Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 190 - 189: Deserving It

Chapter 190: Chapter 189: Deserving It

Marquis Chu and Chu Lingxuan came to Lu Garden for a meal, and Shan Zi let them in, saying that they had some guests and that Mrs. Wang and Auntie Chen were in the upper quarters attending to them.

The two wanted to go to the West Wing to wait. However, before they made it inside, they saw Chen Shiying coming out from the upper house.

When Chen Shiying noticed them, his face grew even redder. He rushed over to greet Marquis Chu with a bow, saying, "Governor Chen pays his respects to Marquis Chu." He then greeted Chu Lingxuan with a fist in palm salute, "Mr. Chu, it’s a pleasure."

Chu Lingxuan also saluted Chen Shiying, "Mr. Chen, what a coincidence."

Marquis Chu chuckled, "Mr. Chen, did you come to visit your daughter?"

Chen Shiying blushed brighter and replied, "Yes."

Marquis Chu further remarked, "Time flies, it’s been more than a decade. You’re lucky to suddenly have such a wonderful daughter, Mr. Chen."

Chen Shiying blushed like rouge and replied awkwardly, "I’m embarrassed, Marquis Chu. You flatter me."

Marquis Chu huffed coldly, saying, "I don’t have time to jest about irrelevant people." When he saw Chen Afu approach, his demeanor immediately brightened. He said, "I was thinking about discussing the weather with Mr. Jiang upon my return to the Capital City. Perhaps also carry a conversation about the scenery with members of the imperial court. Tell me, Miss, would you need this old man to drop this idea just for you?"

What an endearing old man, brazenly employing threats.

Chen Afu laughed, "I appreciate the offer Marquis Chu gives me this leeway." She glanced at Chen Shiying who was looking flustered, then continued, "But you needn’t bother. I shall make you a dish you’ve never had before as a token of my gratitude."

Marquis Chu waved his hand generously and said, "Amazing, I won’t pry into your affairs then once I return to the capital."

Chen Shiying saluted Marquis Chu again. He then smiled at Chen Afu and told them, "Respected Marquis Chu, Mr. Chu, please make yourself at home. I need to go."

Marquis Chu nodded and further cautioned, "Keep your household in check. We’re not far from the capital, any rumour could reach the Emperor’s ears."

Chen Shiying nodded in agreement.

Chen Afu escorted him to the main entrance where Chu Lingxuan also came to see him off.

Chu Lingxuan chuckled and said, "I heard that Mr. Chen appreciates a good game of Go. I’m quite fond of it myself. If Mr. Chen finds some free time, we could have a session or two."

Chen Shiying returned the smile, "Certainly, if I have time, I’ll be sure to visit and impose upon you."

He then addressed Chen Afu, "Fu’er, take good care of your mother. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to send for me. As for Shan Zi at the residence, he’s a trusted friend of mine. You can always trust him with sending messages. As for that proposal, you should give it more thought. Don’t let kindness cloud your judgement and choose what benefits you the most." After a short pause, he continued, "And if you happen to meet a young man you fancy, you will have to get my approval first. I have been around for many years, my judgement is likely better than yours." With that, he climbed into a carriage not too far away.

Chen Afu also stepped forward and said through the carriage window, "Mr. Chen, I think it would be best if you limit your visits to our house, and interactions with my mother. It’s for the best for you, and for my mother."

A long sigh came from inside the carriage, "Fine, I’ll remember your advice. If Fu’er wants me to limit my visits to this house, so be it. But if I wish to see you, you must come and see me. Agreed?" Without hearing a response from Chen Afu, he continued, "If Fu’er doesn’t respond, I’ll take that as a yes."

Once the carriage disappeared around the winding path, Chu Lingxuan came to Chen Afu’s side, asking, "So, did you already accept him as your father?"

Chen Afu shook her head and said, "Not yet, he seems to be the only one who has." She added, "Truth be told, as a person, he’s not too bad, quite different from his mother."

Chu Lingxuan grinned, "You say you haven’t accepted him, but in your heart, you already have, right?"

Chen Afu didn’t deny it.

The man wasn’t bad, quite upright and fair. It was just the circumstances of life that kept him and Mrs. Wang apart. This was for the best for both of them as they both found what they wanted. One had a prosperous official career surrounded by love and admiration, the other found a harmonious family with a loving husband...

The two returned to the courtyard. The Chu family’s grandfather and grandson went to the West Wing parlor for tea. Chen Afu returned to the upper room and found Mrs. Wang still in tears.

Chen Afu comforted her, "Mother, don’t be upset. You both have good lives now, and that’s what’s important."

Mrs. Wang wiped her tears and said, "I’m not upset. I’m just reminiscing about the past... all those past events, it hits home. I took care of Shiying from the time he was five years old. At that time, my mother-in-law, ah, I mean Mrs. Chen, she was busy sewing to support the family and I took care of all Shiying’s needs. Feeding him, dressing him, even when he was naughty, it was me who would counsel him... I put him to bed until he was seven. When he was young and his mother scolded or punished him, he would always secretly cry in my arms... As he grew up, he still relied heavily on me, only discussing matters with me, teaching me to write and read. He used to secretly give me the money he earned from writing poems or letters to others... His mother was very unhappy about this, often blaming or even pinching me while he was away at classes..."

Chen Afu felt quite sentimental about their young friendship. She hugged Mrs. Wang’s arm and said, "That’s why it is a good thing that you two aren’t together. There’s such a wicked mother-in-law, even if you were married to him, you wouldn’t be happy. Look at how good my father is to you, so loving and respectful. And my grandma, although she is a bit competitive, she’s always good to you... However, he is also quite clever. He arranged this sibling-like relationship between you two, which quite fits the sibling dynamic given your past interactions. This way, he can help us from afar without causing resentment from my father. Even though we don’t need his help now, his thoughtfulness is still commendable."

Mrs. Wang wiped her tears and said, "I understand, I will see him as my younger brother and wish him well from afar."

That was for the best.

Chen Afu handed the 1,000 taels of silver note to Mrs. Wang, saying, "Mother, hold on to this. You looked after him for ten years, and you suffered a lot because of him. You deserve this compensation." She also picked up the two deeds and said, "I’m his legitimate daughter, he should take care of me. I should accept these."

Mrs. Wang hesitated while holding the silver note, "He was born into a poor family, where could he possibly have gotten so much money? I wouldn’t want him to become corrupt for our sake. Let’s return this."

No wonder Chen Shiying’s father asked him to protect Mrs. Wang before he died. Indeed, compared to his mother, Mrs. Wang was much more commendable.

Chen Afu reassured her, "Don’t worry, mother. He’s so smart, how could he take such a risk for an ’older sister’ and a daughter who didn’t grow up around him? I’m guessing he must have also held the position of governor while in Jiangnan. After all, one can make a considerable fortune as governor for three years, and Jiangnan is so prosperous. He won’t be poor."

Chen Afu took a closer look at the deeds and realized that the lands were located in Shili Town, Sanqing County, not too far from where they currently were, merely ten li away.