Chapter 100: Unexpected

Upon learning that Chen Feng was taking him to the General’s mansion to deliver gifts, Chen Yu specifically dressed in his best clothes—a slightly worn, slate-gray silk robe with a round collar. Although the robe was a bit old and short for him, the young man looked exceptionally handsome once he had it on.

Even Chen Feng couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times and joked, “Cousin Yu, you look quite handsome after tidying up.”

Chen Yu blushed and chuckled at her comment.

They didn’t go to the main gate of the Chu mansion but instead disembarked at the side gate. Chen Feng informed the gatekeeper that they were looking for Steward Luo and slipped him a small silver coin.

Steward Luo held a respectable position in the Chu mansion, and with the added silver coin, the gatekeeper was more than happy to fetch him.

Upon seeing the large batch of dates, Steward Luo was delighted and promptly instructed the servant who had accompanied him to take the dates directly to the Joyful Pavilion. He emphasized that they shouldn’t be taken elsewhere and that this time, not even the master should receive them.

The household cook had prepared numerous glutinous rice balls to entertain the guests, and everyone was particularly fond of this small delicacy. Only the old marquis, with his sweet tooth and discerning palate, found the glutinous rice balls at the Joyful Pavilion even more delectable. He made frequent visits there, even though the serving was limited. The two small bowls of glutinous rice balls at the Joyful Pavilion were nearly depleted after his visits.

Chen Feng handed the large parcel to Steward Luo and said, “I’ve made two large dolls for miss Hanyan to alternate between.” She then added with a wry smile, “I also made a set of small clothes for her. The craftsmanship is rough, so please don’t mind.”

Steward Luo chuckled heartily and said, “Clothes made by Mrs. Chen must be beautiful. I’ll tell my daughter-in-law to have the young miss wear this outfit tomorrow.” Taking the large parcel from Chen Feng, he added, “With the mansion full of guests, not only from the capital but also from the provincial city, we won’t be able to invite you in… I’ll thank you on behalf of the master and young miss.”

He praised Chen Yu’s good looks and mentioned how much the guests enjoyed the braised skewers, adding that most of the braised skewers for the following day wouldn’t be skewered. However, a small portion would be, as some men wanted to experience the joy of eating skewered snacks.

Chen Yu quickly expressed his gratitude and even invited Steward Luo to their home for braised skewers when he had time, emphasizing that braised skewers were best enjoyed skewered.

Steward Luo smiled and agreed, then turned to Chen Feng and remarked, “Your cousin is a clever lad.”

As they were leaving, Steward Luo sent back five catties of refined white sugar, ten catties of pears, and four packets of candies from the capital.

Upon returning to Chen’s home, Chen Feng kept the candies to bring back home as gifts and gave the rest to Chen Shi. Chen Shi brought out the pears for everyone to share, and the five catties of refined white sugar were taken to the front shop to be sold.

The pears were plump and juicy but a bit coarse in texture, not providing a pleasant eating experience. Chen Feng remembered the deliciousness of Shandong pears, Fengshui pears, and Xiang pears from her previous life, each with its own distinct flavor, and she wished for something tastier.

She inquired if there were pears with a finer texture and sweeter taste. Chen Shi insisted that the pears were the best and that if these were considered coarse, then only apples could be deemed finer.

In the evening, Chen Feng sketched six different types of button knots on paper: a floral basket knot, a pipa knot, a mandarin duck knot, a butterfly knot, a phoenix knot, and a longevity knot.

This time, she wanted to create several different types of button knots. Ancient people’s wisdom was boundless. They could design a plum blossom knot based on a chrysanthemum knot, and over time, they would come up with even more designs. Instead of waiting for them to do it, she preferred to design them first.

The variety was under the control of Manager Luo, who was so clever, and she was sure to know when to introduce new products.

Chen Feng explained to Mrs. Wang how to match and create these button knots. Crafting intricate button knots required skill, patience, and exceptional dexterity, and her own skills were not up to par, so it had to be primarily done by Mrs. Wang, with her assisting.

Mrs. Wang was amazed by these button knots. She thought creating button knots in floral patterns was already beautiful, but to see them shaped like animals, musical instruments, and characters was astonishing.

The mother and daughter were engrossed in making button knots in the house.

However, they found their current collection of satin and embroidery threads to be somewhat monotonous. So, on the 16th day, Chen Feng visited the Ni Shang Embroidery Workshop.

The shop assistant recognized her and led her directly to the backyard of the shop.

Upon entering the hall, she found not only Manager Luo but also Steward Luo present. Both siblings seemed to have just finished crying, with red eyes, yet their expressions were joyful, with a hint of a smile in their eyes and at the corners of their mouths.

Chen Feng felt that perhaps it wasn’t the right time for her to be there.

Both siblings rose to their feet upon Chen Feng’s arrival, smiling and offering her a seat. Manager Luo personally served her tea, leaving Chen Feng feeling both bewildered and pleasantly surprised.

Steward Luo chuckled, “Ms. Chen, even if you hadn’t come today, I would have made a special trip to thank you.”

“Thank me?” Chen Feng was surprised.

As he spoke, Steward Luo’s eyes glistened with a hint of moisture. He took out a handkerchief to dab his eyes.

His voice slightly choked, Steward Luo continued, “Two days ago, when little Yan received the large swallow doll, she was overjoyed, holding onto it and saying ‘the bird is smiling.’ She had a restful night’s sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. Then, yesterday morning, my daughter-in-law dressed her in the outfit you made, and oh, she looked like a little fairy, so endearing and charming. According to my daughter-in-law, she even looked in the mirror and said, ‘Floral dress, so pretty…'”

He carried on, although not as explicitly. Chen Feng, being clever, grasped the gist of his words through her own interpretation.

Due to the little girl’s illness and the numerous visitors at the Chu mansion, apart from the girl’s paternal grandfather, Chu’s elderly marquis, there was also the girl’s maternal aunt, Madam Lou, and Madam Lou’s daughter-in-law. They all wished to see the little girl at the Joyful Pavilion, but no one was allowed. The excuse given was that the little girl hadn’t been feeling well lately.

Although it was the little girl’s birthday yesterday, the Chu family had no intention of allowing her to entertain guests. Male guests were directed to the front courtyard’s Song Hall, and female guests were led to the rear courtyard’s Flower Hall to partake in the birthday feast.

However, during the meal, an unexpected and unwelcome visitor arrived, demanding to see the birthday girl and claiming to represent a person of high status from the palace, expressing a desire to know how much she had grown and how plump she had become.

This unexpected visit left the elderly marquis and Chu Lingxuan angry, but they had no choice. After all, the visitor claimed to be concerned about the little girl on behalf of the noblewomen from the palace and insisted on seeing her. Hence, Mrs. Wei had to carry the little girl to the Flower Hall for a brief appearance.

When the little girl was brought out, everyone, including Chu Lingxuan, was taken aback.

She was dressed in a beautiful and peculiar new outfit, cradling the large swallow doll adorned in floral attire, resembling a little fairy. Although she appeared overly “gentle,” showing some signs of fear in the midst of so many people, she didn’t cry or throw a tantrum. She even glanced around, occasionally looked down at the doll, and at times, a faint smile graced her lips.

She was paraded in front of the female guests by Mrs. Wei before being taken back.

***Please read, “The Excellent Physician”, Status: On Going. I you’re into short novel, you can read “Doomsday Camp (Base Construction)”, Status: Completed. Thank You Everyone, Happy Reading.***