Chapter 216: He Come Again

The next morning, just as the day began to break, the birds outside were chirping noisily, disturbingly so. Chen Feng glanced at her soundly sleeping son, Dabao, and quietly slipped out of the room.

 

Once outside, she realized that there had been a light rain during the night. It was a quiet spring rain, and she hadn’t heard a thing. The birds were now gathered densely under the veranda, and they didn’t seem to fear her, continuing to chirp incessantly at her.

 

She went to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of handfuls of coarse rice, scattering them under the eaves of the west wing. Upon seeing the rice, the birds flew over in a frenzy to peck at the food, resembling a flock of domesticated chickens.

 

Since Dabao didn’t have to go to school that day, he woke up later than usual. It wasn’t until the late morning that they had breakfast together.

 

After the meal, Chen Feng intended to go to Luyuan, but Dabao stubbornly refused to join her, insisting that he needed to go and appease little sister Yan, who was likely upset from the previous day.

 

Chen Feng agreed, thinking that Chu Lingxuan should be a person of grace, unlikely to let his displeasure with an adult affect the children. She resolved to maintain a distance from Chu Lingxuan in the future, but the children should ideally continue their interactions as before.

 

However, would she have any control over her own fate in Chu Lingxuan’s eyes?

 

Carrying an oiled paper umbrella, she ventured to Luyuan alone.

 

Chen Ming and Old Zeng had gone to the Lao Huai Village in Zhongning County the day before and were planning to stay with a tenant for a few days. The two hundred mu of rapeseed there was ready for harvest, and they wanted to oversee the process. It wasn’t entirely necessary to supervise, but Chen Ming wanted to learn more, so Old Zeng accompanied him.

 

Mrs. Wang, sitting on the kang, was making clothes for Chen Ming. She joyfully pulled her daughter onto the kang to sit beside her.

 

Chen Feng informed Mrs. Wang about Wang Cheng’s situation. Since Wang Cheng’s name wasn’t on the list of fallen soldiers, they could only take it as good news.

 

Mrs. Wang wiped away her tears and said, “I hope your little uncle is still alive. Even if we can’t find him, as long as we know he’s alive, that’s all that matters.”

 

Seeing her mother’s slightly aged face, Chen Feng felt a wave of self-reproach. She had intended to make some skincare products containing fragrant agarwood for her mother last year, but amidst various distractions, she had forgotten about it. She would discuss with Golden Swallow later to see which fragrant agarwood components would be suitable for skincare.

 

The mother and daughter chatted for a while. Chen Ye and Mrs. Hu’s health hadn’t improved much, Chen Ye could move around, but he couldn’t do any heavy work and often felt breathless. Mrs. Hu couldn’t sleep at night, always feeling as though someone was about to burn her with a hot iron. During the day, she spent most of her time lying in bed, unable to do any household chores. This forced Chen Jue to help Mrs. Gao take care of the entire household. With over twenty mu of land, Chen Gui couldn’t manage it alone, so he hired a laborer to help out. When the rapeseed was sold, Chen Ming planned to buy a strong young bull for the main branch.

 

Mrs. Wang insisted that Chen Feng stay for lunch at Luyuan and asked someone to fetch Dabao. However, Chen Feng was preoccupied and returned to Fengyuan.

 

By this time, the rain had stopped, and the house was quiet. Even the birdcage was empty. Summer mentioned that the Golden Swallow had taken the birds out to play, even Zui Feng had followed them.

 

Chen Feng nodded. Even Zui Feng had gone with them, they might have gone to Honglin Mountain, and it was possible they wouldn’t return until tonight.

 

Chen Feng went to the storeroom to look for fabric.

 

She found a piece of dark gold floral brocade and sat in the western room to cut clothes for Chu Lingxuan. Unlike modern clothing, ancient attire didn’t need to fit precisely. They only needed to know the rough height and size, especially for men. As long as the jade belt could be tied, a little extra weight or leanness didn’t matter. There were no suitable fabrics at home for making plain clothes, so she planned to ask Zeng’s wife to buy some from the county town the next day.

 

Due to her many worries and uncertainties, she pricked her finger from time to time, letting out a pained “ouch,” which concerned the nearby Autumn and Summer.

 

Autumn said, “If the young miss can’t concentrate, let’s do it later. Hearing that sound makes my heart ache.”

 

Chen Feng shook her head and continued to work quietly.

 

Mrs. Zeng came to ask about lunch. Chen Feng, without lifting her head, said, “Aunt Zeng, just handle it.”

 

At that moment, Shanzhi came to report, “Miss, there’s a visitor.”

 

“Who?” Chen Feng didn’t even raise her head. At this time, a visitor was likely someone from the village.

 

“It’s Mr. Chen.” Shanzhi whispered, “He’s in the courtyard.”

 

 

Chen Feng was startled and looked outside to see Chen Shiying, wearing a long robe of icy blue bamboo-patterned brocade, standing in the middle of the courtyard, gazing blankly in the direction of Luyuan.

 

He stood tall and graceful, his robes billowing in the breeze, lifting a strand of his long hair. He looked like an extraordinary and affectionate immortal, standing there gazing intently.

 

Why had he come again? Chen Feng had just managed to calm Mrs. Wang, who was making clothes for Chen Ming, and she didn’t want her to be disturbed again. She got up and instructed Summer, “Explain to everyone that Mr. Chen’s visit is not to be discussed outside, and bring his carriage into the courtyard.”

 

After that, she walked out of the upper room and said, “Mr. Chen, didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t disturb our peaceful days?”

 

Chen Shiying looked at Chen Feng, feeling that after not seeing her for a few months, his daughter seemed to have grown taller and her beautiful face had become even more radiant. Although she was only wearing a slightly old pink cotton jacket and hadn’t put on any rouge, she looked as fresh and beautiful as a water lily, exuding a unique charm. This daughter, who hadn’t grown up by his side, was the most like him.

 

His eyes softened with affection, and his face was filled with a smile as he said, “A’Feng, I’ve missed you. I came to see you.”

 

His voice was gentle, like a murmuring stream, highly recognizable.

 

Since Luyuan was close, voices in the courtyard could be heard from inside. Chen Feng had no choice but to say, “Mr. Chen, please come in. Let’s talk inside.”

Chen Shiying entered the upper room, followed by Chen Feng. One of Chen Shiying’s attendants brought in two large brocade boxes and placed them on the table before leaving.

 

The other attendants remained outside, showing great tact.

 

Chen Shiying sat on the chair, and Chen Feng personally made tea for him, offering sugar and dried fruits. She didn’t want to sit down, she didn’t know what to say to this “father” who was so gentle with her.

 

Chen Shiying watched Chen Feng walk back and forth, saying, “A’Feng, don’t be in a hurry. Sit down and talk to Dad.”

 

Chen Feng had no choice but to sit in a chair next to him, with two chairs between them.

 

Chen Shiying said to Chen Feng, “A’Feng, you’ll be sixteen next month. I neglected you, and caused suffering for you and your mother.”

 

Chen Feng lifted her head and said, “Mr. Chen, you already made your intentions clear last time, and I understood. I also accepted the ‘compensation’ you offered to my mother and me. So, there’s no need to say anything more.”