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Third Madam Chu was quite pleased, glaring at Second Madam Li as she said, “You must be delighted now that everyone is upset because of you. Fine, go on, I won’t dare to invite you anymore.” With a dismissive wave of her hand, she shooed Second Madam Li away.
Second Madam Li huffed and walked off, followed by the members of the second Branch, all with flushed faces.
Chu Lingqi and Chu Ling’an walked behind, with one bowing to Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng, and the other respectfully acknowledging Third Madam Chu.
Back in Bamboo Pavilion, Chen Feng hesitantly apologized to Chu Lingxuan, “I’m sorry for losing my temper, causing distress to Grandfather.”
Chu Lingxuan sighed, “It’s not your fault. If you don’t stand up to Second Aunt-in-law, she’ll keep finding ways to bully you. She’s narrow-minded, selfish, and greedy. Grandmother managed to keep her in check while she was alive. After Grandmother’s passing, Grandfather couldn’t discipline his daughter-in-law properly and favored Second Uncle, thus indulging her a bit.” He added, “Although I grew up here, I no longer feel any sense of belonging. Our true home is Tangyuan. Endure a few more days, we’ll leave for there on the twenty-first.”
Princess Rong Zhao and Second Madam Li, one causing trouble outside, the other at home, had turned the Yongning Marquis Residence upside down. If not for Third Madam’s return to keep things in check, who knows what chaos would have ensued. Perhaps, it was their intention to ensure the rightful owner of the marquisate never returned.
Despite some of the Chu family men deliberately playing along with the situation, the unfair treatment of the rightful members made them reluctant to return home, leaving a lingering sense of injustice.
Chen Feng inquired, “When Grandfather and Grandmother were looking for a wife for Second Uncle, didn’t they investigate? How did they end up with such a troublesome and confused troublemaker?”
Chu Lingxuan explained, “They did investigate, and originally, they had their eyes on Second Aunt-in-law’s elder sister. But somehow, before they could finalize the engagement, Second Uncle took a liking to Second Aunt-in-law and insisted on marrying her…”
It was unclear what tactics Second Madam Li had used.
Chen Feng, thinking the old Marquis hadn’t eaten well, personally made a small pot of lean meat and century egg congee in the backyard kitchen. Century eggs were available during that era but mainly consumed as a dish, making congee out of them was a novelty. This congee was smooth and fragrant, enhanced by the addition of steeped swallow’s nests, exuding an irresistible aroma that wafted far and wide.
She had it sent to the old Marquis, the second master, the third master, and Third Madam. Chen Feng had lost her appetite, so Chu Lingxuan ended up finishing the remaining two bowls of congee.
After finishing the congee, he felt much better, watching Chen Feng making a small tiger plush toy for Li Xuan.
At that moment, the elders sent someone to request more congee, claiming they hadn’t had enough and wanted more. Chu Guangkai then asked Chu Lingxuan to come to the outer courtyard for a discussion.
Chen Feng set aside her tasks to attend to the request. Only when she had pacified them could she finally relax.
Once everything was ready, she had the food sent to them. Carrying a small bowl back to her chamber, she locked the door behind her.
Autumn and Yu Zhuo had grown accustomed to Chen Feng’s ways, but the duty officer Hong Fei still felt somewhat uneasy, questioning her own competence. Eventually, Autumn reassured her, saying, “Young Madam is like this, everyone deserves their privacy. Not everyone is used to being followed around all the time.”
Hong Fei finally eased her worries. Of course, that was a story for another time.
Entering the space, Chen Feng saw the Golden Swallow still playing with Jinbei and said, “Baby, look, Mommy brought you some fresh food to eat.”
After watching the Golden Swallow consume half the bowl, she negotiated, “Baby, give Mommy a few more leaves, not too many, just a bit bigger than your eye booger.”
Having heard about Li Xuan’s situation, the Golden Swallow rolled her eyes and said, “Mommy, if all my previous owners were like you, helping everyone with their chores, that tree would have gone bald long ago. They always said, ‘Help your own family first.'” Then, he carried Jinbei and flew into a golden house.
Unable to persuade the Golden Swallow, Chen Feng picked up a small piece of soaked swallow’s nest from the water. Although it wasn’t as good as leaves, swallow’s nest was beneficial for health.
For some reason, she just wanted to help Li Xuan. Not only to foster a good relationship with the Princess, but also because of the clear gaze in Li Xuan’s eyes, which tugged at her heartstrings.
On the morning of the 18th, Chu Lingxuan led Chen Feng to the Hongyun Hotpot Restaurant.
Located on Shun’an Street in the capital, the most bustling street in the city, the restaurant was surrounded by various establishments like teahouses, banks, and embroidery shops, boasting pink walls, black tiles, red carved doors and windows. The street was wide enough for eight carriages to pass side by side.
With its unique dining style and flavors, coupled with Yang Mingyuan’s exceptional skills and the support of the Chu family, the Hongyun Hotpot Restaurant had swiftly become the second-largest eatery in the capital within a year. It had also opened four branches nationwide, an astonishing rate of growth. While other hotpot restaurants had emerged, none could rival Hongyun.
Upon entering the restaurant, Chen Yu warmly greeted them and ushered them to a private room on the third floor where Yang Mingyuan, Yang Chao, and Yang Qian were already waiting.
Yang Qian rushed over to Chen Feng, calling out, “Aunt Chen, Aunt Chen, why did you come to see me so late? I missed you a lot.”
Chen Feng smiled and lifted her up, kissing her little face, saying, “Aunt Chen missed you too.”
Since it was still early for the meal, they sat down to drink tea and chat.
Yang Qian, the young girl, intermittently mischievous beside them, seeking Chen Feng’s attention. Yang Mingyuan’s expression darkened, and upon seeing her father’s stern look, Yang Qian pouted, tears welling up but not falling.
Hastily, Chen Feng picked her up and comforted her, saying, “Qian, don’t cry. Come on, Aunt Chen will buy you some flowers to wear.”
Located just two doors down from the Hongyun Restaurant was the renowned Shui Linglong Embroidery Shop. Chen Feng had been eager to visit and purchase some items to take back. Mrs. Wang had often praised Shui Linglong, claiming it housed the best embroidery in the Dachun Dynasty.
With the young girl in tow and a few servants, she left the restaurant and headed west towards the embroidery shop.
Shui Linglong was even larger and more grandiose than the Ni Shang Embroidery Shop in Dingzhou. Inside, there was a dazzling array of embroidered items, leaving visitors mesmerized and overwhelmed.
With no shortage of funds, Chen Feng bought four beautiful peonies for Yang Qian, along with two sachets, and then indulged in a spree of purchases. From large screen panels, bed screens, and decorative pieces to small items like round fans, handkerchiefs, all intricately embroidered in Su and Chun styles, even including two pairs of small double-sided embroideries. She also purchased lovely small sachets, fan pendants, peonies, and over a dozen pieces of fine brocade, among other items.
With wealth came extravagance, and she ended up spending over eight hundred taels of silver in one go.
As the servants carried the purchases, Chen Feng walked with Yang Qian trailing behind. Just as they were leaving the embroidery shop, they noticed a seven or eight-year-old boy entering.
The boy, fair and handsome, dressed in blue coarse fabrics, seemed somewhat familiar to Chen Feng, prompting her to take a closer look.
Hearing someone from the embroidery shop call out to the boy, “Wang Xiaodi, what do you have to sell today?”