The flagstone path was overgrown with dense wild grass, some of it reaching a person's height, making the courtyard instantly appear eerie. If it were night, Feng Jin would never have entered alone.
Taking two steps inside, she saw that the pavilion on one side, instead of holding tables and chairs, contained a wooden swing. Feng Jin's mind flashed with an image of a young woman playing with a girl.
It was then Feng Jin realized that the courtyard she was in was the very residence where He Miaoqing had once lived.
It made sense that after He Miaoqing's death, the original owner had been cast out to fend for herself in the countryside. Sun Shi had then quickly taken her place, and naturally, the servants who fawned over the powerful would no longer bother to clean this courtyard.
It had thus fallen into disrepair. Feng Jin touched the swing and a sudden pang of desolation rose within her. "When people leave, the warmth departs," she thought, perhaps this was what it meant.
After a moment's pause, Feng Jin walked into the house. The furnishings inside were exactly as she remembered, but all were covered in a thick layer of dust. Some furniture, aged and neglected, had even lost its paint.
The shelves on the back wall were filled with books. Feng Jin wiped away the dust and casually picked one up to flip through. She then discovered that some of these books were rare editions.
There were also several pieces of calligraphy and paintings, all precious items. It seemed He Miaoqing had been a talented woman in her lifetime. With her background, talent, and beauty, she should have had a brilliant life. Instead, she was wronged by Feng Yuanping, that scumbag, and met such a tragic end.
Putting the books back, Feng Jin's gaze swept over the dilapidated house. Her heart ached terribly, and tears began to fall.
Without lingering, Feng Jin left. She did not return to the banquet but took a detour to the study to find Feng Yuanping.
The moment Feng Yuanping saw Feng Jin, he was first surprised, then composed himself and asked, "What do you want with me?"
He did not believe Feng Jin had come simply to chat. If there were no pressing matters, Feng Jin would never have sought him out personally.
Feng Jin sat on a nearby chair and stated directly, "I just visited the courtyard where my mother used to live."
Upon hearing this, Feng Yuanping's hand, which held a scroll, tightened abruptly. His surprise was evident. He put down the scroll and his gaze fell on Feng Jin as he said in a deep voice, "That courtyard has fallen into disrepair. Why did you go there?"
How did Feng Yuanping know the courtyard was in disrepair? Had he been there too?
"I was just thinking of my mother, so I went to see it. The courtyard is completely different from when my mother was alive. When people are gone, warmth fades. Who remembers the departed? I just lamented that if my mother were still alive, it would not be like this, and I would certainly not be bullied and suffer these grievances."
Feng Jin's words were like knives, piercing Feng Yuanping's heart. A sharp pain shot through him, and He Miaoqing's voice and image flooded his mind.
He had dreamed of He Miaoqing more than once. In the quiet of midnight, he had sat alone under the moon, lost in longing. He had also thought that if he hadn't brought Sun Shi into their home back then, he and Miao Qing would not have ended up this way.
Their family would have been very happy. Their prematurely deceased son would also have grown up safely.
It was a pity that the past could not be revisited, and what had happened could not be undone. He was left alone with deep regret.
"I failed your mother, and I failed you."
This was the first time Feng Yuanping had revealed his true feelings to someone. His regret for Miao Qing was something that could never be mended.
Feng Jin looked at Feng Yuanping coldly. The person was already dead; what use was such deep regret and remembrance?
He had not treated her well when she was alive, and now that she was gone, he put on a show of deep affection for whom?
Wasn't He Miaoqing's death back then caused by him and Sun Shi together?
"My mother has been gone for over ten years. Even if you were to kill yourself right now, you could never find her again. Perhaps my mother knows in the afterlife and does not wish to see you, so Prime Minister Feng should not constantly dwell on my mother."
Feng Jin found Feng Yuanping's expression utterly detestable, her eyes aching from even a glance. She quickly turned to the main topic.
"Prime Minister Feng, I did not come here to watch your insincere displays of missing my mother. That courtyard was where my mother lived. It cannot be left to fall into such disrepair. Tomorrow, find some craftsmen to repair the courtyard. All the furnishings inside must be restored to how they were when my mother was alive."
"Naturally. This was my oversight. I will have people renovate the courtyard tomorrow, and I will certainly restore the original layout."
Feng Yuanping quickly promised. With the courtyard repaired, he would have another place to remember his late wife.
"Very well, thank you for your trouble, Prime Minister Feng. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."
After relaying her instructions, Feng Jin got up to leave, but Feng Yuanping called out to her from behind.
"In two days, it will be Miao Qing's death anniversary. I am preparing to hold a memorial service for her. Will you come?"
"I understand."
Feng Jin responded indifferently and left without looking back.
As the banquet was nearing its end, Feng Jin leisurely returned, much to Cai Qing's distress.
"Young Madam, where have you been? Why is there so much dust on your shoulder?" Cai Qing reached out and brushed the dust off Feng Jin's shoulder, muttering, "Young Madam, why did it take so long? Several young ladies have inquired about the skin-nourishing water. I only told them that its production is complex and not yet complete."
Feng Jin nodded slightly, "You are correct. If anyone else asks, just say the same thing."
After staying for a while longer and seeing some guests begin to depart, Feng Jin sat for a short while before rising to leave.
Inside the carriage, Feng Jin leaned back against the seat, her eyes closed as if dozing. As the months progressed, her body grew heavier.
Feng Jin moved around a little and felt completely exhausted, wishing she could spend half 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 swollen abdomen. These two little rascals were truly mischievous.
It was only a couple of days ago, when she took her own pulse, that she discovered she was carrying twins. Their heartbeats were both strong and vigorous. Judging by the pulse, they seemed to be boys.
"Young Madam, we have arrived."
After the carriage stopped at the Ling residence, Cai Qing carefully helped Feng Jin alight.
"Cai Qing, you've also had a long 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 Young Madam has slept."
"It's alright, go back." With Feng Jin's insistence, Cai Qing, after a few words of hesitant instruction, returned to her room.
Feng Jin had just sat down in her room when Ling Mo Han returned, "Did those noble ladies today beat up Feng Ruoyan?"