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After a short while, a carriage arrived at Tangyuan. The carriage drove directly into the front yard, and Marquis Chu alighted from it. Chu Lingxuan respectfully greeted him and escorted him to the master’s courtyard.
Marquis Chu glanced around, feeling unfamiliar with the surroundings. He had only visited once in his youth. This estate had now become the safest haven for his elderly father, his son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and even the eleventh prince, serving as his most trusted stronghold.
The courtyard was dimly lit, with even the lamps under the corridors unlit. From the entrance to the master’s small courtyard, a path paved with blue bricks was lined with over a dozen crabapple trees. The trees had already borne fruit, emitting a sweet and tangy fragrance despite not yet ripening to a red hue.
In the spring, the vibrant crabapple blossoms would bloom magnificently, creating a breathtaking sight.
The estate was filled with crabapple trees due to Lady Lou’s fondness for them, resembling her delicate beauty. The family had named the estate “Tangyuan” as part of her dowry…
Chen Feng was waiting at the entrance to the small courtyard. Seeing Marquis Chu enter, she approached him and respectfully greeted him, softly calling out, “Father-in-law”.
Marquis Chu nodded at her and replied, “You’ve worked hard, daughter-in-law.”
Upon entering the house, he bowed his father, the old Marquis sitting at the head of the table.
The old Marquis was visibly moved at the sight of his eldest son after a long time and stood up, saying, “Let’s eat first, Xuan’s wife has been busy since the afternoon.”
In the side room, the three men sat down. The old Marquis continued, “There is no outsiders here, Xuan’s wife should also sit.”
Chen Feng poured their drinks before taking her seat.
The men thoroughly enjoyed the meal, with Marquis Chu nodding approvingly and praising, “Hmm, very good. I often heard from my third brother about your culinary skills, and it’s true.”
After the meal, they moved to the study, sipped tea, dismissed the servants, and Marquis Chu got straight to the point, saying, “After hearing Xuan’s words yesterday, I consulted a master and learned that he had quietly departed yesterday morning.” He added, “Neither I nor the Second Prince, who came last night, could find him.”
The old Marquis inquired, “Why is the Second Prince in such a rush to find Master Wuzhi?”
Marquis Chu shook his head, saying, “I’m not sure. When I was in the capital, I heard that the Second Prince and Third Prince were searching for him everywhere.” He then turned to Chen Feng and said, “Repeat to me what Master Wuzhi told you. Think carefully, and try not to miss any details.”
Chen Feng meticulously recalled their conversation, omitting only the truly confidential matters like the green swallow nests, and relayed almost everything else, including the Master’s assertion of her “blessings”. Chen Feng had an excellent memory, relying on rote learning to excel in exams in her past life.
Her revelations astonished the men, including Chu Lingxuan. They discovered that this daughter-in-law was actually a person of great fortune! The fact that Master Wuzhi could reveal so many secrets to her was equally astonishing. Even Chu Lingxuan had kept the truth from her, such as the fact that the tricolor ball was sought for the Ninth Prince, but the Master had subtly indicated otherwise to her. He even hinted at his approximate return date to her!
Marquis Chu was even more alarmed than the old Marquis and Lingxuan. It was the first time he had heard that the tricolor ball, previously found by the golden swallow, possessed so many unique qualities. It seemed that Rong Zhao’s bird attack was no coincidence and definitely linked to the golden swallow…
Reflecting on the unique little bird he had seen in the pavilion and then looking at Chen Feng, not only beautiful but also bearing the aura of good fortune, Marquis Chu nodded in satisfaction. If the Chu family were to face great adversity in the future, it seemed that it would ultimately rely on this gentle daughter-in-law and her golden swallow to turn the tide, ensuring the Chu family’s survival.
Learning that the golden swallow had gone north to find the tricolor ball, both the old Marquis Chu and Marquis Chu were delighted.
Old Marquis Chu remarked, “I always felt that the little bird was extraordinary, it gets along well with Hanyan and Dabao. But now, it turns out to be our Chu family’s lucky star. In the future, we must treat it with even greater respect and regard it as an honored guest.”
Marquis Chu and Chu Lingxuan nodded in agreement, expressing the desire to treat the bird not just as an honored guest but as a family member.
Chen Feng then shared a story about how she had once saved the golden swallow and how it had returned to her home to repay the kindness, residing there ever since…
After praising the golden swallow, Chen Feng reiterated her conversation with the old monk, and the men present began to discern some hidden meanings in the monk’s words.
Marquis Chu repeatedly muttered the key phrases, “Imminent disaster, urgent journey to the north, time is running out, secret message, handwritten letter, miraculous medicine, bestow blessings upon family, save loved ones from peril…”
The men analyzed the situation, realizing that finding the tricolor ball would provide crucial hints from the Master, easing many difficulties.
However, they acknowledged the importance of not solely relying on the golden swallow and emphasized the need for thorough preparations within the family.
After assessing the timeline, they deduced that the disaster wouldn’t strike within the next month, given the golden swallow’s journey to find the tricolor ball in the north. Waiting until the tricolored ball bloomed in the nearby forest next year seemed too late, indicating a timeframe between August of this year and March of the following year.
The miraculous medicine for external injuries might indicate potential injuries or illnesses within the family.
The phrases about bestowing blessings and saving loved ones highlighted the involvement of “people”.
The most probable cause of the impending disaster for the Chu family seemed to be human-made—potentially orchestrated by the second prince, leading to dire consequences for the family, especially if he incurred the Emperor’s wrath. Another possibility could involve a significant figure within the Chu family meeting with misfortune, leading to their downfall at the hands of political adversaries.
The old Marquis, displaying self-awareness, remarked, “Currently, only two individuals can sustain the Chu family—my eldest and third sons. If either of you were to falter, the Chu family would be finished.”
Chu Lingxuan agreed, expressing concern, “Father and Third Uncle should be extra cautious from now on.”
Deep in thought, Marquis Chu acknowledged, “At present, the Third Brother is more crucial than I am. If something were to happen to him, and the Ninth Prince doesn’t hold power, we could easily fall prey to political enemies…”
They speculated that the eleventh prince was the most likely source of trouble. Before receiving the Master’s written message, they decided it was imperative to secure the eleventh prince in a place of absolute safety…
Unable to contain her curiosity, Chen Feng asked, “When will the Ninth Prince be allowed to live openly in the daylight?”
Marquis Chu explained, “The Emperor’s plan is to wait until the Ninth Prince is appointed Crown Prince, and only then, after the two women have fallen out of favor completely, will the eleventh prince be brought into the palace.” He sighed, expressing, “The Emperor, scarred by the tragedy of the former Crown Prince, fears for the eleventh prince’s safety, hoping to ensure his well-being…”