Jinyi Spring

Chapter 195 Good Things Don't Happen When You're Busy

At the end of noon, the sunlight outside the window was just right, shining into the room and making it warm and cozy.

Suddenly, Big Head in the yard barked a few times.

The faint sound of cart wheels rolling over the soil could be heard.

The gate to the east courtyard opened quickly, and a carriage drove in. Peony hurriedly closed the gate again.

Feng Chuchen helped Chen Qingrui lift the cotton curtain and push open the door. They saw two people getting out of the car: Xiao Henian and Ming Shanyue.

Xiao Henian strode forward, and looking at his younger sister who was so different from the one he remembered, his eyes suddenly reddened.

He laughed and said, "Girl, after all these years, you've finally started living like a human being."

Tears welled up in Chen Qingrui's eyes, and her voice trembled, "Brother, I'm out, I'm alive now."

The brother and sister stood in the courtyard; one was so thin she was almost unrecognizable, and the other had graying temples. A breeze blew in from under the eaves, causing their clothes to flutter gently.

Ming Shanyue gently reminded him, "Let's go inside and talk."

Ming Shanyue had seen Xiao Wan before she was four years old. Although her memory of her was vague, she was extremely beautiful, and she was completely different from the gaunt person in front of her.

The group entered the house.

After Chen Qingrui and Xiao Henian were seated, Ming Shanyue came to Qingxin and bowed deeply to the ground, saying, "Aunt Chen."

Actually, he would rather kowtow and call her "mother-in-law," but his relationship with Feng Chuchen is currently only known to a few people, and the two families' elders have not yet discussed it openly.

Chen Qingrui smiled happily, "Good boy, after so many years, you've grown into a handsome young man."

Peony brought in the tea and then left.

The door closed, and the room was warm and cozy, with the underfloor heating working well, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside.

The earth dragon was also installed later by Uncle Qian.

Xiao Henian sat opposite her, staring intently at his younger sister.

He knew that although his sister was out, he wouldn't have many opportunities to see her like this.

My sister was still very thin, with prominent veins on the back of her hands, and her cheeks were so thin they looked like they had been carved off with a knife. But there was light and warmth in her eyes, and she was smiling, with a vibrant energy that he hadn't seen in many years.

He nodded in satisfaction. "My sister is doing well."

Chen Qingrui smiled broadly, "Being able to reunite with Chenchen, I was smiling even in my sleep. These past two days have been the happiest days of my life since leaving my parents' home. I just miss Heng'er and his wife, and I also miss my sister-in-law, Ziming, Ziyou, and Jiaojiao."

Xiao Henian felt a pang of sadness. Of all these people, only Qin Wang was willing to come see her. The others all thought she had been eaten by wolves and was grieving at home.

Ming Shanyue continued, "The Prince Qin's residence is in full mourning. His Majesty has agreed that Your Highness should set up a mourning hall for the nun Qingxin. His Highness... will come again in a few days when he holds a religious ceremony for the nun Qingxin at Zixia Nunnery."

Xiao Henian's lips twitched, revealing a hint of sarcasm. "Yesterday, His Majesty personally went to the Prince Qin's residence to offer three sticks of incense."

What he didn't say was that the emperor went to pay his respects in a hypocritical manner, and the Prince Qin also pretended to hug the emperor's leg and cry... Many ministers said that the emperor was sentimental and the Prince Qin was filial.

Chen Qingrui didn't reply; she didn't want to think about that person. She turned to Ming Shanyue, her eyes filled with the eagerness of someone looking at a son-in-law.

Feeling embarrassed by the gaze, Feng Chuchen turned her face slightly away.

In Chen Qingrui's heart, after confirming that her son was completely safe, the most important thing was her daughter's lifelong happiness.

She smiled and said, "Shanyue has grown so much. I could tell from a young age that Shanyue was handsome and promising, just like the old Duke. Good child, thank you. Chenchen is so grateful for your care. The case has come this far thanks to you too." Ming Shanyue hurriedly replied, "Aunt Chen, you're too kind. Miss Feng's medical skills are excellent; she cured my mother and grandmother's chronic illnesses."

Xiao Henian stroked his beard, watching with a smile. He also recalled Master Yuhui's prediction—Chu Chen truly could save the people from suffering; the master's prediction was accurate. Then, his sister and Ming Changqing's wishes would also come true.

As the group talked, the window paper gradually changed from gold to reddish-yellow.

It's almost the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM).

Ming Shanyue stood up. "It's time to go back."

Seeing that Chen Qingrui's eyes suddenly reddened, he smiled and said, "Tomorrow my grandmother will go to Zixia Nunnery to pray for the 'deceased' nun Qingxin, and she will stay for another day. She will make time to come here then."

The reason Ming Shanyue won't be accompanying the old lady tomorrow is because the two families want to discuss his relationship with Feng Chuchen. Although the engagement ultimately requires the royal family's approval, out of respect for her as his biological mother, they still need to discuss it beforehand.

Chen Qingrui said, "I haven't seen her for almost twenty years. I really miss her!"

The group left the house. Hearing Uncle Qian coughing outside the courtyard, Ming Shanyue and Xiao Henian got into the carriage. The east gate opened, and the carriage drove away silently.

The next day at noon, Peony went to Zixia Nunnery dressed as a maid from the Ming Mansion.

At the end of the late afternoon, an inconspicuous mule cart stopped outside the east gate of the Feng residence. Mu Jin quickly opened the gate, the cart came in, and then she quickly closed it again. The entrance to the previous underground cave in the woods had been blocked with earth and stones to prevent it from being discovered. It would be dug up again when needed later.

Peony jumped off the car first, then turned around and helped the old lady down.

Feng Chuchen helped Chen Qingrui to the door to greet them.

Chen Qingrui's eyes reddened, and she first gave the old lady a junior's greeting, "Aunt Ming."

The title she used was the one she had before she got married.

When the old woman saw the skinny woman in front of her, and then remembered the chubby and adorable little girl from back then, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Little Wan'er, my son!"

The cry of "My son" brought tears to Chen Qingrui's eyes. She threw herself into the old lady's arms, and the two of them wept bitterly.

Feng Chuchen also shed tears and softly advised, "Madam, Mother, let's talk inside."

Knowing it wasn't good for them to be too unrestrained in public, they went inside together, hugged each other, and cried until they were both done before separating.

The maids brought over a copper basin, and the two washed their faces before sitting down again.

The old lady still couldn't bear to let go of her hand, and sighed, "Child, it's all my fault for adopting that wicked child."

After the two talked for a while, Chen Qingrui turned her gaze to Feng Chuchen, took her hand and said, "I have heard about Chenchen and Shanyue's fate. It is truly a blessing from heaven."

“I cherish Shan Yue, and I know the Ming family elders are kind and benevolent. I won’t stay in the capital for long. I’m at ease entrusting Chen Chen to you. Alas, it’s just that because of my ‘death,’ their marriage will have to be postponed.”

Feng Chuchen is already sixteen, and Ming Shanyue is twenty-two. They will observe a twenty-seven-month mourning period, meaning they can only get married two and a half years later.

The old lady glanced at Feng Chuchen and smiled, "Good things don't have to be rushed. Our Ming family all adore little Chenchen. She's beautiful and capable. Don't worry, Wan'er, we'll cherish her and never let her suffer any injustice."

These words pleased Chen Qingrui greatly.

The two chatted on and on, mostly about Chen Qingrui's childhood. They would cry one moment and laugh the next.

Those words left Feng Chuchen deeply moved—her mother's childhood was filled with happiness, and her later life was filled with tragedy. (End of Chapter)