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Chen Feng hosted a meal for Princess Rui and her son at the Bamboo Pavilion, while Chu Lingxuan entertained Prince Rui in the outer courtyard.
During their time together, Chen Feng played games with Li Xuan. It seemed no one had ever played with him in such a manner, and he became very attached to Chen Feng. In less than half a day, their bond had grown exceptionally strong.
Even Li Xuan’s nursemaid exclaimed in disbelief, “My word, Prince Xuan has never been this close to anyone before.”
Chen Feng gently touched his little face, saying, “We are destined to meet.”
Li Xuan seemed to understand and looked up at Chen Feng, giggling happily.
Later in the afternoon, Third Madam Chu returned and sent for Chen Feng to visit the Anrong Hall. Princess Rui, feeling hesitant to go herself, wanted Chen Feng to acquire the green agarwood incense that day.
Third Madam Chu gifted Chen Feng a piece of embroidered satin from the Empress Dowager, who greatly enjoyed the dessert Chen Feng had made. She praised it as fragrant, sweet, and even better than what the Imperial Kitchen prepared. Half was kept for herself, while the other half was given to the Emperor.
Chen Feng graciously thanked Third Madam Chu and mentioned, “It’s an honor that the Empress Dowager enjoys my desserts. During my stay in the capital, I make them every other day. Third Aunt should take them to the palace to honor her.”
The Empress Dowager, nearing seventy, was considered elderly in ancient times. Chen Feng wished for her longevity, knowing she was Third Madam Chu’s support, and Third Madam Chu was hers. With the Empress Dowager’s well-being, Third Madam Chu would be content, and so would she.
Her hopes extended to the Emperor’s longevity as well, especially since the Ninth Prince hadn’t fully recovered, and the Eleventh Prince had yet to mature.
Third Madam held her hand, smiling, and said, “Wonderful, I share the same sentiment.”
Continuing, Chen Feng discussed the matter with Princess Rui and assured her of providing another piece in the future.
Upon hearing this, Third Madam Chu, who already had a good relationship with Prince Rui, generously took out the green agarwood incense, saying, “I’ve used a bit, but there’s still plenty left. Please give them all to her. I also hope they help cure Xuan’s illness.”
Chen Feng returned to the Bamboo Pavilion with the green agarwood incense, and Princess Rui, accompanied by Li Xuan, visited the Anrong Hall to express gratitude to Third Madam Chu.
That evening, Chu Lingxuan mentioned that General Lin, Princess Rui’s father, was the commander of the Left Guard Camp in the outskirts of the capital. Despite being a second-rank official, he commanded a significant military presence in the capital. General Lin was considered a trusted aide of the Emperor, and forging a closer relationship with him could facilitate many matters. Chu Guangkai also held significant military power, primarily in the northern regions.
Chu Lingxuan began engaging in diplomatic relations through Lady’s diplomacy.
Thinking ahead, Chen Feng planned to gift a doll filled with green agarwood leaves to the child before returning to her hometown. She also intended to have some building blocks made for him to help develop his focus.
The next day, Chen Yu arrived at the Bamboo Pavilion.
At this point, Chen Yu exuded more professionalism and maturity. He was now the second-in-command at the main branch of the Hongyun Hotpot Restaurant, assisting Yang Mingyuan in managing various affairs. He mentioned his plan to study for another two years to gain more experience and connections before launching the Prosperous Grand Restaurant in the capital.
Chen Feng was pleased with Chen Yu’s approach. He didn’t mention opening a new large restaurant in the capital, which would overshadow the second branch. Unlike Chen Ye, who was more generous, Chen Yu was more astute. Chen Feng realized that overshadowing the second branch would not lead to the prosperous life she envisioned.
Having the second branch meant having the robust support of the Chu family. In that era, significant merchants sought powerful connections for support.
Impressed by the handsome and steady Chen Yu, Chen Feng admired him deeply. With Chen Lu and Chen Tang being young and preparing for the imperial exams, the economic alliance of the Chen family’s second generation would rely on Chen Yu to steer and expand it.
Chen Feng advised, “Cousin, you’re sixteen this year, right? Let’s not rush into an engagement. I’ll help you find a well-connected girl in the capital, she could be a great asset for you.” Pausing, she added, “Of course, if you find an exceptional girl you truly like, you can make an arrangement sooner.”
With Chen Yu having Chen Feng as his cousin, he now had a connection with the Marquis of Yongning’s residence. Apart from official families, wealthy merchant families were also willing to form alliances through marriage. Plus, with his intelligence, maturity, and good looks, local officials’ daughters or relatives might be willing to marry him.
The key is to find someone good. If you find someone like Princess Rong Zhao, Second Madam Li, or Mrs. Hu, who are troublemakers, it would be a headache. It not only harms the man and his family but also ruins the next generation.
Chen Yu blushed and nodded in agreement, saying, “Younger brother will follow sister’s arrangements.”
At noon, he stayed at the Bamboo Pavilion for lunch.
On the 16th, a servant from the suburban farmstead came to the Marquis of Yongning’s residence to pay respects to Chen Feng. This servant, surnamed Zhao (Yu Zhuo), had no relation to the Zhao family, despite sharing the same surname.
The Yu Zhuo mentioned that the four hundred acres of land were thriving with winter wheat.
Chen Feng nodded and instructed them to switch to planting corn after the winter wheat harvest. She would provide the corn seeds, which would be handed over by her fiancé, Yu Yongshun, when the time came.
After rewarding Yu Zhuo, she had the housekeeper and her male companion, Uncle Li, accompany them for lunch in the outer courtyard.
On the morning of the 17th, the Emperor’s decree finally arrived at the Marquis of Yongning’s residence, bestowing upon Chen Feng the title of third-rank virtuous lady.
After receiving the decree, the Second and third branches happily gathered in the Anrong Hall for tea and conversation, with Chu Hua bringing her son Heng to congratulate.
However, Madam Li, in her room, accidentally knocked over a few teacups. Fuming with rage, she was incensed that a rural woman like Chen Feng had been appointed as a third-rank virtuous lady, with the potential for further promotions. Meanwhile, she, as a daughter of an official family, had remained stagnant at fifth-rank Pleasing Person status despite years of effort. Her husband’s official position was granted, and she would never rise above her current status.
Reflecting on Princess Rong Zhao’s uselessness as a princess, unable to even compete with the county princess, she lamented that if Rong Zhao had any abilities, she could have caused trouble for Chen Feng. At the Princess’s residence, far from getting the better of Chen Feng, Li’s daughter had ended up helping her out.
Worse still, her cherished desire for Chu Lingxuan to have no sons might remain unfulfilled.
Adding to her frustration, her daughter had to follow strict rules set by Changhua (Second Madam) for an hour every day at the Anrong Hall. To make matters worse, Changhua had appointed a nanny named Qian to teach her daughter, Chu Zhen, etiquette. Qian kept her daughter confined to the courtyard daily, preventing her from spending time with her mother.
Furthermore, aside from family gatherings, the Second Madam allowed her daughter to see her only once a month. Claiming to have educated her daughter for fourteen years, Second Madam felt she had made her too shallow and lacking in the elegance expected of a daughter belonging to Yongning Marquis’s household. Thus, she restricted their interactions. This unreasonable demand had the approval of the old marquis, and her husband.
Princess Changhua was becoming too authoritarian, she had taken away her stewardship rights and now even controlled her own daughter.