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Published at 2nd of December 2021 10:57:10 AM


Chapter 53

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Chapter 53 – The Journey

Qiao Li retreated two steps and said in surprise.  “You…….you know?”

Fengning was very angry and said loudly.  “Yes, I know you’re a cruel mother!”

Qiao Li narrowed her eyes and quickly calmed down.  After thinking for a while, she changed her tone.

“I do care about you.  I just…….I just……..after you were sick, your temperament changed drastically and I felt a little panicked.  Besides, I have helped to raise Bao’er for two years and contributed a lot.  In the end, I realized that you had been deceived and that child, Bao’er was unexpectedly……..  For a while, I couldn’t accept it and that’s why it turned out that way.”

Fengning turned her head aside and gritting her teeth, she said.  “Mother’s words are too hurtful.”

“It’s Mother who is bad.”  Qiao Li went over to Fengning to hold her hand and said softly.  “Today on the street when that man wanted to snatch Bao’er from me, I was terrified.  For a while, I couldn’t think straight and said those inappropriate words.  You mustn’t blame Mother.”

Fengning pursed her lips.  “I’m not feeling good either, so I can’t pretend to be civil.”

“This child…….”  Qiao Li laughed lightly and pulled Fengning down to sit beside her.  She raised her hand to push aside the loose strands of hair on Fengning’s temple and said.  “I remember there was once I scolded you when you were young and you sulked and hid.  You climbed up the tree so we won’t be able to find you and in the end, you couldn’t get down by yourself.  After you fell, a scar was left on the back of your shoulder.”

As she said, Qiao Li patted the spot on Fengning’s shoulder.  After listening to such gentle and tender words, Fengning could not remain angry with her and sniffed.

“I don’t remember anymore.”

Qiao Li said.  “Let Mother have a look at the scar again.  Perhaps it had gotten lighter by now.”

Fengning turned her head back but could not see the spot on her back.

Is there a scar there?

She was about to agree when suddenly there was a knock on the door.  The next moment, Long San pushed the door opened and entered.  When he saw them sitting together affectionately, he looked a little surprised.

“I heard both of you were having a heated argument and it was about to bring the sky down, so I hurried over to take a look but it seems everything is alright now.”

Qiao Li smiled and said.  “I and Fengning are talking about her childhood.  It has been a long time we haven’t had a good talk like this.”

Since both mother and daughter are having a heart-to-heart talk, shouldn’t he as the son-in-law show a discerning judgment and leave them alone?

However, Long San did not seem to understand Qiao Li’s words.  He stretched out his hand to Fengning and pulled her to his side to take a close look at her expression.

Fengning said.  “Mother said that when I was a child, I fell from a tree which left a scar on my back behind my shoulder.  She wanted to have a look at the scar to see if it had faded.”

Long San lowered his eyes and holding her hand, he said softly to her.  “Bao’er is crying very badly.  It seems she is still very frightened.  Go to her, alright?”

The moment Fengning heard, she quickly bid Qiao Li goodbye and left with Long San.  She was only thinking of Bao’er and did not notice Long San turning his head back to glance at Qiao Li who had a thoughtful look.

The following days until the day they set out to search for the treasure, Fengning never had a chance to have a good talk with Qiao Li again.

That incident had truly scared Bao’er, so Fengning had to spend a lot of time with her and arranged a very lively and happy birthday celebration for Bao’er.  Fortunately, children tend to forget and a few days later, she no longer remembers much of the incident but she did not want to leave the mansion anymore and stuck very tightly to Fengning.

Fengning felt heartache for Bao’er.  She always feels that she owes this child a lot.  It was she who made the mistake and the child had to bear the burden and face dishonor the moment she was born.  She did not seriously take responsibility for her life and had ruined the child’s future.  Fengning was always worried that when Bao’er is old enough to understand, she would be hurt by other people’s criticism, afraid that Bao’er will blame her, and was even more afraid that Bao’er would suffer grievances in the future due to this status.  Therefore, she always wanted to treat Bao’er better…..and better……

Because of this, Fengning had set her heart on resolving the grievances between the Long Family and Feng Family.  Only by settling these messy issues can she live her life with her head raised high in the Long Mansion and also get her parents’ affirmation and blessings.  In this way, Bao’er will be able to grow up peacefully, have a complete family, and happy childhood.

Fengning decided that she must use facts to refute Qiao Li.  She must teach Bao’er that no matter what she encounters, she must face it bravely, treat others with sincerity and love, then only will she be happy and satisfied.

At the very least, until the present, Fengning believes in this.

