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Chen Feng spent the whole day at Anrong Hall, taking her breaks there as well. He enjoyed the feeling of being with Third Madam, feeling like they were sisters. They laughed freely without the constraints of noble decorum.
In the evening, Chu Lingwei and Chu Lingzhi returned from school, playing with Sasa and the puppies for a while before Third Master Chu arrived. He informed Chen Feng that Marquis Chu had been busy and hadn’t found time to visit the twins.
He then recounted the lively court session from today, where many ministers praised the Emperor’s wise teachings and the princes’ filial piety, bringing joy to the Emperor. Some mentioned the Second Prince’s proposal of a “blood sacrifice”, lauding his filial devotion. Others highlighted Prince Rui’s call for “brotherly unity”, emphasizing the princes’ generosity and righteousness.
Third Madam and Chen Feng were delighted. Regardless of the ongoing crisis, the Second Prince couldn’t take all the credit.
Upon learning that they would be having hotpot for dinner, especially prepared by Chen Feng, Third Master Chu was thrilled. He remarked, “I love the taste of Xuan’s wife cooking.”
Third Madam chuckled, “I know you enjoy Xuan’s wife cooking. Today, I made sure to keep her here to cook your favorite hotpot.”
Third Master Chu San laughed heartily and said, “You understand me well, my dear.”
Chen Feng chuckled to herself, imagining that if Third Madam were a professional in her past life, she wouldn’t have been well-liked by her colleagues, likely to steal credit shamelessly in front of others.
After the couple displayed their affection, Third Master Chu had the old Marquis and the Second Master invited over, and thought of inviting Chu Lingqi as well. Chu Ling’an was on duty and not at home.
As they didn’t want to call for Madam Li, none of the other women from the second household were summoned.
Men had one pot, and women and children had another.
When Chu Lingqi arrived, he specifically thanked Third Madam and Chen Feng. After Young Madam Song fell ill, both Third Madam and Chen Feng had sent valuable tonics to her.
Outside, the wind howled, snowflakes danced, while indoors the air was filled with the aroma of the hotpot simmering. Everyone was joyfully eating when suddenly, Chu Lingqi got up, knelt before the old Marquis, and burst into tears.
The old Marquis sighed, “I know your wife has been wronged this time. She did the right thing by initiating the ‘donation of silver’. It’s a good deed benefiting the country and the people. Family members naturally should support each other. Li’s shortsightedness caused your wife to suffer and fall ill. I have already reprimanded her.”
Third Master Chu hesitated to criticize his sister-in-law in front of his older brother, choosing only to nod repeatedly.
Elsewhere, Third Madam at the other table said, “Lingqi’s wife is filial and courteous, qualities we all admire. She has been through so much distress due to the ‘donation of silver’ this time. Thankfully, it was resolved. If anything had gone wrong, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself.”
Second Master blushed, knelt before the old Marquis, and apologized, “Father, I will deal with her when I get back. Please don’t be angry.”
The old Marquis coldly remarked, “She’s shortsighted and can’t discern right from wrong. What’s the use of reprimanding her again? In the future…” He stopped himself from saying more and asked Chu Lingqi, “Are you willing to take your wife and son to serve at Dingzhou Prefecture? This way, you’ll be away from home and able to assist your elder brother.”
Chu Lingqi glanced at the Second Master and reluctantly said, “We’ll go, but I’m worried about my mother…”
As soon as Chu Lingqi mentioned his mother, the Second Master’s face darkened. At thirty-nine, she was his first woman and the oldest among his spouses. Gentle, tactful, and skilled in massage, she pleased him greatly.
Seeing his second son’s expression, the old Marquis felt an itch in his hands. If his son wasn’t disabled, he would have wanted to act. He scolded, “With so many women, are you afraid of losing one more? If you treat her well, let her follow Lingqi and his family to enjoy a better life.”
Given the patriarch’s words, the Second Master dared not refuse and simply nodded.
The old Marquis instructed Third Master Chu to handle the arrangements, ensuring that Chu Lingqi’s family would return to Dingzhou Prefecture with Chen Feng .
After dinner, Chu Lingqi escorted the old Marquis back to the outer courtyard.
The old Marquis handed him a thousand taels of silver notes, saying, “Although the marquisate hasn’t split, when you go to Dingzhou Prefecture, don’t stay at your elder brother’s house. Each of you live separately for a better life and smoother relationships. Buy a house, it’s your private property and a chance for independence. I know you’re the poorest among your brothers. Don’t be as useless as your father, dependent on women all the time. Work hard outside and things will improve.”
Chu Lingqi, tears in his eyes, knelt down and kowtowed to the old Marquis. His salary was meager, and he had to contribute to the household. Even if he never spent a cent of his monthly twenty taels, social obligations required some expenses. So far, he hadn’t saved even three hundred taels. The sum given by the old Marquis was a significant help.
The next day, news spread within the mansion about the fight between the Second Master and the Second Madam the previous night.
It was said that the Second Master had caused the Second Madam’s head to bleed, while she had scratched his face leaving several red marks. Enraged, the Second Master restricted the Second Madam for three months and forbade younger relatives from visiting her.
Chen Feng chuckled to herself, knowing that dealing with someone like Madam Li would require a more forceful approach.
Later that afternoon, Young Madam Song arrived at Bamboo Pavilion with Siwen.
Young Madam Song had recovered from her illness but looked thinner, her small face pale. However, the joy in her eyes was unprecedented. Siwen gave off a quiet and timid aura, and Chen Feng had barely spoken to him before.
Chen Feng invited Young Madam Song to sit on the kang and playfully lifted Siwen onto it, asking for some snacks to be brought for him. She remarked, “Oh, your hands are so cold. Let’s warm them up.”
Young Madam Song got up and respectfully thanked Chen Feng, saying, “Thank you, sister-in-law. My husband and I both know how much help we’ve received from you and Third Aunt.”
Chen Feng pulled her back down to sit, saying with a smile, “No need for formalities within the family.”
Young Madam Song nodded with a smile and inquired about the approximate price of houses in Dingzhou Prefecture. She added, “My husband asked me to inquire, and I initially wondered how you would know. He mentioned that you are a capable woman, managing the dowry shop so well, earning praise from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. What wouldn’t you know?”
Chen Feng replied, “Your husband flatters me. I’m not that capable.”
Thinking to herself, Young Master Lingqi was quite insightful. He likely sent Young Madam Song to inform her that they would establish their own household in Dingzhou Prefecture.
Having come from modern times, Chen Feng didn’t favor having siblings and their spouses live together. She believed in the saying “familiarity breeds contempt” and that “distance makes the heart grow fonder”, classic phrases from a past life.
She then shared the information she knew with Young Madam Song, emphasizing the three-part house like Chen Ming had bought, which would be perfect for their living situation.