Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 373 - 372: Determined to Marry at All Costs

Chapter 373: Chapter 372: Determined to Marry at All Costs

In the evening, Chen Yuqing didn’t even have her dinner. Instead, she lay on her bed and sobbed. No matter how Chen Shiying or Mrs. Jiang tried to comfort her, she just kept crying. It wasn’t that she fancied He Linsheng that much; she had only met him once. He made a good impression on her, but she was seeing herself growing old, wishing to settle her marriage early.

However, when both sets of parents were amicably arranging their engagement, her older sister had done something outrageous. How could she be so shameless!

She was also aware that with Chen Yuhui’s disgraceful behavior, the Chen family girls’ reputation had taken a significant hit. All the noble ladies in Dingzhou were present during the incident, and even people from Capital City and the Provincial City were aware of it. This made her future prospects for marriage even more challenging. She was already fifteen and with each year, her chances of marriage seemed to be dwindling. What was she going to do?

Just then, a servant came and reported that her uncle by marriage, aunt by marriage, and their eldest daughter were visiting.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shiying quickly rushed towards the front courtyard, while Mrs. Jiang ordered the servants to lead their relatives straight to their place.

Mrs. Jiang said, "Quickly wash your face, Qing’er. Your older sister is visiting this late at night, so she must have something important to discuss."

Feeling embarrassed to let their visitor see her red and puffy eyes from crying over her marriage, Chen Yuqing reluctantly stood up and washed her face, with the help of her maidservant. She even put on some makeup but that still didn’t hide the fact that her eyes were swollen from all the crying.

No sooner than she finished tidying up herself, Chen Afu arrived with Chu Hanyan.

Mrs. Jiang greeted them at the door. She moved two steps ahead, took Chen Afu’s hand, and said, "It’s late, and yet you had to rush over from your in-law’s house with your belly that big. Be careful, you won’t want to trip."

Chen Afu laughed and said, "My husband wanted to discuss something important with my father. We initially intended to invite you all to our place for the day. However, we had no idea that such an incident would happen."

Chen Yuxia was also invited over. She, along with Chu Hanyan, went to the West Room to relax. Chen Afu, meanwhile, took Mrs. Jiang and Chen Yuqing to the East Room, which was Chen Yuqing’s bedroom.

Chen Afu took Chen Yuqing’s hands and smiled, saying, "Third Sister, remember ’Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ Ha, Second Sister thinks she has found a treasure, wait until she gets married into the He family. Then she’ll understand."

Mrs. Jiang asked, "What does that mean, Fu’er?"

Having helped Mrs. Jiang sit down in a chair, Chen Afu then took a seat on the couch alongside Chen Yuqing. She then explained, "According to my husband, He Er’s disposition is poor and foul-tempered. He is even well-known for violently assaulting his underlings and servants. Even several of his concubines have not been spared from his wrath. His reputation is so infamous that every knowledgeable family is afraid of marrying their daughters to him." She didn’t mention that Deputy General He was the brother-in-law of the king and served the second prince, as women usually didn’t concern themselves with politics. These matters would be best discussed by Chu Lingxuan and Chen Shiying.

Having shared a glance with each other, Mrs. Jiang gave a sigh of relief and said, "Despite his refined appearance, he is such a despicable person." She added, "However, Yuhui’s shameful actions have tarnished Yuqing’s reputation."

Chen Afu tapped Chen Yuqing’s hand and said, "Under heaven, each marriage is arranged by providence. Maybe it’s just not the time for Third Sister. When the time comes, no matter how far apart, destiny will bring you two together. I’ll write a letter to my Third Aunt tomorrow, ask her to help you look for potential matches in the Capital City."

Mrs. Chu has a vast network of connections, her help will definitely increase the likelihood of finding a suitable partner.

Chen Yuqing blushed with shyness and retorted, "Whatever you’re talking about, Sister. I’m not listening to you."

