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The marquis’s reminder made her remember that she had come to pray to the Buddha for a child. She chuckled, “Oh, I got so anxious, I forgot. Thank goodness Chu Lang reminded me…”
Seeing that marquis Chu had already walked away and didn’t spare another glance at Chen Feng, she caught up with him and they disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Once they were out of sight, Chen Feng felt as if she had come back to life. Her legs were still trembling, and she was covered in a cold sweat.
Dabao and Lu ran over, crying. They had been held by the two guards and dared not run over. The guards only released them after the princess had left.
Chen Feng comforted them, “It’s okay, I’m fine. Let’s go and pray to the Buddha, asking for blessings for your uncle’s safety and well-being.”
Since the princess had been persuaded to leave, she still wanted to pay her respects to the Buddha.
The two children wiped their tears and took Chen Feng’s hands, walking towards the main hall.
After entering the main hall, they prayed to the Buddha, asking for the safety and reunion of Wang Cheng and the well-being of their family. The kids also prayed for Chen Feng to find a good husband. Afterwards, she donated fifty taels of oil money, with another fifty to be donated to Yingshuan Monastery.
As they left the main hall, a guard approached Chen Feng and asked, “Have you met Master Chu?”
Chen Feng nodded and asked, “What’s the matter?”
The guard took out a small pouch and said, “This is a little gift my lord is sending to Young Miss Chu. Could you please pass it on for us?”
Chen Feng hesitated about whether she should pass on the item. She could sense the Chu family’s grudge against the princess and Chu Lingxuan’s resentment towards his father. However, Marquis Chu had just saved her earlier…
Seeing Chen Feng hesitating, the guard urged, “Miss, this is just a small gift my lord is sending to his granddaughter for the New Year. Please, I’m short on time.”
Concerned that he might lead the princess’s people back to her, Chen Feng quickly accepted the pouch. She planned to hand it over to Chu Lingxuan when she returned to Tangyuan and see how he handled it.
Chen Feng and her group left and boarded the carriage, heading towards Yingshuan Monastery.
As the carriage entered Yingshuan Monastery, Chen Feng, who had been tense the entire time, finally relaxed.
Stepping down from the carriage, she lifted Dabao in her arms and saw Chu Lingxuan hurrying over. He had been waiting for them and was about to go to Lingyin Temple to meet them.
Relieved to see them return, he inquired, “Is everything alright after so long?”
Before Chen Feng could respond, Dabao burst into tears and ran to tug at Chu Lingxuan’s clothes, saying, “Mom almost got hit by that princess, Dabao is scared. Waaah…”
As Dabao cried, Lu also began crying. The two children were frightened, but had the sense not to cry loudly in the temple. Perhaps they also knew it wasn’t safe there, and that crying loudly might cause trouble. Seeing someone who could protect them, they both cried out.
Chu Lingxuan picked up Dabao and urgently asked, “Did you really encounter that woman? What happened?”
Chen Feng held the sobbing Chen Lu and briefly recounted what had happened.
Chu Lingxuan suppressed his anger and muttered, “Despicable.” Then, feeling guilty, he said to Chen Feng, “It’s my lack of foresight. I was worried that person might recognize my guards, so I only sent two guards from Tangyuan to accompany you. They don’t know how to protect someone, lack the ability to adapt, and have caused you distress.”
The two guards, terrified, quickly knelt down and begged for mercy.
Seeing this, Chen Feng hurriedly said, “It’s not their fault. I asked them to protect the children. Besides, they were powerless in that situation.”
Chu Lingxuan coldly snorted, “In that situation, one of them should have gone ahead to scout, while the other should have been by your side at all times, preventing you from encountering those people. They lack even the most basic ability to handle situations. Clearly, I haven’t misjudged them.” He then turned to the kneeling guards and said, “This time, Ms. Chen has spoken up for you. When you return, each of you will receive twenty lashes. If there’s a next time, you’ll be beaten half to death and sold off directly.”
The guards thanked Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng, then left.
Feeling guilty for the trouble she caused them, Chen Feng was deeply remorseful.
As they were discussing, the old marquis approached and inquired, “What’s going on?”
Chu Lingxuan briefly explained, and the marquis’s expression darkened. He said, “Let’s discuss this matter at home. Don’t let your mother hear about it and be upset.”
Chu Lingxuan nodded, comforted the children, and told them not to mention the incident in front at the moment. He accompanied Chen Feng and the children to the main hall to offer prayers to the Buddha, and then donated fifty taels before heading to Abbess Lao Chen’s meditation room at the back of the temple.
Yingshuan Monastery was relatively compact in layout. After passing through three grand halls and crossing a stone bridge, they arrived at a sea of flowers. It was the season of blooming plum blossoms, with hundreds of plum trees in full bloom, creating a magnificent spectacle. Along the flower path to the left was a tranquil courtyard, which was Abbess Lao Chen’s meditation room. Even before entering the courtyard, their ears were filled with the delightful laughter of a child and the Abbess’s soft voice, along with the sound of children playing.
Upon hearing those two voices, Chu Lingxuan’s tense expression relaxed.
After entering the courtyard, Chen Feng, Dabao, and Lu paid their respects to Abbess Lao Chen. The little girl, Hanyan, crawled over to Chen Feng, calling out, “Auntie, auntie.”
Abbess Lao Chen smiled and said, “Yanyan is getting better and better. Thanks to Ms. Feng’s excellent care. Thank you, Feng.”
She addressed Chen Feng more informally. After sizing up Chen Feng, she smiled warmly, and her radiant smile instantly brightened Chen Feng’s calm face. Abbess Lao Chen said, “I’ve only worn this outfit a few times. It fits Ms. Feng perfectly and looks good on her. I’m giving it to Ms. Feng. Please don’t mind this old outfit.”
Chen Feng understood that people in ancient times were different from modern people. In modern times, it was not customary to give away used clothes, as it might be considered impolite. However, in ancient times, if an elder gave their used belongings or clothing to a younger person, it was an expression of closeness and fondness.
Moreover, in ancient times, it was considered disrespectful to refuse a gift from an elder. She also thought that, maybe it’s because Marquis Chu saw the outfit she’s wearing and is very familiar to him that’s why he looked at her.
She smiled and said, “Thank you, Abbess.”
Abbess Lao Chen then said to Chu Lingxuan, “Ms. Feng has a similar body size to mine. When you go back, find that fur coat and give it to her. It has been sitting at the bottom of the trunk for a long time.”
Chu Lingxuan smiled and nodded in agreement.
Feeling embarrassed, Chen Feng said, “I can’t accept this.”
Abbess Lao Chen replied, “I have already become a nun, and I no longer need those things. Originally, I was planning to…” She paused, swallowed her words, and continued, “Gifts cannot be refused.”
Chen Feng could only accept with a smile.