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Abbess Liao Chen was overjoyed, her face flushing with excitement. She scolded, “Silly child, why did you come here? Oh, be careful not to hurt my grandchild.” She seemed nothing like a traditional nun.
She quickly went to offer incense to the Buddha, praying for Chen Feng to have a safe delivery, preferably with a son.
Seeing Abbess Liao Chen so excited for the first time, Chen Feng smiled and said, “Mother-in-law, you’re so eager, but it’s not certain yet.”
Abbess Liao Chen chuckled, “Close enough.” Then she told Chu Hanyan, “Hanyan, you’re a big girl now, your Mother can’t carry you anymore.”
Chu Hanyan didn’t understand why her grandmother and mother were so happy. Unsure how to react, she pouted without giving a clear agreement or disagreement.
Since nothing was confirmed yet, Abbess Liao Chen couldn’t discuss it further with the children. She instructed Mrs. Li and a few maids to take good care of Chen Feng.
After having a meal and resting at Abbess Liao Chen’s place, Chen Feng and Chu Hanyan took a carriage back to Tangyuan.
At Luyuan, Wang Cheng’s family had breakfast in the upper room with dishes like vegetable porridge, soup dumplings, pickled vegetables, fried peanuts, and two bowls of bird’s nest congee, meant for Chen Ming and Mrs. Wu to nourish their health.
Mrs. Wu, feeling overwhelmed, quickly passed the bird’s nest congee to Mrs. Wang, saying, “Sister, I can’t accept this.”
Mrs. Wang chuckled, “Why can’t you? You’re Cheng’s wife, my sister-in-law. Once you’re healthy, my brother, and I will benefit too.” She then moved the congee in front of Mrs. Wu.
Wang Cheng also encouraged, “Wife, if Sister offers you this, you should have it. Take care of your health, then repay your sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and niece properly.”
Mrs. Wang asked, “How did such a young woman like you end up with this illness?”
Wang Cheng briefly explained the reasons behind Wu’s illness.
Sighing, Mrs. Wang said, “Daughters are flesh and blood from their parents. How could they bear to see them suffer?” She then self-mockingly added, “Our own father was no different. Mother was kind but left us too soon…”
Having heard that Mrs. Ding was dismissed and their father took a concubine, Wang Cheng, feeling relieved, simply replied, “Deserved it!”
Upon hearing that Mrs. Ding had sold her sister for a second time, Wang Cheng gritted his teeth in anger.
Mrs. Wang, however, jokingly remarked, “I should thank her for selling me for the second time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have found such a good person, the head of our household.”
The siblings then discussed visiting their mother’s grave on another day.
After the meal, Mrs. Wang took Wang Cheng’s measurements, planning to make him two sets of clothes.
Wang Cheng hesitated, saying, “If my wife is well, she should be the one doing clothes for sister, how can I let my sister do clothes for me?”
“I’m happy to do it.” Wang’s wife replied.
Once Mrs. Wang finished measuring him, Mrs. Wang went to the backyard to feed the cows. Feeling that the cowshed was poorly constructed, she decided to rebuild it. Chen Feng’s previous cows and carriage were given to Luyuan.
Wang Cheng also diligently went to feed the chickens, and Auntie Mu couldn’t stop him.
Chen Ming drove a cart to the village, delivering the gifts brought by Chen Feng and the third household to the main house. Shanzi was now permanently settled in Luyuan, working as a servant alongside his mother, Auntie Mu.
Fengyuan was now only managed by old Zeng, responsible for gatekeeping and maintaining cleanliness in the courtyard.
Chen Ming arrived at the main house with the cart, unpacked the gifts intended for Hu Laowu and others, and had Shanzi deliver them.
The main house was delighted to receive the array of gifts, including six pieces of silk fabric, two embroidered fans, six floral hair ornaments, and a variety of delicacies, all rare items from the capital. Especially the silk fabric, fans, and hair ornaments, which were said to be purchased from the Shui Linglong Embroidery Workshop.
Due to Chen Feng’s dowry, Chen Ye had always been displeased with Chen Ming, feeling unappreciated despite his efforts for his brother. Chen Ming had tried to mend their relationship by visiting the main house several times, but Chen Ye remained indifferent.
At the beginning of the month, Chen Ye felt that Chen Dahua, who had turned six, should start attending school. He approached Chen Ming, suggesting that Dahua should also study under Mr. Liao.
Despite hardly knowing Mr. Liao, and after a few unsuccessful attempts to convince him, Chen Ming had to take Dahua to a private school in Shuicun. However, Mr. Jiang, the teacher, found Dahua lacking the aptitude for learning and refused to teach him. After a series of discussions involving Chen Ye, Chen Ming, and Steward Luo, Dahua was finally enrolled in a private school in Shuicun to continue his education.
Chen Ye felt a deep sadness. Why were his sons and grandsons not excelling academically like Lu and Tang? The gap between his family and the second and third households had grown considerably. Would this gap continue to widen in the future?
Fortunately, his daughter-in-law was pregnant again. He hoped she would give birth to a boy, bringing honor to the family.
Seeing the valuable gifts brought by Chen Feng, Chen Ye nodded appreciatively, “Yes, thank you for the gifts, brother.”
Mrs. Hu was momentarily impressed by the gifts but then remarked sarcastically, “Oh, they’re just alright.”
Chen Feng wasn’t present, or she would have burst out laughing. Mainly because Qiqi and Gray were imitating her expressions perfectly.
Grandma Chen requested Chen Ming to stay for dinner and sent for Wang Cheng.
Chen Ming declined, saying, “No, Juan’s brother, Cheng has returned and is staying with us now. We need to spend time with them.”
Both the old lady and Chen Ye chuckled, “Oh, that’s good news. They are family after all. Let’s invite them over for dinner and a day of fun tomorrow.”
Delighted by the praise from her mother and brother, Chen Ming agreed, “Great. Since Gui’s wife can’t do much yet, I’ll ask Auntie Mu to come early.”
Chen Ye inquired about Wang Cheng’s situation. Chen Ming tactfully avoided mentioning Wang Cheng’s financial struggles and how Chen Feng had to buy houses in the capital for them. Instead, he spoke about Wang Cheng’s work in the military, earning a decent living despite not holding an official position.
After Chen Ming left, Mrs. Hu expressed doubts, “I don’t believe the Wang family is doing well. How much can a sergeant major earn? Moreover, his wife’s illness… Wang Cheng resented his maternal family, so he wouldn’t care about his family. Now that her brother is here, let’s hope they don’t drain the Chen family’s resources to her maternal home.”
Grandma Chen noticed the strained relationship between her eldest and second and third sons and angrily scolded, “Shut your mouth. If you dare to sow discord among the brothers again, go back to the Hu family.”
Chen Ye furrowed his brow and snapped, “You troublemaker. Second Brother isn’t a fool. How could he possibly let Mrs. Wang move all the money to her maternal home?”
Returning to Luyuan, Chen Ming found his wife, Wang Cheng, and Mrs. Wu chatting under a tree. Their eyes were still red, discussing happy or sad matters always brought tears to their eyes.
Shanzi took the ox cart to the backyard, and Chen Ming sat down with Wang Cheng to discuss the plans for their family dinner the next day. Wang Cheng was pleased that the Chen’s main branch was extending such courtesy to them.