As the woman's retreating back came into view, Baili Ye found it difficult to conceal his thoughts, his gaze fixed on her.
It was clear that Feng Ninghe did not wish to linger with him.
But why had this woman's demeanor changed so drastically?
If Feng Ninghe were not about to be presented to Mo Zisang, he would have liked to question her attitude directly.
Inside the room.
Feng Tongtong was applying medicine.
Feng Guangyao had already retired for the night. Madam Zhang, her face contorted with anger, approached: "With the immortal Xu backing her, Feng Ninghe is truly arrogant. I clearly dispatched Nanny Qiu to take this lowly creature's life, yet Nanny Qiu has vanished without a trace, while this ungrateful wretch has returned unharmed."
*Bang bang...*
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
Upon receiving permission, a maidservant hurried in: "Madam, the Grand Elder has instructed that you must return the dowry of the Duchess of Zhenguo by today, or face the consequences."
The simple words struck Madam Zhang like a blow, making her grit her teeth so hard she nearly shattered them.
She had intended to delay and delay, hoping to eventually claim the dowry for herself.
"This damned slut!"
Madam Zhang could not help but curse, waving the maidservant away: "Tell the Grand Elder I will have the dowry sorted out today!"
After the maidservant retreated, Feng Tongtong paused in her actions and looked up at Madam Zhang: "Mother, why don't we give her a little less?"
Madam Zhang could not hide her vexation: "She has the dowry list in her possession, so we can't fool her. If anything is missing, who knows if she won't seize the opportunity to cause trouble."
Feng Ninghe was no longer the same person she once was. With the immortal Xu backing her, it was not easy to deal with her.
Mentioning Feng Ninghe, Feng Tongtong's eyes immediately filled with anger, and she gritted her teeth: "She's just relying on the immortal Xu's backing to flaunt her power. Unless this person is eliminated, my hatred will not be appeased!"
"Third Miss, the First Prince has arrived!"
Feng Tongtong's personal maid, Taohua, announced with excitement.
Upon hearing that it was the First Prince, Feng Tongtong could not conceal the smile in her eyes. With a charming smile, she eagerly stood up: "Let's go!"
As she took a step, she seemed to remember something and quickly reached for a veil to cover her face.
In the courtyard.
Baili Ye was waiting in the pavilion.
The maids promptly prepared refreshments and tea.
Seeing the tall, solitary figure in the pavilion, Feng Tongtong's girlish heart fluttered. She raised a bright smile and rushed forward: "Brother First Prince!"
Baili Ye turned his head.
Feng Tongtong, through some unknown means, now possessed a head of flowing hair. A light veil obscured her face, and a pink silk gown accentuated her slender figure.
Upon seeing Feng Tongtong, another figure involuntarily surfaced in Baili Ye's eyes.
In terms of appearance, Feng Ninghe was still the most beautiful.
A moment later, he lowered his gaze and took Feng Tongtong's hand: "It's good that your hair has grown back. Why are you wearing a veil?"
Feng Tongtong instinctively clenched her fists, a surge of anger rising within her, wishing she could tear Feng Ninghe apart.
She had spent a considerable amount of spirit stones and medicinal herbs, yet her hair had not grown back at all, forcing her to wear a wig.
Seeing Baili Ye's gentle and considerate demeanor, she found it difficult to dampen his spirits by revealing the truth.
Feng Tongtong suppressed her displeasure and looked at him pitifully: "First Prince, this is a long story, but ultimately, it's all Feng Ninghe's fault!"
Mentioning Feng Ninghe, Baili Ye's eyes involuntarily held a hint of cunning, and his voice deepened slightly: "Speaking of Feng Ninghe, I have something I wish to discuss with you..."
Feng Tongtong looked at Baili Ye with some surprise: "What does Brother First Prince wish to discuss?"
"My birthday is approaching. We must find a way to ensure Feng Ninghe attends the banquet."
Each word was spoken with absolute clarity by Baili Ye.
Feng Tongtong was perplexed: "Why must she attend the banquet?"
Baili Ye's eyes flickered, a few glints of light dancing within them: "It wouldn't be as entertaining without her. At the banquet, I plan to..."
Shi Wan.
No sooner had Feng Ninghe returned to Shi Wan than she received the dowry sent by Madam Zhang.
"Madam asked me to convey a message."
The maidservant who delivered the dowry was arrogant, her chin raised, and her eyes filled with intense disdain: "Madam says that living under the same roof, we must leave some room for maneuver. Otherwise, evildoers will face their own retribution."
The harsh words reached Feng Ninghe, who let out a low scoff: "Then please relay a message to Madam Zhang: the saying that evildoers will face their own retribution is quite reasonable. She should pay close attention."
The maidservant was enraged, her eyes widening as she pointed fiercely at Feng Ninghe: "What are you saying!"
Xiao Zhao suddenly darted out, swiping its claws fiercely at the maidservant.
With that swipe, two distinct claw marks appeared on the maidservant's face.
"Ah! How dare this beast act as a minion and publicly injure someone in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"
"I will definitely tell Madam!"
The maidservant, being a sensible person, knew she could not touch Feng Ninghe. She left, wiping her tears and sobbing.
They were convinced that Feng Ninghe was a useless person. If not for the protection of the immortal Xu, this woman would never have been so at ease.
Watching the maidservant's dishevelled departure, Feng Ninghe turned her gaze to the dowry before her.
As she looked at the chests of dowry laid out, a look of realization dawned in her eyes.
These dowries had finally returned.
One of the original owner's wishes was to reclaim her mother's dowry and prevent it from being encroached upon by outsiders.
Xiao Zhao, puffing out its round body, quickly leaped onto the dowry and began to paw at the list, counting the dowry items.
With the Grand Elder's order, Madam Zhang dared not falsify anything, and the dowry was not lacking in quantity.
Feng Ninghe then placed all these dowries into her spatial jade bracelet.
As she turned, she noticed the ginseng seedlings within the spatial jade bracelet.
"You've had enough to drink, haven't you?"
With that, she unhesitatingly pulled the ginseng seedling from the spiritual river.
Initially, the ginseng seedling had only two small tender leaves. Now, it had grown into a small root seedling, and even its leaves had expanded considerably.
"Whimper, I haven't had enough to drink yet." The ginseng seedling looked at her with teary eyes and tried to dart back into the spatial jade bracelet.
However, its head bumped squarely against the spatial jade bracelet.
Without Feng Ninghe's permission, it naturally could not enter the spatial jade bracelet.
"Ouch, ouch!"
The ginseng seedling bared its teeth and rubbed its wound with its two leaves.
Xiao Zhao rolled its eyes impatiently, casting a slightly displeased glance at the ginseng seedling and grunting.
A freeloader!
The ginseng seedling understood Xiao Zhao's words, feeling a little guilty yet mustering the courage to glare back: "This lord has a great purpose! How can I be a freeloader?"
Feng Ninghe lowered her gaze to the ginseng seedling: "Little seedling, I don't have any use for you right now. You can go wherever you please. If you keep drinking like this, you'll drain this entire spiritual river."
If Elder Xu hadn't said this thing was indeed useful, she wouldn't have kept it.
Perhaps if this thing were properly nurtured, it might actually prove useful.
The ginseng seedling became anxious: "Master, why don't you just recognize me as your spirit pet? I'm very useful, it's just that I haven't grown up yet, and with my small mouth, I can't drink much of the spiritual river."