"Prime Minister, please remember," Granny Yun replied calmly.
Feng Yuanping exchanged a few more pleasantries before leaving sheepishly with the disheveled Madam Sun.
"Thank you very much for your help this time, Granny," Feng Jin said with great humility. If not for Granny Yun's presence, she would have had a lot of trouble dealing with those two.
"You are too kind, Young Madam. The Empress Dowager had long anticipated that they, having controlled the former Madam's dowry for many years, would not willingly hand it over, which is why she sent me. What we didn't expect was that they would even resort to forging documents."
Granny Yun also admired this couple, truly birds of a feather, capable of any despicable act.
What they did back then was even more disgraceful.
Feng Jin let out a cold哼 in unison, "Colluding evildoers, birds of a feather, they certainly won't give it up easily."
Even the betrothal gifts from the Ling family, Madam Sun wanted to embezzle and use as Feng Ruoyan's dowry.
He Miaoming's dowry of a million, anyone would covet it. Madam Sun likely had her eyes on the dowry the moment she entered the Feng family.
This time, they certainly didn't expect the Empress Dowager to bring up the old matter, forcing them to hand over the dowry.
The ruby coronet was crudely made, likely rushed by Madam Sun. Otherwise, given Madam Sun's nature, she would never have made such a mistake.
"What they did to Madam He back then was even more despicable, but the heavens' net is vast and its meshes are wide. These two will surely face retribution sooner or later."
As Granny Yun said this, a deep resentment flashed in her eyes.
Hearing this, Feng Jin's eyes tightened, and she looked at Granny Yun.
"I was young back then, and I only vaguely remember my mother weeping and sighing day after day. Even my younger brother followed our mother. Granny, can you tell me what exactly happened back then?"
Feng Jin only had fragmented memories of the original host. Before the original host's consciousness faded, she specifically instructed her to seek revenge, but she needed to know the truth of the matter.
Granny Yun sighed softly, and distant memories welled up in her heart.
"I watched Miaoyou grow up. She was the only legitimate daughter in the He family, doted on and cherished. Before her coming-of-age ceremony, noble lords and officials seeking her hand would break down the doors of the He family. But Miaoyou disdained them, calling them arrogant and relying only on the glory of their ancestors."
"Who would have thought this girl fell in love at first sight with Feng Yuanping, the third-place scholar that year. They began to meet in secret. Paper could not wrap fire, and their affair was discovered by the Grand Tutor He. He forbade their contact and confined Miaoyou to the mansion. Who knew Feng Yuanping would send people to widely publicize Miaoyou's affair with him? Miaoyou's reputation was ruined. To protect Miaoyou's reputation, Grand Tutor He had no choice but to agree to the marriage."
"At the wedding, she was given a dowry of a million. After marriage, Feng Yuanping doted on Miaoyou and treated Grand Tutor He with great respect, thus leveraging the He family's influence to rise in his career. After Grand Tutor He passed away, the He family declined, and He Hong was sent to a distant post."
"Feng Yuanping's hypocritical face was revealed. He had been involved with Madam Sun before marriage and even had a daughter. After the He family lost power, he brought Madam Sun into the mansion to favor her exclusively. Miaoyou had always been simple-minded and, under Madam Sun's schemes, was placed under house arrest by Feng Yuanping. She was depressed day and night, and ultimately, both mother and child perished, a tragedy of two lives."
A wave of desolation washed over Feng Jin, and a tear dripped from the corner of her eye. This was the original host's emotion.
"After my mother passed away, did anyone from the He family intervene? I was sent to the countryside by them. Why did no one ever look for me?"
She asked this question involuntarily. These were the things the original host wanted to ask most. Alone in the countryside, suffering all sorts of humiliation, yet none of her maternal relatives extended a helping hand.
"When your maternal uncle learned of your mother's death, he rushed back to the capital overnight. By then, your mother's body had been hastily buried by the Feng family, and you were nowhere to be found. They publicly claimed you had a severe illness and were sent to a manor in the countryside to recuperate. Despite extensive inquiries, there was still no news of you. The Empress Dowager also dispatched imperial guards to search, but there was no news for over a decade."
"It wasn't until the Ling family sought a bride from the Feng family to bring good fortune to the young general that it was discovered after marriage that it was you who had married into the Feng family."
Feng Jin lowered her eyes, "I was raised by them in a farmer's household in the mountains. I tried to leave, but even the path out was guarded. Every time I ran, I was beaten, again and again..."
The painful memories of the original host surged forth. Feng Jin felt them deeply, recounting the events little by little.
"Feng Yuanping is truly detestable, hiding you in the mountains and only saying you went to the manor. No wonder the people sent out had no news of you."
No wonder they couldn't find her. It turned out Feng Yuanping was using diversionary tactics, spreading false information.
"Granny, after you return to the palace, please convey Feng Jin's thanks to the Empress Dowager. She has worried about Feng Jin for years and has meticulously planned for her sake. Feng Jin will remember her great kindness and do her utmost to assist with the Second Prince's affairs."
"Old servant, I have noted it all. Young Madam, this token is from the Empress Dowager for you. With this token, you may freely enter and exit the imperial palace. Please visit the Empress Dowager often when you have time; she is very lonely."
The Empress Dowager, in order to protect the Emperor's throne, had been decisive and ruthless, even exiling her own maternal relatives to remote regions. In her twilight years, only the Emperor would visit her regularly to pay his respects.
Before, the Second Prince kept her company and amused her. After the Second Prince fell into trouble, she shut herself in her mansion, making the Empress Dowager even lonelier.
"Feng Jin remembers."
"Everything has been handled. It's getting late, and this old servant must return to attend to the Empress Dowager."
"Granny, I'll see you out."
As Feng Jin stood up, Granny Yun gently pressed her arm, "You are now the Princess of Jianing, personally enfeoffed by the Emperor. You are the master, and I am the servant. There is a vast difference between us. If you see me out, it will be a laughingstock to outsiders. Please let your maid see me out."
"Cai Qing, see Granny out."
"Yes, Young Madam. Granny, please."
After Granny Yun left, Feng Jin ordered a servant to sort the dowry and place it all into the storeroom of the East Courtyard.
"Young Madam, we can't fit any more. All six storerooms are full."
"They're already full, and there's still more than half of the dowry with nowhere to put it," Feng Jin complained. "These storerooms are too small. Please make two more rooms available."
"Yes, Young Madam."
Ling Mohan returned from the training grounds and heard the sounds of banging and crashing. As he stepped into the East Courtyard, his eyes fell upon the mess scattered everywhere.
The items from the study had all been moved out and were strewn about haphazardly.
"What are you doing?"
The man's voice, dark and tinged with anger, rang out.
The servants, who were holding items, simultaneously put them down and stood awkwardly to the side.
"Who told you to stop? What are you looking at him for? Don't forget who pays your monthly wages. Anyone who slacks off today will have their wages halved."