Chapter 156: Mother is Making You Lose Face

Upon hearing their owner’s command, Zhui Feng and Wangcai began howling at Zhao Lizheng, waking him up.

After observing the somewhat familiar features of Chen Shiying in her face, Zhao Lizheng guessed what was going on. He felt that if that were the case, he should meet Wang Juan. If she heeded advice, things would be resolved, but if not… with Wang Juan’s daughter having such a status, it would be quite troublesome. He had to go back and clarify things with his old niece and follow her lead.

His old niece was an extremely astute person. How could Chen Shiying and Wang Juan have had a child right under her nose? Wang Juan had appeared so honest, yet she turned out to be quite cunning.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, realizing why Chen Shiying had been so furious back then, to the extent that he and the old Zhao family were never welcome again after that incident.

If Chen Shiying were to find out about this daughter, he would surely hate himself even more. He couldn’t blame his mother—wouldn’t all the resentment be directed towards him?

Seeing this face, Zhao Lizheng felt a chill from within and dared not be presumptuous. Bending down, he said, “You are Wang Juan’s daughter, right? I’m from Zhaojia Village. Your mother knows me, when she was young, she used to call me ‘Second Uncle.’ Let me go in, there’s something important I need to discuss with your mother,” then lowering his voice, “It’s a big deal, your family’s future will be better.”

Chen Feng coldly responded, “I make the decisions in my family. If there’s something important, tell me.”

Just as they were speaking, the front door opened, and Mrs. Wang came out, saying, “What’s going on? Zhui Feng and Wangcai are making such a fuss.” Seeing Chen Feng’s silhouette, she added, “A’Feng, why aren’t you at Tangyuan yet?”

Approaching a few steps, Zhao Lizheng smiled and said, “Oh, Juan, do you still remember me?” Then, realizing his mistake, he chuckled, “Look at me, being so forgetful. Now that you’re married and have children, how can I still call you by your childhood name?”

The emphasis on “married and have children” was particularly strong.

It had been over a decade since Mrs. Wang had last seen him. She would never forget how he and that woman had pressured her.

Her face turned pale as she sternly said, “What are you doing here? Leave. I don’t want to see you, and you’re not allowed to provoke my daughter.”

Afraid of Chen Feng’s appearance but not of the weak Mrs. Wang, Zhao Lizheng still wanted to be friendly due to his task for the day. He suggested talking in the carriage to avoid a scene. Mrs. Wang observed workers repairing the house in Fengyuan, with Chen Ming there, she didn’t want to cause a commotion and be seen by others. She told Chen Feng, “A’Feng, you go home. I just need to say a few words.”

Chen Feng shook her head, “I’m not going home. I’ll wait here.”

As Mrs. Wang did not want to enter the carriage, she hurried to the other side of a large tree, thinking that Chen Feng wouldn’t be able to hear her speak softly. She said, “Get to the point, then leave quickly.”

Approaching, Zhao Lizheng whispered, “Mrs. Wang, Old Lady Chen is kind. She heard that your daughter, for a living, had ventured out to work as a needlework master. She couldn’t bear to see your family struggle and sent me to give you a message. Your daughter is not young anymore, why let her work publicly, tarnishing her reputation? Who from a good family would want her? Dismiss her for being a needlework master, and she can marry and have children sooner. Old Lady Chen is kind-hearted and doesn’t want your family to suffer. Here’s fifty taels of silver. Buy ten acres of good land, and you won’t have to worry about your livelihood.”

Mrs. Wang refused the money, saying coldly, “My daughter hasn’t tarnished her reputation. She’s teaching a four-year-old girl, it won’t harm her reputation. I don’t want the money, my daughter has already ensured we have a worry-free life.”

Frowning, Zhao Lizheng threatened, “Mrs. Wang, nowadays, Chen Shiying, or rather, Mr. Chen… is now the magistrate of Dingzhou. He even oversees the County Magistrate of Sanqing. Old Lady Chen’s wishes are Mr. Chen’s wishes. If you don’t comply with Old Lady Chen, it’s like defying the magistrate. Aren’t you afraid of imprisonment? Old Lady Chen is kind, but if she’s angered, it won’t end well for you…”

Chen Feng had quietly moved to the other side of the tree. She coldly interjected, “Old man Zhao, don’t scare my mother. This is the first I’ve heard of Mr. Chen becoming a magistrate, and then his mother becoming one. Not obeying his mother’s orders would lead to imprisonment?”

Startled, Zhao Lizheng’s expression changed, and he threatened, “You… You…” Seeing her appearance, he became fearful and didn’t dare continue his rant. He softened his tone and said, “I didn’t say that.”

Not wanting to engage in further dialogue, Chen Feng stated, “Go back and tell Old Lady Chen that if she can persuade the general or the lord from Tangyuan to dismiss me, then I won’t be able to teach anymore. As for that little silver, we’re not interested.” She then went to support Mrs. Wang and said, “Mother, let’s go home.”

They had taken a few steps when they heard Zhao Lizheng’s voice from behind, “Mrs. Wang, you’d better be smarter and not speak carelessly. It’s best for your daughter’s matters not to be spread around.”

Zhui Feng and Wangcai also recognized the old man’s threat and barked furiously at him, causing Zhao Lizheng to rush back to the carriage.

Mrs. Wang hurried back to the courtyard with Chen Feng, and after Zhui Feng and Wangcai came inside, she quickly secured the door. Listening to the carriage wheels receding into the distance, she finally felt at ease.

Without addressing Mrs. Gao’s inquiry about her needlework, Mrs. Wang pulled Chen Feng into the west wing.

Mrs. Wang’s hands were tightly clasped over her chest, her veins bulging, and she trembled uncontrollably. She felt extremely embarrassed, her face flushed and tears welling in her eyes. She didn’t dare look at her daughter. She surmised that her daughter probably knew something, but because they hadn’t had a frank conversation, she had deluded herself into thinking her daughter knew nothing. But now, some things had to be said. She told her daughter, believing it was better for her to hear it from her.

With her head bowed, she stammered, “A’Feng, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ve made you lose face… When I was young, I was a child bride… Your appearance, your appearance…” She found it too shameful to speak further, covering her mouth and softly sobbing.