Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 433 - 427 Northbound (4000K)_2

Chapter 433: Chapter 427 Northbound (4000K)_2

Third Wife laughingly scolded, "You address me as imperial aunt, yet you call my niece Aunt. You and I are both at a loss here."

This set everyone laughing.

According Byzantine ranking, Chen Afu should be Li Xuan’s cousin-in-law. But to ensure that Chen Afu could take care of him better, Prince Rui and his wife had previously instructed Li Xuan to address her as Aunt. This arrangement had even received the emperor’s approval.

Chen Afu chuckled inwardly, thinking that if Xiao Shiyi were to formally recognize his ancestors and return to their ancestral roots in the future, the Byzantine ranking would become even more complex.

Li Xuan then proceeded to play with his two younger brothers in the baby carriage. The two little guys have woken up and are giggling, making faces at him. Astonished, he asked his aunt, "My brothers have grown so much, how come I haven’t grown that much?"

No matter what her son says, Princess Rui was always amazed at his intelligence. Upon hearing him ask this question, she laughed so hard her eyes turned into crescents, "Aiyo, Xuan’er, you’re so smart, even noticed that your brothers have grown so much. Infants under the age of one grow by leaps and bounds, looking different within a matter of days, but the rate of growth slows after they turn one."

Li Xuan, with his eyes wide open, exclaimed, "Oh, I see. I’m already five years old, so I wouldn’t grow as fast as my brothers."

Princess Rui again laughed, "My son is smart, that’s exactly how it is."

Prince Rui frowned, "Princess, praising your son so much, aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed by others?"

Although Prince Rui’s face was still as calm and somber as ever, it could be seen from his eyes that he was indeed very relaxed and happy.

Chen Afu laughed, "Through a mother’s eyes, their sons are always this excellent."

Originally, having seen that her son had grown much smarter and braver, Princess Rui no longer wanted him to continue staying with Chen Afu in Dingzhou. She just couldn’t bear to let him go.

However, Prince Rui thought that Li Xuan should continue to stay with Chen Afu for some more time. His explanation was sound "The Palace helmsman can indulge in sensual pleasures, and can procrastinate, but must have a clear conscience. Xuan’er is much smarter now as compared to before, but his intelligence still isn’t fully developed. He needs to stay with Mrs. Chu for a bit longer. The lady is truly sharp-witted and far from simple as she appears..."

Could someone so simple possess such rare medicinal herbs like the Three-Color Pearl? Even the Imperial Medical Bureau didn’t have access to this herb. Of course, he couldn’t say this out loud.

And there was another reason he couldn’t reveal. He suspected that his Ninth Highness had a hidden ailment just like him. However, while his own ailment was caused by excessive indulgence, the Ninth Prince’s was inflicted by physical harm. This caused the Ninth Prince to be unable to father a child despite being married for many years. One of the Ninth Prince’s main consorts and two concubines were suddenly reported to be expecting at the same time, indicating the Ninth Prince’s hidden ailment had been fully cured. He suspected this was cured last year during their three-day incense burning and vegetarian retreat at Lingyin Temple by Monk Gui Ling.

Back then, Monk Gui Ling claimed that only the Three-Color Pearl could cure this disease. At that time, he coincidentally discovered the Three-Color Pearl at the house of Chu Lingxuan’s daughter-in-law. Thinking about Li Xuan’s dementia, which could not be cured by countless imperial physicians but was cured after spending half a year at the Chu residence,

All these indicated that Lady Lingxuan was not simple and the Three-Color Pearl that cured the Ninth Prince must have been provided by the Chu’s.

This led him to a deeper level of understanding. The Ninth Prince’s relationship with the Chu’s was not as estranged as it appeared on the surface. They had been secretly in contact for many years. The suggestion made by the Third Chu to join forces against a common enemy wasn’t to help him. It was really meant to help the Ninth Prince.

Which led him to gloat secretly years later. He realized that his hidden ailment had unexpectedly done him a great favor, allowing him early access to important inside information...

Prince Rui’s words rendered Princess Rui speechless. Princess Rui knew that her husband, one of the emperor’s favorite princes. who appeared to be the most frivolous of all the royal princes, led one of the most enjoyable and comfortable lives among his brothers. She clearly understood that Prince Rui’s internal thoughts didn’t match his frivolous and carefree exterior, and that he wasn’t impulsive.

After hearing that Princess Rui wanted Li Xuan to continue staying with her for some time, Chen Afu, stroking Li Xuan in her arms, said with a smile, "I too, am fond of Xuan’er. I’m not quite used to his absence. If Princess Rui is willing, I’ll take Xuan’er to Dingzhou and stay there for some more time."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuan excitedly squirmed into Chen Afu’s arms. Princess Rui, who was green with envy, had red-rimmed eyes.

Meanwhile, Marquis Chu, in another pavilion, waved over, indicating that he wanted to see his grandchildren. Chen Afu then ordered someone to push the double baby carriage over to him.

Seeing Marquis Chu adoringly gaze at his grandsons, Prince Rui chuckled, "Hero becomes cautious and sentimental, a hero not necessarily unfeeling ...No wonder my eldest sister has admired Marquis Chu since she was ten. The Marquis’s inner character is far from being as... erm... reserved as he appears." Noticing Marquis Chu’s stern expression, he laughed and said, "Haha, look at me. I got carried away. My intention was to compliment Marquis Chu."