Chapter 125: Confession

In this era, time was calculated according to the history of the previous world, with a big month having thirty days and a small month having twenty-nine. October belonged to a small month, comprising just twenty-nine days, which made it a day off for government offices and schools.

Chu Lingxuan had sent word in advance, stating that he had business to attend to and wouldn’t be returning on his day off.

On the twenty-ninth, Chu Lingxuan didn’t return, but Abbess Liao Chen returned.

After the afternoon class, while Chen Feng was squatting down to praise Chu Hanyan, Abbess Liao Chen came to them and said, “My Little Yanyan, you can recite… recite poetry now, that’s truly wonderful.” After speaking, tears welled up in her eyes.

Chu Hanyan remembered Abbess Liao Chen, and she smiled faintly, slowly saying, “Auntie, swallow, wearing flowered clothes…”

Despite Abbess Liao Chen’s age, she appeared to have been incredibly beautiful in her youth. Coupled with her gentle and serene temperament, she was truly a rare beauty. It was a pity that she was dressed plainly and her once dark hair had turned white.

Having a brief conversation with Chu Hanyan, Abbess Liao Chen stood up, clasped her hands together, and said to Chen Feng, “Amitabha, thank you, Chen benefactor, for bringing joy to Hanyan and teaching her to interact with others.”

Chen Feng also clasped her hands together and bowed, saying, “No need for such formality, Abbess. I care a lot for Hanyan, and I hope she finds happiness and emerges from her own world.”

Chen Dabao also came over to bow to Abbess Liao Chen.

After a brief exchange, Chen Feng was about to take Chen Dabao and the pets home. In the past, at this time, Chu Hanyan would pout and cry for a while. But today, with Abbess Liao Chen’s arrival, she didn’t cry. Instead, she reluctantly tugged at Abbess Liao Chen’s plain clothes, watching the figures walk out of the courtyard. She remained motionless, and as they disappeared from sight, her eyes turned vacant, pouting and twisting her fingers.

Abbess Liao Chen smiled and asked, “Is my little Yanyan upset?”

Chen Feng led Dabao to the outer courtyard, where they encountered Mrs. Luo.

Mrs. Luo approached with a smile, “Ms. Feng, this afternoon, I saw Chen Ming searching for a place to build a house. I suggested the southwest thicket at Tangyuan, as it’s relatively spacious and close to our estate. But he mentioned that there were too many shrubs there, making it inconvenient to clear. He’s set his sights on the barren land not far from your village entrance, saying it’s near the village and easier to maintain. In my opinion, building two courtyards on that barren land would be too small and isolated. How about this? If your father is concerned about the hassle of clearing the thicket, I’ll have our people at Tangyuan help with the clearing.”

Steward Luo, genuinely wanted Chen Feng to be closer to Tangyuan. Each time Chen Feng returned home, the young miss would cry for a while, and if their home were closer, she would take the young miss to play at her house, just like their own grandchildren. What a wonderful arrangement. Moreover, with a closer distance, her own pets, Qiqi and Gray, could play until dark and return home, making the young miss even happier.

Chen Feng guessed the steward’s thoughts and also liked the thicket. Besides being spacious, its location was ideal, situated between Xiangluo Village and Shanghui Village, away from the village noise. Most importantly, it was only about a hundred meters from Tangyuan, offering support in case of any trouble. Unlike the barren land, it was not adjacent to the village and was relatively far from Tangyuan.

In truth, she had some fears deep down. Her resemblance to Chen Shiying could potentially lead to trouble. If someone from the Chen family thought her presence brought shame to Chen Shiying or hindered someone’s path, what would they do? Just as things were settling down, there were still many people she couldn’t let go of. She didn’t want to be in danger.

With a smile, she said, “Thank you, Uncle Luo. I also like that land. I’ll go home and persuade my father. However, there’s no need for your people to help. We’ll hire someone to clear the land when the time comes.”

Walking home with Chen Dabao, Zhui Feng spun around their feet, while Qiqi and Gray circled above their heads.

It was sunset, and in the distance, she could see the fiery red sun hanging over Honglin Mountain. Farmers were heading home from the fields, and there were cowherds on their way back, as well as children herding ducks…

She enjoyed the tranquility and peacefulness of the countryside.

As they walked, they encountered Wu Chanshen.

His face was pale, and he had blisters around his mouth, as if he had suffered a blow.

Even Chen Dabao was taken aback and asked, “Uncle Wu, what’s wrong?”

Wu Chanshen glanced at Chen Dabao but remained silent. He then approached Chen Feng and said softly, “Feng, my mother has chosen a girl for me, and she wants us to finalize everything in a few days. I don’t agree, but my parents…”

Why was he telling her this?

Chen Feng didn’t want to hear any more. She said, “Congratulations, Second Brother Wu. It seems like there’s no need to specially inform me about this.” Then she quickly led Chen Dabao forward.

Wu Chanshen caught up and continued, “Feng, I don’t want to marry that girl. I… Feng, do you like me? If you do, take Dabao and come live with me in a distant place. I’m good at carpentry and can support you.”

Chen Feng was taken aback, not expecting the forward thinking of the ancient peasant to surpass her own. They had limited interaction, at most, she had some fondness for him. If they got along and his parents accepted her, she might consider him as a future husband. However, she never thought of eloping with him.

This child, seemingly mature and impulsive, was reckless. In ancient times, such rash decisions would only bring trouble.

It seemed this potential prospect was out of the question.

She said, “Second Brother Wu, don’t say such things. Your mother’s choice can’t be wrong. Don’t speak such disrespectful words. Dabao and I are happy at home. We won’t go anywhere.”

Although Chen Dabao was confused, he understood that Second Uncle Wu wanted to take them away, but his mother didn’t want to go.

He pouted and said, “I don’t want to leave my grandma, grandpa, and my little uncle, or Hanyan. I won’t go anywhere with my mother.”

Wu Chanshen continued, “I… I don’t like that girl. I’ve always had you in my heart…”

Chen Feng hurriedly picked up her pace, holding Dabao’s hand, and said, ” Wu, please don’t say these things. It will only harm me.”

Chen Dabao, running alongside his mother, looked up and pouted, saying to Wu Chanshen, “Uncle Wu, why do you want to harm my mother? We haven’t done anything to harm you. If you harm my mother again, I won’t be friends with Shitou anymore.”

Even Zhui Feng seemed to understand its owner’s words and began howling loudly at Wu Chanshen.

Wu Chanshen stopped, deeply disappointed. He had hoped that after expressing his feelings, she would be moved and would take Dabao to be with him. After all, he was much better than Wang Yingjun and Liu Erniu, and he believed she should be able to understand his feelings. However, she didn’t want to be with him.