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With a few words from Third Madam, Second Madam Li dared not stir up trouble anymore. She wasn’t afraid of the old Marquis and the Second Master behind the screen, but Princess Changhua struck fear deep into her bones.
Giving Madam Song a stern look, Li remarked, “What’s gotten into you today? You’re never this diligent. Sit down. Sister might mistakenly think I’m a wicked mother-in-law mistreating my daughter-in-law.”
Madam Song, flushed with anger, held back tears. It was always the same – she was instructed in private to act a certain way, but when things went awry, all blame fell on her. Men told her to endure and that splitting the family would solve everything, but when would that ever happen?
Third Madam coldly retorted, “I must be the foolish one, thinking you were treating the daughter-in-law kindly.”
Second Madam Li blushed at her words, leaving Madam Song trembling with fear.
Chen Feng glanced at Second Madam Li and realized that today, she was targeting her. It was so apparent that there was no need to save face for her.
Smiling, Chen Feng used the public chopsticks to pick some dishes for Third Madam and said, “Before coming to the capital, my mother-in-law specifically taught me to respect Third Aunt, encouraging me to learn from her how to have compassion and use subtle methods. Third Aunt, please teach your niece-in-law how to win over the kind-hearted and combat the wicked, openly sharing your knowledge.”
Third Madam chuckled, “Oh, the way you praise me with compassion and subtle methods, niece-in-law. But, I do know a thing or two about winning people over and dealing with wrongdoers. If the eldest niece-in-law wants to learn, I’ll teach her – no secrets. Girls, you should all learn too. These skills will come in handy when you enter your in-laws’ house.”
Quick to join in, Chu Hua added, “If Third Aunt teaches, we’ll learn.”
Chu Zhen, Chu Lin, and Chu Bi, fearing Third Madam, nodded in agreement upon hearing her words.
Seeing this, Second Madam Li grew even angrier, glaring fiercely at Chu Lin, Chu Bi, and casting a disapproving look at Madam Song, causing them to lower their heads in guilt.
The women’s table split into two factions, while the men’s table remained harmonious and friendly, with even the Second Master drinking quite a bit.
After dinner, everyone lingered in the hall for a while before dispersing. As they exited through the Drooping Flower Gate, they respectfully bid farewell to the old Marquis, who led Chu Ling’an and Chu Lingwei towards the left. The Second Branch family headed west, while Chen Feng and a few others walked east.
Night had fallen, with a bright crescent moon hanging slantwise in the sky. Surveying the surroundings, the layered eaves of the roofs stretched endlessly, the winding corridors seemed to have no end, and the shadowy trees reached into the distance. The deep courtyard felt unfamiliar, leaving Chen Feng somewhat disoriented.
Suddenly, a large hand grasped her small hand – thick and warm, bringing a sense of reassurance. She reciprocated the gesture, their fingers intertwining as they walked together, exchanging a smile that quickened their steps.
Upon returning to Bamboo Pavilion, Chen Feng recounted to Chu Lingxuan how Second Madam Li had only given a twenty-tael silver greeting gift and how Third Madam had handled her provocations.
Chu Lingxuan remarked, “Second Aunt is foolish and self-righteous, her petty schemes are insignificant. We’ll overlook it for Second Uncle’s sake, but if she openly provokes you, you need not be polite.”
Chen Feng nodded in agreement.
After freshening up and changing into casual attire, Chen Feng wore a semi-old beige silk jacket and a lilac long skirt, her hair cascading down like black satin ribbons.
Feeling a surge of emotion, Chu Lingxuan pulled Chen Feng into his embrace. Mrs. Li quickly led the two maids away.
Blushing, Chen Feng chided, “No shame, even in front of others.”
Chu Lingxuan replied, “There’s no shame in holding my wife.”
Allowing him to hold her waist, Chen Feng tilted her head back slightly, securing her hair in a bun with a jade hairpin from the dressing table.
Gazing at her tenderly, Chu Lingxuan murmured, “I remember seeing you at Tangyuan, teaching Yanyan the nursery rhyme ‘Little Swallow.’ You were dressed in similar colors and style, with your hair fashioned like this. It was dusk, with the sky ablaze, and I thought you resembled a fairy emerging from the rosy glow.”
Chen Feng thought for a moment, realizing it must have been when she had just started working at Tangyuan. She gazed at him with a smile, “So, you took a liking to me back then?”
However, Chu Lingxuan shook his head, leaving Chen Feng feeling hurt as she pouted. Under her breath, she murmured, “Are you so honest that you can’t even tell a white lie?”
With a slight smirk, Chu Lingxuan held her waist tighter. Softly, he said, “At that time, I was thinking – how could such a beautiful, kind, and intelligent girl, be fortunate enough to be married to someone? I never thought I’d be that lucky man. Since the family’s situation changed, I never thought about women or marriage. My thoughts were always focused on achieving great things… I couldn’t even imagine someone as wonderful as you, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to protect you and might end up causing harm instead… But as we got closer, I realized I couldn’t be without you, wanting to be with you every day. I felt that you were a significant part of my life, the most significant… I started planning how to protect your safety, how not to let that woman harm you, how to get the elders to accept you willingly… Once I figured that out, I started thinking about how to marry you… If it weren’t for the Seventh Prince’s interference, forcing us to hastily arrange our engagement under those circumstances, I would have shown you and your parents even greater sincerity…”
Moved by his words, Chen Feng realized that this man was considering everything for her, planning meticulously to marry her and ensure her safety.
The marriage certificate that she had longed for in her past life, this man gave it to her, going to great lengths for her. He didn’t make grand promises but showed his love through actions.
Abandoned by the man who made her love without dignity, the man who caused her heartache, she now had a better man in her life.
In this picturesque moment, she wondered why she thought of him again. Tears welled up in her eyes, unable to dwell on him any longer.
Past love, past hatred, past grievances – it was time to let go.
This life, their fateful encounter, their acquaintance, their love – it was their destiny.
In the future, in her eyes, in her heart, there was only this man! She held him close, burying her head in his chest, tears streaming down her face.
Concerned, Chu Lingxuan asked, “Why are you crying?”
Without lifting her head, Chen Feng responded in a muffled voice, “Fool, I’m moved.”
As she finished speaking, she felt a sudden change in his demeanor…