Chapter 101 (1/2)

Feng Yu Heng then said to Wang Chuan: “Have you remembered everything I just said?”

Wang Chuan nodded: “I have remembered it. Huang Quan should have already arrived at Hundred Herb Hall. It will depend on how quickly they can dispense medicine. She should be able to return very soon.”

“Good.” Feng Yu Heng continued: “Then you can go look for the people. Just do it as I said. You have also seen just how big this kitchen is. You should have an understanding of how many people to bring.”

Wang Chuan looked around the kitchen one more time then left.

Feng Yu Heng finally went out into the yard and looked around at the group of servants, coldly saying: “The family feast for tomorrow, I have already made arrangements. You guys… take a vacation.”

She had said that she had already made arrangements, and she really did make arrangements. After dismissing the servants, Huang Quan returned from Hundred Herb Hall with one of its clerks in tow. They placed many bags of medical herbs on the tables. Not longer later, someone came to deliver vegetables. Then a butcher came to discuss what Feng Yu Heng needed and said: “Do not worry, young miss. To preserve the freshness of fish, this one will bring it over first thing tomorrow morning.”

Feng Yu Heng was very satisfied with this sort of arrangement. She then discussed with the person that Wang Chuan had brought back for a couple hours. Only after she had personally set the menu did she return to Tong Sheng pavilion to rest. As for the kitchen, that was left to Wang Chuan and Huang Quan to supervise.

In the evening, she went to visit the kitchen once more. She found that things were advancing at an unsteady rate. Huang Quan and Wang Chuan had decided to take turns to keep watch overnight to ensure the safety of the food.

That night, Xuan Tian Ming arrived as scheduled. He discovered that the garden had become fragrant, while the leaves fell in autumnal colors.

Finally, Chen shi returned to the manor.

The members of the Feng family all got up early and dressed well. As the day approached noon, servants went to tell the concubine mothers and young misses of each courtyard to quickly gather at the main gate to form a reception. The head madam’s carriage had already arrived in the capital.

Because the reason Chen shi had left the manor was to pray for the Feng family’s fortune, her return to the Feng manor was an honorable matter. Even the matriarch wore a set of new clothes. She had even put some osmanthus-scented hair oil, appearing very bright and shiny.

Feng Jin Yuan had just returned from the court and simply waited with the others in his official’s garb.

Not long after, a carriage was seen slowly approaching and stopped before the Feng manor’s gates. On the top left corner of the carriage was a wooden sign that had the single word Feng written on it.

Yao shi, An shi, Han shi and Jin Zhen were the first to step forward. As concubines, they had to kneel to welcome Chen shi.

When the carriage’s curtain was pulled back, the four knelt on the ground and said in unison: “This concubine welcomes head madam back to the manor.”

The one to get out first was the servant who had been left behind to take care of Chen shi, Man Xi. Feng Yu Heng looked at Man Xi a little more carefully. The exposed areas showed no signs of injury. Thinking about it, Chen shi was pretty controlled in her beating of servants. She specifically chose to hit areas that could not be seen. It was both painful and hard to discover.

After Man Xi got off the carriage, she immediately turned around to help the person in the carriage. There, Chen shi’s fat body could be seen squeezing out of the carriage. Wearing a full set of plain clothes, she only had a single white jade hairpin. When seen, she appeared calm and tranquil.

The matriarch had never seen Chen shi look like this before. She could not help but be stunned. After a long time, she finally recognized her and nodded. It seemed that the temple and nunnery on Pu Du Mountain really were good places to fix a person. Even someone like Chen shi could be changed to act like this. It was truly rare.

Once Chen shi got off the carriage, she did not say anything and leaned over to help the four kneeling people. She placed her hands on Yao shi and An shi’s wrists and said: “Younger sisters, quickly please get up. Why are you waiting on ceremony like this, quickly get up.”

The four rose with the empty assistance of Chen shi. Chen shi then gave them a kind smile. Moving around them, she took a few steps forward and arrived before the matriarch, where she knelt and said: “Daughter-in-law pays respects to mother. The master of Pu Du Nunnery was concerned with mother and asked daughter-in-law to greet mother.”

The matriarch was completely satisfied with Chen shi’s actions. She felt that ever since this daughter-in-law entered the family, she had never felt this at ease with her before.

“Quickly, get up.” The matriarch still enjoyed maintaining her stature. She raised her hand and granny Zhao came forward to help Chen shi up. The matriarch then said: “Being able to pray for the fortune of the Feng family, and at the same time, being able to improve yourself through meditation is also your blessing and good fortune. I look forward to the blessings and good fortune carrying on with you. There is no need to direct any of those thoughts towards the Feng family.”

Chen shi obediently bowed: “Daughter-in-law will remember mother’s teachings.”

The matriarch’s mouth twitched slightly. Chen shi’s appearance combined with her tone were fresh at the start, but now that she had spoken a little more, it began to feel awkward. She had an inkling of a feeling, was this person before her even Chen shi?

“This concubine greets husband.” Chen shi then turned towards Feng Jin Yuan, “This concubine recited sutras hundreds of times for husband while at the nunnery, praying for your safety and good fortune.”

Feng Jin Yuan was also surprised by Chen shi’s change. Feeling quite moved, he nodded, “If you can be like this, then I can relax.”