“Madam Jiang, there is no need for such formality.”
Princess Le’an said gently.
However, her gaze remained fixed on Feng Jinxuan, who was approaching slowly in the distance.
Jiang Mo noticed this and looked over as well.
Feng Jinxuan’s eyes inadvertently met Jiang Mo’s, but she merely passed by with indifference.
She absolutely must not let this Transmigrator detect any hint of suspicion.
After all, in the world of Transmigrators, the concept of rebirth was believed to be real.
This was precisely why, after becoming Feng Jinxuan, she had not felt surprised—it stemmed from the Transmigrator often boasting to her reflection in the Bronze Mirror about the novel wonders of her own world.
Jiang Mo had not expected the eldest daughter of the Duke’s household, Feng Jinxuan, to be so strikingly beautiful.
Especially her innate air of unyielding pride—something Jiang Mo felt she could never hope to match.
Princess Le’an sneered at Feng Jinxuan, “You’re not an idiot anymore?”
“Disappointed, are you?” Feng Jinxuan replied with a light laugh.
Princess Le’an raised an eyebrow, her expression tinged with displeasure.
Feng Jinxuan merely gave a slight nod to the Prime Minister’s Wife before walking past Princess Le’an and leaving Ciyun Temple.
She still had to proceed to the imperial mausoleum to pay respects to Princess Mingyang.
The Prime Minister’s Wife watched as Feng Jinxuan departed.
Princess Le’an, however, turned and chased after her.
Once outside the temple gates, Princess Le’an swiftly moved to block her path.
A horsewhip appeared in Feng Jinxuan’s hand, which she toyed with casually.
Princess Le’an was all too familiar with this horsewhip—back in the day, she had been struck by it.
Even after all these years, seeing it again now made her back twinge with phantom pain.
Feng Jinxuan mocked, “After all these years, you still seem quite nostalgic for this whip.”
Princess Le’an lifted her chin, “Don’t get too smug.”
“You’re still as childish as ever.”
Feng Jinxuan gave a disdainful smile and turned to board her carriage.
Unable to contain her anger, Princess Le’an tried to push her while her back was turned and her guard was down.
Unexpectedly, Feng Jinxuan spun around, swinging the horsewhip in her hand as she did so.
“Ouch!”
Princess Le’an’s outstretched hand was struck by the whip before she could withdraw it, and she grimaced in pain.
Feng Jinxuan laughed heartily, “Not just childish, but just as foolish as ever.”
Princess Le’an endured the pain, glaring at her furiously.
After boarding the carriage, Feng Jinxuan asked cheerfully, “How does the whip feel?”
Before Princess Le’an could respond, the carriage curtain fell, and the vehicle slowly departed.
For some unknown reason, the Prime Minister’s Wife felt a twinge of melancholy as she watched the receding carriage.
Princess Le’an also climbed into her carriage in a huff and left.
Inside her carriage, Feng Jinxuan’s mind was filled with images of her mother being affectionate with that Transmigrator.
Irritated, she tossed the horsewhip aside, accidentally knocking over the teacup in her hand as well.
Yingge assumed her young mistress was still angry with Princess Le’an and dared not approach to console her.
By the time they reached the imperial mausoleum, it was already dark.
After alighting from the carriage, a cold wind rustled, lifting the hem of Feng Jinxuan’s skirt.
For some reason, she felt hesitant to move forward.
After all, she was not the real Feng Jinxuan, and a sense of guilt lingered within her.
She was nothing like that Transmigrator, who could seize another’s body and claim it as her own without a second thought.
Even going so far as to believe that being chosen for this body was a great fortune for its original owner.
Once again, thoughts of her mother surfaced, and she forcibly suppressed her turbulent emotions, proceeding inside.
As night had fallen, she could only rest outside the hall for the evening and enter the following day.
Lingchan had long since arranged everything, but that night, Feng Jinxuan slept restlessly.
