Chapter 41: Seeking Benefits

Tonight, Chen Feng heard from Gao Lizheng, who came for dinner, that the notorious thief had once again appeared in the capital, committing multiple thefts, including those from a jewelry shop and even the Prince An’s mansion.

Not only were the soldiers from Wucheng Barracks involved, but even the Imperial Guards were mobilized, causing a great uproar and a widespread pursuit of the thief. Additionally, a reward of one thousand taels of silver was announced.

Chen Feng was furious. That little rascal always seemed to attract trouble. Why couldn’t it steal from wealthy merchants? Why go after a prince’s mansion? Merchants might have money, but they wouldn’t have the power to involve the Imperial Guards.

Despite her frustration, Chen Feng was still concerned about the little troublemaker’s safety.

She hadn’t realized the extent of the trouble caused by the little one during her previous naps. That night, with Dabao fast asleep, she pinched her left palm, hoping to summon it back quickly.

After about twenty minutes, the golden swallow did return, slipping into the space and dropping four gold bars.

Chen Feng exclaimed, “Are you still committing crimes openly?”

The Golden Swallow chuckled and said, “Mommy, don’t worry, this wasn’t stolen in the capital, it was stolen in the Shi’an Prefecture.”

Shi’an Prefecture, the provincial capital of Jibei Province, is about three hundred miles from here. It can return in half an hour, quite fast indeed.

Chen Feng complained, “Why must you steal from a prince’s mansion? Why not go after corrupt officials or unscrupulous merchants? It wouldn’t cause such a commotion.”

The Golden Swallow hopped around, circled in the agarwood tree, then jumped onto Chen Feng’s palm, murmuring, “Mommy, you don’t understand. This is to leave a mark. I, Golden Treasure, have come to the Dachun Dynasty for a brief period, and I must leave people in awe. Now that I’ve achieved that, I’ll try not to steal from royal mansions or jewelry shops in the future. These gold bars were stolen from the Shen family.” Then he added, “Do you know who the people are that bought your needlework bags?”

Chen Feng asked, “Who?”

The Golden Swallow said, “They are from the Luo family in Jixun Prefecture. I initially wanted to steal the lady’s elegant hairpin but overheard that they were relatives of that beautiful young girl, so I refrained from stealing.” He wore an expression that showed he was giving face to the beautiful young girl.

Those people were not her concern, and Chen Feng had no interest in them. She asked, “How do you like the house I drew?”

The Golden Swallow chirped, “Hmm, it’s very distinctive and beautiful.”

Chen Feng continued, “Golden Treasure, you promised to repay me if I drew the house.”

The Golden Swallow rolled his eyes, displaying some disdain for his owner’s petty nature, and said, “I did promise, and I’ll find a way to make you a little profit.”

Chen Feng also had some disdain for its pettiness. Making a profit was one thing, but making a small profit was another.

After a moment of disdain, she negotiated, “This time, I don’t want a small profit. I want you to bring out some green swallow’s nest for A’Lu, to help ease his suffering and help him recover quickly. Golden Treasure, A’Lu is a good kid, and I can’t bear to see him suffer greatly.”

Upon hearing that, the Golden Swallow realized that she had been overly suspicious. She said, “A’Lu is indeed a good uncle. I want to help him, but his condition doesn’t warrant the use of green swallow’s nest just yet. After his bone is set, I can put some of agarwood tree’s bark into his medicine to calm him, relieve his pain, and promote faster healing of his bones.”

Chen Feng was pleasantly surprised. Even the bark was so beneficial. Agarwood tree was truly a treasure. She pleaded, “But I can’t go to Dingzhou Prefecture. When they’re making the medicine, can you go and help put the bark in? Dingzhou Prefecture is only fifty miles away from here, and you can fly there in less than half an hour.”

The Golden Swallow agreed readily, “Sure thing.”

Chen Feng was overjoyed, lifting the Golden Swallow in her hand and kissing its beak.

Jin Yanzhi was initially surprised, then burst into laughter, nearly closing its green bean-like eyes, and exclaimed, “Mommy, you’ve stolen my first kiss. But, I’m delighted. I’ve never let anyone kiss my beak before, and yet you, bold and appreciative, dared to do so.”

After speaking, it lay on the ground, spreading its wings wide and continued to revel, its beak wide open.

Chen Feng, belatedly realizing her boldness, also found herself quite daring. After all, its little beak was like an electric needle.

Having kissed and seen the Golden Swallow’s happiness, Chen Feng decided to ask for more benefits. She leaned in and said, “Golden Treasure has many benefits. Golden Treasure, can you give me some residue to boil in water? Our family’s health isn’t great.”

Still in high spirits, the Golden Swallow, upon hearing this, threw her a flirtatious glance, then flitted to a tree, pecking out a tiny stick the size of a toothpick. Placing it in Chen Feng’s hand, it said, “No need to boil it. Just put it straight into the water barrel. Drinking water infused with agarwood tree bark will ensure that your family’s health improves.”

Delighted with the “little toothpick,” Chen Feng found the beauty’s ploy quite effective. With so many benefits, it was much better than making a small profit.

She shamelessly added, “Golden Treasure, I’m moving soon, and one stick won’t be enough. Please give me another one.”

Still excited, the Golden Swallow cheerfully pecked out another small stick.

Afterward, Chen Feng instructed the Golden Swallow not to cause trouble during this critical period.

Golden Swallow: “I have enough of these things to build a house. Now, I don’t need to steal gold. I want to go play with my little friends and share the joy of stealing fragrance.” Then, a flash of black light and it was gone.

At dawn, Chen Feng secretly placed a tiny stick in the water barrel. Even though it was so small, upon careful sniffing, a faint fragrance filled the room. Moreover, the food tasted better, and the water boiled from it was more pleasant to drink.

In the morning, Mrs Wang went to the county town to buy some gifts for Chen Shi’s family. In the evening, Chen Ye brought two catties of pastries from the town to take to Chen Shi, and Grandma Chen also gave her third son a garment she had made herself, suggesting that Chen Shi should come back to see his mother and older brother when he had time.

The next day, as they were leaving, Mrs Wang tucked a twenty-two-tael silver ingot into her bosom and brought two silver coins and a few hundred copper coins.

Chen Feng told Mrs Wang, “Give those two silver coins to my third aunt since we’ll be troubling her for half a month.” Then, she hugged Chen Lu and said, “You’re a little man, and you need to be strong.”

Having heard her mother talk about the process of treating her little uncle, Chen Dabao, with teary eyes, said, “Little uncle needs to be strong, and Dabao wants to learn from you.”

Chen Lu nodded and said, “As long as my leg can be healed, I can endure anything. Once my leg is better, I can study and earn money.”

After seeing off Mrs Wang and Chen Lu, as well as the secretly following Golden Swallow, Chen Feng became even busier, fetching water, washing vegetables, doing laundry, cooking, brewing medicine, and preparing the new house.

Three days after Chen Lu left, the Golden Swallow, who had returned from Dingzhou Prefecture, reported that Chen Lu was already been treated at Qianjin clinic. The doctor had set his bones and then adjusted them, causing Chen Lu to faint from the pain. They returned to Chen Shi’s house for recuperation, and he had already secretly thrown the agarwood bark into his medicine. For the first three days, it would go there daily to add more.

Although Chen Feng hadn’t seen it, she still shed tears of concern.

Three days later, the Golden Swallow reported that Chen Lu was recovering quite well, and he was no longer in such great pain. This news brought some relief to Chen Feng.