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On the fifteenth of next month, it will be Chu Hanyan’s birthday. Relatives from the capital city and the provincial capital of Shizhou Prefecture will come to congratulate her, so in a few days, the old marquis will take Chu Hanyan and Chu Lingzhi to stay in the prefecture of Dingzhou for a while.
Although Chen Feng, the future mother, doesn’t need to stay in Dingzhou for as long as they do, she will attend the celebration on the day of Chu Hanyan’s birthday.
However, it’s certain that Dabao won’t be able to attend this occasion.
Listening to the laughter of the children coming from the west wing, Chen Feng sighed. They have all left, and Dabao will be heartbroken again.
Chu Lingzhi also felt helpless and declined the invitation, saying that there was no need for the elders to come to the little one’s birthday celebration, but this time, they were all coming, and even those who had never visited before might come.
Perhaps, they wanted to see Chu Lingxuan’s little wife who had grown up in the countryside.
Chu Lingzhi looked at Chu Lingxuan’s fiancée in the candlelight. Her features were picturesque, her skin as fair as snow, and she exuded a unique charm. Those who wanted to mock him would probably be disappointed.
His lips curved into a smile as he took Chen Feng’s hand, which was resting on the table, and said, “This time, about ten female relatives will come, including my aunt and cousin-in-law, cousin, and niece from Shizhou Prefecture, and my two aunts and two cousins from the capital city. My sister will also bring her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Hengge, and she will stay in Tangyuan for a few days after that. You should get along well with my sister and cousin-in-law, and it’s okay if you can just maintain a decent relationship with the others.”
“Okay.” Chen Feng nodded.
Chu Lingzhi continued, “If someone asks you to do some sewing or something to eat, don’t agree easily. If you can’t refuse, don’t do it yourself. Let the servants handle it. Elder brother’s wife’s exceptional skills are meant to show respect to the elders and care for the younger generation, including her future husband. They are not something that just anyone can command.”
Chen Feng smiled and said, “Okay. I’m not someone who gets up early for nothing, but I also don’t want to do too much. Who doesn’t want to be at ease?”
Seeing her beautiful smile, Chu Lingzhi couldn’t help but be touched, and he gently kissed her hand, reluctant to let go.
His lips were soft and moist as they brushed against her hand, creating a tingling sensation. She lowered her head, allowing him to tenderly kiss her.
At that silent moment, they heard Autumn, who was standing outside, say, “Young Masters, Young Miss, why aren’t you playing?”
Dabao replied, “We’ve played enough. It’s time for homework.”
Chu Hanyan sighed, “I haven’t played enough, but Uncle and big brother don’t want to play anymore.”
Chu Lingzhi added, “Uncle does want to play, but Mr. Liao has given us so much homework. If we don’t finish, we’ll be punished.”
These three little rascals!
Chu Lingzhi quickly released Chen Feng’s hand, and the two exchanged a helpless smile.
Chen Feng escorted the three of them out of the courtyard and watched as they returned to Tangyuan.
Back in the room, Dabao did his homework while Chen Feng worked on some sewing.
She was making a new dress for Little Miss Chu, every stitch and thread sewn by her own hand. Chu Lingzhi was right, her skills were reserved for those she respected and liked. And it was only for those she respected and liked that she willingly used her skills.
Once Dabao finished his homework, Chen Feng also completed the garment she was working on. It was a red brocade half-sleeve jacket, paired with a light-colored top and skirt. Since it was meant for the little Miss’s birthday, the colors were chosen to bring out a festive atmosphere.
Lifting up the garment, she asked Dabao, “Is it nice?”
Looking at it carefully, Dabao earnestly replied, “Yes, it’s beautiful. Mom, your skills are the best, no one can compare.”
This kid always had a sweet tongue.
Chen Feng chuckled, “This is for your sister’s birthday. Have you thought of what gift you’d like to give your sister for her birthday? If you have, let me know, and I’ll have someone buy it in the county.”
She was no longer willing to let him go to the county to buy things on his own.
Frowning, Dabao said, “I’ve been thinking about this for the past few days and have asked my sister too. She said she’d like anything I give her. Hearing that makes it even more difficult for me.” His eyebrows furrowed, and his mouth pouted.
Chen Feng suggested, “Last time, when you gave your mother and grandmother the combs, your sister was very envious. Why not ask Mr. Wu, the carperter to help carve a small comb? You could have a pair of swallows carved on it, and your sister will surely love it.”
Dabao’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “Great, we’ll talk to Mr. Wu about it tomorrow. But the swallows have to be drawn by Mom, Mom’s swallows are the most beautiful.”
Chen Feng nodded in agreement and, after some consideration, drew a semi-circular comb with two flying swallows on paper, their beaks open as if singing.
Dabao was thrilled, “Mom, I’ve never seen such a beautiful comb. Sister will definitely love it.”
It began raining lightly in the middle of the night, the rain tapping on the eaves, making it difficult for Chen Feng to fall asleep. As soon as the autumn rain started, it wouldn’t stop for several days, and it would soon be time to harvest the autumn corn…
The next day, the rain continued. Since Chen Feng hadn’t slept well the previous night, she decided to sleep in with Dabao until later in the morning.
After breakfast, Dabao insisted on going to Luyuan to ask Mr. Wu to carve the small comb. Chen Feng, wearing wooden clogs and carrying Dabao, accompanied by Autumn holding an oiled paper umbrella, went to Luyuan together.
To avoid disturbing them, the Wu family, including the father and son, were making furniture in the rear shed. Even the young boy, Shitou, was there. Boys from the Wu family were expected to learn woodworking from a young age, and although they couldn’t do much now, they had to watch, learn, and do some light and easy tasks like passing nails or carrying small pieces of wood.
Upon hearing Dabao’s request and looking at the design, Mr. Wu agreed to make the comb within three days, promising to create the most beautiful comb according to Dabao’s imagination.
Afterward, Dabao stayed to play with Shitou, and Chen Feng went to the upper room in the front courtyard.
At noon, Chen Feng invited Chen Ming’s family to Fengyuan for lunch.
The old marquis, Chu Lingzhi, and Chen Ming sat together, enjoying their drinks. Chen Ming was now more relaxed eating with them.
At another table, Dabao looked at Chu Hanyan with a mischievous grin, as if he had a surprise and wasn’t going to tell her about it.
Chu Lingzhi asked, “Dabao, why do you keep looking at Hanyan and smiling mischievously?”
“Uncle, his just smiling. What’s a mischievous smile?” the innocent Chu Hanyan asked, looking puzzled.
Chu Lingzhi explained, “The way Dabao is smiling is called a mischievous smile.”
As Chu Hanyan looked at him, Dabao’s smile faded. He said, “Sister, I won’t tell you right now. I’ll surprise you later.”
Chu Hanyan became even more anxious, pouting, “But I want to know today.”
Dabao resisted the urge to reveal the surprise and said, “If I tell you today, you won’t be surprised. To give you a bigger surprise in the future, you’ll have to wait a little longer, okay?”