Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 270 - 269: I am Willing

Chapter 270: Chapter 269: I am Willing

Afu had already inspected the small courtyard in Tang Garden and had specifically named it Yanxiang Pavilion. Tang Garden was not particularly large, so the courtyards were few and small. The unique feature of Tang Garden was its abundance of begonias, found everywhere inside and outside each courtyard. Afu had only asked for some renovation of the house, nothing too major.

Chen Ming also had someone measure the house so that Manager Luo could procure some high-quality elm wood. At first, Manager Luo suggested procuring some precious woods such as rosewood, but Afu thought it unnecessary. This was just a country house after all, there was no need for it to be overly extravagant, as long as it was comfortable, practical, and aesthetically pleasant.

The same carpenters as in Fu Garden, the father and son from the Wu family, were engaged. The blueprint was basically the same, only differing in dimensions. The wood was reportedly going to be delivered in a few days, and then, the carpenters would start work in Lu Garden.

In Dingzhou, they would stay in the grandest main court, which was also under renovation. The furniture there would be handled by Chu Lingxuan, and the craftsmen had already been dispatched to the mansion a couple of days ago.

Chu Lingxuan consulted Afu on her views on the furniture, to which she gave a general description. She didn’t request the carpenters to make major alterations but followed the popular style of the era. She did, however, mention a few specifics about the structure of the wardrobe for hanging clothes.

Chu Lingxuan mentioned that Mrs. Chu had sent someone with a letter, saying that the courtyard in the Marquis’ Mansion where he had lived as a child had begun its renovation.

Chen Shiying had already had someone measure the house and was preparing to have the furniture made in Dingzhou before it would be shipped over. The wood used was supposedly rosewood, and the craftsmen were considered the best in Jibei Province. Due to the short construction period and the high level of sophistication required for the furniture, over twenty craftsmen were hired. They were going for a luxurious style. Afu didn’t intervene there, she trusted the clever Mrs. Jiang would save face and win over Chen Shiying, while also preserving her own reputation.

Actually, their stay at the Marquis’ Mansion would be extremely short and there was no need for such extravagance. It would be more practical to put the good furniture in the Senator’s Mansion in Dingzhou. However, the Marquis’ Mansion was considered their true home and they would get married there, so most of her dowry would be shipped there.

Chu Lingxuan, with a wry smile, said he had received another letter from a confidante in the Marquis’ Mansion. Just a while ago, Mrs. Chu had made a scene there over the possession of that courtyard. This courtyard was one of the best in the Marquis’ Mansion, and it was the one Mrs. Chu had reserved for her second son, Chu Ling’an, when he married. She even had a lock put on it.

Mrs. Chu argued that since Chu Lingxuan was the heir to the Marquis’ Mansion and used to live in that courtyard, and considering that the late Madame intended it to be used for his marriage, he should be the one to live there.

But Mrs. Chu refused to listen, arguing that Chu Lingxuan rarely stayed at the Marquis’ Mansion and that occupying such a grand courtyard would be a waste. She refused to hand over the keys. In response, Mrs. Chu directly had the lock broken and started refurbishing and painting the courtyard.

Mrs. Chu caused a great uproar, crying and complaining that because her husband was disabled, her daughters-in-law and grandchildren were being bullied. This upset Mr. Chu, who left the Marquis’ Mansion to live elsewhere for several days. As the elderly Marquis was not around, Mrs. Chu even went to the Princess Mansion to cry and complain to the "elder sister-in-law," Princess Rong Zhao. To her surprise, Princess Rong Zhao stooped to visit Marquis’ Mansion to mediate the hostility between the two sister-in-laws, but was driven away by the fiery temper of Mrs. Chu after exchanging a few words...

Unconsciously, they had spoken for quite a while. Chu Huai had coughed a few times outside the door, and Mr. Zeng had walked several rounds in the courtyard.

Afu blushed and had tried several times to chase Chu Lingxuan away, but he insisted on sticking around, saying in a low voice, "We are just talking quietly. What’s there to be afraid of? Moreover, everyone here is our own people. They won’t gossip..." What he didn’t finish saying was that thankfully the boy wasn’t present, so there was no fear of him suddenly turning up and nosing around.

When chased for the fifth time, Chu Lingxuan realized he could no longer delay leaving. Before he got up, however, he suddenly leaned over and kissed Afu’s cheek.

Afu didn’t expect him to pull such a move. She covered her face with her hand and chided, "Stop it." Because Chu Huai was outside, she didn’t dare to raise her voice. After saying this, she stood up as well.

Chu Lingxuan, successful in stealing a kiss, was overjoyed. He had expected Afu to be shy and embarrassed, even too ashamed to look up at him or get up. But he saw that although Afu was blushing and reproached him, her eyes couldn’t hide a hint of amusement.

She also liked him kissing her!

If he had known earlier, he would have taken his time with the kiss, if he could have kissed her lips, it would have been even better...

Chu Lingxuan looked at the face he had dreamt about countless times, his eyes filled with both joy and regret. In the candlelight, her face was blushing, as beautiful as a begonia...

When Afu saw him staring at her dumbfounded, she laughed and said, "What are you waiting for? Shouldn’t you be going?"

"Oh." Chu Lingxuan replied and leaned in again.

Chu Huai was standing outside, and the door wasn’t closed.

Afu stepped back and whispered, "Not now, there are people outside." Her voice was barely audible.

A grin spread across Chu Lingxuan’s face. It seemed she wasn’t refusing him, it was because there were people outside.

Afu, along with Zhui Feng and Sasa, escorted him to the entrance of the courtyard before returning. Upon her return, the Jin Yanzi that had been hiding in the foliage flew out. It circled Afu excitedly a few times before settling on her collar, chirping, "Mommy, Mommy, you finally kissed. It’s great that the leading man and leading lady finally kissed each other. Today, I want to celebrate this special day with some green bird’s nest."

When Afu heard it mention the green bird’s nest, she was delighted and wanted to share in the treat. She hurriedly told Zhui Feng and Sasa to rest in the ear room and had Qiu Yue leave after washing herself.

She went with Jin Yanzi into the space and saw it crawl into a golden house, instantly making the space smell even better. A while later, Jin Yanzi crawled out, licking its beak contentedly.

Afu said, "After all that, you’ve already sneaked some green bird’s nest in the house, why didn’t you share some with me?"

Jin Yanzi responded, puzzled, "Why should I share my green bird’s nest with you for your kissing game?"

Angrily, Afu retorted, "If our kiss has nothing to do with you, then why did you celebrate it?"

The corners of Jin Yanzi’s mouth lifted into a smile, "Because I wanted to!"

Afu choked, cursing, "What a nasty creature." She left the space in a huff.

The next morning, upon hearing the news, Mrs. Wang rushed over as fast as her legs could carry her, fretting, "Afu, I heard there’s a wild dog at your place. Make sure it doesn’t hurt you."

Afu laughed and said, "Mother, don’t panic. Look at Sasa. He’s well-behaved and doesn’t bite randomly." Saying this, she moved towards the east wing.

Under the eaves of the east wing sat Zhui Feng and Sasa. Seeing that the big white dog was even larger than Zhui Feng, and that its wide mouth seemed capable of snapping a human neck in one bite, and its eyes were extremely cold, Mrs. Wang grew terrified. But as soon as Afu went over and started gently stroking his fur and whispering to it, Sasa’s eyes softened, and it obediently let Afu pet it. At times, it even closed its eyes in contentment.

Only then did Mrs. Wang feel relieved.