Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 321 - 320: Act

Chapter 321: Chapter 320: Act

To be continued after 10000 keppra starting points.

In the late afternoon, Chu Zhen secretly sent a letter to Mrs. Li through a maid, explaining how she was worn out by Mrs. Qian’s strict training, whether it was copying "Lessons for Women" or practicing posture and walking, it was utterly unbearable. At the Anrong Hall, it was even worse; Mrs. Chu barely spoke to her, only demonstrating how to manage internal affairs and deal with servants. Chu Zhen wasn’t even allowed to sit...

After hearing this, Mrs. Li was distressed. She dared not offend Mrs. Chu nor appeal to her. Instead, she went to Chu Zhen’s courtyard to argue with Mrs. Qian.

As a former female official of Cining Palace, Mrs. Qian emotionlessly replied to Mrs. Li, "It was Lady Changhua who asked me to teach the manners to the young lady. If Mrs. Chu objects, you can take it up with Lady Changhua."

She also said to Chu Zhen, "Young lady, don’t be ungrateful. Lady Changhua teaches you manners for your own benefit, so you can have a bright future. Recently, a Mrs. Hou came to discuss with Lady Changhua about educating her daughter, but Lady Changhua has not yet agreed."

Mrs. Li angrily countered, "What kind of logic is this? A mother can’t manage her own daughter, but an aunt from another room can dictate her niece’s behaviour."

Mrs. Qian responded, "If you cannot accept it Mrs. Chu, you can discuss it with Lady Changhua. I only follow her instructions," before asking Mrs. Li to leave.

Despite her resentment, Mrs. Li dared not confront Changhua, fearing her irascible temper. Not only would Changhua scold her, but rumor had it that she was also in the habit of whipping offenders. Although she wouldn’t whip Mrs. Li, being scolded was equally humiliating.

Her only choice was to voice her grievances to the family patriarch in the front court. Fortunately, Chu Ling’an was off duty that day and, after hearing her out, reassured her and counselled her for a long time. He argued that if Mrs. Chu was willing to manage her younger sisters, it would bode well for them. Perhaps she could even secure a match for her sister with a highborn suitor. After all, when Mrs. Chu insisted on managing things, who could resist?

What worried Mrs. Li most was Chu Zhen’s marriage. She was caught in a predicament where both she and potential suitors did not find each other’s daughters suitable. However, if Changhua was willing to help, she could potentially secure a desirable match for her daughter. The most crucial point was her son’s concluding words: when Changhua wished to control matters, no one could resist. And so, Mrs. Li could only bite the bullet.

In the Anrong Hall, Chu Hua cunningly urged Chen Afu to host a banquet as the newly appointed royal wife.

Chen Afu spent 50 taels of her private savings to throw a banquet with four tables; two for the masters and two for respectable servants. That night, the second house was also asked to attend the banquet at Anrong Hall.

Unlike their prior seating arrangement that had people of the second house sitting next to each other—Mrs. Li, followed by Chu Zhen, Granny Chu Song, Chu Lin, Chu Bi—this time, Chu Zhen was seated directly between Chu Hua and Chen Afu. When Chu Zhen, with her reddened eyes, tried to act spoiled with Mrs. Li, Mrs. Chu raised her eyebrows in warning, scaring Chu Zhen into sitting straight. Meanwhile, Mrs. Li—who was blushing red—dared not utter a word.

Mrs. Chu’s harshness amused Chen Afu to no end. She thought to herself that while these extreme measures were the only way to deal with Mrs. Li and her daughter, Mrs. Chu’s approach was also exceptionally forceful. Fortunately, her intentions were genuine, and she was well-disposed towards her in-laws. Otherwise, such methods would turn the household upside down.

Mrs. Chu was clear about her likes and dislikes. She would never pretend to like those she despised. But when it came to those she admired, she couldn’t hide the affection in her eyes. Her relationship with her husband, Chu Guangkai, was particularly envious. The two of them harbored no male superiority complex or distinction between royalty and a subject. They teased each other and enjoyed harmless banter; although it wasn’t overly intimate, anyone who saw them could feel the sweetness radiating from their relationship.

In contrast, the relationship between Marquis Chu and Rong Zhao was different. Even though Rong Zhao sweetly called him "Chu Lang," the Marquis Chu always maintained a stoic face, signaling a discordant marriage.

Except for her occasional regret for not having a daughter, Mrs. Chu had lived a fulfilling life.

As this thought crossed her mind, Mrs. Chu suddenly raised her wine glass and boisterously congratulated Mr. Chu at the adjacent table, "Congratulations, Mr. Chu! Your nephew’s wife is now a royal wife; this is a momentous occasion for our family!"

There was no partition between the two tables because everyone was in high spirits that day.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Chu also raised his glass and responded with a laugh, "My wife shares my joy, our joy."

Then both of them drained their cups.

Their affection sometimes rendered others speechless. If anyone was to be congratulated, it should be Chu Xuanling and Chen Afu—the main parties involved. Chen Afu exchanged smiles with Chu Xuanling at the other table.

Mrs. Li was displeased with Mrs. Chu’s show of affection in public and felt increasingly uncomfortable but was powerless to interfere. However, she noticed the active interaction between Chu Xuanling and Chen Afu.

Then in a muffled voice, she remarked, "Lady Lingxuan, you should display your affection with your husband in private, not in a public place like this. It is inappropriate and can negatively influence your younger siblings. No wonder Princess Rong Zhao accused you of being a seductress..."

Her voice was so low that only Chen Afu, seated to her left, and Mrs. Song, to her right, could hear. Mrs. Li assumed Chen Afu lacked decorum since she was a country girl and would have no choice but to bear her scolding.

Infuriated, Chen Afu shot back, "Second Aunt, I’ve always respected you as an elder. But which part of your behavior resembles that? If you dare, repeat what you just said to the elders. Let’s see if it’s I who lacks respect, or you who dishonds age."

Chen Afu’s voice was loud enough for even the men to hear, causing them to look in their direction.

"What’s wrong?" the old Marquis asked.

Chu Xuanling quickly stood up and walked over, asking, "What’s wrong, Afu?"

Chen Afu stood up, tears welling in her eyes, and said, "I endured being bullied outside without a place to seek redress. But now, even at home, I am being insulted by my elders, who portray me in such an unfavorable light..."

Mrs. Li, her face flushed, hurriedly explained, "I just said it casually, you really have a temper. Am I not permitted to rebuke a younger generation as an elder?"

Mrs. Chu coldly scoffed, "You, who doesn’t know right from wrong, teach others?" Turning to Mrs. Song, she asked, "What did she say to Afu that made her feel so wronged?"

Mrs. Song was too afraid to speak and stammered, "I, I didn’t quite hear."

Mr. Chu glared at Mrs. Li and scolded, "Ignorant fool," before walking away.

Naturaly, the elder Marquis could not punish his daughter-in-law. He could only say to Chen Afu, "Afu, your grandfather understands your grievances. Mrs. Li is foolish. You needn’t take her words to heart. Alas, the family is divided, and even a meal can’t bring peace. When I die, you can live separately and find some peace." Then he too walked away.

Chu Guangkai quickly stood up and supported the old Marquis as they left, comforting him along the way.

Chen Afu thought to herself, would Mrs. Li dare to act so recklessly if the old Marquis were to angrily shout, "Second son, divorce that foolish woman!" Or if the second son were to say, "Foolish woman, I’m going to divorce you."

Would Mrs. Li dare to act in such a manner then?