Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 189 - 188: I Am Your Father

Chapter 189: Chapter 188: I Am Your Father

Chen Afu said, "Mr. Chen, it seems you are unaware of the life we led before. If you knew, you wouldn’t say that. Our family of four, my father had lung disease and couldn’t do heavy labor, he even needed to eat well. Alu had a broken leg and Dabao was still young while I was foolish. We were a family of five living off my mother’s embroidery work and the rent from a mere four acres of land, among the poorest farmers in the whole of Xiangluo Village."

God was merciful, and my mind gradually cleared up. Seeing my mother who never gave up on my treatment, my father who would rather wrong his own brother than me, my young and crippled brother sharing the burdens of our house chores, the tender care of young Dabao, and the meager delicate food given only to my father and me... Seeing such a poor yet bound by love family, what reason did I have to hide at home and let them care for me in such a way?

I was willing to use my hands and wisdom to make their lives better, to relieve my mother from labor, ease my father’s worry, heal my brother’s leg earlier, and let Dabao experience a normal childhood... I taught Ms. Chu about sewing and sold embroidery products and designs to the Embroidery Workshop, and even partnered with others to open a wine shop. These were only a result of my wisdom and diligence, taking nothing without working for it. I have no shame. I’m not a legitimate daughter who can afford to hide in the backyard and live a luxurious life."

Chen Shiying’s eyes reddened again, "Fu’er, this family has given you such care and warmth, it’s right for you to act in this way." He then turned to Mrs. Wang, "Sister, don’t feel distressed. I’m not blaming you, I have no reason to blame you. You’ve treated Fu’er so kindly under such difficult circumstances, I thank you, thank my brother-in-law, thank you all." He then stood up and bowed to Mrs. Wang.

Seeing this, Mrs. Wang quickly turned herself aside.

Chen Shiying then said to Chen Afu, "Fu’er, I am your father. Are you willing to come home with me? If you really don’t want to stay in that house, you can also stay in this house permanently and just visit home occasionally, accompanying your father. How about it?"

Of course, Chen Afu couldn’t possibly return to that household, but was very curious about what kind of status Chen Shiying would give her. She asked, "What status would I return home with? My mother’s status at the time was not yet kosher, surely, I can’t be your illegitimate daughter?"

Chen Shiying sighed, "At that time, I was careless. I was not aware that my mother hadn’t gone to the County Government to register your mother’s status. I’ve been taking for granted that she was my legitimate wife... until she was driven away and I learnt the truth. It was too late then. My mother has done many wrong things, but after all, she is my mother. As her son, I can’t push her out to face criticism from others. So, I thought I had no choice but to bear the consequences on her behalf. I decided to state that I had a daughter due to my inability to control my emotions before marriage, and let Mrs. Jiang put you in her name. If there’s unpleasant gossip about me, even if I was impeached by imperial censor and demoted, even if my future promotion opportunities are affected, it’s all on me to bear."

Though he was foolishly filial, he still stood for his responsibilities.

Chen Shiying continued, "Fu’er, once we return to the mansion, you would be my legitimate eldest daughter."

Chen Afu shook her head, "I can’t accept that. First your mother bribed someone in an attempt to force me into marriage, and when that didn’t work out, she came to my home and tried to trick me out into another courtyard and sell me. Then there’s Aunt Tang and Chen Yuhui who followed your mother to deceive me. Your household harbors so many people who want me dead, if I go back there, how do you expect me to survive?"

Of course, that’s not the reason she’s refusing to go back. But she must make those three women aware that she knows their intentions.

Chen Shiying’s face turned red, "Rest assured Fu’er, no one can harm you at home. The majority of people in the mansion are allied with me and Jiang, my mother... can’t act arbitrarily. After I found out about the things she did when she returned to her hometown, I switched all the old people around her. That second uncle of hers, who bullied people in town, condoned his son’s violent behavior, and even took advantage of civilian women, he will be severely punished and won’t be able to do anything harmful anymore. Plus, Aunt Tang has been grounded, and I’ve admonished and punished Hui’er."

It seems his wife Jiang is quite capable, even managing to suppress his old mother. However, no matter how capable Jiang is, she isn’t her own mother, and whether she is a friend or foe is still uncertain.

Chen Afu didn’t like stepping into unknown situations that could get her into trouble, even temporarily. She’d rather stay here, this is her real home. She liked the countryside, loved the freedom here.

Chen Afu shook her head, "Mr. Chen, I only have one home, and that is here. I am not going anywhere."

Chen Shiying disappointedly replied, "Even if you only occasionally stay at my house for a few days, is it still not acceptable to accompany your father? Plus, if you were to become my legitimate eldest daughter, it would make it easier for you to find a good marital home."

Chen Afu still shook her head.

Chen Shiying then looked at Mrs. Wang, "Sister, Fu’er is young and doesn’t know what’s best. You should persuade her. Accepting me as her father, she wouldn’t be at loss."

Mrs. Wang understood the phrase "easier to find a marital home", Afu was already sixteen and they haven’t found a suitable young man. But seeing her daughter’s resolute expression, she decided to respect her daughter’s wishes. She said, "I respect Afu’s wishes."

Her words caused Chen Shiying to choke on his words because to continue insisting would be a disregard for his daughter’s wishes. He sighed, "If Fu’er doesn’t want to acknowledge me as her father, then surely she still holds a grudge against me. So be it, if you do not come to see me, I’ll come see you in future. The offer I mentioned earlier, always stands. As long as Fu’er is willing, Jiang can put you in her name."

He took out a few pieces of paper from his bosom, placed two on the table and said, "This is a 1,000 taels of a silver note, sister, consider it as dowry sent by your brother, I hope you wouldn’t have to work so hard in the future." Seeing Mrs. Wang shake her head, he added, "Sister, you cannot refuse. From now on, you are my real sister. No matter what it is, as long as you need your brother, I will stand up for my sister."

"No, I can’t take your money," Mrs. Wang still shook her head.

Chen Shiying said, "Then after I leave, you can just burn it." He then placed the remaining two pieces of paper on the table and said to Chen Afu, "This is a deed for 500 acres of good land and a estate. It is a gift from your father. With it, even if you don’t make money, you can lead a good life. In the future, your father will also give you more dowry."

Chen Afu didn’t refuse, she took the 500 acres of good land and the estate simply as an interest that he owed her as a father. After all, he was indeed her biological father and was supposed to provide for her.

Chen Shiying gazed at the two of them fondly, "Sister, Fu’er, I’ll take my leave first. In the future, I’ll come to visit you, and also personally express my gratitude to my brother-in-law."

Upon finishing his words, he lifted the curtain and went out. Mrs. Wang remained motionless and Chen Afu escorted him out to see Marquis Chu and Chu Lingxuan both standing in the corridor of the West Wing.