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Chen Shiying knew that Chen Feng was speaking the truth. Mrs. Wang was penniless and powerless, with a gentle disposition. If she had married into his family, her mother wouldn’t have treated her well, and her daughter would have fared even worse…
Every word felt like a sharp needle, piercing him deeply. He felt ashamed and embarrassed, but he couldn’t let Chen Feng expose his mother’s affairs. Filial piety was one aspect, and it also had a significant impact on him and his family.
Struggling, he said, “Feng, Dad knows, Dad knows it all. Your grandmother did many wrong things, causing you and your mother to suffer. However, she is my mother, and no matter what, I can’t ignore her. Moreover, if her bad reputation spreads, it will affect you and your sisters’ reputation. You have found good families, but your sisters have not…”
The conversation between father and daughter ended on an unpleasant note, and Chen Shiying sighed as he retired to the guest room in the east wing.
By the end of the evening, peace had finally settled over Luyuan, and Chen Lu returned to rest. Chen Feng, suppressing her curiosity, refrained from following to find out more.
The next morning, as dawn approached, Chen Feng got up and personally prepared breakfast in the kitchen. Having spent more than a decade in the south, Chen Shiying enjoyed fermented rice, so Chen Feng made fermented rice egg custard, steamed buns, and scallion pancakes.
At this time, Dabao had not yet woken up, and only Chen Feng accompanied Chen Shiying for breakfast. His face looked gloomy, clearly indicating a lack of rest. He attentively served Chen Feng, offering her buns and pancakes, urging her to show filial piety to Mrs. Wang, and suggesting she visit the family estate in the capital city to keep her company and have a chat.
Chen Feng also served him a bun and said, “This fermented rice dish that I personally made. I heard that you and mother like it, so I made several jars, thinking of having someone deliver them to you. It’s good that you’re here, take some back today.”
Seeing a hint of a smile on Chen Feng’s face, Chen Shiying also became happier. He said, “With such a considerate daughter, I’m delighted. In the future, come to the house more often to keep me company. When you get married, you’ll have even less time for me.”
Chen Feng smiled and replied, “Dad has several considerate daughters. When I’m not around, there’s still my third and fourth sisters.”
“It’s not the same… you are my eldest daughter, the one I’m closest to.” Chen Shiying said.
Chen Feng chuckled. Her father was quite the sweet-talker. She had long noticed that Chen Shiying looked at her and Chen Yulan differently, with a bit more warmth and affection than the others.
After the meal, Chen Feng saw off her father, sending him away with several jars of fermented rice, some fresh vegetables, and a few pounds of osmanthus glutinous red dates. She watched his carriage vanish into the distance.
When Dabao woke up, she also saw him off after his meal.
Returning to her room, Chen Feng collected two pieces of cloth and a jar of ginseng wine to take to Luyuan, items meant for grandma Chen.
Whenever she faced Mrs. Ding and Chen Shiying’s mother, Chen Feng felt grateful that grandma Chen was a good person. Despite her many flaws and occasional frustration, she was a woman of conscience, with limits and principles, never stooping to the level of wrongdoing.
Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming were still having breakfast inside, and from their spirited appearances, it was evident that yesterday’s affairs had been resolved smoothly. Chen Ming smiled as he narrated the events to Chen Feng, while Mrs. Wang provided additional details.
The Chen family proposed to the Wang family that they could support old Wang but couldn’t tolerate Mrs. Ding’s misdeeds. If Mrs. Ding were dismissed, Mrs. Wang would provide old Wang with a monthly allowance of one or two taels of silver for his retirement.
The Wang family readily agreed, longing to dismiss Mrs. Ding. With such a notorious woman, it was difficult for the Wang daughters to find suitable matches.
However, old Wang felt that one or two taels of silver per month was too little. He demanded an increase to two taels before he would agree to dismiss Mrs. Ding. Chen Ming was hesitant to provide more, fearing that excess money might end up in Wang Cai’s hands or be spent by Mrs. Ding.
Hu Laowu, who never considered himself an outsider, remained in Luyuan and proposed an idea to Chen Ye: provide additional silver to find a capable mistress for old Wang, with the funds managed by the mistress. This way, they could honor old Wang and prevent Wang Cai from misusing the money, while also livening up the household.
Chen Ye and Chen Ming found the idea appealing and agreed to provide an additional five taels of silver to help the Wang family find a capable mistress for old Wang. This would ensure old Wang’s well-being and financial management.
Old Wang was delighted with the idea, nodding repeatedly and expressing his relief that Mrs. Ding would finally be dismissed.
Chen Feng chuckled. At times, Hu Laowu’s head proved to be more resourceful than her own. The Wang household would become livelier, and it would be another blow to Mrs. Ding. However, it seemed like a bargain for that selfish and shameless old bastard.
Upon hearing that she was to be dismissed, Mrs. Ding wailed and cried, even expressing a desire to jump into a well. She was restrained by the two daughters-in-law from the Wang family, who told her that if she wanted to jump, she should return to the Xianhu Village and meet her end there.
Initially, Wang Cai also caused a commotion, but old Wang said that if he continued to cause trouble with the wicked woman, he would be disowned, and he should go and live with Mrs. Ding. This threat frightened Wang Cai.
Finally, this wicked old woman, Mrs. Ding, was sent away, reaping what she had sown. This served as a release for Mrs. Wang, and an act of revenge for Wang Cheng.
Dealing with a family that was even poorer and less influential, the issues were resolved with just a little silver.
Chen Feng always felt a sense of injustice.
Mrs. Wang then added, “This time, mother-in-law, uncle, and Hu Laowu all helped. Last night, your father gave my uncle two taels of silver. Tonight, we want to invite my uncle’s family and Hu Laowu’s family for a meal. We’ll also invite Old Zeng, Dagui, and Xiaoniu to join us for drinks, and we’ll ask Steward Luo and his son to join the gathering.”
Chen Feng nodded and mentioned that Fengyuan had received seafood from Tangyuan. She planned to use some of it to prepare additional dishes and would have Autumn assist Auntie Mu with the cooking.
Mrs. Wang responded, “Autumn doesn’t need to come. Mrs. Gao and A’Jue can help. A’Jue has become more diligent lately. When Mrs. Hu had a serious illness, she was very helpful…”
Ms. Wang also mentioned that now Chen Jue was receiving more marriage proposals due to her improved situation, and many families were seeking her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, none of the families that Chen Ye and others had considered were suitable, as their own family had become shareholders in the city’s restaurant and had opened a shop in the county. Moreover, being related to the Chu family, they couldn’t marry someone from the countryside.
If she could ensure a good future for Chen Jue, that wouldn’t be too bad. Chen Feng reminded Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang to also warn grandma Chen and Chen Ye not to seek families that were only interested in the power of the Chu family. Entering such families would create problems for Chen Jue and the Chu family.
On the evening of August 29th, Chu Lingzhi returned.
After dinner, the old marquis returned to Tangyuan, the children went to play in the west wing, and Chu Lingzhi and Chen Feng discussed the upcoming birthday celebrations for Chu Hanyan.