Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 344 - 343: Greedy

Chapter 344: Chapter 343: Greedy

Chen Afu knew that she would have to wait at least three months into her pregnancy before she could go to the kitchen and make the food she loved. She was a foodie and had become particularly picky, not enjoying the meals prepared by the chef at Tang Garden. Thus, she requested Mrs. Hua and two other maids from the kitchen to cook three meals a day for her in Fu Garden’s kitchen; she claimed the water quality seemed a bit better there and the resulting food was more flavorful.

The old master shared her sentiment, he too enjoyed the meals from Fu Garden, and nodded in agreement, commenting, "Indeed."

By evening, Chu Lingxuan hurried home on his fast horse.

Chen Afu and the others, leading Li Xuan and Chu Hanyan and other children, were moving from Fu Garden towards Tang Garden when they saw Chu Lingxuan approaching them from the entrance of Tang Garden.

Upon seeing her father, Chu Hanyan began running towards him excitedly, shouting, "Daddy, daddy, I’m going to have a little brother or sister! Brother said that Mommy will have two at once, just like Sasa."

That’s how rumors spread!

Mrs. Li and the others laughed again, and Chu Lingxuan was even more delighted.

Leading Chu Hanyan by the hand, he approached Chen Afu, smiling brilliantly and asked, "Why aren’t you resting inside? Why are you running around?"

Chen Afu smiled and replied, "It’s boring to stay inside all day, so it’s nice to get out for a slow walk and play with the children. It lifts my spirits."

Chu Lingxuan nodded, he stretched out his arm to support Chen Afu but he realized it might not be appropriate during broad daylight, so he awkwardly retracted his hand and rubbed the back of his head, continuing to laugh.

His excited and flustered demeanor was reminiscent of a young man becoming a father for the first time.

Indeed, his joy mirrored that of a first-time father.

Although Chu Lingxuan doted on Chu Hanyan, when he first learned of Lady Ma’s pregnancy, he was not only unhappy, but also felt oppressed and nauseated. He hated everyone from the Ma family, including the woman who was forced upon him by Lady Ma and Rong Zhao. Had it not been for the imperial woman coming to receive a gift the day after, he wouldn’t have touched Lady Ma at all.

Later, he learned that Lady Ma was often neglected and scolded by Rong Zhao for refusing to obey him. Trapped between her husband’s family, who never accepted her, and her own family, who pushed her to oppose her husband’s family, she became depressed, her health worsened, and she ultimately died giving birth.

Though Chu Lingxuan felt a trace of pity, it was just a trace. If he could do it all over again, he and his family would still despise her, they would remain on opposing sides. She was nothing more than a pawn used by Lady Ma and Rong Zhao to disgust him and his family...

The child in Chen Afu’s womb, however, was dearly anticipated.

Chen Afu noticed he was still in his military uniform, his clothes and hair drenched in sweat. Upon hearing that he had come directly from the training ground, she felt pity for him. She took her handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his face, saying, "The weather is still cool, you should quickly go bathe and change, I don’t want you to catch a chill."

Chu Lingxuan did not let go of her hand, which was now holding the handkerchief; instead, he held her hand tighter and walked her towards Tang Garden.

Carrying his child and being doted on and loved by him, Chen Afu found it all perfectly normal and very blissful. On the other hand, the maids, including Hong Fei, were blushing and followed them, heads down.

Mrs. Li was overjoyed, "If the Master loves his wife so much, maybe he won’t need any concubines now? Good men like this are rare in rich families."

On their way, Chu Lingxuan mentioned with regret, "As soon as I heard the happy news, I rushed home and forgot to bring some food for you. One of my subordinates mentioned that when his wife was pregnant, she loved the hot and sour rice vermicelli from a place in Baiyang Hutong. He said that the dish, a Southern speciality, was filled with minced meat, soybeans, crushed peanuts, pieces of tofu, celery, and shredded turnip, all spiced up with sour and spicy flavors, which is both refreshing and appetizing."

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu felt her mouth watering. It was as if there was a worm wriggling in her throat trying to get out, making the sound of her swallowing saliva audible to those around her.

She was craving it so much. Pouting and complaining, "Why did you talk about it in such detail if you didn’t buy it? Were you doing it on purpose to tease me?"

Hearing Chen Afu drooling, Chu Lingxuan hurriedly said, "Don’t worry, I will ask Chu Huai to go back to the capital city to buy it. The guards at the city gate will let him in, and as soon as the shop opens tomorrow, he will buy it for you."

Chen Afu was dying to taste the irresistibly fragrant hot and sour vermicelli, not bothering to think if it would be hard on Chu Huai, she nodded. Chu Lingxuan ordered someone to inform Chu Huai to go back to the capital city immediately to buy the hot and sour rice noodles from the shop in Baiyang Hutong, as mentioned by General Liu.

While Chu Lingxuan was bathing, Dabao finished his school and came directly to Yanxiang Pavilion. He greeted Chu Hanyan and Xuanxuan who were playing in the yard and then entered the main room.

He went to Chen Afu and asked, "Little sister said father is back?"

Chen Afu nodded.

He said very seriously, "Mother, now that you are pregnant with my little brother or sister, you can’t share a bed with father."

Chen Afu was a bit angry and said in annoyance, "You’re just a kid, why do you worry about these things?"

Dabao said, "Mrs. Li said mother is delicate now and can’t be touched, or bumped against. What if father moves around in his sleep and bumps you? Mother used to say that I punch and kick in sleep, I’m afraid father might also punch and kick and hurt the little brother or sister."

So that’s how it was, this child was worrying too much.

Chen Afu laughed and said, "Your father is an adult, he won’t move around in his sleep."

Dabao got anxious and said, "But mother, you always say ’better safe than sorry’. What if father accidentally moves? Unlike other families in the village, we have plenty of rooms, why does he have to squeeze in with us?"

Seeing him turning red with anxiety, Chen Afu was torn between laughing and crying. She felt that this cheeky child was purposefully trying to unsettle Chu Lingxuan, stating it in a way that sounded justified.

Xia Yue, being familiar with Chen Afu and Dabao, did not hold back her giggles.

Chu Lingxuan came out just then, the corner of his mouth twitching. If this young master wasn’t the Eleventh Prince, he really would spank him. He had traveled all this way back, wasn’t it just to sleep next to his sweet-smelling wife?

He sternly said to Dabao, "Finished school? Father will examine your homework tonight to see if you’ve made any progress these days."

After he finished speaking, he gave him his birthday gift for turning six, which he missed giving him on the second of March because he was away.

Dabao received the gift, and pouted. Whether he had made progress or not, shouldn’t that be decided by him?

After dinner, Chu Lingxuan directly took Dabao back to Jin Courtyard to review his homework. After Chen Afu put Li Xuan to sleep in the east wing, she felt a bit tired, and after freshening up, went to bed.

She sensed movement next to her in her drowsy state, opening her eyes, she saw Chu Lingxuan had returned.

He sat on the bed and said, "Move in a little, I’ll sleep on the outside."

Chen Afu moved inward, and remembering Mrs. Li’s words, she turned over and said, "Lingxuan, I won’t be able to serve you during this period, is there any maid you are fond of?"