Mrs. Jiang laughed and said, "That would be great, thank you Fu’er."

She too had asked relatives in her family to look for suitable families in the Capital City. Though her in-laws had suggested a few, none had caught her eye.

After some time criticizing Chen Yuhui, a messenger from Chen Shiying announced that Chu Lingxuan was calling for Chen Afu and her daughter; they were about to leave.

Once Chen Afu and her family had left, Chen Shiying pondered over the words of Chu Lingxuan and decided that it was not suitable for Chen Yuhui to marry into the He family. He Linsheng was not the type of person suitable for his second daughter, and he wouldn’t like to see her suffer. So he went to Chen Yuhui’s courtyard.

He earnestly told Chen Yuhui, "I’ve heard that He Er has a bad temperament; he often beats people, women and even maidservants, sometimes even to death. I don’t want you to suffer by marrying into the He family. Moreover, the He family might not be pleased with this relationship either. Tomorrow, when the He family comes to propose, we can reject them. This way, we can also save face for the He family. Even though your reputation has been destroyed by that brat, I can arrange another marriage for you in a far-off place; people there will not know about what you have done."

Agitated, Chen Yuhui retorted, "What do you mean, Father? Are you trying to save this good marriage for Third sister? So am I not really your daughter?"

Chen Shiying was so angry that he almost spewed out blood. He retorted, "What are you talking about! He Er is not suitable for anyone why would I save him for your Third sister? I’m doing all this for your own good; you are my precious daughter, and I don’t want you to suffer in the future."

Chen Yuhui did not believe a word he said. She said, "It must be my Step-Mother who has told you to say these things. She hates my birth mother, so she would like to marry me off to the worst possible household. Even on the off chance that the He family won’t marry Third sister, she still wouldn’t want me to marry into it." She vehemently added, "If you dare obstruct me from this good marriage, then be ready to collect my dead body." After that, she went into her bedroom.

Chen Shiying shook his head in disappointment and said with a heavy heart, "Hui’er, I’ve said my piece. The rest is up to you. Think it over tonight. If you change your mind, speak to me in the morning, there’s still time."

When Chen Afu and her family returned to the Chus’ Mansion, it was already very late.

Upon reaching the main court, they noticed that the lights in the main room were still on. Hearing their movements, Dabao rushed out and called, "Mother, Father, Sister, why did you come back so late? My little brother and I have been waiting for you."

As soon as Dabao finished speaking, Xiao Lixuan also ran out, puckering his mouth and saying, "I waited with brother, waiting for Auntie, waiting for Uncle, waiting for Sister."

Chen Afu, laughing, took a child by each hand and said, "Oh my God, my two precious ones, it’s so late, why aren’t you in bed yet?"

Mrs. Wei and Mrs. Luo said with a smile, "We’ve called them countless times, but these two boys refused to go. Every time we tried to drag them away, they would start crying."

Immediately, Dabao retorted, "I did not cry. It was Xiao Lixuan who cried."

Xiao Lixuan immediately responded, "Uh-huh, Xiaoxuan cried, missed Auntie."

Xiao Lixuan’s character had become much more outgoing. Although his expression was somewhat weaker than his actual age, but he was able to express his most basic thoughts.

Chen Afu sat down on the bed, warmed up with the two for a while, and then let the children go back to their own quarters.

Feeling extremely tired, Chen Afu went to bed after washing up. If Chu Lingxuan hadn’t been there, she could have relaxed by withdrawing into her personal space. However, for now, lying in bed was the only rest she could get.

Lying beside her, Chu Lingxuan said, "Your father truly cares for his daughter. After hearing about He Er’s character, he would rather have your Second Sister marry far away than see her suffer in the He family."

Chen Afu replied, "Knowing how my father is, Chen Yuhui will not be grateful. She will think that my father and mother are stopping her from her good fortune again, and she will fight tooth and nail to marry into the He family."

Chu Lingxuan sneered, "If that is the case, she is asking for her own death."