Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 149 - 148: Offending the Grand Duke Jupiter

Chapter 149: Chapter 148: Offending the Grand Duke Jupiter

Chen Aju rolled her eyes and said, "Easy for you to say. If you hadn’t connected with Tang Garden, no matter how industrious you are, you’d still be living in a thatched house and sleeping on a dirt bed."

Chen Afu sneered, "If I could link up with Tang Garden, it’s also because of my diligence, deftness, and knack for thinking on my feet..."

As he was speaking, he heard Mrs. Chen in the courtyard shouting loudly, "Aju, Aju, where on earth have you vanished to again? We’re so busy today, we still need you to light the fire."

Chen Aju muttered under her breath in annoyance, "So many people lazing around in the main room, and they only know to pick on me."

Chen Afu said, "Grandma does this for your own good. Sometimes, making others work can be more tiring than doing it yourself." After saying it, he didn’t want to bother with her anymore and went towards the West Room.

Chen Aju, whether she heard him or not, walked out with a sullen face.

Soon after, lured by the aroma of the food, Hu Laowu’s family arrived. He would never pass up an opportunity to curry favor with Mr. Luo. Soon, Carpenter Wu and Mrs. Changgen, followed by Shitou, arrived as well.

As for these two families who voluntarily came to offer congratulations, Chen Ming welcomed them and promptly invited them to sit in the main room.

As soon as Shitou arrived, he was pulled away by Dabao to the West Wing.

Mrs. Changgen, being industrious, went into the kitchen as soon as she arrived and left Chen Aju to her own devices. Chen Aju dragged Hu Cuicui and started talking about how nice Chen Afu’s bed frame was, telling her to go and have a look.

Hu Cuicui didn’t move. In her opinion, this place was just slightly larger than Uncle’s house in the county town. Whether it be the furniture or the decor, everything fell short in comparison. How good could that bed be?

Looking at Chen Aju who was clearly out of her depth, she smugly said in a low voice, "Sister Aju, next time I go to the county town to visit Fourth Auntie, I’ll take you with me. Cousin Hong’s room is truly exquisite and beautiful."

Chen Aju was particularly irked by Hu Cuicui’s condescending tone, but there was nothing she could do about it. Besides this cousin, she didn’t have anyone else to bond with.

At mealtime, there were three tables set up in the main room, two for men and one for women and children. Additionally, another table was set up in the east wing for Chen Afu and his group and the children.

With the good food and wine on the table, everyone had a good time. Occasionally, Mrs. Hu couldn’t help but pass some cutting remarks. Whether she spoke or not, both Chen Ye and Mrs. Chen would glare at her, and even Hu Laowu would cast her gloomy glances. Though Hu Laowu was the youngest in the family, all of his four older sisters were afraid of him, and Mrs. Hu was no exception. Seeing that both her in-laws and her husband were displeased, she had no choice but to silently close her mouth.

After the meal, Mrs. Song carried the sleepy Chu Hanyan back to Tang Garden for a rest, and Mr. Luo’s young siblings were taken back by Mrs. Wei. Towards the end of the meal, Chen Afu would go to Tang Garden for work. Now that the two families lived closer, it only took him less than half an hour to walk. Additionally, to make things easier, the road between the two houses was not only leveled but also covered with gravel. This was, of course, done by people employed by Tang Garden.

After the men in the main room had eaten and drunk to their hearts’ content, the guests gradually began to leave. Hu Laowu was the last to leave, and he quietly said to Chen Ming, "Brother Chen, have you heard? There has been an incident at Old Wang’s house in Xianhu Village."

At first, Chen Ming was puzzled, but then he remembered that Old Wang’s family referred to Mrs. Wang’s birth family. He quickly asked, "What happened?"

Hu Laowu laughed, "They say that family has recently been suffering bad luck. Mrs. Ding fell on some ice and broke her leg, Wang Cai was attacked one night with a hood over his head, Wang Laohan got his head cracked by a flying rock, and their yard keeps mysteriously being soiled with feces. Moreover, their chickens, ducks, and geese keep disappearing..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming quickly thanked Hu Laowu with a bow. He whispered, "I know you like Xiao Yuanchun. Next time, I will send you two more jars."

Hu Laowu quickly objected, "I dare not. In the future, when Brother Chen hosts a banquet for distinguished guests like Mr. Luo, make sure to invite this little brother."

Chen Ming nodded in agreement.

Watching Hu Laowu’s receding figure, Chen Ming felt somewhat helpless. He used to detest people who curried favor, but now, in order to punish the even worse Mrs. Ding, he had no choice but to ask for his help...

After Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang tidied up the kitchen and came out, they saw Chen Ming pacing in the courtyard, incessantly sniffing the air.

Mrs. Wang laughed, "What are you doing, hubby? You’re acting like our Wang Cai."

Chen Ming laughed, "Juan, Afu, can you smell it? There’s a faint fragrance in our home again, just like in the old house. Yesterday I deliberately smelt it and there was no fragrance. Today it has returned. Our house is indeed blessed."

Mrs. Wang took a sniff and joyfully said, "Indeed!"

Chen Afu also nodded in agreement, unable to hide her smile.

Earlier today, when she was drawing water from the well, she had secretly thrown in a small piece of agarwood.

The three of them went to the West Room of the main house and sat on the bed, sifting through the monetary gifts and presents they had received.

The gifts from their close relatives consisted either of ten coarse porcelain bowls and twenty cents, or a chicken or a duck. Chen Ye’s family gave a hundred cents and ten catties of white rice. Old Mrs. Chen sent four small porcelain bowls. Seeing his older brother being so generous, Chen Ming felt very proud and pleased.

Hu Laowu handed over a hundred cents, the carpenter’s family sent four small carved wooden stools. Mr. Luo gifted a pair of large blue and white porcelain vases, which was quite a generous gift. The other people from Tang Garden each gave two silver flowers. Chu Hanyan gifted six two-cent silver flowers. Chen Afu gave the red packets from Chu Hanyan and Mrs. Song to Chen Ming.

Chen Ming chuckled, "Ms. Chu is thoughtful, sending a gift at such a young age." He then looked at the big vase and said, "This big vase is too luxurious for our house, it should be saved for Afu to take to Fu Garden."

Chen Afu laughed indulgently, "Dad, you’re really behaving like a small landlord now. Don’t forget, you’re still a scholar and you appreciate elegance. That vase would look good in the main house, and the other one can go in Alu’s study. I’ll go to Tang Garden and bring back a few branches of plum blossoms to put in them. It’ll be elegant and smell good." She then continued, "Our home still lacks some things. Once Mr. Chu or Abbot Liao Chen return, I will go to the county town to shop, and bring some more things back. It will also be a good opportunity to buy some goods for the New Year."

Chen Ming quickly replied, "For the remaining items, have your mother pay for them. This home, including the land, the house, and the furniture, has cost you over sixty taels of silver. We can’t spend any more of your money."

Mrs. Wang agreed, "Yes, what your dad said is right. When the time comes, we’ll go together, and I’ll pay."

As it was nearing the time for work, Chen Afu went to the West Wing and woke up Dabao. She then picked up a bucket containing building blocks. There were three sets of these blocks in total; one set was kept at home while the other two were given to Tang Garden and the Yang family.

As she and Dabao, Zhui Feng, Qi Qi, Hui Hui walked out the door, they saw Mrs. Song carrying Chu Hanyan, who was dressed in a red cloak, Mrs. Wei leading Luo’s young siblings, and two guardians coming their way.