Chapter 205: Cannot Harm Her

With Chen Ming absent, Dabao and Lu accompanied Chu Lingxuan, the three of them sharing a large Eight Immortals table. Originally, Chu Lingxuan wanted Hanyan to join them at the table, but Hanyan refused, insisting on sitting with her aunt Feng.

To look after Chu Lingxuan as he watched over his daughter, another table was set up in the upper hall, where Mrs. Wang, Chen Feng, and Hanyan sat.

In the middle, there was a low table with two small bowls placed on it, holding food for Zhui Feng and Wangcai, and a large plate for the Golden Swallow, Qiqi, and Gray.

After the meal, Dabao and Yan’er habitually held hands and walked towards the west wing. For the past few days, Feng and Hanyan slept on the bed, while Dabao slept on the couch in the bedroom.

Chu Lingxuan stooped down to pick up Hanyan, scolding, “I rarely come back, yet my daughter doesn’t want to spend time with her father.”

Upon hearing this, Hanyan pouted and hugged his neck, saying, “Okay, okay.” She then said to Chen Feng, “Auntie, be good, and Dabao, don’t make trouble. After Dad leaves, I’ll come and keep you company.”

Chen Feng was at a loss, as if she was the one eager for Hanyan’s company. As long as the little one slept here, Chen Feng couldn’t sleep well, worrying that she might catch a chill or be squashed.

But seeing the earnest look in her eyes, Chen Feng agreed, “Alright.”

Dabao also said, “Okay, I’ll wait for you. When you’re not here, I won’t let Mother tell stories. When you come back, we’ll listen together.”

Dabao still held Chen Feng’s hand as he escorted them to the door.

By this time, the sun had completely descended below the mountains, leaving only a ring of black and gold clouds at the top of the Honglin Mountain to the west. The evening breeze was cool, rustling through the newly green leaves.

Chu Lingxuan stood and said to Chen Feng, “Tomorrow, I’ll have someone come to help you move.”

Chen Feng shook her head and said with a smile, “No need. Everything in Fengyuan is newly arranged, there’s nothing to move over.”

Chu Lingxuan nodded and said, “Will there be many guests tomorrow? I’ll send a few people to help with the cooking.”

Chen Feng shook her head, “My father and elder uncle’s family haven’t returned. There are no adult men at home, so we haven’t invited many guests. We’ve only invited my cousin Gui, the Luo family, some acquaintances from Tangyuan, as well as Wu Changgen’s wife and Shitou for a meal. It’s just three or four tables, and we have enough people at home. Oh, if you’re free tomorrow, please come to Fengyuan for a meal.”

Chu Lingxuan readily agreed, “Alright. However, I’ll come in the afternoon.”

Chen Feng nodded. The guests for the afternoon meal were either villagers or servants from Tangyuan. It would be noisy and he certainly wouldn’t enjoy it.

Chu Hanyan pouted, “Auntie, what about me? Aren’t you inviting me?”

Chen Feng chuckled, “How could we forget about you? You’ll come with your Dad.”

As they walked towards the willow tree, its long branches were already adorned with leaves, swaying gently in the breeze.

Chu Lingxuan stopped and turned back, waving to Chen Feng and Dabao.

Dabao also waved and called out, “Uncle Chu, sister Yan.”

At some point, the Golden Swallow had perched on Chen Feng’s jacket without her noticing. It chirped, “They’re all reluctant to leave and yet they pretend to be tough. Mommy, don’t struggle pointlessly. When you love, you just love.” It then flapped its wings and flew off to the west.

Chen Feng was startled. Yes, she always thought she was being pulled along by Dabao. But standing there, watching them, hoping they would turn back, even wishing they would stay a little longer, was the true voice of her heart.

She knew it wasn’t sensible to fall for this man again, fearing another heartbreak. Yet, her heart couldn’t help itself.

“Let’s go back.” Chen Feng hurriedly took Dabao back home.

“Uncle Chu is still standing there.” Dabao said, but he was still pulled back home by his mother.

Seeing Chen Feng leave before her, Chu Hanyan pouted again, saying, “Why did Auntie leave first?”

Chu Lingxuan looked disappointed and said, “Perhaps Ms. Chen had an urgent matter.” He then turned and walked towards Tangyuan.

Upon reaching the side gate of Tangyuan, the gatekeeper reported, “Master, Young Miss, the madame has returned.”

Chu Lingxuan scolded with a stern face, “Then why didn’t you report to Luyuan earlier?”

The gatekeeper bowed and said, “The madame wouldn’t let me go. She said to let Miss have fun and only return after that.”

The three of them were overjoyed when they arrived at Serene courtyard. Particularly Abbess Liao Chen, who was delighted to see her granddaughter making progress, and she was so pleased that he prayed to the Buddha.

After Chu Hanyan went to rest, Abbess Liao Chen said to Chu Lingxuan, “Xuan, if you have anything on your mind, tell me.” A mother knows her child, and she could tell that her son was troubled.

Chu Lingxuan pursed his lips. He knew that if he didn’t speak, his mother would worry more. So he said, “Mother, someone is once again meddling in my marriage plans.” He then chuckled bitterly and added, “Let them scheme as much as they want, their plans won’t succeed.”

Abbess Liao Chen’s fingers, holding onto the prayer beads, turned white with anger as she said, “That woman is too ruthless, forcing this poor nun to leave her home and instigating the Empress Dowager to arrange a marriage for you, resulting in Yanyan’s illness. And now she wants to meddle in your marriage affairs again.”

Chu Lingxuan hurriedly added, “It’s not that woman this time. Now all her thoughts are focused on having a child, and she doesn’t have time for us. It’s my second aunt, she wants to have the eldest daughter of Chen Shiying as my wife.”

Abbess Liao Chen was furious, “That Li is always involved in these underhanded affairs. She doesn’t even consider that even if you were to remarry, you are still from the Marquis household, and you couldn’t possibly marry the illegitimate daughter of a magistrate. Does she truly believe that if she brings you down, if that woman able to have her son, her son will have a chance to inherit the title?”

Seeing his mother’s agitation, Chu Lingxuan reassured her, “Mother, I’ve grown up and learned from my past experiences. I can protect myself now. Second Aunt can’t influence anything, she only adds to the annoyance. However, about my marriage… I’ve taken a liking to a girl.”

Abbess Liao Chen was delighted, “Xuan, you have someone in mind? Which family is she from? Do I know her? I’ll have your grandfather send someone to propose and finalize this important matter, then I can rest easy.”

Chu Lingxuan blushed a bit and cleared his throat, saying, “This girl… You know her too…”

Abbess Liao Chen saw her son’s expression and smiled. She said, “There aren’t many girls who can capture my son’s heart. She’s the first one, isn’t she? Come on, tell me, who is she?”

Chu Lingxuan said, “This girl’s background is relatively humble, and there’s uncertainty about her future…”

Abbess Liao Chen knew who he was talking about. She also liked that girl very much, but she had never considered her as a potential daughter-in-law before. She had been thinking that she couldn’t recognize her as a goddaughter herself, but she planned to have her younger sister recognize her as a goddaughter in the future, giving her a good background for the future in her in-laws’ house.

She said with concern, “I know who you’re talking about. But that girl’s background is humble, and I’m afraid she might lack confidence. That woman might use the excuse of a daughter-in-law having to show respect and filial piety to her mother-in-law to take her to the princess’s residence and cause her distress… That would be pitiful. You cannot harm her.”