Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 218 - 217: Rejection

Chapter 218: Chapter 217: Rejection

Chen Shiying looked at Afu’s defensive demeanor, feeling incredibly helpless. He said, "I truly have your best interest at heart. The prime years of a young lady are fleeting. If you miss them, it’s hard to find a match. I have found two decent young men for you to consider. If you don’t like them, I will continue to look for you."

Afu certainly would not accept the potential grooms chosen by Chen Shiying, but curiosity drove her to stay silent and hear him out.

Chen Shiying continued, "These two young men are all of good character, carefully chosen from thousands of prospects. One of them is surnamed Zhou, the son of one of my aides. He is sixteen this year and has passed the Imperial examination at the age of fourteen. He will take the examination to become a government scholar next year, and it’s almost certain he will pass. He is handsome, scholarly, and kind. We also know very well about his background. The only drawback is his humble family background. If I provide you with a larger dowry, both he and his family are sure to treat you well. Afu, being as smart and capable as you are, I’m sure you two could make a good life together. I am particularly fond of this young man from the Zhou family. The other candidate is surnamed Li, he is the grandson of Mr. Li, a vice prefect of Dingzhou, and is fifteen years old, half a year younger than Afu. He has also passed the Imperial examination and is handsome with great family background as well as proper etiquette. If Afu wishes for a comfortable life, then Zhou’s son may be a better choice. If Afu wishes for a man with good family background and reputation, then Li’s son may be more suitable. However, if you choose Li’s son, it is best to have your aunty Jiang to adopt you. I have discussed this matter with her, and she has agreed."

After hearing the information about these two men, Afu feels that Chen Shiying is somewhat reliable. He doesn’t plan to use her for political marriage, and the family status of the people he has chosen is relatively low. He seems to genuinely be looking out for her. Given her awkward status, only those from lower social background or those who eagerly wish for his promotion is more likely to accept her genuinely.

However, she wouldn’t agree to marrying anyone. She shook her head and said, "I also have a son. I won’t marry; I want to have a son-in-law instead."

Chen Shiying advised, "As long as the man is good, why insist on having a son-in-law? As for Dabao, don’t worry. I’ll provide plenty of dowry, including money for Dabao’s needs, and have the groom-to-be recognize Dabao as his godson. With me backing you, neither of those two families will dare to mistreat Dabao."

Afu still shook her head in disagreement, saying, "Mr. Chen, you needn’t worry about me. Your eldest daughter in the Chen household isn’t much younger than me, it would be best if you consider more for her."

Chen Shiying’s face reddened instantly. His mother has lost face for herself and the entire Chen family with her antics.

Composing himself, he stated, "Your sister is much younger than you. We can consider their matters after handling yours."

Afu responded by shaking her head, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Chen, but I won’t consider either of them."

Chen Shiying observed Afu’s stubborn expression and remarked, "Afu is too willful..."

Just as he spoke, a servant came to report that Chu Huai, the attendant of the elder member of the Chu family, had requested to see Mr. Chen.

Once Chu Huai entered, he fist saluted to Afu before bowing to Chen Shiying. "My master, Mr. Chu, heard of Mr. Chen’s arrival and would like to invite you over for a drink at the Tang Garden."

Chen Shiying didn’t want to see Chu Lingxuan. Seeing him brought back memories of his mother’s foolish actions. Moreover, Chu Lingxuan was acting too superior. Although their family statuses differed significantly, making a marriage between their children inappropriate, they were of similar rank. If he wished to converse or invite him for a drink, he should have personally made the request as a proper courtesy. Moreover, he came to mend his relationship with his daughter, and they had just begun to chat a while ago.

However, Chen Shiying had always shown his gentle and kind-hearted nature to people, especially to someone like Chu Lingxuan, whom he did not wish to offend. Despite the complaints from his heart, he did not let any dissatisfaction show on his face. Smiling, he said, "I also just learned that Mr. Chu is in Tang Garden, and had planned to visit him in the late afternoon. Now since Mr. Chu has kindly invited me, I’ll have a few words more with Afu before heading over to Tang Garden."

Chu Huai fist saluted again then went outside to wait for him.

Chen Shiying pointed to the two brocade boxes and said to Afu, "The purple box is a headpiece for your mother..."

Afu hurriedly refused, "Mr. Chen, I have already accepted your ’kind-heartedness’ on behalf of my mother earlier. Please don’t give her any more things in the future. The last time I accepted the silver on behalf of my mother, she has been complaining about me – if I accept this headpiece now, she will surely stop acknowledging me completely."

Chen Shiying hesitated, disheartened, and sighed, "Your mother will always resent me. Forget it, we can talk about this later... If you mother doesn’t want it, Afu can keep it. And, the red box, is a headpiece that I’m giving you."

Afu refused again, "Mr. Chen, please do not give me any more things either. I have already accepted your ’kind-heartedness’ earlier."

Chen Shiying knit his brows, "Afu, you are my biological daughter. Even if you refuse to call me father out of spite, we are still bound by blood. Remember, it is customary to accept when elders bestow something upon you. I am your father, you should not refuse my gifts."

Without waiting for Afu’s response, he left the room.

Upon stepping out of the front gate of Fu Garden, he stood and gazed at the entrance to Lu Garden before turning towards Tang Garden. His footsteps were heavy, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds - he had no desire to see Chu Lingxuan and couldn’t help but resent Chu Lingxuan for lacking proper decorum.

In early February, his mother claimed to have dreamt of his father and wanted to visit the Baoguo Temple in Capital City to light a longevity lamp in his honor. Chen Shiying could not possibly refuse her request. Initially, he planned to let aunty Jiang accompany her, but she had to stay back as her son fell ill. Against his mother’s wishes, he did not allow Mrs. Tang and Chen Yuhui to accompany her but instead sent Mrs. Lu and many other servants and guardians with her. He only allowed his mother to stay one night at the Baoguo Temple, fearing that an extended stay might expose her to danger.

It just so happened that Mrs. Li, the second wife of Marquis Yong’an, was also at the temple. She was there to pay respects to her late mother-in-law with three days of incense and vegetarianism, and she was staying in the room next to Granny Chen’s.

Granny Chen is particularly adept at social climbing. When she heard that Mrs. Li was from the Marquis Yong’an’s family, didn’t that mean she was part of Chu Lingxuan’s family? Mr. Chu was young, capable, handsome, and came from a prestigious family. Every resident of Dingzhou City knew about him.

In Granny Chen’s view, Marquis Yong’an was a member of a prestigious family, a nobleman, part of a large clan, and even had an alliance with the princess. If they could establish a good connection with his family, it would greatly benefit her son’s career. Moreover, she had been planning something, and this seemed like a great opportunity.

So, she eagerly approached Mrs. Li. One of Granny Chen’s abilities was that when she met someone she yearned to flatter, she was particularly humble and the compliments readily flowed from her lips.

What Granny Chen didn’t know was that even though Mrs. Li was the second wife in Marquis Yong’an’s Mansion, she came from a humble background and had a narrow-minded view. She was nothing but the daughter of a sixth-ranked official, and her husband was disabled and stayed at home. The noble circle in the capital had no desire to pay her any attention. Since Mrs. Li was in charge of managing the house at the Chu’s Mansion in the past, people did express necessary courtesies when she made public appearances. However, ever since Mrs. Chu returned to the capital and took over the management, even fewer people cared about her.