Mrs. Zhou smiled and said, "Grandmother, what good news have you, my second brother, and his wife heard? You look so much younger now that you're smiling."

Madam Feng smiled and said to Zhou, "I'm planning to stay at the estate in the suburbs of Beijing for a couple of days. I heard that it's very cool at the foot of the mountain there, and it's also close to the Great Buddha Temple. I can go to the Great Buddha Temple to burn incense and fulfill the wish I made many years ago."

Upon hearing the old lady say that she was going to the estate in the suburbs of Beijing, Zhou Shi did not show it on her face, but she kept frowning in her heart. As the matriarch of the family, whenever the old lady Feng went out, it was a big deal for the household. Not only did the servants around the old lady Feng take her things, but also all kinds of pills and medicinal herbs, for fear that something might happen on the way.

Zhou smiled and said, "Grandmother, what are you doing? Why do you suddenly want to go to the estate in the suburbs of the capital? I remember our estate is far from the capital, and there's nothing fancy nearby."

Madam Feng smiled and said, "The weather has been too hot this year. I've been getting a little impatient staying at home. I was thinking that in the past two years, I would go back to my hometown for several months at a time. Now that I'm old, going such a long distance would only be a burden on you younger generations. Luckily, the outskirts of Beijing are nearby, and I can make a round trip in a day. I think I should move around more while I can still move around. Otherwise, when I can't move anymore, it will be pointless to even think about going."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Grandmother, I'll make the arrangements right away. Please decide which day is suitable for our trip, and I'll have someone prepare everything in advance."

Madam Feng smiled and waved her hand, saying, "This time, I won't bring too many people. I'll just bring a few servants from my courtyard. It's too hot, and it's inconvenient for so many people to go."

Zhou nodded upon hearing this, took a perpetual calendar from a long table by the wall, presented it to Madam Feng, and said with a smile, "Grandmother, please take a look and see which day is suitable for the trip."

Madam Feng took the perpetual calendar, flipped through it for a while, pointed to the date three days later, and said, "This date is good, suitable for travel, let's choose this day."

Zhou smiled and agreed. Just then, the kitchen staff came to deliver the prisoner. Zhou helped Madam Feng set out the meal, then took her leave to prepare for Madam Feng's departure.

Looking at the old lady's enthusiastic expression, Feng Zhongyi was actually very reluctant for her to go, but the old lady insisted on seeing Wan'er, so what could he do?

It was only because the old lady was so heartbroken over the child that she revealed the whole story of how Feng Wan'er faked her death to escape. Who knew that the old lady's heart would be at ease, but she still insisted on seeing the child with her own eyes.

Looking at Feng Zhongyi and Shen Shi's expressions, Madam Feng said, "Looking back on my life, it hasn't been easy. When I was young, I was framed by my family. I was born into a prestigious family, but I ended up in the mountains and married a hunter. I refused to accept my fate and tried everything I could to send your father to school. I knew then that if I wanted to get out of that quagmire, my son's education and success was my only way out."

Madam Feng had never told anyone these things. Today, seeing that Feng Zhongyi and Madam Shen were upset about Feng Wan'er's situation, she wanted to tell them about her past.

Madam Feng sighed and said, "Your grandfather was a hunter. He spent three taels of silver to buy me back then, just so he could have a wife to live with and bear his children. I was only fifteen years old at the time. The marriage had just been arranged and the dowry had just been started. Who would have thought that I would have to marry a hunter? I had no choice but to marry your grandfather while crying. Fortunately, your grandfather was a reasonable man. After I had your father, he even allowed me to go back to the capital once."

The story of Madam Feng caused quite a stir in the capital back then. Madam Feng was the youngest daughter of her family and was pampered from childhood. She was betrothed to the youngest son of a family of equal social standing. However, after Madam Feng disappeared, her half-sister ended up marrying him in her place.

At that time, Madam Feng's mother was already terminally ill. Seeing her youngest daughter return home, she was naturally heartbroken. However, Madam Feng's father said that she was already dead and could no longer appear in public. Madam Feng knew that her half-sister, who was two months younger than her, had taken her place in the marriage, and she knew that her disappearance was not simple. But at that time, no one could stand up for her and seek justice.

Madam Feng was a woman of gentle exterior but strong interior. Because she died suddenly, all the dowry prepared for her was given to her half-sister. She told her father that if he did not give her the rest of her dowry, she would go to the Jingzhao Yin (prefectural governor) to beat the drum and appeal for justice.

Many people in the household said that Madam Feng had become extremely vulgar after spending so much time in the countryside. Madam Feng didn't want her family to send her to a nunnery to spend the rest of her life for the sake of the family's reputation. She still had a man and children, so there was still hope for the future.

After mustering her courage and having a fight with her family, Madam Feng used the dowry money her family had given her to buy several houses in the capital and two estates in the suburbs. She rented out the houses and hired people to manage the estates because she knew that she couldn't leave the capital with those silver notes. If anyone in the mansion leaked even the slightest hint, she would be met with a robbery and murder before she even left the city gates.

Madam Feng sighed and said, "Zhongyi, I'm telling you all this because I want to tell you that when things don't go your way, you must never give up. When I had a falling out with my family, I thought about how I had children. My children are intelligent and studious, and that is my hope, the hope I can't give up. I used the money I got back from my family to buy a house and land, and used the rent to support your father and his children. I even hired a famous doctor to treat your grandfather. I made what others considered the lowest of the low a life so that others envied me."

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