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As soon as Chen Feng finished arranging the items in the house, a group of people from Tangyuan arrived with Chu Hanyan. Mama Song and Mrs. Wei, along with three children, went straight into the west wing, while Steward Luo and his wife, along with three other men, went directly to the main room.
For today’s feast in Luyuan, they had only invited the main house, a few relatives, and a few people from Tangyuan. Because Chen Feng had to look after Chu Hanyan and had no time to cook, she specifically asked Mrs. Gao and the two daughters-in-law of Grandpa San to help Mrs. Wang with the cooking.
Chu Hanyan was brought into the room by Mama Song, holding a red envelope in her hand. As soon as she saw Chen Feng, she handed over the red envelope and said, “Auntie, congra…tulations.”
Chen Feng joyfully accepted the red envelope and said, “Oh, my dear knows that Auntie is moving today and wants to give a red envelope. Thank you, dear, and Auntie also thanks you on behalf of my parents. You’re so thoughtful.”
Mama Song laughed, “As soon as she finished breakfast, she grabbed the red envelope. I said I’d keep it for her, but she insists holding it.”
The little girl pursed her lips, feeling a bit proud yet bashful, her dimples faintly visible.
Her adorable expression made everyone laugh. She felt embarrassed and quickly buried her head in Chen Feng’s embrace.
Chen Feng chuckled, “Let’s not laugh anymore. She’s feeling shy.”
Mrs. Wei hurriedly added, “Alright, alright, we won’t laugh anymore.”
The little girl wiggled her chubby body a few times, then finally lifted her head from Chen Feng’s embrace.
Mama Song discreetly slipped a red envelope to Chen Feng and said, “Just a little token of appreciation, don’t refuse it, Ms. Chen.”
Chen Feng, feeling a bit embarrassed, replied, “You shouldn’t have gone to any trouble. I thank you on behalf of my parents.”
Mrs. Wei didn’t come empty-handed either, as her husband, Mr. Luo, would be giving a gift to Chen Ming.
Chen Feng helped the little girl take off her red silk and rabbit fur-lined cloak and led her to the southern room. There, two braziers were lit, and thick door curtains hung, keeping it warm—specifically prepared for the children.
In the basin, the silver frost charcoal was sent over by Steward. Luo yesterday. He was concerned that the Chen family might purchase regular charcoal and cause discomfort to Chu Hanyan.
In the middle of the room, there was a large rectangular low table, surrounded by several low chairs. On the table, there was a pile of variously shaped and colored wooden blocks.
These were building blocks specially made by the carpenter, Wu, and dyed by Chen Feng herself.
For the past two months, the father and son pair from the Wu family had been making various items for the Chen family, from standard furniture to unconventional pieces, such as unusual ladders and house-like structures, as well as peculiar clothes hangers and wooden blocks of various shapes and sizes. They didn’t know what these things were for and found it strange, but with the high payment and steady business, they enjoyed the rush.
Seated on the small chairs with the three children, Chen Feng explained that these items were building blocks, which could be used to construct houses, tables, stools, carts, and wells, among other things. She then gave them a demonstration by building a small house.
Not only were Luo Mei and Luo Ming Cheng interested, but even Chu Hanyan’s eyes lit up, and she started playing with the building blocks.
As Chen Ming and the others entertained guests in the main room, Dabao and Lu, as members of the Chen family, heard that Chu Hanyan had arrived and quickly ran to the west wing.
Before she even entered the room, Dabao called out loudly, “Little sister Hanyan, little sister Hanyan.”
Chu Hanyan looked up and saw Dabao coming in, and she smiled shyly.
Chen Feng, Mrs. Wei, and Mama Song shared a smile, feeling that the little girl had made some progress.
Dabao sat next to Chu Hanyan, and they started playing together. The two parrots, unwilling to be left out, also hopped onto the table to seek attention. They would topple any structure that was built, using their beaks to knock them down.
Dabao, Luo Mei, and Luo Ming Cheng didn’t mind when their structures were knocked down, but when the little Yan’s “table” was destroyed, she burst into tears.
Annoyed, Dabao scolded the parrots, and threatened not to take them to Tangyuan the next day. The two little troublemakers then calmed down.
Just as they were playing, Chen Jue arrived with Dahua and Daya in the west wing.
Upon entering Luyuan, Chen Jue’s eyes widened. Previously, her family’s courtyard had been one of the best in Xiangluo Village. However, upon seeing Luyuan today, she was truly impressed. This large courtyard was not only more beautiful than her own, but even more splendid than the courtyards of the Hu family, Gao family, and Wu the Carpenter.
She had heard that Chen Feng and Chen Lu didn’t sleep on kang beds but on carved wooden beds, and she was envious. She had come specifically to see what kind of bed it was.
She first went to the southern room and saw three well-dressed, beautiful children. Especially, the little girl wearing a light yellow brocade jacket, was as lovely as a little fairy.
She guessed that this must be the legendary young miss of Tangyuan. Chen Feng had probably gained her favor, which was why the family had become prosperous.
Seeing Chen Feng bring Dahua and Daya to the table to play, Chen Jue also wanted to join in. Since Dahua and Daya were brought over by Chen Feng, Mama Song and Wei assumed they would sit close to Chu Hanyan. They didn’t let Chen Jue get close, especially since she seemed a bit willful and unstable.
They stopped Chen Jue, saying, “Young lady, don’t run around. If you disturb our little miss, that would be a mistake.”
Seeing that Chen Feng didn’t intervene, Chen Jue knew better than to make trouble, and reluctantly left the southern room.
Chen Feng followed and entered the main room.
Chen Jue complained, “Chen Feng, you’re my cousin. Can’t you help me when others are bullying me?”
Chen Feng chuckled and retorted, “You’re still calling me names every day. I almost forgot I had a cousin like you.”
Chen Jue huffed and turned towards the door. After pushing it open, she hesitated and then turned back, walking towards the northern room.
Upon entering the northern room, she finally saw the bed she had longed to see. The frame was carved with diamond-shaped blocks and floral designs, and it was adorned with a newly embroidered pine green canopy and bed curtains and a peach-colored embroidered silk quilt.
It was beautiful, like another world. Chen Jue stared at the bed in awe, her eyes turning red with envy.
In truth, the bed wasn’t exceptionally amazing—just ordinary wood, with a few carvings of flowers and birds. The canopy and quilt weren’t particularly exceptional either, just new and vibrant in color.
For Chen Jue, who had always slept on a traditional kang bed, it was the first time she had seen such a bed.
Chen Feng thought that Chen Jue could use some guidance, especially considering that both grandma Chen and Chen Ye were good people. She suppressed her annoyance and said, “One must create their own good days with their own hands. One needs to be diligent, use their wits, and be kind to others to create good opportunities and lead a good life…”