Chapter 139: Come Here

Finally, Steward Luo asked, “Should I send someone to Chen’s house to inform them that the master has returned and that Ms. Feng should take a day off tomorrow?”

Chu Lingxuan initially nodded, but then said, “No need for a special notice. Let her come and teach Yanyan.”

For some reason, he also wanted to see her and observe how she taught her daughter.

Initially, Chu Lingxuan had some reservations about doing the hotpot business with the small merchant Yang Mingyuan. However, upon hearing that the idea was proposed by Chen Feng, who was also a shareholder, he agreed. He reminded Steward Luo to be cautious, to judge people carefully, and not to let money-minded merchants tarnish the Chu Mansion and his reputation.

Steward Luo quickly acknowledged his instructions.

Chu Lingxuan then remembered the matter brought up by his second aunt from the Duke’s Mansion in the capital and a sneer flickered across his lips. He asked, “Is there any news from Zhaojia Village?”

Steward Luo replied, “Some time ago, Mr. Chen’s mother specially sent someone to Zhaojia Village and donated fifty taels of silver. She mentioned that she wanted to build a stone bridge by the river near Zhaojia Village to facilitate the villagers. I heard that Mr. Chen’s mother plans to visit the village before the New Year. Zhaojia Village is preparing a three-day water banquet and will even invite a theatrical troupe from the county town to perform. The villagers are all looking forward to it.”

Chu Lingxuan sneered, “That old woman not only seeks fame and reputation but is also excessively scheming.”

The next day, Chen Feng made a new dish called “Pongpong Rings,” which consisted of fried pumpkin rings with fine bran.

In order for little Yan to follow any action and command, Chen Feng racked her brains to create various snacks, changing them every two or three days.

When she arrived at Tangyuan with Dabao, she didn’t see the hardworking Steward Luo. She had to hand the food box intended for the Luo family to a servant and asked her to help deliver it to the rear garden of the Luo family.

Upon entering the “Serene Courtyard,” she saw Chu Hanyan, dressed plumply, holding the little swallow doll on the veranda, eagerly looking towards the main entrance. Whenever she saw Chen Feng and Dabao’s figures, a smile would appear on her little mouth. As Chen Feng approached her, crouching down to embrace her, Chu Hanyan would eagerly wait for her to come to her side and hold her in her arms.

This had been the routine for nearly half a month.

Today, Chen Feng did not approach her as she wished. Instead, she stopped about a yard away from her. Squatting down and extending her arms to the little girl, she smiled and said, “Dear, you’ve been waiting for Auntie, right? Come over here to Auntie.”

Seeing that Chu Hanyan didn’t move, Chen Feng smiled and said, “Dear, come to Auntie. Auntie likes you, don’t you like Auntie?”

Chu Hanyan murmured softly, “Like… Auntie.”

“If you like Auntie, come here to Auntie,” encouraged Chen Feng.

After hesitating for quite some time and seeing that Auntie still hadn’t come to embrace her, but had been reaching out to her, Chu Hanyan mustered the courage to take small, hesitant steps forward.

She longed for that warm embrace.

However, her steps were very hesitant and timid, with each step taking considerable thought. It took her almost a quarter of an hour to cover the yard’s distance.

As she neared Chen Feng, Chen Feng joyfully embraced her and said, “Auntie understands that you like Auntie. You’re very brave. This is the first time you’ve come to Auntie by yourself.” Her voice slowed, “Remember, if you want something, don’t wait for others to give it to you. Instead, take the initiative.”

Chu Hanyan whispered again, “Like… Auntie.”

Chen Feng gently brushed her face against Chu Hanyan’s and said, “That’s good. If you like Auntie, it’s good to express it like this.”

After praising Chu Hanyan, Chen Feng took out a “Pongpong Ring” from the food box and held it up, saying, “This is a ‘Pongpong Ring.’ Dear, say ‘Pong—Pong—Ring’ to Auntie.”

The “Pongpong Ring” shimmered golden in the sunlight, exuding a sweet fragrance. A silver thread slid down Chu Hanyan’s mouth as she slowly said, “Pong—Pong—Ring, to eat… want to eat.”

“Oh, dear, you’re so clever, knowing this is a ‘Pongpong Ring,’ even Gray doesn’t know.” After speaking, Chen Feng handed the “Pongpong Ring” to Chu Hanyan and used a handkerchief to wipe her saliva.

Gray, displeased with Chen Feng’s praise for one and not the other, grumbled, “Gray knows, Gray knows…”

Chen Dabao chuckled and took Gray to one side, then fed Gray a piece of the “Pongpong Ring.”

Chen Feng had just stood up when she saw Chu Lingxuan walking out of the room.

He’s back, so why did he ask me to come? I’ve been working overtime for many days and I’m very tired.

She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, but she had to bend her knees slightly and say, “Greetings, Lord Chu.”

Chu Lingxuan nodded and smiled, “You’ve worked hard, Ms. Chen. You’ve taught Yanyan very well.”

Chen Feng smiled back, “Yanyan is very obedient and smart, she learns things even faster than I imagined.”

Chu Lingxuan knew it was time for his daughter to have finished her meal, so he came to the “Serene Courtyard.” However, he saw Chu Hanyan standing on the veranda and don’t want to come inside. She said, “Auntie, Dabao.”

Mama Song chuckled softly and said, “Master, she’s waiting for Ms. Chen.”

Seeing his daughter like this, Chu Lingxuan felt both pleased and somewhat amused. He stood beside his daughter and said, “Daddy will wait with Yanyan.”

Chu Hanyan was used to waiting alone and wasn’t used to having someone wait with her, so she pouted unhappily.

Seeing that his presence was being rejected, Chu Lingxuan quickly said, “Alright, Yanyan can wait by herself. Daddy will go inside.”

…

Before long, the Luo family and a few young maids arrived.

When the Luo siblings and the maids were all present, Chen Feng began her lesson. Despite the cold weather and light snow, the class continued on the veranda.

Because the current class content only involves “speaking” and “movement,” it’s better to conduct the class outside. This allows the children to integrate into the game, enhances their physical coordination, and improves their physical fitness. In a few days, they will need to do handicrafts, which will have to be done indoors.

Chen Feng clapped her hands, asked the children to stand in line, and had the two parrots stand at the forefront. She first reviewed the lesson by reciting “Little Swallow” twice.

Then, she retold the story of “Little Rabbit, Be Good.” However, she changed the original “mother” to “father” because she couldn’t bear to see Chu Hanyan’s confusion and bewilderment when she heard the word “mother.”

Afterwards, Chen Feng took out a few items from a large bag, it’s the props she had prepared for the children.

She tied a belt around Luo Ming Cheng’s waist, and the belt had a long tail hanging from it. Everyone burst into laughter, calling him “Big Gray Wolf.” Luo Ming Cheng also made a funny face and said, “I’m Big Gray Wolf, and I want to eat Little White Rabbit.”

Chu Hanyan, Luo Mei, and another young maid each wore a hairpin with two white rabbit ears attached. They were the three Good Little Rabbits.

Dabao also wore a hairpin with two larger rabbit ears. He was the Rabbit Daddy.

Dabao enjoyed this game and especially liked being the Rabbit Daddy. During the game, he didn’t study but played with the other children.

Then, the children started performing “Good Little Rabbit.”