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Chen Feng and the others went straight to the main courtyard, while Wang Cheng’s family was assigned a smaller courtyard. Chu Lingxuan stayed in the outer courtyard to handle some matters and to deliver gifts to the people of General’s residence.
The main courtyard was a two-courtyard residence with a west wing. Passing through the hanging flower gate led to a corridor connecting the east and west wings. The main building consisted of five rooms with two side chambers, while the wings had three rooms with two side chambers each.
The courtyard was adorned with colorful flowers, and a stone path crossed through the green lawn, dividing it into four sections. Two pomegranate trees grew in the grass adjacent to the gate, surrounded by potted plants. Many yellow oleanders and begonias were planted around the main and side buildings.
Originally a three-courtyard residence with numerous trees, the courtyard was modified to suit Chen Feng’s preference for brightness and greenery. The west courtyard featured five rooms with two side chambers and bamboo trees, along with a small jade pool in the center.
Chen Feng was very pleased with the courtyard, her true home despite not residing there permanently. Standing there, she finally savored the feeling of being in charge, a stark contrast to the constraints she felt in the Marquis’s residence.
After lunch, Li Xuan was settled in the west wing to rest, falling asleep to the soothing whispers of the Golden Swallow.
Chen Feng met with the key staff of the General’s Residence and arranged her belongings, half of her dowry would be kept there.
This time, Chen Feng brought back Mrs. Li, Qing Feng, Hong Fei, Autumn, Xiaomo, Xiaohuang, Xiaozi, and Mama Hua, with Yu Zhuo accompanied by Xiaohong and other maids staying at the Marquis’s residence.
After organizing, Qing Feng and Xiaohuang remained to oversee the main courtyard and estate affairs, while Autumn, Hong Fei, Xiaomo, Xiaozi, and Mama Hua will accompany Chen Feng to Tangyuan. Qing Feng, being older, would eventually find a suitable match for her at the General’s Residence, where she would take on the role of overseeing the main courtyard.
Once the arrangements were made, she dismissed the servants and returned to her chamber, noticing the impatient Golden Swallow perched on a high table.
The Golden Swallow followed her into the chamber, complaining, “Little Xuan is more annoying than siter Yan, more troublesome than Stinky Dabao. When he’s awake, he can’t bear to be apart from me for a moment, but once I leave, he cries. So annoying.”
Finishing its tirade, its beak pointed even sharper.
Chen Feng cradled the Golden Swallow in her palm, soothingly saying, “Little Xuan has been frightened by bad people. If we give him more love and care, help him overcome his fears, he won’t cling to you like this.” She kissed its beak and added, “Good baby, you’re so compassionate. Bring out some Swallow Agarwood leaves to aid Little Xuan’s recovery.”
Impatiently, the Golden Swallow replied, “Alright, alright, I’m afraid of you guys.” It licked its beak and teased, “Mommy’s kiss isn’t that fragrant, why did Dad say it smells so good?”
Blushing, Chen Feng playfully scolded, “Annoying bird, always talking nonsense.”
The Golden Swallow chuckled and disappeared into its space.
Chu Lingxuan returned late in the night, waking Chen Feng, and they attended to matters. Even in her drowsy state, Chen Feng could sense Chu Lingxuan’s joy and relaxation.
Early the next morning, Chen Feng sent someone to invite Chen Shi and his wife to the General’s Residence. They would have lunch together and then return to Tangyuan.
Originally planning to stay at the General’s Residence for a few days, inviting Chu Lingxuan’s colleagues and friends over before visiting Chen’s Residence, they now rushed back upon finding Wang Cheng to reunite the siblings.
After more than an hour, Chen Shi, Mrs. Zhang, and Chen Aman arrived. Chen Feng presented gifts to Chen Aman, from Yang Mingyuan, and discussed their situation in the capital.
Chen Shi and his wife were delighted, especially Chen Aman, whose cheeks turned red with excitement.
Knowing they would leave soon, Mrs. Zhang expressed regret, “It would have been nice to stay a couple of days in the city and visit our house for a day.”
Chen Feng then shared the news about finding their uncle.
Chen Shi happily remarked, “That’s great news. It’s time for the siblings to reunite.”
After seeing off Chen Shi’s family, Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan headed to Chen’s Residence. Leaving Li Xuan and Wang Cheng’s family behind at the General’s Residence for lunch, they planned to meet outside the city to reunite.
Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang received word that Chen Feng and her husband had returned to Dingzhou Prefecture. Madam Jiang was surprised by the news, as she didn’t expect Chen Feng to visit her maternal home and return to the countryside so promptly after dining.
It was Qing Feng who brought the message, informing Madam Jiang about finding her uncle.
Madam Jiang chuckled, “They’re eager to reunite with their family.”
She promptly sent someone to inform her husband, arranged the reception hall, prepared food and drink, and had someone inform Chen Yulan in the front yard to come and meet them.
When Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan arrived at Chen’s Residence, they found Chen Yulan waiting at the entrance.
Chen Feng smiled, “It’s your class time now. Why are you here to pick us up?”
Chen Yulan replied with a smile, “Mother said it’s your first time returning to your maternal home after marriage, so Little brother should welcome his sister and brother-in-law at the door.”
Madam Jiang has always been adept at social interactions.
Chen Feng chuckled, “Mother and brother are considerate.”
In the main courtyard, Chen Shiying had returned. Chen Yuqing and the sisters were also present, even Chen Yuhui, fortunately, old lady Chen was absent.
After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats.
Chen Feng noticed Chen Yuhui’s unpleasant expression and eyes filled with resentment towards her, but there was a hint of tenderness in her eyes when she looks at Chu Lingxuan.
Chen Feng was perplexed. Chen Yuhui still believed she had stolen her husband.
Chen Shiying and Madam Jiang were taken aback by Chen Yuhui’s anger. They had thought she had come to terms with the situation, realizing that Chen Feng was now married to Chu Lingxuan. However, seeing her like this made them feel ashamed for the Chen family.
Upon learning that Chen Feng and her husband would leave after lunch, Chen Yuhui was surprised and asked in a fluster, “Why the rush? It’s your first time back, you should have dinner at home.”
Although she didn’t refer to Chu Lingxuan as her brother-in-law, she addressed Chen Feng as “elder sister”, urging them to stay for dinner, a gesture that caught them off guard.
Chen Feng was taken aback. While she wasn’t sure of Chen Yuhui’s intentions, she sensed something amiss. She decided to simply smile and ignore her.
A hint of anger flickered in Madam Jiang’s eyes, swiftly contained.
Chen Shiying, on the other hand, was pleased, thinking that perhaps her second daughter was finally seeing things clearly and letting go of her obsession. He remarked, “Feng had urgent matters to attend to in her hometown this time. Next time she visits, she’ll spend more time with her sisters.”
Chen Yuhui paled, twisting her handkerchief in her fingers.