Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 133 - 132: Grand Display

Chapter 133: Chapter 132: Grand Display

After the egg cake was steamed, Chen Afu called Dabao over. With today’s sudden drop in temperature, she put him in the newly made jam-purple silk cotton jacket and trousers, and even put a tiger head hat on him.

Looking at that astonishingly handsome little face, Chen Afu couldn’t help but plant a kiss on him.

Dabao laughed with his eyes squinting. Holding her neck, he curled his tongue and said, "Mother likes Yan’er’s sister more, so she must compensate her son, with two more kisses, and two more hugs."

Chen Afu chuckled and said, "People always say daughters are their mother’s little cotton-padded jackets, but it turns out my son is also my little cotton-padded jacket". She gave him another kiss on his face.

Only after Dabao kissed her twice, did he get down to put on his shoes.

When they arrived at the old courtyard, she saw that Alu was dressed even more neatly. He wore the blue satin cotton robe that he had set aside for school, as a distinguished guest was coming and Alu wanted to leave him with a good impression.

Chen Alu had inherited the good features from Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang; he was fair-skinned and good-looking, a real little handsome fellow, though a bit skinny.

Perhaps because Chen Ming’s health has been poor since he was a child, his height was below average. Mrs. Wang was also not very tall, just about average. Hence, Chen Afu particularly hoped that Alu would grow taller and stronger, always advising him to eat a bit more at meals. While he couldn’t exercise for a few months, she planned to have him start exercising more afterwards.

Chen Afu stroked his small face and said, "Oh, our little brother is so handsome, such a pretty boy."

Alu, now less shy, retorted proudly, "With a sister and mother as beautiful as you, how could I be lacking?"

Everyone laughed at this.

Mrs. Wang blushed, scolding, "Mother is old now, what’s all this talk about being beautiful?"

Chen Afu looked at Mrs. Wang, she did indeed look old for her age, which was just 36, but she looked as if she was in her early forties. Because Chen Ming had no worries before, eating and sleeping all day, he appeared younger than his actual age. Chen Ming, who was just two years younger than Mrs. Wang, looked much younger. Chen Afu planned on looking into agarwood to help Mrs. Wang recuperate and rejuvenate her beauty when she had some free time.

After breakfast, Chen Afu began to cook braised pork ribs, pig liver, dry tofu, lotus root and peanuts. She also started another pot of braised vegetarian dishes, which were to be taken to Master Wu Zhi of Lingyin Temple.

In addition, she would also send him some glutinous rice dates and gold thread cake. Steamed egg cakes couldn’t be sent as they contain eggs.

Approximately late in the morning, a horse-drawn carriage arrived at the Chens, driven by Manager Luo himself. Following him were five more.

Upon the carriage stopping, Mrs. Song descended first, carrying Yan off the carriage. Mrs. Wei, carrying Luo Mei and Luo Mingcheng, descended after. Including the five individuals following behind, eleven people had arrived in total.

Afu’s head was throbbing. So many people, were they here to hunt a tiger?

Such great showmanship from a young lady, with such a retinue accompanying her. She had initially thought that maybe three children and two adults would come, but she didn’t expect so many.

Manager Luo was apprehensive that the Chens hadn’t expected so many people to come, so he brought a lot of food too.

Chen Ming and Alu ushered Manager Luo and his son, Guard Wang, and Guard Li to their rooms, while the women and children went to the New Courtyard. Zhui Feng, Wang Cai, Qi Qi and Hui Hui also followed everyone to the New Courtyard.

Chen Afu led the children into the living room of the east room. The room was already heated with a warm bed. She took off Ms. Chu’s cotton cape and held her on the warm bed. Dabao climbed by himself. Luo Mei and Luo Mingcheng sat next to the bed, while Miao’er served them from the ground.

Several plates of snacks were laid out on the table. After the children had eaten a couple, Chen Afu collected them to avoid Young Mistress Chu overeating.

Mrs. Wang invited Mrs. Wei and Mrs. Song to sit in the West Room, but they insisted on sitting in the kitchen in between, leaving a crack in the door of the East Room so they could go in and take care of them at any time. Once they were settled, Mrs. Wang had to go to the old courtyard kitchen to get busy, and Mrs. Wei took the initiative to help her.

After settling the children, Chen Afu went to the old yard, handed a pot of Luwei and a pot of dim sum to Luo Yuan, and he immediately set off for Lingyin Temple in the carriage.

After returning to the room, Chen Afu sat on the bed, holding the little girl and telling the story of "Good Little Bunny". She told it three times, and the little girl finally reacted. Every time she heard the big bad wolf shout "Open the door", she would pout and say, "No." Although she shouted after the other children, she still shouted.

However, the little girl became interested. Once the story was finished, she would say "more...want".

Chen Afu must have told it at least a dozen times. She grumbled to herself, realizing that not only was she still working, but her entire family was also working. It seemed that if the little girl’s family members were not present, she had to volunteer to work overtime at Tang Garden.

Seeing this, Manager Luo felt awkward too. The village was too far from Tang Garden, and for fear of something happening to the young master, he had to bring so many people to serve him.

Amid the commotion, another carriage arrived at the Chens. It was Yang Mingyuan leading his two children.

Chen Ming went out to greet them, and Alu ran to tell Chen Afu that Uncle Yang from the county town had come with his two children and Master Kang, the head cook.

Chen Afu quickly said to the kids, "Okay, the first lesson is over, it’s recess."

Now the little girl understood that as long as it was recess, it was free play, and she could drink water and eat dim sums. Mrs. Song brought fruit dew from home, but the girl wanted to drink the hawthorn water decocted by Chen Afu.

Chen Afu and Dabao went to the old yard. Upon seeing them, Yang Chao and Yang Qian separated, one going to hug Dabao, the other pulling at Chen Afu’s skirt asking to be held.

Yang Chao excitedly told Dabao, "My dad said that today we can stay at your place and play for an extra day."

Hearing that they were coming to add to the chaos, Chen Afu felt numbness on her scalp. However, she couldn’t refuse and forced a smile, saying, "Sure, welcome." She then looked up at Yang Mingyuan with a smile, "Uncle Yang, you are quite busy these days."

Yang Mingyuan responded with a smile, "Indeed very busy. I’m planning to open a wine shop in Dingzhou capital, and have been there for a while, only returning home yesterday." He then added mysteriously, "Madam Chen, guess whom I ran into?"

"Who did you run into?" Chen Afu asked.

"It was Chen San, your uncle, the owner of the Lu Chuan. We met by chance, and after a long chat, I came to know he is your uncle."

Chen Afu laughed and said, "What a coincidence! From now on, please take more care of my Uncle Chen."

Yang Mingyuan laughed it off, "Madam Chen, you’re too kind. Uncle Chen has been in the capital city for many years and is very successful in his business. I should be the one to learn from him." He paused, then added, "Madam Chen, I came here today to discuss a big business deal with you... "

A... big... business deal?

Chen Afu was baffled when Manager Luo emerged. He also knew Yang Mingyuan, and he greeted him with a loud laugh, "Boss Yang is also here, come in and sit."

Yang Mingyuan quickly bowed to Manager Luo, smiling, "Greetings, Mr. Luo." Then he went inside.

Chen Afu and Dabao then took the Yang siblings to the New Courtyard.

The Yang siblings were well-mannered and didn’t fear they would disturb Chu Hanyan. In fact, these two siblings brought an unexpected joy to Chen Afu.