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After dinner, Chu Lingxuan said to Wang Cheng, “I will be returning to the yamen tomorrow. Uncle, please spend more time with Mother-in-law at home. I will report to the military camp in half a month…”
Chu Lingxuan’s troops were divided into two locations, with a small number of soldiers and his yamen in Dingzhou Prefecture, and a large number of soldiers outside the city. Wang Cheng was arranged to work at the yamen in Dingzhou Prefecture, where the conditions were better and it was easier for Chu Lingxuan to look after him.
As they discussed Wang Cheng’s job, the practical issue arose – where should Wang Cheng’s family reside while he worked in Dingzhou Prefecture city?
Reluctant to be apart from her brother, Mrs. Wang suggested, “Let’s buy a piece of land near my house to build a house, making it convenient for me to take care of my brother’s family. Cheng can stay here like my son-in-law and return home during breaks.”
Disagreeing, Chen Feng said, “Uncle’s health is not great. He can’t ride a horse for long periods and would need to travel by carriage to come home. If the family is placed here, it would not be convenient for Uncle to return home during breaks.”
Traveling by carriage was much slower than riding a horse, making round trips inconvenient indeed.
Considering the situation, Wang Cheng agreed, “Then let’s settle in the neighboring area of the city, where building homes is cheaper, and it’s convenient for me to return home.” He then turned to Mrs. Wang and said, “During long breaks, my family will come to bother you and Brother-in-law. If you are free, you can also visit my home.”
Chen Feng smiled, “Uncle doesn’t need to live in the outskirts. I will purchase a small courtyard in the city for Uncle.”
Wang Cheng replied, “Thank you, Feng. You’ve already spent so much on me, I can’t let you spend more…” He mentioned the plan he had discussed with Mrs. Wu.
Chen Feng replied, “Uncle, keep your money for future use. Your niece will gift you a small courtyard.”
Seeing her daughter’s wealth, Mrs. Wang smiled and advised Wang Cheng, “Cheng, accept it. Your nephew is not short of money.”
After finalizing the plan, Chen Feng briefly mentioned the gifts brought along, mostly for Chen Ming’s family and a few for the main house, as well as for Hu Laowu, Wu the carpenter, and other close acquaintances, for Chen Ming to pass on.
Subsequently, Chu Lingxuan, Chen Feng, the children, Qiqi, Gray, and Zhui Feng’s family returned to Tangyuan. Wangcai was very reluctant to part with Zhui Feng’s family and escorted them to the gate of Tangyuan before returning.
Chen Feng smiled and said to Wangcai, “Our families are close by, Wangcai can often come over to play.”
Chu Hanyan and Chen Dabao followed to the Yanxiang Pavilion. As it was Li Xuan’s rest time, the little one whimpered and refused to sleep, so Chen Feng had to go to the west wing to pacify him.
Chen Dabao and Hanyan didn’t want to leave their mother, standing hand in hand at the doorway, eagerly waiting for Little Xuan to sleep soon so they could have their mother back.
Suddenly, a few chirps of swallows were heard, and Chu Hanyan’s eyes lit up, exclaiming, “Brother, Golden Treasure is back!”
Chen Dabao was a bit puzzled, asking, “Are you sure it’s Golden Treasure?”
Chu Hanyan nodded, saying, “Yes, I even caught a whiff of its scent.” Looking around, she continued, “Golden Treasure, come out quickly. Don’t hide from us. Brother and I miss you.”
Chen Dabao sniffed around, “Why can’t I smell it?”
Just then, a swallow flew in through the window and perched on Chu Hanyan’s shoulder, chirping, “Silly Dabao, Sister Hanyan, we meet again.”
Although Chen Dabao didn’t understand its words, he recognized it. Seeing that it was indeed Golden Treasure, he joyfully grabbed it, saying, “It really is Golden Treasure! You’ve finally returned. My sister and I have been thinking about you every day.”
Excitedly, he squeezed Golden Treasure a bit too hard, causing it to roll its eyes.
Relieved to see Golden Treasure back, Chen Feng chuckled, “Goldie baby, come here. Little Xuan has been waiting for you and won’t sleep without you.”
Upon hearing this, Golden Treasure wriggled free from Dabao’s grasp and flew to perch on Li Xuan’s pillow. Li Xuan, upon seeing it, grinned from ear to ear.
Finally freed, Chen Feng led Dabao and Hanyan back to the upper room.
Seeing the two little ones following along, Chu Lingxuan frowned, “It’s getting late. You should go back to your own courtyard to rest.”
The children immediately clung to Chen Feng’s legs, giving Chu Lingxuan a united and rebellious look.
Chu Hanyan pouted, “Mother is back, and we don’t want to leave.”
Dabao exclaimed, “Mother and Father have been sleeping for so many days, it’s time for mother to slept with me and my sister for a night.”
Chen Feng was both amused and exasperated, while Chu Lingxuan stood there bewildered, unsure of how to respond. Hong Fei and Xiaomo, trying to hold back their laughter, discreetly left for the side room.
Chen Feng playfully tapped Dabao’s head and scolded, “Nonsense.”
With tears in his eyes, Dabao said to Chen Feng, “Mother, don’t you miss us? We’ve missed you for so long.”
Chu Hanyan added, “Yes, Brother and I want to sleep with Mother.”
Reluctant to part with them, Chen Feng suggested to Chu Lingxuan, “Why not let them sleep here tonight, just for one night?”
As soon as Chen Feng finished speaking, the two children joyfully jumped up.
Chu Lingxuan wanted to suggest they sleep here the next night instead, but seeing the children’s excitement, he decided to agree. He said, “Remember, you can only sleep here for one night. Tomorrow, you go back to your own courtyard.”
Seeing the children eagerly nod, he added, “But Dabao is a boy, and Hanyan is a girl, so they can’t share a bed. Hanyan will sleep with Mother in the kang bed, and Dabao will sleep with Father on the big bed.”
Chen Feng agreed, saying, “That’s how it should be. Anyone who disagrees shouldn’t sleep here.”
Initially reluctant, Dabao didn’t dare oppose his mother’s decision. He said, “We want to hear Mother tell us a story together and then sleep separately.”
The request was reasonable, and Chen Feng nodded in agreement.
After washing up, they put on their soft satin pajamas. Chen Feng had personally made their pajamas, with similar styles aside from color and embroidery.
Chen Feng’s was embroidered with pink jasmine flowers, Chu Hanyan’s with little swallows in Yangfei color, Chu Lingxuan’s with cloud patterns in lake blue, and Dabao’s with small tigers in sky blue.
The two children climbed onto the big bed, with Chen Feng joining them. Chu Lingxuan sat on the outer side, holding a book to read.
It was the first night Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng would sleep there, so the bed was decorated festively. A red embroidered canopy with peonies, colorful dragon and phoenix patterns on the bedding and pillows.
Mrs. Li chuckled, “Truly a harmonious family. They look so lovely, like celestial beings.”
Mama Song added, “Indeed, they look as if they belong in a celestial palace rather than on a bed.”
As Chen Feng was about to start the storytelling, Chu Hanyan crawled over and snatched the book from Chu Lingxuan’s hands, pouting, “Mother said no multitasking. Father needs to focus and not read.”
Chu Lingxuan chuckled, “Alright, listening to our daughter. I’ll listen to your mother’s story attentively.”
Dabao urgently shushed them, placing a chubby finger to his lips, “Shh, quiet, quiet.”