Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 382 - 381: Wishing Longevity

Chapter 382: Chapter 381: Wishing Longevity

Chu Lingxuan said he would persuade Alu again tomorrow. If his young brother-in-law were to move out, he would feel ashamed to face his father and mother-in-law in the future.

Chen Afu shared her idea, suggesting that she clean up the mansion and let Alu interact more with Atang, Lan, Mu, and the children. Afterward, she would let him move in.

Chu Lingxuan nodded, "I will look for more children of the same age to introduce to Alu."

Chen Afu chuckled, "That would be even better. Our children are too small to play with Alu."

Chu Lingxuan stroked Chen Afu’s swollen belly, and said sympathetically, "I am to blame for making you work so hard while so heavily pregnant." He stared intensely at her belly, "Your stomach has grown significantly in just a few days."

Chen Afu laughed, "Indeed, I also feel that my stomach has grown rapidly in recent days, much faster than before." Seeing a little bump appear on her belly, she exclaimed excitedly, "Look, it’s moving again!"

Chu Lingxuan also happily looked at it, gently stroking the moving bump, saying, "Our son likes to move around. Dad will teach you boxing when you come out."

After the baby stopped moving, Chu Lingxuan helped Chen Afu lie sideways on the bed and massaged her. With him rubbing her shoulders, back, legs, and feet tenderly and gently, Chen Afu felt extremely comfortable. She spoke softly with Chu Lingxuan with her eyes closed. Whenever Chu Lingxuan had time, he would give her such a massage.

After they finished discussing family matters, Chu Lingxuan told Chen Afu that they had heard news from Yucheng and Yongcheng. They had found two witnesses and some evidence, which were being meticulously protected, and would be brought here as soon as possible. To ensure the safety of Wang Cheng and prevent Wang’s party from suspecting anything, they would move them to a very secret place tomorrow morning. The family would be able to lead a normal life only after everything was settled.

Chen Afu was shocked and turned around, complaining, "No matter what happens, you should let me see my uncle and his family. How can you just hide them away? How do you expect me to explain this to my mother?" She asked unhappily, "No, I need to see them tomorrow."

Chen Afu’s abrupt motion made Chu Lingxuan go pale. He quickly looked at her belly, then at her face, and downward to see if there was anything abnormal. Only when he saw that everything was normal did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He chastised her, "Watch your belly! You can’t be so reckless anymore."

Chen Afu blushed under his gaze and snapped, "Where are you looking? I am talking to you."

Chu Lingxuan said with a straight face, "This is a serious matter, Afu, don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. Don’t worry, they will be fine despite their limited freedom. Your uncle is my uncle too, I wouldn’t do anything to upset them." He then added, "Tomorrow, I’ll write another letter to our parents-in-law in the countryside and tell them that your uncle and his family are having some trouble but are under my protection." He looked stern again and warned, "Remember what I said, you cannot act so recklessly, no sudden movements."

Chen Afu, on reflection, was a bit scared herself. She responded, "Alright, alright, I won’t."

Seeing that Chu Lingxuan didn’t want to talk about Wang Cheng anymore, she didn’t press him for more information.

Both of them lay in bed lost in their thoughts. Jin Yanzi had been gone for twenty-one days without any news. The anxiety wouldn’t pass until they received Master Wu Zhi’s brocade bag.

Chen Afu was even more anxious, Jin Yanzi had to enter the space cat dong before the fifth of next month. There were only fourteen days left, would it be able to find it? At the same time, she couldn’t help but worry about Jin Yanzi and was always afraid that it might run into trouble.

Amidst the overwhelming unease, the day rolled into the twenty-eighth. Mrs. Jiang sent Hong Feng again to deliver a message to Chen Afu. The thirtieth of July was Mrs. Chen’s fifty-third birthday. If Chen Afu were not in Dingzhou, they wouldn’t have specifically extended an invitation. But she was in Dingzhou, it wouldn’t be good if she was not invited.

The He and Chen families had set the wedding date for He Linsheng and Chen Yuhui to be the twentieth of March next year. As the marriage was arranged under such circumstances and had attracted some fairly unkind gossip, the date was set rather hastily.

Since the engagement, Chen Yuhui seemed to have returned to normal. She had a smile on her face, went to greet Mrs. Jiang and the old lady each day, and even embroidered her bridal trousseau in her spare time.

Chen Shiying and Mrs. Jiang felt that the alarm about Chen Yuhui wanting to be Chu Lingxuan’s concubine had been removed. They decided to invite their eldest daughter’s family home for the day.

According to Hong Feng, quite a few relatives from the old Chen home had come. Upon the old lady’s request, some people from her mother’s side were also invited. At the same time, many friends of the Chen family were invited that day.

Chen Afu had no intention to go and give birthday wishes to the old witch and bow to her. No matter how soft her knees might be, she would not kneel before this utterly wicked woman.

However, in this foolishly filial society, if she did not go to wish her grandmother a happy birthday, and if the old lady were to stir up trouble in front of everyone, it would harm her reputation.

Thinking for a moment, she agreed to go, promising that she would certainly be there the next day.

After seeing off Hong Feng, an excited little Ms. Chu asked, "Mom, are we going to grandma’s house for a birthday feast the day after tomorrow?"

The two times she had been a guest elsewhere had been very enjoyable, and the thought of going again filled her with joy.

Chen Afu shook her head and replied, "We can’t go the day after tomorrow. Mom doesn’t feel very well."

Little Ms. Chu was baffled, her little mouth was pouting, just seconds ago, her mother had clearly agreed to go.

Early on the thirtieth, Chu Lingxuan was sent on his way. Chen Afu waited until late morning and then sent someone to The Chens’ Mansion with a letter stating that the big mistress had gone out, but suddenly felt stomach pains and her legs trembled. She had been helped to bed to rest, and a doctor from Qianjin Hall had been called. The master had received a message early in the morning saying that there was an urgent matter at the barracks and had rushed there. Today the master and mistress wouldn’t be able to wish the old lady a happy birthday. Once the big mistress was feeling better, they would visit with gifts.

Chen Afu saw little Ms. Chu’s disappointed expression, pinched her little face and smiled, "Don’t worry, Mom will take you to grandma’s house another day."

The little girl was happy again.

About an hour later, Mrs. Jiang sent someone to check on Chen Afu. Chen Afu pretended to be asleep in bed. Mrs. Li thanked the person for their concern, saying that the doctor had already examined the big mistress and there was nothing serious. The big mistress just needed to rest in bed for a few days due to fatigue.

On the second of August, Jin Yanzi still hadn’t returned, and Chen Afu was distraught.

The Qin family was inviting guests over that day. In the morning, the ladies from the Chu, Fu and Liu families took their daughters and sons who were not in school to the Qin’s for a visit. In the evening, the men and the boys joined them for dinner after leaving the government office and school.

This time, Qin Mu’s invitation had specifically mentioned Alu’s name. The messenger also told Chen Afu that Alu’s presence was especially requested. Qin Mu and Alu could discuss scholarly matters and learn from each other. He would introduce Alu to more friends in the future.

Alu was delighted to hear this and agreed to go with Dabao after school in the late afternoon.

Chen Afu suppressed her anxious thoughts and took the children and Animal House to enjoy the day.

On the third, Chen Afu stayed at home feeling uncomfortable. She considered visiting The Chens’ Mansion.