Chu Wang Fei

by Ning er

  Yun Qian Meng actually didn’t expect Mu Chun to be clever like this, she had surprisingly asked the most important question, then in a serious tone she said “I learned them occasionally, you have to practice them well, don’t think about those trivial matters, take a look at Yuan Dong, her words looked more elegant than yours!”

  Having heard what was said, Mu Chun immediately lowered down her head to look, seeing Yuan Dong had already filled half page of the fine writing paper, she immediately sat down then lifted up the writing brush and began to practice earnestly.

  This time, Mi Mama walked inside Meng Xin Xiao Zhu taking quick steps, she lifted open the curtains in the main room then walked in, seeing Yun Qian Meng was lowering down her head examining the words written by the few servant girls, she immediately bent her knees, and said “My lady, Lao Ye and Er Furen, the Er gongzi, and the two xiaojie of Xie family have arrived!”

  Having heard what was said, Yun Qian Meng immediately lifted up her head, her eyes looked confused, afterwhich smiled elegantly, then slowly spoke “They were actually rare visitors!”

  Even the four servant girls who were busy practising the character all lifted up their heads simultaneously, their eyes doubtfully looked at Mi Mama, Ying Xia couldn’t restrain herself as she asked “Mama, why will Lao Ye and Er Furen come here? Why only the er gongzi come here but not the Chu xiaojie?”

  A burst of headache came through Mi Mama’s head after being asked by Ying Xia, but her face looked worried, her eyes couldn’t help but look at Yun Qian Meng, seeing her sincerely stood up, bringing along Mu Chun as they walked inside the inner room to take off her usual home clothes, then switched into a relatively festive rosy red buttoned down long skirt, afterwhich wearing a simple smile on her face, as she cautiously stepped out of Meng Xin Xiao Zhu.

  Shang Guan Mama was waiting in doorway of Meng Xin Xiao Zhu, she saluted upon seeing Yun Qian Meng came out, then immediately led her towards the main hall of Chu Xiang Fu.

  All the way through, the snow on the path had just melted, the place was overflowed with the beginning of the springtime, bit by bit the green vegetations began to gradually show their sprouts under the layer of brilliant white snow, in the atmosphere the fragrance of the green grass assailed the nostrils, which immediately shaken up the spirit, unlike the languid mood earlier inside the room.

  Stewrd Hong was already waiting outside of the doorway of main hall, seeing Yun Qian Meng he immediately saluted, afterwards he personally lifted up the curtains for Yun Qian Meng, welcoming the mistress of Xiang Fu inside the main hall.

  Stepping inside the main hall, Yun Qian Meng saw Chu Pei and Xie Shi were already seated in the head seats, Chu Qing Yang was seated below next to Chu Pei, and the two sisters of Xie family were seated below next to Xie Shi, but they had set aside a seat for her nearest to Xie Shi’s seat, the five of them simultaneously lifted up their heads upon seeing Yun Qian Meng, Chu Pei was still in his solemn expression, Xie Shi repeatedly put up her simple smile, and a refined simple smile was worn on Chu Qing Yang’s face, afterwhich he stood up, then bowed down to Yun Qian Meng with hands held in front, in a loud and clear voice he said “Qing Yang is please to meet you, sister-in-law!”

  And Xie Wan Wan and Xie Yuan Yuan also immediately stood up and saluted “Pleased to meet you, sister-in-law!”

  Yun Qian Meng gracefully approached the three persons, her face was wearing an invulnerable smile, seeing Chu Qing Yang saluting her, she return a politeness “Good to see you, brother-in-law, and the two cousins!”

  Soon after she moved her body to the side facing Chu Pei and Xie Shi, giving them a standard salute, then softly said “Daughter-in-law is pleased to meet you, Father, Er Niang! Daughter-in-law apologize for arriving here late, please do not take any offense, Gong Gong and Er Niang!”

  “Quickly stand up and take your seat!” The one who responded, was obviously Xie Shi, tender and warm just like her usual way, after Yun Qian Meng sat down on the seat below her, Xie Shi smiled and spoke “We are being rude, how can you be blamed? It was already half a month since Lao Ye’s return to the capital, during these days he is always busy with the affairs of the royal court, he didn’t come here to visit you, now that Fei Yang isn’t also in the capital, today our horse carriage just happens to pass by here, then we thought of coming over to visit you!”

