Font Size:
Madam Jiang remarked, “The He family is truly powerful. Since your father encountered trouble, they haven’t visited our home. Even though we matched our New Year’s gifts with theirs, theirs still outshines even those of close friends. I reckon, even if your father doesn’t face major issues but is demoted, this marriage alliance won’t come to fruition.”
Chen Feng replied, “If it doesn’t happen, it might be a good thing for Chen Yuhui.”
With a cold snort, Madam Jiang added, “Yuhui doesn’t see it that way. She cries every day, fearing the loss of this marriage alliance…”
Seeing through her manipulative tactics, Chen Feng politely saw Madam Jiang off.
After dinner, Chen Feng mustered the courage to take Dabao to the west room alone.
She held Dabao close, explaining that they would be spending the New Year in the capital. However, due to the strained relationship between her and the Marquis’s household, she was concerned he might be mistreated, so she could not take him this year. She promised to set things right and bring him back once it was safe…
Dabao burst into tears upon hearing this, clinging to Chen Feng, saying, “Mother, I don’t mind being mistreated. As long as I’m with you and my siblings, I’m willing to endure anything. You promised to always hold my hand, but now you only hold Father, my siblings, and not me…”
His words brought tears to Chen Feng’s eyes as she responded, “Son, Mother also can’t bear to part with you. There’s a hand in Mother’s heart that always holds yours, and it will never let go. But, about going to the capital…the Marquis’s residence isn’t safe, and Mother is afraid someone might harm you because of me. My dear child, Mother has no choice. I can’t bear to leave you either…”
Seeing Chen Feng and Dabao unable to find a resolution, Chu Lingxuan entered, sat beside them, and gently comforted Dabao, explaining that their actions were to protect him and ensure his safety. He reassured Dabao that many family members would be there for him and that time would pass quickly until they returned…
Although Dabao felt conflicted inwardly towards Chu Lingxuan, he didn’t voice it. Instead, he sobbed in Chen Feng’s arms, crying until he was exhausted, prompting tears from Chen Feng.
At that moment, Chu Hanyan entered, tears streaming down her face. She had overheard the conversation and, holding Dabao’s hand, tearfully said to Chu Lingxuan, “Father, let me stay home and keep brother Dabao company. I can’t bear to leave him alone. Mother has the two younger brothers with her, but brother Dabao only has me…”
Moved by Hanyan’s words, Dabao slid down from Chen Feng’s lap and embraced Chu Hanyan, both of them in tears.
Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng exchanged a glance, realizing there was no other solution. They had previously discussed having Chu Hanyan accompany Dabao at the residence, but old Marquis Chu was hesitant, mentioning that Chu Hanyan’s name had not been inscribed in the ancestral hall. They decided to include her when adding the names of their two sons, even though she couldn’t enter the hall, she would still pay respects outside. Having endured the most hardships since childhood, they hoped for ancestral blessings for her future.
With Dabao’s emotional response, Chu Hanyan was left to stay and accompany him.
Chu Lingxuan gently reassured Chu Hanyan, “Good child, Mother and Father will try to return early.”
Seeing that even his tears wouldn’t change his parents’ decision, Dabao requested, “I can’t bear to be apart from Mother and my siblings. Can my sister and I stay with you for the next two days? We want to be closer to you.”
Chu Hanyan, also reluctant, nodded in agreement with her brother’s request.
Chu Lingxuan frowned slightly. Chen Feng discreetly tugged at him and with a smile, said to the children, “Alright, Mother also wants to spend more time with Dabao and Hanyan.” She then told Chu Lingxuan, “For these two days, my daughter and I will sleep in the Kang bed, and you and our son can sleep in the big bed.”
Both children, with tear-filled eyes, looked at Chu Lingxuan. Despite feeling uncomfortable about parting from his wife, Chu Lingxuan reluctantly agreed, seeing the children’s emotional state.
Before bedtime, the freshly washed family gathered on the large bed, with even the two little ones nestled among them. Chen Feng told them two stories, shared some playful moments, and cuddled them until they giggled. When Chu Hanyan grew drowsy, Chen Feng carried her to the kang to rest.
During the night, Chen Feng woke up twice to feed the little ones and change diapers without waking Dabao and Hanyan.
On the morning of the fourteenth, Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang arrived at the General’s mansion with some fresh clothes.
They resided in Fenglin Courtyard, conveniently close to Energetic Courtyard and Serene Pavilion.
In the evening, several tables were set up at Fenglin Courtyard. Not only did the masters attend the dinner, but two tables were also prepared for the respectable servants. After the meal, Chen Feng called for Mama Luo and solemnly handed over the miraculous medicine to her for safekeeping, just in case.
At the end of the day on the fifteenth, Chu Lingxuan, Chen Feng, along with Li Xuan, Siyu, Siming, and Chu Lingzhi, went to the outer courtyard. Mrs. Wang led Chu Hanyan, Chen Ming led Dabao and Chen Lu, escorting them to the gate.
Dabao and Chu Hanyan cried bitterly, causing Mrs. Wang and Lu’s eyes to well up with tears.
As the cries faded into the distance, Chen Feng shed tears, and Li Xuan’s sobs could be heard from another carriage.
The weather was relatively good that day, with light snowfall. The main road was clear, covered with a thin layer of snow, allowing the carriages to move swiftly.
Chen Feng, along with the two children, two wet nurses, and a carriage, had thick cushions on their laps, a hot water bottle in hand, so it wasn’t too cold.
Initially, Li Xuan insisted on sharing their carriage but later agreed to let Sasa, Chang, and Duan accompany him when there wasn’t enough space.
This time, Sasa and her two sons were also brought along, with Qiqi and Gray accompanying Chu Hanyan, and Zhui Feng accompanying Dabao. The pets were temporarily separated.
They stopped in a small town for lamb soup and steamed buns, allowing the horses to rest before continuing their journey. By nightfall, they reached a county town where lodgings had been arranged at the inn. After a night’s rest, they set off early the next morning and finally arrived in the capital at the end of the afternoon.
If the road conditions were better, they could have arrived by midday.
Chu Lingqi was already waiting at the city gate.
He approached their carriage and greeted both Chu Lingxuan and Chen Feng.
Upon reaching the Yongning Marquis’s residence, it was already dark. Chen Feng led the children directly back to the Bamboo Courtyard, where the maids, including Xiaohong and the servants, were waiting outside.
Xiaohong now address as Mrs. Yu.
Mrs. Yu smiled and said, “Madam, the water is hot, the lamb pot is ready, and the kang is warm. We’ve been waiting for you.” In a low voice, she added, “Princess Rui has been waiting here for half a day.”