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Chen Jue rolled her eyes and retorted, “It’s easy to criticize when you’re not doing any work. Even if you work hard, without the backing of Tangyuan, you’d still be living in a thatched hut and sleeping on a kang bed.”
Chen Feng sneered, “I could secure the backing of Tangyuan because of my diligence, skillfulness, and ingenuity…”
Just then, they heard grandma Chen loudly calling out in the courtyard, “A’Jue, A’Jue, where have you disappeared to again? I’m busy today and waiting for you to start the fire.”
Chen Jue muttered under her breath, “She pokes at so many people in the main room, but always keeps an eye on me.”
Chen Feng said, “It’s for your own good. Sometimes, making others work is more tiring than doing the work yourself.” With that, she didn’t bother with her further and headed to the west room.
It was unclear whether Chen Jue took that to heart, but she left with a scowl on her face.
Afterward, Hu Laowu’s family, drawn by the aroma of the food, arrived, not wanting to miss an opportunity to flatter Steward Luo. Soon after, the carpenter Wu arrived with his son, Wu Changgen, his daughter-in-law, and Shitou.
Chen Ming welcomed both families who had come to offer their congratulations and quickly led them to the main room to sit.
As soon as Shitou arrived, Dabao pulled him to the west wing.
Wu’s daughter-in-law, being industrious, immediately went to the kitchen to relieve Chen Jue. Chen Jue, seizing the opportunity, pulled Hu Cuicui aside and began telling her about the exquisite appearance of Chen Feng’s bed, urging her to go and see it for herself.
Hu Cuicui didn’t budge. In her eyes, this place was just a bit larger than her uncle’s house in the county. The furniture and decorations were not as good, and she couldn’t see what was so special about that bed.
Glancing at the inexperienced Chen Jue, Hu Cuicui smugly remarked, “A’Jue, when I visit my uncle’s house in the county in the future, I’ll take you along. My cousin’s bedroom is truly exquisite and beautiful.”
Chen Jue couldn’t stand Hu Cuicui’s condescending attitude, but she had no choice. Besides this cousin, she didn’t have anyone else to confide in.
During the meal, three tables were set up in the main room—two for the men and one for the women and children. Additionally, there was another table in the east wing for Chen Feng and the children.
The meal was delightful with good wine and delicious dishes. Occasionally, Mrs. Hu couldn’t resist making some uncalled-for remarks. Whenever she did so, Chen Ye and Grandma Chen would glare at her, and even Hu Laowu would shoot her a disapproving glance. Although the youngest in the family, Hu’s sisters were afraid of him, and Mrs. Hu was no exception. Seeing that both her in-laws and her family’s head were displeased, she had no choice but to sullenly remain silent.
After the meal, Mama Song took a drowsy Chu Hanyan back to Tangyuan to rest, and Luo Mei, along with her brother, went home with Mrs. Wei. By the end of the afternoon, Chen Feng would head to Tangyuan for work. Now that the two families were close by, it would only take a short walk, about half an hour. To facilitate this, the path between the two houses had been smoothed and specially paved with gravel, all arranged by Tangyuan.
As the men in the main room finished their meal and the guests began to leave, Hu Laowu, walking at the rear, quietly told Chen Ming, “Brother Chen Ming, have you heard? The Wang family in Xianhu Village has encountered some trouble.”
Chen Ming was momentarily puzzled, then remembered that the Wang family he was referring to is his mother-in-law’s family. He hurriedly asked, “What happened?”
Hu Laowu chuckled, “It’s said that the family seems to have run into some bad luck recently. Old Lady Ding slipped and broke her leg while walking on ice, Wang Cai was assaulted one evening with a sack over his head, Old Man Wang was hit on the head by a falling stone, and inexplicable excrement and urine keep appearing in their yard. Also, their poultry randomly goes missing every now and then…”
Upon hearing this, Chen Ming bowed slightly to Hu Laowu and said in a low voice, “I see that Brother Hu enjoys drinking Xiaoyuanchun. I’ll send you a few more casks another day.”
Hu Laowu hurriedly replied, “I dare not. In the future, when brother Chen Ming hosts a banquet, just like Steward Luo, please remember to invite me as well.”
Chen Ming nodded in agreement.
Watching Hu Laowu gradually disappear, Chen Ming felt somewhat helpless. He used to detest people who sought advantage by currying favor, but now, in order to punish the even more unscrupulous Ding, he had to seek help from such a person…
Once the kitchen was tidied up, Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang came out and saw Chen Ming pacing in the courtyard, sniffing the air repeatedly.
Mrs. Wang chuckled, “What are you up to, master? You’re acting just like our Wangcai.”
Chen Ming laughed, “Wife, A’Feng, have you noticed? Our home is once again filled with a faint and familiar fragrance, just like the one in our old courtyard. I specifically checked yesterday, and there was no such scent. Yet today, it’s back. Our home is truly blessed.”
Mrs. Wang sniffed and joyfully agreed, “Indeed.”
Chen Feng also nodded with a smile. Earlier, when she drew water from the well, she had secretly tossed a small bark of agarwood tree, about the width of a finger, into it.
They all went to the west room in the main house, and seated themselves on the kang, sorting through the money and gifts they had received.
Relatives such as San Yeye presented either ten coarse porcelain bowls and twenty copper coins or a chicken or a duck. Chen Ye’s family gifted one hundred copper coins and ten catties of fine rice, while the old lady also gave four small porcelain bowls. Chen Ming felt extremely proud and delighted by his elder brother’s generosity.
Hu Laowu gave a one hundred copper coins, and the carpenter Wu’s family presented four intricately carved small wooden stools. Steward Luo gave a pair of large blue and white porcelain vases, which could be considered a generous gift. Others from Tangyuan gave two one-wen silver ingots each, while Chu Hanyan gave six two-wen silver ingots. Chen Feng handed over the red packets from Chu Hanyan and Madam Song to Chen Ming.
Chen Ming smiled and remarked, “Young miss Chu is considerate. Despite her young age, she understands the gesture of giving gifts.” He then looked at the large vases and said, “It would be a pity to use these vases in our home. I will have them taken to Fengyuan.”
Chen Feng chuckled and retorted, “Father is really acting like a small landlord. Don’t forget, you are still a scholar and appreciate elegance. Place one of the vases in the main room and the other in A’Lu’s study. I will bring back a few branches of plum blossoms from Tangyuan to arrange in them, for both elegance and fragrance.” She added, “There are still some items lacking at home. Once Lord Chu or Abbess Liao Chen returns, I will make a trip to the county town to procure them, and also prepare some New Year goods.”
Chen Ming hastened to say, “For the remaining items, let your mother handle the expenses. This household, including the land, house, and furnishings, has already cost you over sixty taels of silver. We can’t spend your money anymore.”
Mrs. Wang also agreed, “Yes, your father is right. When the time comes, you and I will go together, and I will pay.”
As it was almost time for work, Chen Feng went to the west room to wake up Dabao and brought out a basket filled with building blocks. Three sets of these building blocks had been made, with one set kept for their own use, and one each given to Tangyuan and the Yang family.
As they stepped outside, they saw Mama Song carrying Chu Hanyan, dressed in a red cloak, Mrs. Wei leading Luo Mei and Luo Ming Cheng, and two guards walking towards them.