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The next morning, after finishing her self-prepared breakfast, Chen Feng heard Qing Feng, who had just gone outside, whisper that the old lady was in a bad condition. She had been treated by a doctor overnight and had woken up, but her eyes and mouth were twisted, and she couldn’t move much. Her speech was also muddled, and she kept saying that she had seen a ghost. The doctor had diagnosed her with a stroke caused by the shock.
Qing Feng also mentioned, “I heard that the young master and the third and fourth miss have gone to the Longevity Pavilion to attend to her illness…” hinting that Chen Feng too should go.
Internally, Chen Feng was secretly pleased with the might of the golden swallow. However, she replied, “The old lady certainly doesn’t want to see me, so I’ll respect her wishes and avoid going near her.”
Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang, fatigued from watching over the old lady, returned to the main hall. Chen Shiying changed into more ordinary attire and went to the ancestral hall to record Chen Feng’s name in the family genealogy.
He still felt somewhat defeated. He had hinted to Chen Feng several times about changing her name to Chen Yufeng, but she hadn’t agreed. If it were the other children, he wouldn’t have needed to ask and would have changed it directly. However, he always took the trouble to discuss with his eldest daughter, not only because he cherished her and felt sorry for her not growing up by his side but also because she was so determined and independent.
Meanwhile, Madam Jiang hastened to prepare for the arrival of today’s distinguished guests.
As Chen Feng sat lost in thought, Hong Feng entered with a tray. The tray not only held a set of garments but also a headpiece adorned with red gold and pearls.
She smiled and said, “Madam wants the eldest miss to dress up nicely. Today, the Chu family’s madam are likely to ask to meet the young ladies from the residence.”
Chen Feng was then attended to for bathing and dressing. Her attire for the day was a short jacket in the color of a poppy, embroidered with flowers, along with an elegant and joyous red skirt.
Hong Feng suggested, “Young miss, since you will be meeting esteemed guests today, why not put on some makeup?”
Chen Feng nodded. Her makeup was subtle and elegant, fitting for the era.
After the dressing was completed, the astonishment in the eyes of the attendants could hardly be concealed.
Around noon, a messenger from the main hall arrived, informing that esteemed guests wished to meet the young ladies. Chen Feng, accompanied by a few maids, made her way to the main hall. On the way, she met her third sister, Chen Yuhui, and fourth sister, Chen Yuxia, both of whom had also dressed up for the occasion.
Upon entering the main hall, even before they stepped inside, the sound of boisterous, unrestrained laughter from within reached their ears.
Passing through the twelve auspicious screens, they saw Madam Jiang and a woman sitting on the Buddha’s bed, both beaming with smiles. The woman, in her twenties, was tall and graceful, with delicate makeup and a radiant appearance. She was dressed in an elaborate red brocade jacket embroidered with golden butterflies and a lilac-colored skirt with scattered flower patterns, her head adorned with pearls and jade, radiating joy.
Seated beside her was a six or seven-year-old boy.
Madam Jiang waved and said, “Young ladies, this is third Madam Chu, from the Marquis of Yongning, and the Princess of Changhua.”
No wonder they always spoke highly of this woman, she turned out to be a princess.
Chen Feng and her companions smiled as they approached, curtsying respectfully and greeting, “Greetings to Madam Chu.”
Madam Jiang then introduced the three young ladies to Madam Chu. “This is our eldest daughter, Feng, this is our third daughter, Yuqing, and the youngest is Yuxia. There’s also our second daughter, Yuhui, who suddenly developed a fever yesterday, so we didn’t want to bring her out.”
Madam Chu laughed and remarked, “Oh my, Madam Chen is truly blessed to have so many daughters, and each one is more beautiful than the next. I’m really quite envious.” She then gestured, “Come closer and let me give you all a proper greeting.” Her voice was clear, hearty, and unreserved, exuding warmth and friendliness, making people feel both at ease and drawn to her.
As the girls approached, she pulled Chen Feng and Yuqing close, saying, “Daughters are the best, soft and tender. It’s a pity I haven’t been blessed with daughters, my two boys drive me crazy.”
The boy beside her pouted and complained, “Every time you praise someone else’s daughters, you scold me and my brother. Are daughters really that great?”
His words drew laughter from everyone in the room.
Third Madam Chu playfully scolded, “You and your brother are mischievous. It’s time for me to let off some steam.”
Although she held one of each, her eyes showed that she was paying more attention to Chen Feng, a smile playing at the corners of her eyes.
The young boy spoke again, “Every time you see a pretty young lady, you always hold her hand like this. Be careful not to scare them off.”
The boy’s words sparked another round of laughter.
Third Madam Chu playfully glared at him and removed a golden phoenix hairpin from her head, motioning for Chen Feng to crouch down, and inserted it into her hair. She said, “Good child, as soon as I saw you, I felt that we women have a connection.”
Blushing, Chen Feng thanked her.
Third Madam Chu then took a white jade bracelet from her wrist and presented it to Yuqing, and a string of coral beads for Yuxia.
The girls curtsied and expressed their gratitude.
Madam Jiang’s smile grew even warmer as she pointed to the young boy, saying, “This is the fifth master of the Marquis of Yongning.”
The young boy, Chu Lingzhi, resembled his father, wearing a red embroidered silk jacket and a high topknot.
Upon being introduced, Chen Feng and her companions nodded and smiled at him, calling out, “Young Master Chu.”
Chu Lingzhi then stood up and greeted the young ladies, “Greetings, sisters.” He then turned to Chen Feng and said, in a practiced manner, “You are my cousin’s needlework master, right? Thank you for teaching her so well, I am very satisfied.”
The boy’s playful demeanor was adorable.
Chen Feng enjoyed the company of endearing children. She responded earnestly, “I am unworthy of your praise, young master Lingzhi. Your cousin is very lovely.”
Chu Lingzhi seemed pleased with Chen Feng’s response and added, “Don’t be so modest. You deserve my compliments.”
This exchange elicited another round of laughter.
After everyone was seated, Third Madam Chu engaged in lively conversation with Madam Jiang. She also made sure to include the young ladies, asking Chen Feng the most questions.
Chen Feng responded to Third Madam Chu’s inquiries and otherwise maintained a poised and dignified demeanor.
After their meal, the young ladies were sent back.
On their way, Yuqing whispered to Chen Feng, “I didn’t expect Third Madam Chu to be even more impressive and straightforward than the rumors say…”
It turned out that Third Madam Chu and her husband had a remarkable and moving love story.
Third Madam Chu was the Empress Dowager’s granddaughter and the Emperor’s niece. When she was two years old, both her parents passed away, and she was taken in and raised by the Empress Dowager herself.
Admiring heroes due to her father’s death while saving the Emperor, she refused many promising suitors favored by the Emperor and Empress Dowager but was immediately taken with her now-husband, Chu Guangkai, upon meeting him upon his return to the capital from the borderlands. She not only secured the Empress Dowager’s blessing for their marriage but also followed third master Chu to the borderlands…
Hearing third Madam Chu’s story left the modern orphan, Chen Feng, feeling deeply envious. Although she had lost her parents, she still had a strong support system, and she envied the idea of marrying someone she loved and following him to the borderlands, leading a life of her choosing. No wonder third Madam Chu exuded such a powerful and contented aura.