So Fengning hardened her heart and told Bao’er that she was going on a long journey with Long San.  As expected, Bao’er clung to her and cried.  The child could not understand the explanation or the reason and Fengning could only coax her patiently.

Fengning went to look for Long Er and asked him to help stabilize Bao’er.  After all, Long Er was the most suitable person to take care of Bao’er after she and Long San had left.  If he could not get along well with Bao’er, Fengning would not feel at ease to leave.

As a result, Long Er discussed with Fengning.

“Or else, you don’t go and let Third Brother and your Father deal with this matter.”

“Will Second Uncle feel assured with this arrangement?”

“I’m naturally assured with Third Brother handling this.”  Long Er’s words were said from his heart.

“Then will my Mother feel assured?”

Frowning, Long Er did not speak and naturally understood that without Fengning acting as the middleman, Qiao Li would have more reason to create endless trouble.  He contemplated whether it would be better to let Qiao Li make trouble or it would be better to deal with the child Bao’er.

However, Fengning made him come to a decision very quickly because she said.  “It’s also good that I won’t be going.  Together with Bao’er, the both of us can play in the mansion and since Long San is not around we are free to do as we please.”

Long Er squinted and hurriedly said.  “Then it’s better for you to go.”

His disgust for Qiao Li and resentment for Bao’er’s was nothing compared to having to deal with Fengning’s roguish behavior.  Since Long San is not at home, no one can control her and if she is to feel upset, it will be more difficult to deal with the situation if something happens.

Moreover, the words she said just now were obviously hinting at a threat.  If he did not go along with her wishes, it’s afraid that his daily afternoon snacks would not be the only thing to suffer a calamity.

Now that her status is no longer the same as in the past, he cannot deal with her ruthlessly.

Thinking of this, Long Er said again.  “It’s better for you to go with Third Brother to settle the matter soonest possible and return.”

“Then what about Bao’er?”

Long Er gritted his teeth and responded.  “Leave her to me.  I will make her send you off on your journey happily.”

The next day onwards, Long Er really came to fetch Bao’er to cultivate their feelings.  Feeling worried, Fengning secretly hid to watch them and only saw both of them sitting face to face.  Bao’er was looking at Long Er very nervously but he did not speak and she also did not dare to speak either.  Fengning waited at the side for a long time and saw Long Er just sitting there without moving while her poor little Bao’er also sat there stiffly.

Fengning’s heart started to ache and was about to roll up her sleeves to rush over and give Long Er a beating to vent her anger when she saw Bao’er finally getting tired.  Bao’er opened her mouth and gave a little delicate yawn, then her eyes slowly closed with her little head nodding about to fall asleep.  Long Er had an awkward expression as he looked around as if he was looking for help.  Fengning quickly hid deeper in the shadows and after a while, Bao’er could no longer sit properly.  Falling asleep, her body bent over and Long Er quickly stretched out his hands to support her.

On this side, Fengning was feeling anxious while on the other side, Long Er was cursing the child’s mother in his heart.  Originally, he wanted to talk to Bao’er and let her know that her Father and Mother were about to leave on a journey.  She would be temporarily placed under his care and she must be obedient and not throw tantrums or cry.  However, when he looked into the little eyes of the pink tender baby, he did not know how to put them into words.   So, he sat there while the pink baby also sat there and the way she looked at him made him feel very awkward.

Then before he could come up with a countermeasure, she fell asleep without any warning.  She was just sitting there and falling head down to the ground.

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Did she really fall asleep or is this just to give him a scare?

Long Er was holding up Bao’er’s little head and upon seeing that she was indeed asleep with her eyes closed, he felt very helpless.  But to keep on holding her up like this was not a good idea so he simply carried her over and hugged her in his arms.  He planned to get a maid to come over in a little while to take Bao’er away but soon after he carried her over, Bao’er let out a soft snore and drooled.  As a result, his clothes were stained with her drool.

Long Er’s face turned green and just as he lifted his head to call for the maid, he noticed Fengning straining her neck to look in from outside the window.  She did not seem to be concerned and even covered her mouth as she laughed.

Long Er was so angry that he shouted.  “Fengning!”

Fengning quickly retracted her head and then hurriedly ran away while laughing arrogantly.

Long Er was very angry.

Just like he said, women are troublesome!  Regardless of whether they are adults or children, one is seeking trouble if one looks for a wife and has children!

On this day, it was not known what Long Er said to Bao’er and Fengning did not dare to ask Long Er directly.  So whenever she sees him, she would burst into wild laughter and in turn, he would either glare at her or roll his eyes at her.  She knew that even if she asked Long Er, he would never tell her.

