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Madam Jiang glanced at Chen Yuhui and asked, “Yuhui, are you feeling unwell? If not, you can rest. I’ll have the doctor check your pulse.”
Chen Yuhui quickly reassured, “Mother, I’m perfectly fine.” She suppressed her discomfort, and her expression relaxed.
After some light-hearted banter, they proceeded to the dining hall.
Outside the main hall, Madam Jiang halted and beckoned to Chen Yuhui with a smile, intending to have a private conversation.
Two tables were set up: Chen Shiying, Chu Lingxuan, and Chen Yulan at one, while Madam Jiang sat with a few young women at the other. There were no partitions between the tables – they were all family.
As they sat down, Chen Shiying noticed only Madam Jiang entering and inquired, “Where’s Yuhui? Hurry and call her. The son-in-law and Feng are in a rush after dinner.”
Madam Jiang chuckled, “A servant just informed me that Mother-in-law needed Yuhui for something, so I sent her. Let’s start eating.”
Chen Shiying nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and said, “Let’s eat.”
They began their meal, with Chen Shiying and Chu Lingxuan having a bit of wine, though Chu Lingxuan refrained from too much due to horseback riding later.
After the meal, Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan bid farewell and headed straight for the city gates.
Once Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan left, Madam Jiang sent the other children away before addressing Chen Shiying, “Husband, Yuhui is independent and strong-willed. We need to keep a close eye on her before her marriage, to prevent any mishaps. Otherwise, it could affect the younger children.” Her eyes welled up as she spoke.
Chen Shiying was taken aback and asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Madam Jiang explained, “Husband, didn’t you find Yuhui’s words earlier inappropriate?”
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Shiying’s expression darkened as he asked, “Are you worried that Yuhui might do something disgraceful?”
Seeing Chen Shiying’s displeasure, Madam Jiang realized she had gone too far and didn’t want to tarnish Yuhui’s image. She hurriedly added, “Husband, you’re always focused on official matters and may not be aware of the intricacies of the family. I’ve heard of some illegitimate daughters in noble families who, in their pursuit of high status, have resorted to disgraceful actions. I’m not certain if Yuhui would do the same, but it’s best to be cautious, for her sake and the younger ones.”
Chen Shiying nodded in agreement, “Exactly. Regardless of whether she truly harbors such thoughts, you must keep a close watch on her, my dear wife…”
Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan arrived outside the city, where Li Xuan and Wang Cheng’s family awaited them.
Chen Feng had Mama Wei carry Li Xuan to her carriage, where the little one had already drifted off to sleep in Mama Wei’s arms. The Golden Swallow, which had been perched on Li Xuan’s clothing, chirped upon seeing Chen Feng, “I’m going to the woods to explore the vast expanse, then I’ll return to see Stinky Dabao and sister Yan.”
With a flash of black light, it soared into the sky.
As dusk approached, a convoy of carriages finally reached the small road leading to Shangshui Village. The occupants opened the carriage curtains and gazed at the three houses in the distance – one large and two small.
Upon hearing Luo Xiao outside the carriage mentioning that the northernmost small courtyard was Luyuan, where her sister and family resided, Wang Cheng couldn’t hold back his tears. His sobbing was so loud that even Chen Feng in the front carriage could hear, tears welling up in her eyes as well.
Suddenly, a large and a small parrot swooped down from the sky, circling above the carriages. One of them dove into Chen Feng’s carriage. Perched on her lap, they started crying – one voice was Dabao’s, the other was from Chu Hanyan, both with hoarse tones.
“Wu…wu…wu, Auntie, Daddy…”
“Ah…ah…ah, Mother, Mother…”
Hearing these cries, tears streamed down Chen Feng’s face. She embraced the two birds, consoling them, “It’s alright, my little darlings. I’ve come back, haven’t I?” Seeing Li Xuan and Mama Wei staring at her blankly, she wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, “These are our two parrots. The small one is called Qiqi, and the big one is called Gray.”
She then introduced Li Xuan to Qiqi and Gray, “Look, we have a new member in our family now. His name is Little Xuan.”
Qiqi and Gray stopped crying and exclaimed, “What? We didn’t catch that.”
Slowing down her speech, Chen Feng repeated, “Little – Xuan.”
Immediately, they chimed in, “Little Xuan, Little Xuan, Little Xuan Xuan…”
Mama Wei’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, while Li Xuan stared in disbelief.
The carriage had approached a small grove near Tangyuan, where Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming were running ahead, with Chen Lu leading Dabao and Chu Hanyan closely behind, rushing to meet the carriage.
For the past few days, Mrs. Wang had been eagerly awaiting news of her brother, who was expected to return on the 28th. Overwhelmed with emotion, she had been in tears every day, longing to see her brother as soon as possible.
Today, she had been waiting on the road since morning. After quickly returning home for lunch, she rushed back to continue waiting, persisting until the approaching convoy finally came into view as evening approached. Dabao, Lu, and Chu Hanyan had only joined her after school.
As the carriage stopped, Wang Cheng’s family and Chen Feng disembarked.
Wang Cheng knew the person running ahead must be his sister, and he tearfully ran to meet her.
Upon reaching Mrs. Wang, they both stared at each other in astonishment. The familiar features confirmed their long-awaited reunion as siblings.
Mrs. Wang reached out to touch Wang Cheng’s cheek, tears streaming down her face. “You’re my little brother, little Cheng?”
Wang Cheng sobbed, “Sister, I’m your little brother, little Cheng. I’ve always remembered you calling me your little brother, and your childhood name as Juan. I’ve never forgotten you for a moment.”
Hearing this, Mrs. Wang embraced Wang Cheng and wept uncontrollably. Wang Cheng hugged her back, crying deeply. Tears welled up in the eyes of those around them.
Mrs. Wang cried for a while before cupping Wang Cheng’s face. “Sister has missed you every day, longing for your return. Today, you’re finally back, and now I have the face to meet Mother.”
Wang Cheng could only cry and call out “Sister” repeatedly.
Seeing Wang Cheng’s hand with only half a thumb left, Mrs. Wang cried even harder. “Poor little brother, what have you been through? How did you end up like this…”
Wang Cheng explained through tears, “Sister, don’t be sad. This injury is from over a decade ago. It doesn’t hurt anymore…”
Chen Feng, held by her two “little burdens”, wanted to console Mrs. Wang but couldn’t break free. Chu Lingxuan stood on the side, looking hurt, calling out “daughter” repeatedly, ignored by everyone as they focused on comforting Chen Feng.
Especially Dabao, cried as deeply as Mrs. Wang and Wang Cheng. He kept saying, “Mother, why did you only come back now? I’ve missed you every day, thinking you didn’t want me anymore, thinking you had married and forgotten about me forever…”
Chen Feng had to explain, “Mother will never abandon you. Mother missed you too…”