Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 283 - 282: Indeed Not Sick

Chapter 283: Chapter 282: Indeed Not Sick

Granny Luo cackled with laughter as she held Mrs. Jiang’s arm, "I’ve long heard about Mrs. Chen’s sterling reputation. Today is finally when I get to meet her."

Mrs. Jiang quickly responded with politeness; Granny Luo then turned her attention to compliment Chen Yuqing.

The young woman held Chen Afu’s hand as she chuckled, "You are the younger sister from the Chens, are you not? I’m Chu Hua, my brother has mentioned me to you before, hasn’t he?"

Chen Afu looked at her future sister-in-law and instantly took a liking to her. Not only was she exceptionally beautiful, she also had an amiable and straightforward demeanor. Her sister-in-law should be easy to get along with.

When the Chus were in deep water, she was merely ten years old. Her mother was forced to take the vows, her father moved to the Princess Mansion, her grandmother had already passed away, and all who were left in the Marquis’ Mansion was a foolish second aunt. When the old Marquis sent Chu Lingxuan to the borderlands, he also took her along to be looked after by Mrs. Chu. She didn’t return to Capital City until she was sixteen to get married.

Chen Afu laughed, "I’ve often heard about Sister Hua, especially from Abbot Liao Chen, he’s told me many interesting anecdotes about you from your childhood." She refrained from mentioning Chu Lingxuan and instead talked about Abbot Liao Chen.

Upon hearing this, Chu Hua’s eyes reddened, she said, "I am visiting my mother this time. It has been a few years since I’ve seen her."

Mrs. Chu saw the women standing and conversing, so she suggested while laughing, "Why are you all standing there? Come and have a seat over here."

Granny Luo helped Mrs. Chen to sit in the round chair, and Mrs. Chen sat down readily. Mrs. Chu claimed to be the second mistress of Marquis’ Mansion but her husband was merely a minor official who had gained his position through a bribe, yet she had the audacity to throw her weight around here.

Mrs. Jiang was acquainted with many of the women and quickly struck up a conversation with them once she was seated.

Chu Hua then pulled Chen Afu along to introduce her to the various ladies present. Not bothering to introduce Mrs. Chu who was sitting in the middle, she introduced the middle-aged lady as Mrs. Luo, "This is my second aunt, Mrs. Luo."

Mrs. Luo chuckled, "What a fine child, you are truly as beautiful as the moon and flowers." Saying this, she slipped a jade bracelet off her wrist and handed it to Chen Afu.

This compliment didn’t sound as unpleasant. "As beautiful as the moon and flowers," has a positive connotation.

Chen Afu accepted the bracelet with a smile and thanked her as she curtsied. After Mrs. Luo had given Chen Yuqing and Chen Yuxia their welcoming gifts, Chu Hua led Chen Afu to meet the other ladies.

An around forty-year-old lady held onto Chen Afu’s hand and laid on the compliments. She was Mrs. Fu, wife of Commander Fu. Commander Fu was Chu Lingxuan’s and Chen Afu’s chief matchmaker.

After the introductions were over, the three sisters of the Chens sat politely beside Mrs. Jiang. A few of the ladies praised Chen Yuqing, making Mrs. Jiang beam with joy.

Mrs. Chu felt quite neglected. The country daughter-in-law of Chu Lingxuan hadn’t paid respects to her yet. How impolite!

After a while, a few young girls entered from outside. Granny Luo called them over to pay their respects to Mrs. Jiang.

They were the second daughter of the Chus, thirteen-year-old Chu Zhen, she was the legitimate daughter of Mrs. Chu. The third daughter Chu Lin, nine years old, was the illegitimate daughter of the second wife. Additionally, there were three daughters from the Luo family among whom the nine-year-old eldest daughter Luo Ying was Granny Luo’s favourite. Chen Afu had met her last year when she was selling needle and thread packages.

Mrs. Jiang smiled and gave them each a welcoming gift while Chen Afu presented each of them with two bead flowers. She had initially prepared some small animal ornaments as gifts, after hearing what Chu Lingxuan had said, she changed her mind and decided to give bead flowers instead.

