Chapter 96: Willingness

The maids, upon seeing Chu Lingxuan and Steward Luo, both bowed respectfully. One of the maids said, “The young miss just woke up, and Mrs. Wei is helping her get out of bed.”

Chu Lingxuan led Steward Luo into the upper room and stood in the center of the living area, looking towards the east room. The bright sunlight streamed in through the lattice windows, casting a radiant, multicolored glow on the pearl curtains.

From the other side of the pearl curtain came a voice of a stranger, a voice not particularly crisp or melodious, but rather deep and soft, creating a calming effect. Chu Lingxuan realized, for the first time, that a woman’s voice, even when low and deep, could be so pleasing.

The voice slowly conversed with Chu Hanyan, speaking ordinary words but brimming with genuine concern and ease…

“…Oh, our little miss is so beautiful, truly the most beautiful, no other child can compare, not even Golden Treasure or Dabao, they can’t compare…”

When Chen Feng mentioned Golden Treasure, Chu Hanyan’s eyes flickered, and she slowly said, “Birdie—flew.”

Chen Feng smiled, “That birdie is the little swallow. Aunt Chen gave it a lovely and down-to-earth name, Golden Swallow.” she chuckled to herself and continued, “The name sounds a bit like a wealthy landowner, right? Do you think so, Sister Yan? Hmm, very clever. Hehe, Golden Treasure will fly back soon, in the spring. Don’t worry, it has a good memory and will remember our home in Xiangluo Village, and it will remember the beautiful Sister Yan. Does Sister Yan remember its laughter? Aunt Chen also likes its laughter, sweet, just like Sister Yan…”

After Chu Hanyan woke up and saw Chen Feng leading Dabao into the bedroom, she actually reached out for Chen Feng to hold her. Chen Feng had to take her from Mrs. Wei’s arms and help her get dressed and comb her hair.

Chen Feng speculated that the child’s sense of smell was perhaps even more sensitive than expected. She no longer had the scent of agarwood on her, yet Chu Hanyan could still be so affectionate, perhaps because she had picked up on the residual scent of agarwood in the space. This ability was usually only found in animals like Qiqi, Gray, and Zhui Feng, and now it seemed that Chu Hanyan also possessed it.

As the saying goes, “When God closes a door, he opens a window.” Chu Hanyan’s sense of smell exceeded the range of an ordinary human being.

As Chen Feng combed her hair and chatted, regardless of whether Chu Hanyan understood or not, she could occasionally make the girl’s eyes flicker and elicit a couple of words from her.

Chen Feng was more convinced than ever that the child’s autism was not severe, but rather a result of the lack of regular communication within the family. Her father had a cold disposition, her grandmother was a quiet Abbess, and some of the staff had questionable intentions. Even those with no ill intentions were hesitant to be noisy in front of their master. In such a quiet environment, she had grown increasingly lonely over time.

If corrected appropriately from an early age, the symptoms wouldn’t have been as severe as they are now. Poor child!

Chen Feng then spoke with Mrs. Wei, “In the future, Mrs. Wei should also tell those who serve the young miss to talk to her more, to communicate more. Let’s not let her surroundings be too quiet, otherwise, she’ll tend to live in her own world. Only when her world becomes lively and vibrant, filled with vitality, can she integrate and become more agile. Trust me, Mrs. Wei, little Hanyan is a clever child. She can always sense the care and goodwill of others…”

As she was speaking, Chu Hanyan let out another “Ah” and gazed at her with vacant eyes.

Chen Feng continued, “See, Aunt Chen wasn’t wrong. Sister Yan is indeed a clever child. She even sensed that Aunt Chen was praising her.”

Dabao, suddenly enlightened, said, “Mom, I finally understand why Sister Yan only looks at me and doesn’t talk to me. It’s because she’s unhappy with me for not talking to her enough. But, Mom, I’m a boy, how can I be as talkative as you?”

After saying this, he looked quite embarrassed, which made Mrs. Wei and Qiao laugh, even causing a faint smile to appear on Chu Hanyan’s lips.

Chen Feng chuckled, “Mom isn’t being talkative, she’s just chatting with Sister Yan. Nonsense, even Sister Yan is teasing you.”

Chu Hanyan let out another “Ah.”

A strange emotion flowed through Chu Lingxuan. She was the only one who believed that Chu Hanyan was a clever child, and the only one who treated her as a normal child. Even he, his mother, and his grandfather, the people who cared most about Chu Hanyan, felt disappointed, thinking that she was just a foolish child, and that she might remain that way for life. They were pained, wanting to protect her, but they couldn’t make her happy.

Yet, this woman could elicit a response from Chu Hanyan. Even her son and the birds in her household could capture Chu Hanyan’s attention.

Perhaps, his daughter was truly a clever child, but he was unable to make her world lively and vibrant, unable to help her integrate into this world and become more agile…

Ms. Chen have to willingly stay with Chu Hanyan. Only when she was willing could she truly take care of Chu Hanyan. The tender affection, vitality, seemingly casual yet wise communication, and caring voices, which seemed to be filled with concern, were things that neither he nor his household could provide to Chu Hanyan.

Therefore, Ms. Chen have to willingly stay with Chu Hanyan…

At that moment, a servant entered to report, “Sir, the guests from the capital have arrived just outside the city. They should arrive at the mansion in about half an hour. Steward Luo said that a total of seven masters from the Marquis’s household have come, and even the old Marquis himself has come in person.”

Chu Lingxuan said to Steward Luo, “Uncle Luo, please take care of that matter. Also, have my daughter prepare herself, she will meet the senior members from the capital later.”

After glancing at the sunlit pearl curtain, he whispered a few words to Steward Luo.

Steward Luo bowed, “Yes.”

Chu Lingxuan then left the Joyful Pavilion.

It was only after Chu Lingxuan and Steward Luo had left that the people in the east room realized that they had been in the living area.

Chen Feng, leading the neatly dressed Chu Hanyan, left the bedroom, and Dabao and the others followed.

“Grandpa Luo.” Dabao greeted first.

Upon hearing the voice of their young master, Qiqi and Gray flew to the door and started chirping loudly. Dabao happily ran over to pet them.

Mrs. Wei noticed that her father-in-law might have something to discuss with Chen Feng in private, so she came over, picked up Chu Hanyan, and said, “Sweetie, look, Qiqi and Gray are welcoming you to play outside.”

As Chu Hanyan had rested well and remained calm, Mrs. Wei carried her to the courtyard to watch Dabao and the parrots.

Only Steward Luo and Chen Feng remained in the living area.

Chen Feng smiled, “Steward Luo, I’ve finished making the sticky rice dates.” This implied that their task was completed, and they could go home, right?

Steward Luo smiled, took out two silver notes from his pocket, and handed them to Chen Feng. “Ms. Chen, this is the payment from our master for the cloud brocade swallow.”