Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 474 - 465: Unwilling to Go Home

Chapter 474: Chapter 465: Unwilling to Go Home

Returning to the Capital City with Mrs. Chu were also the New Year’s gifts delivered to the Marquis’ Mansion, the Royal Rui Mansion, and Huguoxie’s Mansion. The gifts from these three households had also come to Dingzhou with Mrs. Chu.

With the departure of one elder and two little ones, not only were Chu Hanyan and Chen Dabao unused to it, even Chen Afu was unaccustomed.

Moreover, Marquis Chu had subtly hinted that he might not be coming back to Dingzhou after the Lunar New Year. If he didn’t come, Chu Lingzhi certainly wouldn’t either. Li Xuan was no longer so afraid of interaction, and had become much smarter, so he might not return either.

In addition to feeling lost, Chen Afu conjectured that the situation in the Capital City had become even more complex. The position of the Ninth Prince and the Chus should have become stronger, and they no longer needed to worry about Rong Zhao scheming to make them come to the Princess Mansion for manipulation. So, wouldn’t the ambitious reincarnated Second Prince be even more worried?

Yes, for the past few months, Chu Lingxuan often went out, and seldom stayed at home. This time it was even more so, he had been out for a month and a half...

Their departure made life even more calm.

During the day, Chen Afu would watch the children play, listening to Mrs. Song talking to her about household chores. At night, she would take Yu’er and the little bed into her space to watch Jin Yanzi play with her. Jin Bei also liked this little lady, its crimson hair becoming even redder whenever she entered the space.

Chen Afu would take Yu’er out of the space in the middle of the night to feed her, then Mrs. Li would clean up after her and wash her buttocks. After sending the servants away, she would put Yu’er back into the space, and sleep alone in her bedroom, taking Yu’er out before dawn.

Because she slept less at night, she would sleep more during the day, taking a nap in the late afternoon for an hour and a half.

On the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, Mrs. Jiang bid farewell in the court, as she would be returning to the Capital City with her children to celebrate the Lunar New Year in a few days. Chen Shiying also planned to go to the Capital City after the Yamen was sealed.

They again discussed the matter of Chen Yuhui getting beaten. Mrs. Jiang said that a few days ago she received a letter from her father, Mr. Jiang, talking about Chen Yuhui’s matter. Chen Shiying was infuriated, hating He Er for his ruthlessness and also being angry at her daughter for being disappointing.

Chen Shiying not only wrote to Mr. Jiang asking him to look after Chen Yuhui, but also sent a letter to Chen Yuhui, telling her to divorce if she couldn’t cope anymore. After all, everyone knew that He Er was no good...

When Mrs. Jiang spoke of this, she felt frustrated and tears ran down her cheeks. Chen Yuqing would be seventeen after the Lunar New Year and still hadn’t found a suitable family. Chen Shiying’s idea was, if worst comes to worst, they should find a humble family for her. As long as the young man was outstanding, they could add more dowries, and life could still be sustainable.

Thinking of the sensible third sister, Chen Afu also felt pity. She had tried to make a match with a few families, but none were successful.

In the late afternoon of the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month, Chu Lingxuan finally came back.

He looked worn out from travel, covered in snowflakes. He was in a hurry after getting off the horse and went straight to the main court. Knowing that Chen Afu was having her rest at this time, he did not let the servants announce him and just walked in. Before entering the room, he took off his coat in the living room, dispelled the chill in front of the charcoal basin, and only then did he enter the sleeping chamber.

The bedroom was warm as spring, filled with a subtle aroma. Next to the big bed was a small bed, where the adult and little one were both sound asleep.

The corners of his mouth curved into a smile. He had been pushing himself night and day to return sooner just to see them. He quietly walked to the bed and looked at the little one first.

The tiny baby was a cute one, with long eyeliner, a small nose, and a soft pink mouth. It seemed as if the baby was uncomfortable from being watched so much that she moved her little head a bit, pouting with her petal-like mouth, showing a bit of her pink tongue.

Chu Lingxuan’s heart was filled like it was flowing with the spring breeze of lingering floral scent; warm and tender. He bent over to kiss his daughter, but thinking that he had not washed his face yet, he stopped. After looking over his little girl, he took two steps closer to inspect his wife.

His wife was a bit fuller than when he left, still stunningly beautiful, so beautiful it made him, it made him... he couldn’t resist himself, didn’t care about anything else, and he bent down to kiss her while sitting on the bed.

Chen Afu was in a deep sleep and suddenly felt her husband’s kiss. Yes, even if she wasn’t fully awake, she could feel that it was her husband’s kiss— the familiar taste, the familiar entwining, the familiar touch... She was in a half-dream, half-wake state, sharing a kiss with him. Suddenly, a spark of clarity hit her. Her deeply missed husband was back?

She opened her eyes abruptly, his familiar face close to hers, eyes closed as if in deep pleasure. She shook her head and managed to say his name, "Lingxuan..."

Chu Lingxuan lifted his head, seeing his wife looking at him with surprised and delighted eyes, he smiled and said, "Yes, I’m back. Our daughter is so cute, so beautiful." He gently wiped her face with his thumb and added with a touch of regret, "It’s a pity, I wasn’t by your side when you gave birth to her."

Chen Afu grabbed his hand and smiled, "Our daughter is considerate. She didn’t cause too much trouble, the delivery went smoothly."

The dinner was served on the bed in the east room, and Chen Afu has also gotten up. She and Chu Lingxuan led Chen Dabao and Chu Hanyan to eat at the table on the bed, while Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Jiang held Yu and Ming on their laps and fed them on a small table on the ground.

Yu’er was held by Mrs. Li and sat to one side. She was awake now, watching them with clear eyes, and occasionally blowing bubbles.

Yu and Ming were eating while watching their sister. As soon as they saw her blow bubbles, they yelled excitedly, "Sister, bubbles, bubbles."

The interaction of the three little ones added a few more degrees of liveliness to the room.

Chen Afu felt a great sense of accomplishment. At such a young age, she already had five children. Even though one son would always be returned back, he was still with her now, wasn’t he?

Chu Lingxuan had the same thought, the laughter in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, Alu, Dabao, and Ms. Chu all began their long holiday. The mansion prepared two carts of stuff to send Mr. Liao back to his hometown in Jiaodong.

On the 29th day of the Lunar New Year’s Eve, although it was still cold, the sun was shining brightly and the wind wasn’t as strong. That morning, Chu Lingxuan took Dabao, Ms. Chu, and the two little brothers to Jingtang Nunnery. He wanted to bring Liao Chen home for the Lunar New Year.

Before they left, he repeatedly told the children to try to persuade their grandma to come home and stay for a couple of days. Chen Afu even painted a portrait of Yu’er for Chu Lingxuan to show to Liao Chen.

Chu Lingxuan looked at the baby picture on the paper in amazement, and laughed, "This is an amazing likeness. My wife actually has this talent."

Chen Dabao proudly said, "I’ve known for a long time that Mom is capable of this. She can draw anything and it looks really lively."

Chen Afu laughingly scolded, "Your mother is not that amazing."

Chu Hanyan chimed in, "Brother is right. Mother is that amazing."

Chen Afu waited until it was dark before seeing them return home with their heads down, they didn’t manage to persuade Liao Chen to come back to the Chus’.

Apart from Chu Lingxuan, Chu Hanyan was the most upset. Holding on to Chen Afu’s sleeve, she choked out, "We said so many good things. Grandma cried after hearing them, but she still didn’t want to come home."