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In the front yard, not only was Chu Lingxuan present, but also Mrs. Zeng and several guards who had previously protected Chen Feng.
Chu Lingxuan approached Chen Shiying and greeted him, then instructed Chen Feng, “Be careful on the road, don’t open the carriage curtain to look around unnecessarily, don’t disembark without reason, return home directly for lunch, and don’t eat outside food…” He handed her a purse containing dried plum candies, suggesting she eat a couple if she felt motion sickness.
He seemed to have become quite cautious and protective.
Accepting the purse, Chen Feng smiled, “Mr. Chu, don’t worry, I’m not a child, I know all these things.”
Initially, Chen Shiying didn’t have a particularly good impression of Chu Lingxuan. Although he acknowledged his competence, he didn’t see him as a suitable son-in-law. Coming from an aristocratic background, he likely carried an air of aristocracy that might look down on Chen Feng’s background. With a chaotic household and a daughter to consider, he feared Chen Feng might face mistreatment once she entered the Chu family.
Chen Shiying believed Chen Feng was the best girl. Despite not interacting with her much, he recognized her intelligence and resilience alongside her beauty. He felt that his eldest daughter marrying Chu Lingxuan would be a loss.
All because of that annoying Seventh Prince…
However, seeing Chu Lingxuan’s genuine concern for Chen Feng made him somewhat content. He added with a smile, “Feng, remember everything Mr. Chu Lingxuan said, these are words from your father as well.”
Chen Feng, accompanied by Mrs. Zeng and Autumn, boarded the carriage and bid farewell to Chen Shiying and his son.
Chu Lingxuan rode his horse and escorted her to the city gate, offering a few more words of advice.
As the morning mist enveloped them, the carriage sped away, and Chu Lingxuan’s figure grew smaller. Chen Feng felt a pang in her nose, they were always parting ways…
When the figures faded from sight, Chen Feng lowered the curtain, took out a piece of dried plum candy, and savored its bittersweet taste, mirroring her current mood.
By midday, they reached Shangshui Village. Passing by the small road south of Tangyuan, she heard Qiqi and Gray calling out “Mother” and “Auntie” from above. Chen Feng opened the curtain, and they hopped into the carriage, eager for hugs, creating a joyful atmosphere inside.
Turning around Tangyuan, she could already spot Fengyuan in the distance, where Zhui Feng, Sasa, and Wangcai ran over and leaped onto the carriage.
Before reaching Fengyuan, Chen Feng heard Dabao calling “Mother” and Lu calling “Sister,” prompting her to instruct the coachman to stop the carriage. As soon as she alighted, she was embraced by Dabao and Lu.
Chen Feng gently pinched Lu’s cheek, then knelt down to give Dabao a kiss on the cheek before receiving two kisses in return. Holding Dabao in her arms, they proceeded towards Fengyuan.
Lu tugged at Chen Feng’s arm, saying, “Sister, Mother wants you to wash up and then head to Luyuan for lunch.”
Chen Feng nodded in agreement and asked Dabao, “You don’t need your cane to walk anymore? You can run now?”
Dabao replied with a hint of complaint, “Dr. Lin came yesterday to check my leg. He said it’s healed very well, and I no longer need the cane. If I had known, I should have gone with Mother to Dingzhou Prefecture for my sister’s birthday.”
Chen Feng chuckled, “A hundred days to heal bones and tendons, you’re just a few days short of a hundred, you can’t be careless.”
After freshening up at Fengyuan, she led the two children, accompanied by the pets and half a cart of belongings, towards Luyuan.
Not only was grandma Chen being present at Luyuan for lunch, but Chen Ye, Mrs. Hu, Dahua, and Daya were also there.
Observing Mrs. Hu’s eager gaze, Chen Feng could tell that she had likely persuaded Chen Ye to come today to see the gifts brought by her. Her impatience was evident, wanting to see the gifts immediately. However, the thought of the old lady and Chen Yuhui at Dingzhou Chen Residence softened Chen Feng’s annoyance with Mrs. Hu’s avaricious look.
To accommodate her impatience, Chen Feng complied with her wishes, beginning with Autumn presenting the gifts for the main branch first.
There were various gifts – food and fabrics for the elderly lady and the main branch, fabrics and alcohol bought by Chen Feng through Mrs. Zeng at Dingzhou Prefecture, as well as toys for Dahua and Daya. Chen Feng also had Mrs. Zeng buy two pieces of silk for Hu Laowu’s wife to be delivered by Mrs. Hu. Several pieces of silk and pastries were also purchased for the Wu family, to be sent to the carpenter’s wife in the back room.
With Chen Feng and the third branch being well-off, the array of gifts was overwhelming, leaving the elderly lady and others thoroughly pleased.
After the meal, Mrs. Hu wanted to stay and see the gifts the third branch had brought for the second branch. She worried that they might outshine the gifts given to their own family.
Aware of her intentions, the grandma Chen scolded, “You’re still here after lunch, do you want to stick around for dinner too?”
Chen Ye frowned and reprimanded, “You ungrateful woman. Go, let’s go home.”
Mrs. Hu had no choice but to stand up and follow them.
Instead of returning to Fengyuan, Chen Feng had Lu lead Dabao, who clung to her, to the East Wing for a midday rest.
Dabao pouted, “Mother is back, and I want to go home with Mother for a nap.”
Chen Feng insisted, “Mother has some matters to discuss with Grandpa and Grandma today, so no nap. Be obedient, after the rest, you have lessons to attend.”
Reluctantly, Dabao slid off Chen Feng’s lap and was led by Chen Lu to the East Wing.
Chen Feng had already decided to separate beds from today onwards, taking advantage of the days where Dabao hadn’t been sleeping in the same bed as her due to his leg injury. It was something she had thought about for a while but delayed due to Dabao’s injury.
Chen Ming had a bit of wine and felt drowsy, retiring to rest, leaving only Mrs. Wang and Chen Feng in the room. Chen Feng went over the gifts with Mrs. Wang, including the medicinal herbs from Madam Jiang for Chen Ming and the silk for Mrs. Wang.
Mrs. Wang inquired, “The old lady didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?”
Chen Feng smiled, “No. Now, the old lady needs assistance to walk even a short distance, and the servants in the courtyard have been replaced. Even if she wanted to cause trouble, she wouldn’t have the opportunity.” Seeing Mrs. Wang’s surprised expression, she added, “Madam Jiang is kind and understanding, with her by his side, life is better.”
Although Mrs. Wang appeared emotionless, her eyes held a sense of contentment. She still wished for Chen Shiying’s lifelong happiness.
Chen Feng had never mentioned to her that after Mrs. Tang passed away, Chen Shiying had another mistress. Mrs. Tang had been brought in voluntarily and insisted on by Chen Shiying’s mother, while the other mistress was willingly accepted by Chen Shiying. Chen Feng kept this information to maintain Mrs. Wang’s positive and pure image of Chen Shiying. In Mrs. Wang’s heart, Chen Shiying was the one she had raised and the best man.
Later in the evening, Lu and Dabao got up, accompanied by Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu, and went to Tangyuan for study.
Upon returning to Fengyuan, Chen Feng had the room in the East Wing tidied up and moved Dabao’s clothing to the wardrobe there. She appointed Summer as Dabao’s personal maid, assisting with his daily activities and staying overnight in the East Wing.