Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 376 - 375

Chapter 376: 375

Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu exchanged a glance, uncertain about whether the Chus had been implicated. Perhaps later today a letter from the Marquis’ Mansion would arrive.

No matter what, Princess Rong Zhao being punished and sent to Baoguo Temple for three months was certainly good news. Marquis Chu could finally be away from her clutches for a little while and have some time to do what he wanted.

Upon hearing the news that Princess Rong Zhao was sent by the Empress to Baoguo Temple to copy scriptures and become a vegetarian, the others broke out in laughter. They knew how much Chu Lingxuan despised Rong Zhao, but they didn’t dare to say it out loud.

Subsequently, they discussed the matter of Deputy General He requesting an official matchmaker to go to The Chens’ Mansion today.

Whispering to Chen Afu, Mrs. Fu remarked, "That He Er is ruthless and cruel, he doesn’t hesitate to hit women. If your younger sister were to marry him..."

It was not appropriate for Chen Afu to publicly criticize his sister’s character, or to point out that whatever predicament she found herself in was of her own making. He could only say, "My father doesn’t approve of my younger sister marrying He Er either. He even suggested finding her a young man from a far-off place to marry. But she insists on marrying none other than He Er, claiming that she was already defiled by him and couldn’t marry another man." He added with a chuckle, "My younger sister is strong-willed and fearless. She is not one to be easily controlled."

Having learned about Chen Yuhui’s refusal to marry by running headfirst into a wall, Mrs. Fu, Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Qin laughed and commented, "If your younger sister can really tame He Er, the world will be rid of a scourge. She would be doing a great deed."

Chuckling, Chen Afu nodded and thought to himself; if He Er could control Chen Yuhui, the world would indeed be rid of another scourge.

The tail-end of Autumn had been extraordinarily hot. As the sun nearly reached midday, the gleaming sunlight was too overpowering. Even while seating in the shades, they could feel the relentless heat.

Chen Afu had someone bring shaved ice. He called out to the children in the courtyard, "Come over here, see what delicious treat your aunt has prepared for you."

The maids brought over several trays with delicate porcelain bowls on them. In each of the bowls were fresh red watermelon cubes, drizzled with purple red bean paste and green raisins, topped with sparkling ice shavings. It was a vibrant and attractive sight.

Dabao, Yan’er, and Li Xuan loved shaved ice the most. But to prevent them from getting a stomachache, Chen Afu only allowed them to have a small bowl each day during the siesta.

Li Xuan, leading the way, could hardly contain his excitement, yelling, "Shaved ice, shaved ice, delicious!"

The rest of the children gathered around, washing their hands before beginning to eat their servings.

Be it adults or children, no one could resist this delicious treat.

After they were done, the older children wanted more but were too shy to ask, whereas the younger ones, Fu Lushen and Liu Ao, boldly expressed to Chen Afu, "Aunt, this shaved ice is so yummy. We want more."

Chen Afu replied with a smile, "Even though shaved ice is delicious, it is not good to eat too much. We will be having lunch soon and there are even better foods to come. Then in the late afternoon when it is the hottest, I will give you another bowl."

Seeing the adults also long for more, Chen Afu broke into laughter again and said, "This is very simple to make..." She then explained how to make shaved ice.

Mrs. Qin exclaimed with a smile, "Indeed, the method is simple. We wonder why we did not think of it ourselves. No wonder General Chu had been reluctant to marry. Only when he met Madam Chu did he decide he would take no one else. Madam Chu is indeed stunning and capable."

Everyone broke into laughter at the remark, and Chu Lingxuan was particularly amused.

At midday, everyone headed to the West Wing Restaurant for lunch. The meals were highly praised. The mothers repeatedly warned the younger ones not to eat too much as they might have trouble digesting.

Chen Afu once again laughed and said, "If you like the food at your aunt’s house, you are always welcome to come over more often."

The children cheerfully accepted the invitation, much to the delight of everyone.

While the men were still drinking, the women and children had finished their meal and went off to play in the backyard. Only children like Li Xuan, Fu Lushen, Chu Hanyan went to nap.

When the children woke up and had their shaved ice, it was then that the guests started to leave.

Right after their departure, Chu Lingxuan took out the letter that the Capital Marquis Mansion sent during midday to read.

Having read the letter, he mentioned to Chen Afu, "My third uncle says that Rong Zhao has gone to Baoguo Temple for three months. He has also rebuked my father and my third uncle, saying they are not managing the family well. It is possible that he will send a personal courtier to rebuke grandfather too..."

The royal family had lost face, and in the end it could only be retrieved from its subjects. Although the Chus’ reputation sufferend, there was no substantial damage.

Chu Lingxuan added, "My third uncle says the news of Ninth Prince recovering from his leg injury has been circulating within the court. The Second and Third Princes should have gotten the news by now. Strangely, although the Second Prince is shocked, he isn’t flustered, unlike Queen Wang and the Wangs..."

Could it be that the Second Prince knows something?

Thinking back to the monk’s words, Chu Lingxuan, and Chen Afu started to feel a bit uneasy again.

Particularly Chen Afu; she was hit by a sudden startling realization. She recalled Chu Lingxuan telling her about the Second Prince’s drastic change in attitude and his unexpected attack on the Ninth Prince and the Chus. This caught the Emperor off guard, resulting in the Ninth Prince becoming disabled and unable to ascend to the throne and curtailed Marquis Chu’s bright future. The Emperor had no choice but to secretly impregnate Shan Jieyu again and have her give birth to another son, moreover secretly sending that son to be raised among the common people...

Could it be that the Second Prince had been reincarnated, that he knew the real maternal family of the Ninth Prince were the Yuans. Or that the Emperor intends for someone of Yuan’s bloodline to inherit the throne and that the Chu family is intended to serve as the Ninth Prince’s supporting power? Or perhaps in his previous life, the Ninth Prince had indeed ascended to the throne with the Chu’s support and he had returned to change his fate?

She also remembered what the old monk said to her last year. At the time, she didn’t think much of it, but now, she started to understand a bit.

The old monk said, "I can only stand by, powerless, while watching the course of fate being reversed and a myriad of people dying before their time ..."

"The course of fate being reversed" is crystal clear – someone wants to change their destiny!

As it turns out, that person is the Second Prince.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t strange that there would be another person reborn considering she herself had already traversed time.

If the Second Prince was aware of the Ninth Prince’s recovery but didn’t show the same panic as the Queen and the Wangs, then he certainly knew what doom the Chus were about to face.

If Marquis Chu hadn’t been forced to marry Rong Zhao, the Chus would’ve had the best possible prospects. In his previous life, the Ninth Prince was probably able to ascend to the throne smoothly with his support. In this life however, the Marquis doesn’t hold real power. Mr. Chu is the one with the best prospects in the Chu family. He had been at the helm of the Western Army for nearly twenty years, and with secret support from the Emperor. There was no lack of loyal followers. He currently serves as the Assistant Commander in chief of the Left Army Commandery and is responsible for the Northern Army. Given his capabilities and strategies, he would undoubtedly have many willing to follow his orders...

If the Chus were to face "man-made disaster", it is very likely that something would happen to Mr. Chu. If he were to face adversities, the Chus would be finished.

Of course, there might be other unforseen troubles that they hadn’t yet anticipated.