Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 177 - 176: Bustling and Loneliness

Chapter 177: Chapter 176: Bustling and Loneliness

This year, the gifts from the second and third houses were abundant, and Mrs. Hu and Chen Aju didn’t make a fuss, making the Lunar New Year family dinner at the Chen residence very enjoyable.

Of course, the dinner table was filled with Mrs. Hu’s heartfelt reminiscences, and Chen Ming and Chen Shi sincerely thanked their eldest brother, Chen Ye. Chen Ye was also pleased, for his greatest desire was to see this scene of brotherly harmony, with his two younger brothers united around him.

Chen Ye also told Chen Ming to find a way to invite Manager Luo and his son to the Hu’s house on the fifth day of the first lunar month. On the fifth, Hu Laowu was hosting a feast and had invited Captain Xia of the county town, along with several local heads and landowners, including the Chen brothers. He also made a special trip to Tang Garden to invite Manager Luo and his son. Everyone else gladly accepted the invitation, but Manager Luo and his son said they would see how things went and did not commit.

Because of Hu Laowu, Chen Ye’s relationship with Captain Xia had also warmed up, and he had even visited Xia’s house. Hu Laowu asked him to talk with Chen Ming and make sure that Luo was invited to the Hu’s house.

Chen Ming, having received favors from Hu Laowu, agreed and promised that if Luo had no plans that day, he would certainly invite him to the Hu’s house. If Luo was busy, he would find a way to invite Junior Manager Luo instead.

After dinner, the second house was to return to Lu Garden. Chen Atang and Chen Dahu, hearing that the people at Tang Garden had purchased better firecrackers, which not only pop loudly but also produce beautiful sparks, wanted to go see the excitement at Tang Garden. Chen Dabao and Alu took them. On the way, they also called out the two kids, Shitou and Si Xizi, from their homes.

Chen Afu instructed the children to play between Fu Garden and Tang Garden, where there was a large piece of barren land. Chen Dabao also ran to the back of Tang Garden and called over Luo Mingcheng and several other Tang Garden servants and children from Shangshui Village. These children usually play on the boundary of Shangshui Village behind Tang Garden, so it’s unusually quiet in front of Tang Garden.

After Chen Afu and the others returned home, they tidied up the main hall. It was Lunar New Year’s Day, and they would eat here. They set up two tables, one for the masters and one for the servants.

Hearing the sound of children laughing and playing, the crackling of fireworks, and the barking of dogs outside made Chen Afu feel satisfied. Children represent hope, and liveliness signifies prosperity. She wished for this tranquil land to be filled with hope and prosperity from now on.

She also took out a bowl of freshly fried crispy meat to feed them, noticing that Qi Qi and Hui Hui had also come to play. The children, dogs, and birds all lined up with their mouths open, waiting for Chen Afu to feed them. Qi Qi tried to cut in line but was pulled to the back by Dabao.

Chen Afu happily fed one piece to each of them. When she raised her head, she saw that the red gate of Tang Garden had opened at some point, and Chu Hanyan, draped in a red cloak, was standing in the doorway, looking this way enviously. Despite being accompanied by Mrs. Song and Miao’er, she still seemed lonely and isolated.

Chen Afu waved to her, and after some hesitation, she walked this way. It seemed that Mrs. Song and Miao’er didn’t quite approve of their young mistress going over, worrying that the children of the servants and villagers would disturb her. But seeing Chen Afu beckoning, they dared not stop her and could only follow behind Chu Hanyan.

Chen Afu knew their thoughts and was aware of the gap between a marquis’ daughter and the children of peasants. But considering that Ms. Chu was still young and had this illness, she should be encouraged to socialize whenever possible. Now she was in the countryside, where there were no young ladies of her status. Just because there were no people of her status, it did not mean that she should not be allowed to socialize.

However, Chen Afu did not feed the young lady the few pieces of crispy meat left in the bowl. The young lady was delicately nurtured and shouldn’t be allowed to eat food in the open air, especially since the crispy meat had already cooled down a bit.

She fed the rest of the meat in the bowl to the rough little boys, then wiped the saliva dribbling from the corner of the young lady’s mouth with a handkerchief while whispering with a smile, "In a while, Auntie will take you to Auntie’s house for some delicious food."

The young lady started to giggle after hearing these words.

Chen Afu also stood there and watched the children playing frantically. Seeing such a beautiful young lady watching them, the kids were even more excited, eliciting giggles from Chu Hanyan.

The young lady’s laughter became more frequent and seemed to be getting louder.

Feeling that it was about time, Chen Afu invited all of the children to her home, treated them to a few slices of cured meat and braised meat, filled their wallets with candy and melon seeds, and then sent them on their way. Since there were many of them, including Dahu, she let them return to the village by themselves.

After letting Ms. Chu have a taste of the braised meat, Chen Afu took out a food box. It contained a small pot of braised meat and chilled three-shredded dish, which Miao’er was to deliver to Tang Garden. Both the grandmother and granddaughter liked these two dishes.

The young lady was clearly reluctant to leave. Chen Afu squatted down, gently pinched her little face and said with a smile, "Today is Lunar New Year, so everyone should eat their New Year’s Eve dinner at home. Come to Auntie’s house again tomorrow, and Auntie will make you some delicious food." She also tucked a red envelope containing six silver flowers into her arms, smoothing her small bun and saying, "This is Auntie’s New Year’s gift. Put it under your pillow when you sleep tonight, and you will be healthy and happy in the coming year."

Upon hearing this, the little lady patted her chest and finally left reluctantly.

After they left, Chen Afu instructed Zeng Xiaoqing to take another food box to Lord Luo’s house, which contained homemade braised meat for them.

Afterward, the family sat in the main hall and started having their Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner, with one table for the masters and another for the servants. They also set a table on the floor for Zhui Feng and Wang Cai to eat while squatting, with Qi Qi and Hui Hui standing on the table to eat.

From time to time, Shan Zi, Alu, and Dabao would go outside to set off fireworks. Whenever they ran out, the two dogs and two birds would also bolt, making it quite a lively scene.

Seeing this lively scene, Chen Ming’s eyes reddened. His family was now thriving.

However, there was one "individual" who was particularly unhappy. Chen Afu often had visions in her mind of Jin Yanzi crying in pain. The louder the fireworks, the more intense her little body shuddered, her eyes swollen from tears. Understandably, it was Lunar New Year, and everyone was happy. Even Zhui Feng, Qi Qi, and Hui Hui were louder than usual, but the little one was alone in the space, and she was lonely.

Originally, Chen Afu thought about staying up late with Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang, but now it seemed that she had to get Dabao to bed early so she could enter the space and keep the little one company.

Around nightfall, after having dumplings, Chen Afu excused herself for being tired, then took the still spirited Dabao to the Western Wing to sleep, making Zhui Feng, Qi Qi, and Hui Hui return to their room as well. Qi Qi, being in high spirits, was unhappy and called her a "stinky woman," causing Chen Afu to flick its head hard in anger.

Dabao, who had been going wild for a day, fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Chen Afu then entered the space, taking two small bowls of food with her.

Jin Yanzi was crying bitterly with her wings covering her small head.