Chapter 220: Saving Face

The strange thought had startled Chen Shiying. Regardless of Feng’s exceptional appearance, her background was insufficient, and Chu Lingxuan, with his family background and aloof personality, wouldn’t make life easy for his wife.

As he approached Tangyuan, Chen Shiying’s face beamed with a smile, masking his thoughts about Chu Lingxuan’s myriad shortcomings.

Seeing Chen Shiying strolling over like a spring breeze, Chu Lingxuan also wore a beaming smile, taking a few steps forward to greet him with clasped hands, “Mr. Chen, it’s been a while. Please, please.”

Chen Shiying had limited interaction with Chu Lingxuan, having met him no more than ten times. Whether from his own observations or from colleagues and friends, they all thought Chu Lingxuan to be talented but cold, with a strange temperament and a forceful approach. It was the first time Chen Shiying had seen Chu Lingxuan’s smile reach his eyes, leaving him momentarily stupefied. This man’s smile was more than just a polite gesture.

Why was he being so warm today? He suppressed his doubts and quickly returned the greeting, “Mr. Chu, I am honored by your hospitality.”

Chu Lingxuan replied with another smile, “Not at all, Mr. Chen, your visit today truly adds luster to Tangyuan. I’ve heard that you enjoy Zhaoyuanhong wine, and it’s already prepared.”

Amid their banter, they courteously made their way into Tangyuan.

At that moment, steward Luo hurried from the side gate to Fengyuan.

Meanwhile, Chen Feng was gazing blankly at the two brocade boxes left by Chen Shiying. The purple box contained a complete set of red gemstone-studded gold jewelry, while the red box held a complete set of jade-studded gold jewelry.

The jewelry glittered and was truly beautiful. However, she didn’t want them. She didn’t want Chen Shiying to use these gifts as an excuse to meddle in her life, especially since she had made it clear that she didn’t want his things. Returning the boxes seemed inappropriate, too. While her mother could refuse Chen Shiying’s gifts, she, on the other hand… Chen Shiying was right, even if she didn’t call him “father,” she was still his biological daughter. Although in a past life, she could have ignored him after all the unethical things his mother had done, in this ancient era, she couldn’t openly defy that wretched old woman if their relationship was confirmed by others.

Moreover, her delicate relationship with Chu Lingxuan, which she had been holding onto, was so delicate…

Just as she was feeling troubled, she heard Shanzhi outside saying, “Steward Luo has arrived.”

Chen Feng hurriedly closed the boxes and invited him in.

Steward Luo smiled and said, “Miss Chen, young miss has been talking about your homemade shredded chicken noodles all morning. Dabao will also be dining at Tangyuan. Do you think you could make some for them?” He then waved the bowl he was holding and added, “I was worried your family might not have any chicken, so I brought a cooked rooster from Tangyuan.”

Chen Feng stood up and smiled, “Sure, I’ll make two bowls right away and have someone take them to Tangyuan.”

Steward Luo thanked her and then spoke with a tinge of concern, “Miss Chen, you’re still young, and there are some things you haven’t considered thoroughly. Old Luo is just reminding you. Mr. Chen is… well, he’s your biological father. Although this has not been explicitly stated, everyone knows it. Since Mr. Chen has come all this way to see you, as his daughter, you should at least make a gesture, right? You’ve made noodles for my young and Dabao, if you don’t make some for him, others might say you’re unfilial.”

Chen Feng was taken aback. This was the first time someone had said in front of her that Chen Shiying was her father. Although she felt uneasy, it was an undeniable fact. She had to smile and say, “Alright, I’ll make some more…”

She suddenly realized that Chen Shiying and Chu Lingxuan wouldn’t be drinking alone. She understood why Steward Luo had come to say this, to let her serve Chu Lingxuan and give face to him. He was quite the tactful person!

She quickly added, “Make some more for Mr. Chen and Mr. Chu.”

Steward Luo chuckled and said, “Miss Chen, you’re so considerate. My master has always been good to you and your son. Especially to your son. This morning, he spent the whole morning teaching him martial arts…” He went on to explain how busy his master was and how he still managed to make time to train her son.

Chen Feng smiled and thanked Chu Lingxuan. Then, she took the bowl and headed to the kitchen.

Mrs. Zeng, had already cooked several dishes, assuming that Mr. Chen would be dining at Fengyuan, so she had made extra.

Chen Feng asked Mrs. Zeng to knead the dough while she shredded the chicken, blanched the mung bean sprouts she had soaked, and heated up some peanut oil.

She cooked the noodles, drained and tossed them with the cooled peanut oil, and then added various seasonings, finishing with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts. She prepared two small bowls.

Mrs. Zeng, sniffed and said, “Miss’s cold noodles are delicious, even better than those in the restaurants in the capital.”

Chen Feng replied, “It would be even better with some cucumbers.”

Steward Luo happily carried the two bowls back to Tangyuan.

Seeing the variety of dishes, Chen Feng took two dishes to Luyuan. There, she noticed Mrs. Wang with reddened eyes, sitting on the kang, lost in thought, with untouched food on the table.

Spotting Chen Feng, Mrs. Wang forced a smile and gestured for her to sit on the kang.

Chen Feng asked, “Mother, why are you crying?”

Mrs. Wang replied, “I was thinking about your little uncle. It saddens me.”

Chen Feng thought to herself that perhaps Mrs. Wang had heard about Chen Shiying’s arrival and it had reminded her of the past.

Sitting on the kang, Chen Feng comforted, “Mother, don’t be upset. Mr. Chu said they will continue to help search.” Then, she joined Mrs. Wang for lunch.

As they ate, Chen Feng quietly mentioned, “Mr. Chen has come to Fengyuan.”

Mrs. Wang wasn’t surprised, she had already heard his voice coming from Fengyuan that morning. Even though it was faint, she recognized it. She continued to eat, seemingly absentminded, and asked, “Why did he come to Fengyuan?”

Chen Feng responded, “He brought a set of headdresses for you.”

Mrs. Wang raised her head and said, “I don’t want it. I won’t accept anything from him. Give it back to him, A’Feng.”

“I already told him that you wouldn’t accept anything from him. He said, ‘If she doesn’t want it, you keep it.'” Chen Feng recounted how Chen Shiying had carefully chosen two younger men for her.

As she spoke about the two younger men, Mrs. Wang listened attentively and even managed a faint smile. She said, “I think the boy from the Zhou family is quite good. He’s already a scholar, and his character and knowledge are commendable. Even if he doesn’t pass the imperial examination, he can find a way to secure a decent position. Both the mother and the son will rely on him for a good life. You won’t suffer once you enter their household. As for the other younger man, forget it. Children from official families are proud. I’m afraid they would look down on your background and Dabao.”