Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 145 - 144: Dear Uncle

Chapter 145: Chapter 144: Dear Uncle

Chen Afu patted Mrs. Wang’s back and said, "Mother, I know, of course I am my father’s own daughter. If I weren’t my father’s own daughter, how could he be so kind to me..."

She helped Mrs. Wang sit down on the bed, brought some water, soaked the cloth so she could wash her face clean, and slowly soothed her.

Seeing that Mrs. Wang’s mood had slightly improved, Chen Afu asked again, "Mother, do I also have a real uncle?"

Mrs. Wang choked and nodded, saying, "Your uncle is named Wang Cheng, and he is six years younger than me. He was one year old when our mother fell ill and died..."

Before her mother’s death, she clasped Mrs. Wang’s hand and said, "Juanniang, you can’t rely on your father. You must try to raise your brother into an adult so that he can get married and have children."

Seven-year-old Wang Juanniang solemnly promised to raise her brother.

After their mother’s death, her father, Wang Laohan, became even more silent. Aside from working, he rarely spoke. Little Juanniang took care of young Wang Cheng like a mother would. Even though life was tough, the siblings were content.

However, after Wang Laohan married Mrs. Ding, the siblings’ good days came to an end.

Mrs. Ding was from the same village, Xianhu Village. Despite her bad reputation for flirting with young men and taking advantage of them to earn a few pennies, her reputation got completely tarnished when she was caught in the woods with a married man, so she remained unmarried until her twenties.

Later, she hooked up with Mrs. Wang’s father.

The lazy and greedy Mrs. Ding, coupled with the weak Wang Laohan, caused Mrs. Wang to live in poverty and coldness. She had to work from dawn to dusk and even had to endure beatings.

Mrs. Wang could bear being cold and hungry, working all day, and enduring beatings and scolding. What she feared was that Mrs. Ding would secretly sell her three-year-old brother.

Once, she overheard Mrs. Ding arguing with Wang Laohan, criticizing that Mrs. Wang’s father never bought her anything, not even a silver hairpin after they got married. She complained about their poverty, suggesting that they might as well sell Wang Cheng to a wealthy family so that he could at least be fed. But she didn’t want to sell Mrs. Wang because she was nine years old and able to work.

Wang Laohan disagreed, saying that Wang Cheng was his only son. If Mrs. Ding couldn’t give birth to a boy, their family would have no successor.

Afterwards, wherever Mrs. Wang went to work, she always took her brother with her.

A year later, Mrs. Ding became pregnant and her hostility towards Wang Cheng increased. This terrified Mrs. Wang who started holding tight to Wang Cheng even in her sleep. At that time, The Chens from the neighboring village took interest in Mrs. Wang and wanted to buy her as a child bride.

Upon hearing about the five taels of silver, Mrs. Ding broke out into a smile. That price was indeed not low, it was the price for selling a grown daughter and a young boy.

Mrs. Wang did not resist being sold. She thought that if she was sold, it could protect her brother from being sold. Before she left for the Chen’s house, she knelt before her father and Mrs. Ding, asking them not to sell her brother. Once she was older, she would find a way to earn money and bring her brother back to their parents’ home.

However, two years later, Mrs. Ding had given birth to a son named Wang Cai, but she still secretly sold Wang Cheng. She sugar-coated the sale with words about letting Wang Cheng lead a good life in the city as they were struggling at home.

No need to mention Mrs. Wang’s heart-breaking cries upon hearing the news. Even the Wang’s relatives were infuriated. A few men beat up Wang Laohan while a few women did the same to Mrs. Ding. The long scar on Mrs. Ding’s face was a leftover from that beating.

Mrs. Wang was crying so badly that she could hardly make a sound, and Chen Afu was crying with her.

Chen Afu hugged her and said, "Mother, I’m healed now. I will always protect you so no one can bully you anymore, and I will ensure your happiness and well-being for the rest of your life. Also, about Uncle Wang Cheng, once things at home settle down, let’s ask Dad to make a trip to Xianhu Village. But we will not visit the house of Mrs Ding, instead we will go to the houses of those relatives. We will try to find out where my uncle was sold to and see if we could find him..."

While they were talking, Chen Ming and Dabao returned. They had just received the news about the fight at home and rushed back. Seeing the house in chaos and the sobbing mother and daughter embraced each other, they were terrified. They rushed over and asked, "Are you okay? Where did you get hurt?"

Dabao was even frightened into tears, tugging at their clothes and crying, "Mother, Grandma, you were bullied, what can we do?"

Chen Afu wiped her tears and said, "Mother and I are fine. Mrs. Ding and Wang Cai came to demand for silver..."

She told them briefly what happened. But she didn’t mention that Mrs. Ding claimed she was Chen Shiying’s daughter. This is something Mrs. Wang will tell Chen Ming privately. Whether they choose to be upfront or continue to hide it is up to them.

On hearing this, Chen Ming consoled Mrs. Wang, saying "Juanniang, don’t be sad. Afu is right. After New Year, I am going to visit Xianhu Village and inquire about Wang Cheng. Let’s see if we can find him. As for that mother and son, don’t even open the door for them if they ever come again. If the villagers say anything, I will deal with it."

Mrs. Wang said, "It’s been more than twenty years since my brother was sold. Can we find any clue?"

Chen Afu comforted her, saying, "Mother, don’t worry. Now we have money and connections. As long as we get a hint, we will be able to find him."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang burst into tears again. She clasped her hands in prayer, begging the heavens to help her find her brother.

Chen Afu also said we should thank Old Lady Hu and the others in the main house for their big help this time. Since Mrs. Hu has her eye on the cured meat, Chen Ming should take half of it to the main house, probably about thirty pounds.

Additionally, give a jar of ginseng-soaked wine to Old Lady Hu. The ginseng in the soaking wine was given by Yang Mingyuan last time. Chen Afu bought a few pounds of liquor and soaked it herself, adding a small grain of Yan Chenxiang Wood, which made it taste good and nourishing. Everytime when Old Lady Hu visits, Chen Ming will serve her half a cup. She plans to buy another ginseng to soak a jar for Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang later.

Chen Ming was over the moon when he heard he was bringing the wine to Old Lady Hu.

Also, send five taels of silver and a jar of Xiao Yuanchun Wine to Hu Laowu, asking him to keep an eye on Mrs. Wang’s natal family. Once Hu Laowu got his eyes on a household, it would not have any peace.

After finishing the discussion, it was already afternoon. Chen Afu mustered up the energy to make noodles in the kitchen. Dabao didn’t let Mrs. Wang fire up the stove, insisting on doing it himself. He also became more helpful, handing over onions, taking bowls during breaks from tending the fire.

After eating, Chen Afu and Dabao went back to the New Courtyard to rest. Dabao kept holding Chen Afu’s hand without letting go, seemingly having something on his mind.

Chen Afu asked, "What’s the matter, Dabao, is there something wrong?"

Dabao buried his head in Chen Afu’s chest and sobbed, "Mother, after hearing Uncle Wang’s story, I feel so fortunate. In the future, I will definitely be filial to you, grandmother, and little uncle."