Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 319 - 318: Treatment of Illness

Chapter 319: Chapter 318: Treatment of Illness

Chen Afu arrived at the doorway of the Bamboo Pavilion, just as the sedan chair carrying Princess Rui and a little boy around three or four years old arrived. The little boy bore a strong resemblance to Prince Rui, but he was pale and listless. It was clear at first sight that he was not as vigorous as a healthy child should be.

Chen Afu stepped forward to greet him with a bow, a smile on his face. "Your esteemed visit flatters us. I’m sorry for the lack of reception," he said.

Princess Rui chuckled. "We’ve dared to disturb you so early in the day, Granny Chu. Please forgive us." She then lowered her gaze to the small boy, saying, "Xuan’er, call her auntie."

Hearing his mother’s words, Li Xuan lifted his head and greeted Chen Afu. "Auntie, auntie."

Talking slowly, his gaze crystal clear, devoid of joy or sorrow, and as innocent as a newborn baby.

Chen Afu understood. This child had some intellectual disability, but it was much better than Chu Hanyan’s initial state. Perhaps the royal couple was being friendly because they’d witnessed Chu Hanyan’s transformation and hoped they could help this child as well?

Chu Lingxuan had hinted more than once to Chen Afu that they needed to foster a good relationship with Princess Rui. Although he did not precisely state his reasons, Chen Afu guessed that The Chus might need help from either Prince Rui or Princess Rui.

Having been around Ms. Chu for so long, Chen Afu naturally knew how to interact with such children. Moreover, seeing such a young child bearing the brunt of palace intrigue tugged at her heartstrings. She crouched down and presented a small jade pendant, in the shape of a horse, that she’d prepared as a gift for Li Xuan.

She showed him the pendant, smiling, "Xuan’er, see this little horse..." She closed it within her hands and rubbed them together. Upon opening her hands, the pendant was gone. "Oh, it’s disappeared."

Li Xuan’s eyes flickered with change, he puzzled, "Little horse, go... where did it go?"

Chen Afu picked him up and chuckled, "Let’s go, auntie will help you find the little horse."

Princess Rui blinked in surprise. Her son, who had only taken to her and his wet nurse, had just been whisked away by Chen Afu, whom he was meeting for the first time. Perhaps, this time, they had found the right temple door.

They moved to the east room, where Princess Rui was invited to sit on the bed and the maidservant served tea.

Chen Afu also took a seat on the bed, laying Li Xuan on her lap. She rubbed her hands together again, and when she opened them, the little horse pendant was once again in her palms. "Ah, it’s back," she said.

Li Xuan giggled happily.

Chen Afu handed him the little horse saying, "This playful little horse is a gift from auntie for Xuan’er."

Li Xuan busied himself playing with the little horse.

Chen Afu then instructed her maid to bring out the remaining egg tarts to serve their guest, which instantly caught Li Xuan’s attention. He wolfed down two at once.

Sensing that Princess Rui had something she wanted to discuss, Chen Afu dismissed the servants.

Only then did Princess Rui begin her tale. "You’ll have to excuse my embarrassment, but this is an ugly affair within our mansion..."

Prince Rui had many concubines but few sons. He had just turned twenty-seven but only had two sons, and no daughters. His eldest son, Li Zhao, was the offspring of Concubine Jiang and was already eleven years old. His second son was Li Xuan, who was four years old.

When Li Xuan was two, while they still resided within the Imperial Palace, he suddenly became mentally impaired overnight.

The investigation revealed that he was scared by a eunuch who was acting on Concubine Jiang’s instructions. Concubine Jiang had thought that her son would be the only heir as the palace physician had diagnosed Prince Rui with infertility due to his excessive indulgence in pleasure. However, when Li Zhao turned seven, Prince Rui had another son.

Fearing her son’s position would be threatened, Concubine Jiang bribed the eunuch.

After the investigation, Prince Rui was furious and had Concubine Jiang executed. However, he worried that Li Xuan may never recover and that Li Zhao would be his only healthy son, and hence inherit his title. To prevent retaliation from his wife, he sent Li Zhao to live with his own mother, Concubine Zhou, where Li Zhao still resides...

Li Xuan had improved somewhat after receiving various treatments, but he was still not quite as agile or sharp as other children of his age. If this persisted, he definitely wouldn’t inherit Prince Rui’s title.

Naturally, Princess Rui was unwilling to let Concubine Jiang’s son benefit. She had tried every means to seek treatment for Li Xuan, but to little avail.

Wiping the tears from her face, she said, "I’ve heard from my husband that you’re particularly good with children. Even the Chu’s eldest daughter with her severe condition got better... My Xuan’er..." Biting her lower lip, she continued. "Please, Granny Chu, take him home with you. Care for him as you did Chu’s eldest daughter. I beg you." Then, she looked at Chen Afu, full of hope.

Chen Afu felt a bit troubled. She wouldn’t dare bring this child home to Tang Garden. Not to mention that he was the precious child of Princess Rui, there was also Dabao whom she wished to hide away in the cellar. After some thought, she knew that this child was not mentally deficient from birth and that his condition was far better than Ms. Chu’s. If the right medication and remedial training were to be applied, he should recover.

She spoke softly, "I got a secret herbal formula. I heard that Swallow Sink Incense Tree can help with such conditions. Back then, through a fortuitous encounter, I got one and used it on Hanyan. I was reluctant to light it at first and would let her sniff at it bit by bit. Only when it gradually lost its fragrance, did I light it. By being thrifty, one stick of incense lasted more than two months. And of course, she needed to continue taking the physician’s prescription..."

She was not exactly lying. Swallow Sink Incense Tree does contain leaves from the swallow sink incense tree. Back then, Ms. Chu gradually emerged from her own world, night after night, under the influence of the fragrance of the leaves, together with her own proper guidance.

She went on to elaborate on how to establish a rapport with the child and befriend him, etc. However, she dared not give Swallow Sink Incense Tree to Princess Rui, nor reveal to her that she was familiar with Master Wu Zhi.

Upon hearing these, Princess Rui wept for joy, saying with hopeful eyes, "I know His Majesty and the Empress Dowager possess Swallow Sink Incense Tree. I will ask my husband to request a stick from them."

Chen Afu added, "I heard that the Empress Dowager gave a stick to my third sister-in-law. I’ll ask her about it, and if she hasn’t used it yet, I’ll have the nerve to ask her for it."

Initially, Mrs. Chu had given the stick of Swallow Sink Incense Tree that she got from Chen Afu as an offering to the Empress Dowager. Later on, Master Wu Zhi gave several sticks to the Emperor, who then passed on three sticks to the Empress Dowager. In return, she gave Mrs. Chu back the stick she had initially received from her.

Chen Afu planned to ask for the stick from Mrs. Chu as a favor first, and she would give another stick to Mrs. Chu later.

Princess Rui was even more grateful for Chen Afu, holding onto her hand and saying, "Thank you, Granny Chu. If Xuan’er’s illness can be completely cured, I will have him acknowledge you as his adoptive mother. No, let’s do it now, so when I bring him to your place to visit, we’ll be like extended family."

Chen Afu hurriedly declined, "Thank you, Princess, for considering me suitable. As the Second Prince is of royal blood, I dare not shoulder such a responsibility."

She joked, how could she possibly become the adoptive mother to both her nephew and her son?