  Yun Qian Meng watched as Xie Shi explained from the start, her smiling eyes didn’t seem to be impatient, but after speaking Xie Shi’s face looked frightened as she stood up, lowering down her head she self-criticized “It was all my fault! It was supposed to be daughter-in-law who should go over to visit Gong Gong and Er Niang more often, today it had troubled both of you to come here to Xiang Fu, it was purely because of my thoughtlessness!”

  “This child, don’t stress yourself too much about the etiquette! We are one family, there’s no need to regard yourself as the outsider.” Seeing Yun Qian Meng stood up again, Xie Shi smiled and waved her hand gesturing her to sit down.

  “Did Fei Yang assign his men to inform us when he will be back?” And during this time, Chu Pei, who had never spoken to Yun Qian Meng before, actually asked this question, his voice sounded imposing like an order, even if it was just a common interrogation in a family, it seemed aloof and remote.

  Yun Qian Meng drooped down her both eyes, the corner of her mouth was wearing a respectful smile, then she slowly replied “He hasn’t send anyone to report yet. He is probably still busy with the official business!”

  Having heard what was said, Xie Shi slightly sighed, after which she looked at Yun Qian Meng feeling sorry for her “Making you stay alone in such a big Xiang Fu, it must be hard for you! Today you must dine with us at Wang Fu! It will seem more lively with more people around, Jie’er is absolutely missing you these days, but too bad she was not feeling very well, which is why I didn’t allow her go out!”

  Facing Xie Shi’s assertive remarks, although Chu Pei’s face still remained serene, yet he didn’t seem a bit impatient, as if it was a matter of course to allow Xie Shi to take care of things, which had actually shown the significance of Er Niang in Chu Pei’s heart.

  Yun Qian Meng’s lips curved up with a smile, then she respectfully replied “It is impossible for the parents-in-law to come here without staying around to dine with us. I hope Gong Gong and Er Niang will appreciate it!”

  While speaking, Yun Qian Meng was about to instruct Mi Mama to go out and prepare for the meal tonight, yet they saw Shang Guan Mama respectfully walked inside, bending her knees towards the people in the middle of the main hall, she then looked at Yun Qian Meng then spoke “Furen, Wen family’s Er Furen has come to visit you!”

  Hearing Shang Guan Mama’s report, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes seemed indifferently swept through the few visitors inside the hall, she seemed to somehow realize the reason why they came here to visit Chu Xiang Fu today.

  Before Yun Qian Meng could speak, Chu Pei and Chu Qing Yang stood up at the same time, she heard Chu Qing Yang respectfully spoke “Since sister-in-law has a female visitor, then Er Di and Father will now return to Wang Ye in advance!”

  While speaking, Chu Qing Yang and Chu Pei left the main hall together, and Xie Shi and the Xie sisters were sitting upright in the middle of the main hall laughed and spoke to Shang Guan Mama “Please invite Wen Er Furen here in the main hall, don’t let our noble guest wait too long!”

  Hearing Xie Shi said this, Shang Guan Mama didn’t immediately leave, but she just looked at Yun Qian Meng, seeing her nodding her head, she then left the hall to invite the guest inside.

  “After Er Furen gets back, Meng’er you should come with Er Niang to Wang Fu and dine with us! A few days ago, I had sent someone to invite you many times, you are being too stubborn, my child, today I will not simply let you get away with it!” Xie Shi’s words seemed to be reasonable and fair, unsophisticated persons might think that she had specially stayed behind because she was concerned about Yun Qian Meng.

  And Yun Qian Meng just s
miled without saying anything, lifting up the teacup she moistened her throat, her eyes continuously glanced at the Xie sisters sitting beside her, since the moment she stepped inside the main hall, aside from the greetings the two sister remained silent all along, they seemed to form a total distinction from their lively paternal aunt, which made her feel very curious.

  After a while, the thick cotton cloth curtains of the main hall were being lifted up, that unadorned Er Furen walked inside, but when she saw Xie Shi sitting in the middle of the hall, her eyes immediately looked flabbergasted, after which she smile and said gently “Didn’t expect Chu Er Furen is also here, I apologize for being rude!”

  “Why will you say that, Er Furen? You are actually a noble guest that we weren’t able to invite that easily!” Yun Qian Meng smiled as she stood up to welcome Wen family’s Er Furen, she was refined and courteous, truly a rare woman in the capital that made people feel mentally and physically comfortable upon seeing her.

