Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 364 - 363: Hoping for Things to Be like This Every Day

Chapter 364: Chapter 363: Hoping for Things to Be like This Every Day

Chen Afu returned to Tang Garden and gave some instructions to Xue Dagui, Mr. Zeng, Luo Yuan, and others. Particularly Luo Yuan, received a lot of instructions. Because all the masters were going to the capital city, and since Manager Luo was also going, Luo Yuan became essentially the person in charge in his absence.

In the late afternoon, Mr. Lin and his son from Wangshan Village came, and Chen Afu gave them a brief as well.

The next day, which was the 2nd of July, Chu Hanyan and Xuanxuan got up at dawn to make it to the capital city before midday. Xuanxuan was cranky from waking up early, and cried a lot.

This trip to the capital, not just people went, but even all of the animals from the Animal House also went. Hearing they were going on a long journey, Qi Qi and Hui Hui, including the entire Zhui Feng family, were so excited that they stuck to their hosts, afraid that they would be left behind at home.

Chu Hanyan did not see Jin Yanzi, so she asked Dabao, "Brother, Jin Bao hasn’t returned yet. What if she comes back and can’t find us?"

Dabao replied, "We still have grandma and grandpa at home, Uncle Luo is also there, they will send Jin Bao to us."

Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang also send Alu over early in the morning, bringing gifts for Wang Cheng and Chen Shi. Chen Agu also brought over some things to give to Chen Shi.

This time they also brought along Wang Laowu, the long-term worker.

Because Wang Laowu’s farming skills were good, he did his work diligently and won Chen Afu’s favor. He was specifically tasked to grow the unique cucumbers in their own land. They brought him to the Senator’s Mansion this time, to open a small plot of land inside the mansion to grow the cucumbers.

Chen Afu, along with Dabao, Chu Hanyan, Xiao Lixuan, and Mrs. Wei, arrived at Dingzhou’s capital city gate in a horse carriage just after midday.

Chief Steward Yang, the chief steward of the Senator’s Mansion welcomed them personally at the city gate. When they reached the Senator’s Mansion, all the overseers who had rank were standing at the entrance to welcome them. They all proceeded to the main court, where Steward Yang brought over an already trained young servant boy, Xiao Luzi, to kowtow to Chen Afu.

Xiao Luzi, who just turned nine today, was a handsome boy with a bright and intelligent demeanor.

Chen Afu rewarded him with a wallet full of silver ingots, saying, "In the future, serve Young Master Bao diligently."

Xiao Luzi kowtowed again to Dabao and was also rewarded by him.

Moreover, the young boy Three Complete, along with two little maids, Lan Cao and Lan Hua, who were to serve Alu, also came to Chen Afu and Alu to kowtow. Both masters rewarded them as well with a wallet each. These people were sought after by Mr. Chu Lingxuan’s morning letter to Chief Steward Yang and Mrs. Luo from the Inner Courtyard.

Chen Afu then instructed Chief Steward Yang to tidy up Mr. Liao’s residence well and to not neglect the teacher.

Afterwards, Chen Afu let the servants lead Chu Hanyan, Qi Qi, Hui Hui, to Yuetao Pavilion, Dabao and Zhui Feng’s family to Chaohua Courtyard, Alu to the Gui Courtyard in the Outer Court and Xiao Lixuan to live in the West Cross Courtyard in the main court. After they freshened up, they are to return to the main court for lunch.

Furthermore, Xia Yue along with the few servants whose hometown was in the capital city were sent home to rest for two days.

After Chen Afu woke up from his afternoon nap, he brought out the gifts for Chen Shi’s first and second rooms and Wang Cheng’s family, along with his own gifts for all their families and Chen Shiying’s family. He had the gifts delivered to the three families.

Then, he took Qingfeng and Xiao Huang to visit Alu in Gui Courtyard in the front yard.

According to Qingfeng, Gui Courtyard was a three-section compound, where Mr. Liao resided in the main room of the second section, the lecture hall was the east wing, and Alu lived in the rear room of the third section. They entered from the back door of the courtyard, where Alu was sitting in his study reading.

