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Chu Lingxuan knew that the tricolor ball was for Ninth Prince. Initially, Ninth Prince’s leg bone was shattered, and the area was severely injured. Despite the imperial physicians’ treatment, it was not completely irreparable, resulting in limited physical capabilities, allowing only about ten encounters with women in a year. Hence, despite having a main wife and two concubines, Ninth Prince had yet to father a child.
However, the situation where “the Chu family faced a calamity” was substantial, plunging Chu Lingxuan’s mood to its lowest point.
Seeing Chen Feng’s worried expression, he didn’t want her to fret too much. Trying to reassure her, he said, “Don’t be anxious. The golden swallow is so capable, it will surely find the tricolor ball.”
Although he said this, he couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. Could the fate of the entire family rest on a bird?
Chu Lingxuan continued, “I’ll discuss with Grandfather. If all else fails, I’ll discreetly bring my father back. We won’t let anything happen to the Chu family.” He then patted Chen Feng’s belly and asserted, “Our child will be safe.”
After taking a few steps, he turned back and whispered to her, “I have some great news to share. Ninth Prince’s leg has completely healed. Master Wuzhi mentioned that a miraculous medicine, previously unattainable, unexpectedly appeared in this world. This is Ninth Prince’s destiny and good fortune. We’ve always thought we’d have to wait until Prince Eleven grew up… There’s always a way. Rest assured…”
Amidst the commotion in the courtyard, Li Xuan returned with the pets from Fengyuan.
Chu Lingxuan squeezed Chen Feng’s hand before heading outside.
Li Xuan rushed in and hugged Chen Feng, shedding tears. Li Xuan said, “Auntie, I miss you, Xuan Xuan misses you, I miss brother and sister.”
This was Li Xuan’s longest statement. Chen Feng suppressed her own worries, lifted his little face, and smiled, “Oh, little Xuan is so capable, speaking so much. Auntie, brother, and sister all miss little Xuan, and we’ve brought many nice things for you.”
She then had Hong Fei bring the grass-woven curves and little rabbits bought outside for him. Once Li Xuan was bribed with these items, he forgot his sadness and started playing with them.
She also brought pine nuts for the two birds and meat buns for the Zhui Feng’s family.
Gray hopped around and asked, “Where’s Golden Treasure?”
Chen Feng shook her head, indicating she wasn’t sure either.
Qiqi exclaimed indignantly, “That little thing only cares about playing on its own, never minding us guys.”
Subsequently, the two birds, each carrying a pouch of pine nuts, flew back to the Serene Courtyard to find the little girl, while Zhui Feng held a basket of buns, leading the family back to the Enerqetic Courtyard to find Dabao.
The Yanxiang Pavilion instantly quieted down.
At noontime, the Chu family had important matters to attend to, so they didn’t gather in the Hai Tang Hall for lunch. Dabao, Hanyan, and the pets came to the Yanxiang Pavilion, where the three of them ate at the table while the animals dined on the small kang table.
After the meal, they were sent to rest.
Feeling a bit tired, Chen Feng took a long nap. When she woke up at noon, Chu Hanyan, Li Xuan, and the pets had already gone to Fengyuan to play.
Hong Fei assisted Chen Feng to Fengyuan, with Xiaomo carrying the mountain produce bought outside the temples and hermitages.
Upon seeing her daughter, Mrs. Wang quickly emerged from the house, guiding her daughter into the main room.
Chen Feng asked, “Where’s father?”
Mrs. Wang smiled and replied, “He went to the county grain store, he said he’ll be back tomorrow.”
Currently, Chen’s grain store was selling “Dingzhou Wheat” and also had a side business selling “Dingzhou Sweet Melons”, which was thriving.
The two settled on the kang, and Mrs. Wang smiled, “Your cousin’s wife gave birth to a seven-pound chubby boy last night, named Chen Dalong. Oh, the child is so fair and handsome, it’s made your grandmother and uncle very happy. Tomorrow, we’re hosting the third-day celebration, your grandmother also mentioned letting you hold Dalong. She said, ‘Having you hold Dalong, then giving birth to two handsome little boys by year-end.'”
Chen Ye’s eagerness for his son to become successful was apparent, even in the choice of name, “Dalong”.
Chen Feng also wanted to see the seven-pound chubby boy. Considering Chen Gui and Gao’s good relationship, she smiled and said, “I’ll go see the child and my cousin-in-law, I’ll skip the meal—too many people.” She added, “My grandmother is quite the talker. It’s all about goodwill, she’s always generous in her actions. But when it comes to material things, she changes her face.”
With Chen Ming not present, Chen Feng’s words carried a hint of casualness. She was still a bit annoyed at the old lady for venting her frustrations on Mrs. Wang due to Chen Ming buying a house for Wang Cheng.
During their last visit to Dingzhou Prefecture, both Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming accompanied Wang Cheng. Grandma Chen was also present. Seeing that Wang Cheng’s home was newer and more spacious than her third son Chen Shi’s, and the furniture inside was better, it pained her chest. She felt that despite helping Chen Feng so much, Chen Feng hadn’t thought to purchase such a nice courtyard for them. Wang Cheng hadn’t done much to assist, yet Chen Feng was able to provide him with so much. In Chen Feng’s mind, the weight of the Chen family wasn’t as significant as that of the Wang family. Feeling humiliated, she publicly scolded Mrs. Wang, making her cry.
Chen Shi, who had visited Wang Cheng’s home with them, quickly apologized to Mrs. Wang and Wang Cheng on behalf of his mother. Upon returning home, he had a serious talk with his old lady, explaining how the good life they enjoyed, including his second brother Chen Ming’s success, was all thanks to Feng. Even Chen Aman’s ability to find a good son-in-law like Yang Mingyuan was attributed to Feng and the Chu family, otherwise, how could the wealthy Mr. Yang have taken an interest in their family?
He then questioned the old lady, “You always say the Chen family raised Feng, but how did you raise her? Did you give her a needle, a bowl of rice, or help change a diaper? None of that! Let alone Feng, even Second Brother was raised through Second Sister-in-law’s needlework.”
The old lady couldn’t argue with this. She retorted, “We provided Feng with a status, sheltered her. If Mrs. Wang had married into another family, Feng might have been abandoned at birth and wouldn’t have survived until now. Besides, Feng tends to get into trouble after recovering from illness, and it was I, my eldest son, and Chen Gui who helped her.”
Chen Shi pointed out, “Granting Feng a status was a condition set by you with Second Sister-in-law. She earned money to support Second Brother, provide his medical treatment, and in return, we acknowledged that Feng is part of our Chen family. Second Sister-in-law never boasted about how much money she earned or the treatments she provided Second Brother, you always bring up raising Feng. You helped her in a fight, does she still owe you? Feng has no blood relation with our Chen family, no real nurturing relationship. What she remembers is the previous affection between us and the bond with Second Brother. If you continue to cause a fuss and erode that bond, let’s see if she still cares about us…”
The old lady wasn’t foolish, she regretted losing her temper during the day. Reflecting on it now, she realized that if she angered Feng, they would be the ones at a loss. She inquired, “What should we do? Mrs. Wang is fine, Second Son will look after her, but under no circumstances should she speak to Feng…”
The old lady wasn’t afraid of Mrs. Wang but was wary of Chen Feng.