Chapter 240: A Drama Unfolds

Chen Shiying reorganized the birth order of his daughters and announced that he had taken a day off. In the morning, he had added Chen Feng’s name to the ancestral hall, recording it under Madam Jiang’s name. Additionally, that afternoon, an emissary from the Chu residence had delivered a note, stating that the following day, the elderly Marquis and Third Madam of Chu Family would ask someone to act as a matchmaker and visit the residence to discuss a betrothal.

Later, Madam Jiang sat in her rightful place, and Chen Feng bowed to her, addressing her as “mother” in formal way instead of “mom”.

Madam Jiang was not entirely satisfied with this title, but after witnessing Chen Feng’s recent confrontation with the old lady, she genuinely did not want to offend this young lady any further. Not only was she about to marry into the Chu family, but she was also genuinely formidable.

Taking off a transparent, emerald green jade bracelet from her wrist, Madam Jiang smiled and said, “My dear daughter, this was left to me by my grandmother, and now I’m giving it to you. I hope that you will get along well with your siblings and always remember that this is your home.”

Chen Feng responded, “Thank you, Mother.” and then accepted the bracelet as she stood up.

Meanwhile, Chen Yuhui was seething. Earlier, the old lady had asked Madam Jiang to also register her under her name, and Madam Jiang had readily agreed, but now she didn’t mention it. There was also the matter of the old lady’s illness, and she didn’t know if it would continue…

After the greetings were exchanged, Chen Shiying said, “From now on, you siblings should love and support each other. Alright, let’s all go and have our meal.”

Chen Shiying led the children to the western wing for their meal, while Madam Jiang took the servant carrying the meal to the old lady’s bedroom to serve her.

Chen Feng took out the two plates of golden cakes from the food box and placed them on the table.

Chen Shiying took a piece and nodded repeatedly, “Mmm, it’s truly delicious, sweet, soft, and melts in the mouth.” He then asked the servant to take two pieces to the old lady.

Chen Yulan also took a piece, nodding continuously, “It’s really tasty. Did you make these yourself, sister? They’re even tastier than the treats sold in the shop.”

Chen Feng smiled, “I’m glad you like it. I can make many more dishes. I’ll make more for you in the future.”

Chen Yuhui and Chen Yuxia quickly took and enjoyed the golden cakes. Especially Chen Yuxia, being fond of sweet treats, finished a few bites and wanted more but felt hesitant to take another piece.

Chen Feng chuckled and offered her another piece.

Chen Yuhui refrained from eating the golden cake, despite the tempting aroma. She displayed her pride by not indulging in the treat.

Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang returned to the main hall. Chen Shiying, recalling the old lady’s uncertain gaze, sighed to Madam Jiang, “Hatred can cloud one’s judgment. My mother is getting muddled, and with her hatred, I fear she might do something foolish. During the nights that A’Feng stays in the residence, you should quietly station several trusted maids outside the Second Gate, the Longevity Pavilion, and the Rose Pavilion. If there’s any trouble, keep it discreet. If the Chu family finds out that Mother has harmed A’Feng, they won’t take it lightly.” After a pause, he added, “Also, have someone watch outside Tang’s and Hui’s courtyard.”

Madam Jiang nodded. She, too, feared that the old lady might do something foolish, bringing trouble to her husband and children. Not to mention, Chen Feng was formidable, and the individuals from the Chu family—old Marquis Chu, Chu Lingxuan, and Third Madam Chu—were not to be trifled with.

On the way back to the Rose Pavilion, Chen Feng spoke to Summer and Qing Feng, who had accompanied her to the Longevity Pavilion, “Don’t tell granny Xu and the maids about the conflict I had with the old lady today. This is a family matter of the Chen family, and it’s best they don’t know.”

Qing Feng and Summer both nodded in agreement.

Chen Feng wasn’t truly concerned about the family matter spreading. She knew that she had severely offended the old lady and would hide in the space every night. She also wanted to avoid having granny Xu learn about the situation, as she might insist on guarding her room, which would be inconvenient.

Back in her room, summer and Qing Feng wanted to take turns guarding her room, but Chen Feng declined, instructing them to set up camp in the main hall instead. If anything happened in her room, they would still be able to hear.

Granny Xu also insisted on keeping night watch in the main hall. Although she hadn’t worried when it was in Madam Jiang’s courtyard, she felt the need for caution now that it was a separate courtyard.

Chen Feng lay down, and after summer put down the canopy and extinguished the candle, she closed the door and left.

After a while, Chen Feng quietly got up, propped the pillow against the blanket, and stealthily went to the meditation room.

The meditation room’s entrance was located beside the bed and had two doors, one facing the bedroom and the other leading to the backyard. She secured both doors and then swiftly entered the hidden space.

Leaning against the fragrant swallow agarwood tree, she contemplated that if all went well, the matchmaker would come the next day to arrange the marriage, and the day after, the official matchmaker would come to propose. Once both families officially agreed and the marriage was finalized, she would be able to leave the Chen residence and return to the countryside.

She dozed off in a daze. After an unknown period, she suddenly heard a very faint tapping at the door. Subsequently, she caught the faint chirping of swallows.

It was the golden swallow. It said, “Open the door, it’s me.”

The meditation room had no windows, and with both doors securely closed, it was entirely sealed. The golden swallow couldn’t enter the meditation room, and thus couldn’t access the hidden space.

Chen Feng quickly emerged from the hidden space and opened a small crack in the door leading to the backyard, allowing the golden swallow to fly in.

Thus, the two of them entered the hidden space.

Chen Feng asked, “Why did you come here? Is Dabao doing well?”

The golden swallow replied, “Chu Dad sent someone to bring your parents here. When they arrived, even though the stinky Dabao was still being mischievous, he wasn’t as fierce.” It then chirped, “If they don’t come, we won’t get to see this drama unfold.”

“What drama?” Chen Feng inquired.

The golden swallow said, “I missed my mommy, and when I saw stinky Dabao fall asleep with Grandma, I came to see you…”

When the golden swallow flew over the Chen residence’s backyard, it sensed something amiss, as it noticed people lying in ambush beneath some trees and amidst the flowerbeds. Alarmed, it feared for its mommy’s safety. It flew to the highest artificial hill in the backyard, where a towering tree stood. Perched on the tree’s tip, it could oversee the entire backyard.

True to its intuition, at midnight, it saw a man emerge from one courtyard. Even though his face was covered, his stature and movements revealed his gender.

The man sprinted directly towards Chen Feng’s courtyard. As he passed along a flower path, three women suddenly emerged from the bushes. Simultaneously, they raised their sticks and struck at the man’s head. He dodged two attacks but was hit by one, causing him to fall. The women then struck him several more times, bound him, gagged him with a rag, stuffed him into a sack, and dragged him to another courtyard.

Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang came out to interrogate him. A search of his person revealed not only a knife but also stupefying powder.

It was discovered that the man was a relative of Mrs. Tang’s wet nurse, named Wang Sanlang, who worked at a gambling den in Dingzhou and had some martial arts skills. He had been found by Mrs. Tang’s wet nurse earlier that day, who had promised him a lucrative job. If he did well, he could marry into the Chen family and receive a large sum of money…