Chapter 331: Finding a Solution

When Chen Feng arrived at Anrong Hall, she found the eyes of the Third Madam Chu swollen from crying, with the Third Master Chu still trying to console her.

Seated in the main position, the old Marquis gestured towards an empty seat beside the Third Madam, saying, “Granddaughter-in-law, please have a seat.”

It turned out that Prince Rui had approached the old Marquis and the Third Master, hoping that Chen Feng could take Li Xuan to the countryside. The Emperor also hinted to the Third Master that if Chen Feng could indeed cure Li Xuan, then she should take him along.

If it were solely the Prince’s request, both father and son would have hesitated, given the immense responsibility and the fear of any mishaps with Li Xuan, which could reflect poorly on the Chu family. However, with the Emperor’s directive, they had no choice but to comply.

Earlier, they had also shared news with her about the Ninth Prince’s nearly healed leg and the Eleventh Prince. They felt it was time to inform her, ensuring she kept a watchful eye on Princess Rong Zhao, allowing Marquis Chu more time for other matters. They also needed to monitor the movements of Empress Wang, the Second Prince’s wife, and a few other royal women, preferably provoking conflicts between Empress Wang and the Second Prince’s wife to divert attention. This was an extremely significant matter that must not be disclosed to anyone, including the Empress Dowager.

Third Madam Chu was both delighted about the Ninth and Eleventh Princes and distressed over the years of suffering endured by the Chu family, shedding tears for quite some time.

Upon hearing the elders’s words, Chen Feng hesitated and asked, “Taking Li Xuan to Tangyuan, wouldn’t it draw particular attention from the Second Prince’s faction?”

The Third Master reassured her, saying, “No. Li Xuan is just a child, and the Second Prince’s focus isn’t on him. The Second Prince is more concerned with the Third Prince’s faction. According to the Emperor’s intentions, the Prince is preparing for military training at the Ministry of War. This way, while the Second Prince’s faction and the Third Prince’s faction are wary, they will also try to win him over. By causing some disturbances in the palace, things will be stirred up…”

Amused by the situation, Chen Feng thought that the capital would become even more lively in the future, feeling relieved that she would be leaving soon.

As she returned to the Bamboo Pavilion, it was already late at night. Gazing at the starry sky, she thought about the imminent arrival of the Golden Swallow. Excited by the thought, she regretted that she couldn’t welcome it due to Chu Lingxuan being present.

After getting ready for bed, she moved quietly, unintentionally waking up Chu Lingxuan.

He playfully pinned Chen Feng down on the bed, lightly teasing, “Why did you come back so late…”

This time, Chu Lingxuan took an unusually long time, playfully scolding Feng for not being focused.

Inwardly, Chen Feng thought, “How can I focus? It’s almost midnight, and that little thing is about to arrive. Being overheard by the walls is bad enough, being caught in the act is even more embarrassing.”

As she pondered, she felt a slight itch in her left hand, a sign from the Golden Swallow that it was ready to emerge. She couldn’t help but think, “Can’t it wait a bit longer?”

Pulling her left hand from Chu Lingxuan’s grasp, she lifted the canopy, sensing the Golden Swallow leaping out and flying through the partly open window.

Hearing a faint noise, Chu Lingxuan quickly asked, “Who’s there?”

Chen Feng teased, “No one. You’re the one who can’t focus, and yet you blame me…”

The next day, the couple woke up early, with Chu Lingxuan heading straight to the outer quarters, even having breakfast there. Meanwhile, Chen Feng supervised the packing with the servants.

Fourth Young Master Chu Lingwei and Fifth Young Master Chu Lingzhi came to see Chen Feng off, bringing food and books for Hanyan, Dabao, and Chen Lu.

Chen Feng expressed her gratitude and offered them some snacks.

Later, Young Madam Song, secretly sent a pack of Weidao sea cucumbers, citing poor health as the reason she couldn’t deliver it personally.

Acknowledging her gesture, Chen Feng understood that given the strained relationship with Second Madam Li, Young Madam Song, as a concubine daughter-in-law, wouldn’t openly show goodwill towards her mother-in-law’s enemies.

The other two illegitimate daughters of the Second Household didn’t dare to visit, but Chu Zhen did come, likely escorted by Qian, showing some dissatisfaction. She presented Chu Hanyan with two handkerchiefs she had embroidered herself. Chen Feng graciously thanked her and offered tea.

Subsequently, Chu Hua arrived with her son, Heng, followed by the Third Madam Chu, each presenting a ceremonial gift of one hundred taels of silver.

By the end of the hour of the Snake (around 10-11 AM), the Prince and Princess of Rui arrived with Li Xuan, the nursemaid Mama Wei, four maids, four guards, and several large carts of belongings.

The eyes of the Princess were red from crying as she hugged and kissed Li Xuan repeatedly, then had the nursemaid hold Li Xuan for a bow to Chen Feng. Oblivious to the impending long separation from his parents, Li Xuan looked at Chen Feng with a silly smile.

At noon, everyone gathered in the flower hall of Anrong Hall for a meal, with the Prince and Princess of Rui also joining, along with Li Xuan. Chen Feng sent for her uncle’s family, but Wang Cheng declined, opting to stay in the courtyard for their own meal.

Second Madam Li did not attend due to illness, but the rest of the Second Household members were present, including the Second and Third Master Chu.

During the meal, a servant whispered something to Third Madam Chu, which made her burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face.

Amused by this, Chu Hua said, “Aunt, if it’s something funny, please share with us so we can all enjoy a laugh together.”

As she spoke, exclamations of surprise were heard from the other side of the screen.

Glancing at the screen, Third Madam Chu lowered her voice and continued, “This morning, a rare incident occurred. Rong Zhao and her daughter went to visit the Empress Dowager in the palace. As they walked, a flock of birds suddenly descended from all directions, nearly a thousand in number. Astonished, Rong Zhao and the palace attendants looked up out of curiosity, only for the birds to start defecating, creating a noisy mess before dispersing. Many ended up with bird droppings on their faces… Haha… I heard some even got bird droppings in their mouths… Haha…”

Before she could finish, Third Madam Chu was already laughing uncontrollably.

The Prince and Princess of Rui, Chu Hua, and the others were initially surprised but couldn’t help but laugh at the absurd situation. They stifled their laughter with handkerchiefs, not daring to laugh as openly as Third Madam.

The relationship within Princess Rong Zhao’s entourage was evidently strained—despite being relatives, no one sympathized with her. Although Chu Zhen tried to flatter Princess Rong Zhao and her daughter, she still resented their condescension. Hearing about the incident, everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

The men at the other table also learned of the incident. Despite their amusement, they refrained from laughing out loud due to Rong Zhao’s status as a princess and their Chu family’s daughter-in-law, resulting in suppressed laughter and continuous coughing.

The combination of laughter and coughing brought a sense of joy, diluting any lingering animosities.

Chen Feng realized that the Golden Swallow had orchestrated this amusing diversion for her. Grateful for the gesture, she mentally thanked the little creature and planned to give it a kiss later.

After the meal, everyone escorted the old Marquis and Chu Lingxuan’s family to the outer quarters, where Wang Cheng’s family was already waiting.

Tears were shed as they bid farewell.

In the evening, the large group arrived at the Tong County post station.