The flagstone-paved road was overgrown with countless dense weeds, some reaching about a person's height, which instantly made the courtyard seem gloomy. If it were night, Feng Jin would definitely not have entered alone.
Taking two steps further in, the pavilion on one side was not furnished with tables and chairs but had a wooden swing. An image of a young woman playing with a girl flashed through Feng Jin's mind.
It was then that Feng Jin realized that the courtyard she was in was the very residence where He Miaoqing had lived.
It was likely that after He Miaoqing's death, the original owner was sent to the countryside to fend for herself, and Madam Sun immediately took her place. Naturally, the servants who fawned over the powerful and looked down on the weak would no longer bother tidying up this courtyard.
It had naturally fallen into disrepair. Feng Jin touched the swing, and a sudden sense of desolation washed over her. "When the person is gone, the tea grows cold" – perhaps this was what it meant.
After a pause, Feng Jin got up and walked into the house. The furnishings inside were exactly as she remembered, but they were all covered in a thick layer of dust, and some of the furniture was so old that the paint had chipped off.
The shelves on the back wall were filled with books. Feng Jin wiped away the dust and casually picked one up to flip through, only to discover that some of the books were rare editions.
There were also several pieces of calligraphy and paintings, all rare items. It seemed He Miaoqing had been a talented woman in her life. Given her background, talent, and beauty, she should have had a wonderful life, but instead, she was let down by that scumbag Feng Yuanping and met such a tragic end.
She put the books back and her gaze swept across the dilapidated house. Her heart ached deeply, and tears began to fall.
Without lingering, Feng Jin left. She did not return to the banquet but turned a corner to find Feng Yuanping in the study.
The moment Feng Yuanping saw Feng Jin, he was first surprised, and then, regaining his composure, he asked, "What business do you have with me?"
He didn't believe Feng Jin simply wanted to chat with him. If there was nothing, Feng Jin would never have come to him personally.
Feng Jin sat on a chair to the side and got straight to the point: "I just visited the courtyard where my mother used to live."
Upon hearing this, Feng Yuanping's hand, which was holding a scroll, tightened abruptly. His surprise was evident. He put down the scroll and his gaze fell on Feng Jin, stating in a deep voice, "That courtyard has been abandoned. Why did you go there?"
How did Feng Yuanping know the courtyard was abandoned? Had he been there too?
"I was just thinking of mother, so I went to take a look. That courtyard is completely different from when mother was alive. When the person is gone, the tea grows cold; who remembers the deceased? I was just lamenting that if mother were still here, it would not be like this, and I would not be bullied and suffer these grievances."
Feng Jin's words pierced Feng Yuanping's heart like knives, causing a sudden pang of pain. He Miaoqing's face and voice constantly appeared in his mind.
He had also dreamt of He Miaoqing more than once, and in the quiet of the night, he had sat alone under the moon, missing her. He had also thought that if he hadn't brought Madam Sun home back then, he and Miaoqing would not have ended up this way.
Their family would have been very happy, and their deceased son would have grown up safely.
It was just a pity that the past could not be revisited, and what had happened could not be undone. Only he was left with endless regret.
"I wronged your mother, and I wronged you."
This was the first time Feng Yuanping had revealed his true feelings in front of someone. His regret for Miaoqing was irreparable.
Feng Jin looked coldly at Feng Yuanping. The person was already dead; what was the use of regretting and reminiscing now?
When she was alive, she was not treated well, but after her death, he put on a show of deep affection, as if for whom?
Wasn't He Miaoqing's death back then caused by him and Madam Sun together?
"My mother has been gone for over a decade. Even if you were to kill yourself now, you could never find her. Perhaps my mother, knowing this from the underworld, would not wish to see you. So, Prime Minister Feng, do not constantly think of my mother."
Feng Jin was extremely disgusted by Feng Yuanping's expression; looking at him any longer made her eyes ache. She quickly got to the main point.
"Prime Minister Feng, I did not come here to watch you feign sorrow for my mother. That courtyard was where my mother lived. It cannot be left to fall into disrepair like this. Tomorrow, find some craftsmen to repair the courtyard, and all the furnishings inside should be as they were when my mother was alive."
"Naturally. This was my oversight. I will have people tidy up the courtyard tomorrow, and it will certainly be arranged the same as before."
Feng Yuanping quickly guaranteed. After the courtyard was repaired, he would have another place to mourn his late wife.
"Very well, thank you, Prime Minister Feng. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
After conveying her instructions, Feng Jin got up to leave when Feng Yuanping suddenly called out to her from behind.
"In two days, it will be Miaoqing's death anniversary. I plan to hold a memorial service for Miaoqing. Will you come?"
"I know."
Feng Jin responded faintly and left without looking back.
As the banquet was about to end, Feng Jin leisurely returned, much to Cai Qing's anxiety.
"Madam, where did you go? Why is there so much dust on your shoulder?" Cai Qing reached out and brushed the dust off Feng Jin's shoulder, muttering, "Madam, why did you take so long? Several young ladies were inquiring about the skin-nourishing water just now. I only told them that the skin-nourishing water is complicated to make and not yet finished."
Feng Jin nodded slightly. "You are right. If anyone else asks you, just say that."
After staying for a while longer and seeing some people start to leave, Feng Jin sat for a short while before rising to leave.
Inside the carriage, Feng Jin leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes as if dozing. As the months progressed, her body grew heavier.
Feng Jin moved around casually, feeling utterly exhausted, wishing she could spend most of the day lying in bed sleeping.
Sometimes, Feng Jin suspected that the child in her belly was too lazy, making her feel tired even when she moved slightly.
Feng Jin couldn't help but place her hand on her bulging abdomen. These two little rascals were indeed mischievous.
It was only a few days ago when she had taken her own pulse that she discovered she was carrying twins. Both heartbeats were strong and vigorous, and judging by the pulse, they seemed to be boys.
"Madam, we've arrived."
After the carriage stopped at the Ling residence, Cai Qing carefully helped Feng Jin alight.
"Cai Qing, you've also been busy all day. You don't need to continue serving me. Go back to your room and rest."
"I'm not tired. I'll go back after Madam sleeps."
"It's alright, go back." At Feng Jin's insistence, Cai Qing gave a few more worried instructions before returning to her room.
Feng Jin had just sat down in her room when Ling Mohan returned. "Did those noble ladies beat up Feng Ruoyan today?"