Mrs. Chu addressed Mrs. Luo and other ladies while smiling, "Look how polite these children are. As soon as they enter, they immediately come to pay respects to their elders."

Mrs. Fu always disliked Mrs. Li. She scornfully said, "Indeed, the elders need to act their part and then the younger generation will know how to act theirs."

Stung by her words, Mrs. Chu was at a loss for words and she didn’t dare to provoke Mrs. Fu.

It was time for lunch, Chu Hua specially went to get Chu Hanyan to come to Hua Hall.

The little girl was dressed in the clothes Chen Afu had made for her. She looked joyful and beautiful. But seeing so many people made her scared and she buried her face on Chu Hua’s waist, not daring to look up. Chu Hua laughed rather awkwardly, gently soothing her.

The majority of these guests had all attended the birthday celebration last year, those who weren’t present had also heard about Chu Hanyan’s condition. But the Chus had always denied that the child was afflicted with dementia, they only said that she was timid and afraid of strangers.

A little girl of about six or seven years old asked, "Mom, didn’t they say that the younger sister of the Chu family doesn’t have dementia? Why does she still behave like this..."

Her mother was startled and quickly covered her daughter’s mouth. However, everyone could guess that she was about to say the word "stupid."

Aside from Mrs. Chu, who couldn’t resist a smile, the rest of the Chu family and relatives were blushing. Luo Ying angrily refuted, "Nonsense, cousin Yan’er is not sick."

The little girl’s mother kept apologizing, "I’m sorry, my child is just talking nonsense. Of course, the oldest daughter of the Chu family isn’t sick."

Chen Afu stood up, walked over to Chu Hanyan, and said softly, "Sister, why are you hiding your face? Is it because you got your face dirty while playing?"

Chu Hanyan hadn’t seen her aunt for quite a few days. Hearing her voice, she couldn’t help her excitement and lifted her head to reveal a big smile immediately. Her cheeks were rosy and full of life; her smile was like a flower that instantly illuminated the entire room.

She held Chen Afu’s hand and said softly, "Auntie, sister loves to be clean, she doesn’t play naughty games, and she didn’t get her face dirty. If you don’t believe me, auntie, check it out." Having said that, she even raised her face a bit.

Chen Afu bent down to take a closer look at her face, smiled and said, "Indeed, it isn’t dirty at all, it was auntie who was overthinking." She ruffled Chu Hanyan’s hair and said, "All these grandmothers, aunts, and sisters are here to celebrate sister’s birthday, shouldn’t you greet them and say thank you?"

Chu Hanyan looked around with her big eyes, the crowd was making her dizzy. She didn’t like being watched by so many people, nor did she like this house.

But seeing the expectation in her aunt’s eyes, she felt that she should go. Although there was a trace of reluctance on her face, she still nodded.

Chen Afu took Chu Lingyan’s little hand and went forward with Chu Hua. They first came to Mrs. Jiang’s side. Chen Afu let go of her little hand and said, "This is the matriarch of the Chen family, auntie’s mother."

This introduction effectively earned Mrs. Jiang brownie points. Chu Hanyan made a standard gesture of respect, and in a soft voice, called out, "Grandmother of the Chens."

Mrs. Jiang cheerfully said, "Oh my, such a gorgeous child, such a charming child. Today my eyes have been truly opened."

It couldn’t be denied, Mrs. Jiang really knew how to lay it on thick. Having said this, she presented her the prepared welcoming gift - a wallet containing jade rabbit accessories. Her maid, Qiao’er, accepted it on her behalf.

Next, they approached Mrs. Fu. Mrs. Fu was shrewd, and her husband was effectively Chu Lingxuan’s superior, so their relationship was inevitably special. She showered Chu Hanyan with compliments like a blossoming flower and also gave her a welcoming gift.

After that, they moved onto Mrs. Li, Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Yang...

After visiting everyone in the room, voices of praise echoed all around. In their hearts, they all came to realize that Chu Hanyan was unquestionably not very smart, but she certainly wasn’t stupid. Moreover, she was incredibly beautiful. She was arguably the most stunning child in the room.

Her dementia was healed! Or maybe, she was never sick to begin with, just a little timid. It left them wondering who could be so mean as to spread such appalling rumors about the girl.