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She sat up halfway and asked, “Lingxuan is back?”
Chu Lingxuan, slightly surprised, replied from the bed, “It’s so late, and you’re not asleep yet?” He reached out, pulling her into his arms, comforting, “Don’t worry, we won’t let anything happen to you all. Dad will come to Tangyuan tomorrow night, and we’ll discuss everything properly… Now, sleep, it’s late.”
Feeling the familiar scent on him, Chen Feng also felt drowsy. Before drifting off to sleep, she murmured, “Golden Treasure has flown away. It’s gone to find the tricolor ball. I’m worried, not sure if it’s in danger…”
Chu Lingxuan was pleasantly surprised to hear this news. The golden swallow truly was a magical bird, capable of soothing children, smiling, and even fetching dung. Now, it had gone to find the tricolor ball… If it could retrieve it, they could take precautions.
He reassured her, “Don’t worry, Golden Treasure is smart and capable. It won’t be in danger.”
The next day, when Chen Feng woke up, Chu Lingxuan was already gone.
Hong Fei informed her, “Master will be heading to the Yamen today and left at the hour of the Tiger (around 3-5:00 AM). He also mentioned he’ll be back for dinner and asked for some appetizers…” Chen Feng nodded, and after Dabao finished breakfast, Zhui Feng’s family took him to school. Chen Feng then prepared the ceremonial gifts for the Chen main branch’s family. Four silver ingots for the top scholars, a pair of silver bracelets, a small silver neck ring, two pieces of fine wool fabric, along with two chickens and fifty eggs. These gifts were significant, especially in the village.
After spending some time with Chu Hanyan and Li Xuan in Fengyuan, she headed to Luyuan. Mama Luo also carried fifty eggs and brought the four silver ingots, accompanying Chen Feng.
Chen Ming had just returned from the county with Mrs. Wang, waiting for her. When she arrived, they all went to the village together.
Walking down the familiar path with Hong Fei supporting her, Chen Feng realized it had been a while since she had been here. The farmers in the fields smiled and greeted them.
“Master Chen, going to celebrate Xiaolong’s third day?”
Because the child was named Chen Dalong, the villagers dared not use the usual term and referred to him as the Little Dragon, Xiaolong instead.
“Feng, oh, no, it’s Madam Chu—rare to see you in the village.”
Chen Ming and the others chatted and laughed with the guests.
Many people had already gathered in the Chen main branch courtyard, some sipping tea inside the house while others lounged under the trees to keep cool. When Chen Feng, visibly pregnant, arrived, Grandma Chen and Chen Ye were delighted, feeling highly honored.
The old lady proclaimed loudly, “Oh my, our magpies are chirping non-stop, we have esteemed guests arriving.”
Chen Feng exchanged smiles with them and, along with Mrs. Wang and Mama Luo, headed directly to Mrs. Gao’s room.
Mrs. Hu, busy in the kitchen, heard that Chen Feng and Mrs. Wang had arrived, so she hurried out of the kitchen to the east wing to see what gifts they were bringing.
The servants presented the gifts from Chen Feng, while Mrs. Wang also displayed her gifts. Mrs. Wang offered a pair of small silver bracelets, a small silver lock, two chickens, and fifty eggs. She had bought these chickens and eggs in the village, most of which were raised in Luyuan, and she had taken a large portion to give to Chen Feng.
Mrs. Hu was very pleased with these gifts, and her laughter echoed through the room.
Chen Feng lifted Chen Dalong, who was already awake, looking at her with one eye open, a smile playing on his lips.
Grandma Chen exclaimed joyfully, “Oh my, our Dalong is clever, he already knows how to greet esteemed guests at such a young age.”
This statement elicited hearty laughter from everyone in the room.
Turning to Chen Dalong, Grandma Chen said, “Dalong, pay attention now. The one holding you is your eldest aunt, when you grow up, remember to be filial to your eldest aunt.”
The child blew two small bubbles in excitement, causing Chen Feng to affectionately kiss his cheek before handing him over to Mrs. Wang.
Hu Cuicui quickly entered the room, engaging with Chen Feng, even hugging her arm in a friendly manner. Hu Cuicui shared about her family in Sanqing County, where they owned several hundred acres of land and ran a shop.
Chen Feng truly disliked this girl. In the past, she and Chen Jue had often bullied little Feng, with many of their mischievous ideas originating from her. However, deciding not to stoop to her level, Chen Feng withdrew her arm from her embrace, exchanging casual pleasantries before moving on.
Chen Jue also arrived, standing at the door, torn between trying to curry favor and a sense of disdain.
Chen Feng noticed the crowded and stuffy atmosphere inside the small house due to her presence. Reluctantly, she exchanged a few words with Mrs. Gao, ensuring she rested well, and then left the room.
Outside in the courtyard, Chen Alan approached, carrying a girl over a year old. Chen Alan had given birth to a daughter, and despite her in-laws’ displeasure, they named the girl Pan Di.
With the Chen family’s prosperity, her in-laws dared not mistreat Chen Alan.
Little Pan Di was adorable, and Chen Feng, bending down, played with the girl, smiling as she pinched her chubby cheeks. Seeing her mistress’s fondness for the child, Hong Fei quickly slipped a pouch containing silver ingots into the little girl’s arms.
This gesture by Chen Feng was interpreted as giving Chen Alan face, pleasing her mother-in-law immensely, leaving her with a beaming expression. The once foolish girl, often bullied by everyone, had now become an unattainable “noble” in the eyes of the villagers.
Declining to stay for the meal, Chen Feng explained that the older ones and the younger ones at home needed her attention. Grandma Chen, Chen Gui, Chen Jue, and Hu Cuicui escorted her to the village entrance. Initially reluctant, Chen Jue was persuaded to follow along by Grandma Chen’s discreet pinches.
Later that afternoon, after her nap, Chen Feng busied herself in the Fengyuan kitchen.
In the evening, Marquis Chu was expected to dine at Tangyuan, prompting Chen Feng to prepare a proper meal to entertain him. Since she disliked Princess Rong Zhao, the delicious food from here had never been sent to Marquis Chu.
Reflecting on a statement from the golden swallow, Marquis Chu’s loneliness during the visit to Yingshuan Monastery, and his evident reluctance when leaving the mountain, Chen Feng felt a deep sympathy for him. Wanting to show her respect and care, she decided to prepare a special meal for him.
While most of the dishes were prepared by Mama Hua and others, she wanted to make a few of her signature dishes.
One sesame cucumber dish, a refreshing cucumber roll, and a cucumber salad, all made with special cucumbers grown between Fengyuan and Luyuan. With quality ingredients, they were always delicious.
She also caught and cooked two half-grown roosters, making salt-baked chicken, cold chicken slices, and spicy chicken pieces.
Additionally, she simmered various meats and vegetables, prepared a golden shrimp dish, and a golden silky pork dish.
They would be serving infused wine, known for its delicious taste and nourishing properties.
Later on, she taught Mama Hua how to arrange the dishes on platters.
In the evening, after the children had eaten, she sent them back to their respective courtyards and continued with her preparations.
The meal was set up in the master’s room. The old Marquis sat solemnly in the side room, anxiously waiting for his eldest son, feeling uncertain about the news. Typically, major decisions were made by the eldest and third sons. Despite being the elder, he was accustomed to deferring to them on important matters.
As night fell, Chu Lingxuan returned on horseback. He had rushed back from Dingzhou Prefecture, bathed at the Yanxiang Pavilion, changed into fresh clothes, and was now waiting in the front yard.