Chapter 234: A Beautiful Address

The phrase “not fond of women” was said with a tinge of amusement. Chen Feng lowered her head, staring at the tip of her shoe.

The Seventh Prince, Li Zeyin, spoke up, “General Chu, I quite fancy this young lady by your side. I hope General Chu can let her go. Rest assured, I won’t let you suffer. I’ll send you four more stunning beauties.”

Chu Lingxuan’s expression darkened as he saluted loudly, “Your Royal Highness, please choose your words carefully. She is my unwed wife, and I won’t allow anyone to mistreat her.”

These words left the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince momentarily stunned. The Second Prince chuckled and said, “Unwed wife! Where did that come from?” He then pointed to Chen Feng and asked, “You, what is your name and surname, and what is your relationship to General Chu?”

Chen Feng bowed her head and knees, softly saying, “I am Chen Feng, General Chu’s unwed wife.”

The Second Prince still seemed skeptical. He then turned to Chu Lingxuan and said, “Before coming to Dingzhou, I met with Princess Rong Zhao, inquiring specifically about your betrothal. I thought since we are relatives, I would congratulate General Chu if he was betrothed. But Princess Rong Zhao said you were not betrothed. How can there suddenly be an unwed wife? Could it be that you secretly arranged a betrothal without your mother’s knowledge? Can you call her your wife even if you were originally promised to someone else?”

Chen Feng’s heart sank, unsure of how Chu Lingxuan would respond. She couldn’t bear to be a concubine.

Chu Lingxuan explained, “Your Highness, you misunderstand. Miss Chen and I were not privately betrothed. She was formally betrothed to me by her father, Mr. Chen Shiying.” He took out a jade pendant from his waist and continued, “This is a token of betrothal from Mr. Chen. Additionally, my biological mother, although she has become a nun and distanced herself from worldly affairs, I specifically went to the temple to inform her about this matter. She even sent a fur coat from her youth to Miss Chen. I also wrote to seek my grandfather’s opinion, and he agreed to our engagement. Whether he informed Princess Rong Zhao and my father, I do not know. My grandfather and my third aunt are coming to Dingzhou tomorrow specifically for this matter. Therefore, our engagement was arranged by our elders, not privately. She is indeed my unwed wife.”

The Second Prince was displeased that Chu Lingxuan had brought up his birth mother but was more intrigued by the mention of Chen Shiying. He sneered and asked, “She is Mr. Chen’s daughter?”

“Yes.” Chu Lingxuan replied.

The Second Prince turned to Chen Feng and said, “Miss Chen, look up.”

Chen Feng lifted her head.

Observing her, the Second Prince found her strikingly similar to Chen Shiying. He remarked, “Indeed, a charming young lady, bearing a strong resemblance to Mr. Chen. No wonder the Seventh Prince was in such a hurry to claim her.” Seeing Chu Lingxuan about to speak, he hurriedly added, “It was a slip of the tongue, General Chu. Please don’t be angry. However, when a young lady encounters trouble, she should return to her own home. Why did she come to her fiancé’s residence instead? General Chu, it seems your young fiancée is a bit too playful, isn’t she?”

Before Chu Lingxuan could respond, Chu Huai stepped in to report that Mr. Chen Shiying was waiting outside.

Chu Lingxuan was taken aback. He had sent a letter to Chen Shiying to prepare him for this, but he hadn’t expected him to come in person. His arrival was for the best. He saluted and said, “Mr. Chen has arrived. He has more authority on this matter than I do.”

The Second Prince said, “Please invite Mr. Chen in.”

Upon Chen Shiying’s entrance, he saluted and said, “I pay my respects to Your Highness, and to Prince Rui.”

The Second Prince pointed to Chen Feng and asked, “Mr. Chen, is this young lady your daughter?”

Chen Shiying looked at Chen Feng and saluted, “Yes, she is my daughter, Feng.”

The Seventh Prince inquired, “According to General Chu, you have already promised her to him?”

Chen Shiying replied, “Yes, I have always admired General Chu’s character. That’s why I betrothed my beloved daughter, Feng, to him.”

The Second Prince sneered, “Mr. Chen, the discipline in your household is lacking. A young lady, like a withered flower, not only came to her fiancé’s house but stayed until the dead of night. Truly, a departure from proper conduct.”

Chu Lingxuan couldn’t tolerate the slander against Chen Feng. He loudly retorted, “Your Highness, you cannot speak of Miss Chen in such a manner. Her panicked actions were out of necessity. If she had previously left my commander’s residence, I doubt she would be standing here conversing with you.”

The Second Prince argued, “She could have returned to her family’s estate, but why come here?”

Chen Shiying wiped his sweat and looked at Chen Feng with pity. He said, “Your Highness, Prince, Feng is a good girl, and her actions are my fault. She hasn’t returned to the Chen residence, her own home, all these years.” His voice choked up as he spoke.

This confession left both the Second Prince and the Seventh Prince bewildered. They asked in unison, “What do you mean, Mr. Chen?”

Chen Shiying wiped his forehead again and said, “I am ashamed to admit that she is my illegitimate daughter. I brought her to Dingzhou to formally accept her into the family, to let her find her roots. However, this unexpected situation arose. I am here to take her back home. She will not stay here any longer. Feng is a gentle and virtuous girl, and Your Highness cannot speak of her in such a manner.”

The Second Prince was taken aback. He shook his head and laughed, “This Miss Chen is not only the daughter of the Magistrate but also his illegitimate daughter. General Chu, born in the Marquis’s residence, the heir to the Marquis of Yongning, currently a third-ranking military officer, is going to marry her! A graceful and virtuous lady, a good match for a gentleman. General Chu, who has remained unmarried since his first wife’s passing, seems to have a penchant for beauties. Heroes truly struggle at the hands of beauties. I believe this union will become an exceptional tale in our dynasty.”

The Seventh Prince also chuckled. Although he was extremely reluctant to part with this beauty, he knew he wouldn’t get her. He said, “I never knew that General Chu was such a romantic. Admirable, truly admirable.”

Chu Lingxuan spoke earnestly, “In my eyes, Miss Chen is not only beautiful but also intelligent and virtuous. It is a great fortune for me, Chu Lingxuan, to marry her.”

After laughing for a while, the Second Prince added, “Indeed, to fulfill General Chu’s infatuation, I am willing to bear witness to this union. Mr. Chen, handsome and talented as you are, it’s quite normal for the young lady to resemble you. However, now that she has your daughter, it’s best to bring her into your household. We can’t let Miss Chen marry General Chu, the Marquis’s heir, bearing the label of an illegitimate daughter, can we? Nevertheless, General Chu is still the stepson of my royal sister.”