Chapter 189: I Am Your Father

Chen Feng said, “Mr. Chen, it seems you don’t know what kind of life our family had before. If you did, you wouldn’t say that. There were five of us in our family. My father had lung disease and couldn’t do heavy work, yet needed good food. A’Lu broke his leg, Dabao was still young, and I was a fool. The five of us relied solely on my mother’s embroidery work and the rent from our four acres of land to survive. We were one of the poorest families in the entire Xiangluo Village.”

“I gradually began to regain my senses. I realized that my mother never gave up on getting me treated, that my father would rather inconvenience my brother than me, that my young, crippled brother helped with the household chores, and that little Dabao served me with great care. I also noticed that the little bit of good food at home was always saved for my father and me… Seeing such a poor yet affectionate family, how could I hide at home and let them treat me like that?”

“I am willing to use my hands and intelligence to improve our family’s life, so that my mother doesn’t have to work so hard, my father doesn’t have to worry so much, to cure my brother’s leg, and allow Dabao to live a normal life… I taught Young Miss Chu, sold my designs to an embroidery shop, and opened a restaurant in partnership with others. This was all due to my intelligence and hard work, with no theft or greed involved. I am not a legitimate firstborn daughter, and I cannot live a life of luxury in a hidden courtyard.”

Chen Shiying’s eyes welled up again and he sighed, “Little Feng, this family has given you so much care and warmth, and your decision is the right one.” He then turned to Mrs. Wang and said, “Sister, please don’t be upset. I don’t blame you, and I have no reason to. You have treated little Feng so well under such difficult circumstances. Thank you, thank you to my brother-in-law, thank you.” With that, he got up and bowed to Mrs. Wang.

Upon seeing this, Mrs. Wang quickly shifted to the side.

Chen Shiying then said to Chen Feng, “Little Feng, I am your father. Are you willing to come home with me? If you truly don’t want to live in that house, you can stay here permanently, occasionally visiting home to accompany me. What do you say?”

Of course, Chen Feng couldn’t return to that house. She was very curious about what identity Chen Shiying would give her and whether he would propose another absurd “twin daughter” idea. So she asked, “Return home? Under what identity do you want me to return home? My mother’s status at that time was never formalized. I can’t be called your illegitimate daughter, can I?”

Chen Shiying sighed and said, “At that time, it was my negligence. I didn’t know that my mother hadn’t gone to the county office to formalize the situation, and I always thought she was my legitimate wife… I only found out the truth when my sister was driven away, but it was already too late. My mother did too many wrongs, but she is still my mother. As her son, I cannot push her out to face the accusations of others. I thought that I should bear the responsibility for her. I will tell people that I had an illegitimate daughter before marriage due to irresistible emotions and asked Jiang to register you under her name. If there are any negative comments, or even if I am accused by the imperial censor, demoted, and unable to be promoted in the future, I will bear it all.”

Even though it was foolishly filial, it still showed a sense of responsibility.

Chen Shiying continued, “Little Feng, when you return home, you will be my legitimate firstborn daughter.”

Chen Feng shook her head in refusal and said, “I don’t want to. First, your mother tried to marry me off by deceit and then tried to trick me into going to a secluded courtyard to have me sold. And there’s Mrs. Tang and Chen Yuhui, they were all part of the deception. With so many people in your family wanting to harm me, tell me, if I go to your house, will I come out alive?”

This wasn’t really the reason she refused to return to that house, but she had to say this to put those three women on notice.

Chen Shiying blushed and said, “Little Feng, rest assured, no one at home can harm you. The majority of the household consists of people loyal to me and Jiang. Even my mother… can’t do as she pleases. I know what she did when she went back to our hometown and replaced those old people around her. Her second cousin, who did so many evil things, will be severely punished. Even Tang has been confined, and Yuhui has been rebuked and punished.”

It seemed his wife, Jiang, was quite formidable to be able to rein in that old lady. However, no matter how strong Jiang was, she wasn’t her birth mother, so it was unclear if she was a friend or a foe.

Chen Feng didn’t like the idea of venturing into unknown territory, even for a few days. She was more than happy to stay here. This was her true home. She liked the countryside and the freedom it offered.

Chen Feng shook her head and said, “Mr. Chen, I only have one home, and that’s here. I won’t go anywhere.”

Disappointed, Chen Shiying said, “Even if you just come to my house occasionally, to stay for a couple of days and spend time with me and to become my legitimate firstborn daughter, it would help you find a good in-law in the future.”

Chen Feng continued to shake her head.

Chen Shiying then turned to Mrs. Wang and said, “Sister, little Feng is still young and doesn’t understand the importance of this. Please advise her to accept me as her father, it would be good for her.”

Mrs. Wang caught the words “find a good in-law.” Her daughter was almost sixteen, and they hadn’t found a suitable match for her. But seeing her daughter’s determined expression, she chose to heed her daughter’s words. She said, “I respect A’Feng’s wishes.”

This response left Chen Shiying feeling choked up. If he insisted further, it would be disrespectful to his daughter’s wishes. He sighed, “If little Feng doesn’t want to acknowledge me as her father, and holds a grudge against me, then so be it. If you don’t come to see me, I’ll come to see you. My suggestion remains valid forever. As soon as little Feng comes to terms with it, Jiang can register you under her name.”

He took out a few pieces of paper from his pocket and placed two of them on the table, saying, “This is a promissory note for a thousand taels of silver, sister. Consider it as your dowry from your younger brother. I hope you won’t have to work too hard in the future.” Seeing Mrs. Wang shaking her head, he added, “Sister, you cannot refuse. From now on, you are your brother’s true sister. Whatever you need, as long as you ask, I will stand up for you.”

“No, I cannot accept your money.” replied Mrs. Wang, still shaking her head.

Chen Shiying said, “Then, after I leave, burn it.” He then placed the other two papers on the table and said to Chen Feng, “These are deeds for five hundred acres of fertile land and a manor. They are gifts from father to you. With this, even if you don’t earn money, you will have a good life. In the future, father will also provide you with a dowry.”

Chen Feng did not refuse. Those five hundred acres of fertile land and the manor could be considered as the interest he was giving to little Feng. After all, he was her biological father and should provide for her upbringing.

Chen Shiying gazed affectionately at the two of them and said, “Sister, little Feng, I’m leaving now. In the future, I will come to see you again, and I will personally express my gratitude to Brother-in-law.”

With that, he lifted the curtain and walked out. Mrs. Wang remained still, while Chen Feng saw him off. However, she noticed that Old Marquis Chu and Mr. Chu were standing in the corridor.