Unexpectedly, by sheer coincidence, she learned the truth about what had happened back then. No wonder the original owner had such a deep obsession with the Third Prince. It turned out there really was a misunderstanding.
If Feng Manshu hadn't interfered, would the subsequent events have developed differently? Would the original owner's fate have been changed, and she wouldn't have ended up being poisoned?
However, judging from the Third Prince's reaction when he saw her, this matter was probably not that simple. If he really thought it was Feng Yunshu's fault, why would he repent and feel guilty?
The more Feng Yunshu thought about it, the more confused her thoughts became. She didn't really want to think about these things, but her brain seemed to be out of control. Most likely, it was the subconscious of the original owner acting up.
Tossing and turning for quite a while, Feng Yunshu finally fell asleep in a daze.
...
Early the next morning, Feng Manshu woke up. She was in a daze for a while before coming to her senses. The scenes from last night flashed through her mind. Terrified, she called for her maid, Baojuan.
"Baojuan, did you see anyone come in last night?!"
Baojuan shook her head in confusion. "No. Baojuan slept in the outer room all night. I didn't hear any strange noises, nor did I see anyone come in."
"Impossible! I clearly remember seeing Feng Yunshu's face last night. It was like a ghost coming to claim my life. It was right above my bed! She also said she would ruin me. This can't be a dream!"
Seeing Feng Manshu so certain, Baojuan asked all the nuns in Miaokong Nunnery, but they all said they didn't hear any strange noises last night. The nuns on night watch also said they didn't see any strangers come in.
"Second Miss, maybe you just had a nightmare. Don't think about it anymore... If you didn't rest well, you might as well light an incense to soothe your nerves and go back to sleep. You'll be fine when you wake up."
Everyone said she was just having a nightmare, so Feng Manshu began to doubt herself. Could it be that what she saw last night was just a nightmare?
Feng Manshu called for Nanny Chang and told the Eldest Lady about this, asking her to find out what was going on.
In the following days, Feng Manshu couldn't find peace.
She had been having nightmares for several nights in a row, and these nightmares were very real. Every time, it was like she was experiencing them in person.
She dreamed that she was being chased by Feng Yunshu. She dreamed that after becoming the Crown Princess, she was thrown into the Cold Palace and ended up in a very miserable situation. She dreamed that she was exiled to the border area and was molested by a group of rough and burly men on the way...
"Ah! Help! Save me!"
"Let go of me. Let go of me! I'm the most beloved second miss of the Prime Minister's Mansion. My father is the current prime minister, and my grandfather is the current grand councilor..."
"Second Miss, Second Miss, wake up quickly!" Baojuan's panicked and urgent voice pulled Feng Manshu out of the nightmare. As soon as she opened her eyes, she was covered in cold sweat. Her eyes were unfocused and dazed.
Seeing Feng Manshu in this state, Baojuan immediately sent someone to inform the Eldest Lady.
At that time, after the Eldest Lady sent the note out through Dongqu, she also received a reply. There were a few lines of small words on the note. "Rulan, don't worry. We will surely find the right opportunity to get rid of Feng Yunshu and Helan Yanting."
After reading the note, the Eldest Lady hadn't even had time to breathe a sigh of relief when she saw Nanny Chang walking over in a hurry with a complicated expression. "Eldest Lady, something has happened to Second Miss!"
"Manshu? What excuse is she making to come back to the mansion this time?"
Nanny Chang shook her head. "Eldest Lady, Second Miss is not making an excuse this time. That girl Baojuan said that Second Miss has been having nightmares for several days in a row, and her mental state is very dazed. She always says she is being persecuted..."
"What? Nightmares?"
The Eldest Lady frowned and tightly clenched the note in her hand with a solemn expression. "Immediately send a carriage to pick her up. I'll go and talk to the Prime Minister."
"Yes, Lady! This servant will go and do it right away!"
...
At this time, Yunshu Courtyard presented a scene of tranquility.
Seeing that there was still a large space in the courtyard and it was a waste to leave it bare, Feng Yunshu and Ziyuan reclaimed the land and planted some herbs.
Moreover, in order to better purify the air and help herself absorb purer spiritual energy from heaven and earth, Feng Yunshu also planted a lot of flowers and plants in the courtyard. She hired someone from outside to dig a pond and raise some fish and turtles.
In the past few days, she either fertilized and loosened the soil for the herbs, or fed the fish. Otherwise, she would sit on the swing under the tree, holding the little fox Ling in her arms and stroking its recovered fur.
While others stroked cats, she stroked a spiritual fox.
Seeing Feng Yunshu being so idle all the time, Ziyuan couldn't help but worry. "Miss, you're not going to just stay in the Prime Minister's Mansion like this and live such a... retired life, are you? The Helan Prince in the Prince's Mansion must be waiting for you to go back..."
Feng Yunshu looked up at Ziyuan and nodded seriously. "Yes, so what? Don't you think this kind of life is very comfortable and cozy? Look, I now have my own business outside and I'm not short of money. The Eldest Lady and Feng Manshu can't make things difficult for me either."
"But, Miss, don't you... miss the Helan Prince? After all, you two are newlyweds..."
Feng Yunshu suddenly looked at Ziyuan with a meaningful smile. "Are you worried that your miss misses the prince, or do you have some other purpose? For example... do you want to see Yan Qi?"
Ziyuan's face immediately turned as red as a tomato. She shook her head repeatedly. "M, Miss, where did you get that idea? Ziyuan doesn't want to see Brother Yan Qi!"
Seeing Ziyuan's shy look, Feng Yunshu suddenly had a feeling of worry that her own cabbage was about to be eaten by a pig.
"Ziyuan—" Just as Feng Yunshu was about to say something, Ziyuan quickly changed the topic.
"Miss, there's another thing you can't ignore anymore! The Eldest Lady is going to bring Second Miss back! I heard it's because Second Miss has been having continuous nightmares for several days and is in a daze."
Speaking of this, Ziyuan frowned. "I don't know if it's true or not. Maybe it's just an excuse for the Eldest Lady to get the Prime Minister to agree to Second Miss coming back to the mansion early. Anyway, the Eldest Lady and Second Miss always scheme against you secretly. They have very bad intentions!"
After hearing this, a thoughtful smile appeared on Feng Yunshu's face.
Seeing her reaction, Ziyuan suspected she was hallucinating. "Miss, why are you so happy after hearing this? Aren't you worried that they'll pull some tricks?"
"Hehe," Feng Yunshu smiled playfully and flicked Ziyuan on the forehead. "Silly girl, just pull up a small stool, bring some melon seeds, and wait in the front row to watch the good show. This show was carefully arranged by your miss..."
"Huh?" Ziyuan was stunned for a moment. After reacting, she opened her eyes wide. "So this matter is actually..."
Ziyuan silently pointed at Feng Yunshu, and Feng Yunshu nodded. "That's right. So all we need to do next is just sit back and watch."
Ziyuan half-understood and nodded blankly. "Okay, Ziyuan understands!"
To show her "concern" (gossiping and mocking), Feng Yunshu asked Ziyuan to carry some "tonics", and the two of them walked towards Fengxia Courtyard.
When they reached the courtyard gate, Feng Yunshu heard Feng Manshu's panicked screams coming from inside. "Get away! All of you get away! Don't come near. Please don't come near!"