Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 192 - 191: Inquiring

Chapter 192: Chapter 191: Inquiring

Little Wang Cheng was born to a destitute family, yet he still managed to grow until the age of ten when his family sent him to be an apprentice at the blacksmith shop in town.

Three years later, when war broke out at the border and men were being conscripted, all the men within the household were within the drafting age. So, they falsely reported Wang Cheng’s age as two years older and paid the conscription fee. After that, there was no word from Wang Cheng. When the war ended, only a handful of the villagers returned, saying that Li Gousheng was assigned to another camp and they had no contact. The family and villagers assumed he was dead.

Upon hearing the news, everyone in the family wailed inconsolably. Mrs. Wang was especially devastated, claiming that she had failed her deceased mother by not protecting her brother. Chen Ming tearfully comforted her.

Chen Afu also sobbed uncontrollably. Even if Wang Cheng wasn’t his uncle tied by blood, the fate of such a young boy would still be heart-wrenching.

Alu and Dabao also cried with the adults, one calling out "Uncle", the other "Grandfather Uncle".

When the Chu family arrived, they heard sobbing as soon as they entered the courtyard. Mr. Zeng, who was in the courtyard, explained the situation to them. Feeling uncomfortable about disturbing the mourning family, they retreated to the west wing.

Little Ms. Chu had just woken up and was insisting on finding her aunt. Mrs. Song was trying to dissuade her.

Chu Lingxuan went over to pick her up and told her that her aunt was grieving due to a family tragedy and she shouldn’t disturb her. Upon hearing this, Ms. Chu started crying and buried her face into Chu Lingxuan’s chest.

Her reaction took Chu Lingxuan by surprise. He held her closer and comforted her, "Yan’er, don’t be upset. When your aunt comes out, we’ll talk to her and cheer her up."

The old man was both shocked and touched. Initially, this child had been so ignorant that no external stimulation could draw her attention, like a puppet only capable of eating and breathing. But in a few months, her dementia had improved, she developed emotions, knew what made her happy or sad, and had even formed a deep bond with the little girl Chen.

He took a seat and said, "Yan’er, you’re a good child who remembers kindness. Don’t be sad. No matter what happens to this little girl, we’ll all help."

A while later, Chen Afu, leading Dabao, came to the West Wing, their eyes red and swollen.

Upon seeing Ms. Chu crying in Chu Lingxuan’s arms, Chen Afu asked in surprise, "What happened to the little girl?"

Chu Hanyan lifted her head and stretched out her hands to Chen Afu, who took her into his arms. Little Ms. Chu used her chubby little hands to touch Chen Afu’s face and tearfully said, "Aunt... is...crying. Little sister...also wants...to cry." After that, she opened her mouth and burst into frantic sobs.

Dabao was already upset, and seeing Chu Hanyan crying, he also started crying. The room was suddenly filled with the sound of crying, and Chen Afu couldn’t hold back his tears.

Chu Lingxuan comforted, "Master Chen, don’t be too upset. According to Mr. Zeng, your uncle has only gone missing and wasn’t confirmed to have been killed. So, it’s possible he’s still alive. I spent several years at the border, and my uncle even longer, a full twenty years, and he participated in every battle during these years. If we ask him to write a letter to the commanders at the border, and I also write a letter to my good friends there, I’m sure we can find out about your uncle."

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu quickly expressed his gratitude. Although the chances of survival in war were slim in ancient times, this was at least a hopeful prospect. Hence, he quickly went to the main room along with Dabao, telling Mrs. Wang not to worry, Uncle Wang Cheng might still be alive, and Mr. Chu would write a letter to inquire about his condition.

With this hope, Mrs. Wang wasn’t as desolate. She then expressed her wish to go to Lingyin Temple to light incense in prayer for Wang Cheng’s safety.

Chen Afu noticed the wry expression on Mrs. Wang’s pale face. When Chen Shiying visited home yesterday, Mrs. Wang was already saddened, and today’s incident had left her even more distraught, causing her to sway as she walked. Therefore, he persuaded her, "Mother, your health isn’t in good condition, better rest at home. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the temple to burn incense and make a larger donation to pray for uncle’s safety. The Chu family is also going there tomorrow, so we’ll go together."

Mrs. Wang nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, Alu and Dabao also insisted on going. Chen Afu agreed.

Chen Afu went again to the West Wing to tell the Chu family and both father and son agreed. Chen Afu then left Ms. Chu to play with Dabao and the animals, while he went to prepare vegetarian refreshments in the kitchen.

Tomorrow, she wanted to meet Master Wu Zhi, with whom she’d been spiritually connected for a while. She had cured his ailment and given him plenty of vegetarian food, so she hoped he could help her determine whether Uncle Wang Cheng was still alive.

She was so beholden to Master Wu Zhi not only because he predicted that her illness could be cured, but also because Mrs. Wei and others often stated he was an adept Buddhist practitioner. Many royal and noble families, along with prominent families, had sought him out for fortune telling. However, Master Wu Zhi turned down many people and didn’t even meet them, let alone predict their fortunes.

To "open his mouth", she should make the vegetarian refreshments even more delicious. So, she ventured into the space while going to the outhouse.

Upon seeing her enter, Jin Yanzi, who was busily scurrying with her tail raised, lifted her head to shoot her a fierce glare.

Chen Afu was taken aback and asked, "Baby, did Mother upset you?"

Jin Yanzi complained disdainfully, "Well, yes! You haven’t come to see me for several days now."

Chen Afu explained, "I’ve been very busy with a couple of unexpected incidents in these past few days, so I wasn’t able to visit you." She added, "I’m going to Lingyin Temple tomorrow, so I need to take some agarwood residues to make vegetarian treats for the old Master Wu Zhi."

Jin Yanzi said, "That old Buddhist monk seems somewhat cultivated. If he makes unreasonable demands, remember not to agree. Even if you do, I won’t give him anything."

Chen Afu reproached her with a glance and said, "He’s a distinguished monk. How can you call him an old bald donkey? That’s not polite."

Jin Yanzi rolled her eyes at her and continued busying herself with her tail raised.

Chen Afu took a small amount of agarwood from her wallet, quickly exited the space, and headed to the kitchen.

With the help of Aunt Mu and Auntie Zeng, she started making refreshments. They made plum blossom cookies, osmanthus glutinous rice dates, sesame walnut roll, peanut crisp and other vegetarian snacks, and also prepared some pickled vegetarian meal. Because the old Lord liked Snowball Glutinous Rice Dates, they additionally made some of this snack.

As the primary focus was on preparing vegetarian foods, they only made minced meat noodles for dinner. Even so, the Chu family savored every bite.

After finishing dinner, the old master laughed and said, "This is the charm of a meal cooked adjacent to ours, which Yan’er had infected us with."

Thinking that her grandfather was complimenting her, Chu Hanyan lifted her head and giggled at him.

When they were leaving, Chen Afu gave them two food boxes, which were meant for Abbot Liao Chen.

As Chen Afu and her son were seeing them off at the entrance of the courtyard, Chu Lingxuan, who was holding Chu Hanyan, told Chen Afu, "We will come to pick you up at the end of tomorrow morning. It’s cold and windy at the mountain, so dress warmly."

"Okay," Chen Afu smiled in response.

They watched their figures recede until they reached that tree, standing under it, and then looking back...

After they returned to the main room, Chen Afu again inquired about Wang Cheng’s birthdate.