Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 337 - 336: Sleep Together

Chapter 337: Chapter 336: Sleep Together

After dinner, Chu Lingxuan said to Wang Cheng, "I need to return to the Yamen tomorrow. You should stay a few more days with your mother-in-law before going back to the barracks in half a month."

Chu Lingxuan had two separate camps. One with a handful of soldiers and his Yamen building were in the Dingzhou capital city, while the majority of his troops were stationed outside the city. Wang Cheng could be assigned to the Yamen in Dingzhou, where the conditions were better and Chu Lingxuan could keep an eye on him.

When it came to Wang Cheng’s duty, the problem of real-life logistics arose. Where should his home be if he was to serve in the capital of Dingzhou?

Mrs. Wang, who couldn’t bear to part with her brother, suggested, "Buy a plot of land near my house and build a house there, so I can help look after my siblings. Cheng can come home during his off days, much like a son-in-law."

Chen Afu disagreed, "Uncle’s health isn’t the best, he can’t ride horses for long periods, and would have to travel by carriage to return home. If we set up home here, it would not be convenient for him to go back on his days off."

Traveling by carriage is much slower than horseback riding, so the round trip would indeed be inconvenient.

Wang Cheng thought about it and said, "We will set up our home near the city of Dingzhou then; the cost of building a house there is cheaper, and it will be easier for me to go home." He added to Mrs. Wang, "When my family and I go on extended leave, we’ll visit you, sister, and brother-in-law. Feel free to come to my house when you’re free as well."

Chen Afu chuckled, "Uncle doesn’t have to live on the outskirts of the city, I’ll buy you a small courtyard house in the city."

Wang Cheng laughed, "Thanks, Afu, you’ve already spent so much on me. It isn’t right to let you bear more expenses..." He then shared the plan he and Mrs. Wu had discussed.

Chen Afu laughed and said, "Keep your money for your personal use, your niece will buy you a courtyard house."

Mrs. Wang thought about the fact that her daughter was financially prosperous and also urged Wang Cheng, "Cheng, accept it. Your nephew isn’t short on silver."

After coming to an agreement, Chen Afu mentioned the presents he bought, most of them were for Chen Ming’s family. There were a few for the senior house, as well as for close friends like Hu Laowu, Carpenter Wu, etc. He asked Chen Ming to help deliver them.

Afterward, Chu Lingxuan, Chen Afu, along with the kids, Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and the Zhui Feng family returned to Tang Garden. Wang Cai was loathe to part with the Zhui Feng family and followed them up to the entrance of Tang Garden before returning.

Chen Afu smiled and told it, "Our homes are close by, Wang Cai, feel free to play here anytime."

Ms. Chu and Dabao followed them to Yanxiang Pavilion too. It was nap time for Li Xuan, the little one fussed about and would not sleep, so Chen Afu had to go to the West Wing to soothe him.

Dabao and Yan’er did not want to leave their mother, they held hands and stood at the door, wishing for Xuanxuan to sleep soon so that their mother could be with them again.

At this moment, a few soft coos from a swallow were heard, Chu Hanyan’s eyes lit up immediately, and she happily announced, "Brother, Jin Bao is back."

Dabao was still a little puzzled, "Are you sure it’s Jin Bao, little sis?"

Chu Lingxuan nodded, "Yes, I can smell it too." She then looked around and called out, "Jin Bao, come out, don’t play hide and seek with us, big brother and I have missed you so much."

Dabao sniffed a few times, then said, "I can’t smell anything."

As his voice trailed off, a swallow flew in through the window and perched on Chu Hanyan’s shoulder, chirping, "Smelly Dabao, little Yanyan, we meet again."

Of course, Dabao couldn’t understand it but he recognized it. Upon seeing it was Jin Yanzi, he grabbed it in his hand and happily exclaimed, "Indeed, it’s Jin Bao, you’re finally back. Little sis and I have been missing you every day."

