Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 296 - 295: Tomorrow is Next Year

Chapter 296: Chapter 295: Tomorrow is Next Year

At around 7 p.m., Chu Lingxuan bundled little Chu Hanyan up in his cloak and carried her back to the Tang Garden; they had to stay home for the Lunar New Year’s Eve.

Ms. Chu was in tears and was very unhappy. She wanted to watch her brother and uncle set off firecrackers. Although there were also people setting off firecrackers in Tang Garden, they were all servants and she couldn’t join in their fun.

Chu Lingxuan coaxed her softly, saying, "This is the last year the two of us will spend the New Year’s Eve alone. Next year on this day, aunt and brother will come to Tang Garden and celebrate with us." He chuckled, having calculated something in his head, "Perhaps, at this time next year, Yan’er, you’ll have a little brother or sister. It will be even busier at home."

Hearing that she might have a little brother or sister, even her sadness was forgotten. She asked, "Really? Is Daddy speaking the truth? Will Yan’er also have a little brother or sister?"

Chu Lingxuan confirmed her with certainty, "Yes, it’s true. Daddy wouldn’t deceive you."

The little girl laughed with her mouth wide open. In her mind, next year was the same as tomorrow, as her brother had explained it to her.

In the mid-morning, Dabao, Alu, Wang Laowu and a few male servants were still laughing joyfully in the courtyard, their New Year’s Eve dinner was not yet finished.

Chen Afu stood up and announced to Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming, "It’s late, Dabao should be going back to sleep."

Chen Ming nodded and asked Mr. Zeng and Zeng Shuang to come join him in the main room for a drink.

Dabao was still reluctant to leave and Chen Afu had to blind him away by force.

After Dabao fell asleep, Chen Afu returned to the main room. She was constantly worried about Jin Yanzi, afraid that it would be upset just like last year. She hastily entered the empty space, carrying in her hand a small half bowl of shelled pine nuts and melon seeds.

Chen Afu looked around and didn’t find Jin Yanzi. Thinking it was hiding in the Golden House sobbing, she looked up at the tree and called, "Beibei, Beibei, come out quickly. Mummy has come to spend Lunar New Year with you."

Jin Yanzi’s voice came from under her feet, "Mummy, I’m down here, not in the heavens." It dropped the several swallow toys on it and crawled out. It further stated, "From now on, call me Beibei not Beibei when you call my nickname. Not only do you call me Beibei, you also call it." It lifted its wing, revealing Jin Bei.

Quite the princess it had become.

Chen Afu nodded and seeing it hadn’t wept, she curiously asked, "Beibei, why didn’t you cry today? Don’t you feel lonely?"

"Silly mommy, I have Beibei now, how could I be lonely?" said the Jin Yanzi.

Feeling relieved, Chen Afu put down the small bowl and was about to leave. Jin Yanzi hastily remarked, "Though I’m not lonely, I do feel lonely. Mommy, please stay and chat with me, and sing me the song ’Little Swallow, wearing flower-dressed’ again."

Chen Afu sat on the ground, cradled Jin Yanzi in her palm, and chatted until the wee hours before returning to her room to rest.

Early the next morning, Chen Afu put on her big red tunic skirt and embroidered cotton shoes. She went to the east wing to wake up Chen Dabao, laughing, "Happy Lunar New Year, son."

Dabao was still slumbering when he heard these words. He woke up, stretched out his arm to embrace Chen Afu’s neck, and said, "Happy Lunar New Year, mother."

Petting him in a bright red robe, with a red melon hat on his head, the two set off for the Lu Garden.

They kowtowed to Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang to wish them a happy new year, and received red envelopes. After breakfast, accompanied by Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu, Dabao and Alu went to Tang Garden to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and then went to the village to do the same.

Soon after their return, a steady stream of visitors came to wish them a Happy New Year, making the Lu Garden lively again. In the late morning, Ms. Chu also came to give her New Year’s greetings. She not only kowtowed to Chen Afu but also to Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang. Unexpectedly, she even kowtowed on behalf of Chu Lingxuan to Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang.

Both Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang were delighted. Although their son-in-law came from a noble lineage, there wasn’t a hint of disrespect toward them. They not only gave red envelopes to little Ms. Chu, but also gave Chu Lingxuan a big red envelope to be delivered via little Ms. Chu.

Chu Hanyan finally finished the serious tasks assigned by her father, then she quickly grabbed Chen Afu to examine her belly. After feeling it and believing it was too flat, she mumbled a few words.

Chen Afu was baffled and asked, "What did you say, Yan’er?"

Chu Hanyan said, "Your belly is so small, it can’t hold a brother or sister."

The thickness of Chen Afu’s face couldn’t stop her from blushing at the little girl’s words. She snapped, "What are you talking about?"

Tears sprang to Chu Hanyan’s eyes, "I didn’t make it up, Daddy said so. He said yesterday that you could give me a brother or sister next year. But it’s already next year today, why haven’t you given me a brother or sister?"

It wasn’t really the little girl’s fault, it was all that rascal Chu Lingxuan’s nonsense.

Everyone in the room started laughing, making Chen Afu’s face even redder. She led the little girl to the west wing and explained patiently, "Next year refers to a whole year, which has more than three hundred days, while tomorrow has only one day..."

After a long explanation, the little girl finally understood.

After dinner, Ms. Chu went home and complained to Chu Lingxuan about it, "Daddy, you should have made it clear. It made me happy for nothing."

Chu Lingxuan turned red. He wasn’t the one who didn’t explain clearly; she just didn’t listen properly. Not only didn’t she listen carefully, but she also said it in front of everyone.

He looked at the pitch-dark night outside the window and asked, "Yan’er, do you want to sleep with Aunt Chen tonight?"

"Yes." The little girl nodded.

The main hall in Fu Garden was brightly lit. The Coloured Glaze Palace Lantern on the ceiling was lit, there were two candles burning on the table and a high stool, with two charcoal basins as well. In Chen Afu’s knowledge, the Lunar New Year meant that the lights were as bright as day, creating a lively atmosphere.

She sat on the Luohan Bed, with Dabao squeezing into her arms and giggling.

Just then, Chu Lingxuan brought in Chu Hanyan.

Chu Lingxuan helplessly said, "Yan’er wants to sleep with Aunt Chen, so I had to bring her here."

Thinking of his nonsense with the little girl, Chen Afu glared at him and then laughed, taking the little girl into her arms. She said, "Good, Aunt Chen misses Yan’er too."

The two little ones sat on the Luohan Bed playing, the two adults sat by the table and talked. After the servants had poured tea, they tactfully retreated to the east wing.

Chu Lingxuan quickly told Chen Afu his exact words again.

In fact, what Chu Lingxuan said had crossed Chen Afu’s mind many times. She loved children and wanted to have one as soon as possible and wanted their home to be filled with the children’s laughter. If she were to get pregnant immediately after their marriage, she could truly become a mother by the end of this year, fulfilling her lifelong wish.

Under the candlelight, Chen Afu’s cheeks were as red as rouge. She lowered her head slightly and didn’t speak, surely she couldn’t admit that she thought the same way?

Seeing such beauty, Chu Lingxuan’s heart started itching. He leaned in towards Chen Afu, seeking quick victory with a kiss. He then uneasily glanced at the two little ones on the Luohan Bed, and his eyes met Dabao’s. He quickly turned his gaze away and sat straight.

That guy, he’s just trying to mid him.

Chu Lingxuan played until Ms. Chu started to doze off and yawned many times, then reluctantly got up and left.