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Chen Feng’s current desire was to quickly take a hot bath, then sit on the warm kang to enjoy lamb soup, and eventually have a restful night’s sleep.
However, Princess Rui arrived, and their matters needed to be settled first.
She carried Li Xuan towards the upper chambers, saying, “Xuan, your mother has come to take you. She missed you so much while she was away, crying every day. You need to be good and go back home with her.”
Princess Rui met them at the door of the upper chambers, extending her hand with a choked voice, “Xuan, Xuan…”
Li Xuan already had some memories of his biological parents, and during his time at the Chu family, his wet nurse, Mama Wei, would talk about how much his mother missed him and longed for him. He knew that his true home was in the Prince Rui’s residence in the capital. Before returning to the capital, Chen Feng had also prepared him, telling him that he would return to his own home once they reached the city.
While Li Xuan allowed Princess Rui to hold him and show affection, he was reluctant to go back to the Prince Rui’s residence with her. He was carried back by his wet nurse, crying uncontrollably.
Chen Feng also felt attached to him but couldn’t keep someone else’s child by force. She patted his head and said, “Xuan, don’t cry. When you miss Auntie, come over to Auntie’s place to play.”
Li Xuan choked out, “When Auntie goes back to the home in Dingzhou, remember to bring Xuan along. Xuan likes Auntie, big brother, sister, and little brothers.”
This question posed a dilemma for Chen Feng, and she chuckled softly.
Princess Rui had already heard from the Prince about how intelligent her son was. Seeing it firsthand, she was amazed by his cleverness and eloquence, especially by his unexpected request. She was not only not angry but deeply moved to tears.
Taking Chen Feng’s hand, she said, “Sister Feng, words cannot express my gratitude. Your kindness will be remembered by me and my husband for a lifetime.”
Chen Feng replied with a smile, “Princess, you are too kind. I am very fond of Xuan and will often bring him over for visits.”
After seeing them off, Mrs. Yu pointed to the pile of colorful jewels on the table and said, “These were gifts from Princess Rui.”
Chen Feng and her son bathed, changed into clean clothes, and then the maid of Third Madam Chu arrived.
The maid smiled and said, “Third Madam mentioned that since it’s late, and Madam must be tired from the journey, there’s no need to greet the elders now…”
Chen Feng expressed her gratitude and handed the maid a purse.
She settled on the kang, fed the two children, let them play on the kang, and listened to Mrs. Yu’s report while enjoying the lamb soup.
Mrs. Yu reported that the household was calm with Third Madam Chu overseeing things, and Second Madam Chu wanted to showcase her daughter, but couldn’t do so effectively. However, there was a dispute between the two sisters during the babies’ full moon celebration.
Third Madam wished for either the Second or Third Master to take Second Madam Chu’s daughter to Dingzhou for the full moon celebration, but Second Madam Chu found excuses to prevent them from going. She argued that during Ling’an’s joyous occasion, the Marquis, Lingxuan, and old Marquis, had not returned to the residence. As the First Branch didn’t give face to the Second Branch, why should the Second Branch give face to the First?
Third Madam, in a fit of anger, taunted her, “Your face is only slightly bigger than a sparrow’s on a tree. How dare you speak of face? Without the First Branch, who are you?”
Second Madam Chu was left in tears…
The legitimate son of the Second Branch, Chu Ling’an, got engaged on the eighth of September. At that time, Chu Lingxuan was extremely busy, the old Marquis pretended to be ill, and the Marquis was at the Lingyin Temple, making it impossible for them to attend the wedding. Pregnant Chen Feng was also unable to return.
Chen Feng understood that Madam Li’s (Second Madam Chu) real anger stemmed from her inability to take control of the Chu household as the eldest elder present in the residence, and not because she felt her son is neglected. She chuckled and remarked, “As for Madam Li’s face, everyone knows it, except for herself. Constantly yearning for unattainable things will only lead to diminishing face in the future.”
The next morning after breakfast, Chen Feng took her son and the gift for the Third Branch to Anrong Hall. She had the servants deliver the gift for the Second Branch.
Feeling that her relationship with Madam Li was irreparable, Chen Feng decided not to pretend as if nothing had happened.
Third Madam Chu was speaking with Chu Lingzhi when Chen Feng arrived with the children. She eagerly exclaimed, “Quick, let me see the little ones.”
Chen Feng greeted Third Madam Chu and had the children placed on the kang.
Third Madam Chu doted on them, expressing her delight. She remarked, “What handsome boys! If only they were girls.”
She then presented each child with a pair of precious gemstone bracelets as gifts.
Chu Lingzhi then took Sasa’s family to visit others and show off.
In no time, Chu Zhen arrived. She came to Third Madam Chu’s quarters daily for an hour to learn etiquette, social graces, and household management.
Chu Zhen paid her respects to Third Madam Chu, then bowed slightly to Chen Feng, calling out, “Sister-in-law.”
Though her smile seemed forced, she knew to smile and address people, displaying a much-improved demeanor. Quite the progress.
Chen Feng returned the gesture, saying, “Younger sister.”
Chu Zhen then presented two small jade pendants, saying, “These are gifts for my two nephews as a token of introduction. Sister-in-law, please don’t mind.”
Aware that this was likely a prompt from Mama Qian, Chen Feng appreciated the gesture, saying, “Oh, I thank my younger sister on their behalf.”
Seeing the nearly identical boys, Chu Zhen found it amusing, her smile now genuine as she interacted with the children.
Third Madam Chu wanted to have a private conversation with Chen Feng, stating, “Zhen, I’m busy today, so you can head back first.” She then took a red ruby-studded gold butterfly hairpin from her head, saying, “Good children are adored by everyone. This was a gift from the Empress Dowager to me. Take it and wear it.”
This was the second time Third Madam had given her something, a reward from the Empress Dowager. Chu Zhen accepted it happily, bid farewell to Chen Feng, and left.
Chen Feng remarked, “Third Aunt really knows how to teach. In less than a year, Zhen has changed a lot.”
Third Madam smiled, then gazed at the gently falling snow outside, her expression turning serious. She whispered to Chen Feng, “It’s said that Master Wuzhi has a keen foresight. With the year-end approaching, I wonder if we are truly facing the threat of a snow disaster…”
She mentioned that ever since receiving the secret message, the Marquis and the Third Master had avoided trips north. Even tasks that couldn’t be avoided were postponed. They weren’t sure when this period would end and if they could evade the predicted disaster…
“It’s truly troubling.” Third Madam sighed, then changed the subject, saying, “You brought me two jars of aged wine last time. I gave one to the Empress Dowager, and she absolutely loves it. She drinks a glass every night and says it’s invigorating.”
Chen Feng chuckled, “I brought two more this time.” She then whispered, “Just between us, I added some rare herbs to the wine. It was a gift from Master Wuzhi, so it’s quite fortifying.”
It wouldn’t be good for the royal family to know she possessed something valuable, shifting the blame to Master Wuzhi.