Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 278 - 277: Three Little Mischiefs

Chapter 278: Chapter 277: Three Little Mischiefs

Chu Hanyan’s birthday is on the fifteenth of next month. Relatives from the Capital City and Shizhou Mansion in the Provincial City will come to visit her. So, Marquis Chu is planning to take Chu Hanyan and Chu Lingzhi to Dingzhou for a while.

Chen Afu, the future mother, doesn’t have to stay with them in Dingzhou for so many days, but she has to be there to celebrate Chu Hanyan’s birthday.

However, Dabao surely cannot attend this occasion.

Chen Afu listened to the children’s laughter coming from the West Wing and smiled bitterly in her heart. Dabao will be devastated when they all leave.

Chu Lingxuan also felt helpless. He had written a reply to decline the visit saying that it’s not necessary for the elders to go all the way for a child’s birthday, but they all insisted on coming. Even those who have never visited before might come.

Perhaps, they all wanted to meet his future wife, who had grown up in the countryside.

Chu Lingxuan looked at his young fiance lit by the candlelight. Her eyes were like beautiful paintings, her skin was fairer than the snow, and there was an attractive charm about her. Those who wanted to make fun of him would definitely be disappointed.

He smiled and held Chen Afu’s hand, which was resting on the table, saying, "There will be about ten women relatives visiting this time. Several people, including my mother’s sister, my cousins, and my niece, will come from Shizhou Mansion. My aunt and my two female cousins will come from the Capital City. My sister will bring her one-and-a-half-year-old son, Heng, and after that, she will visit my mother at the Yingxue Nunnery and stay in the Tang Garden for a few days. You should get along well with my sister and your cousins. As for the others, it’s enough if you just get along on the surface."

"All right." Chen Afu nodded.

Chu Lingxuan further advised, "If anyone wants you to do some needlework or make food, don’t agree without thinking. If you can’t refuse, don’t do it yourself, just have some servants do it. Your talents are meant to show respect to the elders and love for the younger ones, and of course, to me, your future husband, not just anyone can order around."

Chen Afu laughed and said, "Okay. Even though I’m not one to be motivated only by profit, I don’t want to take on unnecessary tasks. Who doesn’t want to live a relaxed and comfortable life?"

Seeing her smile so radiantly, Chu Lingxuan could not help being smitten. He held her hands and brought them to his lips, gently kissing them over and over again, not wanting to let go.

His lips were soft and moist, kissing her hands sent sensations of numbness throughout. She slightly lowered her head, and let him continue.

As the couple was experiencing a moment of silent romance, they heard Qiu Yue, standing outside their door, say, "Young Master, Dabao, Yan’er, have you stopped playing?"

Dabao responded, "We’ve played enough. We need to start our homework."

Chu Hanyan voiced her disappointment, "I haven’t had enough playtime, but Uncle and Dabao don’t want to play anymore."

Chu Lingzhi chimed in, "Uncle also wants to play, but Mr. Liao gave us so much homework, we would be punished if we don’t finish."

These three little mischief makers!

Quickly, Chu Lingxuan put down Chen Afu’s hands, and the two shared a smile of helplessness.

Chen Afu, leading Dabao, escorted the three out of the courtyard, watching them return to the Tang Garden.

Back in the room, Dabao worked on his homework while Chen Afu sewed a purse.

She was making a new dress for Little Miss Chu, and every stitch of this dress was sewn by her. Chu Lingxuan was right, her skills were for those she respected and loved. Only when she truly respected and loved those people, would she willingly work for them.

When Dabao finished his homework, Chen Afu also completed the dress. The dress was a half-sleeve brocade dress with an embroidered pattern, matched with a dress of the color of Consort Yang. Its colors were very festive because it was intended to be worn on Little Miss Chu’s birthday.

She held up the dress and asked Dabao, "Do you think it’s beautiful?"

Dabao looked at it seriously and said, "Yes, it’s beautiful. Mom has the best craftsmanship, no one can compare."

This sweet-talking kid!

Chen Afu laughed and said, "This is for your sister’s birthday, have you thought of what you would like to give your sister as a birthday gift? If you have, mom can send someone to town to buy it."

Now, she wouldn’t dare let him go to town to buy things himself.

Dabao frowned and said, "I have been thinking about this for days and I even asked my sister. She said, as long as it’s from me, she will like it. Because she said this, I am even more confused." His eyebrows were furrowed from worrying and his mouth was drooping.

Chen Afu suggested, "Last time when you gave mom and grandma combs, your sister seemed to envy us. So, why don’t we ask Carpenter Wu to carve a small comb with a double swallow design on it? I’m sure your sister will love it."

Dabao’s eyes lit up upon hearing this and he nodded his head furiously, "Great idea, let’s ask Carpenter Wu tomorrow. But the double swallow design has to be done by mom. Your swallow drawings are the prettiest."

Chen Afu agreed and drew a half-circle comb on a piece of paper, then sketched two sparrows on it, singing with their mouths opened.

Dabao was ecstatic, "Mom, I’ve never seen such a beautiful comb. My sister will definitely love it."

It rained lightly during the night. The raindrops hitting the eaves produced a soothing tapping sound that kept Chen Afu awake. Once the autumn rain began, it wouldn’t stop for several days, and they would need to harvest the autumn corn soon...

The next day, the rain was still coming down. Chen Afu didn’t sleep well last night, so she overslept with Dabao. They didn’t get up until around 9 a.m.

After breakfast, Dabao insisted on going to Lu Garden to find Carpenter Wu to carve the small comb. Chen Afu put on wooden clogs, carried Dabao on her back, and with Qiu Yue holding an oil-paper umbrella over them, they headed to Lu Garden.

To avoid disturbances, Carpenter Wu and his sons were working on the furniture in the rear room. Apart from Carpenter Wu and his three sons, even Shitou, who was on vacation, was there. All the males of the Wu family had to learn carpentry from their fathers when they turned six. Although they couldn’t do much now, they had to watch and learn and do simple tasks like delivering nails or holding planks.

Upon hearing Dabao’s request and seeing the design, Carpenter Wu agreed and promised to create the most beautiful comb in Dabao’s mind within three days.

Afterwards, Dabao stayed to play with Shitou while Chen Afu went to a room in the front yard.

At noon, Chen Afu invited Chen Ming and his family of three to have lunch at Fu Garden.

Marquis Chu, Chu Lingxuan, and Chen Ming had drinks together at one table. Chen Ming was no longer nervous about dining with them.

At another table, Dabao was looking at Chu Hanyan and smiling, as if he had good news to share, but wanted to keep it a secret for now.

Chu Lingzhi asked, "Dabao, why are you always looking at Yan’er and grinning like a Cheshire cat?"

"Uncle, why is a smile called a ’grinning like a Cheshire cat’?" Little Miss Chu, who was simple and innocent, asked in confusion.

Chu Lingzhi explained, "Dabao’s smile right now, that’s what we call ’grinning like a Cheshire cat’."

Seeing Chu Hanyan looking at him, Dabao stopped smiling and said, "Sister, I’ll not tell you about it now. It will be a surprise for you then."

Chu Hanyan was even more anxious, she pouted and complained, "But I want to know it today."

Dabao held back and said, "If I tell you today, there will be no surprise. Can you be patient, for a bigger surprise later on?"