Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 456 - 447: Concern

Chapter 456: Chapter 447: Concern

Afu Chen liked the vast sky and earth, and also quiet countryside. But she knew that she and her child no longer belonged here. This place was just a dwelling where she temporarily resided. Once she had rested, she would return to the capital city, and even to Capital City.

She stood at the front door for a moment, then, with the help of Hong Fei, she walked towards Lu Garden.

Arriving at the entrance of Fu Garden, the gates were wide open, and laughter from children echoed from the back yard. Not only were there Chu Lingzhi’s children, but also those of Luo Mingcheng and several other servants.

Old Mr. Zeng hurriedly came out to greet Afu Chen with a bow, "Ma’am is back."

Afu Chen nodded and smiled, "Old Uncle Zeng, you have worked hard. How is your health? Let Xia Yue accompany you for the next few days."

Xiao Mo, who was behind her, handed over a wallet filled with silver ingots. Mr. Zeng took it, bowed again in thanks, and chuckled, "Thank you for your kind consideration, ma’am. The air here is good, and life is easy, this old man feels more alive than ever."

Afu Chen nodded, and left for Lu Garden.

The gate of Lu Garden was wide open, and the sound of laugher could be heard from a distance.

As soon as she arrived at the entrance, she saw many people chatting in the courtyard.

Mrs. Wang got up immediately to help Afu Chen, saying, "You’ve been sitting in the sedan chair for so long, why didn’t you rest and come tomorrow? You’re pregnant now but you don’t know how to take care of yourself."

Afu Chen laughed, "I missed father and mother, wanted to see you early."

Chu Hanyan also said, "I missed grandma and grandpa too."

Chen Ming waved his hand and laughed, "Come and sit, don’t tire yourself out." He then scolded Mrs. Wang, "The moment our daughter arrives, you start nagging. Hurry and fetch the sour plum soup you made at midday for our daughter and Hanyan."

After sitting down, Afu Chen chatted with Chen Ming for a while, then told Mrs. Liu that Wang Cheng’s matter might be settled soon. Mrs. Liu was overjoyed when she heard this.

Dabao came over pulling Afu Chen and Chu Hanyan saying, "Mother, sis, our Jin Bao is so smart. Before it led Qi Qi and Zhui Feng to the mountains, it called for all the birds in Fu Garden and Wang Cai."

Ms. Chu was beyond impressed, her eyes wide open with wonder.

Afu Chen also praised Jin Yanzi a few times, thinking in her heart, its real intelligence has yet to be discovered.

After chatting for a while, Afu Chen had the gifts brought out and distributed them. More than half of them were for Mr. and Mrs. Chen, some for Mrs. Liu, and the remaining few bags of pastries and candies were for the main house, Hu Laowu, Carpenter Wu, and Junior Officer Gao’s families.

When night fell and the sky was filled with stars, Afu Chen got up to return to Tang Garden. Dabao wanted to stay at Lu Garden for a couple of days, so Afu Chen let him. She had Wang Laowu and Xiao Luzi, his permanent attendants, stay at Lu Garden as well.

Arriving back at Yanxiang Pavilion, Mrs. Li reported with a smile that Abbot Liao Chen found the little brothers endearing, and kept them to stay at the Zen Courtyard for the night.

Afu Chen felt both joyful and a twinge of pain. Anxiety was a string, and family was a net. The little brothers, who could barely talk, had brought Liao Chen home, and had ensnared her...

Ever since Ms. Chu’s illness had been cured, Liao Chen had hardly returned to Tang Garden. Now, the little brothers had not only kept her in Tang Garden, but also brazenly moved into her Zen Courtyard. Even Ms. Chu had never had such accommodations.

If Marquis Chu and Marquis Chu were to find out, they’d probably be overjoyed.

At night, Afu Chen came to the space, picked up the slightly green-glowing Jin Bei and laughed, "Do you miss Jin Bao, brother? Don’t be sad. You still have me, and I still have you, neither of us is alone."

