Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 247 - 246: Three-Color Ball

Chapter 247: Chapter 246: Three-Color Ball

At dusk, Chen Agu’s family of four arrived at Lu Garden, even Mrs. Hu, aided by Chen Aju, walked leisurely. She could now get up and walk, but couldn’t exert herself much. Walking from the village to Lu Garden left her panting heavily.

When they heard that Chen Afu was actually engaged to Mr. Chu, the master of Tang Garden, they were all shocked.

Chen Aju blurted out, "How is that possible! Chen Afu is a fool, and Mr. Chu is such a high-ranking official, how could he marry her!"

Mrs. Hu was terrified, and some words she dared not say rashly, but she also didn’t believe in this, and said, "Isn’t it possible that Uncle Three has developed hysteria and started to talk nonsense."

Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming both had solemn faces.

Chen Ye was furious and muttered to himself, "You are the fools. Having such a good relative, you don’t know how to get along with her well and still say such things." He reprimanded Chen Aju with a stern face, "What nonsense are you talking about? Your sister Afu is marrying a good family, you brothers and sisters will also share her good fortune." He also advised, "While your sister Afu is still unmarried, spend more time playing with her. After she marries into the official family, she will be busy. Even if you want to play with her, she won’t have time to deal with you."

Mrs. Chen also said unhappily, "You’re such a big person, and your words don’t go through your brain. If you dare to talk nonsense like your mother again, don’t go out in the future." And she smiled at Mrs. Wang, "Daughter-in-law of the second child, don’t take Aju seriously, she’s just a thoughtless girl. We all know that Afu is a good girl who holds grudges, and we are all happy that she can become a phoenix."

Chen Aju didn’t dare to say more. She thought to herself, if Chen Afu really marries Mr. Chu, I can also share the light and find a good husband. With this thought, she cheered up again.

Chen Agu and Mrs. Gao both laughed and said, "Congratulations to Uncle Three and Aunt Three, Afu has found a good family and you should enjoy your blessings."

Mrs. Wang liked what she heard and nodded with a smile.

Mrs. Chen asked again, "Where are Afu and Dabao? Why didn’t they come for dinner?"

Chen Ming laughed, "They were tired on the road and needed a good rest. So they won’t be coming tonight."

Mrs. Hu curled her lips, "She hasn’t even married over yet, and she’s already starting to put on airs."

Chen Ye glared at her and scolded, "You stinky woman, you’ve learned so many lessons, but your mouth still lacks a door. Talk nonsense again, and I’ll slap you hard."

Mrs. Hu quickly closed her mouth, looking around to make sure no outsiders were present before relaxing.

Chen Afu and Dabao did not go to Lu Garden, even Alu ran to Fu Garden for dinner. Alu heard that Mr. Chu was going to be his brother-in-law, and that his sister would still live in Tang even after her marriage. He was overjoyed.

Looking at his nephew, who was grinning broadly, Dabao was depressed. His most understanding nephew was no longer on the same side as him. He burrowed his head deeper into his mother’s chest.

Dabao was stickier to Chen Afu than before, sitting on her lap most of the day and night, humming occasionally, but talking very little. He didn’t outwardly resist the idea of Chen Afu’s engagement to Chu Lingxuan, but he was still unhappy about it.

This child has experienced the fickleness of human nature since he was little, and is afraid of being abandoned. After Chen Afu crossed over, it took a lot of effort to make him let down his guard and live a carefree life like a real child. However, now that Chen Afu is getting married, he feels that he is going to be abandoned again, and this fear is even worse than before. He doesn’t want to lose these good days.

Despite all that Chen Afu had explained to him, he remained fearful deep down.

Chen Afu felt helpless and cherished him even more. She thought of taking it slowly, making him realize that she would always care for him and love him just as before, and wouldn’t neglect him, so as to help him let go of his fears and anxieties.

At night, Fu Garden was extremely quiet. Jin Yanzi, who hadn’t been to the mountains for a long time, couldn’t wait to take Qi Qi, Hui Hui, Zhui Feng, Wang Cai, and the birds in the cage to play in Honglin Mountain as soon as she came back.

Dabao, just like before, clung to Chen Afu even in his sleep. In the middle of the night, he seemed to have a nightmare and woke up crying, screaming, "Mother, mother, I want my mother.....

