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Accompanied by Mrs. Luo, Mrs. Wang listened to her comforting words, “Dear lady, the heavens have blessed your brother’s safe return. Despite his injuries, you and your brother are finally reunited, which is a good thing…”
Chen Ming added, “Juan, let Cheng return home. We can discuss matters there. Also, the children have endured a long journey, and they are tired.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang released Wang Cheng and asked, “Where are the children?” Mrs. Wu, following behind, led Wang Xiaodi and Xiaomei forward, bowing respectfully to Mrs. Wang and tearfully said, “Sister-in-law, Cheng has missed you every day, and today he finally sees you…”
Wang Xiaodi and Xiaomei knelt before Mrs. Wang, addressing her as “Auntie”.
Mrs. Wang pulled them up and wept with them.
Wang Cheng guessed that the man accompanying his sister must be her husband, Chen Ming, and he bowed to him, calling out, “Brother-in-law”.
Chen Ming chuckled, “Your sister has been in tears every day these days, finally bringing you back.”
Chen Lu also bowed to Wang Cheng.
After the family reunion, Wang Cheng and Mrs. Wang walked hand in hand towards Luyuan, with Lu leading Xiaodi and Xiaomei this time.
Chu Lingxuan finally caught his daughter’s attention and happily embraced her. However, his daughter just smiled and seemed amused, lacking the excitement she had shown when reuniting with Feng.
Chen Dabao was held by Chen Feng, tightly embracing her neck, repeatedly calling out, “Mother, Mother, Mother…”
Li Xuan, bewildered by the emotional scene, forgot to approach Chen Feng and instead clung tightly to Mama Wei’s neck.
Steward Luo from Tangyuan walked over to Chu Lingxuan, whispering that the Chen family had sent the betrothal gifts for Chen Feng on the morning of the 10th. The furniture was arranged in the main hall, and the dowry was stored in the storage room. Even though the Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng were not present that day, Tangyuan hosted several tables of guests, awaiting their approval of the gifts…
Due to Chen Dabao’s reluctance to leave Mrs. Wang and the others, he remained at Luyuan. However, his courtyard was prepared, and he could move in today. Little Xuan’s room was also arranged…
As they reached the entrance of Tangyuan, Mrs. Wang, leading Wang Cheng’s family, continued towards Luyuan without stopping. Chen Ming informed Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng, “Son-in-law and Feng will join us for dinner at Luyuan tonight.” He felt awkward inviting the old Marquis Chu, considering it a post-wedding banquet for his daughter and son-in-law.
Chen Feng nodded in agreement.
They needed to return to their own home in Tangyuan first before heading to the maternal home.
Chen Feng gazed at Fengyuan a hundred meters away, realizing it was now just their secondary residence and a children’s playground. In the future, they would only go there to play with the children.
Thinking of the other two members of their family, she asked Dabao in her arms, “Where are Zhui Feng and Sasa? Has Sasa had puppies?”
Dabao finally smiled and replied, “Sasa has become a mother and had two puppies. They are very cute. The puppies are so small, and Zhui Feng and Sasa can’t bear to part with them. Sister Yan and I named the puppies. I named the boy Chang and my sister named the girl Duan.”
“What unusual names.” Chen Feng remarked.
Dabao explained, “Because the one with a long nose should be called Chang as in long, and the one with a short nose should be called Duan as in short.”
Chen Feng chuckled and kissed his little face affectionately.
The servants of Tangyuan stood at the main gate to welcome their arrival. Old Marquis Chu led the way, with Chu Lingxuan holding Chu Hanyan and Chen Feng carrying Chen Dabao entering first, followed by Mama Wei carrying Li Xuan.
They first proceeded to the main hall of the outer courtyard, where Luo, the steward, and all the servants bowed to Chen Feng, now referred to as “Madam.” Chen Feng then delivered a speech, combining kindness and authority, and rewarded them with a purse filled with silver coins.
Lastly, she smiled at Steward Luo and said, “This month, the servants will receive two months’ worth of pay.”
Steward Luo respectfully acknowledged her directive.
Chen Feng and the others then headed back to the inner courtyard.
The Yanxiang Pavilion was not as spacious as the Bamboo Pavilion or the main courtyard of the General’s Residence. The main building consisted of three rooms with side chambers, while the east and west wing rooms each had three rooms. In the small courtyard, two West Lake Crabapple trees were planted, already blooming with tiny flower buds. The rear courtyard had only three back chambers, with a few green bamboo plants and two banana trees planted in the courtyard.
In the main house, the east wing served as a bedroom, with the side chambers connected to create a dressing room. Li Xuan temporarily stayed in the east wing until his condition improved, then would be moved to another courtyard.
Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng sat on the Buddha bed in the hall, where Chen Feng received Chu Hanyan’s gesture of kneeling.
Upon hearing that kneeling to her aunt would allow her to call her “Mother”, Chu Hanyan was overjoyed. Without waiting for instructions, she quickly knelt down and bowed, calling out, “Mother”, in a tender voice.
Afterward, tears welled up in her eyes, as this had been a long-standing wish that had finally come true.
Seeing her like this, Chen Feng’s eyes also teared up, and she said, “Good girl, rise and come to Mother.”
From then on, they were mother and daughter.
Behind Chen Feng, Autumn presented a tray with a set of clothes and a set of jewelry. Qiao stepped forward to receive them.
Chu Hanyan got up and threw herself into Chen Feng’s arms, calling out, “Mother, Mother.”, in a sweet tone.
Chen Dabao saw this and also rushed into his mother’s embrace.
Chen Feng hugged them both, dealing with their chatter about their longing for each other, while directing the servants to tidy up. Chu Lingxuan went to the bedroom to get changed and then to the dressing room to bathe.
At this moment, Mama Wei arrived carrying the crying Li Xuan. Previously confused, Li Xuan was now awake, didn’t see Chen Feng, and started crying again.
Chen Feng released Dabao and Hanyan, reached out to pick up Li Xuan, and comforted him, “Oh, Xuan Xuan, don’t cry. This is Auntie’s home, and from now on, you’ll live with Auntie here.” She then pointed to Dabao and Hanyan, saying, “This is Dabao, and this is Hanyan. You’ll play with them every day, so you won’t feel lonely.”
She then turned to Dabao and Hanyan, saying, “His name is Li Xuan. Little Xuan will stay with us for a while. He’s your brother, and you two are his older siblings. Take care of him and look after him.”
Upon hearing that Li Xuan could only call her “Auntie” and not “Mother,” Chu Hanyan felt proud and agreed, finding him pitiful like herself. She said, “Okay, Sister will play with Xuan Xuan.”
Initially jealous of her mother embracing Li Xuan, Chen Dabao recognized familiarity in Li Xuan’s eyes. Upon reflection, he felt a sense of endearment towards him. Instead of feeling jealous, he generously said, “Little brother, I am the big brother. I’ll take you to slide down the slide in Fengyuan, which is very fun. The chamber pot there is also fun. It’s a different experience when you pee there. Also, in our family, there’s Qiqi, Gray, Zhui Feng, Sasa, Chang, Duan, and Golden Treasure…”