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When Chen Dabao mentioned Golden Treasure, he suddenly realized that the Golden Swallow he had been eagerly awaiting had not returned yet. Anxiously tugging at Chen Feng’s sleeve, he exclaimed, “Mother, why hasn’t Golden Treasure come home yet? I saw many geese and swallows flying north. Why hasn’t it found its way back to us? Could it have forgotten the way home?”
Chu Hanyan had also been eagerly awaiting Golden Treasure. Upon hearing Chen Dabao’s concerns, she pouted as if on the verge of tears.
Chen Feng chuckled, “What a coincidence, we actually met Golden Treasure on our way here. It stayed with us for two days. It’s just missing the woods so much that it flew back to play there. Maybe it will return by evening.”
Initially excited, Chen Dabao then pouted, saying, “Golden Treasure should miss me and my sister more. We’ve been missing it so much that we can’t sleep well or eat properly, yet it went off to the woods first.”
Chu Hanyan, not thinking much, smiled broadly upon hearing that Golden Treasure would find its way back home.
Children are always friendly with each other. Once Li Xuan became familiar with his new siblings, he also smiled warmly at them.
For Li Xuan’s safety, it was essential not to reveal that he was the emperor’s grandson. Instead, he was introduced as a friend of Chu Lingxuan’s son, under Chen Feng’s care for a period due to special circumstances. Therefore, Li Xuan was instructed to call Chu Lingxuan “Uncle” and Chen Feng “Auntie” temporarily, following their agreement made in the capital. Of course, he couldn’t be allowed to address Dabao as “Uncle.”
Chen Feng placed Li Xuan on the bed and let the children play with him. She then brought out gifts for the children and the pets, as well as some presents for Abbess Liao Chen and Steward Luo’s family. Not forgetting Qiqi and Gray this time, she bought them a specially made silver anklet and personally put it on them.
The two little ones were delighted. Qiqi imitated Chen Ye’s voice, saying, “Hmm, thanks a lot, brother.”
Gray imitated Mrs. Hu’s voice, saying, “Oh, it’s just alright.” Not as clever as Qiqi, Gray didn’t quite understand the meaning behind some words and thought it was a praise for Chen Feng.
Chen Feng couldn’t help but laugh. Whenever gifts were sent to the main house of Chen Ming’s family, Chen Ye and Mrs. Hu always used these two phrases, which even the parrots had learned.
In Luyuan, Mrs. Wang sat with Wang Cheng on the heated brick bed, sharing their experiences through tears. Chen Ming felt it was time to let them settle in their quarters. Smiling, he said, “Wife, it’s time for them to freshen up. They’ve traveled quite a distance.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang stood up and took Wang Cheng to the east wing, saying, “Your family will live here from now on…” She then noticed that Mrs. Wu walked with some difficulty, needing Mrs. Tan’s support to step over the threshold, and asked, “Is your health not good?”
Wang Cheng explained, “She fell ill during confinement.”
Mrs. Wang quikly supported Mrs. Wu and said, “Oh, why didn’t you say so earlier? This illness must not be aggravated. Quickly, sit on the bed, I’ll have some ginseng soup made for you.”
Seeing the concern and compassion in Mrs. Wang’s eyes, Mrs. Wu was moved to tears. Despite having many close relatives in her natal family, not a single person had shown her even a trace of affection.
Mrs. Wang asked Wang Cheng’s family to freshen up in the east wing, while she went to the kitchen to have Auntie Mu prepare the ginseng soup.
Feeling tired, Mrs. Wu rested on the bed after washing up, while Wang Cheng took the two children upstairs.
It was only then that Xiaodi and Xiaomei noticed three big dogs and two puppies lying on the straw mat under the eaves in the west wing. Children loved animals, but seeing the imposing and fierce demeanor of the three big dogs, they hesitated to approach.
Chen Lu reassured them, “Don’t worry, as long as you don’t disturb their puppies, they won’t harm you.” Leading Xiaodi and Xiaomei away, he stood by to watch the dogs.
Zhui Feng and Sasa became alert, not allowing anyone other than family near their puppies. However, seeing no threat from the children, they relaxed and lay down. Wangcai, a bit further away, was dozing off peacefully.
As the night grew darker, the sky filled with stars, dinner was ready, but Chen Ming insisted on waiting for his son-in-law’s family before serving the meal.
Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng arrived with the three children, two parrots, and a cart of gifts. Upon entering Luyuan, Zhui Feng and Sasa each held a puppy in their mouths and ran towards Chen Feng.
Bending down, Chen Feng gently took the two puppy pups from them. These little ones were only ten days old, their eyes still closed, inheriting their parents’ traits with white fur and gray ears. Upon closer inspection, one had a longer nose while the other had a shorter one. Nestled in Chen Feng’s arms, they softly whimpered.
Delighted, Chen Feng exclaimed, “Oh, they are two beautiful puppies. I have never seen such adorable little dogs before.”
Overjoyed, Zhui Feng let out a howl, wanting to jump on Chen Feng but restrained itself, licking her clothes with its long tongue instead. Sasa’s eyes sparkled, staring at Chen Feng without blinking.
Chen Feng smiled at Sasa, “Sasa, you’ve done well, giving birth to these adorable little ones.”
After exchanging pleasantries with the family, Chen Feng gave the braised pork bones meant for Wangcai before entering the upper room.
Chu Lingxuan, Chen Feng, Chen Dabao, and Chu Hanyan knelt down to kowtow to Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang, with Chu Lingxuan already addressing them as “Father” and “Mother”, and Chu Hanyan starting to address them “Grandfather” and “Grandmother” from that day onwards.
Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang joyfully handed each of them a red packet.
The table was set with food. Originally, the men – Chu Lingxuan, Chen Ming, and Wang Cheng, were to sit at one table, while the women and children were at another. However, due to the special circumstances of the day, Mrs. Wang was also invited to the main table.
While Mrs. Wu was resting, at the other table only Chen Feng, the adult, sat with the children, and Mama Wei fed Li Xuan.
Pointing to a dish of pickled vegetables and fried crumbs, Mrs. Wang said, “Cheng, you used to love this dish when you were young. I specially cooked this for you.”
After tasting it, Wang Cheng nodded, “Yes, this is the taste I’ve been thinking about for years. My wife has also cooked it, but it never tasted as good as this.”
Mrs. Wang smiled, “If you like it, have more.” and kept adding more food to his bowl.
Once Wang Cheng’s bowl was full, she finally noticed Chu Lingxuan and hesitated, “I got distracted as soon as I saw Cheng.”
Chu Lingxuan chuckled, “Not at all, Mother-in-law.”
Being immersed in the joy of reuniting with his sister, Wang Cheng was jolted back to reality by Chu Lingxuan’s words. After almost twenty years in the military camp, where even a low-ranking official could order him around and displeasing a superior could lead to punishment, having such a high-ranking official sitting beside him for a meal, even if he was his niece’s husband, made him nervous.
Feeling fearful, his hands began to tremble.
Seeing Wang Cheng’s unease, Chu Lingxuan tried to reassure him in a comforting tone, “Uncle, don’t be afraid. In our family, we are relatives, and you are still my elder. If you act like this, Feng will be upset with me when we get home.”
Finishing his words, he raised his glass and toasted Wang Cheng and Chen Ming.