Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 175 - 174: Unusual

Chapter 175: Chapter 174: Unusual

Master Chu gestured, and a servant brought forth a tray. On the tray sat a sculpture of a jade horse trampling over a swallow, a Reishi mushroom, and two pairs of calligraphy brushes, ink, inkstones, and brush washers.

He said, "Thank you, Ms. Chen, for you’ve instructed Yan’er exceptionally well. As her elder, nothing brings me more joy than seeing her healthy and happy. Now, she is both. This child... has endured it all."

The old Marquis also nodded, "Yan’er owes her goodness to Afu. We, the Chus, will forever remain grateful."

Chu Lingxuan did not speak, but merely nodded in agreement. The three generations of the Chus have all highly praised her work.

Chen Afu laughed, "Honorable old Marquis, Mr. Chu, you are too kind. I also adore Yan greatly and hope that she will always be healthy and happy. Time was short today, so I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality."

Master Chu chuckled, "No need, everything was simply perfect. Thank you for your generous hospitality. I am leaving in haste today, but I shall return another time for some mutton hotpot created by you. Based on what Xuan’er said, it’s even more delicious than what they serve in the Capital City’s Hongyun Restaurant."

What a charming diplomat, a few words of his left Chen Afu feeling warm inside. She curtsied to show gratitude. Accepting the tray, she handed it to Zeng Xiaoqing standing behind her.

Master Chu said a few more words before he stood up to take his leave.

The Chu and Chen families escorted him out of the courtyard, watching him and his band of horsemen disappear into the vast night.

The old Marquis then invited Dabao and Alu to bring Qi Qi and Hui Hui to visit Tang Garden the next day. He also extended an invitation to Chen Ming to join them for drinks at Tang Garden at a later time.

Chu Lingxuan quietly assured Chen Afu, "I already spoke to Mr. Chen about his mother’s actions. Mr. Chen is utterly furious and ashamed of her behavior. He promises to restrain the old lady and relatives so that such incidents won’t occur again. You can rest assured."

Afterwards, the Chus made their farewells and returned to Tang Garden. Manager Luo helped the old Lord Chu lead the way, with Chu Lingxuan holding Chu Hanyan behind.

As Chu Lingxuan passed by the barren tree, he heard Chu Hanyan’s giggles again. In a soft whisper, she said, "Aunty, Dabao."

Chu Lingxuan stood still, turned around, and saw two figures standing at the entrance of Lu Garden. Their hands intertwined under the glow of two red lanterns, emanating warmth in the chilly winter night.

The smaller figure noticing their gaze, raised her arms to wave at them. In a loud voice, she called out, "Yan’er, Uncle Chu."

The taller figure remained still, her face obscured by the darkness, but he could imagine her smiling as brilliantly as a spring flower...

Chu Hanyan laughed again, "Like...Aunty, Dabao."

"Hmm." Chu Lingxuan responded with a smile and a nod.

Mrs. Wei and a maid from Tang Garden were trailing behind with a lunchbox. Inside was Luwei prepared by Chen Afu specially for Manager Luo, the old Marquis, and Master Chu’s servants who hadn’t had their meals.

Without a sidelong glance, Mrs. Wei led the maid past the master. Under the splendid starlight that night, even though he stood under a tree, the spotty starlight penetrated through the branches. In the residual light, she could clearly see the master’s radiant smile and the young girl’s bright eyes.

So, the master could smile like that!

Mrs. Wei then thought of her fifth cousin. She decided to return home right after the New Year.

Chu Lingxuan stood there, watching the two figures for a little while before turning reluctantly to take large strides to catch up with old Lord Hou who was ahead.

"Can we go home now that we can’t see Yan’er sister anymore?" Chen Afu lowered her head and asked with a smile.

She bit down a bit too hard on the words "Yan’er sister." After she spoke, she felt she had been a bit deliberate in her wording and her face flushed involuntarily.

Every time, it was Dabao who pulled her to stand at the door and watch as the father and daughter figures receded in the distance. Every time she gladly accepted. But every time she saw that tall, straight figure turn towards them for a lingering look, her heart would lead her to feel a touch of something unusual.

Unusual! She startled herself with the term.

She was very clear about how vast the gap was between them and she firmly believed that there was absolutely no possibility. She was already thirty-two in her previous life, long past the age of daydreaming, let alone having been deeply hurt by love before. In her view, the chance of Cinderella and Prince Charming living a happy life together was almost zero. Besides, he already had a woman he liked...

The brief and hazy mind-wanderings she just had needed to be packed up and discarded immediately. What she needed to look for was a man who matched her own social status, or even someone of lower status.

With a firm resolution, Chen Afu clenched both her hands.

Feeling the grip on his hand tighten, Dabao had strong objections to his mother’s statement. He corrected her, saying, "Mom, I’m not just watching Yan’er sister. I’m also watching Uncle Chu." After speaking, he led his mother back into the courtyard.

Old man Zeng, who was waiting in the courtyard, shut and bolted the door only after the masters had returned.

Chen Afu had the servants serve her and Mrs. Wang’s meals in the side room of the main house, and told the rest of the servants to go to the guest room for their meals.

Back in the main house, not only were the things sent by Mr. Chu the Third placed on the square table, but also the gifts sent by old Lord Hou. What old Lord Hou had sent were a ginseng and a pound of bird’s nest.

Chen Ming pointed at the items on the table and said, "These are the Chus thanking you for teaching Ms. Chu. You should take them all."

From these, Chen Afu only took a set of brushes, ink, inkwell and rinse, saying, "These writing items are for Dabao, Dad should keep everything else. Bird’s nest is very beneficial for your health, Dad, you should have a bowl every morning. That ornament can be placed in Brother’s study, it’s quite elegant. Also, Manager Luo said the Chus gave me a thank-you gift, which has been put in the West Wing by Dabao."

Dabao nodded and said, "Yes, Grandpa Luo specifically mentioned that it includes mother’s monthly salary and thank-you gifts from Grandpa Chu and Uncle Chu. They said that mother has done a great job teaching Yan’er sister and they are very satisfied."

Chen Ming had seen Manager Luo quietly pull Dabao out of the room and point at the large bundle in his hand. It looked as if he was worried Dabao couldn’t carry it alone so Manager Luo helped Dabao carry it into the West Wing. After hearing their conversation, he let Mrs. Wang clean up the items on the table.

After Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang went to the side room for their meal, Chen Ming came in to taste each dish. He said, "eating with the fine folks, not only do I not get full, I can’t even taste anything."

Everyone laughed at his comment.

After dinner, Chen Afu led Dabao back to the West Wing. Dabao pointed at a large bundle on the table and said, "This is the thank-you gift from Grandpa Chu and Uncle Chu."

Chen Afu unwrapped the bundle and saw a large square wooden box at the bottom, on top of which was piled a very exquisite foreign lacquered small wooden box with painted flowers, and above that, a wallet.

She picked up the wallet on the top, opened it and found a five-tael silver ingot, which should be her monthly salary. There was also a two-hundred-tael silver note, which was her year-end bonus, and it should have been Chu Lingxuan who awarded it to her.

Chen Afu smiled, Mr. Chu had always been generous. She put the silver and the silver note into the wallet and continued to look at the physical rewards.