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In a daze, Chu Lingxuan noticed that Chen Feng’s eyes were still open and softly said, “Go to sleep now, we have to wake up early tomorrow.”
His voice was hoarse, as he was trying to restrain himself.
Chen Feng responded with a soft “mm” and closed her eyes. In her mind, the Golden Swallow’s voice echoed, “I never expected that stinky Dabao would turn out to be a prince. Mommy is really lucky, picking up two treasures at once – one is me, Golden Treasure, and the other is Dabao. No wonder the old donkey Monk said that in the future, Mom is going to be lucky, Lucky Mom…”
Rambling on, Golden Swallow’s voice accompanied Chen Feng’s drowsiness.
Chen Feng thought to herself, Golden Treasure was indeed a treasure, but Dabao… might be a treasure or a big trouble.
The next day, both of them were still somewhat immersed in sleep when Autumn called from outside, “Young Master, Young Madam, it’s almost dawn.”
They opened their eyes, sat up, and Chu Lingxuan said, “Come in.”
Autumn and Yu Zhuo entered to assist them with dressing and grooming.
As they were getting ready, a maid outside announced, “Madam Su has arrived.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Lingxuan stood up with a smile, “Please, welcome her in.”
Madam Su, who could command such respect from Chu Lingxuan, was undoubtedly the personal maid brought from the palace by the Third Madam Chu. She not only tended to the Third Madam’s daily needs but also managed various affairs. When the Third Madam had visited Tangyuan recently, Madam Su had been left behind in the Marquis Residence to oversee things. Besides the Third Madam, only Madam Su could keep the Second Madam of Chu in check.
She must have brought the embroidered handkerchief.
Upon hearing this news, Chen Feng quickly stood up as well.
Madam Su entered with a beaming smile. In her forties, she exuded elegance, dressed in ginger-yellow brocade and adorned with a jade and gold hairpin, her makeup immaculate.
As Madam Su entered, she respectfully greeted Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng, saying, “Congratulations, Young Master, and congratulations, Young Madam.”
Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng welcomed her with smiles, offering her a seat. Tea was served, and Autumn presented two sachets to her.
Madam Su expressed her gratitude, taking a sip of tea. Led by Yu Zhuo, she went to the bedside, retrieved the embroidered handkerchief from under the pillow, neatly folded it, and placed it in a silk box.
After congratulating Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng once more, Madam Su left.
After seeing off Madam Su, Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng, dressed in casual attire, had their meal and then began tidying up.
As it was the day for formal engagement, Chen Feng needed to dress more formally to make her first appearance before the Chu family. Despite not needing extravagance, she desired elegance.
Wearing a bright red brocade robe with intricate floral patterns, adorned with ten black swallow buttons, and a Yang crimson embroidered skirt, she exuded joy and vibrancy. The dress accentuated her waist and highlighted her snow-white complexion. Infused with the scent of green leaf agarwood before the wedding, a hint of fragrance lingered.
Her hair, styled in a cloud bun by Hong Fei, was complemented by a vermilion five phoenix hairpin and pearl earrings.
Autumn applied makeup, catering to Chen Feng’s preferences – light eyebrows, a hint of rose blush on the cheeks, and a mixture of rouge and balm on the lips.
When Chen Feng emerged in the east room, Chu Lingxuan, waiting for her, couldn’t help but smile warmly, saying, “Yes, very good, extremely good.”
Exiting the main room, they found a spacious courtyard. Two gardenia trees stood beneath the main window, and a few camellia trees were planted in front of the side rooms, not yet in bloom. Only the winter jasmine in the pots swayed in the wind. In the center, artificial rock formations surrounded by a pool housed koi fish, with water lilies expected to bloom soon. On the left side of the courtyard gate stood a sweet osmanthus tree, while on the right, bamboo rustled softly in the breeze.
This courtyard, named Bamboo Pavilion, was where Chu Lingxuan had spent his childhood. It had been renovated before the wedding, resulting in its current appearance.
Chu Lingxuan suggested, “It used to be called Bamboo Pavilion. If Feng doesn’t like the name, we can change it.”
Chen Feng wasn’t particularly fond of the name; it lacked the warmth of a home. However, knowing she wouldn’t stay there permanently, she decided to keep the name for now.
Exiting the courtyard, walking left along a flower path and through a corridor, they arrived at Anrong Hall, where the Third Master and Third Madam Chu temporarily resided. This place used to be the main residence where the Marquis of Chu and his wife lived. To ensure a smooth transition of the stewardship from the Second Madam Chu to the Third Madam, they had moved in. Aware of their temporary stay, they resided in the rear wing, leaving the rest untouched.
As the old Marquis resided in the outer courtyard, the engagement ceremony would take place here today.
Passing through the hanging flower gate and a winding corridor, they reached the rear wing of the fifth courtyard. Anrong Hall was spacious, filled with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, splendid trees, and chirping birds…
Inside the main hall, the furniture was all made of rosewood, with sheepskin rugs covering the floor emitting a deep scent of aloeswood. Everyone had gathered, adorned in pearls and jade, though the atmosphere felt somewhat subdued, with only the laughter of the Third Madam and Chu Hua filling the room.
For this marriage ceremony, no one from the Chu family’s hometown in Huzhou or the Lou family in Shizhou had come. The Chu family’s relatives didn’t attend as they weren’t invited, and the Luo family was resentful. After Lou Fei (Abbess Liao Chen) left the Lou family to become a nun, they had not visited the Marquis’s residence again.
The old Marquis sat left of the Eight Immortals table, with a man in his forties seated below him, followed by the Third Master Chu, and then a line of men or boys arranged by age. The person next to the old Marquis was undoubtedly the Second Master Chu. Chen Feng didn’t dare to stare too intently, just glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
On the right side, the Second Madam Chu was seated in the first chair, followed by the Third Madam Chu, Chu Hua, a daughter-in-law, and two girls.
They stood before the old Marquis, maidservants brought two cushions for them to kneel on, and they bowed to the Marquis, saying, “Father… Grandfather, we wish you good health and longevity.”
The old Marquis took a sip of tea offered by Chen Feng, then briefly said, “Hmm, may the granddaughter-in-law serve her husband well and have many children.” Following this, a maid handed over a red packet.
Chen Feng responded, “Yes.” took the red packet handed by the maid, and passed it to Autumn behind her.
Next was the greeting to the Second Master Chu. A simple bow was sufficient, no need for kneeling and bowing.
Although Chen Feng hadn’t met the Second Master Chu before, she had learned about his character.
It was said that he was exceptionally studious in his youth and even passed the imperial examinations before his disability. Initially handsome and charming, he had captured the hearts of many noblewomen. Unfortunately, an accident had left him disabled, missing an arm, causing a significant change in his temperament…