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Chen Dabao first said smugly, “The villagers think I’m small and don’t understand, so when they gossip about Grandma, they don’t avoid me, and I’ve secretly heard a lot more about Mr. Chen.”
Then, his young face twisted in thought. “It seems like Mr. Chen’s family lived in the neighboring village. When Mr. Chen was young he fell seriously ill and was close to death, his mother bought Grandma as a child bride, helped with the household chores, and then married her into the family. Grandma was only ten when she entered the Chen family, while Mr. Chen was five, and she raised him single-handedly. Later, when Mr. Chen passed the imperial examination, his mother no longer wanted Grandma. It’s said that he later became a successful candidate in the civil service examination, married a daughter of a high-ranking official, and has been serving as an official in a place called Jiangnan, never returning. Oh, and they say Mr. Chen was quite handsome…”
Chen Feng was once again taken aback. It turned out that not only was Wang a child bride, but the person who might be her biological father was also raised by Wang. Calculating their ages, Wang is thirty-six this year, two years older than Chen Ming. This body was fifteen, and Wang gave birth to a child at twenty-one. In ancient times, it was very common for women to have children at fifteen or sixteen, so having the first child at twenty-one was indeed a bit late.
Thinking about this, Chen Feng felt sorrow for her mother once more. Sold as a child bride at a young age, she raised her own husband, but was sent back to her maternal home after her husband passed the exam. Perhaps because she was already pregnant, she was rushed into marrying a terminally ill lad, and from then on bore the burden of this family of weak and infirm individuals. Fortunately, Chen Ming survived, and he was kind, treating Wang and her as family very well.
She cursed Mr. Chen hundreds of times in her heart. He truly was a despicable person, abandoning his loyal wife as soon as he succeeded.
But, wouldn’t this be considered a stain on his character? Officials in ancient times were also judged by their conduct. This place was relatively close to the capital, just over two hundred miles away. If someone with ill intent were to expose this, it could very well lead to an impeachment by the censors. Could there be something else behind this? She would sort it out after she got better.
Then again, what was the point of sorting it out? She’d only consider Chen Ming her real father in this lifetime and honor him well in the future. As for that despicable Mr. Chen, she had no interest in having any dealings with him.
Thinking this, her interest in Mr. Chen waned.
She also remembered the second reason why Mrs. Hu and her daughter didn’t like her. She said, (“The Chen family has already divided, so how could there is no man be willing to be engaged to A’Jue? It must be because of you.”)
Mrs. Hu blamed her and her son Dabao because no one wants to marry her daughter. “It must be that, she’s not good that’s why she couldn’t find a man, why blame it on us? Tsk.”
Chen Dabao whispered, “I also think so. Aunt Jue has a bad temper, and she’s lazy and greedy. When I grow up, I wouldn’t marry such a wasteful woman.”
This statement was quite contrary to the adorable image of the little boy.
Frowning, Chen Feng said, “Son, how—can you curse at people?”
The little boy blushed and grinned sheepishly. “I heard Grandma curse Grandmother like that.”
“Cursing people—isn’t good. Dabao is a—good boy, from now on—no cursing.” Chen Feng said.
“Okay, from now on, I won’t curse people.” The little boy quickly promised.
The next day, the little boy helped Chen Feng tidy her hair. Chen Feng also used the little boy as a guinea pig, and after a busy half-day, not only was she sweating on her nose, but the little boy’s face was also sweaty. Finally, they managed to tie up the buns securely.
Looking at the loosely spread little trees, Chen Feng felt a sense of accomplishment. Things were always progressing in a positive direction.
The little boy, with admiring eyes, praised his mother, “Mom, you’re so amazing, you can even help me comb my hair.”
Chen Feng then painted a rosy picture, “From now on, Mom will not only—comb your hair, but also make new clothes for you, and earn money—to let you and your uncle—go to school, and to help your uncle and grandpa—get treatment.”
“Okay.” Chen Dabao jumped happily. He had complete trust in his mother.
Wang also wanted to redo Chen Dabao’s hair, but the little boy shook his head, saying, “No, mom’s hairstyle looks very good.”
After leaving the east room, Chen Dabao kept showing off that his mother would help him comb his hair, acting very proud. He also said, “Mom said that after she gets better, she’ll earn money for both of us to go to school, and to help grandpa’s leg treatment.”
Chen Lu obviously didn’t believe this, but still smiled and said, “Let Dabao go to school on his own. When I grows up, I can go to the prefectural city with Third Uncle to learn business and support Dabao’s education.”
Looking at this slender little brother, Chen Feng thought he was a good child, just as kind as his father.
Chen Feng worked hard to exercise, and by March 17th, Chen Ming led the family to the main house. Before leaving, Chen Dabao also smeared Chen Feng’s face under the stove, making her face dirty.
While smearing, he furrowed his brows and said, “If you’re too beautiful, you have to be careful.”
Everyone present was used to Chen Dabao’s actions, and Chen Feng accepted it. After hearing him, she pinched his face and said with a smile, “Dabao is more—beautiful than mom.”
Pursing his lips, Chen Dabao said, “How can that be the same? Dabao is a boy.”
As they walked along the small path, they looked around. The village was not small, with probably more than a hundred households.
The village was surrounded by green trees, with a murmuring stream nearby, vast fertile fields in the distance, and continuous mountains, making it a beautiful little mountain village.
Living here for a lifetime wouldn’t be bad, of course, provided there was enough to eat and wear, and no one bullied them.
The location of Xiangluo Village was excellent, not far from the county town of Sanqing and the prefectural city of Dingzhou.
Sanqing County was a main artery for people from the south to enter the capital, and Dingzhou Prefecture was also a strategic location and a transportation hub, both very prosperous. Coupled with the vast plains and flourishing crops, it could be considered a land of plenty. So, as long as people worked hard, they could make a living here. If they were also clever, life would be even better.
Chen Ming, Mrs. Wang, and Chen Lu were all introverted, at most giving a smile when they met someone. Chen Feng, on the other hand, couldn’t speak clearly and didn’t speak randomly. Among them, the most warm and friendly was Chen Dabao.
He greeted everyone with a warm smile, and most of the villagers, who were simple and sincere, smiled back and exchanged a few inconsequential words with him.
But there were a few who seemed to think that talking to Chen Dabao lowered their own status, and they frowned and grunted in response.
Chen Dabao didn’t mind and continued to talk to the next person.
But Chen Feng noticed, his eyes dimmed for a moment but quickly recovered.
Perhaps this was his instinct to protect himself?