Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 333 - 332: Retention

Chapter 333: Chapter 332: Retention

Chen Afu and others went directly to the main court, while Wang Cheng’s family was arranged to stay in a small courtyard. Chu Lingxuan stayed in the Outer Court to handle some affairs and had to deliver gifts to Commander Fu’s family.

The main court was a two-layer compound and also had a West Cross Courtyard. After entering through the hanging flower gate, there was a promenade connecting the west and east wing rooms. The main rooms were five with two ear rooms, and the wing rooms were three with two ear rooms.

The courtyard was full of colorful flowers. In the middle, there was a cross-shaped walkway made of broken stones, which divided the large green lawn in the courtyard into four parts. Two pomegranate trees were planted on the lawns near the hanging flower gate and numerous potted plants were arranged around. There were also several white champaca and bougainvillea trees planted in front of the main rooms and wing rooms.

This courtyard was originally a three-layer compound with many trees. But because Chen Afu said she liked openness and lush, colorful flowers, Chu Lingxuan had the guest room and the secondary gate demolished and built into its current form.

The backyard also had five back rooms with two ear rooms, as well as the east and west wing rooms. The courtyard was full of beautiful trees and green bamboo, and there was also a small blue-green pool in the middle.

Chen Afu was very satisfied with this courtyard. Although she wouldn’t live here often, this was her real home.

Standing here, she truly tasted the feeling of being the master of her own home. In the Marquis’ Mansion, she always felt oppressed.

After dinner, she arranged for Li Xuan to rest in the West Cross Courtyard. The little guy fell asleep amid Jin Yanzi’s soothing voice.

Chen Afu met with the main stewards of the Inner Courtyard of Senator’s Mansion, and then arranged her belongings. Half of her dowry would be stored here.

This time, she brought back Mrs. Li, Qingfeng, Hong Fei, Xia Yue, Xiao Mo, Xiao Huang, Xiao Zi, Mrs. Hua, while Yu Zhuo led Xiao Hong and several other girls to stay in the Marquis’ Mansion.

She had already thought it out: Qingfeng, along with Xiao Huang, would stay here to keep an eye on the main court and the situation in the mansion. She would only take Xia Yue, Hong Fei, Xiao Mo, Xiao Zi, and Mrs. Hua to Tang Garden. Qingfeng was already getting old and she would find her a husband in the Senator’s Mansion, making her the main steward of the main court.

After all the arrangements were made, she dismissed the servants. She also returned to her bedroom, because she saw that Jin Yanzi on the high table was getting very impatient.

Jin Yanzi followed her into the bedroom, complaining incessantly, "Xuanxuan is even more troublesome than Yanyan, and more annoying than Dabao. When he’s awake, he can’t leave others for a moment, and starts crying as soon as he leaves. It’s really annoying."

After saying this, her little pointed beak curved even higher.

Chen Afu held it in her palm and cooed, "Xuanxuan was scared by the bad guys like this. We’ll give him extra love and care, so he can overcome his fears and won’t be so clingy." She kissed its little pointed beak and said, "good baby, you’re the most compassionate. Bring out some Yanchen Fragrant Leaves to help Xuanxuan recover sooner."

Jin Yanzi replied impatiently, "All right, all right, I’m scared of you." She licked her little pointed beak and said, "Mommy’s kiss doesn’t smell that sweet. Why does Daddy Chu say it’s so fragrant?"

Chen Afu blushed and flicked its head, scolding, "You’re annoying, always spouting nonsense."

Jin Yanzi chirped with laughter and returned to her space.

Chu Lingxuan only came back late at night, and woke Chen Afu. The two made love. Even though Chen Afu was half-asleep and groggy, she could still feel that Chu Lingxuan was very happy and relaxed.

Early the next morning, Chen Afu sent people to Chen Shi’s home, asking Chen Shi and his wife to come to the Senator’s Mansion. She also sent an invitation to the Chens, saying that they would come for lunch and then return to Tang Garden directly afterwards.

