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Chen Feng patted Mrs. Wang’s back and said, “Mother, I know, of course, I am my father’s legitimate daughter. If I wasn’t my father’s legitimate daughter, how could he have been so good to me…”
She helped Mrs. Wang to sit on the heated brick bed, brought water, and dampened a cloth for her to wash her face, soothing her gently.
Seeing Mrs. Wang’s emotions improve slightly, Chen Feng asked, “Mother, do I have an uncle by blood?”
Mrs. Wang choked up, nodded, and said, “Your uncle is called Wang Cheng, and he’s six years younger than me. When he was one, my birth mother got sick and passed away…”
Before her mother’s passing, she had held Mrs. Wang’s hand and said, “Juan, your father is unreliable. You must find a way to raise your brother and help him get married.”
Seven-year-old Wang Juan solemnly promised to raise her brother.
After her mother’s death, her father, Old Wang, became even more silent and withdrawn. Except for work, he hardly said a word. Little Wang Juan took care of her younger brother like a mother, and though life was tough, they were relatively happy.
Later, Old Wang married Mrs. Ding, and their good days came to an end.
Mrs. Ding and they were from the same village, Xianhu Village. She had a bad reputation from a young age, often taking advantage of others and earning a bad name. Especially after being caught embracing a married man in the woods, her reputation was completely ruined, and she remained unmarried well into her twenties.
Later, she hooked up with Mrs. Wang’s father.
Mrs. Ding was lazy and greedy, and Mrs. Wang’s father, Old Wang, was weak-willed. After that, Mrs. Wang couldn’t stay warm, couldn’t get enough to eat, had to work from dawn to dusk, and even endured beatings.
Mrs. Wang wasn’t afraid of being cold or hungry, or of working all day, or even of being beaten and scolded. She was only afraid that she wouldn’t notice if Mrs. Ding sold her three-year-old brother.
Because she overheard Mrs. Ding arguing with Old Wang once, saying that she had married into the Wang family but hadn’t even been given a single silver hairpin. She complained about the family’s poverty and suggested selling Wang Cheng to a good family so he could have enough to eat. At that time, she didn’t think about selling Mrs. Wang because she was already nine and could do a lot of work.
Old Wang didn’t agree, saying he only had one son, and if Mrs. Ding couldn’t bear a son, they would have no one to carry on the family line.
Later on, wherever Mrs. Wang went to work, she would always bring her brother along.
A year later, Mrs. Ding became pregnant, and her attitude towards Wang Cheng became even more malevolent. This frightened Mrs. Wang, who held Wang Cheng close even while sleeping. At this time, the Chen family from the neighboring village set their sights on Mrs. Wang, wanting to buy her as a child bride.
When Mrs. Ding heard that they were offering five taels of silver, she was overjoyed. This price was quite high, equivalent to the price for selling an older girl and a young boy.
Mrs. Wang didn’t resist being sold herself and even thought that if she was sold, it might protect her brother from being sold. Before going to the Chen family, she knelt before her father and Mrs. Ding, pleading not to sell her brother, promising that when she was older, she would find a way to earn money to bring him back home.
However, two years later, Mrs. Ding had a son, Wang Cai, and secretly sold Wang Cheng. She justified it by saying that times were tough at home and that it would be better for Wang Cheng to live a good life in the city.
When Mrs. Wang received this news, she cried endlessly, and even several of the Wang family’s relatives were furious. Several men beat Wang’s father, and several women beat Mrs. Ding. The long scar on Mrs. Ding’s face was from that time…
Mrs. Wang cried uncontrollably, and Chen Feng cried along with her.
Chen Feng embraced her and said, “Mother, I’m getting better. From now on, I will always protect you and won’t allow anyone to bully you. I want you to live a happy and peaceful life forever. Also, about my uncle Wang Cheng, when things settle down at home, I’ll ask father to make a trip to Xianhu Village. We won’t go to Mrs. Ding’s house, instead, we’ll visit our other relatives and try to find out where my uncle has been sold to…”
As they were talking, Chen Ming and Dabao returned. They had received news of the fight at home and hurried back. Seeing the chaotic scene at home and the mother and daughter crying in each other’s arms, they were terrified. They rushed over and asked, “How are you? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Dabao was so frightened that she started crying and clung to them, repeatedly saying, “Mother, grandmother, you’ve been bullied, what do we do?”
Chen Feng wiped away her tears and said, “Mother and I are fine. Mrs. Ding and Wang Cai came to ask for money…”
She briefly recounted the recent events. However, she didn’t mention Mrs. Ding’s claim about Chen Feng being Chen Shiying’s daughter. She decided that this was something she would discuss privately with Chen Ming. Ultimately, the decision to tell him the truth or continue to conceal it was entirely up to them.
Chen Ming also advised Mrs. Wang, “Wife, don’t be sad. A’Feng is right. After the New Year, I’ll make a trip to Xianhu Village to inquire about Wang Cheng’s whereabouts and see if we can find him. As for that mother and son, if they come again, don’t even open the door for them. If the villagers gossip, I’ll go out and explain.”
Mrs. Wang said, “My brother has been sold for over twenty years. Will we be able to find out?”
Chen Feng reassured her, “Mother, don’t worry. We have money and connections now. As long as we get a clue, we’ll find out.”
After hearing this, Mrs. Wang cried again, clasping her hands together, praying for the heavens to help her find her brother.
Chen Feng also mentioned the help they received, especially from the elder, and insisted on expressing gratitude. Since Hu Laowu had shown interest in the preserved meat, Chen Ming should take half and send it to the elder’s house, probably about thirty-plus catties.
Additionally, they decided to send the ginseng-infused liquor to the elder. The ginseng used in that liquor was a gift from Yang Mingyuan. Chen Feng had bought some wine and secretly added a small piece of agarwood, which not only improved the taste but also had health benefits. Every time the elder visited, Chen Ming would offer him half a cup. They also planned to buy another piece of ginseng and make a new batch for Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang.
Upon hearing that the liquor was to be given to the elder, Chen Ming’s eyes lit up with a smile.
Furthermore, they decided to send five taels of silver and a jar of Xiaoyuanchun liquor to Hu Laowu, asking him to frequently visit and check on Mrs. Wang’s maternal family. Once someone was on Hu Laowu’s radar, it wouldn’t be easy for that family to sleep or eat in peace.
After the discussion, it was already afternoon. Chen Feng forced herself to go to the kitchen to make noodles, and Dabao insisted on tending the fire herself. She became more diligent, filling in the gaps between tending the fire by fetching scallions and bowls.
After dinner, Chen Feng led Dabao back to the new courtyard to rest. Dabao held Chen Feng’s hand tightly, as if he had something on his mind.
Chen Feng asked, “Dabao, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
Dabao buried his head in Chen Feng’s arms and choked out, “Mother, after hearing about Uncle Grandpa’s situation, I feel so fortunate. In the future, I will definitely be dutiful to you, to Grandpa, Grandma, and my little uncle.”