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Upon seeing Chu Hanyan’s transformation, Second Madam Chu and Madam Lou were puzzled. They had seen the little girl once before, and when asked to greet the elder relatives by Chu Lingxuan, she stood there pouting and twisting her chubby fingers, unwilling to move. Chu Lingxuan had apologetically explained to the guests, “Hanyan is shy.” before having her led away.
However, with just a little coaxing from Chen Feng, the little girl seemed like a different person.
Second Madam Chu chuckled, “Oh my, Miss Chen, you haven’t even married into our Chu family yet, and our Hanyan is already treating you like a mother.”
Pretending not to hear, Chen Feng led Chu Hanyan to greet the guests, then quietly remarked to the little girl, “You’re so well-behaved, Auntie is happy for you. Let’s go back to eat, and Auntie will come see you later.”
Chu Hanyan nodded, and Mama Song led her out of the flower hall.
Before leaving, the little girl looked back at Chen Feng, flashing a radiant smile.
After lunch, while the guests watched a play, Chen Feng, accompanied by Yu Zhuo and Autumn, went to the Joyful Pavilion where Chu Hanyan stayed.
Along the way, Chu Zhen caught up with them. She said, “Miss Chen, I heard that you can design clothes. Those beautiful buttons, the lovely clothes for Hanyan, and the pretty shoes, were they all designed by you? Can you create a unique outfit and shoes for me too? I want to wear them to the Peach Blossom Banquet next year. Please?” She then playfully tugged at Chen Feng’s sleeve.
This girl clearly didn’t regard herself as an outsider and was making such requests right after meeting. She resembled her mother, Mrs. Li (Second Madam Chu), who had small, shrewd eyes.
Perhaps they had previously made similar requests to Chu Lingxuan, who had warned Chen Feng about it. Although Chu Zhen was Chu Lingxuan’s cousin, Mrs. Li had caused many problems for the main family due to her association with Princess Rong Zhao, making it unlikely for Chen Feng to make clothes for her daughter.
Chen Feng replied, “Miss Chu, you overestimate me. I don’t design clothes. I did come up with those buttons, but I can only make buttons, nothing else. Hanyan’s clothes were made by a maid based on samples from the Ni Shang Embroidery Workshop, and shoes were also made by a maid following the workshop’s samples. You can take your skilled maid to the third floor of the Ni Shang Embroidery Workshop to see many lovely samples.”
Chu Zhen was stunned by Chen Feng’s direct refusal, her eyes turning red with anger. She stomped her foot and said, “You…!”
Chen Feng gave Chu Zhen a cold glance and continued walking forward.
As they entered the Joyful Pavilion, they saw Chu Hanyan eagerly waiting by the gate. Spotting Chen Feng, she rushed over with open arms, calling out, “Auntie, Auntie, Hanyan missed you.”
Chen Feng chuckled as she lifted Chu Hanyan, pressing her cheek against the little girl’s face, saying, “Auntie missed you too.”
Embracing her, Chen Feng felt a sense of sweetness and tranquility in her heart.
After sharing a warm moment, the little girl started to feel drowsy, and Mama Song took her to rest on the bed.
Sitting in the corridor, Chen Feng conversed quietly with Mrs. Wei, who mentioned that they might have to wait three more days before returning to Tangyuan, as they needed to see off the guests from the capital and Shizhou Prefecture. Mrs. Wei also gossiped, “The Marquis arrived at Dingzhou Prefecture yesterday. Initially, he planned to stay at our mansion, but the elder Marquis and Master’s attitude wasn’t great, and the Madam even had some harsh words, so the Marquis was upset and stayed at the inn instead.”
Initially unaware of who the Marquis was, Chen Feng later realized they were referring to the Marquis Chu, Chu Lingxuan’s father. She was surprised and asked, “Is he here specifically to wish little Yan a happy birthday?”
Mrs. Wei shook her head, saying, “He wouldn’t come just to wish Little Yan a happy birthday. He doesn’t like Hanyan, he’s here on official business. I heard he’s also attending the banquet at our mansion today…”
Just then, Chu Hua entered the courtyard with a few people, and a woman behind her was carrying a child around one year old.
She cheerfully exclaimed, “I knew Sister Chen was here, so I brought my little Heng to see you.”
Chen Feng quickly rose to greet them, happily reaching out to embrace little Heng, exclaiming, “Oh, such an adorable child.” Autumn handed her a purse containing a jade unicorn ornament.
Heng didn’t resemble the Chu family, with bold features, dark complexion, and a strong and lovely demeanor. He was playful, grabbing at Chen Feng’s clothes, hair, and even giving her affectionate kisses on her face. This playful interaction filled Chen Feng with laughter as she returned the kisses with delight.
Regretfully, Chu Hua remarked, “Heng is already a year and a half old and still can’t talk.”
Chen Feng responded, “My mother said that boys tend to speak later…”
As they spoke, Chu Lingxuan walked in with a stern expression, causing Chu Hua to start, “Brother…” before swallowing her words.
Following behind Chu Lingxuan was a tall and dignified middle-aged man. He wore a crimson brocade robe with golden patterns, adorned with a jade belt—none other than Marquis Chu, Chu Lingxuan’s father.
Upon seeing him, Chu Hua hurried over and tugged at Chu Lingxuan’s sleeve, complaining, “Brother, why did you bring him here?”
Chu Lingxuan replied, “He wanted to see Heng and Hanyan.”
Ignoring Chu Hua, Marquis Chu glanced around the courtyard before approaching Chen Feng. Observing the child in her arms, a hint of a smile crossed his face as he asked, “Is this Heng?”
“Yes.” Chen Feng responded.
Marquis Chu reached out his hand, and unexpectedly, little Heng immediately leaned towards him. He lifted Heng with a hearty chuckle, his eyes briefly gleaming before the glint faded away.
However, Chen Feng saw it all clearly.
At that moment, Chu Hua rushed over, snatching Heng away. Heng burst into tears, reaching out towards Marquis Chu, calling out, “Grandpa.”
Chu Hua, in her frustration, failed to realize that her son had finally spoken. She tried to soothe him, “Good boy, don’t cry. He is not your grandpa, your grandpa is still at home in the capital.”
Marquis Chu glanced at Chu Hua, expressionless, then turned and walked towards the house. Despite Chu Hua’s attempt to stop him, Chu Lingxuan blocked her momentarily. The group followed him into the house.
Inside, Marquis Chu looked around the hall and saw the rooms were closed. He inquired to Chen Feng, “Which room is Hanyan in?”
Unable to refuse him and not inclined to do so, Chen Feng pointed towards the east room.
Marquis Chu walked towards the east room, gently pushing the door open to peer inside. The room was silent, with only the sound of needles being threaded by Mama Song, who stood up in surprise.
He approached the bed. Through the aqua-colored curtains, he saw a little girl sleeping soundly, her black hair spread over the pillow, long eyelashes resembling folded butterfly wings, and her rosy lips occasionally forming a smile, lost in a sweet dream…