Chen Afu embraced him, coaxing, "Be good, your mom’s right here. Mama will always stay with Dabao..."

In a half-dreaming and half-awake state, Dabao seemed to take in his mother’s words. He softened his body, with tears still in his eyes, and fell asleep.

The next day, just as Chen Afu and her son had finished their breakfast, a missive arrived from Chu Lingxuan. The note informed her that their family would visit from the Yingxue Nunnery the day after tomorrow to pay birthday respects to her. His mother would be coming with them.

Tomorrow is the twenty-sixth of April, Chen Afu’s sixteenth birthday.

Chen Afu hurriedly prepared the grocery list and ordered some people to the county town to buy the food. She also started preparing the meals, which had to be solely vegetarian.

She also tidied up Fu garden. Some of the luxurious decorations and utensils stored in the storeroom were also brought out. Ninety percent of these things were given by Chu Lingxuan, and the remaining ten percent was given by Yang Mingyuan. Afu could never afford such good things herself.

At the same time, the news of Chen Afu’s betrothal to the master of Tang Garden began to spread in the nearby villages. The villagers couldn’t quite believe it. It seemed unthinkable that a village girl, who was once considered stupid, who had created a female household, and who had been raising a son, could be married to the prestigious Mr. Chu. Some people even said that Mr. Chu must be establishing a mistress, and not marrying a legitimate wife.

Some people asked those from Tang Garden or the tenant farmers for confirmation, and only chose to believe when they received a definite answer. This, of course, ensued a wave of envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Hu Laowu was particularly delighted, thinking that he had good judgment for currying favor with the Chen family early on. However, those who wanted to curry favor with the Chens now found it almost impossible.

He specifically made a trip to Lu Garden and very humbly reported to Chen Ming about his work situation in managing Mrs. Wang’s home. Now, the people of Wang Laohan’s house dared not leave at night or take sparsely populated roads, as they were constantly worried that a stone might appear out of nowhere to hit them in the head. They even dared not keep chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, rabbits...

Hu Laowu also informed him that it seemed that the big families in the village who considered themselves to have a good relationship with the Chens, such as the first room of the Chen family, Chen’s Second Grandpa’s family, Chen’s Third Uncle’s family, Junior Officer Gao’s family, Carpenter Wu’s family, would come to celebrate Chen Afu’s birthday. Perhaps there would be other families as well...

When Mrs. Wang heard about this, she hurriedly went to tell Chen Afu.

This is the situation- no one cares for the poor, but once fortune strikes, even distant relatives in the mountains will visit. The fool that everyone once avoided like the plague is now the object that everyone in the village wants to please. Even a small birthday gathering is attracting so much attention.

Given the situation, Afu had to discuss with Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang in Lu Garden about spending her own money to set up a few tables in Lu Garden for the villagers to eat.

Chen Ming laughed and said, "Father had the same idea. But Afu doesn’t need to spend any money; dad has money now."

Chen Afu didn’t argue, she agreed with a nod.

Dabao, accompanied by Chen Agu, went to the private school to deliver gifts to Mr. Jiang and the same-age children, and told Mr. Jiang that he was no longer going to study at the private school.

In the evening, Jin Yanzi lead the animals back from the Animal House. This time she brought back some unfamiliar birds, vibrantly colored and very eye-catching.

In its beak, Jin Yanzi also brought along a flower plant. This plant grew three stems from the root, ran about fifty centimeters high, each stem sprouting white, red, and yellow spherical flowers, as big as a baby’s fist. Exuding a beautiful scent, it was very beautiful. Additionally, a lot of soil was still clinging to the root.

Chen Afu had never seen such a flower before. She thought it must be a rare variety discovered deep in the mountains. Delighted, she said, "Thank you for bringing such a beautiful flower for Mommy’s birthday."

Jin Yanzi chirped, "Quick, grow it in a pot. It’s not a flower; it’s a rare medicinal plant, scientifically known as Tri-color Bulb, and commonly named Nightly Spring."

Chen Afu had never heard of Tri-color Bulb, whether it was a flower or medicine. Nightly Spring was an even stranger name, wondering if it was that kind of medicine?