Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 299 - 298 Waiting to Get Married

Chapter 299: Chapter 298 Waiting to Get Married

When Dabao came out of his bedroom, he saw his mother sitting on the Luohan bed, sewing. She was making clothes for him.

He approached Chen Afu and snuggled in her arms, then climbed on her lap to sit. His little face was flushed from sleep and his eyes were still somewhat swollen.

Chen Afu put her needlework down, and pretended not to notice that he had been crying. She cradled him and gently rocked him. After a while, feeling his little body gradually relax, she proposed, "Son, I’m out of options. I have to discuss this with you. Can you help me make a decision?"

Being rocked gently by his mother, Dabao felt very comfortable. It felt similar to riding the small wooden horse in little Shitou’s house. He asked, "What’s troubling you, Mom?"

Chen Afu said, "Your dad and I are going to Capital City this time, and we can’t take you and your sister with us. I told you first because you’re sensible, but I’ve been afraid to tell your sister fearing she might cry. I’m just not sure how to tell her. It’s really difficult for me."

They could take the little girl to Capital City this time, but she and Chu Lingxuan thought that it would be fairer to neither bring Dabao nor Chu Hanyan, treating both children equally. Otherwise, they might keep saying they would be fair to Dabao, but treat him differently in actions which might make him feel left out, thinking that there was a difference between their biological child and their adopted one.

However, Dabao thought, if it’s so difficult, then don’t go.

Even though he thought this way, he didn’t say it. Because he knew very clearly that it was impossible. His Mom was marrying Daddy Chu, and they were going to Capital City to get married, and this was irreversible.

Still, he took a bit of pride in his mother treating him like an adult and discussing such important matters with him.

He puffed out his small chest and said, "Sisters are delicate, it’s inevitable." He then said reluctantly, "Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll help persuade Sister."

Seeing his mixed emotions, Chen Afu kissed his little face and praised, "Being a big brother is indeed different. Helping your mom solve problems and knowing how to protect your sister."

When Chu Hanyan woke up, Chen Afu and Chen Dabao went to tell her. As expected, as soon as they finished talking, the little girl opened her small mouth wide and burst into tears. She sobbed so much that she hiccuped, and she wouldn’t listen to explanations.

Seeing her react so intensely, Dabao was frantic and didn’t care about his own sadness anymore. He kept trying to comfort his sister. So much so, that he himself started believing that it was okay for his mom and Daddy Chu to go to Capital City without them. But after consoling her for a long time to no avail, the little girl continued to wail and fuss.

Chen Afu gently reminded him, "When Mom comes back, what should Sister call her?"

Dabao suddenly realized. His sister once told him the thing she wanted best was to be able to call their mother "Mother". He quickly raised his voice and said to the little girl, "Sister, stop crying for a while and listen to brother. After my mother returns from Capital City, you can call her ’Mother’, not ’Auntie’."

The crying of the little girl abruptly stopped, and with teary eyes, she asked, "Really? When Auntie comes back, I can call her ’Mother’?"

Dabao nodded vigorously and said, "It’s true, I won’t lie to you, you can ask my mother if you don’t believe me."

The little girl was even more pitiful.

Chen Afu wiped her tears and said, "It’s true. When I come back, you not only have to call me ’Mother’, Dabao and I will also move into Tang Garden, and we will really become a family."

This is the scene her dad often describes to her, and the little girl had dreamt about it. She stopped feeling sad, smiled with tears hanging, and tugged at Chen Afu’s clothes, saying, "Sister and brother will be good, Auntie, come back soon, sister really wants to call Auntie ’Mother’ soon." She wished that Auntie could go to Capital City now and come back tomorrow.

Dabao wiped the sweat from his forehead, pleased with himself for successfully placating his sister. Chen Afu gave him a thumbs-up and whispered, "Dabao, you’re really capable, spotting your sister’s vulnerability and persuading her so easily."

Yes. Dabao also felt quite accomplished. Everywhere their mother had stumbled, he had emerged successful, and he puffed his chest out in pride.

Finally, he had completed the task of dealing with the two scared children.

Seeing them lost in play with their toys, Chen Afu heaved a sigh of relief. Her gaze wandered to the large red boxes in the room; they contained the clothes and items she would need in the Capital City. Everything was ready, and they were set to depart the next day.

In the evening, Abbot Liao Chen returned to Tang Garden. After having her meal, she sent for Chen Afu and also fetched Chu Hanyan. Fearing that her granddaughter was upset, she decided to stay at Tang Garden for a few days.

She slipped a pair of jade bracelets onto Chen Afu’s wrists, laughing as she said, "These were a gift from Xuan’er’s grandmother on my wedding day. Even though I am a nun now, I couldn’t give them back to The Chus, thinking I would give them to Xuan’er’s bride one day..."

Chen Afu expressed her gratitude and after a little more conversation, she took her leave.

Upon returning to Fu Garden, she found Mrs. Chen, Mrs. Gao, and Chen Aju waiting for her, there to present her with additional adornments for her wedding. Mrs. Chen gave her a golden clove and another ten taels of silver on behalf of the eldest branch of the family. Mrs. Gao offered a pair of silk shoes adorned with embroidery, while Chen Aju provided two embroidered silk handkerchiefs.

Soon after, Madam Luo and Mrs. Wei arrived, followed by Hu Laowu’s wife and daughters and Carpenter Wu’s two daughters-in-law. They had come, too, to bestow gifts upon her for the wedding.

The Luos gifted her two rolls of nine-thread soft gauze and a small screen embroidered on both sides. The Hus gave her ten taels of silver, the Wus provided two pieces of silk and a pair of small, red lacquer carved side tables.

Only a few households were privy to Chen Afu’s impending journey to the Capital City for her bridal preparation, so they had come bearing gifts.

Regardless of whether she could actually use their presents, Chen Afu appreciated the gesture and thanked them.

That night, Dabao refused to leave their room, wanting to sleep with his mother one last time. Since his request wasn’t unreasonable, Chen Afu agreed.

However, his relentless cuddling caused her to break into a sweat. Even when she tried to push him away, he would snuggle right back up against her.

The next morning at dawn, Chen Afu handed Dabao, who had stuck to her like glue, over to Mrs. Wang. She climbed into the carriage with Chen Ming, Mrs. Wang, and Alu, bid farewell to a sobbing Dabao, and set off towards Dingzhou.

Once she arrived in Dingzhou, she headed straight to The Chens’ Mansion.

Chen Afu was to spend one night at The Chens’ Mansion before setting off by boat early the following morning to Tong County, located in the suburbs of the Capital City. She would then take a horse-drawn carriage into the city.

She was led directly to the main court, where Mrs. Jiang had thoughtfully prepared a meal for her. Following lunch, Mrs. Jiang informed her that the furniture had been sent to their other mansion in the Capital City a few days prior. Mrs. Jiang would accompany Chen Afu to the city with her three younger siblings, Chen Yulan, Chen Yuqing, and Chen Yuxia, to await the wedding. Chen Shiying would only arrive just before the ceremony...

Before returning to the Rose Courtyard, Mrs. Jiang handed Chen Afu the list of all her dowry items. Chen Afu was left speechless at the sight of the thick pile of documents detailing her dowry.