Chapter 184: Practicing True Martial Arts

Steward Luo suggested that Luo Xiao should go to the capital the next day. It so happened that the old Marquis had a letter to be sent to the capital, so it would serve both personal and official purposes. Luo Xiao could deliver the letter. If he acted promptly, Luo Xiao would be able to return within five days, and they could see how many people Yang Mingyuan could introduce to the restaurant.

Chen Shi would return to Dingzhou Prefecture in ten days. Upon his return, he would first look for a storefront, arrange legal documentation, and hire more staff if needed. With everything ready, the restaurant should be ready to open formally next month. On the opening day, it would be best if Chen Ming, Chen Ye, and Steward Luo visited Dingzhou.

The restaurant was named Prosperous Grand Restaurant.

Everyone was delighted, and the dinner was even more lively. Grandma Chen was especially happy, her three sons had opened a restaurant together, now they were all successful.

In the evening, Chen Feng wrote a letter to Yang Mingyuan. Since she had studied cultural studies with Chen Ming for less than a year, she hadn’t learned many characters. So, she wrote the letter while “consulting” Dabao or Chen Ming. The letter ended up being five pages long, although the handwriting was average, it conveyed what needed to be said clearly.

Early the next morning, Shanzhi delivered the letter to Stewaard Luo’s house.

Around noon, Mrs. Wang, dressed in new clothes, would accompany Chen Ming to Xianhu Village. She hadn’t returned to her hometown since marrying into the Chen family sixteen years ago. She was emotional, and her body was trembling with excitement.

She was wearing her best outfit today, a pea-green satin jacket and a dark green satin skirt. She wore a jade hairpin, a silver hairpin, a gold bracelet on her wrist, and a pair of gold earrings. The jade hairpin and the gold bracelet were gifts from Chen Feng for the New Year, and the gold earrings were a gift from Mrs. Zhang. Chen Feng had also given her a pair.

However, no matter how well-dressed she was, it couldn’t conceal her aging appearance due to worry.

Chen Feng only had scented powder but no rouge, so she asked Mrs. Zeng to lend her some rouge for makeup. She realized she had been careless, even if she didn’t use it, the house should have a set of makeup just in case.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang blushed and said, “Even at my age, putting on makeup, people might say I’m an old witch.”

Mrs. Zeng chuckled and said, “Aunt Chen, look at some old woman in prominent households, even a seventy-year-old lady needs to put on makeup.”

Since Chen Ming didn’t allow the servants to call them “Master and Madam,” they followed the younger generation and called them “Uncle Chen” and “Aunt Chen.”

Chen Feng was very insistent on giving Mrs. Wang a light makeup. Mrs. Wang always listened to her daughter, so although she was reluctant, she sat down and let her daughter work on her face.

Chen Feng lightly filled in her eyebrows, applied a bit of powder to her face, added a hint of blush to her cheeks, and also applied a touch of rouge to her lips.

Although subtle, it made her look a bit younger and more spirited than without makeup.

Chen Ming grinned, his eyes narrowing, and exclaimed, “This looks great, really great.”

They also brought substantial gifts this time, including two pieces of pork, a leg of lamb, five pounds of apples, two packets of candy, and two pieces of silk for the Wang family. Additionally, they will give each of the relatives who participated in teaching Mrs. Ding a piece of pork and a packet of candy.

Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang then rode in a carriage, accompanied by Mrs. Zeng and Xue Dagui, to Xianhu Village. The carriage was borrowed from the estate.

With a driver now in the household, Chen Feng thought that after the Lunar New Year, they should buy a carriage for themselves.

After they left, Chen Feng, her son, and Lu were invited to Tangyuan. They spent the day there, and Chen Feng even prepared two meals.

It was the first time the old marquis had seen the renowned “martial arts.” When Chen Feng was guiding Chu Hanyan, Dabao, the children from the Luo family, and two young maids, along with the pets, in their exercises, the old marquis laughed heartily on the side, finding it even more enjoyable than watching a big show.

Chu Hanyan thought her grandfather was laughing because she was doing well in her exercises, so she wiggled her chubby bottom even more vigorously and sang louder than before. She could only keep up with the lyrics “one, two, three, four, two, two, three, four,” so when she counted, her voice was surprisingly loud.

This amused the old marquis even more.

After the “martial arts” practice, when they started playing with building blocks, Chen Dabao was caught by Chu Lingxuan in the courtyard teaching him how to do a horse stance, saying that boys should practice real martial arts.

He also said, “You’re a little man, don’t just play girls’ games, and don’t act like a girl with your mother, it’s embarrassing!”

Chen Dabao argued, “My mother says I’m a child, so I should act like a child and playfully show affection. When I grow up, I’ll become a real man.” He then clenched his little fist.

The first sentence was indeed said by Chen Feng. She had always felt that Dabao had been overly cautious and mature for his age. She wanted to give him more maternal love and thought to guide him further when he was a bit older.

Chu Lingxuan shook his head, stating, “A woman’s knowledge is limited. She doesn’t think about the habits that have been formed, and it’s not easy to change. When I return, you’ll come over to Tangyuan to practice martial arts with me. Your mother will mainly teach Yanyan.”

Dabao knew that Uncle Chu was a capable general and was willing to learn martial arts from him, agreeing with a nod. However, he also defended his mother by saying, “My mother is very capable and knowledgeable.”

While they were discussing, Chen Feng brought a blushing Lu over, saying, “Mr. Chu, please also teach my little brother.”

Chu Lingxuan nodded and added, “When I return to Tangyuan, I’ll let Dabao… and Lu, train with me.”

Chen Feng agreed, as she believed that boys should have more interaction with men. Although they had Chen Ming and a few male servants, Chen Ming was introverted and the male servants were not in a position to guide their young master. If Chu Lingxuan was willing to help teach Dabao and Lu, it would be even better.

Chen Feng and the others didn’t even return to Luyuan for a midday rest. Dabao and Lu slept on a couch in the hall, while Chen Feng, Mrs. Wei, and Mama Song chatted quietly in the west room. After the children woke from their nap, they practiced “martial arts” with Chen Feng before going to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

The old Marquis had been eating hotpot for two days and was feeling a bit overheated. That evening, Chen Feng made mung bean porridge, a few stir-fried dishes, scallion pancakes, and flaky pastries, and also brought a plate of Korean-style spicy cabbage from Luyuan. Chen Feng only dined at Tangyuan, so Chu Hanyan joined her at the same table. Consequently, two tables were set up in the hall, one for the Old Marquis Chu, Chu Lingxuan, Dabao, Lu, and a few other men, while Chen Feng and Chu Hanyan dined at a small table by the couch. Additionally, a small table was set for Zhui Feng, Wangcai, Qiqi, and Gray, who were eating on the floor.

The old marquis particularly enjoyed the spicy cabbage and the refreshing wood ear mushrooms, saying that after eating too many meat dishes, these two were especially refreshing. He suggested that she make more spicy cabbage, as he intended to take some to the capital.