“The eldest young lady has taken the Luo Shen Painting.”
Nanny Zhao looked at her with concern, handing over the list of items Feng Jinxuan had taken.
After reading it, Old Madame felt her vision darken and a sharp pain in her chest.
“What a calamity.”
Nanny Zhao quickly steadied her. “Old Madame, most of these items were left by the princess.”
Old Madame held her forehead, letting Nanny Zhao soothe her.
Even so, ever since Feng Jinxuan had become mentally impaired, these things had been kept with her, and over time, she had come to regard them as her own.
Now that they had been taken back, it was only natural to feel displeased.
But then she thought, as long as that girl was gone, these things would still be hers. It was just a matter of letting her hold onto them for now.
Old Madame consoled herself, took a deep breath, and her expression returned to normal.
“Never mind, as long as she likes them.”
The way she said it made it sound as though the items had originally belonged to Old Madame, and now Feng Jinxuan had taken them, it was merely a grandmother indulging her granddaughter.
Nanny Zhao dared not reply. She had just received another message and added, “Old Madame, the eldest young lady has called back all the servants who used to serve in her courtyard.”
“It’s fine.” Old Madame raised an eyebrow. “The useful ones have already been dismissed, and those left won’t cause any trouble.”
Nanny Zhao then reported that Madam Yun had taken Yun Nishang back to her own courtyard.
Old Madame closed her eyes, lost in thought.
The next day.
Feng Jinxuan rose early, dressed in plain clothes, and went to pay her respects to Old Madame.
Yingge and Lingchan followed behind her.
Over the years, she had only seen Old Madame two or three times. Clearly, aside from those her mother had left behind, no one else cared whether she lived or died.
When Old Madame saw Feng Jinxuan coming to pay her respects, she was momentarily taken aback.
“Now that this girl has awakened, she’s become sensible.”
After all, even when Princess Mingyang was alive, Feng Jinxuan had never been this diligent in paying her respects.
Her temperament had been spoiled and domineering since childhood, and she had caused quite a bit of trouble outside. If not for that, she wouldn’t have been neglected by everyone except the Princess Royal after she became mentally impaired.
Even the palace only made a token inquiry, and that was out of respect for the Princess Royal.
Everyone had long forgotten her, and some even wished she would remain mentally impaired until she disappeared.
Jiang Mo, who had become Feng Jinxuan, was well aware of the original host’s temperament. Coupled with the overwhelming hatred she had harbored over the years, her own nature had long since changed.
And since she had become Feng Jinxuan, no one would suspect anything.
Now, she was Feng Jinxuan.
Upon entering Old Madame’s courtyard, she curtsied. “Your granddaughter pays her respects to Grandmother.”
“You look much better.”
Seeing her attire, Old Madame remembered what day it was.
She had forgotten—it was the anniversary of Princess Mingyang’s death.
Madam Yun had also arrived early, dressed in simple and elegant attire.
As the second wife, and given the noble status of the first wife, she naturally could not be negligent.
After all, the princess represented the dignity of the royal family, and even in death, she could not be disrespected.
Moreover, the Princess Royal was still alive and would be arriving in the capital next month.
Now that the mentally impaired Feng Jinxuan had awakened, Madam Yun was still considering whether to send someone to inform the Princess Royal, hoping to curry favor.
Feng Jinxuan sighed. “Perhaps my mother, in the afterlife, pitied me and allowed me to awaken just before her anniversary.”
As she spoke, she took a jade pendant from her bosom and gently caressed it.
“Last night, I dreamed of Mother. She said she missed me.”
While speaking, she waved the pendant a few times before Old Madame.
Old Madame found the pendant glaringly bright and suddenly remembered something, her face also showing sorrow.
“It seems our Feng family simply lacks such fortune.”
Madam Yun stood to the side, while Feng Jinxuan remained seated instead.
Where was the dignity befitting the mistress of the Duke’s household?
Yet there was no other way—who could blame her for her maternal family’s lack of support?
She watched curiously at the jade pendant in Feng Jinxuan’s hand.
At this glance, her eyes filled with astonishment.
Blood Jade?
It was an item reserved for imperial use.
She had heard that there were only two such Blood Jade pendants—one with the Princess Royal and the other in the Empress Dowager’s possession.
Now, even Old Madame’s imposing presence seemed diminished.
She had never imagined that this pendant would be in Feng Jinxuan’s hands—a true miscalculation.
Next, Feng Jinxuan stated her intention to leave the estate personally to pay respects to her mother. Old Madame, constrained by the pendant, had no choice but to agree.
After Princess Mingyang’s passing, the Princess Royal was overwhelmed with grief and thus petitioned for Princess Mingyang to be buried in the imperial mausoleum.
Over the years, the Duke’s household had only set up a memorial tablet for worship. With the Princess Royal still alive, the necessary formalities had to be observed.
With this pendant in hand, how could Madam Yun dare to speak out of turn?
After leaving Old Madame’s quarters, Feng Jinxuan had already instructed Lingchan the previous night to prepare offerings, and the carriage had been arranged accordingly.
She gave a slight curtsy to Madam Yun before departing with her attendants.
As the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s household, Jiang Mo had always been meticulous in etiquette. Now, as Feng Jinxuan, treating Madam Yun in this manner could be considered granting her the respect she deserved.
Madam Yun had long heard of Feng Jinxuan’s temperament since childhood but never expected her to treat herself this way.
Old Madame watched Feng Jinxuan leave and sighed helplessly, “With this unruly temperament, who knows what trouble she might stir up this time.”
Madam Yun lowered her gaze without a word.
Since Feng Jinxuan had given her the respect she deserved, she was not foolish enough to invite trouble.
After all, even the Duke himself would flinch at the mention of this daughter, fearing to offend her.
Madam Yun pretended not to hear and simply stood aside, waiting for Old Madame to speak.
Feng Jinxuan boarded the carriage, her eyes gleaming coldly.
Today was the anniversary of Princess Mingyang’s death and also the birthday of her mother… the Prime Minister’s wife.
In previous years, she would accompany her mother to Ciyun Temple to pray for blessings. But ever since her body was taken over, she could only watch helplessly as the Transmigrator accompanied her mother instead.
Several times, her mother had sensed something amiss with Jiang Mo. Fearing exposure, the Transmigrator had even taken action against her mother.
Coincidentally, Princess Mingyang had also enjoyed visiting Ciyun Temple during her lifetime, and she now had a reason to go there.
The Duke’s household’s eldest daughter being mentally impaired was common knowledge, but the news of her recovery had not yet spread.
Yingge had not left the estate for a long time and now found everything fresh and new.
“Miss, shall we go to Ciyun Temple first?”
“Yes,” Feng Jinxuan nodded.
“Should we send word to the Princess Royal about your recovery?”
Yingge asked cautiously.
“No need. Someone will eagerly deliver the news for us.”
Feng Jinxuan replied leisurely.
“Miss, I still find it hard to believe.”
After all, her young mistress had been mentally impaired for eight years. To suddenly awaken, with a temperament both familiar and yet different—
Yingge felt somewhat dazed for a moment.
Feng Jinxuan was well aware of Yingge’s thoughts. She raised her hand and tapped the small table—a habit she had always maintained.
Then, tilting her head slightly, she revealed a faint, mischievous, and unrestrained smile. “You little girl, are you itching for a spanking?”