Chen performed a deep bow to Madam Yun, then turned and dashed her head against the banyan tree nearby, dying on the spot.
Madam Yun fought back tears and ordered Nanny Chen’s body to be carried away.
Nanny Zhou cautiously reminded her from the side, “Madam, the young cousin lady is still in the Purple Bamboo Courtyard.”
“Oh no, we must go there quickly.”
Only then did Madam Yun react and hurriedly made her way toward the Purple Bamboo Courtyard.
Meanwhile, Yun Nishang, who was residing in the Purple Bamboo Courtyard, was reading a book in the garden.
Her maid, Huanyue, had just received the news and rushed over in a panic.
“Young Miss, something has happened.”
“Hmm?” Yun Nishang looked up at her, puzzled.
“Madam sent word that the Eldest Miss has awakened and is returning to live here. She told us to move out.”
Huanyue said breathlessly.
Yun Nishang paused, then smiled self-deprecatingly. “After all, we are living under someone else’s roof. Very well, let’s pack up and move out.”
“Young Miss, are you just going to endure it like this?”
Huanyue stopped, filled with indignation.
“This was never my courtyard to begin with.”
Yun Nishang was keenly aware of her purpose for coming to the Duke’s estate and thus wished to avoid causing any trouble.
Just then, Feng Jinxuan had already arrived at the courtyard gate.
She did not enter but stood outside the courtyard, quietly observing the scene within.
Yingge had longed day and night to return here.
Now, overwhelmed with emotion, she looked inside with tears in her eyes.
“Eldest Miss, we’ve finally come back.”
Feng Jinxuan spoke calmly. “What is this cousin lady’s name?”
“I believe it’s Yun Nishang.” Yingge was taken aback for a moment before replying.
Yun Nishang…
She seemed to have heard that name somewhere before.
Ah, yes. After her body was forcibly seized by the Transmigrator, she had been trapped inside the Bronze Mirror for a full twenty-three years, and she knew everything that had happened afterward.
The Transmigrator had mentioned Yun Nishang—her greatest romantic rival and the Destined Male Lead’s white moonlight.
While Feng Jinxuan was lost in thought, Yun Nishang had already tidied up and stepped out.
The two of them locked eyes, sizing each other up.
Yun Nishang had been staying at the Duke’s residence for nearly half a year, remaining secluded in her courtyard without ever venturing out, keeping an exceptionally low profile.
The reason she was staying here was to accompany Madam Yun into the palace next month for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration.
Little did she expect that the Duke’s residence’s formerly foolish eldest young lady had regained her senses.
However, she had no intention of making an enemy of Feng Jinxuan, so she offered a half-curtsy and said, “Cousin.”
“Cousin Yun.” A flicker of cunning flashed in Feng Jinxuan’s eyes as she responded with a deep smile.
She remembered now—next month, during the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration, the Transmigrator would take the opportunity to eliminate Yun Nishang while also turning herself into that man’s white moonlight.
How could she possibly let the Transmigrator have her way?
Yun Nishang was taken aback, not expecting Feng Jinxuan to treat her so kindly.
“Cousin, rest assured, I haven’t touched anything in the courtyard,” Yun Nishang replied gently.
Feng Jinxuan gave a slight nod. “I imagine Second Mother will arrange a new residence for you.”
Yun Nishang smiled faintly and walked past her.
By the time Madam Yun arrived, Yun Nishang was already heading toward her.
Feng Jinxuan had already strode into the Purple Bamboo Courtyard.
“Aunt.” Yun Nishang approached her and spoke softly.
“I’ve let you suffer,” Madam Yun said, stroking her cheek with a pained expression.
Yun Nishang shook her head. “Cousin is kind and didn’t give me any trouble.”
Madam Yun paused. Based on what she knew of Feng Jinxuan’s temperament, she would have expected a huge scene—at the very least, driving Yun Nishang out and putting her in her place.
But this…
Madam Yun glanced suspiciously at the courtyard before collecting herself and leading Yun Nishang away.
Yingge looked around the courtyard—clean and tidy, without a trace of disorder, just as it had been when she left.
She sighed in relief. “Thank goodness the young cousin isn’t the kind to put on airs.”
Feng Jinxuan looked at her. “We need to thoroughly clean every corner of this courtyard, inside and out.”
“Yes.” Yingge lowered her eyes in acknowledgment.
Half an hour later, Lingchan returned with the others.
Feng Jinxuan greeted them one by one—most were familiar faces from her memories.
She knew these were all people her mother, Princess Mingyang, had specifically left for her.
Tomorrow was the anniversary of Princess Mingyang’s death, and she had other plans.
Did they really think she would obediently stay in the residence just because they forbade her from leaving?
After Lingchan finished taking inventory of the courtyard’s belongings, she handed the list to Feng Jinxuan.
“Eldest Young Lady, everything is accounted for.”
“Come with me to Old Madame’s small storeroom.”
After freshening up and changing her attire, Feng Jinxuan left the courtyard with Yingge and Lingchan.
By the time they reached Old Madame’s small storeroom, Nanny Zhao was already waiting.
Feng Jinxuan took out the key, and Nanny Zhao received it with both hands before unlocking the storeroom door.
“Eldest Young Lady, please.” Nanny Zhao stood respectfully to the side.
Feng Jinxuan raised an eyebrow and strode in with an air of authority.
When she emerged, two additional chests followed behind her.
Nanny Zhao dared not utter a word. After taking inventory, she could only watch as Feng Jinxuan took them away.
And what she took were all treasures Old Madame had collected, including many left behind by her mother years ago.
Nanny Zhao watched Feng Jinxuan leave, then hurried off to report to Old Madame.
“What?”
Old Madame sat up in shock, looking at Nanny Zhao with disbelief.