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Chu Lingxuan alighted from the carriage first and then helped Chen Feng down.
At that moment, a military officer in uniform emerged from the house and respectfully greeted Chu Lingxuan, saying, “General Chu.”
He seemed to be the leader here.
Chu Lingxuan returned the gesture with a smile and handed him a purse from his pocket, saying, “My father-in-law relies on General Lin and all the brothers here to take care of him. Chu Family will always remember your kindness.”
General Lin swiftly tucked the purse away with a smile, replying, “Mr. Chen is a good official. He won’t stay here for long. I will do my best to look after him.”
Chen Feng didn’t say anything but smiled and politely greeted General Lin, who reciprocated the gesture. She handed him a package, which he would inspect before passing it on to Chen Shiying.
Passing through the ornate gate, Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan walked along the covered corridor towards the upper chambers. The courtyard was eerily quiet, with only a few soldiers occasionally strolling around, hinting at the unseen guards within the house.
Entering the upper chambers, they found the main hall deserted. Moving towards the east, they spotted Chen Shiying seated by the heated brick bed in a side room, engrossed in a game of Go with himself, oblivious to their arrival.
“Dad.” Chen Feng called out.
Startled, Chen Shiying looked up. He was dressed in a black and gold embroidered silk robe, tailored by Madam Jiang before the New Year, which had just been delivered to him. Adorning his head was a jade hairpin, and his beard was neatly groomed, presenting a clean and tidy appearance.
However, his face had aged significantly, with gray hairs at his temples and wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes.
Chen Feng’s tears welled up, and she called out again, “Dad.”
“Feng, it’s really Feng.” Chen Shiying was momentarily taken aback, then quickly got off the heated brick bed, his eyes glistening as he said, “Feng, Dad can see you.”
In modern times, Chen Feng would have surely thrown herself into his arms and wept.
Chu Lingxuan assisted Chen Feng onto the heated brick bed after urging her to sit, given the coldness of the room. Although there were no charcoal braziers, the heated brick bed provided warmth, making the room cozy. Despite its simplicity, the place was immaculately clean, indicating that the soldiers here were taking good care of Chen Shiying, ensuring his well-being.
Once settled, Chen Shiying inquired about Chen Feng’s mother, her siblings, and especially about his biological mother.
Chen Feng ignored the mention of her biological mother and straightaway replied, “Mother is doing well, but she misses you and often sheds tears. My siblings are also fine, eagerly awaiting your return for a family reunion. And as for Yuchao, he’s chubby and looks just like you…”
Chen Shiying was comforted by the news and then asked about his sister, Mrs. Wang.
Chen Feng informed him, “She is fine. Mother hopes for your name to be cleared soon.”
Chu Lingxuan added that he had already sent people to the south to find witnesses. With the severe snow disaster in the north, the focus of the Emperor and court officials was on relief efforts, potentially delaying Chen Shiying’s case.
Chen Shiying remarked that his own situation paled in comparison to the relief efforts, praising the Emperor’s kindness. His voice trembled as he spoke of the compassionate Emperor, and he even gestured northward in respect.
After conversing for over an hour, General Lin’s voice echoed from the main hall, signaling that the visiting time was up.
As they prepared to leave, tears welled up in Chen Feng’s eyes, and even Chen Shiying appeared emotional.
Embracing his arm, Chen Feng reassured him, “Dad, you need to ease your mind. You haven’t committed any major wrongs. You have great achievements, and your son-in-law is assisting outside. So, Dad will be fine.”
Chen Shiying gently patted her hand and said, “People see what you do, and heaven observes. The burden of your grandmother’s deeds weighed heavily on me. For years, I lived in constant fear of exposure, fearing a tarnished reputation and unstable position. Now that everything is out in the open, I feel relieved. I may not hold office anymore, but that’s the consequence. Your Mother Wang and Feng have suffered unfairly. If it wasn’t for Mrs. Ding’s greed and sister’s intelligence and patience, she might have been sold away, and who knows if you two would have survived. If that happened, I would have been tormented for life.”
Chen Feng added, “Dad, take care of yourself. Position and reputation are external things. Your health is paramount. You are our pillar. If you fall, how will our family manage?”
“Alright, Dad knows.” Chen Shiying responded.
General Lin’s voice echoed again, signaling the end of their visit.
Chen Feng and Chu Lingxuan bid farewell to Chen Shiying at the door. Just as they were about to leave, Chen Shiying added, “Feng, don’t hold a grudge against your grandmother. Regardless, she is the one who gave birth to me, which was no easy feat.”
Pretending not to be affected by his words, Chen Feng turned back and reassured Chen Shiying, “My mother has endured a lot. She is a good wife and mother. Dad, rest assured, I will comfort her.”
In the carriage, Chen Feng vented to Chu Lingxuan, “My father is too emotional. That wicked woman has caused him such distress, yet he still defends her.”
Chu Lingxuan chuckled, “Your father indeed shows compassion towards women. However, he might have guessed that you would relay old lady Zhao’s misdeeds to the Chen family elders, indirectly pleading for leniency on her behalf.”
Disdainfully, Chen Feng retorted, “That wicked old woman has committed numerous crimes and harmed many people. She should have been severely punished long ago.”
Chu Lingxuan advised, “You can say such things in front of me, but never in front of others, especially not to elders. Many share your father’s sentiments. No matter how wicked parents may be, you cannot speak ill of them, it would be considered unfilial.”
Returning to the Marquisate as dusk settled in, Chu Lingxuan was summoned to the study directly.
Upon her return to the Bamboo Pavilion, Chen Feng heard the cries of her two sons as soon as she entered the courtyard. They must be starving.
Hurrying inside, Chen Feng dispersed the chill by the charcoal brazier in the main hall before proceeding to the east side room where her sons were being comforted by their mother.
Addressing her sons, she said, “Good babies, wait a moment. Mom will feed you as soon as she washes her hands.”
Upon hearing their mother’s voice but not seeing her yet, the babies’ cries intensified, as if they wanted to lift the roof off. Today marked their three-month milestone, and they had been weighed earlier in the morning. Siyu weighed fifteen pounds, while Siming weighed fourteen and a half pounds, growing exceptionally well. Moreover, the little ones were now able to giggle and lift their heads. The old Marquis mentioned that he had never seen such intelligent children, far surpassing Chu Lingxuan…
After freshening up her face and hands, Chen Feng wiped the milk bottles with a warm cloth before proceeding to feed her children.