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Chen Feng sneered, “Heaven forgives those who repent, but there’s no escape for those who commit their own sins. If Heaven were to punish anyone, it would be those who have committed wrongdoings, not someone of my benevolence.” She then closed the box on the table and placed it in the arms of the maid. “Take your silver and leave. I don’t want it. Also, in the future, don’t come here claiming kinship. I am Chen Ming’s real daughter, and I won’t acknowledge any other father.”
Madam Chen struggled to stand and was assisted by the maid. Her body trembled violently, especially when crossing the threshold, which took considerable effort.
As she entered the courtyard, Madam Chen turned and shouted at Chen Feng, “Unfilial, unfilial! Heaven has eyes, it will punish you.”
She looked ferocious, as if she wanted to devour Chen Feng.
Chen Feng, not being from this era, didn’t see herself as unfilial. She thought that if Heaven had been watching, it wouldn’t have allowed this old witch to enjoy her good fortune for so long.
Leaning against the door frame, she spoke slowly, “Madam Chen, you looked as if you wanted to devour me just now. That’s not how a grandmother should treat her granddaughter. So, I won’t take your words to heart, nor will I believe them. Even if you want to force me to be your granddaughter because I look good, or to be a twin with the ugly eldest daughter. I don’t believe it, and neither will anyone else. If I were to be filial, it would be to my real grandmother in Xiangluo Village, not you. Don’t utter those ‘unfilial’ words again. Also, in the future, don’t come to my home in a carriage to humiliate me. I might hurt you too much, but if I don’t hurt you enough, I’ll feel distressed… Originally, I led a poor life in the countryside, and you lived a wealthy life in the city, we had no connection. However, you insisted on harming others.” She then added sternly, “If you dare to continue harming others, some words may go directly to the censors.”
Madam Chen didn’t dare, or perhaps didn’t have the strength to speak any longer. Trembling, she was helped out of the courtyard. It was the unluckiest and most humiliating day of her life. She had underestimated her opponent. She hadn’t expected a 15-year-old girl from the countryside, who was considered foolish not long ago, to be so formidable!
Moreover, who would dare to spread rumors in front of her son? Who would dare to do the same in front of her in-laws? She had to return to the city immediately…
Chen Yuhui was even more embarrassed, crying all the way, using a handkerchief to cover her face.
Mrs. Tang, who was the last to leave, couldn’t bear Chen Feng’s belittling of her daughter. Before leaving, she turned and said, “Chen Feng, the old lady was kind, and we had good intentions in wanting to take you to the city for a better life. If you don’t appreciate it and respond with hostile words and wild threats, you are indeed an uncultured country bumpkin. Heaven will punish you sooner or later. Bah!” After spitting vehemently, she hurriedly ran out, fearing that Chen Feng would say even more offensive words.
Chen Feng didn’t want to engage in a quarrel with her outside but also didn’t want to endure the humiliation. She instructed her dog, “Go and confront that foul-mouthed woman.”
Upon hearing this, the servant loosened her grip, and Zhui Feng, like a gust of wind, chased after Mrs. Tang. Startled by the ferocious dog resembling a wolf, Mrs. Tang ran in fear, screaming for help.
Zhao Lizheng, the coachman, and the maid-servant all rushed to protect Madam Chen, with no time to deal with Mrs. Tang. Chen Yuhui was left in a state of shock, unable to even cry.
The dog, following its owner’s command, knocked Mrs. Tang to the ground with a nudge but refrained from biting. It only nudged her and made her roll a few times, causing her to faint from fright.
Chen Feng stepped outside the courtyard and addressed the dog, “That’s enough, come back.”
Zhui Feng heard and returned to its owner, wagging its tail. It didn’t find it fun at all. The person had responded without giving it a chance to bite, and it felt disappointed.
Chen Feng then turned to the frightened Madam Chen and her entourage and remarked, “In our home, not only are people formidable, but so are the dogs. If you come to show off again, remember, it could be worse next time because we have even more formidable things at home.”
Afterwards, she went back inside the courtyard, slammed the door shut, and secured it.
She then instructed the old gatekeeper, “If these people come again, don’t let them in the gate.”
The old gatekeeper promptly bowed in response, showing the same respect as when dealing with Chu Lingxuan.
Inside the courtyard, everyone kept their heads down, showing utmost respect, as if they hadn’t heard or seen what had just happened.
Returning to the main hall, Chen Feng saw Mrs. Wang, tearful, emerging from the bedroom. When Chen Ming learned that Mr. Chen’s mother had arrived, he was afraid that Mrs. Wang might be mistreated and had her hide in the bedroom.
Mrs. Wang softly said, “A’Feng, by antagonizing her, you will provoke her. She is very formidable.”
Approaching Mrs. Wang, Chen Feng embraced her and said, “I didn’t offend her first. She was the one who wants to sell me. Some people, the more we yield, the more they bully us. If we assert ourselves, they won’t dare to trouble us. Rest assured, by dealing with them like this, even if they had ten times the courage, they wouldn’t dare to bully us again. I must make them fear me to completely dispel their intentions to control me.” Lowering her voice, she added, “Even if that person has thoughts in the future, these people will do everything to prevent me from entering that home.”
Chen Ming’s eyes reddened, and he said, “A’Feng, you’ve suffered while being with your poor father and still have to endure being bullied by others.”
Shaking her head, Chen Feng replied, “It’s because I have you, my father, to protect me that I am still alive. Dad, thank you. I will always be your real daughter.” Then, she playfully pouted and asked, “Dad, don’t tell me you don’t want me as your real daughter anymore?”
Previously, the three of them had never explicitly acknowledged that Chen Feng was not Chen Ming’s biological daughter, even though Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang knew that Chen Feng was devoted to them. Despite knowing that this beloved daughter wouldn’t abandon them for wealth, they were still reluctant to openly admit it.
Hearing Chen Feng’s words and her question, Chen Ming was moved to tears and stuttered, “How, how could it be? I, I cherish you dearly…”
Chen Feng smiled and said, “Then it’s settled. No matter what happens in the future, no matter who comes, you will always recognize me as your daughter, and I will only recognize you as my father.”
“Okay.” Chen Ming nodded with a smile.
The topic was then closed.
Chen Feng helped Mrs. Wang, who was still trembling, back to the bedroom, instructed her to rest and had Auntie Mu prepare a bowl of ginseng soup for her. Then, she went to work at Tangyuan with her bodyguard.
On the way to work, she felt unusually jubilant and light-hearted. Those detestable individuals would never dare to appear before her again.