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After lunch, Shanzhi took Chen Daya and Wu Xiaoqing to Luyuan, while Chu Hanyan rested, and Chen Feng sat beneath the window making bridal attire, with Autumn assisting in knitting socks.
Chen Feng had crafted four sets of wedding garments. The ceremonial bridal dress was mostly complete, with only some embroidery work left. The outer garments, red head cover, embroidered shoes, were conventional for the era, with the exception of the twelve pairs of mandarin duck buckles, which were a bit more innovative and elaborate.
Chen Feng personally handled the cutting and sewing, while Mrs. Wang assisted with the embroidery work, which was still in progress. Chen Feng’s embroidery skills were lacking, and Mrs. Wang’s passion for embroidery, coupled with her desire for her daughter to be the most beautiful bride, encouraged her to contribute wholeheartedly.
The red bellyband was already finished, and Chen Feng had taken care of every detail, including cutting, sewing, and embroidery, opting for a simple lotus flower design. She refrained from the traditional mandarin ducks playing in water pattern as it was challenging to embroider. Yet, she added a floral embellishment around the bellyband instead of the era’s typical edging.
The undergarments were crafted similarly to her sleepwear from a past life, using soft red satin cut to fit snugly, with minimal embroidery on the collars and cuffs.
Three other bridal outfits were in progress, with Chen Feng making stylistic improvements. She had the garments cut and then hired an embroiderer at Fengyuan to sew and embroider the dresses.
She was currently embroidering small flowers on the collar of the sleepwear.
By the late hour, Luyuan had quieted down, with only grandma Chen and the main branch remaining after the guests had departed.
Dabao’s excited voice rang out, “Mother, quickly, I can’t carry anymore. Grandfather gave us so much meat.”
Chen Feng peered out the window and saw Dabao rushing into the courtyard, carrying a piece of pork and a few ribs. Worried about dirtying the meat, he held his arms high. Old Zeng reached out to take it, but Dabao dodged and ran straight into the house.
Chen Feng hurriedly set down the clothes, stepped outside, and took the meat from him.
Excitedly, Dabao exclaimed, “Grandfather sold a large fat pig for two taels and five coins of silver, and kept another fat pig for us to eat…”
Before he could finish, Chu Lingzhi also entered the courtyard, carrying a piece of meat and explaining, “Uncle Chen sent this meat to our house. My grandfather said since we are all dining at Fengyuan, I should bring it here.”
Chen Feng smiled as she received the meat and suggested salting it and letting it cool under the eaves in the kitchen to preserve it.
Dabao quickly grabbed Chen Feng’s hand and said, “Mother, Sister hasn’t seen the pigs we raise yet. Let her see them before we salt the meat.” He added, “Grandmother wants you to make a quick visit to Luyuan, she mentioned wanting to discuss something with you with the others.”
Somewhat puzzled, Chen Feng had limited interactions with the main branch recently and was unsure of the reason for their summon. After placing the meat in a basin, she headed to Luyuan.
Entering the main house at Luyuan, grandma Chen and the main branch family were seated inside. Chen Feng greeted them with a smile, and Chen Jue even stuffed a handful of peanuts into Chen Feng’s hand, saying, “Sister Feng, have some peanuts. These are the small red peanuts we grow, very fragrant.”
Perplexed by Chen Jue’s sudden friendliness, Chen Feng was taken aback.
After a brief conversation, the old lady sent Mrs. Hu, Chen Jue, and Chen Gui back home. Despite Mrs. Hu’s reluctance, a stern look from Chen Ye compelled her to leave.
Only Chen Ming, Mrs. Wang, grandma Chen, and Chen Ye remained in the room.
Grandma Chen chuckled, “My A’Jue will turn fifteen early next year, and she hasn’t found a suitable match yet. My eldest son and I are getting anxious.”
Chen Ming reassured, “With our current situation improved, A’Jue shouldn’t worry about finding a match.”
Chen Ye, feeling resigned, said, “But that silly girl is fixated on Hu Wui…” He then turned to Chen Feng and continued, “We were thinking, as Hu Wui is a relative, it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to intervene directly. So, we thought of asking Steward Luo to help mediate. Hu Laowu is always trying to please Steward Luo, and if he recommends it, Hu Laowu will likely agree.”
Finishing his statement, he gazed expectantly at Chen Feng.
Chen Feng was in a difficult position. Previously, she agreed to let Steward Luo help with Chen Aman’s marriage proposal based on positive impressions from both sides. However, now that Hu Laowu clearly didn’t want Chen Jue as a daughter-in-law, she was hesitant to involve Steward Luo again.
Even she wouldn’t want Chen Jue as her daughter-in-law. There was a saying from her past life, “A woman ruins her life by marrying the wrong man, while a man ends his lineage by marrying the wrong woman.”
Chen Jue was lazy, stubborn, and not particularly bright. Although she had improved somewhat, her core traits remained unchanged.
Seeing Chen Jue at her worst, Hu Laowu certainly wouldn’t want his only son to marry a girl like her. Despite Chen Ye’s family improving, Hu Laowu had managed to cozy up to the County Magistrate through Steward Luo and secured a minor position for his son in the county office. He aimed to find a girl of good background and temperament for his son, aiming for further advancement.
Chen Feng chuckled, “I’ve heard that Hu Laowu rejected Jue. If she were forced into that household, Jue would suffer the most.”
Grandma Chen chimed in, “See, even A’Feng is saying the same thing. I’ve always said that the Hu family isn’t good. They’re all cunning like weasels, with one dullard marrying into your family. If a simple-minded girl like A’Jue were to marry into that family, she’d be mistreated. Besides, that Hu Wui lad, aside from his appearance, is useless. Despite years of education, he couldn’t even pass the lowest exam. What good is he?”
Chen Ye took a couple of puffs on his cigarette, frustrated, “That stubborn girl, her mother indulges her… I’ve been thinking, with A’Feng’s support, the Hu Laowu father and son wouldn’t dare harm A’Jue.”
Grandma Chen added, “If someone wants to cause trouble, there are ways to make them regret it. Hu Laowu is quite the troublemaker, and A’Jue is so naive that even if she’s sold, she’d still have to pay them. Even if A’Feng wanted to help, there’d be no way.”
Chen Feng found this situation amusing, realizing that the old lady had expressed her exact thoughts. She agreed, “Grandma’s right, the Hu family isn’t the right place for Jue. A forced match won’t be sweet. Their days aren’t easy, and eldest Uncle will also be troubled.”
Upon hearing Chen Feng’s stance, Chen Ye knew she wouldn’t intervene, dismissing the idea. Without Chen Feng’s support, they were nothing. He stated, “Alright, when I get home, I’ll put an end to those thoughts.”
After a brief conversation, Chen Feng left for Fengyuan.
Upon entering the courtyard, she saw Chu Hanyan and Dabao crouched, examining the meat in the basin.
Chu Hanyan looked up as Chen Feng returned, smiling, “Auntie, now I understand why the meat at noon smelled so good. It turns out it was raised by Brother.”