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One of the maids behind Chen Feng tampered with the dish, causing most of it to spill on Chu Zhen, splattering some oil on Chen Feng as well. Seizing the opportunity, Marquis Chu instructed Chu Lingxuan to take Chen Feng away.
After their departure, Chu Zhen was taken to another room to change clothes. Second Madam, Li and Chu Zhen, clueless about Third Madam’s intentions, believed that the Princess’s household staff wanted to harm the Chu family and instead cursed Chen Feng as a troublemaker, blaming Chu Zhen for her misfortune…
Hearing this, Third Madam was fuming, wishing she could smack those two.
Third Madam remarked, “It’s a good thing you left. Princess Rong Zhao even prepared a maid for Xuan. She thinks that Xuan’s wife couldn’t refuse to bring her in, even if she didn’t use her, it would have been distasteful. Later, she asked me to bring her in, saying it was her way of showing compassion for her daughter-in-law and sending a helper. I refused outright.”
Indeed, bringing a woman back would have been truly disgusting.
Gratefully, Chen Feng took Third Madam’s sleeve and said, “Auntie, thank you for always helping me. If it weren’t for you today, I don’t know how much trouble I would have faced.”
Third Madam chuckled, “That Rong Zhao, she’s been spoiled by my Imperial Uncle and Concubine Ma, bold and daring, saying and doing anything. That scoundrel from a humble background made other princesses fear her, only Auntie dared to confront her. Because Auntie was also spoiled by my Imperial Grandmother, also from a humble background. Rong Zhao and I have been at odds since childhood.” Finishing, she laughed heartily.
Ancient women typically covered their mouths when laughing like this, but Third Madam didn’t care and showed all sixteen teeth.
In ancient times, only noblewomen from the royal family dared to laugh so freely.
Chen Feng admired Third Madam’s assertive yet kind personality. Buttering her up, she said, “Auntie differs from Princess Rong Zhao. Auntie is straightforward, a tomboy…”
Chu Lingxuan disagreed and interjected, “Feng.”
Third Madam’s laughter rang out even clearer as she responded, “Tomboy, that’s a great way to put it. It sounds better than a scoundrel from a humble background, more vivid and fitting. Auntie is indeed a tomboy.” Patting her chest, she added, “When Guangkai returns, I’ll make sure to mention it to him. It’ll lighten the mood.”
The old Marquis, however, wasn’t as pleased. Those two confused women, Li and Chu Zhen, were confused at home, but even more so outside. He lamented, “If only the Third Daughter-in-law had been around in the past, I could have entrusted Zhen to your care, and she wouldn’t have turned out like this. Now, ah, poor Second Son, not in good health, marrying such a troublesome wife and even corrupting his daughter.”
Although Third Madam was of noble birth, she deeply respected and honored her husband’s family. Seeing the distress of the old Marquis Chu, she immediately reassured him, “Don’t worry father, from now on, let Zhen spend an hour with me every day. I’ll take the time to teach and discipline her, and then assign a nanny to instill proper manners and temper her.”
The old Marquis Chu nodded in agreement, saying, “That’s reassuring. In a few days, I’ll head to the countryside. Not only must the Third Daughter-in-law manage the marquisate well, but she must also discipline Zhen properly.”
Third Madam agreed with a nod.
Chen Feng deeply admired Third Madam. Despite being the Empress’s favorite granddaughter and the Emperor’s most regretful niece, she was a true noblewoman. However, her treatment of Chu Guangkai’s family was genuine, akin to how she treated her own loved ones.
She differed from Madam Jiang, who showed kindness for personal gain to please Chen Shiying and leverage her own value. Third Madam’s kindness was pure and genuine, solely because she loved her husband’s family. Except for Madam Li and her daughter, who had harmed her husband’s family, she naturally didn’t hold them in favor.
In contrast, Princess Rong Zhao was extremely selfish, taking extreme measures to “claim” Marquis Chu as her possession, disregarding his family and hoping he would sever ties with them to belong solely to her.
With such behavior, not only did she disrupt Marquis Chu’s family, but even if Marquis Chu had been single, he wouldn’t have genuinely liked her…
After some discussion, the old Marquis Chu and Chu Lingxuan headed to the front courtyard, while Chen Feng returned to the Bamboo Pavilion to prepare some snacks, planning to make egg tarts as a gesture of respect for Third Madam.
A friend of Chu Guangkai had recently sent some mangoes to the Chu residence, but the family didn’t enjoy them, finding the taste peculiar.
Chen Feng had always loved mangoes in her past life and, after crossing over to this world, enjoyed them for the first time. Chu Lingxuan, aware of her preference, had mangoes sent from each courtyard. Today, she intended to make mango egg tarts with additional ingredients, knowing they would be well-received. However, without an oven, she had to steam the tarts, requiring some skill.
Boiling sugar and milk to create sweetened milk, she then mixed eggs with flour and sweetened milk until creamy. Cutting the mango into small pieces, she prepared the filling. Greasing a mold, she poured half of the flour mixture, placed a piece of mango, and poured the remaining mixture, then steamed the tarts for ten minutes.
She steamed several batches just in time for dinner. Each courtyard received a portion – four pieces for the elders, two for other masters, and a couple of respectable servants also received two pieces each.
The servants of the Bamboo Pavilion each enjoyed a piece.
Chu Lingxuan, having the advantage, indulged in more, devouring a total of eight pieces.
He chuckled, “I’m truly blessed to have married a virtuous wife who not only raises our daughter well but also excels in cooking. Let’s put in more effort and aim to have a son by the end of the year, then life will be truly perfect.”
The mention of a child excited Chen Feng, showing no hint of the shyness a new bride might feel. Pouting, she teased, “What if we have a daughter? Wouldn’t your life still be perfect?”
Chu Lingxuan laughed heartily, “If we have a daughter this year, we’ll aim for a son next year, if still not, the year after. My life will still be perfect.”
Chen Feng nodded with a smile, continuing her meal.
Several serving maids blushed, except for Autumn, who remained unfazed. They felt embarrassed on behalf of their master. The Mrs. Li subtly shook her head, resolving to remind the Young Madam, as a new bride shouldn’t behave so shamelessly. Fortunately, the Young Master didn’t mind, but if word got out, others might gossip.
After dinner, several elders sent rewards as a token of their pleasure, encouraging Chen Feng to continue her efforts.
The old Marquis gifted a string of sandalwood prayer beads, the Third Master and Madam presented two small jade cabbage carvings, and even the Second Master offered a thumb-sized agate goldfish.
Third Madam instructed the messenger to inform Chen Feng that she intended to visit the Empress Dowager the next day and requested more of the same egg tarts as gifts to honor the Empress Dowager.
Chen Feng readily agreed.