  “Today, Mother had initially planned to come with me, but since grandpa already passed away not long ago, Mother still had to wear her mourning apparel, it will be inappropriate for her to come, then she sent me here to visit, and to thank Chu Furen for paying us a condolence visit at home that day!” Wen Er Furen smiled as she spoke, when she mentioned about Wen Tai Shi, her eyes seemed to look grieved, causing other people to also feel sad for her.

  “The person had already departed, you must pay attention to your own health, furen, don’t be too sorrowful!” Yun Qian Meng led Wen Er Furen to her seat, the servant girls were sharp-sighted and deft as they prepared the hot tea and refreshments, afterwhich they retreated out quietly.

  Hearing Yun Qian Meng’s comforting words, Wen Er Furen simply smiled, then she spoke “Many thanks, Chu Furen!”

  “Having a gentle and thoughtful mother like Er Furen, I presume Er Furen’s son and daughter are also educated and well-balanced, and obedient to their parents!” This time Xie Shi was looking at Wen Er Furen as she smiled and spoke.

  “You are making fun of me, Er Furen! My son is naughty and mischievous, and as for my daughter she is also a mischievous one! They are simply incomparable to Er Furen’s Miss Chu and the two young ladies of Xie family! I presume Miss Chu and Miss Xie were already betrothed to someone in You Zhou, aren’t they?” Wen Er Furen denied Xie Shi’s commendation to her children, her eyes seemed helpless without any choice, but mixed with her eye expression which seemed favorable, had made her looked like a caring mother.

  Seeing Wen Er Furen like this, even the two Xie sisters covered their mouths and softly laughed, Xie Shi’s smile was even more amiable, she directly spoke and said “My Jie’er is also a naughty one! If she is more like Meng’er, then I will not worry too much! Wan Wan and Yuan Yuan were actually obedient and lovable, whenever there’s any discrepancies in the family background, if someone wants to find a husband’s family which seemed like everything one could wish for, that is not quite an easy task as well!”

  Wen Er Furen thought of the persons she saw earlier upon entering Chu Xiang Fu, then she asked “Earlier I saw a young man wearing a dark brocade suit riding on the horseback, is he Er Furen’s son?”

  Hearing Wen Er Furen mentioned Chu Qing Yang, Xie Shi’s eyes inevitably exposed the pride and love of a mother, then immediately nodded her head and said “I’m sorry for his poor performance, yes, he is my son! As compared to his big brother, Qing Yang seemed to fall far short, without any achievements in both literary and martial skills, it was making me feel anxious! If he is able to achieve even one tenth of what Fei Yang had, I would really thank the heavens!”

  These words seemed to be a bit exaggerated, seemingly a bit playful, teasing Wen Er Furen as she also started to laugh, she recalled Chu Qing Yang’s looks in her mind, then she commended “Er Furen you are being excessively modest, of course Chu Xiang is a very good minister we rarely seen in a hundred years, but the second young master had a plump forehead, at one glance we can say that he is a rare ambitious young man, he will certainly have a bright future ahead!”

  Hearing Wen Er Furen praising her own son, Xie Shi evidently felt grateful in her heart, but on the surface she still maintained her usual smiling face, she seemed not to be easily moved by honor or disgrace, the words that came out from her mouth seemed to be too humble “You are flattering me, Furen! We have heard from You Zhou that the Pu Guo An is very effective in the capital, we actually wanted to bring the children to go and worship! If you don’t mind, Wen Er Furen, it would be better for us to go together in one group, we can keep each other company on the road, furthermore we will never feel bored!”

  Hearing Xie Shi’s words, Yun Qian Meng knew that Xie Shi certainly intended to make friends with Wen family, although the Wen family seemed to be greatly favored, but the one who really had the authority was actually the family of the first wife in Wen family, but based on Xie Shi’s attitude and the coincidence today, Xie Shi seemed to be more enthusiastic towards the second wife, that made her feel somewhat curious.

  After all, if Chu Pei intended to vie over the position of Chu Wang, involving the second wife who didn’t have an official position was totally useless, despite the fact that the second family Wen Di obtained academic attainments even greater than his older brother, but as compared to Wen Xie who was being appointed as the young teacher of Crown Prince, Wen Di seemed to be somewhat insipid.

  What does Xie Shi really have in her mind, or maybe, what sort of scheme Chu Pei really have in his mind, that was truly incomprehensible!

