Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 403 - 402: Stunning

Chapter 403: Chapter 402: Stunning

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu got up and opened the wardrobe. He took out a stick of green agarwood and said, "Give this to Uncle, I hope he can help."

He then took out a brocade box containing a gift that Sasa had brought back – a ginseng, claiming, "The doctor said this ginseng could be a Thousand-Year Ginseng. Its exact age is hard to ascertain. Hand it to Uncle Three, so he could use it as a bribe."

Chu Lingxuan accepted the agarwood and said, "You don’t have many sticks of this fragrance left. I will give it to Uncle. As for the ginseng, it’s rare. You keep it, we will find other good gifts for Uncle Three and Prince Rui to pull strings for us."

Chen Afu shook his head and said, "No matter how good the gift is, it is not as important as people. If this can be of help to my father, it is worth it."

Chu Lingxuan took it and said, "Alright. If Father-in-law does not get into trouble in Jiangnan, we will keep this ginseng. If trouble befalls him, we will let Uncle Luo take out this ginseng and give it to Uncle Three."

Someone was sent to notify Manager Luo to wait for the master in the Outer Court early in the morning, prepared for a long stay in the Capital City. Another person was asked to notify Mrs. Hua to prepare breakfast early the next morning.

Afterwards, they prepared some gifts and silver notes, and it wasn’t until the second half of the night that Chen Afu, having fed the two little boys, could finally rest.

They woke up before dawn the next day. After consuming a large bowl of noodles, Chu Lingxuan went to the Outer Court to fetch Manager Luo. After a discussion, they each took letters and gifts with them and left.

Having seen Chu Lingxuan out of the main court, Chen Afu went back to the bedroom. He found that both boys were already awake and were snuggling with each other.

This was indeed a delightful breakthrough, but Chen Afu could not quite manage a smile.

She walked over and bent down to softly say, "Babies."

Amazingly, the two children stopped snuggling and turned to look at Chen Afu, babbling "Ah, Ah" and even broke into a smile.

She gave each of them a kiss, then fed them, changed their diapers, and put them back to sleep after some playtime.

After Dabao and Chu Lingzhi finished breakfast, Chen Afu sent them out of the courtyard.

Knowing that his mother was going to grandpa’s house for the baby full moon party, Dabao expressed his regret, "Every time mother goes to grandfather’s house, I am either busy or in school."

Chen Afu chuckled, "There’s nothing fun at grandfather’s house. Next time when you all are off duty, write an invitation for Uncle Lan, Uncle Tang and Brother Mu to visit our residence."

When Ms. Chu arrived, Chen Afu took her, the two children, and the gifts, and went to the Chens’ together.

Upon their arrival, Chen Yulan was at the entrance welcoming guests.

Chen Yulan smiled at Ms. Chu, glanced a few times at her sleeping nephew and then asked, "Sister, where’s my brother-in-law? Isn’t he coming today?"

Chen Afu replied, "He had an urgent matter to attend to and left early this morning."

Chen Yulan was obviously disappointed. She pouted and said, "Dad hasn’t returned yet, so I’m the only one accompanying General He," she said in a quieter tone, "I don’t like him. He seems a bit odd. Not like my honest brother-in-law."

The reason the Hes were willing to accept being linked with Chen Yuhui was largely due to Chen Shiying’s successful career. If the Hes were to find out that Chen Shiying might be in trouble, it was uncertain whether they would continue with this marriage.

Thinking about the innocent souls in this family, Chen Afu’s heart ached again.

She touched Chen Yulan’s braid and said, "With Dad not at home and Zhao being so small, you are the only man in the house now. You need to help your mother shoulder the burdens and take care of the household."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yulan puffed out her chest and said, "Yes, I know. As the eldest son in the family, I will honor my grandmother, share my mother’s worries, and take care of my sisters and brother."

Chen Afu inwardly scorned. What honor did that old hag deserve, having caused so many people harm?

They were directly taken to the main court of the Chen family. The Hes hadn’t arrived yet, only Mrs. Jiang was sitting there chatting and laughing with a few girls. A wet nurse sat beside Mrs. Jiang, holding a baby in her arms, while Mrs. Jiang looked at the baby’s eyes full of motherly love.

Upon seeing them arrive, Mrs. Jiang became even more delighted. She first hugged Yu and Ming, laughed, and said, "Oh, my grandsons have grown up, so handsome. In the future, you must strive hard to become scholar laureates like your grandfather."

Every time Mrs. Jiang mentioned Chen Shiying becoming a laureate, she was extremely proud.

Chu Hanyan quickly interjected, "One brother will become a scholar laureate like grandpa, and the other will become a great general like daddy."

This comment amused everyone.

Except for Chen Yuhui, who curled her lips in disbelief. With her belly already down, Chen Afu’s figure was slightly fuller than when she was single but very proportioned, and the two children were also fair and chubby. Even if she wanted to, she could hardly find any faults with Chen Afu and her children.

Chen Afu held Zhao in her arms. He was larger than Yu when he was born, six and a half catty, and resembled Chen Shiying, making him a very handsome child. Looking at the newborn baby, Chen Afu’s heart softened. She had disapproved of the "concubines" and considered their children illegitimate. But when she saw them with her own eyes, she loved them from the bottom of her heart, as they were innocent.

The moment the baby entered Chen Afu’s arms, his eyes opened, and he was desperately searching for a milk bottle with his mouth open.

Everyone in the room laughed again at this sight.

Being his sister, it seemed inappropriate for her to breastfeed him. Besides, if he got used to her milk like Yu and Ming, and refused the wet nurse’s milk, that would be problematic. Chen Afu lowered her head and kissed him, then handed him back to the wet nurse.

Once the comforting scent was gone, Zhao burst into tears, and the wet nurse stood up to feed him in the side room.

Mrs. Jiang asked again, "Did you bring the baby carriage I asked for?"

Chen Afu smiled and said, "Yes, we brought it."

The servants brought in the baby carriage and the gifts. Chen Yuqing and Chen Yuxia were very intrigued by the baby carriage, and Chu Hanyan was explaining it to them.

Except for the elderly lady and Chen Yuhui, this family was straightforward and harmonious, much clearer than many official families. Unfortunately, it had been ruined by a rat’s feces.

At this moment, a servant announced that Mrs. He and Ms. He had arrived.

Mrs. Jiang stood up to greet them at the door.

Mrs. He seemed very pleased, probably unaware that Chen Shiying might be in trouble.

After a few polite exchanges, they all took their seats. Mrs. He even called Chen Yuhui over to compliment her, making her blush.

Not long after, Chen Yulan walked in with He Linsheng to pay respect to Mrs. Jiang.

This was Chen Afu’s first time seeing He Linsheng.

He Linsheng was handsome with delicate features, fair, slightly lean, and stood tall and upright. He wore a lake-blue brocade robe with arrow sleeves, a jade belt around his waist, and an Uncut Jade Head on his head. He didn’t look like a military officer; rather, he resembled a handsome scholar, a real handsome young man.

However, there was something unsettling about his gaze. Particularly when he first entered, as he took a scan of the room without any regard for manners. The time his gaze lingered on Chen Afu was the longest, it even held a bit of awe.

Chen Afu clenched her teeth in silent fury.

Mrs. Jiang gave a slight cough, and only then did He Linsheng lower his eyelids.

He bowed down to pay respect to Mrs. Jiang, exchanged a few words with her while smiling, then Chen Yulan led him to the front courtyard.