Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty -
Chapter 205 - 204: Cannot Harm Her
Chapter 205: Chapter 204: Cannot Harm Her
To accommodate Chu Lingxuan’s desire to watch his daughter, another table was also set in the main hall. This is where Mrs. Wang, Afu, and Yan’er sat.
In the middle, a bed was also set up with bowls of food for Zhui Feng and Wang Cai, and a large plate for Jin Yanzi, Qi Qi, and Hui Hui.
After dinner, Dabao and Yan’er habitually held hands and headed for the West Wing. These past few days, Afu and Yan’er slept in the bed, with Dabao sleeping on the couch in the hall.
Chu Lingxuan bent down to carry Yan’er, pretending to be upset, "Daddy is back for only one day, and my little girl does not even want to keep my company?"
Upon hearing this, Yan’er hugged his neck and pouted, "Fine, fine." Then she turned to Afu and said, "Auntie, behave. Dabao, stop being naughty. After daddy leaves, I will come and join you."
Afu was both amused and at a loss, as if she really wanted Yan’er’s company. Whenever the little one slept here, Afu could not sleep well, worrying that she might catch a cold or that they might roll over her.
But looking into her pleading little eyes, she agreed, "Okay."
Dabao also said, "Good, I’ll wait for you. When you’re not here, I won’t let Mother tell stories. When you come back, we’ll listen together."
Dabao, still holding Afu’s hand, walked them to the door.
At this time, the sun had completely set, leaving behind a golden rim of clouds at the top of Honglin Mountain in the west. The evening breeze of spring, slightly chilly, rustled the new leaves on the trees.
Chu Lingxuan, halting, asked Afu, "Tomorrow, I’ll send some people to help you move."
Afu laughingly shook her head, "No need. Everything in Fu Garden is new, there’s not much to move from here."
Chu Lingxuan nodded and then asked, "Are there many guests tomorrow? I’ll send a few people to help you cook."
Afu again shook her head, "My father and uncle’s family haven’t returned. There are no adult men in the house, so we didn’t invite many guests—just Brother Agui, Madam Luo’s family, a few friends from Tang Garden, and Brother Wu’s wife and Shitou for dinner. We only have three or four tables, so we have enough help at home. Oh, if Mr. Chu is free tomorrow, please come to Fu Garden for a meal."
Chu Lingxuan readily agreed, "Sure. However, I’ll come in the late afternoon."
Afu nodded. The guests for the afternoon meal were all villagers or servants from Tang Garden. It would be chaotic and uncomfortable for him.
Chu Hanyan pouted, "And Auntie, what about Sister? Don’t you want to invite Sister?"
Afu laughed happily, "How could we possibly leave Sister out? You should come along with Daddy."
They arrived at the willow tree, its long branches already adorned with leaves, gently swaying in the breeze.
Chu Lingxuan stopped in his tracks and turned back, Chu Hanyan waved and shouted "Auntie, Dabao."
Dabao also waved back, jumping and shouting, "Uncle Chu, Sister Yan’er."
Jin Yanzi, who had somehow ended up on Afu’s clothes, chirruped, "All this reluctance to part, and still trying to deny it. Mommy, stop fighting the inevitable. If you’ve fallen in love, just accept it." Then, with a flap of its wings, it flew off into the west.
Chen Afu was taken aback. Indeed, she had always believed that it was Dabao who had pulled her out against her will. Yet standing there watching them, hoping they would turn back, or even linger a little longer, these feelings were undoubtedly her own.
Rationality told her she shouldn’t fall for this man, fearing another heartbreak. But she couldn’t help herself.
"Let’s go back." Chen Afu quickly pulled Dabao towards their home.
"Uncle Chu is still standing there." Dabao said as his mother forcefully dragged him back home.
Chu Hanyan saw her aunt went home first and pouted, "Why did aunt leave early?"
Chu Lingxuan was also disappointed, "Perhaps aunt had an urgent matter." And they headed back to Tang Garden.
Just as they arrived at the gate of Tang Garden, a gatekeeper reported, "Master, Miss, the Master is home."
Chu Lingxuan frowned and scolded, "Why didn’t you go and report to Lu Garden earlier?"
The gatekeeper bowed again and said, "The Master ordered me not to. He said to let Miss play to her heart’s content before returning."
The trio hurried to Liao Chen’s courtyard, overjoyed. Especially Liao Chen, seeing her granddaughter more cheerful, she was chanting her prayers joyously.
After Hanyan went to rest, Liao Chen turned to Chu Lingxuan and said, "Xuan’er, what’s on your mind? Tell me." A mother knows her son best, she could see her son was troubled.
Chu Lingxuan pursed his lips. He knew if he kept silent, his mother would worry more. He said, "Mother, someone is scheming my marriage again." He sneered, "No matter their planning, they won’t succeed."
Liao Chen’s fingers were whitening as they clutched her Buddhist beads. She angrily said, "That woman is too cruel. She forced me out, manipulated the empress dowager to grant you a marriage, causing Hanyan to fall into dementia. Now she wants to interfere in your marriage again."
Chu Lingxuan quickly said, "This time it isn’t that woman, she’s preoccupied with bearing a son and has no time for us. It’s my second aunt, she wants to see me married to the eldest daughter of Chen Shiying."
Enraged, Liao Chen replied, "Mrs. Li is always up to dishonorable schemes. She doesn’t realize that even if you were to remarry, you are the heir to Marquis Yong’an and could not possibly marry a governor’s illegitimate daughter. Does she really think that if you lose status, her son might inherit the title if that woman fails to bear a son?"
Chu Lingxuan saw his mother getting upset and quickly reassured her, "Mother, don’t worry. I’ve grown up, experienced a lot, and I can protect myself now. As for my second aunt, she can’t influence any of my affairs. She only adds to my annoyance. However, about my marriage... I have actually taken an interest in a girl."
Surprised, Liao Chen happily exclaimed, "Xuan’er has a girl in mind? From which family is she? Do I know her? We should let your grandfather propose as soon as possible. Once this matter is settled, I can relax."
Chu Lingxuan blushed slightly and cleared his throat, "This girl... you do know her..."
Liao Chen saw the look on her son’s face and laughed, "Not many girls could catch my son’s eye, she must be the first, right? Quickly tell me, which family is she from?"
Chu Lingxuan said, "This girl comes from a low background, and... her future is uncertain..."
Liao Chen knew who he was talking about. She also liked that girl very much but had never considered her as a daughter-in-law candidate. She was thinking of having her third sibling adopt her as a daughter to provide her with a respectable background so it would be easier to negotiate with her in-laws in the future,
Worriedly, she said, "I know who you’re talking about. But she comes from a humble background and I’m afraid she lacks confidence. That woman will insist on having her daughter-in-law serve her dutifully, and will send her to the Princess Mansion to be tormented... I’m afraid for her. You... you must not harm her."
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