He held the bird so tightly Jin Yanzi almost passed out.

Seeing Jin Yanzi had returned, Chen Afu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled and said, "Jin Bao, hurry, Xuanxuan has been waiting and won’t sleep without you."

After hearing this, Jin Yanzi wriggled free from Dabao’s grasp and flew to land on Li Xuan’s pillow. Upon seeing it, Li Xuan broke out in laughter.

Finally able to take a break, Chen Afu then brought both Dabao and Yan’er back to their room.

When Chu Lingxuan saw the two little ones following along, he frowned and said, "It’s late now, you should go back to your aunts’ courtyard for the night."

On hearing this, both children quickly grabbed hold of one of Chen Afu’s legs each and glared at Chu Lingxuan.

Yan’er then softly said, "We miss Mommy so much now that she’s back."

Dabao, speaking louder, added, "Mom and Dad have slept together for quite a while, it’s our turn to sleep with Mom now."

This little brat is so cheeky.

Chen Afu was both exasperated and amused, while Chu Lingxuan stood there not knowing what to say. The duty-maids, Hong Fei and Xiao Mo, held back their laughter as they retreated to the side room.

Chen Afu prodded his head with her finger, scolding, "What are you saying?"

Tears welled up in Dabao’s eyes as he said to Chen Afu, "Mommy, don’t you miss us? We’ve missed you for so long."

Ms. Chu also added, "Yes, big brother and I want to sleep with Mommy."

Chen Afu couldn’t bear to upset them and reasoned with Chu Lingxuan, "How about letting them sleep here tonight? Just for one night."

Once Chen Afu’s words were uttered, the two kids immediately began to jump around happily.

Chu Lingxuan wanted to suggest they sleep in their room tomorrow but seeing their joyous faces, he could only helplessly agree. He said, "You two need to remember that you’re only allowed to sleep here tonight, tomorrow you have to go back to your own courtyard."

Seeing both children nodding fervently, he continued, "However, Dabao is a boy and Yan’er is a girl, you can’t sleep in the same bed. Yan’er can sleep with Mommy in the warm pavilion, while Dabao and Daddy sleep on the big bed."

Chen Afu also commented, "That’s how it should be, whoever disagrees shouldn’t sleep here."

Dabao initially opposed but, after hearing his mother’s words, he didn’t dare do so. All he could do was suggest, "We all want to listen to Mom’s story together. We can split up and sleep after the story."

That was a reasonable request, and Chen Afu agreed with a nod.

After everyone had brushed up, they put on soft satin pajamas. All pajamas were handmade by Chen Afu, they all had the same cut, except for the color and embroidery patterns.

Chen Afu had peach red pajamas embroidered with jasmine, Chu Hanyan had apricot-colored ones with little swallows, Chu Lingxuan had lake blue ones with cloud patterns, and Dabao had sky blue ones with little tigers.

The two children climbed onto the big bed first, followed by Chen Afu. Chu Lingxuan sat on the outer edge of the bed, leaning against the bedstead with a book in hand.

As it was Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu’s first night sleeping here, the bed was festively decorated. There was a big red net tent embroidered with peonies representing wealth, with colorful brocade bedding, and a pillow with a dragon and phoenix pattern.

Mrs. Li saw and laughed, saying, "They say blood is thicker than water. This family of four is as beautiful as the moon palace dwellers."

Mrs. Song joined in laughing, "Indeed, they don’t seem to be lying in bed, but more like they’re sitting in the moon palace."

Chen Afu was about to begin storytelling when Chu Hanyan climbed up and snatched Chu Lingxuan’s book away, pursed her lips and said, "Mom always says we can’t multitask. Daddy must concentrate and not read."

Chu Lingxuan laughed, saying, "Alright, I’ll listen to my daughter and pay attention to your mother’s storytelling."

Dabao was getting impatient, he held his plump index finger against his lips, saying, "Shhh, keep quiet, keep quiet."