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After hearing the words of the Seventh Prince, the people of the Chu family pretended to keep him for a while and happily saw him off.
Afterward, Chen Feng went to the west chamber to bring several children to the main room.
The old marquis sat beside the Eight Immortals table, Third Madam Chu sat in the first position on the right, and Chu Lingxuan sat in the first position on the left, with a cushion placed in front of him.
Chen Feng gently patted Dabao’s head and said, “Dabao, be good.”
Dabao grew up in such circumstances and naturally knew how to act in his best interest. Although reluctant, he knew he had to comply. He obediently walked over, knelt on the cushion, and kowtowed to Chu Lingxuan three times, saying, “Father, your son kowtows to you. I wish you good health and all the best.” Afterward, he raised the tea bowl handed to him by the maid.
Chu Lingxuan took the tea, sipped it, and said, “Good child, in the future, you must work hard to become a useful person in the court.”
Then, a maid approached with a tray holding a “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate” ornament, which Chu Lingxuan handed to Dabao. Dabao stood up, took it, and said, “Thank you, Father.”
Behind him, Summer also received an ornament.
The ornament was over ten centimeters square, transparent and splendid, clearly of great value. Chen Feng was somewhat surprised that Chu Lingxuan would give such a valuable item to a child.
Dabao then respectfully kowtowed to Chu’s old marquis and Third Madam Chu, addressing them as “Grandfather” and “Third Grandmother” respectively.
Chu’s old marquis gave him a white jade Pegasus ornament, and Third Madam Chu gave him a top-quality sheep-fat jade pendant.
Afterward, Dabao stood there, and Chu Hanyan came over, curtsied to him, and called out, “Brother.”
Dabao grinned, his smile as sweet as the flowers blooming outside the window. He puffed out his chest and said, “Good sister, in the future, eat well so that you’ll be healthier. Also, be sure to show filial piety to Mother, Father, and the elders.”
Upon finishing, he took a pre-prepared little cow hairpin from Summer and handed it to Chu Hanyan.
Chu Hanyan was extremely fond of the hairpin and took it with a beaming smile, asking Chen Feng to help her put it on.
Chen Feng chuckled, “Little Yan, you’ve tied up your hair in a bun now, it’s not suitable to wear this hairpin. It will look better when you undo your hair later tonight.”
Chu Hanyan obediently nodded and then asked curiously, “Auntie, Dabao… Brother called my father ‘father’. Shouldn’t I kowtow to Auntie and call her mother?”
Chen Feng blushed, and Third Madam Chu laughed, “Hanyan is in a hurry. You’ll have to wait until next year when your father gets married before you can call me Mother.”
Chu Hanyan pouted regretfully, “Do I have to wait that long? I’m very impatient.”
The old marquis laughed heartily, “Even impatience must wait, this is the custom.”
Chu Lingzhi, feeling left out, said anxiously, “What about me? Dabao hasn’t paid his respects to me as his fifth uncle.”
Dabao then performed a bow to Chu Lingzhi. Chu Lingzhi also kindly gave him a jade pendant, saying, “Good nephew, in the future, spend more time playing with Uncle in your family’s children’s paradise. Uncle likes it very much.”
Everyone burst into laughter. Afterward, they returned to the Tangyuan to rest, agreeing to come back to Fengyuan for dinner in the evening.
The old marquis, Third Madam Chu, Chu Lingzhi, and some servants walked ahead, while Chu Lingxuan carried Chu Hanyan in his arms, following behind.
Chen Feng led Dabao to the door, and Chu Lingxuan took out a purse from his bosom and smiled at Chen Feng, “This is your birthday gift.”
Chen Feng thanked him and accepted the purse.
Chu Hanyan also took out a small handkerchief from her bosom and said, “Auntie, this is a birthday gift from me. I even embroidered some flowers on it.”, then she pouted and shook her chubby hand, “I pricked myself several times, it hurt.”
Chu Lingxuan walked to the side of a willow tree, then stopped and turned around, seeing a tall figure and a small one still standing at the door. He waved for them to go back inside and then turned to walk towards Tangyuan.
Chu Hanyan asked with curiosity, “Daddy, why didn’t you stay longer? Hanyan wanted to watch them.”
Chu Lingxuan replied, “The sun is high now. We left so they could go back inside.”
Chen Feng returned to the main room, and Old Zeng brought in the list of gifts and the presents.
The Seventh Prince sent a sandalwood Buddha statue obtained from Lingyin Temple, claiming it had been blessed by a high monk. Chen Feng guessed that the monk referred to was Monk Guiling. The old marquis gifted an agate carved ornament, Third Madam Chu presented a set of gold-inlaid jade jewelry and two pieces of embroidered satin, and Abbess Liao Chen also sent a gift of a string of sandalwood prayer beads.
Chen Feng then opened the purse. Inside was a jade bracelet from Chu Lingxuan. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist, the jade, transparent and green, accentuated her wrist’s white and tender appearance.
She smiled, removed the bracelet, and carefully put away these gifts and the clothes Mrs. Wang had sent earlier. She then noticed Dabao, who had come to her with his hands behind his back. She asked, “Why haven’t you gone to rest in the afternoon?”
Dabao took his hands from behind his back, holding a piece of paper, and said, “Mother, this is the birthday gift I prepared for you.”
Chen Feng was somewhat surprised and asked, “You also prepared a gift for Mother?”
Dabao nodded and said, “Yes, I secretly drew this to give Mother a surprise.”
Chen Feng took the paper and turned it over. On it was a drawing of a woman with a bun, holding a boy with a tall pompadour. The woman was looking down at the boy, who was looking up at her. Two large characters, “Forever” were written vertically.
Dabao lowered his head and twisted his chubby fingers, saying, “No matter if Mother’s illness gets better or not, she’s always holding onto her son. It’s been like this before, and I hope it will be like this in the future. Forever, forever.”
This drawing expressed not only his deep love for his mother but also his inner worries and hopes.
Chen Feng hugged him and said joyfully, “Oh, you drew it so well. Thank you, son. Mother really likes this drawing.” Her voice softened, “Yes, before, now, Mother has always held onto her son. But when you grow up, taller than Mother, you will have to take care of your aging mother. At that time, you’ll not only be taking care of me but also your wife, children, and grandchildren, a long line of responsibilities.”
Dabao thought about this scene and also smiled, saying, “Yes, when Mother gets old, I’ll marry a wife to take care of Mother, and then I’ll have my wife give birth to more children, so Mother can enjoy her grandchildren.”