Chapter 107: Going Shopping

After returning to their room, Chen Feng sorted through the satin provided by Steward Luo. Besides the six whole pieces of fabric to be taken back to the village for embroidery, there were some scattered pieces left.

Based on the size of the fabric, Chen Feng decided to make Lu a half-sleeve long robe in dark blue and a moon-white long shirt for Dabao. Thinking that Chen Gui and Mrs. Gao were good people, she also decided to make a blue little coat and a goose-yellow little skirt for their daughter.

She gave the light pink and snow-white satin to Chen Aman, who could make a white undershirt and a light pink skirt to pair with the dark blue half-sleeve robe.

Mrs. Wang asked Chen Feng to make a red half-sleeve coat with the remaining three feet of bright red satin. Though a red coat might be a bit flashy, when made slightly shorter and paired with a moon-white undershirt and a long skirt, it would still look good. As for the moon-white satin, there was some at home, so they could make it later.

The dark green satin was used to make a quilted vest for Mrs. Wang.

Chen Aman happily held the two pieces of satin.

Chen Feng really liked her endearing and hardworking little cousin. If only she lived in Xiangluo Village, she would have another close sister and friend to talk to. Although Chen Lan was nice, because of Mrs. Hu and her introverted nature, they weren’t particularly close.

The group huddled in the small room sewing until Mrs. Zhang called them for dinner.

After dinner, Dabao was brought back by Uncle Qinbo.

He brought two packages of sweets and eight pens and four ink sticks, all gifts from the Chu Mansion. He also took out two purses, gifts from the old marquis. Each purse contained six two-tael silver ingots.

Chen Feng took one pack of sweets and two pens and two ink sticks to give to Chen Shi. Chen Shi declined the sweets, suggesting that they be taken back to the village as gifts. People in the countryside would surely appreciate city sweets, especially those from the capital and the provincial capital. He accepted the pens and ink sticks, saying they were good items to be used when Chen Tang takes the imperial examination in the future.

That night, as he lay on the heated brick bed, Dabao mentioned that the old marquis was like a big child, particularly fond of sweets, especially the osmanthus glutinous rice dates. He mentioned that the old marquis insisted on having more of these sweets made. Moreover, apart from giving a few to Little Miss Yan, he forbade anyone else from eating them. Even the uncle Chu was scolded for tasting a couple, with the old marquis chiding him for being a grown man and still being so greedy…

This story had everyone laughing heartily. Chen Feng found it amusing to imagine the stern Chu Lingxuan being scolded for being greedy.

The next day, Chen Feng and Dabao went out to the street with Chen Yu to shop for items to take back to the village. They were leaving the day after tomorrow, and there were many relatives and friends to consider.

Mrs. Wang didn’t enjoy shopping, and Chen Feng didn’t want her to go either. Since the new magistrate had just arrived in Dingzhou, announcements were posted everywhere, and the local people were often discussing it.

Before they left, Mrs. Wang handed three taels of silver to Chen Feng, saying, “You’ve already spent so much money. Use this silver to buy things. Your grandmother already has a silver hairpin, so remember to buy something good for your uncle and eldest cousin.”

Chen Shi also gave some money to Chen Yu, asking him to use his judgment, pay for meals and snacks on the street, and also buy better gifts for the old lady and Chen Ye. Since Feng was a girl and Dabao was young, they should walk less and take the carriage more…

Chen Yu replied, “I understand.”

Chen Aman wanted to go with them, but Mrs. Zhang disagreed, scolding her, “You don’t understand. If you leave, who will do the work when your brother is not at home?”

Chen Aman had to hold back her tears and went to the kitchen to wash the red dates. Now, the family’s miscellaneous store also began selling these snacks, and they were very popular.

Their guide, Chen Yu, was very competent. He first took them to see the gate of the military office in Dingzhou. He knew that everyone from the countryside wanted to see what the house of a high official looked like. If they couldn’t see the house, at least they could feast their eyes on the gate.

Because of Dingzhou’s strategic position, although it was not a provincial capital, it had a general, and Chu Lingxuan is the general. The magistrate of Dingzhou was also a fourth-rank official, unlike magistrates in other places, who were fourth or fifth rank, or even sixth rank in remote small towns.

From a distance, they could see the imposing gate of the military office and soldiers in armor standing at the entrance. Dabao looked at it with awe and asked Chen Feng, “Mother, what does Uncle Chu do there?”

Chen Feng uncertainly replied, “Well, I’m not sure.”

After admiring the grand vermilion gate, they also looked at the tall courtyard wall. Chen Yu then summoned a mule cart, and they rode for several blocks until they reached the magistrate’s office.

The gate was guarded not by soldiers but by bailiffs, equally imposing.

Chen Yu proudly said, “I heard that the new magistrate is from our Sanqing County, his hometown is Zhaojia Village in Linfeng Town, just a few miles from Xiangluo Village.”

Chen Yu and his siblings grew up in the city, and although the entire Xiangluo Village knew that Chen, a former imperial scholar, was once Mrs. Wang’s husband, he had no clue about it.

Chen Feng coldly huffed, “He wouldn’t recognize us even if we were closer. Let’s go.”

A senior official from Zhaojia Village in Linfeng Town? Clever little Dabao’s brain turned a few times, sensing something amiss, but before he could process it, his mother dragged him away, promising to treat him to delicious food. The prospect of tasty treats quickly dispelled any confusion in his mind, and he eagerly hopped along with his mother.

Seeing that his cousin wasn’t interested in his idol, Chen Yu reluctantly followed. He didn’t understand why, a few days ago, he had excitedly shared some important news from the court with his parents, only to find that they were uninterested and forbade him from discussing such matters at home.

They took a carriage directly to the bustling West Street of Dingzhou. Although Chen Feng had been there a few times before, she had always been preoccupied. Now that her tasks were completed, this day was solely for leisure and shopping, and both Chen Feng and Dabao were enjoying themselves.

Whenever Dabao wanted to eat something, Chen Yu would eagerly pay for it, refusing to let Chen Feng spend any money. He boldly stated, “With a man around, how can I let a woman pay?”

Dabao was considerate, never choosing expensive items. He made sure to fulfill Chen Yu’s wish while not letting him overspend.

Chen Feng also bought some pastries, candies, writing materials, headbands, and ribbons, and purchased camel-colored silk for Chen Ye and Chen Gui, along with slightly lower-quality silk for her own family. The satin was too extravagant for everyday wear and would be saved for special occasions.

Given Chen Ye’s status in Chen Ming’s eyes, she also bought him a jade-mouthed pine pipe, spending one tael and two qian of silver on it.

They played until dusk before returning home contented.

The next morning, Luo Fang informed them that the carriage would pick them up the following morning to take them to the Chu Mansion and then back to the village. He also mentioned that the old marquis had almost taken all the osmanthus glutinous red dates and requested Chen Feng to make more for the journey.

Then, he brought out ten catties of red dates.