Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 366 - 365

Chapter 366: 365

Chen Shiying was so angry that he slapped Chen Yuhui twice and intended to send her to the nunnery to copy Buddhist scriptures. The old lady pleaded tearfully and desperately, forcing Chen Shiying to give in. He stated that he would give her one last chance and asked Mrs. Jiang to arrange a far-off marriage for her. If she continued to cause trouble, he would wash his hands of her and directly send her to a nunnery

Finally, Qingfeng laughed and said, "Madam, I think you’re worried that the madam and the master would get wind of this when they return to their maternal home. Their reputation, as well as their in-laws’, would be tarnished."

Indeed, Chen Shiying cared about his own reputation. How could he bear the disgrace if his eldest son-in-law found out that his second daughter wanted to be his mistress?

Chen Afu was both amused and exasperated. Chen Yuhui was truly shameless and deluded. She thought Mr. Chu would be delighted to take her as a concubine and expected Chen Shiying to propose this himself. What outrageous ideas she had.

Qingfeng saw that her mistress’s expression was somber and quickly knelt down to apologize, saying, "I deserve to die for my reckless remark that angered the madam."

Chen Afu responded, "Get up. I’m not angry, just astounded at how thick-skinned some people can be, even thicker than a city wall."

She really didn’t want to return home anyways. Not because she was afraid of the wicked old lady or Chen Yuhui, but because being around those two made her sick.

In the late afternoon, Mrs. Zhang and her daughter, along with Mrs. Wu and her daughter, surprisingly came to visit Chen Afu.

Mrs. Zhang was sharp-witted. Knowing that Wang Cheng was Chen Afu’s real uncle, she understood that Chen Afu was closer to the Wang family than to the Chen family. At the same time, she liked Mrs. Wu for her gentleness and excellent embroidery skills, hence she often took Chen Aman to the Wu’s for a visit. She got along well with Mrs. Wu and let Chen Aman learn crafts. Though Mrs. Wu could no longer overuse her eyes, she could still tutor how to harmonise colors and instruct how to embroider.

Having no relatives or friends here, Mrs. Wu appreciated Mrs. Zhang’s frank and outgoing character and welcomed her visits.

The two families were not far from each other and could visit within half an hour’s walk. They had developed a very close relationship, and even the men from both families often drank together.

Chen Afu liked both families, so she invited them to stay for dinner and sent someone to invite Chen Shi from Xinglong Grand Restaurant.

She sent another person to inform Wang Cheng to come to the Senator’s Mansion for dinner. Wang Cheng had never publicly disclosed that he was related to the senator or visited the mansion but knew its location.

Chu Hanyan still remembered Wang Xiaomei and was delighted to see her. She said, "Aunt Xiaomei, come and see Chang Chang and Duan Duan. They’ve grown so much."

Although Wang Xiaomei was younger than Chu Hanyan and Chen Dabao by a year, she was addressed formally. She flushed shyly at being called aunt.

Chen Aman, bemused, teased Chu Hanyan, saying, "Is she your younger sister or your aunt?"

The question caused both Chu Hanyan and Wang Xiaomei to burst into giggles. Chen Aman squatted down to take a closer look at Chang Chang and Duan Duan. She playfully pointed at their noses, laughed, her two dimples deepening, and said, "Oh, indeed, Chang Chang’s nose is slightly longer than Duan Duan’s."

Chen Aman had won favor with Chu Hanyan and was able to engage the reticent young girl in conversation, talking about how clever their birds were and how cute their dogs were. Before long, Xiao Li Xuan was drawn into their conversation.

Chen Aman had grown into a tall and elegant maiden. Though there was still a touch of childishness in her face, her charming features and cheerful disposition made her likable to everyone.

This was what they meant when they said, ’Your personality determines your fate.’ Yang Mingyuan chose her, and the siblings, Yang Chao and Yang Qian liked her. Not only because of her ties with the Chen and Chu families, but also because of Chen Aman’s vibrant and amiable personality.

Of course, Yang Mingyuan was a good person too, not only in conducting business but also in character. The marital union benefited both Chen Shi and his wife.

On the other hand, malicious characters like Chen Yuhui and Chen Aju would never dazzle a truly good man. Any man marrying into their families would not live in peace.

However, in this world, most marriages were arranged by parents. If the parents were of poor judgment and chose such women, their sons would suffer.

In the evening, Chen Shi arrived first. He had gained noticeable weight and had a radiant complexion, which is characteristic of those in the catering business.

Chen Afu smiled, "Boss Chen is looking more and more prosperous and dignified."

Chen Shi laughed heartily, "Afu, you’re funny. Thanks to my niece and Mr. Chu, our business hasn’t been too bad."

Chen Shi always knew how to talk.

Chen Afu laughed, "Not at all, primarily, it is due to Boss Chen’s excellent management."

After a bit of jesting, Chu Lingxuan and Wang Cheng returned together.

Wang Cheng seemed heavier than before and appeared to be in better spirits; even his usually drooping back seemed straighter than it used to be.

Everyone then went to the West Wing for dinner, with the men and women dining separately; the men huddled around one table with their wine, while the women and children occupied another table.

Present-day Chen Shi is smoother, flattering Chu Lingxuan and his grandfather subtly, while also keeping Wang Cheng at ease.

That night, when Chen Afu was in bed with Chu Lingxuan, she told him about Chen Yuhui. She didn’t feel that Chen Yuhui would embarrass her because she had never considered that disobedient girl her sister.

At the end, she even made a joke with a furrowed brow, "Mr. Chu, your charm is overwhelming. Some women are even willing to crash into walls and ruin their marriages just to be with you."

Chu Lingxuan scoffed, "Her? Forget about being with me, I wouldn’t even want her guarding the second door at home." He pinched her little nose and said, "Don’t make such jokes in the future, it’s so nauseating that I feel like throwing up the wine I drank tonight."

As he spoke, Chen Afu laughed merrily.

Chu Lingxuan was very happy that his wife was constantly by his side; they got into bed and his hands began becoming restless.

Chen Afu pushed him away, "We did it just yesterday, no need for it today."

Chu Lingxuan laughed, "I need it today. Who asked you to disgust me with that woman? If you don’t give me something sweet, I will be nauseated and won’t be able to sleep well tonight..."

His words sent Chen Afu into fits of laughter once more. Chu Lingxuan was delighted that Chen Afu seemed happy; she had been pregnant for quite a while and seemed more liberal than before.

In the late afternoon on July 5, Mrs. Jiang made her way to the Senator’s Mansion by herself.

Chen Afu greeted her, and together, hand in hand, they walked into the main court.

Chu Hanyan, who happened to be playing with Li Xuan under the porch, walked over with her little brother to greet Jiang. "Meeting grandmother," she said.

Li Xuan, who is such a good kid, followed his sister’s lead and stuttered out, "Meeting... grandmother." He beamed at Chen Afu, as if seeking approval.

Chen Afu smiled, "Xuan is so well-behaved, just like his sister."

Mrs. Jiang’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "Oh," she sighed, "Both of you are such good children, your grandmother couldn’t be happier. Hanyan is getting smarter by the day, and young Mr. Li Xuan, you have such a handsome face."

She had heard that Li Xuan was the legitimate son of Prince Rui and seeing that Chen Afu cured Chu Hanyan’s dementia, he was brought under her care too.