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Mrs. Wang sighed again, saying, “This time, your grandmother, uncle, uncle’s wife, and A’Gui will also go to attend the wedding and plan to take Jue and Dahua along to broaden their horizons. A couple of days ago, your uncle and his wife visited, subtly mentioning that Jue, being of age, lacked decent jewelry and would embarrass Aman in the capital. They should’ve bought appropriate jewelry from a store, rather than discussing it at our home. I know their intentions, though I have some good jewelry pieces, they were gifts from my daughter, and I didn’t want to offer them to an unlikable niece. After they left, your father asked if we should give Jue twenty taels to buy jewelry. I didn’t agree, and though your father was displeased, he didn’t press the matter. Yesterday, I heard your third aunt mentioning that they went to the third branch to plead poverty. Hu’s idea was that the third branch should buy a piece of jewelry for Jue to save face, as Jue’s embarrassment would reflect poorly on Aman. Your third aunt even argued with Hu over it… After spending so much money before, I might end up being criticized.”
Recent troubles had already weighed heavily on Chen Feng’s mind, and hearing about the main household’s issues only added to her anxiety. She coldly remarked, “People’s hearts change, appetites grow, desires escalate. If my father and uncle keep indulging them, not only will they find themselves increasingly burdened, but the main branch’s demands will also keep escalating. Just like my other father, that wicked old lady has corrupted to the core, yet he continues to protect her. This isn’t filial piety, it’s enabling wrongdoing, foolish filial piety.”
Seeing her daughter upset, Mrs. Wang regretted her words and quickly added, “Alright, I spoke too soon again. Don’t be angry, dear, this time your father listened to reason and didn’t give in, and your uncle didn’t either…”
With a mind burdened by various issues, Chen Feng had no interest in dwelling on the trivial matters within the Chen family.
Watching the warm sunlight stream in through the western window, Mrs. Wang murmured, “It’s almost the end of the year, yet the weather remains so pleasant.”
Chen Feng advised, “This weather is unusual, mother should stock up on more provisions at the residence, just in case. Also, ask my uncles to prepare more food supplies.”
Having repeated this reminder several times, Chen Feng reiterated it once more, fearing Mrs. Wang might not take it seriously.
Mrs. Wang assured her daughter, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared and informed them. Your uncle is heeding advice this time, acknowledging the unfavorable weather that could lead to calamity.”
In the evening, Mrs. Wang personally cooked a rustic-style meal that brought back memories, leaving Chen Feng and Dabao thoroughly satisfied.
After dinner, Chen Feng led the children back to the residence.
In the Chen residence, after dinner, Madam Jiang, accompanied by Chen Yulan, Chen Yuqing, and Chen Yuxia, saw them off.
Chen Yulan, walking at the rear, tugged at Madam Jiang’s sleeve and said, “Mother, don’t worry too much. Eldest sister said if there’s no trouble, then there won’t be any. When father comes back, and if you’re unwell again, he will be upset.”
Madam Jiang nodded, replying, “Good child, mother knows.”
Together, they left the main house, watching the children exit through the courtyard gate. Her son had grown up, his figure, though slender, increasingly resembled his father from over a decade ago.
Passing through the moon gate, Madam Jiang entered the west courtyard and checked on Chen Yuchao. The little one had just finished nursing, and the nursemaid had placed him in the crib, listening to the wind chimes. These chimes were a gift from Chen Feng, several colored copper and iron tubes that chimed melodiously in the wind.
Madam Jiang lifted the baby, played with him, and planted a kiss on his cheek. The child seemed to enjoy her company, a smile forming on his lips as he cooed happily.
After spending time with her child, Madam Jiang returned to the main courtyard.
As she stepped out of the moon gate, a maid from Mrs. He’s courtyard informed her, “Madam, concubine He, has been crying for half the day, she misses the child and wishes to see him.”
The maid’s voice trailed off.
Madam Jiang advised, “The child is young and shouldn’t be exposed to drafts. Go back and tell her not to cry excessively during her confinement, it could harm her eyes. If she wishes to see the child, she can visit the main courtyard after she’s done with her confinement.”
The decision to keep the child in the main courtyard had been discussed between Madam Jiang and Chen Shiying before his departure to the capital. Concerned about the possibility of the children being spoiled, especially after seeing how Chen Yuhui turned out, Chen Shiying wanted to prevent a repetition.
Deep down, Madam Jiang was not keen on having the illegitimate children raised nearby, but she had agreed at her husband’s insistence. Seeing the resemblance between the child and her husband and son, she had grown fond of him as if he were her own.
Returning to the side room, Madam Jiang sat on the kang in a daze until a servant arrived to report that second miss was crying at the old lady’s quarters, and the old lady wanted to see her.
In the Chen residence, Madam Jiang sneered inwardly. Yuhui had skipped dinner in the main courtyard, citing poor health. She must have overheard some news about Chen Shiying’s troubles from somewhere and blabbed to the old lady.
Madam Jiang went to the Tranquil hall and found Chen Yuhui with red, swollen eyes from crying.
The old lady, also tearful, asked Madam Jiang, “My son is in trouble. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Madam Jiang coldly replied, “If I had told you, would you have gone to the capital honestly, admitting to those immoral deeds as your own, not your son’s?”
Enraged, the old lady wanted to unleash her fury but restrained herself, considering her son’s absence and uncertain future. She reluctantly held back her anger, gritting her teeth, “It’s all that shallow-eyed wench Ding, I had asked her to sell Wang Juan to the mountains, but for a few taels of silver, she sold her to that sickly fellow. If Wang Juan had been sold to the mountains, those past matters wouldn’t have resurfaced.”
Observing the selfish, ugly, and malicious nature of the old lady, Madam Jiang couldn’t fathom how her elegant and talented husband could have come from such a person.
Shaking her head, Madam Jiang remarked, “Old lady, you committed vile deeds without a hint of remorse, blaming the victim instead. How can someone like you, devoid of any mercy, exist in this world? Wang Juan served you and your late husband faithfully for years, mourning and honoring him. She raised your son so well. Do you feel nothing for her? Have you no compassion?”
The old lady, incensed by Madam Jiang’s words, spat, “Bah, you wretched woman, speaking so nicely. You’ve gained benefits, fail to appreciate me, and spew such outrageous words. If I hadn’t sent Wang Juan away, could my son have married an official’s daughter? Could he have utilized the Tang family’s wealth to advance his career? A common scholar like him, rising to a fourth-rank official in his thirties? As for you, had I not dismissed Wang Juan, could you have married my son? With your unattractive appearance and advanced age, you could have been a concubine for an old man. Marrying my son, a handsome young man, you should be grateful, yet you brazenly claim I shouldn’t have sent Wang Juan away. You’re truly ungrateful!”