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As Chen Feng stepped out of the main courtyard, she encountered the three Chen sisters, Chen Yuqing, Chen Yuxia, and Chen Yuhui.
Both Chen Yuqing and Chen Yuxia had red eyes. Chen Yuqing approached and hugged Chen Feng’s arm, asking, “Elder sister, Father will be alright, won’t he?”
Chen Feng replied vaguely, “Father is a good official, so there shouldn’t be any issues.” She reminded them, “Mother’s health isn’t great, so you should be especially considerate towards her.”
The two sisters nodded in agreement.
Chen Yuhui then inquired, “Elder sister, will Father still get promoted? I heard rumors about him appointing him of Assistant Minister of Personnel, but now he won’t, will he? At the very least, will he retain his current position?”
Chen Feng’s expression turned stern as she responded coldly, “Where did you hear that Father would become Assistant Minister of Personnel? It’s just a rumor. Don’t spread false information and harm Father.” She added, “Regardless of whether Father retains his position, he is still our respected father.”
Angered, Chen Yuhui retorted, “It’s easy for you to say! You’re already married into a good family. Why don’t you think about us, your sisters? If Father loses his position, what will happen to us…”
“Yuhui.” Madam Jiang interjected sternly as she came out, “Is that something a young lady should say? Go copy the ‘Lessons for Women’ fifty times.”
Frustrated, Chen Yuhui stomped her foot, but under Madam Jiang’s cold gaze, she wiped away her tears and returned to her own courtyard.
This troublesome girl was just as malicious and selfish as that wicked old lady. While their biological father was facing difficulties, she didn’t think about how to lessen his suffering but was more concerned about how his loss of position might impact her own marriage prospects.
In a hurry, Chen Feng returned home. Before she even entered, she heard Siyu and Siming crying loudly.
Chu Hanyan was standing at the door wiping her tears. Seeing Chen Feng return, she approached, crying, “Mother, the two little brothers are hungry and crying uncontrollably.”
The young girl deeply cared for her brothers. Every time she heard them cry, she couldn’t help but shed tears.
Chen Feng led her inside and fed the two boys. After being fed, the two little ones lay contentedly on the bed, cooing happily.
Chen Feng then embraced Chu Hanyan, wiped her tear-streaked face, and said with a smile, “Hanyan, you truly are a wonderful big sister.”
Chu Hanyan pouted, saying, “Whenever I hear my little brother cry, my heart aches, and I feel like crying too.”
Chen Feng smiled and affectionately kissed her on the cheek.
At noon, Chen Lu informed Chen Feng that he had taken a fifteen-day leave and would accompany his parents to the capital the next day to attend Aman’s wedding.
Chen Dabao, looking displeased, asked Chen Feng, “Mother, I am Aunt Aman’s nephew and also part of her maternal family. Why can’t I go to the capital to attend her wedding?”
Before Chen Feng could respond, Chu Lingzhi suggested, “We will be returning to the capital next month for the New Year. Let Lu stay in the capital a little longer and when we return to the Marquis’s residence, we will have him visit there.”
Excitedly, Chen Dabao nodded and said, “Yes, yes! Uncle, did you hear that? You should wait for us in the capital. Fifth Uncle said the Marquis’s residence is much grander than here. So when we come, you can come and play with Grandpa and Grandma.”
Observing the joyful Dabao, Chen Feng felt helpless. She wouldn’t dare let him go even outside the northern gate of Dingzhou, let alone to the capital. The heightened security at the Chu family was all due to him.
As December arrived, the temperature dropped significantly, the bone-chilling wind brought snow, although not heavy. It seemed as though the climate had swiftly transitioned from autumn to harsh winter. Many elderly and sickly individuals fell ill, and unfortunately, some even passed away.
Chen Feng couldn’t help but entertain the idea that it would be better if the old lady from the Chen family passed away now. With Chen Shiying in mourning, it would be hard to discern whether he had been demoted, and it would present a better appearance. In three years, with less severe public opinion, it would be an opportune time for a comeback.
The saying goes that evil prevails for thousands of years. Despite the harsh weather, the rumors were that the old lady was still in good health – eating, sleeping, and cursing as usual.
On the tenth day of December, the members of the Chen family’s three branches returned. On the eleventh, Chen Ming hosted a gathering, inviting all the family members and sending a letter to Chen Feng.
Due to the discussions planned for the day, Chen Feng left her school-going children, Chen Dabao and Chu Lingzhi, at home and took the younger children to Chen Ming’s residence.
Upon entering, Mrs. Wang welcomed them warmly, embracing the twins and exclaiming, “My precious grandchildren, Grandma missed you so much.”
In the main hall, the men were seated while the women and children occupied the room to the east.
Grandma Chen beckoned smilingly, “A’Feng, quickly take the children to the kang, it’s warm up there.”
Chen Feng listened to their lively descriptions of the wedding, the prosperity of the Yang family, and the good fortune of Chen Aman…
Mrs. Hu then said to Chen Feng, “Feng, you and Jue have been childhood friends, your bond is stronger than with Aman. Help this sister find a good husband too. You don’t have to open as many grand restaurant as Master Yang, just one or two will do.”
Chen Feng chuckled, “Aunt, you overestimate me. I don’t have that kind of ability.” She then asked, “And what about my third aunt?”
Mrs. Wang smiled, “Your uncle mentioned that your third aunt is unwell.”
Mrs. Wang led Chen Feng and the children into the east room, their sleeping quarters. She closed the door, shutting out the noise from outside.
In a hushed tone, Mrs. Wang informed Chen Feng, “Your grandmother mentioned that your eldest aunt is unable to handle things and wants Jue to stay in the third branch under your third aunt’s care. But your third aunt is reluctant, citing fatigue from Aman’s affairs and her illness.” She continued, “In the past, although Mrs. Hu was troublesome, your grandmother was fair, and your uncle wasn’t as competitive. Your third aunt might have been willing to assist in Jue’s upbringing. But now, your third aunt won’t meddle. Your grandmother hinted at me today, but I pretended not to hear. When I think about how Jue and Hu Cuicui used to bully you as a child, it doesn’t sit right with me…”
After a brief discussion between the mother and daughter, Chen Feng informed Mrs. Wang that they would be leaving in fifteen days and had arranged a courtyard for Chen Ming’s family to move into on the fourteenth…
Initially planning to delay their departure, the increasingly cold weather and heavy snowfall prompted them to leave sooner, considering the age range of their family members.
Upon returning home, Chen Feng carefully arranged matters with old Yang and Zeng Shuang. They had stocked enough charcoal and sufficient food supplies in the warehouses for the household. The Fengyunlai had stored plenty of grains, with instructions not to sell at high prices but to ration daily amounts. At specific times, they were to…
Recently, Wang Laowu had officially become Dabao’s personal attendant. Since there was no farming in winter and Wang Laowu had spare time, he was assigned as Dabao’s attendant. If things went smoothly, he would continue in that role. Wang Laowu, now in the Marquis’s residence, appeared much cleaner, despite his thinning hair, he presented himself as a promising young man.
Chen Feng busied herself with packing and also sent New Year’s gifts to the Chen, Fu, Qin, and Liu families, among others.
On the thirteenth, Madam Jiang arrived at the General’s Residence, bringing New Year’s gifts and a variety of items for Chen Shiying. Due to their current situation, with Chen Shiying facing trouble, they couldn’t leave the house, not even for the capital.