Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 242 - 241: Mrs. Chu

Chapter 242: Chapter 241: Mrs. Chu

The next morning, after Chen Afu had just finished the breakfast he had prepared, he heard Qingfeng, who had just returned from a stroll outside, whispering that the old lady was not doing well. A doctor had been hastily summoned the previous night and managed to wake the old lady, but her eyes and mouth were now crooked, her body was immobilized, her speech was garbled, and she kept claiming to have seen ghosts. The doctor said that the old lady had suffered from a scare and had a stroke.

Qingfeng added, "I heard that the young master, the third and fourth young ladies have gone to the Hengshou Pavilion to attend to the old lady’s illness..." The implication was that it would be best if Chen Afu could also go there.

Chen Afu was secretly amused and admired Jin Yan’s prowess. However, he said, "The old lady certainly would not want to see me. I’ll respect her wishes and won’t impose myself."

Only after the old lady fell asleep did Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang return to the main court, appearing completely exhausted. After changing his clothes, Chen Shiying went to the ancestral hall and added Chen Afu’s name to the family register.

He felt a bit thwarted. He had suggested to Chen Afu several times that she change her name to Chen Yufu, but she had not agreed. Had it been any of the other children, he would not have consulted them and would have made the change directly. But with this eldest daughter, he always consulted her kindly, not only because he loved her even though she was not by his side but also because this young lady was very assertive and had a strong personality.

Mrs. Jiang hurried to prepare for today’s distinguished guests.

Chen Afu was in her room daydreaming when Hong Feng brought in a tray. Not only was there a full set of clothing on the tray, but also a headwear made of solid gold inlaid with pearls.

She laughed and said, "Mrs. Chen asks you to dress up properly. The ladies from the Chus’ Mansion are certain to ask to meet the young ladies of this mansion."

Chen Afu bathed and changed her clothes. She wore a yellow brocade short jacket embroidered with Consort Yang’s color, a begonia red skirt scattered with flowers, and exuded elegance and joy.

Hong Feng suggested, "Miss, we’re receiving distinguished guests today. It would be better if you put on make-up."

Chen Afu nodded. The make-up she put on was subtler than that of the time.

Once she was all set, the servants could hardly conceal the astonishment in their eyes.

Just after noon, a messenger arrived from the main court saying that a distinguished guest wished to meet the young ladies. Chen Afu, accompanied by a few maids, headed for the main court. On the way, they ran into the third young lady, Chen Yuqing, and the fourth young lady, Chen Yuxia, who had also dressed up for the occasion.

As they approached the main court, before they even stepped inside, they could hear a woman’s hearty and unguarded laughter ringing out from within.

After entering, they walked past a twelve-panel shield showing symbols of wealth and happiness to find Mrs. Jiang and another woman sitting on a Luohan Bed. The woman was in her twenties, slender, with arched eyebrows and phoenix eyes, her make-up exquisitely done, radiant, and attractive. She was wearing a gold-threaded brocade surcoat with a multitude of butterflies studded on it over a lilac skirt covered with scattered flowers, and had her hair studded with a variety of jewels.

There was also a little boy sitting besides them.

Mrs. Jiang waved with a smile and said, "Young ladies, this is Mrs. Chu, Lady Changhua of Yong’an Marquis Manor."

No wonder everyone kept saying that this lady was remarkable. She was a Lady!

Chen Afu and the others stepped forward with smiles, bending their knees to give a curtsy, and said, "Greetings, Mrs. Chu."

Mrs. Jiang then introduced the young ladies to Mrs. Chu one by one, "This is our eldest lady, Fu’er, this is our third lady, Qing’er, and the youngest one is Xia’er. There’s also a second lady, Hui’er, but she suddenly had a fever yesterday and we didn’t dare to let her come out."

