Chapter 238: Misrepresentation

After some casual conversation, Madam Jiang sent Chen Yuhui, Chen Yuxia, and the two concubines away.

In the main hall, Madam Jiang discussed household matters with the stewardess, while Chen Feng and Chen Yuqing chatted in the side room.

Chen Yuqing was quite charming, with a soft and gentle way of speaking, tinged with a hint of the southern accent. Madam Jiang had raised her two children well. Chen Feng could tell that Chen Yuqing was eager to get along with her. It seemed that Madam Jiang and her children were also trying to show goodwill towards her.

Madam Jiang genuinely loved Chen Shiying, which was why she wanted her children to establish good relations with Chen Feng and also shared her heartfelt thoughts. Perhaps the ultimate goal was to please Chen Shiying, but she had also gained something from it. Since that was the case, Chen Feng decided to reciprocate and get along well with them.

The young ladies were most interested in jewelry and clothing. As they delved into this topic, their conversation flowed more freely. When Chen Yuqing learned that several of her favorite accessories and lucky rabbit fur slippers were designed by Chen Feng, her eyes widened. Chen Feng promptly promised to tailor a set of clothing for her when she had the time. Chen Yuqing was overjoyed.

As lunchtime approached, a servant reported that the Rose Pavilion was ready. Madam Jiang nodded, about to take Chen Feng there when another servant arrived.

Chen Feng found this servant somewhat familiar. After giving it some thought, she remembered that this was the servant who had accompanied the old lady Zhao to her home last time, the one who had intended to confront her. However, the servant now seemed to have difficulty walking, appearing somewhat lame.

The servant reported that the Madame Zhao wasn’t feeling well and requested Madam Jiang’s presence at the Longevity Pavilion.

Initially, Madam Jiang thought the old lady wanted to meet Chen Feng. She was pondering the situation; last night, Chen Shiying had specifically talked with his mother, asking her not to cause trouble and not to meet this granddaughter alone. The old lady had readily agreed at the time, and upon seeing the servant, madam Jiang thought that she seemed to have changed her mind. It turned out that she wanted to see her.

Madam Jiang instructed a servant to take Chen Feng to the Rose Pavilion first, and Chen Yuqing, insisting on joining, was allowed to go as well. Madam Jiang also asked them to get along well and temporarily assigned her own maidservant, Qing Feng, to attend to Chen Feng.

Afterwards, Madam Jiang went to the Longevity Pavilion.

Madam Jiang was taken aback by the old lady’s appearance. She asked, “Mother-in-law, what’s wrong? I’ll have someone call the doctor.”

The old lady’s eyes were red, her face waxen, and her voice feeble. She said, “I don’t have a serious illness. It’s just that I got chest pains from anger yesterday and couldn’t sleep well all night.”

Madam Jiang feigned surprise, “Who dares upset you, Mother-in-law? Tell me, I’ll teach them a lesson.”

The old lady continued, “Yesterday, Shiying came and said that the wicked girl is coming to the estate to claim kinship. He mentioned something about the Chu family wanting to propose marriage to that girl. He even said they want to list her under your name as the eldest daughter of our Chen family… After he left, I realized that originally, I had promised the Chu family that our estate’s eldest daughter would be betrothed to General Chu. But I was referring to Hui, and I asked you to list her under your name as our estate’s eldest daughter. Now, Shiying wants to deceive us and use the wicked girl to pose as Hui. I disagree, and the Chu family won’t agree either. That wicked girl, from the rural area, uncouth and insolent, how could the Chu family be interested in her? Daughter-in-law, that wicked girl is no good, disrespectful, and unscrupulous. If you list her under your name, even Qing will suffer. List Hui under your name, when she marries into the Chu family, you, Lan, and Qing will all benefit…”

Madam Jiang couldn’t bear it any longer. Did they still need to receive benefits from Chen Yuhui? She interrupted, “Mother-in-law, you’ve misunderstood. According to Shiying, it’s because Feng served as a needlework master for the Chu family’s young miss and was…” She hesitated to mention Chu Lingxuan and quickly changed her words, “was noticed by the Chu Marquis, who wants General Chu to propose to Feng. Yesterday, Shiying and General Chu discussed with Feng as well…”

The old lady thought, could it be that the Chu family had really set their sights on that wicked girl? She then said, “Tonight, not only should you list that wicked girl under your name but also list Hui under your name. Clarify their situations, I want to see if the Chu family wants to propose to the gentle and dignified Hui or to that ill-mannered, disrespectful maid.”

Madam Jiang, with a trace of sarcasm, replied, “Alright, I’ll do as you say, Mother-in-law. I’m very fond of Hui too and hope she has a good future.”

Satisfied, the old lady let Madam Jiang leave.

As Madam Jiang left, Chen Yuhui emerged from the side room, her eyes swollen, occasionally wiping tears with her handkerchief.

She went to Longevity Pavilion after leaving the main courtyard and heard the old lady talking about her father and Madam Jiang planning to deceive and have Chen Feng marry into the Chu family in her place. She burst into tears at the time.

“Grandmother, how could mother say that the Chu family is seeking to marry Chen Feng? Then what about me, what about…” Chen Yuhui began crying again, covering her mouth with her handkerchief.

The old lady patted her hand and said, “Oh, Yuhui, don’t cry. Grandmother is thinking of a solution…”

……

The Rose Pavilion was a small courtyard with a willow tree, surrounded by wooden fences covered in green vines and roses, giving it a beautiful appearance. There were six rooms in total, with one room at the back containing a stove, presumably for boiling water.

Upon seeing the stove, Chen Feng had an idea. She said to Mama Zhang, who had accompanied her, “I can prepare some delicious food and would like some ingredients to cook and offer filial respect to the elders.”

Mama Zhang was the head servant of the main residence and was quite perceptive. Upon hearing Chen Feng’s request, she understood that Chen Feng was concerned about the quality of the food at the main residence. She also understood that this young lady had caused significant trouble for the old lady, the eldest daughter Yuhui, and Mrs. Tang.

She smiled and said, “Alright, let’s go to the kitchen later to gather some ingredients and firewood.”

At noon, Chen Feng and Chen Yuqing had their meal in the Rose Pavilion. With Chen Yuqing’s presence, Chen Feng felt secure and enjoyed the food prepared in the kitchen. She even personally cooked a dish of golden smooth meat. Thinking that the children would enjoy this dish, she had a plate sent over to Chen Yuxia.

Chen Yuqing exclaimed, “I’ve had this dish at the Prosperous Grand Restaurant. I didn’t expect your version to be just as delicious.”

Chen Feng smiled without saying a word.

Later that afternoon, Chen Feng stayed in the Rose Pavilion to make golden cakes and planned to take them to the Longevity Pavilion for dinner.

In the evening, Hong Feng came to the Rose Pavilion, informing Chen Feng that the master had returned and requested her presence at the Longevity Pavilion.

Feeling agitated at the thought of encountering the old malicious lady, Chen Feng reluctantly headed there.

They passed several pavilions and walked through a gallery before arriving at a large courtyard. Upon entering the main hall, Chen Shiying sat on a Buddha bed with a pleasant smile, and beside him sat an elderly lady, Madam Zhao, the old lady of the Chen family. She glared at Chen Feng as she entered.

***I previously used the term “Madam Chen” to address her, but I replace it to “Madam Zhao”***