Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 452 - 443: Quiet Cultivation in the Nunnery

Chapter 452: Chapter 443: Quiet Cultivation in the Nunnery

Chen Shiying, unable to bear the thought of his mother being dismissed, argued strongly, "It was indeed wrong of my mother to disrespect Mrs. Wang by not acknowledging her as a daughter-in-law. However, my father’s death, caused by his prolonged illness, cannot be entirely attributed to my mother. The accusation that my mother offended deities is merely a conjecture without proof. In court, evidence is the key..."

This infuriated Mr. Chen, whose anger was so great it contorted his face. He bellowed, "Shiying, even though you’ve become an official, you’re still part of our Chen family. After death, you too will be buried in our family cemetery. Don’t try to intimidate me with your officialdom."

Uncle Chen also voiced his displeasure, "Shiying, we are not the courts, and we are not trying a case here. We are discussing facts. Mrs. Wang isn’t an ordinary daughter-in-law, but was brought into the family under auspicious circumstances. However, she was disregarded and denied her rightful status. This is tantamount to ill will. In your father’s illness resulted in his death, who do we blame if not your mother? We are not wrong in stating your mother led to your father’s death. Though you now hold a high office, it’s not right for you to disregard us elders. You should remember your late father, think of the many children in the family. Surely you wouldn’t want your father’s soul to remain unrestful because of that ill-natured woman, obstructing our youngsters’ career prospects or hampering our daughters’ chances of a good marriage?"

Such words stung harshly.

Chen Shiying understood the influence of his clan, and more importantly, that his father had been brought up by the clan, and his mother had indeed committed an unacceptable fault. He quickly bowed again, saying, "Elders, my words have been misunderstood. No matter where I go, or how high an office I hold, I will always remember that my family roots are in Hu’an, and it is the Chen family who raised my father and sponsored his education, enabling him to pass the examination... Starting from this year, on top of my current annual donation of 100 taels of silver to the clan, I will donate an additional 100 taels, hoping this will help improve the lives of our clan members. Moreover, there are many talented youngsters in our clan who deserve better education. I plan to donate another 50 taels of silver to establish a Clan School, where every boy from the Chen family would have the chance to study. I promise to sponsor the examination fees for any young man from our clan who qualifies for the imperial examinations."

This proposition was indeed attractive, causing the eyes of the elderly clan members to light up as they began discussing amongst themselves in hushed tones.

Wealth moves hearts. Chu Lingxuan shook his head inside, it seemed that the old woman was not getting divorced.

Although Chen Shiying kept a straight face, he felt much more relieved inside.

After discussing, Uncle Chen spoke, "We all know that you, Shiying, have not forgotten your roots and always care about our clan. However, Madam Zhao’s evil deeds are just too great. Keeping her here in the Chen household would harm not only you, but also the boys and girls of the Chen family. In recognition of your efforts, we can forgo dismissing her, but she cannot stay here either. Let her go to the nunnery and lead a spiritual life until her death."

Mr. Chen added, "This is as far we can compromise. We absolutely cannot allow Madam Zhao to stay in the Chen household and continue causing harm. If Shiying, you still refuse, then there’s nothing more to discuss."

Chen Shiying realised, this was the best outcome. Going to the nunnery meant his mother would remain a Chen family wife, and upon her death, she could still be buried in the Chen family grave.

He nodded in agreement.

His feelings were ambivalent, a blend of sorrow towards his mother for having to spend her remaining years in a nunnery, and relief from a heavy burden.

As it was now close to lunchtime, he invited the clan elders for a meal.

Chu Lingxuan also stayed and toasted the clan elders.

Mr. Chen, now aged seventy-eight, was reduced to sparse teeth and silver hair, yet his energy was astonishing and his mind remained sharp. He said to Chu Lingxuan, "Please convey to Afu, we all know she is a good girl. She and her mother have suffered injustices. After we deal with that wicked woman, Zhao, we will include Mrs. Wang in our family records upon our return home, affirming that Afu is indeed the legitimate eldest daughter of our Chen family."

Chu Lingxuan bowed to thank him.

After lunch, the group went to An Hall where the clan head announced Madam Zhao’s punishment.

Although Chu Lingxuan felt awkward about accompanying them as an in-law, he knew his wife had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Wanting to describe the situation in detail to his wife, he decided to tag along despite his reservations.

Upon their arrival at An Hall, they remained stationed in the courtyard, not choosing to enter Granny Chen’s chambers.

With an authoritative tap of his cane on the ground, Mr. Chen instructed Mrs. Jiang, "Go and bring Madam Zhao out."

Mrs. Jiang led a few maids into the inner chamber, where Granny Chen was still raging, causing a mess of shattered tea bowls on the ground. Her son had returned, the rock of her life. He had visited her in An Hall the day before and spoken a few words to her, but he had yet to show his face again. She realised that her son was displeased with her.

With the presumption that her son was dutiful and tender-hearted, she believed a few soft words would ease his anger. She asked the maids to take her to see her son, intending to convey her longing for his presence, and to remind him that no mother would harm her own son. She had done everything for his wellbeing...

However, much like before, the maids seemed not to hear her words, remaining apathetic to her request.

Furious, Granny Chen exclaimed, "This house belongs to my son, not to Jiang! With my son home, if Jiang dares disrespect me again, he should divorce her..."

The maids still didn’t heed her.

Granny Chen was beside herself with rage and requested a cup of tea. The maids, who knew they couldn’t disobey this order, brought the tea, only for her to throw the cup at them. Afterwards, she demanded another cup of tea. The maids had learned their lesson and carefully placed the cup on a small stand at the head of her bed and quickly retreated.

Granny Chen, struggling to reach the tea, clumsily lifted the bowl and flung it towards the maids. However, it missed them entirely and shattered on the ground instead.

Seeing Granny Chen, who was now much more lucid, Mrs. Jiang knelt and said, "Mother, the clan elders from our hometown have come. They would like to see you."

The clan elders from their hometown want to see her? Granny Chen instinctively felt trouble brewing and loudly refused, "I won’t see them. I want to see my son."

Mrs. Jiang responded, "Master is waiting outside."

Upon hearing that her son was outside, Granny Chen was relieved. Since her son was still a high-ranking official, it was likely that the clan elders had come to curry favour with their household. They wished to pay their respects to her as the wife of a high official.

She smacked her lips and said to Mrs. Jiang, "People always revere the powerful and scorn the weak. When my son fell from grace, none of them showed any concern. Now that he’s reinstated, they have come to us. My son is a kind soul and should not entertain those who treat people like quantifiable assets." Her gaze then shifted to Mrs. Jiang, "And not just the clan members. Even a daughter-in-law is just the same. During my son’s hard time, she abandoned her old mother-in-law here and showed utterly no respect to me. Now that my son has returned to his position, her attitude changed, and she often visits me again."

Seeing Mrs. Jiang still calmly watching her without making any of the sharp comments she usually did, Granny Chen felt a surge of delight. She wanted to continue berating this shameless, ill-natured daughter-in-law, but considering the clan elders were waiting outside, she held back her inclination to scold her. She called out to the maids who served her, "Comb my hair neatly and bring me the red embroidered vest to wear. These old men have high expectations."