On seeing his sister, he quickly got up to come over to take her hand.

Chen Afu asked, "Are you still comfortable?" Seeing Alu nod, she continued, "This is your sister’s house, which means, it’s your home too. If you need anything, let me or the steward know. If the servants aren’t behaving, tell me." She seldom stayed here and didn’t quite know the people, so she was worried that someone might give Alu a hard time.

The moment her words fell, Sanquan, Lan Cao, and Lan Hua all knelt down in a panic saying, "This servant wouldn’t dare."

Chen Afu nodded, signalling for them to rise.

The hut at the back was comprised of three rooms that served as a bedroom, reception room, and study. The furniture and layout were quite tasteful and the book shelf was full of books as well as brushes, ink, inkstones, grinding stones.

Two osmanthus trees and several patches of verdant bamboo grew in the courtyard, presenting a serene and tranquil scene. It was quite pleasing.

After Chen Afu had finished the tour, she held Alu’s hand and led him to Dabao’s Chaohua Courtyard residence.

She wanted the servants to see how much she, as a sister, loved her little brother.

Chaohua Courtyard was very close to Chu Hanyan’s Yuetao Pavilion, with only a flower path separating the two courtyards.

Dabao was already up and the sounds of laughter from him and Zhui Feng’s family could be heard from the courtyard.

Chen Afu was pleased to see that the child had already adapted to living on his own and wasn’t as clingy as before. Although he still tried to act affectionate with her, especially in front of Chu Lingxuan, his hostility towards Chu Lingxuan had somewhat lessened.

Upon approaching the steps leading up to the main room, Alu considerately said, "Be careful, sister."

The layout of Chaohua Court was very similar to Yuetao Pavilion, with corridors surrounding all four sides and six rooms arranged in a three-two pattern. The courtyard was filled with numerous banana and parasol trees.

Seeing his mother, Dabao rushed over and took Chen Afu’s other hand, leading her into the house.

Chen Afu inspected all three rooms in Chaohua Courtyard and was quite satisfied with their arrangement.

After observing everything, she took them to Ms. Chu’s Yuetao Pavilion, then led them back to the main residence.

In the evening, all the children were playing on the lawn of the main residence with Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Zhui Feng’s family. The pomegranate tree shielded them from the sunset’s residual light like a large umbrella. The sounds of their laughter echoed in the sky, enlivening the previously quiet inner chambers of the Senator’s Mansion.

Li Xuan pointed at a fruit on the tree, indicating he wanted it. Hui Hui considerately flew up to a branch and pecked one off for him.

Mr. Chu was sitting on the veranda watching them play, a smile on his face. Each evening, he would come here to the West Wing Restaurant for dinner, a cherished time for family gatherings.

Chen Afu was also sitting on the veranda, her hands busily sewing—it was a garment for Chu Lingxuan. From time to time, she would raise her head to watch the children play and then look down at her needlework.

Chu Lingxuan hadn’t reached the main residence when he heard the children’s laughter, the birds’ chirping, and the dogs’ barking. His heart felt extraordinarily tender—he wished things could always be like this, he could come home to see his wife, children, and grandfather every day. Of course, it would be even better if he could see his parents daily too.

Seeing Chu Lingxuan’s return, Chu Hanyan ran to greet her father. Even the shy Xiao Lixuan came to greet him, while Dabao, acting like a little adult, stood up and saluted Chu Lingxuan.

After Chu Lingxuan had freshened up and changed clothes, everyone gathered around to have dinner in the West Wing.

In the evening, Chu Lingxuan informed Chen Afu that on July 6th, Commander Fu’s third son Fu Lei would be getting married and they should attend the joyful banquet. Even if Dabao wasn’t in the capital this time, they would have invited Chen Afu all the way just for this occasion. After all, Commander Fu was their matchmaker and someone the Ninth Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince were all vying for. Moreover, they needed to prepare for a dinner party at their house on the 10th, to invite Commander Fu’s eldest son Fu Zhen, several of his friends and relatives, and Chen Shiying’s whole family for a day of fun. After arriving here, she would need to start networking with the noble ladies of Dingzhou.