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Seeing Chen Feng’s expression darken, Mama Li quickly smiled and said, “I’ve said too much.”
She brought up the matter on her own because there was no other way. Usually, in prominent households, when the mistress becomes pregnant, they would mention this matter voluntarily. However, the young mistress in their home had not brought it up. She had thought that Chen Feng came from a rural background and didn’t understand the customs of noble families. Now it seemed that it wasn’t that Chen Feng didn’t understand but simply didn’t want to discuss it.
When Madam Jiang had asked her to serve Chen Feng, she had mentioned that if Chen Feng became pregnant and the Master took a concubine, it would be best to choose Qing Feng. Qing Feng not only had good looks and the right age but was also loyal. It was better to choose early on rather than have unwanted individuals forced upon them later, causing distress.
At that time, Chen Feng had left Qing Feng in the capital city, and she had held her tongue to avoid mentioning it. Looking back, it was a good thing she hadn’t spoken about it, otherwise, she would have earned Chen Feng’s displeasure.
Seeing Mama Li blush, Chen Feng thought that perhaps she genuinely meant well in advising her, as this was a common mindset among women in ancient times. She was her steward mother, so letting her know her boundaries would help her understand how to proceed in the future.
She said, “I appreciate your good intentions, Mama Li. However, my views differ from those of many women. It’s not just me, my respectable mother-in-law and Third Aunt share similar thoughts…” Her gaze turned towards the window as she softly added, “To wish for a devoted partner until old age.”
Mama Li nodded slightly and replied, “I understand.”
However, she didn’t entirely agree. How many people throughout history had been able to achieve such a beautiful wish? “Winning someone’s heart” might be easy, but “remaining together until old age” was challenging. How many men could resist the temptation of beauty when women grew old and lost their allure?
Of course, Third Madam Chu could achieve it because she had a powerful backer.
But hadn’t Chen Feng’s respectable mother-in-law already been forced out of the family?
And what about their own mistress? The Master, Chen Shiying, coming from a humble background, had initially relied on the connections of his wife’s family to find good opportunities. Hadn’t he been tormented by Mrs. Tang for over a decade, eventually taking two concubines to win his heart?
Moreover, considering the significant difference in background between the Master, General Chu and Chen Feng, what if the elders couldn’t bear it and arranged for a concubine?
Mama Li could see that Chen Feng had made up her mind, so even if she didn’t agree, she didn’t dare to advise further.
The next morning, while Chen Feng was having breakfast, Dabao arrived at Yanxiang Pavilion.
Surprised, Chen Feng asked, “Today is your rest day, why are you up so early?”
They had agreed that on normal days, Dabao would come to Yanxiang Pavilion in the morning to have breakfast with Chen Feng before going to school. On rest days, if Dabao wanted to sleep in, he, Chu Hanyan, and Li Xuan would each have breakfast separately.
On closer inspection, Chen Feng noticed that Dabao’s eyes were slightly red, realizing that he must have spent the night overthinking and not slept well. This child had a lot on his mind.
Pretending not to notice, Chen Feng had a servant bring Dabao’s breakfast. She said, “Son is here, let’s have breakfast together. These are red date cakes and crystal buns made by Mama Hua, just as delicious as mine.”
Mama Hua was responsible for preparing breakfast and snacks for the masters, using the oven in Fengyuan and then delivering them to Tangyuan.
The reason Dabao had come so early was that he didn’t want his sister to hear the questions he was about to ask his mother.
After eating a bun, he began to ask, “Mother, do you like your son more or father more?”
“When you sleep with father, do you think of your son?”
“In your heart, who is most important, me, my sister, or father?”
“Will mother always hold her son’s hand?”
Chen Feng answered earnestly, “Any mother will love her son a little more.”
“Mother always thinks of her son, no matter where or when.”
“In terms of importance, of course, your father weighs more. But in terms of emotions, all three of you are equally important… Haha, of course, the son holds a bit more weight.”
“Mother will indeed always hold her son’s hand.”
…
After receiving satisfactory answers, Dabao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had spent most of the previous night pondering.
He understood that just like himself, his mother was also from the Chen family. However, after marrying his father, she became part of the Chu family. From then on, others would address her as Madam Chu or Auntie Chu.
Seeing that his mother continued to love him so much, placing him first, put his mind at ease.
Once Li Xuan and Chu Hanyan had finished breakfast and gotten ready, Chen Feng led the three children, along with Luo Mei, Luo Ming Cheng, and some servants, to Fengyuan.
Starting today, she resumed her role as a special education teacher.
On the way, Mama Wei mentioned with a smile to Chen Feng, “Young Master slept peacefully last night without Golden Treasure…”
Chen Feng knew that he had placed Swallow Agarwood Tree leaves in his pillow, ensuring a restful sleep. Outwardly, she said, “Perhaps little Xuan was tired from playing yesterday, so he naturally slept well.”
She also arranged for Luo Ming Cheng to come and play with Li Xuan every day from now on. He couldn’t serve as a pageboy but made for a good playmate.
Upon reaching Fengyuan, Li Xuan excitedly performed the ritual of emerging from the pumpkin bucket, followed by the other children.
Instead of heading straight to the children’s playground, Chen Feng had them play with building blocks in the western wing. As Li Xuan liked Golden Swallow, she took out four blocks with little swallows drawn on them, gradually attracting Li Xuan’s attention by rearranging them.
After playing with the blocks for a while and enjoying snacks made by Mama Hua in the Fengyuan kitchen, the children finally went to the playground. Feeling a bit tired herself, Chen Feng returned to the main room to rest. She closed the door behind her and entered her inner space.
As the Golden Swallow and the others hadn’t returned from the woods yet, she sat alone in the inner space, feeling completely relaxed. She planned to spend more time there in the future, not only for the well-being of the pregnancy but also for the benefit of the baby.
Although it was her rest day today, Chu Lingxuan hadn’t returned. It was evident that he had many official matters to attend to after such a long absence. When he returned in a few days, wouldn’t the pregnancy be confirmed?
Smiling and patting her belly, Chen Feng felt overwhelmed with sweetness and happiness. Though it was still early days, she was certain she was pregnant. The changes in her body were unmistakable, she was constantly fatigued, even a slight movement made her tired, and the sight of fish made her nauseous. Except for the eggs from Luyuan, she could only eat salted tea eggs…
She particularly craved the sour and spicy noodles she used to enjoy in her past life. She dreamt of eating two large bowls last night, waking up to find drool on her pillow. Those noodles were truly delicious, but unfortunately, that delicacy didn’t exist in this era.
Thinking about that flavor made her mouth water, and she quickly swallowed. She had never been so shamelessly gluttonous before, even when craving a particular food. Was this a sign of pregnancy brain?
She picked up the golden amber, Jinbei from the floor and noticed it had deepened in color and no longer felt as cool but slightly warm.