Three days after the ceremony, Feng Muqing packed unhurriedly. As she watched box after box of valuable items being loaded onto carriages, a pang of pain clutched her heart.

"Qingqing, do you like these things?"

With a deep sigh, Feng Muqing replied, "The Prime Minister's Mansion shouldn't be gifted with so many treasures."

It wasn't that she cherished these worldly possessions. The thought of giving them to the Feng Clan filled her with unease.

Such a waste!

"Actually, I don't mind accepting these items."

Her gaze flitted back and forth with the boxes, and she lamented.

"Why must they be sent? When I was at the Prime Minister's Mansion, I didn't see any valuables, let alone receive them."

Jun Ruye gazed at the childlike Feng Muqing, feeling a wave of satisfaction.

"I frequently send gifts to the Prime Minister's Mansion as a show of support for you."

"It's not worth it. Maybe we shouldn't. I don't care about such honors. My reputation isn't that good anyway. We shouldn't favor the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Rendered speechless by Feng Muqing's words, Jun Ruye pondered for a moment and then decisively agreed.

"What you said made sense." Turning to the servants, he ordered, "Bring the items back inside."

Looking at his master, who had already lost all restraint, Mo Ying felt embarrassed.

His wise and mighty master was completely enthralled by the princess.

However, the people at the Prime Minister's Mansion indeed weren't worthy of these good things.

By the time Feng Muqing and the others set off, the sun had already risen high in the sky.

The commoners and merchants on the streets whispered upon seeing the carriages of the Regent's Manor.

"Isn't today the day when the Princess Regent visits her family? Why haven't we seen any reciprocal gestures?"

"Yes, indeed. There's just a lone carriage. Could it be that the princess has fallen out of favor?"

...

Such whispers reached the ears of the two occupants of the carriage.

"Qingqing..."

"You can call me Muqing." Feng Muqing cut Jun Ruye off before he could continue.

Ever since he started calling her Qingqing that day in the palace, he hadn't stopped.

But Feng Muqing didn't feel they were that close yet.

At most, they were just good friends.

His affectionate tone gave her goosebumps.

Jun Ruye felt a sting in his heart. "I like calling you Qingqing. You can call me Ruye. 'Lord' feels too formal."

Though Jun Ruye maintained his composure, his palms, resting on his knees, were sweating profusely.

Especially after she expressed her reluctance for him to call her so affectionately.

He desired to be closer to her.

"We are friends, right?" Fearful of her refusal, Jun Ruye hastily provided an excuse.

Hearing this, Feng Muqing nodded in agreement, no longer objecting.

It's just a title, after all. No matter what it's called, there's no need to be so pretentious.

Those who cultivate immortality do as they please.

"Rumors stop with the wise. Qingqing, you need not take those words to heart."

"Don't worry."

Seeing that she was unfazed, Jun Ruye relaxed.

Upon arriving at the Prime Minister's Mansion, they found the gates tightly shut. The presence of the Regent's carriages drew the attention of many onlookers.

Glancing at the closed gates, Feng Muqing chuckled. When she looked towards Jun Ruye beside her, their eyes met.

"It seems the Prime Minister's Mansion never welcomes me, no matter when."

"Mo Ying, break down the gate!"

Jun Ruye's face was as dark as ink, and he pushed his way out recklessly, radiating an intense coldness.

Upon his order, Mo Ying conjured a flame in his hand and hurled it toward the main entrance of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Bang!

The main door crashed down, raising a cloud of dust.

The noise outside disturbed Feng Tianling inside the manor, and a group of people rushed hurriedly toward the main entrance.

Seeing the fiery red figure standing outside, Feng Tianling was momentarily stunned, not understanding the situation.

Not until he saw Jun Ruye seated in a wheelchair did his face turn pale in shock.

"I was not aware of your arrival. I apologize for not welcoming you earlier, Regent." Feng Tianling stepped forward to apologize.

Jun Ruye gave a cold snort. "It seems the Prime Minister's Mansion does not welcome me and the princess."

Princess?

Feng Tianling looked incredulously at the woman in fiery red.

Could she be the Regent's beloved?

Examining her closely, Feng Tianling realized the woman looked somewhat familiar, but her presence was truly beyond his memory.

"Who might this young lady be?"

Feng Muqing couldn't help but laugh. How negligent could this father be, not recognizing his own biological daughter right in front of him?

"Prime Minister Feng, you have a bad memory. It's only been three days, and you no longer recognize me?"

"What? You are Feng Muqing?!" Feng Tianling exclaimed.

No wonder she seemed familiar. Half of her exposed face was similar to Lan Jingrou, and the exquisite mask covered the areas marred by black marks.

In just three days, Feng Muqing had completely transformed. It was no wonder he couldn't recognize her.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Before Feng Tianling could recover from his shock, he was harshly slapped three times by Mo Ying.

"How dare you call the Princess Regent by her name." Jun Ruye spoke indifferently.

Feng Tianling immediately realized his mistake.

"It was my oversight. My apologies, lord and princess."

"Since Prime Minister Feng doesn't welcome me and the princess, we will take our leave."

"Lord, my apologies. Please come in." A thin layer of sweat appeared on Feng Tianling's forehead.

As the head of all officials, if the emperor heard about this incident, how could he stand his ground?

Jun Ruye walked past Feng Tianling straight into the Prime Minister's Mansion. Feng Muqing met Feng Tianling's somewhat frightened eyes and smiled meaningfully.

There was no rush. They had plenty of time.

"You two can chat. I'll take a stroll." Feng Muqing casually spoke and walked away without any reluctance.

Jun Ruye indulged in a smile. But as soon as she disappeared around a corner, his smile faded, and he was back to being the indifferent Regent.

Feng Muqing walked leisurely in the backyard, looking around. The servants she encountered on her way ran away at her sight. She couldn't help but shake her head in amusement.

Although her life in the mansion was less than ideal, it wasn't chaotic.

"Is that the Eldest Young Lady? She has become so beautiful."

"There are many good things in the manor. She must be very favored by the lord. In just three days, she's transformed. If you didn't tell me, who would believe she's the Eldest Young Lady from Beiyuan."

Slowing her steps, Feng Muqing overheard the maidservants' gossip.

She had originally intended to find out where Feng Wanwan was, but she hadn't expected to hear them talking about her instead.

Since she couldn't find Feng Wanwan's whereabouts, she decided to brazenly flaunt herself, confident that Feng Wanwan would come to her.

"Feng Muqing!" A furious shout nearly pierced Feng Muqing's eardrums.

A delicate figure rushed toward her, with her maidservants struggling to keep up with her pace.

Seeing Feng Wanwan, joy lit up Feng Muqing's face.

She knew that Feng Wanwan wouldn't miss any opportunity to assert herself.

Seeing how confident and lively she appeared, it was clear that Feng Tianling had offered her many treasures.

"Now, I am the Princess Regent. You, a mere legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion, dare to act so impudently."

Only when she got closer did Feng Wanwan notice Feng Muqing's transformation. Her once dull skin was now smooth and fair like a peeled eggshell. The mask not only hid the terrifying black marks but added a touch of charm.

"Hmph, even a wild chicken wants to become a phoenix." Feng Wanwan stared intently at the exquisite Nirvana Flower mask and said through gritted teeth.