Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 155 - 154: They’ve come to the door

Chapter 155: Chapter 154: They’ve come to the door

Liao Chen saw her son’s serious face and laughed, chiding him, "Look at this jealousy of yours, you’re even jealous of a child."

Chu Lingxuan looked at the soft smile on his mother’s face and sighed heavily. His mother had hardly smiled since the incident. Yet from yesterday onwards, her face was always adorned with a smile, and her expression was quite relaxed.

A corner of his mouth lifted, and he purposely said, "How is it that daughters no longer listen to their fathers?"

Liao Chen laughed heartily and said, "It’s for the best if Yan’er has her own thoughts and doesn’t let you as her father control them." She drifted into thought, then said, "If someone could truly cherish her in the future, I will be at ease."

Chu Lingxuan tilted his head, scanning the awkward young girl still blankly staring at the entrance, a hint of laughter in his voice, "It seems we’ll need to properly groom that little rascal."

While they were chatting, a servant came with the meals and a lunchbox, mentioning that it was sent by Master Chen and that he would make Glutinous Rice Sweet Jujube and deliver it in the evening.

...

In Lu Garden, Aunt Mu had already changed into Mrs. Wang’s old clothes, and Shan Zi into Chen Ming’s old clothes. They were both waiting in the hall.

Chen Afu gestured for Chen Ming, Mrs. Wang, Alu, and Dabao to sit down and asked Aunt Mu and her son to bow and acknowledge their masters.

When they addressed Chen Ming as "master," Mrs. Wang as "madam," Afu as "eldest miss," Alu as "young master," and Dabao as "young master Bao," aside from Chen Afu and Dabao who appeared normal, Chen Ming, Wang Ming, and Alu all blushed, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Chen Afu threw a sidelong glance at Dabao. She was able to be nonchalant because she had lived for two lifetimes and had sufficient experience and self-confidence. However, for Dabao, less than five years old, to be able to be so composed, it was an inherent temperament. In addition to his inherent talent, intelligence, and beauty... she had indeed picked up a treasure.

Chen Ming, being unused to being called "master," said with a blush, "We are all peasants, so this business of ’master’ and ’madam’ is laughable. You should just call me ’Big Brother Chen’ or ’Uncle Chen,’ and call Afu either ’sister in law’ or ’second sister.’ Addressing Afu as "eldest miss," and Dabao as "young master Bao" isn’t wrong, as for Alu...simply address him as ’Young Master Lu.’"

He originally wanted to say "Alu," but considering his own son was studying and planning to take the civil service examination in the future, he deserved the title of "Young Master Lu."

Chen Afu knew that confidence wasn’t built in a day, so, if they aren’t used to these titles, they can get accustomed in due time.

She and Chen Ming each gave Aunt Mu’s family a silver peanut and explained their living arrangements, job assignments, and things to be mindful of. They also informed them of their wages and benefits. Aunt Mu was to be paid 200 cents monthly, Shan Zi, 100 cents, each provided with two suits of clothing per year.

Shan Zi was to temporarily stay in the guest room while Aunt Mu stayed in the East Ear Room.

Shan Zi’s main responsibilities were to guard the door, run errands, and do some other heavy work. Aunt Mu was to oversee the kitchen, do laundry, and feed the pigs, etc.

After sizing up their new hires, Dabao pulled Alu to the backyard to check out the piglets. The round, chubby little black pig was lazily lying in its pen, occasionally making a grunting sound.

Aunt Mu came carrying a bucket of boiled pig feed. Seeing this, the piglet got up energetically, burying its head in the trough with eager grunts. The two boys watched, even as the sky darkened they could not get enough. Owning a piglet was something they had yearned for since they could remember, and it brought them far more joy than the hiring of new servants.

Shan Zi called out to them, "Young Master Lu, Master Bao, Auntie Mu has asked you to come for dinner."

Alu didn’t react initially, until Dabao tugged at him. Realizing that the title Young Master Lu referred to him, he stifled a laugh and led Dabao into the house for dinner.

The masters would have their meals in the east room upstairs. As Chen Afu and the others weren’t used to having someone watch while they ate, they instructed Shan Zi and Aunt Mu to have their meals in the guest room.

Aunt Mu and Shan Zi had barely finished their meals when the masters did. They hurried in to gather the bowls and take them to the kitchen to wash. Chen Afu and Aunt Mu then started making glutinous rice jujubes. After which, Shan Zi was instructed to accompany Dabao and deliver them to Tang Garden. They also gave two pieces of fabric to Aunt Mu to sew clothes for herself and Shan Zi.

After spending less than a day with Aunt Mu and Shan Zi, Chen Afu was quite satisfied, especially with Aunt Mu. She was hardworking, efficient, observant, and knew how to keep her mouth shut.

Just as Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang were about to retrieve hot water from the kitchen for a wash before bed, they noticed Aunt Mu carrying a bucket of hot water to the West Wing and Shan Zi with one bucket to the upper room.

Mrs. Wang said to Shan Zi, "Just bring it to the east wing to serve Alu."

She wasn’t used to being served by others and preferred to attend to Chen Ming by herself.

Once Chen Afu and her son had finished washing and cleaning, even wiping down Zhui Feng’s feet, Qi Qi and Hui Hui flew back.

Chen Afu glared at them. Those two little creatures had run to someone else’s home to freeload, playing until it was time for bed before coming back. Their cheek was simply unbearable.

The two creatures completely ignored Chen Afu’s displeasure. Tang Garden had much more woods and trees and the abundance of their favorite nuts, coupled with the fact that they were being treated as esteemed guests, they were naturally happy to go.

The next day, just as Chen Afu and the others had finished their breakfast, they heard a knock at the door. It was Mrs. Gao.

Shan Zi opened the door to see a young woman and was somewhat taken aback. Mrs. Gao was also surprised, wondering who this young man was.

Mrs. Wang came out from the upper room and smiled, "Shan Zi, this is your elder sister-in-law."

She then explained to Mrs. Gao that Afu had bought two servants.

Mrs. Gao’s eyes widened in surprise, she repeatedly exclaimed in admiration, saying that Afu was truly capable. Not only had she fixed up such a large yard, but she also started buying servants.

It was still quarter of an hour before late morning when Chen Afu led Dabao and the two birds, Er Gou and Er Niao, to work at Tang Garden.

Just as they stepped out of Lu Garden, they spotted a horse-drawn cart in front of their gate. The carriage driver was an old man, the very same Junior Officer Zhao they had seen yesterday. He had a bundle on his back.

He parked his cart, hopped down, and seeing Chen Afu, his eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. He pointed at Chen Afu, words stumbling out of his mouth, "You, you, you..who are you?"

His mouth continued trembling, whether it was due to the cold or fear wasn’t clear.

Chen Afu scoffed, "Why should I tell you who I am?"

Junior Officer Zhao was taken aback. He looked around and asked, "This is Wang Juanniang’s house, right? You, you..are Wang Juanniang’s daughter?" Upon coming to a realization, his eyes widened further, "Oh, heavens, it can’t be!"

Chen Afu remained silent, her eyes burning with anger as she blocked his path to her house.

"Mum, what’s wrong?" Chen Dabao tugged at her skirts and glanced at Junior Officer Zhao, "Who is this old man?"

Chen Afu handed him the food box, saying, "My son, you may take Qi Qi and Hui Hui and go play in Tang Garden. Tell your sister that I need to deal with some matters first, but I will join her at Tang Garden later. Zhui Feng and Wang Cai will stay behind and guard the house." She then lowered her voice to address the two dogs, "Don’t allow any unrelated persons into our house. If anyone dares to barge in, bite them."