In her dream, a woman appeared dignified and noble, with a touch of aloofness, yet when she looked at her daughter, her gaze was gentle and doting.
This was Princess Mingyang, slowly approaching her, who was somewhat bewildered.
For some reason, when she tried to speak, no sound came out.
When she awoke, her hand felt icy cold.
She opened her palm to find a green jade pendant lying there.
This…
She suddenly remembered that this was exactly what Princess Mingyang had worn at her waist in the dream.
What on earth was happening?
“Eldest Miss.”
Yingge entered carrying a copper basin.
Seeing Lingchan approach, Feng Jinxuan picked up the jade pendants. “This was in my hand when I woke up.”
“Didn’t this go with the Princess?”
Lingchan was astonished.
Feng Jinxuan shook her head. “I don’t know either.”
Lingchan frowned. Last night, she had kept watch outside the chamber without leaving for a moment—not even a fly could have entered.
Yingge also looked surprised. “This servant stayed by Eldest Miss’s side the whole time. No one came near.”
This truly was strange.
Just then, an elderly maidservant appeared outside.
After tidying herself up, Feng Jinxuan followed the maidservant to Princess Mingyang’s mausoleum.
It was only after they had left the imperial tombs that the maidservant turned and departed.
Feng Jinxuan kept her eyes fixed on the jade pendants in her hand. “Let’s keep it for now. Perhaps it’s Mother watching over me from heaven?”
Lingchan and Yingge dared not say more.
After all, the matter was far too peculiar.
Upon returning to the Duke’s residence, Feng Jinxuan went straight to her own courtyard to rest.
Half a month passed peacefully like this.
One day, Lingchan hurried inside.
“Eldest Miss, the Princess Royal has sent a letter.”
Feng Jinxuan took the letter from Lingchan and read it carefully, her brow slightly furrowed. “Grandmother has fallen ill again on her journey back to the capital. I’m afraid she will arrive later than planned.”
“Eldest Miss, with the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaching and the news of your recovery already spreading,”
Lingchan watched her cautiously, “even if the Princess Royal is delayed, you must still enter the palace.”
“Mm.” Feng Jinxuan nodded. “Is there any news from the palace?”
“Yes.” Lingchan leaned closer. “This time, they will take advantage of the Empress Dowager’s birthday to select consorts for several princes.”
“I meant from within the palace.”
Feng Jinxuan was well aware of this matter, as Jiang Mo had also gained great fame during this very banquet.
“Eldest Miss, the person you mentioned has also fallen ill.”
Lingchan looked at her and said.
“Ill?” Feng Jinxuan frowned. “Perfectly fine before, why would she fall ill?”
“This servant doesn’t know either.” Lingchan shook her head. “Matters within the palace, this servant dares not inquire too deeply.”
“I understand.”
It seemed some things had already begun to change.
Ever since Feng Jinxuan returned from the imperial tombs, the palace had received the news and specifically issued an edict for her to enter the palace to offer birthday congratulations.
Feng Jinxuan had stayed within the Duke’s residence these past days, causing no trouble outside and behaving quite properly.
Thus, opinions about her recovery varied widely outside, and clearly, some still did not believe it.
Old Madame dared not provoke the awakened Feng Jinxuan, allowing her to cause mischief within the residence as she pleased.
Madam Yun, preoccupied with Yun Nishang’s affairs and meticulously preparing, had no mind for it either.
In the blink of an eye, the Empress Dowager’s birthday arrived.
Feng Jinxuan dressed quite grandly and went early to Old Madame’s quarters to wait.
Madam Yun arrived with Yun Nishang in tow.
Feng Jinxuan’s eyes lit up at the sight of Yun Nishang’s attire.
Madam Yun indeed understood where Yun Nishang’s strengths lay, no wonder she could become the white moonlight in the mouth of that Transmigrator.
Even she couldn’t help but take a few more glances.
After all, everyone has a heart that appreciates beauty.