Chapter 98: Crying Golden Swallow

When they returned to Chen Shi’s house, it was almost the end of the hour of the monkey (5:00 PM).

As the carriage entered the alley, a delightful aroma of braised food filled the air. The coachman, Qinbo, took a deep breath and said, “I didn’t expect to smell such delightful braised food here. Whose is it? I’d like to buy some to go with my drink.”

Dabao proudly said, “This is the braised skewer from my third grandpa’s house, you don’t need to buy any, uncle Qinbo. When we get home, I’ll treat you to some more.”

Qinbo burst into hearty laughter.

Upon arriving at the Chen family’s entrance, they saw seven or eight people buying braised skewers. Nearby, three people sat at a small table eating braised skewers and peanuts while enjoying a drink.

Dabao enthusiastically invited Qinbo to taste the braised skewers from his family. Qinbo, enticed by the tantalizing aroma, stopped the carriage by the back wall of the Zeng school.

Chen Shi had returned from selling braised skewers at the Zeng school and, upon learning that this person was from General Chu’s mansion, warmly invited him to drink and eat braised skewers. As Qinbo had to keep an eye on the carriage, they could only eat at the tables outside the shop.

Chen Ming brought out a small porcelain basin filled with dozens of braised skewers, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. He also bought some wine from the nearby liquor store and personally accompanied Qinbo, eating and drinking at the table. As Qinbo still had to drive the carriage, Chen Shi didn’t let him drink too much, so he only bought half a catty of wine.

Chen Feng returned to the backyard, and Dabao, acting like a host, sat at the table with Qinbo, enjoying the braised skewers together.

During dinner, Chen Shi returned from the shop to the backyard. He mentioned that he had seen Qinbo off and, following Chen Feng’s instructions, had sent Qinbo off with a small porcelain basin of braised skewers to give to Steward Luo.

In order to entertain Qinbo and as a gift, many customers who came to buy braised skewers left empty-handed, which made them quite upset. Chen Shi then brought out some malt candy from the shop, offering for each family, as a way to make amends, promising to fulfill their needs the following day.

Chen Feng once again secretly praised Chen Shi’s wisdom and sense of propriety.

Now that they had earned some money, their food situation had improved. For dinner, they had braised minced meat noodles, and they had also bought a catty of braised pork from the street. Unfortunately, their braised skewers were in high demand and had been sold for money.

Chen Yu, who went to buy pork, returned and chuckled, “Boss Yang said I had taken away all his business…”

Chen Shi burst into loud laughter. His face was beaming with joy, never expecting that their business would be doing so well. He mentioned that once they earned more money, he would find a good shop at the port. Of course, he sincerely thanked Chen Feng again.

After dinner, Chen Lu, leaning on a crutch, and Dabao, with books in hand, were in the living room asking for lessons from Chen Tang. The young uncle felt a great sense of achievement and patiently guided the two.

Seeing his younger son being so capable, Chen Shi’s eyes nearly disappeared with his smile. He was determined to earn more money to support his son’s imperial examination.

Chen Feng brought a pack of snacks sent by the Chu mansion to the Chen family. She then closed the door to the inner room and entered the space. She intended to ask the Golden Swallow for some agarwood leaves to put into the big swallow doll.

She also took two pieces of snacks and a few candies, all given by the Chu mansion, as they were not only visually appealing but also delicious, something she was sure the little one would enjoy.

As she entered the inner room with these items, Chen Feng felt quite helpless. Apart from the inner room, there was no private space where she could simply disappear.

Upon entering the space, she saw the Golden Swallow lying on the ground like a corpse, using its large wings to cover its little head, with its body shaking.

Chen Feng gently tapped its small body with her finger and asked, “What’s wrong, Golden Treasure, are you tired?”

The Golden Swallow moved its wings, revealing that it was actually crying. Its tears had wet the feathers on its head, and its small green eyes were swollen shut. Its tiny beak was still open, and it was sobbing uncontrollably.

Chen Feng was taken aback and quickly held it in her palm, asking, “Golden Treasure, what’s wrong? Don’t frighten mommy like this.”

The Golden Swallow cried even harder, sobbing, “Mommy, how could you say that? How could you say someone’s name sounds like a wealthy landowner? I’ve wholeheartedly helped you. How could you hurt my feelings like this, sob, sob…” It lay in Chen Feng’s palm, spreading its wings and crying out loud.

It turned out that she had hurt its feelings.

Chen Feng felt deeply remorseful. She had only wanted to cheer up Chu Hanyan with a playful comment about its name, but she had inadvertently hurt its feelings. She had earned so much money because of the little creature, but she had made it so sad. It was truly uncalled for.

Chen Feng quickly comforted it, “I’m sorry, Golden Treasure, mommy was just joking…”

“Even in jest, don’t build your happiness on someone else’s pain.” The Golden Swallow sobbed.

Chen Feng continued, “Yes, yes, it’s mommy’s fault. Mommy misspoke, and mommy won’t say that again next time, mommy swears…”

Seeing that the Golden Swallow was still crying, Chen Feng added, “Golden Treasure, mommy will sing another song to praise the little swallow. Would you like to hear it?”

“Not the one that goes ‘Little swallow, dressed in flower clothes’?” the Golden Swallow asked, lifting its little head slightly.

“Yes, a different one, with a more cheerful rhythm, praising how capable the swallow is. Do you want to hear it?” Chen Feng asked.

As Chen Feng sang the first verse, the Golden Swallow lay there listening somewhat coquettishly. By the second verse, it had stood up and was fluttering its wings while swaying its body gently, with its eyes closed in utter delight.

After singing it three times, Chen Feng asked, “Do you like it?”

The Golden Swallow opened its eyes, stuffed its tiny wings into its mouth, and coquettishly replied, “It’s lovely, and it praises how capable I am.” Its voice was somewhat muffled due to the items in its mouth, lacking its usual clarity.

Chen Feng chuckled, “In mommy’s heart, baby has always been so capable.”

The Golden Swallow was deeply moved, its swollen eyes were now filled with joy, and it chirped, “I know, mommy is very nice.”

This little creature was cunning when it wanted to be and naive when it chose to be.

Seeing its much smaller than usual eyes, Chen Feng felt guilty about coaxing the little creature. As its tiny wings emerged, she held it and kissed its small beak. Softly, she said, “Baby, don’t cry like this anymore. Mommy feels sad seeing you cry.”

Being kissed for the second time in its life, the Golden Swallow was overjoyed. Moreover, it found mommy’s words quite moving.

It spread its wings, flew a circle around the agarwood, and then perched on Chen Feng’s hand, tilting its head and chirping, “Mommy, you’re so kind and brave, and you have good taste.”