  And during this time, having heard of Xie’s invitation, Wen Er Furen didn’t immediately respond, but instead she carefully thought of it, then she replied “Thank you for inviting, Xie Furen, but at this moment, I still need to discuss this matter with Mother after I get back! I’ll give you Er Furen an answer after a few days, is it good or not?”

  Hearing Wen Er Furen responded that way, Xie Shi gladly nodded her head and agreed, after which she looked at Yun Qian Meng, then gently spoke “Meng’er you should also come with us! Let’s worship the Bodhisattva, and pray that you will give birth to a healthy boy for Chu Xiang!”

  Having heard of Xie Shi’s words, all the people inside the hall laughed, Yun Qian Meng’s cheeks blushed as she said “Er Niang, you really know how to make me feel happy! These days my husband still wasn’t around, it will be better for Meng’er to stay inside the house and wait for his return, so as to avoid neglecting my husband!”

  With a few words, Yun Qian Meng refused Xie Shi’s invitation, perhaps in Xie Shi’s heart, she wasn’t happy to see her travelling together with her.

  “Chu Furen is very deeply in love with Chu Xiang, that was truly admiring!” Seeing Yun Qian Meng didn’t try hard to make herself get involved in the crowd, Wen Er Furen’s impression towards her became increasingly better, the admiration she felt towards her was also coming from the bottom of her heart.

  The few persons exchanged a few more words to each other, seeing the color of the sky gradually turned darker, Wen Er Furen stood up to say her goodbyes, and Xie Shi acted as the mother-in-law as she stubbornly invited Yun Qian Meng to ride inside the horse carriage of Chu Wang Fu.

  All the things were already prepared appropriately in Wang Fu during the night, when Yun Qian Meng and the others went there, Chu Wang was already sitting beside the dining table waiting, and Chu Pei, Chu Qing Yang and Chu Jie weren’t there.

  “My girl, quickly come here and sit down!” Seeing her favorite granddaughter-in-law, Chu Nan Shan’s face finally blossomed like a flower after many days of being gloomy, he waved his hand allowing Yun Qian Meng to sit down beside his left hand side.

  “Hi Grandpa!” Yun Qian Meng quickly stepped in front of Chu Wang and made her salutations, then sat down.

  “Jie’er is not feeling well, I have instructed the servant girls to bring the food to her room, so as to avoid catching a cold walking around!” Xie Shi nodded her head at the servant girl beside her, a few servant girls were holdin
g trays of hot dishes as they walked inside, then they carefully laid down all the hot dishes and hot soups on the table.

  Chu Nan Shan looked at the table filled with vegetables and meat dishes in front of him, yet he somehow lost his appetite, his eyes pitifully turned towards Yun Qian Meng, then he pleaded “My girl, Fei Yang is still not around in the capital at this moment, come tomorrow, why don’t you cook the ginseng chicken soup that you’ve once made for grandpa and the young fellow last time, good or not? If the food is delicious, grandpa will give you a treasured object!”

  Seeing Chu Nan Shan speaking in this conspiratorial way, Yun Qian Meng instinctively wanted to laugh, for the sake of the ginseng chicken soup, Chu Wang had actually planned to give out his treasure, that was truly a childish behavior.

  But, since he still remembered that ginseng chicken soup even after a very long time, Yun Qian Meng felt somehow sorry for him, then she smiled and nodded her head.

  This time Xie Shi had just sat down on the seat, seeing Yun Qian Meng nodding her head, she also smiled and said “Wang Ye, you truly love our Meng’er!”

  Her words had other intended meaning, but they were actually thornless, apparently no matter how Xie Shi seemed to be generous, but watching Chu Wang treating his granddaughter-in-law better his own grandchildren, Xie Shi’s heart must be feeling uncomfortable.

  They were unusually quiet during the meal, even Chu Nan Shan who normally talked endlessly in front of Yun Qian Meng, didn't also utter any word, after having the dinner, Xie Shi ordered the servant girls to put away all the leftovers on the table, smiling as she was about to speak, yet Chu Nan Shan talked first “Meng’er, it’s getting late, you must return back earlier, don't stress yourself! Although the people Bei Qi were said to have left the capital, but since Fei Yang is not home, during normal days you should be more careful, as far as possible you should entertain less guests, so as to avoid committing mistakes!”