Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 158 - 157: Means

Chapter 158: Chapter 157: Means

Chen Ye glared angrily at Mrs. Hu and chastised her, "Can’t you curb your ranting for once, if you persist in your prattling, go home!"

Then Chen Ming spoke up, "We are all peasants at heart. We are new to the idea of owning servants. The lad, Mu, and Shan Zi that Afu bought are just staying at our place temporarily."

Chen Afu said nothing, treating Mrs. Hu’s words as inconsequential chatter.

Granny Chen also shot Mrs. Hu a glare, and began talking about her third son and his family. A few days ago, Luo Yuan had been sent to the capital city on business, and Chen Shi had sent back a letter through him. Their business was doing so well that they wouldn’t be able to return until the 28th day of the Lunar New Year.

Chen Ming proposed, "We have many rooms in our house. Let them stay with us when they return."

Chen Ye waved away the idea, "No, my mother and I haven’t seen him in a long time; let him stay at my place."

After finishing their meal at their second brother Chen Ming’s house, they returned home. Mrs. Gao, who came to open the door in a hushed voice, reported that two men from The Zhaos’ Village were looking for them. After the report, Mrs. Gao took Dahu into the east wing.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. They had no acquaintances in The Zhaos’ Village. The most talked-about event in the village at the moment was to hold a feast three days later, on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The cause of the celebration was Mrs. Chen, mother of Governor Chen, who returned to her hometown. On the 20th day, the bridge she sponsored in The Zhaos’ Village would officially open. She was planning to have a grand celebration with red decorations and a three-day feast held in the village.

This was a grand event in the region, and not only had The Zhaos’ Village invited local officials, but also a few notable figures from nearby villages. It was said that not only were Manager Luo and his son invited, but also Junior Officer Gao and Hu Laowu.

Could they possibly be inviting the Chen family as well?

Upon considering this possibility, Chen Ye couldn’t contain his delight and, guiding Granny Chen, hurried toward the main room.

Inside the main room were two men, one in his fifties and the other in his thirties. Chen Agu was sitting with them, enjoying some tea.

When the two men saw Chen Ye and the others enter, they stood and gave a respectful greeting.

Chen Agu introduced, "Nai Nai, Father, this is Junior Officer Zhao from The Zhaos’ Village, and his son, Zhao Sanshu."

Chen Ye hurriedly responded and gave his thanks. "Junior Officer Zhao, Zhao Sanshu, honored to meet you. Please, sit."

After a few minutes of small talk, Junior Officer Zhao reached into his pouch and placed five silver bars, each worth ten taels, onto the table with a smile, looking at the four Chen family members.

Chen Ye was taken aback. He was self-aware enough to realize their humble status as peasants couldn’t accept such a grand gift. If this is the kind of gift he’s giving, it surely won’t be an easy favor to return. Reflecting on Chen Afu’s situation, could it involve her? He glanced at Granny Chen, and seeing her worried expression, it was clear she was thinking the same thing.

Chen Ye asked, "Junior Officer Zhao, what is all this about?"

Junior Officer Zhao stroked his beard, seeing that Mrs. Hu’s eyes were sparkling with the exception of the doubtful expressions of the other three. Feeling a little disappointed, he explained, "I heard that your niece has been working publicly for Tang Garden. Doing such work is harming the reputation of the Chens. Who would be willing to marry into your family in the future? I suggest that you get her married as soon as possible, hopefully before the Lunar New Year."

With the Lunar New Year just thirteen days away, he was suggesting they resort to drastic measures?

Granny Chen quickly intervened, "Afu has already registered as a separate household. She’s not going to marry, but is looking for a husband."

Chen Ye, troubled, added, "Afu is living independently now. We... we don’t have much say in her affairs. Besides, that girl’s quite brazen, she’ll even wield a knife..."

Seeing that Junior Officer Zhao had presented such a significant amount of silver, Mrs. Hu initially thought that they were being asked to undertake some grave task. Upon hearing that it was about arranging a marriage for Afu, she felt this would not be too difficult a task and was overjoyed– this was equivalent to ten acres of land. Noticing that her mother-in-law and husband were both showing resistance, she panicked and blurted out, "Whether she’s to marry off or find a husband, Afu has to get married anyway... "

Before she could finish her sentence, Chen Ye glared at her and barked, "Shut up! This is none of your business. Get out!" He then turned to Junior Officer Zhao with a smile, "Junior Officer Zhao, we really can’t deal with this. My second brother and his family went separate ways, and Afu is also living independently. And besides, they live just next to the Tang Garden..."

Junior Officer Zhao’s expression darkened and said to Granny Chen, "You are Afu’s grandmother. If you set up her marital affairs, would Chen Ming dare to object?" He continued to cajole, "Call Afu here and you can decide for this single girl. Surely, you’re the ones who decide, aren’t you? If this goes through, there will be benefits."

So, they wanted to force her hand. No matter how powerful the backing of the second branch in the Tang Garden is now, doing such a thing would not do them any good. Even if that were not the case, they could never commit such unscrupulous acts.

Granny Chen, Chen Ye, and Chen Agu all shook their heads, indicating they simply could not dare to proceed with such an action for fear of retaliation from Tang Garden.

Even though Junior Officer Zhao repeatedly assured them that behind the Zhaos’ stood Mrs. Chen, also known as the governor’s mom, and that the master of Tang Garden wouldn’t oppose Mrs. Chen because of one servant, the Chen family shook their heads vehemently, showing they could not afford to backlash.

The duo from the Zhaos’ talked for a long time, then, frustrated, took the silver and left.

Seeing Mrs. Hu’s disappointed face, Granny Chen said, "Mrs. Agu, if we had done such a dishonest thing, wouldn’t we be as unscrupulous as Mrs. Ding? We would be ridiculed for acting thus."

Chen Ye scoffed, "You money-hungry witch, I’ve told you before, there’s money that can be desired, and money that can’t be. That kind of money, could you spend it with peace of mind?"

Chen Agu chimed in, "I fear we wouldn’t even have started spending when we lose our lives. Mother, Dahu has mentioned that the young master of Tang Garden can’t part with Afu. If we dare to harm Afu, Manager would not spare us. Mom, you should be more cautious about what you say and do." He then turned to Chen Ye, "I am going to Lu Garden now, to send a message to Afu."

Upon hearing Chen Agu’s words, Chen Afu and the others became extremely anxious. The people from the Zhaos’ planned to co-opt the Chen family in the same way they did Mrs. Ding, though this time their plan hadn’t worked.

Mrs. Wang worriedly asked, "Afu, what will we do? Will they come to our house to kidnap you?"

Chen Afu replied, "They would not dare to blatantly kidnap me from our house. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have needed to involve Uncle. However, we need to be cautious that I don’t suddenly disappear while out and about."

Chen Ming said, "Except for Tang Garden, Afu you should always stay at home, not allowed to go anywhere." He then stood up, "I’ll go find Manager Luo now. Go to Tang Garden and have them send two people to protect you."

Manager Luo and his son came here, heard this and immediately promised to send a few guardians to accompany Chen Afu to and from Tang Garden.

The next day, just before late morning arrived, four guards from Tang Garden came, and Chen Afu began being accompanied by bodyguards whenever she left the house.

Three days later, which was the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, the Alu School started a long holiday and Chen Afu went to Tang Garden as usual. Because Chu Lingxuan didn’t come back the day before, she supposed he wouldn’t take a break today either.

On her way, she came across Manager Luo and his son heading west in a carriage. She guessed they must be going to participate in the feast in The Zhaos’ Village.

Chen Afu nonchalantly greeted Manager Luo and his son.