Madam Bai looked at Chen Tingfeng hesitantly. "What's wrong? Do you think there's something amiss?"
He was always smart. The series of questions he had just asked was enough for Madam Bai to sense that his attitude was off.
Chen Tingfeng lowered his eyes and shook his head. "There's nothing wrong for the time being."
Most of the oddities about Fu Mingde stemmed from his speculations. It would only trouble Madam Bai if he voiced them now. It was better to find out the truth himself first.
Then he asked, "Why isn't Father here? Is he still sleeping?"
At this, Madam Bai gave him a speechless look. "It's all your fault. On New Year's Eve, you just wouldn't let go of Zhenzhen. Aren't you afraid that if the news gets out, it'll be hard for Zhenzhen? Your father was furious. If I hadn't stopped him, you'd have to kneel in the ancestral hall on the first day of the new year."
A hint of a smile played on Chen Tingfeng's face. They had reconciled last night and overcome their estrangement. He wouldn't have refused to hug or even kiss her.
With him around, the news wouldn't spread.
Chen Tingfeng smiled. "Mother, you're overthinking. Father wouldn't舍得 to beat me."
"Talk to your father nicely," Madam Bai knew that the two of them had been at odds lately, and she couldn't help but feel a headache. "Your father has nothing to do now and is bored out of his mind. You should give in to him. Don't pick a fight with him."
Chen Xuan had spent his life in the military. Now that he was suddenly idle, how could he bear the loneliness? Before, he had taken up flower - growing as a hobby, but every plant he grew died. He quit regretfully after a few months. And now it was winter. Where could he find an activity to stretch his muscles?
Just being cooped up like this had made his temper worse.
Chen Tingfeng raised his eyebrows. "Why would Father have nothing to do? Our family is large and has a huge business. The account books are thick. How could Mother manage to go through them all by herself? Why not ask Father to help? With Mother around, Father will surely be able to calm down."
Madam Bai gave him a sidelong glance. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. You want to get us out of the way so you can go to Zhenzhen's place all day, right?"
Chen Tingfeng said nothing and just sipped his tea.
At this, Madam Bai suddenly remembered the question that had been interrupted by Chen Tingfeng. She rubbed her temples and asked again, "Do you two want to set the engagement first?"
He had finally fallen in love. Judging from his clingy behavior, he should be eager to set the engagement as soon as possible, for fear that his future wife would slip away.
But unexpectedly, Chen Tingfeng shook his head and pursed his lips. "Not for the time being."
Madam Bai was puzzled. "Why? Since you two have feelings for each other, setting the engagement is a good thing. Don't tell me you want to drag your feet on marrying her."
It wasn't that he didn't want to marry her. He wished he could get married and enter the bridal chamber tomorrow.
But Fu Zhen was like a little snail. It had taken him so much effort to coax her out of her shell. If he brought up the engagement now, she might be scared back into it.
He pursed his lips and pondered for a moment between changing the subject and telling the truth. In the end, he chose the latter. "Mother knows Cousin's personality. Because of Aunt, she's always very cautious about engagement. Now that we've just confessed our feelings to each other, she may still be a bit uneasy."
During the long, sleepless nights, he had thoroughly pondered over Fu Zhen's thoughts.
It didn't matter. If she was uneasy, he would do his best to make her feel at ease.
One day, she would marry him willingly.
Although he was a bit hesitant in his relationship with Fu Zhen, he was not a weak - willed or muddle - headed person. All his concessions were for his beloved. Otherwise, he would have been decisive and abducted her to his courtyard long ago.
Madam Bai mused. "So, you two are lovers now?"
Chen Tingfeng's face suddenly darkened. "… Mother!"
Madam Bai covered her mouth and laughed. "Oh dear, you've finally met your match."
This place was unbearable. Chen Tingfeng stood up woodenly, bowed, and said, "Son will take his leave."
Madam Bai watched his back with amusement. "Can't even stand a bit of teasing. Good - for - nothing."
When passing by Baiqu Courtyard, Chen Tingfeng stopped for a moment. After thinking about it, he headed towards Zhuqing Courtyard.
Fu Zhen had slept well last night. After a good sleep, she was in high spirits. It was a new year, so she put on her new clothes and moved a chair outside to soak up the sun.
It had snowed heavily yesterday, as if all the snow had fallen at once. Today, the sky was clear.
The sun felt warm on her body. Fu Zhen squinted her eyes and nestled in the rocking chair, emptying her mind.
When Chen Tingfeng came in, he made a little noise. She turned her head and was about to get up. Seeing it was him, she lay back down and said lazily, "Why did you get up so early? I thought you liked to stay in bed."
Chen Tingfeng lowered his eyes and looked at her. Then he reached out and picked her up from the chair. Fu Zhen was startled. "What are you doing!"
To her surprise, he lay down on the chair himself and pulled her into his arms.
The small rocking chair was bearing the weight of two people. When they lay down, Fu Zhen seemed to hear it creak under the heavy load.
Fu Zhen rolled her eyes at him. "Couldn't you just move another chair over?"
Chen Tingfeng raised his eyebrows. "Who would move a chair for me?"
Fu Zhen looked up and was instantly speechless.
Somehow, all the servants in the house had retreated. Yuanbao was the last one to leave. When he saw her looking over, he even cheerfully closed the courtyard door.
"It's all your fault," she said, patting his chest.
Chen Tingfeng nodded. "Okay, it's my fault. I just want to be with you."
Saying that, he hugged her tighter and kissed her between the eyebrows.
"You haven't answered my question yet," Fu Zhen was almost immune to his little gestures. She wasn't angry and asked about the previous question.
"I couldn't sleep," Chen Tingfeng laughed softly. "I got up early. I wanted to see you but didn't dare to wake you up, so I went to the main courtyard."
Fu Zhen moved her head and looked up at him. "To the main courtyard? Did you see Uncle and Aunt?"
Chen Tingfeng shook his head. "I only saw Mother. Father is probably still in bed. He's as lazy as Xiao Hei."
Xiao Hei was a black dog he raised on the estate. In winter, it did nothing but eat and sleep and was almost as fat as a ball.
"Come on," Fu Zhen laughed. "If Uncle hears this, he'll get angry with you."
"Who cares about him," he snorted.
Chen Xuan had been giving him the cold shoulder these days. He wasn't going to be the first one to give in.
Fu Zhen twirled his black hair with her fingers. "What did you talk to Aunt about?"
Chen Tingfeng slowly rocked the chair. "Do you want to know?"
He thought for a while. He had promised her that he would hide nothing from her. Since his origin was related to her, it wouldn't hurt to tell her. Maybe she could even come up with some ideas.
As for why he told Fu Zhen instead of his mother, Chen Tingfeng thought it was only natural. Mother was mother, and his beloved was his beloved. How could they be the same?