Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 262 - 261: Disaster Without Reason

Chapter 262: Chapter 261: Disaster Without Reason

After lunch, Chen Shiying hastily took off for Wangshan Village in a carriage, accompanied by two attendants, while the Marquis Chu took the two children back to Tang Garden.

Ms. Chu was reluctant to leave Fu Garden, but Marquis Chu laughed and said, "You can’t spend your whole day here, you should let your auntie rest a bit."

These words struck Chen Afu with silent resentment. They offered only concern for others but neglected themselves. Even the Emperor had a holiday today, yet they came to Fu Garden for a free meal. Although they had paid for the meal, her home was not a wine-shop, open to the public every day.

Though she thought these things, she couldn’t voice them. She cajoled the little girl, laughing, "Be a good girl. Have a nap with your grandpa. In the evening, your aunt will make you and your uncle watermelon ice."

After hearing these words, Ms. Chu finally agreed and went off with grandpa and little uncle, her lips pursed in a pout.

Chen Yulan, listening to all this, curiously asked, "Sister, what is watermelon ice? I want some too."

Fetching a small basin of ice from the cellar at the Tang Garden, Chen Afu crushed it, added pieces of watermelon, pumpkin seeds, peanut shavings, raisins, and begonia jam. The simple watermelon ice was ready.

She made a bowl each for Chen Yulan and her siblings and Alu. Except for Alu who had tasted it before, it was the first time for the others. They were enamored with this refreshingly delicious summer treat that looked so appealing, tasted so delicious and was perfect for the heat.

After finishing, they clamored for more. Chen Afu shook her head and said, "This is tasty, but too much of it can upset your stomach."

They moved to the backyard and spent some time in the children’s playground. Chen Lu took Chen Yulan and Chen Yuxia to play. Later, Chen Afu showed them how to pick cucumbers from the vine, to experience the joys of farm life.

Later, she handed each of the children a purse, Chen Yuqing a set of clothes – as previously promised – and loaded the carriage with the gifts from Lu Garden, which included four big watermelons. With that, she sent off the children in the carriage and watched their reluctant departure.

No sooner had Chen Afu returned to her room than she heard a loud noise at the courtyard gate.

Mr. Zeng cried out in a loud voice, "Who’s there? Can’t you be more gentle?"

Chen Afu too came out of her room when she heard Xue Dagui’s voice, "Open the door quickly, Bao is hurt."

The words scared Chen Afu and Mr. Zeng, with Chen Afu rushing to the gate where Mr. Zeng was opening the door. Xue Dagui was carrying Chen Dabao and entering the courtyard, followed by two guards.

Chen Afu was distraught and rushed over, crying, "What happened to Dabao?"

Xue Dagui carried Dabao inside the room and with a guilty look, confessed, "I failed to protect him, and his leg got injured accidentally. He has already got bandages from the clinic, had an injection, and is on medication."

After settling Dabao in bed, Xue Dagui stepped out and continued to explain the situation.

Chen Afu didn’t hear what he was saying. As she rushed to the bed, she found Dabao’s face pale, tear-streaked, his eyes half-closed, and one leg bandaged and splinted. The sight broke her heart, and she burst into tears.

Dabao seemed to be awakened by the crying. He opened his eyes and saw his mom crying, holding his hand. He stretched out his little hand to try to wipe her tears. Chen Afu bent lower, and more tears welled up in her eyes. As his eyes welled up with tears, he whispered to his mother, "Ma, don’t cry. The doctor said I wouldn’t die." The pain in his leg was unbearable, and he sobbed out loud, crying, "Ma, it hurts... it hurts so bad..."

Chen Afu was heartbroken, crying out, "Be brave, Dabao, just hold on a little longer. Mom has sent for a doctor."

At that moment, Chu Lingxuan walked in, mournfully saying, "Dabao’s leg is broken, I have sent for a doctor from Qianjin Medical Clinic in the capital city."

Chen Afu cried out in despair, "How could this happen? How could this happen?"

Chu Lingxuan sighed, saying, "Dabao was an innocent victim. There was a fight between two groups. Unfortunately, he was not far from them and was hit by a flying chair, which broke his leg. There were several people who were hurt accidentally."

Chen Afu cried out in grievance, "There were several guards and even you were with him. How could you let a child stay near people fighting without making him stay at a safe distance?"

She also blamed herself, thinking that since Sanqing County was within hundreds of miles, she let Dabao go to the county town. But he still ended up becoming an innocent victim. If she had known, she would not have let him go anywhere.

Chu Lingxuan defended himself with a blush, "It’s my fault for not realizing the danger around us..."

On hearing the report, the Marquis was frightened and hastily ran to the Fu Garden. He couldn’t enter Chen Afu’s bedroom, so he berated from the side room, "Wretched boy, what’s happened? How did Dabao get hurt!"

Chu Lingxuan entered the side room, feeling depressed. He waved his hand for everybody to leave, and only after they left, did he speak in a low voice, "Just after we finished lunch, and were about to leave the wine shop, we ’coincidentally’ met..." He lowered his voice so only the Marquis could hear, "Met the Ninth Master. Those men must have been there to test the Ninth Master’s legs ..."

As soon as Marquis Chu heard this, he quickly silenced Chu Lingxuan, whispering, "Let’s discuss this when we get back." He reprimanded angrily in a low voice, "I could beat you to death! How could you lead..." He held back his words and slapped him several times.

Chu Lingxuan dared not dodge, and took the old man’s blows stoically.

The old man stopped hitting him and asked again, "How is Dabao’s leg? It won’t result in a limp, will it?"

Chu Lingxuan replied, "I’ve already sent for a doctor from the Qianjin Medical Clinic."

Chen Afu stayed by Dabao’s side, seeing him cry until he seemed to fall asleep again. She remembered the medicine of Jin Yanzi, which could not only heal external wounds but also relieve pain. Jin Yanzi led the Animal House to play in the mountains and had not returned for three days.

She pinched her left hand hard. After a while, she saw Jin Yanzi flying in from the window, chirping, "Mommy, what’s so urgent that you called me back...oh, what happened to stinky Dabao?"

Chen Afu glanced at the anxious Chu Lingxuan and said, "Sir, it won’t do any good staying here. You should go home and rest."

Chu Lingxuan nodded thinking that he had to discuss some matters with the old man in detail and said, "Then I will go back for now. When the doctor arrives, I will be back."

Chen Afu nodded and Chu Lingxuan helped the Old Marquis back to Tang Garden.

As soon as they entered the study, the old man growled in a low voice, "Tell me, why did you take Dabao to meet Ninth Master?"

Chu Lingxuan replied, "Ninth Master learned a while ago that he has a younger half-brother, still alive, and he was quite pleased. He just wanted to see Dabao from afar. I thought, just seeing from afar and in our area of influence, would be fine. But who would have guessed... someone must have known that Ninth Master had been staying at the Lingyin Temple for such a long time and feared that Master Wu Zhi might obtain some divine medicine to cure his legs, so they sent someone to test him. In the chaos, the Ninth Master sitting in a wheelchair took a sword hit..."