Chapter 214: Another Kind of Creature

Upon Dabao’s reminder, Chu Lingxuan withdrew his gaze, suppressing the tinge of regret in his heart and started eating with his chopsticks. Her culinary skills were truly remarkable, even the wontons were so delicious that he didn’t leave a single scallion behind.

Chu Hanyan pursed her lips and smiled, “Dad, Auntie’s wontons are the best, aren’t they?”

She looked so pleased as if she had made the wontons herself.

Chu Lingxuan nodded, cleared his throat, and then led the two children to the courtyard.

Chen Feng had already finished trimming the rose branches and had inserted them into a celadon vase, admiring it with satisfaction in the midst of the colorful clouds. The vase, plain and elegant, perfectly complemented the vibrant and fragrant roses.

Today, while tidying up the storeroom, she had come across this simple and pure-colored vase among several brightly colored ones, which she found unique and thought it would look good when filled with vibrant roses, so she took it out.

Eight or nine out of ten things in the storeroom were gifts from Chu Lingxuan, and this vase was one of them.

Chu Lingxuan came over and sat on another small stool beside her. He said, “A couple of days ago, I received letters from my third uncle and my frontier brothers. They searched everywhere, but didn’t find anyone named Li Gousheng.”

Despite Chen Feng’s preparedness regarding Wang Cheng, upon hearing this news, she couldn’t help but feel deeply saddened. She said softly, “Then, my little uncle…”

Chu Lingxuan comforted her, “Don’t be too upset, Ms. Feng, for now, no news might actually be good news. Since they even checked the list of fallen soldiers and didn’t find his name, it means at least he didn’t die in battle. They will continue to search to see if there’s anything they have overlooked.”

Chen Feng’s mood lightened, and she said, “Thank you, Mr. Chu.”

“Is a verbal thank you all you have to offer?” Chu Lingxuan’s tone had a hint of playfulness.

“Oh… how does Mr. Chu want me to thank you?” Chen Feng was a bit puzzled. His daughter stayed at their house for meals and lodging every day, and he often came over to eat and drink. Wasn’t she thanking him enough?

Chu Lingxuan pursed his lips and said, “It’s changing seasons soon. Ms. Feng, make me a summer garment.” After speaking, he blushed a little.

Chen Feng was taken aback, not expecting him to make this request. Doesn’t that seem unreasonable?

Chu Lingxuan looked at her probingly and asked, “What, is it not possible?”

“Uh, no.” Chen Feng quickly responded, “I’m just worried that my skills are not refined enough, and you might find them unsatisfactory.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Lingxuan took it as her agreement and suddenly smiled. He said, “Ms. Feng, you’re too modest. I believe there’s no one more skilled than you in making clothes, especially considering the garments you’ve made for Yanyan. My mother also praised you in the same way. She really appreciates your craftsmanship… You know my mother’s figure, so why not make her a plain garment? Also, in a few days, my third aunt will visit my mother at the temple, and she’ll make a point to come and see you too. She’s very kind, so don’t feel nervous when you meet her.”

Afterward, he got up and said to Dabao, “You’re going to school now. Let’s go, Uncle Chu wants to teach and see how much you’ve learned.”

The two children followed him to Dabao’s study in the east wing.

“Don’t be nervous?” Chen Feng was slightly bewildered. She carried the flower vase and went to the western room in the upper house, placing it on the tall table. She sat on the embroidered stool below the window, without turning on any lights, and pushed open the lattice window to look outside.

The sky had turned darker, and the red clouds in the west had all disappeared behind the mountains.

Autumn and Summer opened the birdcage on the veranda, and little Jin and about twenty other small birds flew inside, while the rest of the birds nestled among the branches and leaves of the trees. The courtyard suddenly became quiet, with occasional chirps from Qiqi, and Gray.

She saw the window in the east wing lit with orange light, with the silhouette of an adult and a child. First, the child was writing, then the figures of the adult and the child overlapped, indicating that Chu Lingxuan was teaching Dabao to write.

Chen Feng, with her life experience, naturally understood Chu Lingxuan’s intention. He had done so much for her, and the passion in his eyes indicated that it was definitely not just a superior-subordinate relationship.

It seemed to be ancient male chauvinism, not understanding a woman’s mind, expressing affection by making her do things for him and his mother. It was as if being able to make things for them was an honorable deed.

Furthermore, he mentioned that his third aunt would come to see her. Did that mean his third aunt was coming as an elder to visit her? But she was just a farmer’s daughter, plus the status of a Magistrate’s illegitimate daughter. How could she dare to make such an upward connection!

In her past life, Liu Xudong’s background was not as high as Chu Lingxuan’s, and his love, despite being subtly expressed, was much stronger. Yet in the end, she was heartlessly abandoned…

She was still willing to be his subordinate, and to be a teacher to Chu Hanyan.

Although deep down, she also wished for a man like Chu Lingxuan, who was assertive and willing to protect her, to rely on. When she was tired, she could sleep peacefully, without fear of being bullied or coveted.

However, this man wasn’t just assertive and protective, he was also handsome and of noble birth. However, what others perceived as his strengths were the very aura she couldn’t afford, one that could scorch her.

She feared that he might change his mind under external pressure, or, like Liu Xudong, all his love would be superficial…

She was confident in almost everything, except love, which she couldn’t fully fathom or understand.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, the sky was now filled with bright stars, resembling the glittering Milky Way resting quietly in the deep blue sky.

Matching social status, just like the Milky Way drawn by the Heavenly Queen Mother with a jade hairpin, completely separated the high-born prince and the Cinderella.

Suddenly, she thought of another kind of creature in this era—unable to be a wife, but could be a concubine.

He wouldn’t want her to become that kind of creature, would he? Thinking of this, she felt a shiver down her spine.

If that were the case, she wouldn’t see him again. She wouldn’t even see Chu Hanyan, especially since the little girl was already recovered from her illness.

Yet, if she refused, she might lose this powerful support.

Thinking of the malicious Old Lady Zhao, and Chen Shiying, who rejected his affection after accepting his money, Chen Yuhui and her mother, who wouldn’t consider her a family member no matter how much she did, and all the unknowns—she didn’t want to lose this support.

The best solution was to prevent him from bringing up the topic. Their relationship could return to the pure superior-subordinate dynamic they had before. However, this possibility was extremely slim.

As she pondered, the silhouette at the window disappeared, and the trio emerged from the east wing.

Dabao, excitedly, said in a loud voice, “Mother, Uncle Chu said I’m making great progress in my studies.” Not hearing Chen Feng’s response, he called out, “Mother, where are you? Uncle Chu and little sister Hanyan are leaving, we should see them off.”

How is this child so smart? Clearly, he’s not the brightest.

Chen Feng was infuriated but had to step out of the upper house.

The father and daughter walked ahead, with Dabao holding Chen Feng’s hand from behind as they left the courtyard.

When Chu Lingxuan stopped under a willow tree and turned around, he realized that the entrance of Fengyuan was empty, devoid of the two figures that had made him pause and look back.