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The next day, after breakfast in the outer courtyard, Wang Cheng arrived at Bamboo Pavilion.
Chu Lingxuan informed him that his third uncle would send someone to investigate the matter discreetly. He also mentioned that he would speak to General Lin to allow Wang Cheng into his military camp but emphasized the need for discretion.
General Lin was the father of the Princess Rui, and even assigning a stable boy to speak with him would be overkill. Perhaps Chu Lingxuan aimed to leave an impression of Wang Cheng with General Lin for future endeavors.
Wang Cheng agreed and grinned broadly. While being closer to his sister’s family at General Chu’s camp, he still held a respectful stance, ready to answer any questions from his superiors instinctively.
Chu Lingxuan invited him to sit down and explained that in his camp, Wang Cheng could only serve as a soldier. He couldn’t grant promotions without cause. Wang Cheng needed to stay in the camp so that if Yang Qing’s false identity was exposed, Chu Lingxuan could advocate for him. He also inquired about Wang Cheng’s preferences for simpler tasks in the future.
Wang Cheng replied, “I prefer tending to the horses. It’s a job I’ve been doing for years, and I’ve grown accustomed to it.”
Due to other commitments, Chu Lingxuan couldn’t accompany Chen Feng to Wang Cheng family’s residence. Accompanied by guards, some servants, and an elderly physician from Huan Chuntang, Chen Feng and Wang Cheng rode in a carriage towards the northern city gate.
After an hour and a half, the carriage arrived at Jiuli Village.
Stopping in front of a small fenced courtyard, Chen Feng alighted from the carriage.
It was a modest courtyard enclosed by a fence, with three thatched houses. Wang Xiaodi was feeding the chickens in the yard.
Chen Feng suddenly recognized the courtyard as the one from her childhood in Xiangluo Village, and the person feeding the chickens resembled Chen Lu.
Seeing Wang Cheng arrive with a group of people, Wang Xiaodi stood up nervously, saying, “Father, they…”
Wang Cheng laughed, “Xiaodi, are you confused? Hurry, go and call your cousin.”
As Chen Feng and her entourage entered the yard, Wang Xiaodi, though bewildered, bowed respectfully to Chen Feng and blushed as he greeted her, “Greetings, cousin.”
Smiling, Chen Feng patted his head. The more she looked at him, the more he resembled her brother when they were younger – not just in appearance but also in his slim frame and shyness.
Autumn promptly handed a purse containing two silver ingots to Wang Xiaodi. Glancing nervously at his father and seeing him nod in approval, Wang Xiaodi tentatively accepted the purse.
At that moment, a woman in her thirties and a young girl emerged from one of the thatched houses, looking surprised at the group of elegantly dressed visitors, along with the horses and carriages.
Wang Cheng cheerfully exclaimed, “Wife, I have found my sister. This is my niece, Feng.” He then instructed Wang Xiaodi, “Hurry, go borrow some tables and chairs from the neighbors to serve tea to our guests.”
Wang Xiaodi, still a bit dazed, quickly agreed and dashed out of the courtyard, followed by several servants.
Moved to tears, Mrs. Wu cried out, “This is wonderful, we’ve finally found your sister. Feng, please come in.” Turning to her daughter, she urged, “Daughter, go and greet your cousin.”
The young girl timidly ran to cling to Wang Cheng’s leg, gazing wide-eyed at Chen Feng, too nervous to speak.
Wang Cheng, amused, remarked to Chen Feng, “Country children, not accustomed to meeting strangers.”
Chen Feng chuckled, and they all entered the house.
They stepped into the kitchen as soon as they entered, similar to the setup in Xiangluo Village. Turning right into the eastern room, Mrs. Wu’s mobility was limited, causing her to walk very slowly.
Inside, Mrs. Wu took Chen Feng’s hand, tears streaming down her face, “Finally, we have found you. I couldn’t close my eyes until this day. My husband spent all the money searching for your sister because of me. I carry a heavy burden…”
Wang Cheng interjected, “Enough of that talk. Let’s focus on happiness today and leave the sadness behind.”
Drying her tears, Mrs. Wu agreed, “Alright, let’s not dwell on it.” She prepared tea and asked Wang Cheng to buy some meat.
Chen Feng stopped her and had Autumn and the others come over to brew tea, setting out sweets and fruits on the table. The other two women busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing meat, vegetables, and eggs.
Chen Feng pulled Wang Xiaomei closer, gently pinching her pale, slightly bruised face and handing her a few pieces of candy. She smiled and said, “You’re Xiaomei, right?”
Wang Xiaomei nodded, “Yes.”
Autumn handed another purse to Wang Xiaomei, who happily observed the purse and whispered to Mrs. Wu, “Mother, this purse is pretty. Let’s sell it to repay debt to grandmother”
Mrs. Wu blushed and scolded, “Nonsense, this is a gift from your cousin to you, how can we sell it?”
Embarrassed, Wang Cheng rubbed his hands and said, “Our family is not well-off, I hope Feng doesn’t mind.”
Chen Feng smiled and replied, “Our family also faced difficulties in previous years, things only improved in the past two years.”
Afterward, the physician examined Mrs. Wu.
Wang Xiaodi borrowed tables and chairs from neighbors and set them up in the courtyard. Besides Mrs. Li, Autumn, and Yu Zhuo, there were two cooks preparing food, while the guards and servants sat in the courtyard to enjoy tea.
Upon hearing the commotion, a sharp voice in the courtyard exclaimed, “Oh, esteemed guests have arrived at the son-in-law’s house…”
Peering out the window, Chen Feng saw a woman in her forties fawning over Yu Zhuo, mistaking her for Wang Cheng’s relative.
Old lady Wu chuckled, “Young lady, you must be my son-in-law’s niece, right? Oh, you are as beautiful as a celestial nymph. I am the mother-in-law of my son-in-law Cheng Zi. My husband has sent me to invite you to our home.” She then instructed Wang Xiaodi, who was pouring tea, “Quickly go tell your father. How can you entertain esteemed guests in such a modest home? Let’s go, visit your grandmother’s house, your grandmother has already instructed your uncle to buy meat.”
Wang Xiaodi was terrified of his grandmother, his eyes reddening as he hesitated to speak up between his grandmother and the guests.
Yu Zhuo, aware of the mistreatment her Young Madam’s uncle faced from his in-laws, maintained a stern expression, saying, “You are mistaken. I am merely a servant of our Young Madam. Our Young Madam is visiting her uncle’s house as a guest and won’t be going to an unrelated household.”
Realizing that the extravagantly dressed individual was just a servant, old lady Wu was astonished by their wealth and quickly changed her demeanor, hurriedly heading inside, “Oh my, let me go greet our esteemed guests. Please come to our house for a meal, this place is too humble to entertain guests with fine food.”
Yu Zhuo intercepted her, stating firmly, “Our Young Madam decides whom she wishes to meet. Mind your manners, or you might face consequences.”
Initially mistaking the woman for a relative of Young Master Chu’s wife, the guards hesitated to intervene. However, observing Yu Zhuo’s demeanor, they understood that their Young Madam did not wish to engage with this person.
They all stood up and exclaimed, “How dare you! Can anyone simply meet our Young Madam? Get out, get out, get out!”