Chapter 108: Let Her Accept

After dinner, Chen Shi’s family didn’t go to work but instead chatted with Chen Feng’s family in the main hall. Mrs. Zhang brought out two packages, one containing some snacks for the main room and two sets of silk jackets for Chen’s mother and Chen Ye.

Then, Mrs. Zhang brought out a brocade box from the bedroom and handed it to Chen Feng. Chen Feng didn’t understand the meaning, but upon opening the box, she found a silver bracelet.

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, “This was part of my dowry, A’Feng, please don’t refuse it.”

Chen Feng quickly closed the box and returned it to her, saying, “Aunt, I appreciate the sentiment, but such a precious and meaningful item should be kept for my younger cousin. I can’t accept it.”

Mrs. Zhang responded, “I still have some. When I got married, my parents knew that your uncle didn’t have much money, so they sent along some things.”

Chen Feng still hesitated. She had heard that Chen Shi was short of money and had bought their current courtyard by selling Mrs. Zhang’s dowry.

After much insistence, Mrs. Zhang’s eyes started welling up with tears, and Chen Feng finally accepted the gift.

Chen Shi laughed and said, “A’Feng, just accept it. Your ideas have earned your uncle more money in ten days than he used to make in several months. He has also gained favor with the steward of the general’s mansion, and even those ruffians are now afraid to provoke our family. When Uncle has money, he’ll buy a bigger house, and you can come and stay comfortably. When you get married, Uncle will give you gold jewelry.”

Chen Feng thanked him with a smile.

Mrs. Wang added, “Mother-in-law, your elder brothers, and I all miss you, so we want your whole family to come back to Xiangluo Village for the New Year.”

Chen Feng also smiled and replied, “During the New Year, Uncle and Aunt can bring your young children back to play. And as long as you maintain control and don’t let Aunt interfere, everything will be fine. Besides, my mother will help you too.”

Her straightforward words amused everyone.

Chen Shi also expressed that he missed his mother and elder brother and promised to go back then, not adhering to Hu’s demands. He had realized that he had paid back what was due and shouldn’t let Hu’s demands stop him from showing filial piety to his mother.

Chen Shi was much shrewder than Chen Ming. He had been extorted by Mrs. Hu because, initially, she had treated him well, but later, when she demanded too much, he couldn’t confront her directly while also considering Chen Ye’s reputation. Mrs. Hu disliked mother Chen’s sickly son, Chen Ming, and had turned against him early on, so Chen Ming knew her true nature and, being poor, didn’t comply with her demands.

Early on the 23rd, just as the day was breaking, Chen Feng got up. In the kitchen, Chen Shi and Mrs. Zhang were already busy preparing some braised items for Chen Feng to take along. Chen Yu was also heading out with two large buckets, substituting for Chen Shi to purchase poultry innards from the restaurant.

After a brief conversation, Chen Feng soaked the red dates.

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, “A’Feng, you’re so skillful, with the same ingredients and methods, we can’t make the dishes as delicious as when you do it.”

Chen Shi chuckled, “It’s all the same now, there’s no distinction between master and apprentice.”

Chen Feng smiled, finished washing up, and then went to the guest room, entering the space after closing the door.

There was no sign of the Golden Swallow in the space. She called out towards the tree, “Goldie, where are you?”

A small head popped out from a circular golden window in the branches, asking sleepily, “Mommy, why are you waking me up so early?”

Chen Feng mentioned that she needed a bit of agarwood shavings to make sweet dates for Little Miss Chu.

The Golden Swallow heard this and flew out of the golden room, muttering, “Life is so exhausting, I can’t even get a peaceful sleep. Mommy should remember to show me some love and sing for me more in the future.”

After saying this, the small bird yawned widely and then flew onto Chen Feng’s shoulder.

Chen Feng managed to obtain a small amount of agarwood shavings using a cloth and then exited the space.

Chen Shi and his wife braised a large pot of pork, pork ribs, tofu, and lotus root. They divided it into three small bowls: one for the family to eat on the way, one to be sent to Tangyuan, and one to take back home.

As the hour approached, Uncle Qinbo came to escort them. Chen Feng and her group bid farewell to Chen Shi’s family, accompanied by Qiqi and Gray, and headed to the Chu Mansion.

Outside the Chu Mansion, six carriages were already waiting to go to Tangyuan. Chen Feng handed two pots of braised items and a large basin of red date paste to Steward Luo, who was busy packing, and mentioned her plan to stop by Lao Huai Village to finalize a tenancy agreement with the tenants there.

Steward Luo had already heard about this from Luo Fang and assured her that they would stop in Guanghe Town for lunch, which wasn’t far from Lao Huai Village, so they could manage it then.

Soon after, Chu Lingxuan, carrying Chu Hanyan and accompanied by a few maids and servants, walked over from the backyard. Chu Hanyan was holding a small swallow-shaped doll.

In ancient times, men rarely carried children, especially daughters. This gentleman, however, always carried his daughter everywhere. He truly was a doting father, much like the American general in a past life who adored his daughter.

Qiqi and Gray grew excited at the sight of Chu Hanyan, calling out, “Little Sister Hanyan, Little Sister Hanyan,” while Dabao greeted, “Uncle Chu, Little Sister Hanyan.”

Chu Lingxuan nodded slightly towards Dabao and Chen Feng, with a hint of a smile on his lips.

Upon seeing Chen Dabao and Qiqi and Gray, Chu Hanyan stared blankly, then slowly turned her gaze towards Chen Feng.

Chen Feng’s heart skipped a beat, silently hoping, “Please don’t let her ask to be held, please…”

But Chu Hanyan extended her arms towards her and said, “Ah,” signaling she wanted to be held.

Recalling a similar situation, Chu Lingxuan softly said, “Daughter, let Daddy hold you.”

Tears welled up in Chu Hanyan’s beautiful big eyes, and she pouted, staring at Chen Feng, saying, “Birdie… flew away, Birdie… flew away, Auntie…”

Chu Lingxuan didn’t understand why his daughter said “Birdie flew away” upon seeing this woman. However, the fact that she spoke so much made him extremely happy, especially because she was so friendly and affectionate toward her, even calling her “Auntie.”

Seeing his daughter cry, he felt a sharp pain in his heart. He took a few steps forward and handed Chu Hanyan over to Chen Feng.

Hearing the tender “Auntie,” Chen Feng’s heart softened. She reached out to take the child, relieved that this time the child was upright, not slanting, and there are no agarwood shavings on her.

As Chu Hanyan nestled in her arms, she hugged Chen Feng’s neck, pressing her little face and nose tightly against her shoulder.

Chen Feng suddenly remembered that her shoulder was the same spot where the golden swallow had rubbed its beak in the morning. She couldn’t help but silently praise the little girl in her heart, her little nose was truly remarkable.

Relieved that her daughter didn’t embarrass herself further, Lingxuan let Chen Feng take the two children to sit in the first carriage.

The woman’s slender figure moved gracefully, calmly carrying one child and pulling the other along. Hanyan clung tightly to her neck, with her little face almost buried in the crook of her neck. Dabao tugged at her skirt, looking up at her as they walked.