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Chen Feng handed the small glass mirror to Mrs. Wang with a smile and said, “Take a look, Mother, you look much younger, like a young bride of less than thirty.”
Indeed, Mrs. Wang did look younger and more delicate in the mirror. Although not as exaggerated as Chen Feng’s words, she didn’t appear as aged as before.
Blushing, Mrs. Wang retorted, “Nonsense! I’m an old woman, not a young bride.”
As they conversed, they heard Old Zeng calling from the courtyard, “Young miss, Madam, Mr. Chen has arrived.”
Ever since Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan’s engagement, the way people addressed Chen Ming and his wife had changed. They referred to Chen Ming as “Master Chen” and Mrs. Wang as “Madam.”
Why did he suddenly come?
Chen Feng glanced at Mrs. Wang and quickly got up to greet him at the door.
Chen Shiying had already entered the courtyard, having traveled directly from Wangshan Village by carriage, still dressed in his official attire and hat. Due to the sun exposure, his face was as red as if he had applied rouge.
He said, “Feng, I’m here to stay with you for the night. I’ll return to Dingzhou Prefecture early in the morning.” As he finished speaking, he noticed Mrs. Wang coming out.
Mrs. Wang looked noticeably different from the last time he saw her. She had appeared significantly older before, and the hardships of life had left their mark, which had pained him. However, this time, she looked much younger than before. Though still much older than she was a decade ago, her delicate features and graceful charm gave him a moment of pause. For a moment, he seemed to see the sister who used to wait for him at the door every day after school…
He recalled the scene of a boy with a topknot returning home and calling out to his sister waiting at the door, “Sis, Sis, I’m back.”
His sister smiled warmly and said, “Younger Brother, you’re back.”
She led him into the kitchen, washed his face and hands, and asked if he was hungry. Without waiting for his response, she would playfully stuff a piece of rock sugar or fried peas into his mouth and ask, “Is it sweet (fragrant)?”
The boy would always answer, “Sweet (fragrant).”
The sister would then smile and pinch his cheeks. He still remembered the warmth and smoothness of her touch.
Chen Shiying’s nose felt a bit tingly as he called out, “Sis.”
Mrs. Wang glanced at him, her hands clenched tightly, and her veins bulging as she lowered her head, softly saying, “Younger Brother, you’re here.”
“Mm.” Chen Shiying replied, his eyes fixed on Mrs. Wang.
Seeing their awkwardness, Chen Feng intervened, saying, “Father, Mother, let’s continue this conversation inside.”
“Alright.” Chen Shiying walked into the house.
However, Mrs. Wang remained at the door and quietly said, “A’Feng, I’ll head back first.”
Chen Shiying, who had already entered the house, turned back and urged, “Sister, it’s rare for your Younger Brother to visit. Can’t we have a chat?”
Mrs. Wang lowered her head and said, “Not this time. My husband is at home waiting for me to cook…” As she spoke, she realized that Chen Ming had gone to the county grain shop and hadn’t returned yet, so she corrected herself, “I’ll cook and wait for my husband to come back. Younger Brother, have a good time at your daughter’s house. Don’t be polite.” With that, she hurriedly left.
Chen Shiying watched Mrs. Wang’s figure disappear outside the gate, looking desolate.
Though Chen Feng sympathized with their situation, having their own families and being separated, they each had their own lives now, and those old feelings were better left in the past.
She tugged at Chen Shiying’s sleeve and said, “Father, are you thirsty? I’ll pour you a bowl of osmanthus honey. I made it myself.”
Chen Shiying snapped out of his reverie and smiled, “Sure.” Although he preferred tea, he was willing to try the osmanthus honey his daughter made.
Chen Feng poured a bowl of the honey into a delicate white porcelain bowl, the pale golden liquid adorned with a few osmanthus flowers floating on top, looking quite appetizing. He took a sip and found it fragrant and sweet.
After drinking a few sips, he awkwardly joked, “Feng, do you make fun of Father?”
Chen Feng shook her head and said, “No, I don’t.”
Chen Shiying sighed again and said, “Your mother didn’t marry me, and perhaps that’s for the best for her. I’m afraid, I’m afraid I would have caused her grievances, made her sad…” After a moment of contemplation, he murmured, “Perhaps, if I had married your mother, I wouldn’t bear to cause her any grievances.”
Chen Feng couldn’t quite catch the last part of what he said.
“What did Father say about grievances?” Chen Feng inquired.
Chen Shiying waved his hand, pushed the bowl aside, and said, “I like drinking this kind of sweet water. Pour me another bowl, Feng.”
There were things he didn’t want to discuss with his daughter, such as the fact that Mrs. Tang, the concubine, had “contracted an illness” and passed away at the estate last month, and that just a few days ago, Madam Jiang, the virtuous wife, had taken in a sixteen-year-old concubine…
As Chen Feng was conversing with Chen Shiying, they heard a commotion in Luyuan.
Chen Feng stepped outside and instructed Old Zeng, “Go and see what’s happening in Luyuan.”
Old Zeng went out and returned a while later to report, “Young miss, it’s Madam’s stepmother and younger brother carrying Madam’s father. They say he’s seriously ill, their family is penniless, and they’ve brought him to their daughter’s house, hoping that Madam will provide money for his treatment, considering it’s her own father.”
Concerned that Mrs. Wang might be taken advantage of, Chen Feng stood up and said to Chen Shiying, “I’ll go and see what’s going on.”
Despite the busy farming season, there were still a few onlookers gathered outside the entrance of Luyuan.
Xue Dagui and Shanzhi ushered away the onlookers, and Chen Feng walked in. She saw old Wang lying on the ground, Mrs. Ding kneeling beside him, wailing loudly, while Wang Cai was recounting their hardships to Mrs. Wang. Essentially, they had no money left and were at a loss. If they delayed any longer, old Wang would die. They had no choice but to bring him to his daughter’s house, seeking financial assistance for his treatment.
Mrs. Wang stood there, feeling perplexed. She was unwilling to let the deceitful mother and son into her home. Since learning about Wang Cheng’s suffering and uncertain fate, she held deep resentment towards Mrs. Ding and was angered by her father’s cruelty. However, old Wang lay in the courtyard, moaning, and there were onlookers outside. She didn’t know what to do. She feared her father might be genuinely ill, yet she also feared that this might be an act. She didn’t want to give money to the unscrupulous Mrs. Ding.
In ancient times, filial piety was paramount. Despite Chen Feng’s intense hatred for Mrs. Ding and Wang Cai, she had to attend to old Wang, or Mrs. Wang would be drowned in public gossip.
With a stern expression, she approached them and said, “Why are you making a scene when my mother is not neglecting him?” Then, she loudly instructed Old Zeng, “Go to the village and bring Doctor Lin here.” She also signaled to him, and Old Zeng understood, nodding before hastening out.
Xue Dagui and Shanzhi carried old Wang to a reclining chair in the corridor and gave him some water. Wang Cai requested water for himself and his mother, but Xue Dagui and the others pretended not to hear.
Meanwhile, Old Zeng recounted to the onlookers how Mrs. Ding had sold Mrs. Wang and her younger brother, leading to her brother being abused by the buyers and his fate now unknown…