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Steward Luo added, “In total, it’s six hundred taels of silver.”
Chen Feng had guessed that the cloud brocade sparrow was valuable, but she hadn’t expected it to be worth so much. In her opinion, no matter how beautiful the Cloud brocade sparrow was, it couldn’t compare to the clever and talkative Qiqi and Gray. Qiqi and Gray combined might be worth this price, but she hadn’t expected a single Cloud brocade sparrow to be worth so much.
She was taken aback. There had been too many unexpected events today, leaving her somewhat overwhelmed.
Had she suddenly gone from being poor to being wealthy?
She suppressed her wild joy, didn’t take the silver notes, and asked, “Is the bird really that valuable?”
Steward Luo smiled and said, “Our Marquis likes to collect fine birds, so our master also knows a little about birds. He said that the Cloud brocade sparrow first appeared within the territory of the Dachun Dynasty a few years ago. Two years ago, the barbarians presented four of them to the Emperor as tribute. Because of their colorful and beautiful feathers, the Emperor named them Cloud brocade sparrows. However, two of them have died, and the remaining two are still living in the palace.”
It turned out to be an extremely rare and valuable species. No wonder it was so pricey. It seemed that this Cloud brocade sparrow had only appeared in the Dachun Dynasty a few years ago, and even the name “Cloud brocade sparrow” had been given by the Emperor. The Golden Swallow had also referred to the bird as a Cloud brocade sparrow. The Emperor truly had talent.
Chen Feng then took the silver notes, smiled, and said, “Mr. Chu is too kind, and thank you, Steward Luo.”
Steward Luo smiled and continued, “Our master also mentioned that it seems the young miss quite likes Ms. Chen. Our master wishes to invite you to be a needlework master for the young miss. When she is at Tangyuan, he wants you to guide her in needlework.”
He also mentioned her salary and benefits, including two taels of silver a month, four sets of clothing annually, and a meal. If Chu Hanyan made significant progress, the master would express his gratitude further.
Even if Chu Hanyan weren’t ill, it wouldn’t be feasible for her to learn needlework at the age of four. This was definitely a way to have her as a playmate, essentially being a nursery attendant. The title sounded prestigious, and the name was pleasant, giving her plenty of face.
A master is a teacher, whether it’s academic subjects or needlework. Since she was being called a master, she would be respected in all aspects.
Moreover, teaching at Tangyuan was convenient, and the workplace was nearby. Most importantly, the leaves of agarwood would definitely be helpful for the little girl’s condition. She was confident she could do this job well and receive the master’s gratitude.
However, although Chen Feng felt the “expression of gratitude” was somewhat tempting and she sympathized with the little girl, she was unwilling to be tied down to that grand mansion every day at fixed times. She was too busy and had many things to do. She wanted to become prosperous and build her own home…
But she didn’t want to offend the Chu family, nor did she dare to. Hesitating, she said, “I am thankful for Mr. Chu, for considering me, and I am willing to teach little Yan. However… Steward Luo knows that my family relies on me, and I’m quite busy, so I can’t come every day…”
Steward Luo smiled and said, “Our master knows that Ms. Chen is the backbone of her family and has many responsibilities. When and how often you go to Tangyuan is up to you.”
This was what Chu Lingxuan had whispered to Steward Luo earlier. She wasn’t a servant and couldn’t be forced, she had to be willing.
Steward Luo also realized that Ms. Chen was very wise, no wonder the little girl liked being close to her. If someone like her willingly taught the little girl, it would definitely be a blessing. Therefore, he wouldn’t insist.
Upon hearing this, Chen Feng felt that she was being sincerely invited. A commoner like her was as insignificant as an ant in the presence of the aristocracy, yet someone had managed to take her this far.
She looked out of the window, even though it was autumn, the place was still full of blooming flowers and the air was filled with bird songs. Beside the hibiscus flowers, Chu Hanyan sat on a brocade stool, surrounded by Qiqi and Gray, while Dabao sat next to her, sometimes playing with the parrots, sometimes glancing at the little girl, or engaging in conversation.
The little girl’s gaze was unfocused, her beautiful face turned towards one direction, seemingly lost in thought. Occasionally, she would be distracted by Dabao or the two parrots for a moment and then look away again, gazing into that inexplicable direction.
Thinking of the deceased simple-minded Feng, Chen Feng’s heart unexpectedly ached. She said, “Steward Luo, if that’s the case, I’ll gather my courage to express my thoughts. I heard that little Yan gets up at the beginning of the hour of the snake (9:00 AM). I can go to Tangyuan at two-quarters past the hour of the snake (9:30 AM), when she takes a nap after finishing lunch then I will return home. And when she wakes up from her nap, which is at the beginning of the hour of the monkey (3:00 PM), I’ll return to Tangyuan and I’ll stay until the hour of the rooster (5:00 PM), adding up to more than three hours. During the day, as long as little Yan is awake, I’ll almost always be by her side, ‘teaching’ her and taking care of my own business once she is asleep. Ideally, can I have one day off every five days? If I haven’t completed enough hours, you can deduct my monthly pay.”
She was accustomed to having one day off every five days in her previous life and didn’t quite like the ancient custom of taking a day off every ten days.
Steward Luo smiled and said, “Ms. Chen, you’re joking. Teaching for over three hours each day is plenty. You don’t need to have your pay deducted. Having one day off every five days is reasonable. Oh, you bring Dabao with you every day, so the two children can play together, and you won’t have to worry.”
Chen Feng nodded in agreement and added, “However, I’m not particularly skilled with my hands, I can only do my best, so I hope Mr. Chu and Steward Luo will bear with me.”
Steward Luo smiled and said, “Our master has insight and won’t make a mistake.” He praised their master, then praised Chen Feng. He continued, “Ms. Chen, once you finish making the doll, bring it to the mansion and tell the gatekeeper to find me. Also, next time, please make more of those sweet dates, our master likes them too.” He added in a lower voice, “After things settle down in the mansion, I’ll accompany you to the land store. Now that you have more money in hand, you can buy more land.”
Chen Feng nodded in appreciation.
Steward Luo arranged for the mansion’s carriage to take Chen Feng and her son back home. Mrs. Wei also sent them two packets of snacks and two packets of candies, and repeatedly thanked Chen Feng for the sticky rice dates and the swallow doll she had made for little Yan, as well as for hosting her children at their home.
Chen Feng couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, Steward Luo’s family were all astute individuals.
Before leaving, Chen Feng didn’t dare to disturb Chu Hanyan. Mrs. Wei also feared that she might drive them away and had Qiao coax her inside with the sticky rice dates.
As Chen Feng and Dabao hadn’t left the courtyard, they heard little Yan crying, calling out, “Birdie… Aunt… Dabao…”
Dabao, unable to bear it, paused and said, “Mother, I just realized that when sister Yan cries, tears flow. She never cries out loud when she’s upset.”
Chen Feng lifted him up and said, “Actually, when little Yan cries out loud, it’s better than silently shedding tears. It’s a way of expressing emotions and clearly telling others what she’s feeling.”
Dabao didn’t understand, but sighed with a dejected air, resembling an old man. Qiqi and Gray, perched in their basket, seemed equally down and mimicked the young master by sighing continuously.