Hearing this, Jin Bei’s color gradually turned back to yellow.

It had grown a circle larger, its smooth body now sprouting some short fluff. Its small beak had turned brown, and its eyes occasionally moved.

Chen Afu carefully observed it, not knowing what breed it might be if it were alive. Ideally, it wouldn’t be a migratory bird and would be able to come out anytime. It should not be like Jin Yanzi, suffocating in the space for half a year.

The next morning, after breakfast, Chen Afu asked Mrs. Hua to prepare some ingredients for vegetarian cooking to be taken to Fu Garden and asked Xia Yue to prepare Fu Garden.

Starting today, the kindergarten in Fu Garden had reopened. The students were Ms. Chu, Li Xuan, Wang Xiaomei, Luo Mingcheng, and the little maid, Luo Mei.

She did this mainly to attract Abbot Liao Chen. Abbot Liao Chen liked children, so she wanted to show him the joy of caring for children. Having concerns and finding joy would distract her from wanting to return to the desolate Yingxue Nunnery.

After Li Xuan and Ms. Chu finished eating, she led them to the small Zen Courtyard.

Abbot Liao Chen was sitting cross-legged on the Luohan Bed, holding little Ming in her arms, while little Yu lay behind her, lifting his two chubby legs to vigorously pat her back.

Little Yu’s legs were strong and powerful, and he patted her very seriously. Little Ming, on the other hand, stared at Abbot Liao Chen with his clear big eyes, babbling to her and occasionally laughing.

The two little brothers attacked from both sides, one with words and one with actions, completely melting Abbot Liao Chen’s heart. A smile filled her beautiful face.

Abbot Liao Chen was forty-one this year, but she didn’t look old, appearing to be in her early thirties. Even in her plain robe and monk’s hat, they could not hide her beautiful face.

She smiled at Chen Afu and said, "They are so filial at such a young age. One gives me massages and the other talks to me. Oh, they are so loving."

Ms. Chu stepped forward to pay her respects and said sweetly, "I am also filial. I will sing to my grandmother later."

Li Xuan added, "And practice martial arts."

Abbot Liao Chen laughed and said, "Good granddaughter, good child."

Chen Afu then smiled and told Abbot Liao Chen that he wanted to take the children to play in Fu Garden, where there were many things for children to play with. He invited her and the two little boys to go together.

Abbot Liao Chen hesitated. As a monk, she shouldn’t lead the children out to play. It would reflect poorly if others saw it.

Chen Afu sensed her thoughts and said that apart from an old gatekeeper, there was no one else in Fu Garden.

Chu Hanyan and Li Xuan spoke of the fun things in Fu Garden and how their little brother would definitely love them. Abbot Liao Chen wanted to let the little brothers go play, but couldn’t bear to leave them, torn by her conflicting feelings. Ms. Chu and Li Xuan each took one of her hands and led her to Fu Garden.

Chen Afu showed Abbot Liao Chen around the "classroom" and the children’s playground in Fu Garden. The two strange "buckets" made her laugh for a long time.

When they reached the children’s playground in the backyard, Xia Yue held little Yu, and Xiao Mo held little Ming. Following the older children, they slid down from the slide, making the little boys scream with excitement.

Afterwards, Chen Afu and Abbot Liao Chen sat down in the corridor, watching Xia Yue teach the children to "practice martial arts." Abbot Liao Chen was first shocked and then began to laugh, covering her mouth with her hand.

Mrs. Huang was also astonished by the scene and laughed, covering her mouth, "My goodness. Such martial arts practice! I’ve learned something new today."

When the children began singing nursery rhymes, Chen Afu went to the kitchen. Mrs. Hua and the maids had prepared some vegetarian snacks and Chen Afu made a few vegetarian dishes.

At midday, everyone enjoyed a vegetarian feast here before they returned home for a nap. In the late afternoon, they went back to Fu Garden to play for half a day.