The original plan was to stay at the Senator’s Mansion for a few days and invite Chu Lingxuan’s colleagues and friends for a gathering, then visit the Chens for a day. However, because they found Wang Cheng, they had to hurry back for the siblings’ reunion.

More than an hour later, Chen Shi, Mrs. Zhang, and Chen Aman arrived. Chen Afu brought out Chen Ayu, Yang Mingyuan, as well as their gifts, and updated them on Chen Ayu and Yang Mingyuan’s situation in the Capital City.

Chen Shi and his wife were both ecstatic after hearing this, especially Chen Aman, whose face flushed.

Hearing that they would leave that afternoon, Mrs. Zhang lamented, "You should’ve stayed in the capital city for a couple more days and visited our home too."

Chen Afu then spoke about finding her uncle.

Chen Shi was delighted. "That’s good news indeed. It’s time that the Second Sister and her brother reunite as soon as possible."

After bidding farewell to Chen Shi’s family, Chen Afu and Chu Lingxuan headed for the Chens’ Mansion. This time they didn’t bring Xiao Lixuan and Wang Cheng’s family. After having their meal at the Senator’s Mansion, they would go directly to the outskirts of the city to meet.

Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang received the news yesterday that Chen Afu and her husband had returned to Dingzhou. Upon receiving the note, Mrs. Jiang was stunned as she did not expect Chen Afu to visit her maternal home so soon and return to the countryside after dinner.

It was Qingfeng who delivered the note, and she mentioned that the Sister-in-law had found her uncle.

Mrs. Jiang smiled, "They’re indeed in a hurry to reunite in the countryside."

She quickly sent someone to the Yamen to inform her husband, ordered another to arrange Hua Hall and prepare dishes, and then instructed someone to make excuses for Chen Yulan’s husband so that Chen Yulan could welcome the guests at the entrance.

By the time Chen Afu and Chu Lingxuan arrived at the Chens’ Mansion, they saw Chen Yulan waiting at the gate.

Chen Afu chuckled, "It’s time for you to have lessons with your husband. Why are you here to welcome us?"

Chen Yulan laughed, "Mother said that this is the first time you and brother-in-law return to your true maternal home, so I, as the younger brother, should be the one to welcome you at the door."

Mrs. Jiang was indeed good at treating people.

Chen Afu smiled, "Mother and brother are heartwarmingly thoughtful."

When they entered the main court, Chen Shiying had already returned. Chen Yuqing and her sisters were also present, even Chen Yuhui came. Thankfully, Mrs. Chen was not there.

After exchanging greetings, everyone took their seats.

In the corner of her eye, Chen Afu saw that Chen Yuhui’s face was extremely sullen, her eyes filled with hatred looking at her, yet somewhat soft when looking at Chu Lingxuan.

Chen Afu was speechless. To this day, Chen Yuhui still thought that Chen Afu stole her fiancé.

The sight of Chen Yuhui’s wrathful state upset Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang. Previously when she seemed to be "normal," they thought she should face the reality that Chen Afu had married Chu Lingxuan. But looking at her now, they felt she was truly disgracing the Chens.

Upon hearing that Chen Afu and her husband would leave after lunch, Chen Yuhui was shocked and blurted out, "Why the rush? This is the first time Big Sister and Mr. Chu are visiting their maternal home, they should stay for dinner."

Although she didn’t call Chu Lingxuan brother-in-law, she addressed Chen Afu as "Big Sister" and persuaded them to stay for dinner. Her mirror-like charity act was indeed unexpected.

Chen Afu did not expect it either. Though uncertain about her intentions, she felt it was akin to a wily weasel paying a New Year visit to the hen, harboring no good intentions. So, she just smiled and avoided interactive with her.

Mrs. Jiang’s eyes flashed with barely noticeable, suppressed fury.

On the other hand, Chen Shiying was very pleased, thinking that his second daughter might have come to terms with reality and let go of her obsession. He laughed, "Afu is hurrying back to the countryside this time. Next time when you come home, you’ll need to spend more time with your sisters."

Chen Yuhui turned pale and nervously twisted her handkerchief around her fingers.