After lunch, the group sent the Chu family away. Since Luyuan had no housekeeper, Steward Luo walked in last and presented the gift list and gifts to Chen Ming. The gifts included famous snacks from Beijing, cloth, school supplies, and ornaments, all in a colorful pile.
In the afternoon, Chen Ming and Wang went to their backyard to pick all the fully grown fruit cucumbers. There was only a small basket left, plus two boxes of homemade snacks. This was a gift for Mrs. Chu San to take back to the capital.
Both of them were embarrassed. The Chu family had given their family so many gifts, but they could only give such a small amount. How could they present it to their daughter? It would also embarrass their daughter. Wang went to Fuyuan to discuss with Chen Afu and asked her what else to give.
Chen Ahfu smiled and said, "Even if you have money, you can't buy fruit cucumbers now. They are rare. And those snacks sold in the store may not be better than what we make. There is no need to prepare other things. As long as they can buy them with money, they have everything. Even if we send them, Mrs. Chu San will not go to the capital to get them."
Wang said, "Didn't you ask me to make a pair of beautiful panda slippers for the embroidery workshop last time? I have already made them. There is a pair of baby pandas embroidered on the uppers. They are very beautiful. Just give the slippers to Mrs. Chu San. She will definitely like them."
Shoes should be made by the younger generation for the elders, and Chen Afu was unwilling to let Wang down. He shook his head and said, "Mother, although Madam Chu San was born in the royal family, you and she are my elders as well. How can I let you make shoes for her? No, I will make her another pair when I have time." Seeing that Wang was still reluctant, he added, "I will draw a pattern of 'Panda Playing with Bamboo' for you, and you will embroider a small screen. When the New Year comes, give it to the Chu family as a gift. They will definitely like it."
After hearing this, Wang nodded in agreement.
Chen Ahfu was embarrassed to give Chu Lingxuan's clothes and purse to him in public, so she asked Wei to pass them on. She only carried a copper tube filled with green agarwood, and asked Xia Yue to take a panda doll and two boxes of homemade snacks and went out. When Chen Ming and the other two came out, they went to Tangyuan together.
Mrs. Chu San saw that Wang and the others had sent a basket of fruit cucumbers, and she smiled happily. She said, "To be honest, I have been thinking about how to shamelessly ask you for some, but I didn't expect you to send me so much."
Chen Ming and Wang were extremely happy to know that their words had touched the heart of the nobleman.
Chen Ahfu gave the green-leaf agarwood to Madam Chu San and said with a smile, "The master only gave me three sticks. I gave one to Abbot Lechen and used one for myself. Madam Chu San, please don't tell anyone about me. If other nobles want it, I really don't have any more."
Madam Chu San took the green leaf agarwood out of the copper tube, and the refreshing fragrance immediately spread. Her eyes widened, and she took a deep breath and said happily, "I didn't expect that I could have one of these treasures. I smelled this scent at Ying Xue An's sister-in-law's place, and I still think about it." She smiled and said, "Don't worry, Fu'er, I will naturally not cause trouble for you. I will just tell others that I got one by chance. I can't bear to use this thing either. I will honor my grandmother when I return to Beijing."
When Chen Ahfu heard her bring up such a high-profile figure, he just laughed a few times. Although she still had ten green leaf agarwood sticks, nine of them were not allowed to be seen in public. She couldn't take out the only one, could she?
After having dinner at the Chu family, everyone chatted for a while. Chen Ming's family was from the countryside, and Mrs. Chu San had been at the border for many years, so there was no strict separation between men and women, and they all sat together and laughed. The old marquis also said that Dabao's teacher had been found and would come from the capital in a few days. When the time comes, Dabao, Zhier, and Alu will study with the teacher together.
Chen Ming was very happy to hear that the teacher was a juren, and his knowledge was better than that of Mr. Jiang, who was a scholar. In this way, Alu's hope of passing the juren exam was even greater.
As the sky gradually darkened, the sunset glow in the west had sunk into the top of Honglin Mountain, leaving only a circle of golden clouds hanging on the top of the mountain. Only then did the Chen family members stand up and say goodbye.
Chu Lingxuan led Chu Hanyan and Chu Lingzhi to see the Chen family out. A-Lu, Dabao, Chu Lingzhi and other little boys were already having a great time, the three of them held hands, Dabao held Chu Hanyan's other hand, and the little guys ran in the front, laughing constantly.
Chen Ming and Wang followed behind them, Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu walked at the end, and the servants were tactful enough not to catch up.
After leaving Tang Garden, the children came to the open space between Tang Garden and Fu Garden and refused to leave, standing there laughing and making noises. Chen Ming and Wang Shi saw that the children were accompanied by Master Chu and Chen Afu, and they thought they should let the two of them talk in private, so they returned to Lu Garden first.
Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu stood under the willow tree. Chu Lingxuan whispered, "I like the clothes and purses you made very much."
"Oh." Chen Afu responded.
Chu Lingxuan asked again, "Do you like the bracelet I gave you? I bought it specially at Jitai Silver Shop in Beijing."
"I like it." Chen Afu replied.
Chu Lingxuan added, "I won't be able to come back tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, so I'll try to come back in three days."
"Yeah." Chen Afu responded again.
Chu Lingxuan continued, "While I'm away, my grandfather, Yan'er, and Zhidi will have to trouble Ah Fu."
"No trouble." Chen Afu said.
Chu Lingxuan shook his head and chuckled, saying, "Can't you say a few more words to me? I saw you talk a lot when you were talking to Aunt San and Yan'er. Especially with Yan'er, you could talk for a long time alone."
Chen Ahfu also laughed when she heard this. To be honest, although she had been in contact with him for a while, they didn't chat much, and she didn't know what to say to him.
The last bit of golden light in the west sank into the top of the mountain, and the night rolled in like a tide. In an instant, the sky darkened, and a few stars appeared in the sky, blinking there.
It was getting darker under the willow trees in the starlight.
Seeing that the children were having fun, Chu Lingxuan didn't pay attention to them, so he moved closer to Chen Afu and held Chen Afu's small hand in his palm. Chen Afu's hand shrank, but she didn't break free, so she let him hold it. Her hand felt big, thick, and hot, and the calluses on her palm were very thick, probably from using knives and guns.
When Chu Lingxuan saw that Chen Afu stopped struggling, the corners of his mouth curled up with joy, and he was extremely happy.
At this time, Dabao was seen looking over here. He took a look and then pulled Chu Hanyan to run over here.
Chu Lingxuan quickly let go of his hand, and both of them moved to the sides.
Dabao came closer and said, "Mom, it's getting dark, we should go home." He reminded Chu Lingxuan, "Dad, don't you have to get up early tomorrow to go to the military camp? If you sleep too late, you won't be able to get up. If you are late, the superiors will criticize you, and you may even get spanked. My classmate was late and his palm was swollen by the teacher."
Chu Hanyan looked at Dabao with admiration and said, "Brother, you know so much. Why didn't I think of it?"
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