Chapter 399: Playing Around

During this period, Chen Feng had already been somewhat dissatisfied with the main branch and the elderly lady. Seeing Mrs. Hu kick Qiqi, her expression darkened. She said, “Auntie, how could you kick our Qiqi like that? Qiqi is part of our family, what if you hurt him? And besides, Qiqi’s manner of speaking wasn’t taught by me. It’s clearly something Uncle likes to say. Uncle is just worried that your greed will ruin our family ties, which is why he often scolds you.”

She spoke the truth, and her blunt words were meant to subtly remind the elderly lady not to jeopardize their family bonds.

Mrs. Wang also expressed her discontent, saying, “Yes, in the countryside, brother-in-law often scolded Sister-in-law in the same way.”

Chen Feng suppressed a smile, “I’ve heard Uncle scold like that too.”

Mrs. Hu was about to speak again, but a glare from the elderly lady made her reluctantly keep quiet.

Grandma Chen felt embarrassed and frustrated but couldn’t express her anger. She didn’t want to offend Chen Feng, Mrs. Wang, or Chen Aman, who was soon to marry into a wealthy family. As the elder, she didn’t mind offending them. She wasn’t afraid of Chen Feng, Mrs. Wang, or Chen Aman, but at her age, she didn’t know when she might pass away. Offending them all would truly be pitiful for the main branch.

Reflecting on her recent actions, she realized she had been too hasty. She then smiled at Chen Feng and said, “Your Uncle’s wife may be foolish, but your Uncle and I are not. A’Feng, as well as your younger uncles and aunt, have helped the main family branch a lot. Your Uncle and I both appreciate and remember that.”

After a brief conversation, the elderly lady and her group left.

Mrs. Wang informed Chen Feng that in a few days, she, Chen Ming, grandma Chen, and the main branch would return to the countryside, planning to come back to the city before Chen Aman’s wedding next month.

The main branch’s newly purchased property had been prepared, and since Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang were staying at Chen Ye’s house, they couldn’t stay any longer. They would have the servants arrange the new property and purchase additional furnishings. When they returned to the city later, they could move directly into their new home.

Chen Aman’s wedding was approaching next month, and preparations for her dowry were underway in the third household.

Chen Feng suggested, “I have an empty courtyard here; Father and Mother can stay here.”

Mrs. Wang shook her head, “Your father still wants to check on the farm work. We don’t have someone like A’Gui to oversee things like the main branch.”

Chen Feng added, “After Father and Mother return to the countryside, we can have A’Lu stay here with me. Third Uncle’s family is busy; it’s not right to keep bothering them.”

Mrs. Wang nodded in agreement, feeling that now that her daughter had given birth to two sons for the Chu family, her confidence had naturally increased. She said, “I have bought a young servant for A’Lu, and he will move in with him.”

Chen Feng nodded in approval.

At noon, Chen Lu arrived in the main courtyard with Dabao and Chu Lingzhi.

After they had finished their meal, Chen Feng specifically called Lu into the room to talk to him, asking him to move back to the General’s Mansion and not trouble the third branch.

Chen Lu nodded understandingly, aware of the upcoming busy preparations for Chen Aman’s wedding in the third branch.

During the time Chen Lu had spent in the third branch, Chen Feng had taught him how to conduct himself. Sometimes, when she was busy, she had steward Luo, share some insights about the ways of the mansion with him.

Chen Feng also had a conversation with Mr. Liao, requesting that while he focused on teaching Dabao diligently, he should also pay more attention to Lu. She wanted Lu to learn not only academics but also proper conduct and manners.

Meanwhile, Chen Lu had become friends with Chen Yulan, Qin Mu, and several other children from official families his age. They often played together during their leisure time, broadening his horizons.

Despite still retaining some self-doubt and naivety, Chen Lu had significantly improved since entering the grand mansion gates.

Pleased with Chen Lu’s enthusiastic agreement, Chen Feng happily patted his head.

This time, she assigned her personal maidservant Xiaohuang and the former Lanhua to attend to him, while he continued to reside in the Gui Courtyard as before.

Xiaohuang had been Chen Feng’s personal maid and was well-versed in how things were to be managed within the estate.

Later in the day, the congratulatory gifts from the Lou family arrived.

That evening, Chu Lingxuan had official duties to attend to and didn’t return home.

Filled with joy, Chen Feng finally had some freedom. She strongly objected to Mama Li’s request to stay overnight in the room and insisted she stay in the side room.

During the night, when Chen Feng believed everyone was asleep, she quietly got up and discreetly took the small bed into the space.

These past few days, the Golden Swallow had been both angry and impatient, constantly urging Chen Feng to take her brothers into the space to play. Now that they were there, the Golden Swallow set aside his anger and happily flew onto the small bed. He joyfully hopped from one brother to the other, thoroughly enjoying himself.

“Oh my, they are so small, so cute, so well-behaved… I want to call them good little ones…” Golden Swallow spoke softly.

Chen Feng couldn’t help but laugh. Who in the world could be smaller, cuter, and more well-behaved than them?

The Golden Swallow gently touched them with his wings and asked, “Mommy, why are they sleeping so soundly? I want to play with them.” With that, he used his little wing tip to tickle Yu’s neck.

Startled by the tickle, Chu Siyu woke up, about to cry but then stopped, his eyes following Golden Swallow as he fluttered around above him, making sounds of amazement.

Chen Feng thought he might be attracted to Golden Swallow by his scent, as he seemed unable to see him.

The Golden Swallow became even more delighted, chirping, “Oh my, little brother is looking at me!”

Feeling that the other brother should also see him, he flew over to Ming and lightly poked his armpit with his wing tip.

Chu Siming was woken up by this and, initially about to cry, became captivated by Golden Swallow, his eyes following his movements.

The Golden Swallow thoroughly enjoyed playing with Chu Siyu and Chu Siming, flying around and then starting to gently touch their little faces, tweak their ears, poke their nostrils, and tickle their feet.

This made the two children sneeze, kick their feet, and rub their ears and noses with their little fists. Unaware that they were being teased, they babbled in their own baby language. The Golden Swallow found this amusing and chirped with joy.

Seeing the two children being playfully tormented, Chen Feng grew displeased and scolded, “Stop it! You are their older brother, how can you tease your younger brothers like this?”

The Golden Swallow chirped back, “I may be their older brother, not their uncle, so of course I can play with them like this. Mommy, don’t worry, I know how to play with them gently. Look, I’m not using my beak, just my wings.”

Chen Feng acknowledged the Golden Swallow’s understanding of restraint. She then instructed, “Babies should not play with their mouths and should keep away from their eyes.”

“Alright, I understand. I used to play with the former master’s children, so I know how to play with kids.” The Golden Swallow responded confidently.

Suddenly, Chen Feng heard some rustling in the trees and said, “Baby, is Jinbei getting impatient?”

Caught up in the play, the Golden Swallow suggested, “Mommy, go get Jinbei.”