Chapter 201: Vermilion Birthmark

On the evening of the twenty-fourth day, after Mrs. Wang had prepared Chen Ming’s things for his journey to Dingzhou, she handed a silver note to Chen Feng, saying it was the money for the investment in the restaurant.

Chen Feng refused to take it, and Chen Ming wouldn’t let her.

He said, “The ownership of that share is in my name, Chen Ming. I’m taking A’Feng’s two hundred and fifty taels of silver as a token of filial piety from my daughter. I’ll consider what to do with that money.”

Mrs. Wang’s eyes reddened as she said, “If the head of the household feels I shouldn’t accept that money, I’ll have someone return it to him.”

Chen Ming had always felt that Chen Feng shouldn’t have persuaded Mrs. Wang to accept the money. Not wanting Mrs. Wang to be upset, he hadn’t spoken up. He advised with mixed feelings, “I’m not saying this to you. Just consider that money as your dowry, to spend as you wish. My daughter’s filial piety is enough.”

Mrs. Wang replied, “My life is as simple as can be. How could I make use of that money?”

Chen Feng persuaded, “Mother, if Father doesn’t want to spend it, then let it be. You can use that money to buy property in the future, to leave for your younger brother. A mother’s dowry is meant to be passed down to her son.”

Mrs. Wang, feeling helpless, reluctantly put away the silver note. When Chen Ming left, she muttered to Chen Feng, “I still feel I shouldn’t have accepted that money. I have no use for it, and your father doesn’t want to use it. He might even hold it against me.”

Chen Feng whispered, “If you don’t accept this money, that person will feel indebted to you and will constantly want to make it up to you. Who knows what trouble that might cause. If that happens, Father will be even more upset.”

Unspoken was the notion that the things one doesn’t get are often the best, especially when there’s a certain emotional foundation. Even if Chen Shiying were truly with Wang, it didn’t mean they were the best match, nor did it guarantee their happiness would endure.

But at the peak of their relationship, someone intervened, causing their breakup. Wang suffered greatly, bearing a daughter with a sense of humiliation. Undeniably, Wang had become the vermillion birthmark on Chen Shiying’s heart.

Chen Shiying couldn’t let go of Wang, hoping she could have a good life, hoping to make amends. If Wang refused, Chen Shiying would be even more unforgettable, seeking to compensate in some way, and that would be distressing. It would bring turmoil to two families, and ultimately, Wang would be the one hurt.

Taking the money, they deceived themselves as a pseudo-sibling pair, silently wishing each other happiness…

Mrs. Wang sat by the window, gazing at the light green window paper, letting out a long sigh. Perhaps she was reminiscing about something from the past.

Chen Feng felt that intervening between them and insisting Mrs. Wang accept the money was the right decision. When money became involved, things lost their purity. Especially in the case of beautiful emotions, the introduction of money made them worldly.

It was better for them to have more worldly concerns and fewer obsessions with each other.

People inherently live in the mundane world, which is far more real than the white moonlight outside the window. That white moonlight might be beautiful and pure, causing many literati and lovers to express sorrow and nostalgia. But apart from evoking wistfulness, it didn’t serve a significant purpose.

What Chen Feng disliked the most was the historical figure, Lu Zhazha. He obeyed his mother’s command to end things with his cousin Tang Wan, and after that, they went their separate ways. But he insisted on writing a poem “Chai Tou Feng” for her, leaving Tang Wan hopeless, and she died within half a year.

If he truly had that sentiment, why didn’t he keep it to himself and let his cousin live a good life?

Early on the twenty-fifth day, Chen Ming, along with the steward Luo, took a horse carriage from Tangyuan and the main branch of Chen Family, took a cow carriage to Dingzhou Prefecture.

Zeng Shuang accompanied Chen Ming because he had previously served as the assistant steward of the General’s Office, with many acquaintances and connections who could help attract business for the restaurant.

Chen Feng asked the steward Luo to take two sets of clothes made by Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Gao, along with some dolls and forty clothes hangers to the Ni Shang Embroidery Workshop. She also conveyed to the Manager Luo that she was currently too busy and didn’t want to design or make clothes and accessories for the time being.

With so much silver in hand and the imminent harvest in the fields, she no longer needed to work for money. Giving a share to the main branch family, she no longer needed to help Mrs. Gao with chores.

The modern clothes hangers were convenient and space-saving, a gift for the Manager Luo.

After seeing them off, Chen Feng first visited Fengyuan. The landscaping had been completed, the furniture moved in, and Mrs. Zeng had been busy with chores like cleaning furniture, pasting window paper, along with finalizing the children’s playground. Moreover, Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu had already moved in at night.

Chen Feng had already decided to move on the twenty-ninth of this month, an auspicious day, and Chen Ming had promised to return.

Old Zeng led Shanzhi in cultivating the half an acre of land between Luyuan and Fengyuan. Chen Feng planned to use this land, along with a small piece behind Luyuan, for growing watermelons. Watermelons are best not rotated, so this year they would plant watermelons and vegetables the following year.

She had already diluted the swallow droppings in water and had it watered on the five acres intended for watermelon cultivation. She had reserved some for watering these two small plots of land.

After the visit, she offered some suggestions before taking Dabao to Tangyuan.

At night, after Dabao fell asleep, Chen Feng entered the space. It was past midnight, and the golden swallow could come out of the space.

Upon entering, she saw the golden swallow circling around the agarwood tree in an excited manner, paying no attention to her. She had intended to stay with it during this thrilling moment, but seeing it restless, she left the space and went to bed.

As Chen Feng slept soundly, she suddenly felt someone lightly scratching her face. Startled, she woke up and, in a daze, saw the golden swallow standing by her pillow, gently scratching her face with its wing, its mouth curved upward, eyes half-closed in a smile.

Delighted, she sat up, cradling it in her hands and softly said, “Golden Treasure, congratulations, you’ve finally seen the light of day.”

The golden swallow happily chirped, “Yes! I’m going to take a turn in the woods first, then I’ll come back to play with that stinky Dabao and my beautiful little sister Yan.”

With that, it flew to the door, opened it with its beak, and headed straight to the southern room. In an instant, the southern room was filled with excitement as Qiqi and Gray began yelling “Golden Treasure” and even Zhui Feng started howling. Then, they all flew out of the window, and even Zhui Feng followed.

In the courtyard, the golden swallow thoughtfully opened the gate for Zhui Feng, and the three birds and the dog headed west. Wangcai, upon hearing the commotion, also began barking.

By the time Old Zeng stepped out of the house, Chen Feng had already closed the door. Chen Ming, Mrs. Wang, and others, awakened by the noise, asked, “What’s going on?”

Chen Feng hastily replied, “Nothing. For some reason, Qiqi and Gray, along with Zhui Feng, ran out to play in the middle of the night.”

Returning to the room, she found Dabao still sound asleep.

Unable to sleep, Chen Feng knew that with the golden swallow, life would be even more colorful.