Chapter 243: Betrothal

Returning to the Rose Pavilion, Chen Feng removed the golden phoenix hairpin that third Madam Chu had gifted her. The hairpin was truly beautiful, the size of a sparrow, with wings as delicate as feathers that swayed gently with the slightest movement. Several round and white pearls, each the size of a fingertip, adorned it.

Granny Xu remarked, “Oh, this hairpin is really pretty, and it’s made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

“What do you mean?” Chen Feng asked.

Granny Xu pointed to a barely visible character on the hairpin. “Miss Chen, please take a look here. This is the character ‘internal.'”

Chen Feng saw it was indeed there. She then said, “So third Madam Chu is a princess. She has a kind and pleasant demeanor and is easy to get along with.”

Granny Xu proudly stated, “Yes, our third Madam Chu is the most charitable person, even treating us servants well. However, if someone rubs her the wrong way…” Feeling as if she were gossiping about her mistress, she quickly stopped speaking, her face flushing red.

In the evening, it was said that the men in the front courtyard were having a very pleasant conversation, and Chen Shiying happily accepted General Chu’s proposal. The next day, Chen Shiying took the day off to receive the matchmaker sent by the Chu family. Following that, both families agreed on the marriage, and it was deemed a perfect match. As both individuals were not young, the wedding was scheduled for the 10th of February the following year.

Chen Shiying also assured Chen Feng that the Chu family’s betrothal gifts would be entirely given to her as part of her dowry, and additionally, Madam Jiang would prepare a generous dowry for her. He also mentioned that the wedding would be held at the Chen residence next year.

During these days, Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang were busy preparing for Chen Feng’s wedding, while she idled away her time at the Rose Pavilion, making desserts to pass the time. Every day, she sent some to the couple and her younger brother and sisters.

Chen Feng left the Chen residence on the 23rd of April. Before departing, she made a point to visit the old lady at the Longevity Pavilion.

Upon arriving at the old lady’s room, she found her eyes and mouth crooked, leaning against the head of the bed. When the old lady Zhao saw her, she mumbled and cursed, “You wretched girl, what are you doing here? Get out! Get out!”

Chen Feng, with a smile, approached the old lady’s bedside, and softly said, “I’m leaving soon, and I don’t want to look at you for a moment longer. I just wanted to tell you that my marriage hasn’t been snatched away by anyone else. I am already betrothed to Mr. Chu, and we will be married next February. I will be the young madam of the Marquis’s estate and will live a life of great fortune. It will kill you, you old hag…”

The old lady was beside herself with anger, continuously muttering, “Get out! Get out…”

Initially, a servant in the room pretended not to hear anything, but seeing the old lady trembling with rage, afraid she might be harmed, stepped forward and advised, “Miss, if the old lady gets too agitated, it won’t be good for you.”

Chen Feng then smiled at the old lady, “Don’t worry. It’s said that misfortune lasts for a thousand years, so you won’t die so soon. I hope you live well and witness how good my life becomes. The same goes for my mother in the countryside, her days are bound to get better and better. We have never done anything evil, so we aren’t afraid of evil spirits haunting us. Unlike you, who panics at the slightest breeze. Old lady Zhao, live well and don’t die too soon. There are still good days waiting for you.”

Having said this, she turned and walked away. Even as she walked through the courtyard, she could still hear the old lady’s venomous curses drifting out of the window.

Looking up at the sky, bright and blue, with the sun shining, she took a deep breath and then headed to the main hall to bid farewell to Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang.

Chen Shiying reluctantly said, “Remember, this is your home. Come back often in the future. Your father, your mother, and your younger siblings all miss you.”

Madam Jiang added, “Yes, Feng, you should come back to visit us more often, especially your father, he couldn’t sleep most of the night, he’s so reluctant to part with you.”

Chen Feng replied with a smile, “Alright. When my father and mother have time, they should bring my younger siblings to visit Fengyuan in the countryside. Although it’s simple there, staying for a few days now and then will be enjoyable.”

After bidding farewell to Chen Yuqing and Chen Yuxia, she was escorted to the Chen family by Chen Yulan.

Sitting in the carriage, Chen Feng’s heart was as light as the breeze in the countryside—carefree and content. Though the old lady was temporarily incapacitated and unable to cause trouble, and Mrs. Tang and Chen Yuhui had been sent away, she still couldn’t bear to stay at the Chen residence. She longed for her father, her mother, Chen Lu, Dabao, and Chu Hanyan, Qiqi, Gray, Zhui Feng, as well as Chu Lingxuan, and the boundless countryside.

The carriage was still driven by Qingbo, with the royal guards accompanying on horseback, and it was headed straight to the Chen family. Chen Feng, along with Chen Yulan and Summer, sat in the carriage, while granny Xu, Yin, and Yan returned to the Chu residence.

As the carriage approached the alley leading to Chen’s home, Chen Feng could already hear Zhui Feng’s barking.

Excitedly, Chen Feng opened the carriage curtain, and Qiqi and Gray rushed in. They flapped their wings in her arms, whimpering, “Mommy, Mommy, we missed you, wu wu wu…” Their crying was sorrowful, surely, Dabao had been crying like this for the past few days.

Feeling both heartbroken and overjoyed, Chen Feng comforted them, “It’s okay, Mommy’s back now.”

Chen Yulan’s mouth hung open in amazement at this unbelievable scene.

Suddenly, there was a howl, not quite like a dog’s, and Qingbo slowed the carriage down. A massive dog abruptly leaped into the carriage, startling Summer and Chen Yulan.

Zhui Feng stood up and leaped into Chen Feng’s arms, pushing Qiqi and Gray to the side. It extended its tongue, licking Chen Feng’s face and neck, whimpering with excitement, tears streaming down its face.

Chen Feng rubbed its head and chuckled, “Oh, my baby, Mommy missed you too. Please stop crying.”

Qiqi and Gray, feeling neglected, pecked at Zhui Feng while scolding, “Annoying, annoying, go away…”

The three of them made quite a ruckus, and the carriage arrived at the front of Chen’s house. Chen Feng, accompanied by a dog and two birds, alighted from the carriage, and saw Dabao and a group of people waiting at the entrance.

Upon spotting her, Dabao opened his mouth and began to cry, “Mommy, wu wu wu…”

Chen Feng went over and lifted him, tears streaming down her face too. She said, “Good son, don’t cry. Mommy’s back, and Mommy missed you so much…”

She then comforted the teary-eyed Mrs. Wang, Chen Ming, and the others.

Once inside, Chen Feng introduced Chen Yulan to everyone.

Chen Yulan, having received instructions from Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang, bowed deeply before Chen Ming. “Uncle, I am Yulan. Greetings.” she said.

Chen Ming, a little puzzled, quickly responded, “Oh, oh, good child.”

Chen Yulan then approached Mrs. Wang, knelt down, and kowtowed three times, saying, “Aunt, I am Yulan. Greetings. I wish you good health and all the best.”