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Upon returning to the Rose Courtyard, Chen Feng was informed that the manager from Fengyunlai had arrived.
Yesterday, Chen Feng had instructed Mrs. Zeng to return home, and she had sent the gifts meant for Chen Shi’s family along with Chen Ming, Chen Ye, and the gifts for Chen Shi’s family.
Although Chen Feng wanted to visit Fengyunlai, she refrained from mentioning it to Madam Jiang, knowing she wouldn’t approve. Still reeling from the recent incident involving the Seventh Prince, both Madam Jiang and Chen Feng were cautious. Chen Feng sent Autumn to bring Zeng Shuang inside.
Zeng Shuang reported on the company’s operations to Chen Feng, and they discussed future arrangements. At noon, Chen Feng had Autumn accompany him for lunch.
Later in the afternoon, Hong Feng arrived at the Rose Courtyard, explaining the customs and etiquette for attending banquets at wealthy households to Chen Feng, also offering lessons in etiquette.
With the evening approaching, it was time to have dinner in the main courtyard. According to Chen family traditions, on special occasions or every tenth night, the whole family dined at the Longevity Pavilion with the elderly lady. Normally, every evening, the children and Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang dined together in the main courtyard.
Upon her arrival, Chen Yuqing, Chen Yulan, and Chen Yuxia were already present, but Chen Yuhui was nowhere to be seen, and Madam Jiang’s expression was grim.
As the siblings conversed with Madam Jiang, evening fell, and Chen Shiying had not arrived. A servant reported that the master had stayed back at the Longevity Pavilion, instructing them to dine without him.
Madam Jiang told Chen Feng and the others, “You may start dinner, I will go to the Longevity Pavilion.”
Chen Yuqing and her siblings stood up to accompany Jiang, but she declined and went alone.
After dinner, instead of waiting with her siblings for Madam Jiang in the main courtyard, Chen Feng returned to the Rose Courtyard.
Speculating that Chen Yuhui had likely incited trouble again with the old lady, Chen Feng believed Chen Shiying would handle it gradually. Chen Yuhui’s lack of intelligence was evident, with the old lady’s limited mobility and Mrs. Tang’s passing, Madam Jiang now ruled the backyard. If Chen Shiying’s love and guilt over Mrs. Tang’s death were to be exhausted, Chen Yuhui would have nothing left.
Feeling disconnected from this family, Chen Feng had no desire to get involved unless provoked. Her only focus was to attend the birthday banquet tomorrow and then swiftly return to Fengyuan the day after, where she longed for her family—Dabao, Mrs. Wang, Chen Ming and Chen Lu.
With a dreamless night, Chen Feng was awakened early by Autumn and Qing Feng. She bathed in scented water with flower petals, for even ancient people understood the importance of beauty treatments.
After breakfast, Chen Feng began to dress up. She decided to dress appropriately, not too flashy but not too plain either.
Her attire, consisted of a light blue satin half-sleeved jacket embroidered with yellow plum blossoms, worn over a pale purple cloud satin undergarment and a matching light purple chiffon skirt. She accessorized with the gold and jade headpiece given by Madam Jiang. After applying light makeup while looking in the mirror, several maids complimented her sincerely on her beauty.
Although her outfit wasn’t overly extravagant, her natural beauty combined with her exceptional grace from past lives made her truly striking once dressed up.
Chen Feng headed to the main courtyard, where Chen Yuqing and the others were already present. Chen Shiying had not gone to the yamen, as the future in-law of the Chu Mansion, he had to attend the banquet.
Chen Yuqing graciously wore the outfit Chen Feng had gifted her previously, instead of the one given by Madam Jiang the day before.
She wore a red brocade stand-up collar short jacket with wide sleeves, paired with a matching pleated long skirt adorned with five large phoenix buttons in delicate blue and apricot colors. The well-fitted outfit accentuated Chen Yuqing’s slender figure, enhancing her grace and elegance.
Today, it should have been Chen Yuqing, who stood out the most among the Chen sisters.
Initially pleased with her attire, Chen Yuqing felt inadequate and ordinary upon seeing Chen Feng. Having such a stunning sister made her feel even more ordinary.
Observing Chen Yuqing’s self-doubt and melancholy, Chen Feng examined her makeup. She hadn’t concealed Yuqing’s flaws or highlighted her virtues.
Regardless of Madam Jiang’s intentions in showing kindness to Chen Feng, she appreciated the gesture.
Chen Feng smiled, “Do you trust me, little sister? If you do, let me redo your makeup.”
Chen Yuqing smiled and replied, “Of course, big sister.”
She then proceeded to Madam Jiang’s chamber, sitting in front of the glass mirror.
After Chen Feng washed Chen Yuqing’s face, she started applying makeup while giving instructions, “Your eyes are the most beautiful, like crescent moons, exuding a natural charm and allure. Therefore, we should emphasize their shape and avoid the common upward eyeliner trend… Your lips are slightly full, so we should opt for a rosy pink or coral shade, with a touch of glossy balm for a soft, radiant look… Blush should be applied like this to enhance… And maybe we should change your hairstyle too…”
Although Chen Yuqing resembled Madam Jiang more, with ordinary features and a slightly rugged look, she had a lovely trait of smiling not just with her lips but with her eyes too.
Chen Feng reminded her to continue embracing her fondness for smiling.
After spending over two hours, when Chen Yuqing reappeared in the hall, the praise from the attendants poured in, leaving even Madam Jiang speechless. It turned out her daughter could be this beautiful!
Madam Jiang admired her daughter and nodded appreciatively at Chen Feng. With Yuqing turning fourteen, there had been suitors interested in her before, but for various reasons, neither she nor Chen Shiying had approved. Today, Madam Jiang hoped that a good family would take a liking to her daughter.
Chen Shiying also nodded in satisfaction. Initially puzzled by why none of his daughters inherited his qualities, he found solace in seeing Chen Feng’s striking resemblance to him.
Chen Shiying rode alone in a carriage, while Madam Jiang accompanied the three girls in another.
After a journey of over two hours, they arrived at the Chu Mansion.
The women were led directly to the inner courtyard flower hall. Guiding them was Yu Zhuo, who had previously served Chen Feng. She had been specially assigned by Chu Lingxuan to wait for Chen Feng and attend to her.
On the way, Yu Zhuo explained that since the Chu Mansion in Dingzhou lacked an adult female head, the eldest madam that is present, Second Madam Chu, acted as the matriarch, with the inner courtyard women under the supervision of Chu Lingxuan’s sister, Chu Hua, and his cousin’s wife, Madam Lou.
Upon reaching the entrance of the flower hall, a maid announced loudly, “Madam Jiang, Miss Chen, Third Miss Chen, and Fourth Miss Chen have arrived.”
Normally, as the future in-laws of the Chu family, Second Madam Chu should have greeted them. However, upon entering the hall, they saw a middle-aged woman confidently seated at the head, engaging in conversation with the guests, clearly not willing to approach them.
Madam Jiang’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Feeling a bit awkward, they were approached by Madam Lou and a young woman in her twenties, greeting them with warm smiles.