Mrs. Chu laughed and said, "Oh my, Mrs. Chen, you’re so lucky to have such a multitude of daughters, each prettier than the last, which makes me adore them so much!" She beckoned, "Come closer, so I can kiss each of you." Her loud and clear voice was refreshing, her volume unrestrained. She gave an air of grandeur yet made everyone feel comfortable and close.

The moment the young ladies arrived by her side, she held Chen Afu’s and Chen Yuqing’s hands and laughed, saying, "Daughters are so sweet, soft, and delicate. I regret that I’ve never been fortunate enough to have a daughter. My two boys just give me a headache."

The little boy sitting next to her pouted with resentment and said, "Every time my mother compliments other girls, she criticizes my brother and me. Are girls really that good?"

His words made everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Mrs. Chu laughed and scolded, "You and your brother are so naughty, can’t your mother vent a little?"

Although she held one hand in each of hers, she looked at Chen Afu significantly more, barely concealing the amusement in her eyes.

The little boy spoke again, "Mother, every time you see a pretty young lady, you always hold onto their hands like this. Be careful not to scare them."

Everyone burst into laughter at his remark.

Mrs. Chu pretended to glare at him, took out a golden phoenix hairpin from her hair and motioned for Chen Afu to squat down. She pinned the hairpin in Chen Afu’s hair and said, "Good girl, I felt an affinity for you the moment I saw you."

Blushing, Chen Afu thanked her.

Mrs. Chu then took off a white jade bracelet from her wrist and gave it to Chen Yuqing, and a string of coral beads to Chen Yuxia.

The two young ladies knelt in gratitude.

Mrs. Jiang’s laughter was even more evident as she pointed to the little boy and said, "This is Mr. Chu, from the Yong’an Marquis Manor."

Bearing in mind that Mr. Chu was much younger than them, Chen Afu and others just nodded and smiled at him, calling out, "Mr. Chu."

Mr. Chu, or Chu Lingzhi, had rosy lips and bright teeth. He bore a strong resemblance to his father and had his hair styled in a skyrocket. He wore a little red robe embroidered with flowers.

Seeing himself being introduced grandly, he also greeted them, "Hello, my three elder sisters." Standing up straight, he adroitly said to Chen Afu, "You must be the teacher of my niece, Yan, right? Thank you, you’ve taught her well. I’m very satisfied."

This little boy’s cheeky charm was irresistibly adorable.

Chen Afu loved adorable children. She joined in the joke and said seriously, "I am flattered by Mr. Chu’s praise. Yan is very cute."

Mr. Chu was clearly pleased with Chen Afu’s response and added, "Don’t be modest, you deserve my praise."

Everyone laughed again.

Once Chen Afu and the others were seated according to their seniority, Mrs. Chu resumed her playful conversation with Mrs. Jiang. Of course, she did not neglect the young ladies and asked Chen Afu the most questions.

Besides answering Mrs. Chu’s queries, Chen Afu was not overly talkative but maintained her composure and dignity.

Afterwards, everyone had a meal there before the young ladies were dismissed to return home.

On their way, Chen Yuqing whispered in Chen Afu’s ear, "I never would have thought that Mrs. Chu would be even more magnificent and straightforward than the stories say..."

It turned out that Mr. Chu and Mrs. Chu had an earth-shattering love story.

Mrs. Chu was the empress dowager’s biological granddaughter and the emperor’s niece. However, her parents passed away when she was two, so she was taken in by the empress dowager and raised in the Cining Palace.

Since her father died saving the emperor from the rebel king’s assassins, she greatly admired heroic warriors. As she grew up, she rejected many prospective suitors, but fell in love with Mr. Chu at first sight when he returned to the capital from the border. Not only did she ask the empress dowager to grant her marriage, but she also eloped with Mr. Chu to the border...

Hearing Mrs. Chu’s story, Chen Afu, a modern-day orphan, was filled with envy. Although her parents had also passed away when she was young, she had strong support, married a man she loved, and even followed him to the border, living a life filled with their shared affections. It was no wonder her aura was so powerful and she radiated such bliss.