Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 246 - 245: Relatives by Marriage

Chapter 246: Chapter 245: Relatives by Marriage

This time, Chen Afu, Dabao, Chen Ming, and Mrs. Wang rode together in the magnificent carriage.

At Chen Ming’s request, once they were in Zhongning County, the carriage took a detour to visit Laohuai Village. Their two hundred acres of farmland, already planted with rice seedlings earlier, stretched green as far as the eye could see, with many tenants busily tending to the fields.

Chen Ming got off the carriage to talk to the tenants before they continued on their journey.

By noon they arrived home, Chu Lingxuan headed directly to the Yingxue Nunnery, where Marquis Chu, Mrs. Chu, and Ms. Chu would stay for a few days.

Chen Afu and her son went to Lu Garden for lunch.

Chen Afu told Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang again that The Chus would send another dowry the next year and she would live permanently at Tang Garden after her wedding.

Hearing this, Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming were overjoyed. The Chus not only still regarded Afu as their own daughter, but they also treated them as true in-laws. Moreover, having their daughter live in Tang Garden meant she was still close by.

After a moment of joy, Mrs. Wang’s expression sobered as she said, "Afu, I have my concerns about this. Mr. Chu stays in Dingzhou and cannot frequently visit Tang Garden. Wouldn’t this make it difficult for you two to see each other daily? This could easily provide an opportunity for other women to step into your lives."

Chen Afu had been considering this arrangement by the Chus that previous night herself. Their decision to have her stay in the Capital City might have been to protect her, but not allowing her to live permanently in Dingzhou was somewhat puzzling.

Initially, not allowing Ms. Chu to live in Dingzhou was because she was ill and Chu Lingxuan was busy with his official duties and could not take care of her. But why arrange it similarly now? Although this was beneficial for protecting Dabao, they should not know about the prediction of Master Wu Zhi and Dabao’s special lineage.

There must be a reason, and she would ask for clarification later.

She said to her mother, "Mother, Master Chu is not that kind of man. If he wanted to have a woman, he could’ve had one these past years. Why would he wait until now? Their insistence for me to live permanently in Tang Garden must have a reason."

Chen Ming also added, "Women do tend to overthink. Master Chu is a good man, he is not like how you imagine him to be."

Mrs. Wang conceded that perhaps she was over worrying and laughed, "I am just worrying out of concern. I wish they would be closer to each other so that they could be a sweet, loving couple and have a few children."

Chen Afu blushed at her words, while Dabao’s grin became even wider.

Chen Ming chuckled, "Dingzhou is not far from here, just over fifty li. A quick ride would get you there in less than two hours. Master Chu rides a good horse, he might be able to make it in half the time."

After their meal, Chen Afu and Dabao went back to Fu Garden for a rest.

After a noon break, Chen Ming had Aunt Mu invite his elder brother’s family to Lu Garden for a meal, while also handing them the small bull he had bought for them and some gifts from third brother. He specifically asked for Mrs. Chen and Chen Ye, the two heads of the family, to come first as he had something to discuss with them.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chen and Chen Ye promptly came to Lu Garden. Chen Ye’s health had improved significantly and he was even able to do some farm work.

Seeing the sturdy young bull in the yard, Chen Ye was overjoyed.

They entered in the house where Mrs. Wang served them tea before excusing herself. As customary, wives had no place in the high-level meetings of the Chen family.

When Chen Ming announced that Chen Afu had recognized her ancestry and was engaged to Mr. Chu, planning to marry next year, both Mrs. Chen and Chen Ye were astounded.

Amidst their surprise, they sighed regretfully, greatly upset.

Befuddled, Chen Ming said, "Mother, old brother, Afu’s engagement to Mr. Chu is good news. Why aren’t you happy about it?"

Chen Ye glanced outside the window where Mrs. Wang was talking to Alu in the yard, then whispered to his younger brother, "Fool, if Afu hadn’t recognized her lineage, her marriage to Mr. Chu would have been a good thing for us. We would have been Mr. Chu’s in-laws and The Chus’ kin. Even Mr. Luo wouldn’t dare to offend us. But now she is the daughter of the governor, it’s Mr. Chen’s family who has ties with The Chus, what does that have anything to do with us? Oh, such a pity..." He couldn’t finish his words and twisted his face in frustration.

Mrs. Chen also sighed deeply and said, "Ah, it is such a pity indeed. Blood is thicker than water, after caring for her for so many years, she just up and leaves." She then turned to Chen Ming, "Just see, it’s as I told you. You were unhappy with what I said back then, but it all turned out true, didn’t it?" She pondered for a moment then said,"By the way, now that he has raised his daughter, Mr. Chen should give you some silver, shouldn’t he?"

Chen Ming frowned and replied, "Mother, what are you saying? Mr. Chen did give us some silver before, but I didn’t accept it. I gave it all to Joanne as her bridal dowry."

Chen Ye retorted, "You’re a fool! Afu is the child you raised, and as the head of the household, how could you let all the silver go to Mrs. Wang alone?" His voice even roughened in his anger. He continued, "Get it back, the family property should be managed by men. Moreover, you should talk to Mr. Chu and clarify that Afu was raised in our family. The Chus cannot only acknowledge the Chens as their in-laws."

Mrs. Chen also chimed in, "Your elder brother is right, the dowry from The Chus should be split half and half between your households."

Chen Ming shook his head, observing how his mother and older brother could never see clearly whenever it involved money. He quickly reassured them, "Stop panicking! I haven’t finished speaking. Although Afu has recognized her lineage, she won’t be living in The Chens’ Mansion in Dingzhou, she will still live in Fu Garden. She hasn’t said that recognizing her lineage means she won’t acknowledge me as her father - she’s still my own daughter, only now having two fathers. The Chus have said that they will also send a dowry to our family."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Chen and Chen Ye immediately relaxed and smiled. Mrs. Chen stated, "The Chus are good and righteous people, truly a high-ranking official’s family, and they’ve thought everything through. Afu is also good, she is a girl who remembers old ties."

Chen Ming then advised, "About Afu recognizing her lineage, do not spread the word, not even to sister-in-law, for she can’t keep secrets..."

Even though many people guessed that Chen Afu was Mr. Chen’s daughter, those were only rumors. To be safe, it was best to keep quiet about it.

Mrs. Chen and Chen Ye nodded in comprehension, they wouldn’t dare to cross the governor. Besides, if people didn’t know that Chen Afu had recognized her lineage, their family would still be known as The Chus’ relatives, and nobody around here would dare to provoke them.

Chen Ming understood their thinking, and warned them not to make trouble under the name of The Chus, The Chus had a reputation to uphold, and Tang Garden was nearby. Should they act improperly, it would displease The Chus.

He further advised, "In the future, let Dahu study hard. If he can pass the exam and become a metropolitan graduate, with The Chus’ connections, he should be able to secure a good official post. Let’s not forget Daya either, she has grown into a beautiful girl and it’s not impossible for her to marry into a noble family."

That would surely enable his family to improve their status.

Chen Ye happily agreed, "Second brother, don’t worry, I’ll keep my family in line. They won’t cause trouble for The Chus. Especially Mrs. Hu, if she becomes thoughtless, I’ll send her back to her parents’ home."