Chapter 401: Trouble Brewing

A hint of blush appeared on Chu Lingxuan’s face as he firmly squeezed her shoulder, scolding, “Nonsense. The best decision I’ve ever made in my life was to go to the frontier, and the luckiest was marrying you.”

“Dad, Mom, have you been staring at the mirror for so long?”

It was Dabao’s voice.

They turned around, Dabao, Chu Hanyan, and Li Xuan had arrived.

“Oh, Mom looks even more beautiful now.” Chu Hanyan excitedly exclaimed, her big eyes fixed on Chen Feng without blinking.

Dabao corrected her, “Sister didn’t say it right, Mom has always been this beautiful.” His eyes sparkled as he looked at Chen Feng, in his heart, his Mom had always been the most beautiful.

Chu Hanyan was a sincere child, and she knew how to appreciate. She felt she should speak the truth to Mom, but saying the truth seemed a bit harsh, so she was a bit conflicted.

Li Xuan, not understanding much, just followed along, saying, “Auntie, beautiful, beautiful.”

Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan both smiled.

Chen Feng chuckled, “You’re all right in what you said.”

Although Chu Lingzhi was just seven years old, being the youngest uncle, he didn’t feel comfortable entering Chen Feng’s bedroom.

He was greatly disappointed that his parents didn’t come to celebrate the twins one-month birthday. He missed them. Standing at the door, he pouted, “If Sister-in-law had given birth to two lovely daughters, my Mom, no matter how busy, would make time to come here, and might even take one daughter back home.”

In this household, almost everyone was thrilled that Chen Feng had twin sons, except for him. He knew that if his sister-in-law had daughters, his Mom would definitely come to see them, and might even take one away. If she had sons, Mom might not come. And indeed, it was so!

Chen Feng also knew that Third Madam Chu favored girls over boys, so she awkwardly went over to pinch Chu Lingzhi’s chubby cheek. She smiled, “Sister-in-law also likes daughters, but unfortunately gave birth to a son. Next time, let’s aim for a daughter.”

Chu Lingzhi grinned, showing his two small tiger teeth, “Okay, it’s a deal. You’ll have two so Mom won’t feel bad taking one if there are two.”

This remark made Chen Feng burst into laughter.

With the arrival of the children, the small room became lively again. Chu Lingxuan went to the outer courtyard to receive male guests.

The two little boys were sleeping soundly. Mama Li and a few maids weighed them – Chu Siyu weighed nine pounds and six ounces, while Chu Siming weighed nine pounds. After a month, they had grown so much, making Mama Li burst into laughter with her eyes squinting.

As guests arrived one after another, Chen Feng fed the two children, then the nursemaids dress them in red silk clothes and wrapped them in red brocade like chili peppers before carrying them out to meet the guests.

The two boys received praises from everyone. Mrs. Fu and Madam Jiang each held one and didn’t want to let go. They weren’t shy, didn’t cry, and even made sounds while trying to talk, occasionally blowing out milk bubbles, resembling bubble gum from the past.

Mrs. Fu then had her newly pregnant daughter-in-law hold the children, encouraging her to aim for such beautiful chubby boys, saying, “I’m not expecting you to have twins in one go, as long as you have one as handsome as them.”

This made the third daughter-in-law blush. She wanted that too!

Everyone praised Madam Jiang, saying that Mr. Chen’s promotion of high-yield crops had greatly pleased Longxin and ensured a bright future.

Watching Madam Jiang being praised, Chen Feng’s eyes narrowed, and her eyelids twitched. Who spread these words so widely, even reaching this place a hundred miles away? This didn’t feel quite right…

Later, the nursemaid took the two sleeping children to the front yard for the male guests to see.

Upon seeing the children, old Marquis Chu couldn’t help but smile, praising his great-grandsons to the guests and expressing satisfaction with his daughter-in-law. The guests naturally echoed his sentiments.

However, deep down, the old man was still angry, both at his second son’s family for being clueless and at the in-laws for not giving face.

Since the children turned one month old, Chen Feng would take them out in the afternoon to bask in the sun and get some vitamin D.

Chen Feng had already arranged for two baby carriages, where the two little ones lay covered with thick fabric. Every afternoon was the liveliest time in the main courtyard. Chu Hanyan, Li Xuan, as well as Qiqi, Gray, and Zhui Feng’s family, would gather around the baby carriages to take a look. Even the old man would come to see his great grandsons.

As long as they weren’t disturbed, the two boys wouldn’t be startled from their sleep or cry when awake. Chen Feng had to admit that these two little rascals were the most resilient and easy to care for, not troublesome at all.

Usually, it would be quite cold at this time of year, but this year the weather was unusually warm. Especially in the afternoon, the sun shone brightly, the sky was cloudless, and even the wind carried a hint of warmth. What was more surprising was that the osmanthus in the courtyard had bloomed again.

This didn’t feel like early winter weather at all, it was clearly the golden autumn season.

Thinking about that embroidered pouch, Chen Feng’s heart tightened even more. Despite making all the preparations, she was still unwilling to witness that scene – how many people would die?

On the afternoon of the sixth day, while Chen Feng was playing with the children, Hong Feng from the Chen residence arrived.

She had a joyful expression and hurried footsteps. She bowed to Chen Feng, “Congratulations, Young Madam, you have gained another younger half-brother.”

It turned out that Chen Shiying’s concubine, Mrs. He, had given birth to another son. This meant Chen Siyu and Chen Siming had a younger uncle even smaller than them.

Seeing Hong Feng so happy, Madam Jiang must also be genuinely pleased. She had always felt that her only son made the Chen family too thin, hoping that the new concubine would have another son, and now her wish had finally come true. Before Chen Shiying went to the capital, he had specifically chosen a name for the child – if it was a boy, he would be named Chen Yuchao.

Hong Feng continued, “Madam said since the Master is still in the capital and there are no other relatives in Dingzhou Prefecture, we won’t have a grand celebration for young master Chao’s full month, just invite Young Madam Feng’s family and the future in-laws of the Second Miss Yuhui.”

Chen Feng smiled and agreed to attend.

That evening, Chu Lingxuan did not return. He came back late the next evening.

At that moment, Chen Feng was preparing to take the children into the space when he heard the maids greeting outside and Chu Lingxuan’s hurried footsteps.

Chu Lingxuan entered with a serious expression, gesturing for the maids to leave. She told Chen Feng, “Father-in-law has encountered an issue.”

Startled, Chen Feng approached her, asking, “What happened to my father? Is my mother okay?”

Chu Lingxuan clarified, “It’s not your father from the countryside, it’s Mr. Chen… my father-in-law from Dingzhou Prefecture.”

“What happened to him?” Chen Feng asked anxiously.

Chu Lingxuan explained, “Today, Third Uncle’s men delivered an urgent message – the Emperor intends to appoint your father-in-law as the Assistant Minister of Personnel…”

Chen Feng exclaimed, “Being the Assistant Minister of Personnel is crucial, this is good news. It seems the Emperor is starting to pave the way for the Ninth Prince.”

(End of this chapter)