Anyway, when Bao’er came back, she did not show any more reluctance.  That night, she agreed to follow the maid to sleep albeit a little unwillingly and no longer stuck to Fengning on the same bed.

Long San was very happy and praised his Second Brother for his ability.

Five days later, Bao’er agreed to let her parents go on the journey, so Fengning set off with her father on her left and her husband on her right.

Before setting off, Fengning said a few words to Qiao Li.

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“Mother, we will definitely return with success.  The matter between the Long Family and Feng Family will surely be resolved satisfactorily.  Don’t be angry with me and wait for me to come back.  Then both of us, mother and daughter will have a good talk.”

She hugged Qiao Li tightly and did not mind Qiao Li’s cold stiff body.  She also hugged Bao’er then spoke a few words to her and showed a reluctance to leave.  Following that, she rubbed the little adult, Ling Qingsheng’s head, and then waved goodbye to everyone with both her hands.

After the three people left, Long Er lowered his head to look down at Bao’er who was gripping his clothes and looking up at him with tears swimming in her big eyes.

Long Er hurriedly said.  “We have agreed that you’re not allowed to cry…….”

Long Qingsheng frowned at the side.

“Bao’er is a baby girl, so why can’t she cry?  We are boys, so we can’t cry but girls are allowed to cry.  If Bao’er is unhappy, it’s good for her to cry.  My Mother and I won’t be leaving for the time being, so Bao’er can come to look for me if Bao’er wants anything.”

When Bao’er heard, she immediately changed camp and held Long Qingsheng’s hand.  Long Er was stunned when he looked at the clothes that Bao’er had let go of.

He was actually disdained by the two children again?

Long Er had lost face but could not blow up, so he touched his nose and admitted to himself that he was unlucky.

Without showing any expression, Qiao Li watched this harmonious and happy family as if she was an outsider.  Since she married Feng Zhuojun, she has never been separated from him for such a long time.  She was feeling unhappy and now her face had turned even darker as she turned around and left with a cold snort.

The next day, Qiao Li moved out of the residence with the excuse that she was not used to living in the Long Mansion.  As she was not well-received in the Long Family, no one persuaded her to remain.

 

This is the first time that Fengning is interacting so closely with Feng Zhuojun and the care of her father is what Fengning has always desired.

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On this journey, both father and daughter had heart-to-heart talks and their relationship improved by leaps and bounds.

Feng Zhuojun and Qiao Li have completely different personalities.  He is easy-going but indecisive and was slower at making decisions in everything.  However, to search for this treasure, it could not be done by just following the map as many secret clues were hidden in the routes, locations, and instructions.  It involved the experiences that the two old masters had gone through together and the paths they traveled together.

Therefore, Long San and the others had to solve the mystery while finding their way and at the same time, they had to keep themselves hidden from prying eyes because the Long Family’s treasure had stirred up a lot of covetousness in Jianghu.

Therefore on this journey, if they were not careful they would encounter calamities.

A lot of matters needed to be arranged on the journey but Feng Zhuojun and Fengning had no idea how to deal with them.

Feng Zhuojun is a person who likes to hesitate while Fengning has a husband who she could order around, so she did not hold back.  As a result, whenever there is a need for arrangements to be done, it was all handled by Long San as the son-in-law and husband.

He would decide on the place they would stay, the food they eat, which route to take, the people they should meet, the way to verify the mystery and how to deal with strangers, etc.  All along the way, it was Long San who decided on everything and it could be regarded as he had taken good care of them.  As for the way he treated Fengning, no one could find fault with him as he was considerate and attentive and was simply a model husband.

Feng Zhuojun observed and noted everything in his heart.

On this day, while Long San went out to look for clues, Fengning and Feng Zhuojun were left behind to guard the map and seals.  When both father and daughter had the chance to be alone and Feng Zhuojun said to Fengning.

“Fengfeng, I can see that Son-in-law treats you very well.”

Fengning felt very proud and responded happily while sewing new clothes for Long San.

“That’s true.  If he doesn’t treat me well, I won’t stay with him and will take Bao’er to live by myself.”

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When Feng Zhuojun heard, he sighed.

“Fengfeng, it’s Father’s who is useless and made you suffer grievances.  If it wasn’t for Father’s inability to avenge your Grandfather, you wouldn’t have to marry and suffer.  These few years, Father has always been worried about how you were faring……..don’t blame your mother, she did everything for me……..”

“I know……I know……”  Fengning waved her hand carelessly.  “Mother loves Father more than she loves me, I won’t blame her.  Anyway, she is also my mother.”





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