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Third Madam smiled, “No wonder it’s so good. I’ll gift another jar to the Empress Dowager, wishing her a long and healthy life.” She added, “Xuan mentioned to me earlier that I should find a better Nursemaid to care for Hanyan. I have one available, Mama Huang. She has been serving me in the palace for a long time, although she’s a bit older now, at forty-three. If she doesn’t suit, I’ll request a younger one from the palace.”
Finding a caretaker for Chu Hanyan was Chen Feng’s suggestion to Lingxuan. The young girl was already six years old, too kind and innocent, unlikely to grow astute even with Chen Feng’s guidance due to her lack of understanding of the intricacies of managing a household.
Girls living in grand households may not need to be literate, but they must understand the ways of managing the household. Especially for a kind girl like Hanyan, a savvy, loyal nursemaid well-versed in household management was essential for her guidance and care.
Mama Huang, one of Third Madam’s most capable maids, stood nearby, appearing to not hear her mistress’s words. Despite her age, she could still work for over a decade. The first ten years of Hanyan’s growth were crucial, hence Mama Huang’s role in teaching her the household’s complexities. After serving Hanyan for a few years after her marriage and grooming a successor, she could then retire honorably.
Chen Feng glanced at Mama Huang, then playfully embraced Third Madam’s arm, saying, “Mama Huang is indeed your favorite, efficient and skilled. Are you willing to part with her?”
Third Madam chuckled, “Mama Huang has served me faithfully for over twenty years, and she is capable and loyal. I am somewhat reluctant to let her go. However, Hanyan has suffered in the past, and being kind-hearted, I sympathize with her and want her future days to be better.”
Addressing Mama Huang, Third Madam continued, “Hanyan is young and kind-hearted. If you educate her well, she will take care of you in your old age, ensuring your comfort and happiness.”
Gratefully, Mama Huang bowed to Third Madam, saying, “Thank you, Princess, for your kindness. I will serve the Young Miss well.”
Afterward, she bowed to Chen Feng, saying, “Thank you, Madam.”
Given Mama Huang’s former rank as a palace maid, she didn’t need to bow to Chen Feng.
Chen Feng exchanged a few words with her, then Autumn handed her a purse. Shortly after, Chu Hua arrived with Heng, her son.
Third Madam chuckled, “Oh, I want to admire them more. May I have such a handsome boy in the future.”
Heng, unimpressed, remarked, “Men should look manly.”
Due to Heng resembling his father in appearance—dark and strong, the forthright Chu Hua often teased him for not being handsome. His father Xie Ling would use this phrase to silence his wife, a habit that even the young Heng had picked up.
Third Madam laughed heartily, “Little lad, can’t even speak clearly, yet so manly.”
Chen Feng and Chu Hua had lunch and dinner together. They lamented Chen Shiying for a while, as Third Madam had previously arranged a match for Chen Yuqing, which had to be abandoned due to the circumstances.
During dinner, Third Master didn’t return to Anrong Hall, instead, he stayed in the outer courtyard with the old Maruis and Second Master, enjoying drinks with other male family members.
The welcoming banquet, intended for the whole family to dine together, was supposed to be at Anrong Hall. However, due to an incident during a farewell banquet at the beginning of the year involving Second Madam Chu, the old Marquis was displeased and decided against a family gathering. This suited Chen Feng and Third Madam, who preferred not to see Second Madam Chu.
The next day, Chen Feng feigned illness and stayed in the courtyard, with Third Madam visiting to see her and the children. Princess Rong Zhao was Chen Feng’s pseudo mother-in-law and the pseudo grandmother of the two boys. It was necessary for them to pay respects to her and the Marquis upon arriving in the capital.
It was obvious that Princess Rong Zhao harbored envy and resentment towards the mother and her two children, now residing in the Princess’s residence. Chen Feng wasn’t too concerned, but she couldn’t risk any harm to the children, hence the pretense of illness. Gifts were sent to the Princess’s residence.
The illness pretense was primarily to prevent Madam Li from spying and to maintain appearances in the main room of the Bamboo Pavilion.
During this time, Young Madam Song (Chu Lingqi’s wife, 2nd Branch), Young Madam Shen (Chu Ling’an’s wife, 2nd Branch), and Chu Zhen visited Chen Feng at the Bamboo Pavilion.
Upon hearing the loud announcement from the maid, the boys playing on Chen Feng’s bed were whisked away to the large kang in the eastern room.
Mama Li didn’t invite these visitors into the bedroom, seating them at the entrance of the eastern room. She cited reasons like Chen Feng’s son being young, Young Madam Shen being a new bride, and Chen Feng being delicate and unwell.
Chen Feng reclined by the bed, exchanging a few weak words with them.
Young Madam Shen was more outgoing and talkative, leaving a decent first impression. Her true nature remained unknown. She also took a liking to Siyu and Siming, playing with them for a while and joking, “They say they are picky eaters and only drink Sister-in-law’s milk. Now that Sister-in-law is ill, how will they be fed? Poor things, we mustn’t let them go hungry.”
Mama Li sighed, “The boys won’t go hungry, but it’s our Madam who’s pitied. She has to pump milk every day, and we warm it to feed the boys.”
On the twentieth morning, Third Master and Madam personally visited the Bamboo Pavilion.
Chen Feng couldn’t pretend to be ill with their arrival, so she welcomed them in the hall.
Third Master Chu assured Chen Feng that Chen Shiying was doing well, and he could have the items from the East Wing passed on to him. However, as a lone female relative, Chen Feng couldn’t meet him alone. Moreover, she was feigning illness, so they would wait for Chu Lingxuan to return before visiting together.
Chen Feng then presented several large packages and a purse. The packages contained gifts from Madam Jiang and items like cotton robes, food, and wine sent by Chen Feng. However, they couldn’t include a letter, as all items were scrutinized by the guards. The purse held two hundred taels of silver notes for the Imperial Guards watching over Chen Shiying.
Later that afternoon, Chen Aman and Yu arrived at the Bamboo Pavilion, bringing Yang Chao and Yang Qian with them.
The two children had grown taller, and their relationship with Aman was good, with their mother calling them affectionately. They were disappointed to hear that Dabao and Chu Hanyan hadn’t come, but upon seeing Sasa’s family and the boys, their disappointment vanished.
Observing Chen Aman’s smile, it seemed she was leading a good life.
Chen Feng hosted them for dinner, promising to visit the Yang family another day.
During the night, strong winds arose, mingled with the cries of Sasa’s family, disturbing Chen Feng. Her already restless mind became more uneasy, and it took counting hundreds of sheep to eventually fall asleep.