Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 410 - 406: Flattery (4000, two - s combined)_2

Chapter 410: Chapter 406: Flattery (4000, two Chapters combined)_2

Her cheeks turned red as she expressed her thanks.

Mrs. Zhang’s eyes crinkled with laughter. She exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Oh my, Uncle Three and Auntie Three have received a big favor from Afu." She then lowered her voice to address the children, "Thank you all, the lads and girls of the wealthy family who came especially to add to Aman’s dowry, we are really honored."

When she saw Afu arrive, Mrs. Hu excitedly pulled Aju with her to check out the new additions to Aman’s dowry.

Upon seeing so many beautiful gifts, along with the five big silver bars, each weighing ten taels, Mrs. Hu could barely remove her gaze from the bounty. She chuckled, "Afu is really generous, even the children have brought so much. Aju, you need to learn from Aman, get on the good side of your sister Afu. If she so much as loosens her strings, that would be enough for you to live out your lifetime comfortably."

The crude and explicit remarks made Mrs. Zhang and Aman blush. If they agreed, it would confirm they were beholden to Afu for money. If they disagreed, they would risk offending Afu’s good intentions.

Afu frowned and hurriedly retorted, "Aman and I share deep sisterly bonds. There’s no business of here buttering someone up."

Old Mrs. Chen also entered and scolded Mrs. Hu, "You foul-mouthed woman, if you can’t speak properly then don’t speak at all, you’re embarrassing yourself." She then turned towards Afu, laughing, "Don’t let your great-aunt embarrass you, she’s just a coarse woman."

Afu didn’t know what to say in response. Today, she just wanted to relax, have a quiet chat with Aman, but there were too many noisy people in the room. Many strangers were eyeing her and Ms. Chu surreptitiously, and several women were trying to establish a connection with her out of nowhere. She had to get up, hold Hanyan’s hand, and retreat to her own little room.

Mrs. Hu tried again to pull Aju along into the small room, but Mrs. Luo blocked their way. There they stood, longingly, watching as Afu, Mrs. Wang, and the others left the room.

Aju had never really looked up to Afu and now her mother was dragging her around to follow Afu everywhere, greatly damaging her self-respect. This time being stopped outside, her eyes reddened with frustration. She exerted all her strength to pull away from Mrs. Hu and walked off.

Mrs. Hu was also upset. She ran to complain to Mrs. Chen, "Mrs. Zhang is really underestimating us. She has prepared a separate room for Afu, but didn’t prepare one for me, her mother-in-law."

Old Mrs. Chen snapped, "This simply proves how much of a people person my third daughter-in-law is. Afu is now an important figure, bringing along such delicate lads and girls. Naturally, they need a quiet space. As an old village woman, what use do I have for a separate room? Would it help me ascend to heaven? The prosperity of my third son’s household isn’t solely due to my son’s cleverness but also due to him marrying an intelligent and tactful daughter-in-law. Oh, my poor eldest son, you have sacrificed the most for your brothers and yet got stuck with this stupid woman as a wife. Both avaricious and lacking any strategic thinking, you’re really foolish." She pointed to Hu Laowu, who was off in the distance, chatting and laughing with some people, saying, "He is your own brother. If you could learn even a fraction of his intelligence, things wouldn’t be this bad in your household. If your home was in better shape, this old woman could retire comfortably in her second daughter-in-law’s house..."

Mrs. Hu felt terribly wronged. She had become a lot more sensible now. She knew better than to mess with Afu, never daring to talk behind her back. She had even begun to show respect to Mrs. Wang. She’s the eldest sister-in-law, her husband had raised two younger brothers, were they now expected to support them all?

It was already mid-December, the weather wasn’t too cold and the sun was bright. So far this year, there hadn’t been any snow, which was unusual. The children and the animals from the Animal House played in the yard, making Li Xuan, who was inside, quite envious. He also clamored to go out.

Afu led him outside, specifically instructing Atang and Alu to look after him and to ensure that he wasn’t scared.

The feast began.

Afu had arranged a separate table just for her and Mrs. Wang, and their children. It was quite clear that the most refined dishes were heaped on this table, and the most delicate plates and saucers were set out.

Although Chen Shi’s family didn’t show this level of deference to Afu, her feelings towards them would not have been negative. But, being treated with such respect, Afu was undoubtedly extremely pleased. Mrs. Wang was even happier, feeling that they were showing gratitude, and also enhancing the reputation of Chen Ming.

Mrs. Hu tried to drag Aju to join them for the meal, only to be blocked again. Both Afu and Mrs. Wang pretended not to hear.

Mrs. Hu, not only was she trying hard to please Afu herself, but she also prompted Aju to please Afu. From her perspective, Aman’s high-profile marriage was all thanks to Afu. Afu had added so many items to the dowry, which would be enough for a lifetime in a rural family. No harm could come from building a good relationship with Afu.