Chapter 182: Willingness

Taking the copybook and brushes, Dabao bowed and said, “Thank you, Uncle Chu. I will work hard to not disappoint you.”

Chen Feng also expressed her gratitude.

Chu Lingxuan’s face bore a faint smile as he said, “Ms. Chen, you’re being too polite. A great kindness needs no thanks. Hanyan’s success today is all thanks to Ms. Chen.”

The mother and son bid farewell and walked a distance. Dabao glanced back, tugged at Chen Feng, and said, “Mother, Uncle Chu is still watching us.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng turned around but found nothing at the entrance to the study, just falling snowflakes. She replied, “No, there’s no one there.”

Dabao blinked, indeed seeing no one. Uncertain, he said, “Did I see it wrong? But Uncle Chu was definitely there just now.”

Chen Feng chuckled, “It’s dark, and with the snow, mistaking a pillar for a person is possible.”

“Maybe.” Dabao said dishearteningly.

Two estate guards were waiting at the Tangyuan side gate, responsible for escorting Chen Feng and her son to Luyuan.

After exiting the side gate, they could see the walls of Fengyuan in the distance, and Luyuan was beyond it.

The snow continued to fall, the biting wind making visibility poor. The guard holding the lantern walked ahead, while another followed behind them.

Thankful for the escort, although it wasn’t late, the area was silent as if devoid of life.

Arriving at Luyuan, Old Zeng opened the gate.

Chen Feng smiled at the two guards and said, “Thank you, both. Wait here, I’ll fetch some marinated meat for you to enjoy with your drinks.” She brought out a small basin of marinated chicken and pork from the kitchen to offer them.

The two guards graciously thanked her.

These two individuals often escorted Chen Feng, and she frequently provided them with food.

Upon entering the main hall, Chen Ming and the others were still waiting for them to have dinner.

Chen Ming was extremely excited when he heard that Dabao had received a copybook by Wang Youjun. He forgot about eating, repeatedly wiped his hands, and eagerly held the copybook, unable to get enough of it.

After waiting for a while, when it seemed that Chen Ming was still engrossed in the book, Mrs. Wang chuckled and said, “It’s so late. If you don’t come to eat, are you going to let the children go hungry?”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming finally joined them for the meal. He also told Dabao, “Let Grandfather borrow the book to look at it tonight and give it back to you tomorrow.”

Dabao generously said, “If Grandfather likes it, then…” He originally wanted to say “then I’ll give it to Grandfather.” but realizing it was Wang Youjun’s copybook, he changed his words and said, “then he can keep it for a while.” Feeling stingy, he added, “He can keep it for as long as he wants.”

Chen Ming laughed, “You’re so cautious. Don’t worry, Grandfather will only keep it for one night.”

Dabao blushed and generously offered his uncle a set of brush and ink, both from the renowned Wenshangzhai in the capital.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the second branch of the Chen family hosted guests. Today, the guests were not picky, so Auntie Mu and Mrs. Zeng were in charge of the kitchen, giving Chen Feng a rare day off.

Grandma Chen, along with the first and third branch, arrived.

With servants at Luyuan, the women didn’t need to help in the kitchen. They leisurely cracked melon seeds in the main hall while listening to the animated conversation of the men. Chen Tang, Lu, Dabao, Dahoa, and several boys were playing and frolicking with Zhui Feng and Wangcai in the courtyard.

Chen Aman pulled Chen Feng aside and whispered, seemingly upset that Chen Jue was touching her belongings and cosmetics without permission. Although she didn’t steal anything, it still made her very unhappy. Mrs. Zhang kindly told grandma Chen to manage the girl properly, as it’s not right to tamper with other people’s things. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Hu didn’t appreciate Mrs. Zhang and her daughter, accusing them of wrongly accusing Chen Jue and expressing dissatisfaction, saying that if they didn’t want to stay, they could leave, questioning the fairness of eating and drinking at her house while accusing her daughter…

“…I’m afraid to confront Uncle during the New Year, so I just secretly curse Jue and her mother. I don’t want to stay in the countryside anymore, I want to return to the city soon.” Chen Aman pouted.

Chen Feng glanced at Chen Jue, who sat in the corner, barely thirteen years old, an age in the previous era equivalent to the first year of junior high. This stage marked the most crucial period for character formation. If not guided properly, allowing Mrs. Hu to influence her, this child would truly be ruined.

As they spoke, grandma Chen pulled Chen Jue over and said, “You young ladies are of similar age, you should spend more time together.” She then turned to Chen Feng and added, “A’Feng, you are a sensible child, guide A’Jue more.”

Unlike her usual proud demeanor, Chen Jue obediently sat next to Chen Feng and even called her “Sister Feng.”

This was indeed a surprise. Chen Feng also greeted her with a smile.

Chen Jue soon became engrossed in Chen Feng’s attire, saying, “Yesterday when we visited Uncle’s house, Sister Hong returned from the county. She was so arrogant. I think she’s not as pretty as Sister Feng, and her clothes aren’t as nice as Sister Feng’s. Even Sister Aman is better than her. She looks down on us country folk…”

The main branch of the Chen family had visited the Hu family yesterday. Except for the fourth sister from the Hu family, the other three sisters immediately went to the kitchen to work, and even Chen Jue went to tend the fire. However, Xia Hong and Hu Cuicui were very close, but they didn’t pay much attention to the other cousins, including Chen Jue, making her very upset.

Chen Feng said, “She thinks she’s better than you, so she looks down on you. If one day, you surpass her, she won’t dare to look down on you.”

Chen Jue rolled her eyes and said, “But we are country folk. Even if we’re better, we’re still not better than her.” Her tone was confrontational, as if Chen Feng owed her something.

Seeing her unlikable attitude, Chen Feng didn’t want to say much. However, for the sake of Chen Ye and grandma Chen, she endured it. Patiently, she said, “Your cousin is a county girl, yet she doesn’t dare to look down on Hu Cuicui. This is not only because your cousin is capable, but also because Hu Cuicui is shrewd and knows how to get along with people. Now, our Chen family is getting better and better, and if you work harder and learn more about dealing with people, will she still dare to look down on you?”

Grandma Chen also added, “Listen to what A’Feng says. Now that your second uncle has become a landlord, and your third uncle has a large tavern in the city, we are not inferior to the Hu family. If you are sensible, learn more from your Second aunt and cousin about sewing. In the future, when you find a good match, they will even come to you…”

At this moment, Chen Shi came over and pulled Chen Feng aside. It turned out that he wanted to expand the business and asked if she had any ideas. Chen Feng glanced at Chen Ming, chatting and laughing with Chen Ye in the distance, thinking that they should engage in a similar business under Chen Ming’s name.

She thought, it’s better to let Chen Ming and the others have it themselves, even if she had something.

So she smiled and said, “Indeed, do you want to open a real big restaurant? If so, I can help you find a good chef and manager. But the condition is that my father gets a share.”

Chen Shi laughed and replied, “Blood is thicker than water, and it’s better to have family members involved. With Second Brother joining, it’s even better. I don’t know much about the tavern business. If A’Feng can help find a chef and a manager, I’m willing.”