Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 154 - 153: Nurturing the Stomach a Bit More

Chapter 154: Chapter 153: Nurturing the Stomach a Bit More

Extra Chapter for Reaching 800 Monthly Tickets

Manager Luo entered the carriage and whispered to Chen Afu, who had a stern expression, "The man just now is from the Zhaos’ Village, a mainstay of the village. He is also the clan brother of Granny Chen, Mr. Chen Shiying’s mother. He came to Tang Garden the day before to personally deliver a banquet invitation, asking us to visit their village."

So, he was the clan brother of Chen Shiying’s mother.

Chen Afu allowed Aunt Mu and Shan to disembark first, then she said quietly to Manager Luo, "Thank you, Uncle Luo, for protecting me and my mother. I’ve heard a few whispers that my mother was a child bride in her younger years. But none of this was her fault; she was forced into every step... Uncle Luo, are you not worried about our problems causing trouble for you with the governor?"

Manager Luo responded, "Afu, don’t worry. My master and Mr. Chen both know their own place, neither fears the other. You and your family are all good people. Given how inseparable my daughter and you are, and how much my master and the lord appreciates you, we are more than happy to associate with you. As for the Zhaos, my master doesn’t care about them, and neither do I."

It made sense. If Manager Luo feared Granny Chen, he would hesitate to slap Junior Officer Zhao in the face. That action was essentially an offense to Granny Chen. Manager Luo’s blatant defense of Chen Afu must have been inspired by Chu Lingxuan. Since she now had the Chus as her backers, she was no longer afraid of Granny Chen...

Seeing that Chen Afu seemed worried, Manager Luo explained, "Afu, don’t be afraid. The people of the Zhaos’ Village don’t represent Mr. Chen, and neither does Granny Chen." He then alluded, "According to my master, Mr. Chen Shiying is said to be a decent man. He may not have known about some things..."

Whether Chen Shiying was aware of these things or not, Chen Afu didn’t care. All she aimed to do was to ensure the safety of herself and Mrs. Wang.

Chen Afu said bitterly, "My mother is a victim. They took away everything from her, not even leaving a way out for her. It’s all too cruel." She looked up and said, "Uncle Luo, does the Senator’s Mansion have any men with good fighting skills? If so, could you spare one or two for our household? I can pay them a monthly wage based on the senator’s standard."

Though the Chu family stood behind them, she worried something unexpected might happen before the Tang Garden’s staff arrived. For example, when Mrs. Ding and her son came last time, if she weren’t home, Mrs. Wang might have suffered. During Jin Yanzi’s confinement, there should have been at least one capable male servant at home. Preventive measures were always necessary.

Manager Luo nodded and said, "There are plenty of strong men with decent martial skills in Senator’s Mansion. Once I’m back home, I will speak with my master and ask him to pick one or two to come over." He continued, "They will follow your orders once they work at your house. Whatever conditions you offer, they will accept. There’s no need to fuss about it. It’s a good deal for them to work for you. You are smart, and your son Dabao, though young, shows great promise. In due course, things will become better."

Chen Afu nodded and whispered gratefully, "Thank you, Uncle Luo."

Soon, Mrs. Wang and Luo Yuan returned. Mrs. Wang handed over three servant contracts to Chen Afu and said with a smile, "Now even my Afu has her own servants."

Chen Afu laughed, hugging Mrs. Wang’s arm and said, "What’s mine is also yours and daddy’s." She also advised Mrs. Wang, "Now that there are more people in the family, always take someone with you when you go to the village or some other distant place."

Mrs. Wang assumed that her daughter was just worried about Mrs. Ding and her son, so she nodded her agreement.

When they returned home, Chen Afu boiled a pot of water and arranged for Aunt Mu and her son to take a bath.

Afterwards, she started to make marinated vegan dishes. Once the food was simmered, she also fried a few radish cakes. To enhance the taste, she soaked the radish shreds in her own special water before squeezing them dry to fry.

When it was almost done, she cut the last bit of garlic greens from the basin and cooked a dish of fragrant dried tofu.

She thought, if she could refine Chu Lingxuan’s palate more and make their relationship ever closer, she would be less likely to be harmed by Granny Chen. Knowing that she even had a military contact made her feel much relieved.

She looked at the newly built clay oven in the kitchen that she hadn’t had the chance to use yet. When she had the time, she would prepare some small pastries that she used to enjoy in her previous life. She had heard that the Chus, for several generations, loved sweets.

Once everything was ready, she placed the food and the small dish filled with cakes into her food box. To keep the food hot, she wrapped a small quilt around the food box and carried it to the Tang Garden.

Before leaving, she asked Mrs. Wang to soak more red dates. After dinner, she would make some glutinous rice sweet jujubes, one to take to the nunnery, and the other to take to Dingzhou. Making this small dessert wasn’t much trouble. She had been very busy these days and didn’t want to do something complicated.

By this time, it was already getting dark, and smoke was rising from the rooftops of every house in the distant village. It was just the right timing to deliver food to them for their dinner.

She felt quite helpless. Her current efforts and carefulness were no less than those in her previous life when she was courting Liu Xudong. The only difference was that she was now trying to please others for protection, whereas in her previous life, she was pursuing love.

Upon arriving at the Jiao Gate of Tang Garden, she directly handed the food box to Uncle Fang at the gate, and then went to find Dabao at Luo’s home.

Uncle Fang smiled and said, "Master Chen, Dabao has been playing with my daughter all the time in the Inner Courtyard."

After hearing this, Chen Afu knew that Dabao would definitely not return home until after dinner. Just a few steps after she turned around, she heard Dabao’s voice, "Mom, wait."

Chen Afu turned around and saw Dabao and Er Gou running towards her. Dabao came to Chen Afu and smiled, "Mom, Grandpa Luo said we bought some servants and piglets for our home, is it true?"

Once Manager Luo returned to Tang Garden, he reported today’s incident and Chen Afu’s request to Chu Lingxuan.

Chu Lingxuan responded, "When I return to Dingzhou tomorrow, I will arrange for a few men to go there..." He then added coldly, "The Zhaos really aren’t content with their lives. If they dare to insult Tang Garden again, give them a harsher slap in the face."

Manager Luo bowed and agreed.

When it was almost dinner time, they headed to Yiran Courtyard together.

Dabao was playing blocks with Chu Hanyan. Liao Chen let him have dinner there. However, when he heard Manager Luo tell him concerning their new servants and piglets, he immediately abandoned his dinner and ran, which upset Chu Hanyan to the point of tears. She called after him piteously, "Dabao, sob...Dabao..."

Even as eager as he was to get home, Dabao couldn’t bear to leave Yan’er crying. He returned, patiently comforting her for a while. When she stopped crying, he once again rushed out of Yiran Courtyard.

Seeing his daughter’s helpless state, Chu Lingxuan was a bit annoyed. It was bad enough that his daughter couldn’t do without Chen Afu, but now she couldn’t even separate from Dabao, a kid who still smelled of milk. This truly vexed him as a father.