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Upon hearing this, Third Madam Chu felt slightly relieved. The servants brought in breakfast, and Chen Feng, along with Third Madam Chu and the Chu young brothers, had their morning meal.
Shortly after, Mama Jiang and Mama Lin brought the two crying children here. Chen Feng got up to feed them in the western room.
With the two mothers and children in the western room, Chen Feng headed to the eastern room, where she saw Marquis Chu had also arrived.
Marquis Chu sent the Chu young brothers out and quietly reassured Third Madam Chu, “Third Sister-in-law, rest assured, I’ve already sent several groups of guards to protect Third brother.”
Chen Feng recalled something Chu Lingxuan had mentioned – although Marquis Chu didn’t hold official power, half of the Emperor’s covert guards were under his command. Sending guards, and even multiple groups, considerably reduced the danger for the Third Master.
Third Madam Chu felt even more relieved.
Marquis Chu then turned to Chen Feng, saying, “Prepare to return to the Bamboo Pavilion, you must depart on time.”
Surprised, Chen Feng asked, “Are we leaving today?”
Marquis Chu replied, “The Eleventh Prince is still in Dingzhou. I can only relax once you’ve returned. Your presence here doesn’t assist us.”
Chen Feng inquired, “According to Master Wuzhi’s prediction, the Third Master’s journey to north will likely encounter trouble. What about the other medicine?”
Marquis Chu explained, “I’ve thought about this extensively. Third Brother already has one miraculous medicine. If something were to happen, even if the dosage is insufficient, it could temporarily save his life. In that case, we’ll immediately send the other medicine. However, until the situation becomes clearer, we’re still concerned about Eleventh Prince facing any danger, so he must have a dose of the medicine with him as a precaution.”
As they discussed, Chu Lingqi arrived at the Anrong Hall. Sensing that this departure to the north was different from previous ones based on the attitudes of Marquis Chu and his mother, he couldn’t discern the reason. He approached the family and Chen Feng to inquire if they were leaving today.
Marquis Chu gestured, “Of course, you must leave. Take care of your sister-in-law and nephew on the journey. No need for a farewell feast today, depart at the appointed time.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Lingqi knelt down, kowtowing to the elder, and bowing deeply to Marquis Chu and Third Madam Chu before departing.
Old Marquis Chu and Third Madam Chu each presented Chu Lingqi with a ceremonial gift of two hundred taels of silver. Knowing that Chen Feng and her husband didn’t lack money, they gifted them some specialty products from the capital.
Old Marquis Chu hugged each child with reluctance, expressing, “Grandfather hopes you’ll come to the capital soon, and our family will never be apart.”
The children seemed to sense they wouldn’t see their grandfather often in the future and cried when being carried away.
Upon returning to the Bamboo Pavilion, Princess Rui had already arrived with Li Xuan. Shortly after, Chu Hua arrived with Heng, Chen Aman with Yang Chao and Yang Qian, and the Jiang family. They brought some gifts, stayed for lunch, and bid farewell tearfully as Chen Feng, her son, and Chu Lingqi’s family departed for Tong County.
They spent a night at the post station and boarded a ship early the next day at the dock.
Chen Feng had a heavy heart, thinking about the grave situation facing the Third Master as well as the relatives she hadn’t seen in Dingzhou for a long time, feeling distressed and anxious.
Chu Siwen wanted to play with his brother, and Young Madam Song felt uneasy inside the cabin, wanting to chat with Chen Feng but was blocked by Chu Lingqi. He said, “It seems like something significant is happening at home, and Sister-in-law is upset. It’s best not to disturb her.”
Young Madam Song understood that the Second Branch had no status in the Marquis’s residence and would not be privy to any confidential matters. Being married to a son of the Second Branch marginalized her further. Only the legitimate mother-in-law, with lofty aspirations, dared to dream of a higher status, which seemed impossible.
Currently, the Second Branch not only faced the displeasure of the Marquis’s household but also encountered joint resistance from the First and Third Branches. Fortunately, her husband often helped Chu Lingxuan with tasks, maintaining a good relationship with the First Branch in secret. Finally free from the control of Madam Li, her husband could now wholeheartedly serve the First Branch, ensuring a stable future for themselves.
As dusk approached, they finally arrived at the canal dock outside Dingzhou. Yang, the overseer, and his team were waiting there. After being received, they headed straight for the city gates of Dingzhou. Since Chu Lingqi’s family hadn’t found a house yet, they would temporarily stay at the General’s Residence.
Upon arrival at the General’s Residence, the sky was adorned with twinkling stars, and a half-moon hung low on the horizon.
As Chen Feng opened a corner of the carriage curtain, she caught sight of the familiar gates, adorned with four large lanterns and many people bowing in welcome underneath.
The carriage entered the gates directly, and even before reaching the second gate, the cries of Dabao, Chu Hanyan, “Mother, mother, wuwu…” could be heard.
Accompanied by the barks of Zhui Feng.
Upon hearing this, Sasa and her children all leaped out of the carriage, rushing to warmly greet Zhui Feng as he approached.
Upon arriving at the second gate, the carriage halted, and Chen Feng couldn’t wait to step out.
Under the moonlight, Chen Lu, Dabao, Chu Hanyan, as well as Qiqi and Grey, were standing at the second gate. The three children had grown taller. While Chen Lu smiled, the other two pouted and cried, not rushing towards her as usual.
Feeling a pang in her heart, Chen Feng walked over to them, choked with emotion, and said, “Dabao, Hanyan, A’Lu.”
Chen Lu beamed and called out, “Sister, you’re back! Dabao and Hanyan have missed you dearly.”
Upon hearing this, Dabao and Hanyan felt even more aggrieved. Ignoring Chen Feng, they buried their heads and sobbed.
Chen Lu first patted Chen Feng’s skirt and said, “Sister.”
Then, she knelt down, embracing the two children, and tearfully uttered, “Mother missed you so much, it hurts in the chest.”
The children, disregarding their earlier resentment, turned around and sobbed as they hugged Chen Feng tightly. Qiqi and Gray, unable to compete with the young masters, stood aside mimicking their cries.
Chu Hanyan, not good at expressing herself, kept repeating, “Hanyan misses mother.”
Dabao had more to say, “Mother, you miss me and my sister, so why didn’t you come back to see us earlier? We miss you and our brother so much, we thought you only wanted our brother and not us anymore…”
Truly sensitive children.
Quickly, Chen Feng reassured, “How could that be? Mother loves Dabao and Hanyan…”
The mother and children all melted into tears.
Chen Lu, chuckling on the side, said, “Dabao, Hanyan, come and see Siyu and Siming, they’ve grown a lot and even have teeth now, smiling with their mouths open.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Hanyan let go of Chen Feng’s hand and ran to see her brother. The two children were already placed in the double baby carriage, giggling as Chen Lu teased them.