Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 243 - 242: Betrothal

Chapter 243: Chapter 242: Betrothal

Returning to Rose Courtyard, Chen Afu took off the golden hairpin of the spread-winged phoenix with hanging pearls that Mrs. Chu had given her. The golden hairpin was really beautiful, about the size of a small sparrow, with delicate thin wings that quivered with the slightest movement. A few pearls were rosy white and round, about the size of a fingertip.

Yu Zhuo looked at it and said, "Ah, this hairpin is so pretty, it’s made by the Imperial Household Department."

"What makes you say that?" Chen Afu asked.

Yu Zhuo pointed to an almost invisible character on the hairpin and said, "Miss Chen, please look here, this is the character ’nei’."

Chen Afu saw it, indeed it was true. She then said, "So Mrs. Chu is a princess. She seems affable in disposition and forthright, quite an easygoing person."

Yu Zhuo agreed proudly, "Indeed, our Lady Chu is nothing but kind-hearted, even treating us servants very well. However, for those who incur her displeasure..." She suddenly panicked, realizing she was discussing her master, especially the formidable Lady Chu, and hastily shut her mouth, her face flushing red.

That night, hearing that the men in the outer courtyard were having a very good time, Chen Shiying gladly accepted Commander Fu’s matchmaking. The next day, Chen Shiying continued to play host to the official matchmaker the Chus invited over for a formal proposal. After that, the birthdates of both families matched perfectly, a match made in heaven. Since both parties were not young anymore, they set the date of marriage to the tenth day of the second month next year.

Chen Shiying also told Chen Afu that the Chens would not keep any of the betrothal gifts from the Chus, they would all be given to her as a dowry, and Mrs. Jiang would prepare an additional generous dowry for her... It was also decided that the wedding would still take place in the Chens’ Mansion next year.

In these days, Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang busied themselves for Chen Afu, while Chen Afu idled away her time in Rose Courtyard. To pass the time, she made snacks and sent some to the couple and her younger brother and sisters every day.

Chen Afu left the Chens’ Mansion on the 23rd of April. Before leaving, she made a special visit to Shouheng Courtyard to see Mrs. Chen.

When she entered Mrs. Chen’s room, Mrs. Chen’s eyes and mouth were crooked as she leaned against the bed. Seeing Chen Afu, she began to mutter obscenities, "You wretch, what are you doing here? Get out! Get out!"

Chen Afu walked cheerily to Mrs. Chen’s bedside and spoke softly, "I’m about to leave, and I don’t want to see you one bit more. I came to tell you that no one stole my marriage, and I’m betrothed to Mr. Chu. We will be married in February next year. Afterwards, I will be a young mistress in the Marquis’s Mansion, and I will enjoy great blessings. I’ll anger you to death, you old hag..."

Mrs. Chen was so infuriated that she could hardly get her words out, just sputtering, "Get out! Out! Let her get out..."

At first, the old woman serving in the room lowered her eyes pretending to ignore what was happening, but seeing Mrs. Chen shake with rage, she worried that Mrs. Chen might be so infuriated that she might suffer a stroke. So, she stepped forward and advised, "Miss, it won’t do you any good if something happens to Mrs. Chen because of your provocation."

Chen Afu smiled at Mrs. Chen again, "Rest assured, it’s said that evil does not die easy, so you won’t die so soon. I hope you live a long life to see how good my life will be in the future. And my mother in the countryside, her life is sure to get better and better. We’ve never done anything wrong, so we’re not afraid of bad karma. Unlike you, even a slight disturbance makes you nervous. Mrs. Chen, you’d better live long, don’t die so soon. There are still wonderful days waiting for you."

With that, she turned around and left. She was already outside in the courtyard, but she could still hear Mrs. Chen’s venomous curses coming from the window.

She looked up at the sky, which was a bright, clear blue, and the sun was shining brilliantly. She took a deep breath and went to the main court to bow down to Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang.

Chen Shiying said fondly, "Fuer, remember, this is also your home. Come back often. Your father, your mother, your brother, and your sisters, we all are going to miss you."

Mrs. Jiang also said, "Indeed, Fuer, you should come back often to see us, especially your father. He couldn’t sleep last night because he’s going to miss you."

Chen Afu smiled, "Okay. When father and mother have time, they should also bring my brother and sisters to visit Fu Garden in the countryside. Although the countryside is simple, it has a different charm when you stay for a few days."

After saying goodbye to Chen Yuqing and Chen Yuxia, Chen Yulan escorted Afu to Chen Shi’s house.

Seated in the carriage, Chen Afu felt as cheerful as the country breeze - light, carefree, and unfettered.

Even though Mrs. Chen was ill and hence incapacitated, Mrs. Tang and Chen Yuhui had also been sent away, she still did not feel comfortable or like to stay at the Chens’ Mansion. She missed Dabao, Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming, Alu, Miss Chu, Qi Qi, Hui Hui, Zhui Feng, Chu Lingxuan, as well as the vast countryside.

The carriage was driven by Uncle Qing, with Guard Wang escorting them on horseback straight to Chen Shi’s house. Chen Afu was riding in this carriage with Chen Yulan and Qiu Yue, and Mrs. Xu returned to the Chus’ Mansion along with Yin Zhuo and Yu Zhuo.

As soon as the carriage reached the alley of Chen Shi’s house, Chen Afu heard the calls of Qi Qi and Hui Hui.

Through her delightedly opened carriage curtain, Qi Qi and Hui Hui scrambled in and flapped their wings excitedly about in Chen Afu’s arms, crying out, "Mother, mother, we missed you, coo coo coo..." Their mournful cries indicated that Dabao must have been crying like this too, these past days.

Chen Afu felt both moved and elated, holding them both, soothing, "There, there. Hasn’t mother come back?"

Chen Yulan watched with wide eyes, stupefied by the surreal scene.

Then, a howling sounded - not quite like a dog’s, causing Uncle Qing to slow the carriage’s speed as a huge dog suddenly lunged into the carriage, startling both Qiu Yue and Chen Yulan into screams.

Zhui Feng promptly leapt onto Chen Afu, pushing Qi Qi and Hui Hui aside. It licked her face and neck, whimpering with such fervor that it was crying.

Chen Afu, laughing as she petted its head, said, "Oh, my darling, mother missed you too. Now, don’t cry."

Qi Qi and Hui Hui, shoved aside, were upset. They stood on Zhui Feng’s back, pecking at him and admonishing, "Annoying, annoying, get out of the way..."

By the time this meleé was over, the carriage arrived at the entrance of Chen Shi’s house. Chen Afu, encumbered by a dog and two birds, descended to see Dabao and a group of people waiting at the entrance.

Seeing his mother, Dabao let out a wail, "Mother, coo coo coo..."

Overcome with emotion, Chen Afu scooped him up and shed tears, "Good son, don’t cry. Mother is back, and she missed you, terribly..."

She then consoled Mrs. Wang, Chen Ming, and the others with their teary eyes.

When everyone went inside the house, Chen Afu introduced Chen Yulan to them.

Chen Yulan, obeying Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang’s instructions, met Chen Ming and knelt in respect, "This humble nephew, Yulan, salutes Uncle."

Chen Ming was a bit surprised, and quickly replied, "Oh, oh, a good boy."

Chen Yulan went to Mrs. Wang, knelt, and bowed his head three times, "This humble nephew, Yulan, salutes Auntie. Wishing Auntie good health and all the best."