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As they approached, Mama Song put Chu Hanyan down and apologized, “My dear girl insisted on coming to Auntie’s house to build a small house, so here we are again, bothering you.”
Luo Ming Cheng added, “Young miss also said ‘fragrant.'”
Thinking her son meant that Chu Hanyan was craving something fragrant, Mrs. Wei playfully scolded him and said, “Only you have such a craving.”
Chu Hanyan stuttered, “Build… house, fragrant…fragrant.”
Chen Feng understood that the “fragrant” referred to the faint fragrance Chu Hanyan had detected in their home. It was a subtle scent that required careful sniffing, and the little girl’s nose was indeed quite sensitive.
She squatted down, pinched the little girl’s cheek, and smiled, “My dear, you’re really capable. From now on, if you want something, just say it clearly.”
Dabao, delighted that Chu Hanyan liked their home, happily led her into the courtyard, proudly stating, “It’s great that you live so close. Whenever you want to visit, you just need to take a few steps.”
Chen Feng had barely spent a short time with the children in the southern room of the west wing when Miao came to fetch Chu Hanyan, saying that the madame had returned and asked her to come back.
Chen Feng knew that Abbess Liao Chen had returned. In Tangyuan, people addressed Chu Hanyan as “young miss” and Abbess Liao Chen as “madame”.
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wei and Mama Song promptly got up and took the children back to Tangyuan. Chen Feng then asked Mrs. Wei to send a carriage so she could return the orchids to Abbess Liao Chen.
As they left, Mrs. Wei still carried the basket of building blocks, fearing that Chu Hanyan might want to come back the next day.
Qiqi and Gray, upset for not being able to go to Tangyuan today, had been sulking in a corner. However, when they heard they were going back, they became excited and shouted, “Go play, go play!”
Then, Qiqi flew to hold Chu Hanyan’s little hand, and Gray flew to hold Luo Ming Cheng’s little hand, delighting the two children.
With the two families now living close by, they were free to go. Chen Feng reminded them, “No misbehaving, no greediness. Come back early.”
After waiting for a little over a quarter of an hour, the carriage from Tangyuan arrived. Chen Feng carried the orchids and rode to Tangyuan.
At this time, Abbess Liao Chen was joyfully seated on the reclining Buddha’s bed in the tranquil courtyard, chatting with her granddaughter who was nestled in her lap. Every time she returned, her granddaughter’s progress never failed to surprise her.
Sitting beside her was Chu Lingxuan. He had recently made a trip to the capital and had just returned today. After stopping at the office, he rode back to Tangyuan. On the coffee table next to him, Qiqi and Gray were standing, nibbling on nuts from a plate.
The simultaneous return of Chu Lingxuan and Abbess Liao Chen was a pleasant surprise. Coupled with the significant changes in Chu Hanyan, they were even more delighted. The three generations whispered to each other, primarily Abbess Liao Chen and Chu Lingxuan, with Chu Hanyan occasionally chiming in with a few words.
When Chen Feng arrived at the tranquil courtyard, she was surprised to find Chu Lingxuan there. She bowed to Abbess Liao Chen and nodded to Chu Lingxuan.
Chu Lingxuan said, “Ms. Chen, please take a seat.” a slight smile curling his lips as he nodded in acknowledgement.
Abbess Liao Chen also smiled and said, “Thank you, Ms. Chen. You’ve taught Yanyan very well.”
Observing the potted orchids, Abbess Liao Chen was even more astonished. When she had brought them, the flowers were almost dead. But now, not only had they revived, but they had also produced numerous deep purple flower buds.
She counted them and found twenty-four buds in total. Astonished, she remarked, “Thank you, Ms. Chen. The ink orchid usually produces no more than sixteen or seventeen flowers at a time, but this time, there are twenty-four buds. Ms. Chen is truly a skilled orchid cultivator.”
Chen Feng didn’t know how to explain and could only chuckle sheepishly. If she had known they would thrive so well, she would have moved the flowers out of the space much earlier.
To everyone’s surprise, Chu Hanyan chimed in, “Aunt… competent,” then held up her thumb as a gesture of approval, eagerly awaiting praise from Chen Feng.
Her endearing gesture elicited laughter from those present. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Chu Hanyan slid off Abbess Liao Chen’s lap, went over to hug Chen Feng, and buried her little head against her legs.
Chen Feng patted her head and said with a smile, “My dear, seeing that you appreciate the well-cared-for flowers and even know to praise, Auntie is truly delighted. What am I to do? I’ll surely be so happy tonight that I won’t be able to sleep.”
Chu Hanyan raised her head and cleverly said to Chen Feng, “Hug big swallow, then… sleep soundly.”
Chen Feng smiled, revealing several pearly white teeth, and her eyes sparkled with delighted little stars. She exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Oh, my dear, you’re so smart! What a wonderful idea. Alright, Auntie will definitely hug the big swallow and sleep soundly tonight.”
Chu Hanyan pursed her lips and smiled. Although her smile was small, it was as sweet as honey. After a moment’s thought, she walked towards her bedroom.
As Mama Song attempted to lead her, the little chubby figure dodged and refused to be led. Helpless, Mama Song could only follow her.
Just as everyone was puzzled, Chu Hanyan reappeared, now holding a big swallow plush toy that she usually slept with.
She walked up to Chen Feng, raised the plush toy, and said, “Give…Auntie, sleep… soundly.”
Chen Feng was genuinely moved. She never expected the little girl to give her something she cherished so dearly.
She embraced Chu Hanyan and said softly, “Thank you, my dear, you’re so good and generous, willing to give such a wonderful thing to Auntie. But, Auntie also has a big swallow at home, so let it keep you company as you sleep soundly…”
Observing their interaction and the ability of Chu Hanyan to communicate normally, Abbess Liao Chen shed silent tears of joy, and Chu Lingxuan was deeply moved, experiencing emotions he had never felt before.
The way they interacted didn’t resemble that of a master and student, servant and master, or even the typical mother-daughter relationship of that era. Yet, it was evident to all that their bond was even closer than that of a biological mother and daughter.
No wonder Hanyan’s recovery had been so rapid! No wonder she could communicate like a normal child! It wasn’t just because of Chen Feng’s effective teaching methods, but also because of her heartfelt interaction with Hanyan, treating her as a normal child and genuinely caring for her.
Each of Chen Feng’s words was ordinary, yet somewhat unexpected and beyond what they could have imagined or expressed. These words resonated with Hanyan’s thoughts.
Observing Hanyan’s expression as she sat on her lap, relaxed, content, and dependent… It seemed as though she had gained more spirit as well.
After chatting with the little girl for a while, Chen Feng felt that it was a rare gathering of three generations of their family, and she didn’t want to intrude on their time. Despite ignoring the deep reluctance in Hanyan’s eyes, she kissed her head and bid them farewell.
Presiding, Abbess Liao Chen said, “I heard that Ms. Chen is moving, so I specially invited a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva. I wish Ms. Chen and her family good health and good luck.”
A young nun brought forth a sandalwood statue of Guanyin.