Chapter 509 - 500: Stepmother
After lunch, Chu Hanyan took a brief nap. Following the nap, Chen Afu had her woken and dressed up. Upon hearing that Zhang Ziqi admired the disc buttons on Chu Hanyan’s clothes, Chen Afu prepared five pairs of them, packed them in a wallet, and gave them to Chu Hanyan to give one pair to each of the girls.
Meanwhile, Chen Afu also dollied up Qi Qi and Hui Hui. Not only did she get them beautiful anklets, but also tied bow-knots around their necks. Given Qi Qi’s vibrant feathers, its bow-knot was white; Hui Hui’s being of a rather dull hue was decorated with a floral one.
She sternly cautioned the unruly Qi Qi not to use foul language or insult people. If it behaved well, Jin Yanzi would take them along with Zhui Feng’s family for a trip to Fragrant Hill on the outskirts of the capital. If not, not only would the trip be cancelled, they would also fasten it with an iron chain and let it starve.
Fearing starvation and having a desire to play, Qi Qi quickly assured, "I won’t talk nonsense, I swear to Daddy Chu."
For fear that the big dogs might frighten the little girls, she had people take them to the Outer Courtyard of Old Marquis.
She also tidied up the parlor of the young ladies and placed some building blocks and puzzles — supposed to be popular among girls of this age group — on the table. The blocks and puzzles, made out of smooth bits of wood, had complex images of animals, plants, trees, and fairies; the colors vibrant and diverse, the illustrations abstract and adorable.
Seeing an excited and nervous Chu Hanyan, Chen Afu chuckled, cupped her face, and reassured, "No worries, your mom will be in the upper room."
Towards the end of Xū— the time of the Earth Dog, several girls in their gorgeous dresses came to the Bamboo Pavilion one by one. First, they paid their respects to Chen Afu in the upper room. Ying Hui once again apologized to Chen Afu and Chu Hanyan on behalf of her grandmother, Queen An, and her mother, Princess An, for the neglect they had shown as hosts, which had caused discomfort to their guest, Ms. Chu, and even gifted a basket full of milk grapes conferred by the Emperor.