Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 475 - 466: Injured

Chapter 475: Chapter 466: Injured

Chen Afu reassured the young girl, "My dear, your grandmother knows that you’ve done your best. Her absence is due to the adults, it’s not your fault."

Dabao asked, "Is it because of Grandpa?"

Chu Lingxuan frowned slightly and replied, "Child, don’t say nonsense."

Dabao shut his mouth, but his expression seemed to suggest he had guessed correctly.

Chen Afu was starting to detect something unusual. Before Chu Lingxuan departed to the south, he had allocated many dark guards around Jing Shang’an and The Luos’ estate. She asked, "Is mother in danger celebrating Lunar New Year outside?"

Chu Lingxuan replied, "Don’t worry, even though my mother doesn’t come here, she has already gone to The Luos’ estate, she will stay there for a while. I will also accompany her there tomorrow afternoon." He looked at Chen Afu and continued, "You have all these children as company, but my mother just..."

Chen Afu laughed, "I understand. Mother is lonely there by herself, you should go and be with her. Once I’ve gone through the maternity period, I will join you in keeping her company."

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, Chu Lingqi and his family of three arrived in the morning; they would have their New Year’s Eve dinner here. Seeing that Auntie Fang had not come yet, Chen Afu sent someone to invite her.

Chu Lingqi and Mrs. Song were genuinely nice, they helped Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu a lot. Inviting Auntie Fang made Chu Lingqi look good.

The food was served in the West Side Room. The masters were seated at the square table, Auntie Fang was given her own smaller table, and a separate small table was set up for the Animal House.

Although the New Year’s Eve dinner didn’t have many guests, the atmosphere was lively, casual and filled with laughter and cheer.

Chu Lingqi was in high spirits and slightly tipsy from the wine. He said cheerfully, "I’m so glad I came to Dingzhou. Everything’s been going well. Back in the Marquis’ Mansion, life there was... hehe..." He didn’t finish his sentence and continued, "It seems Grandfather might not return to Dingzhou after the New Year’s. Elder brother, are you going back to Capital City soon?"

After taking a sip of wine, Chu Lingxuan replied, "I’m not sure yet, I need to see how things go. If you don’t want to return to Capital City, you can stay here. Dingzhou is a crucial place for the military, and my mother is nearby, it’s better to have someone from The Chus staying here."

Both Mrs. Song and Auntie Fang were elated upon hearing this. This means their family not only do not have to return to the Marquis’ Mansion, Chu Lingqi’s career prospects will also be secure. If he’s tasked with overseeing Dingzhou, a low-ranking official post will not suffice.

After lunch, Chu Lingxuan took Ms Chu to The Luos’ estate. Although she was reluctant to leave her mother and siblings, knowing that her grandmother was all alone made her follow her father obediently, despite her teary eyes.

Mrs. Luo also left with them. After all, it was the Lunar New Year, she should go home and spend some time with her family. As for Shiyi, he would be staying with Chen Afu in the main court for the next few days.

Chu Lingqi’s family left after dinner.

Once they’d all left, Chen Afu, Dabao and the two younger brothers went to sit and play on the bed in the east room, with baby Yu’er in Chen Afu’s arms to be played with.

Dabao was particularly happy today, his mouth stretched widely into a grin. His excitement was not just because of the New Year, but also because he could share a bed with his mother again.

He was originally going to sleep in the east room, but he was reluctant. He wanted to share the bed with his mother, but too shy to admit it, he said he wanted to sleep in the Warm Pavilion, so Chen Afu granted his wish.

During the night, Chen Afu was unable to bring Yu’er into the space because Dabao was in the room. Once she noticed Dabao was asleep, she took some of Jin Yanzi’s favourite dried fruits and marinated meat into the space. The dried fruit was specially made for Jin Yanzi, including milk-flavoured pine nuts, amber walnuts, five-spiced melon seeds, and crushed peanuts. As people were celebrating the Lunar New Year, the little one should also celebrate.

Jin Yanzi was waiting for Yu’er to come in to play, hearing Chen Afu’s explanation, it chirped discontentedly, "That stinky Dabao, always annoying. During the New Year he only thinks about his own happiness, never thinking about others."

On the first day of Lunar New Year, Chen Afu woke up and donned her cheerful red padded jacket and red cotton skirt. She then moved to the side of the little bed, bent over and gave a soft kiss to Yu’er.

Yu’er was roused by her mother’s kiss, looking in the direction of her voice, she gave two little "ah" sounds before revealing a small smile.

Dabao, dressed in a red satin robe with Qiu Yue’s assistance, walked over. Seeing his little sister’s smile, he grinned and bent down to give his sister a kiss.

Very soon, the two younger brothers, also dressed in vivid red, were led in by their mother.

Chen Afu went to sit on the bed in the east room. Led by Dabao, the two younger brothers kowtowed to their mother to wish her a Happy New Year. The younger brothers’ kowtow posture was now very standard, and they said, "Wishing Mother a Happy New Year, auspiciousness and good luck."

Mrs. Li also used Yu’er to kowtow to Chen Afu.

Chen Afu laughed, "Mother hopes her sons and daughters can be happy every day and everything goes smoothly." Then, she handed each one a red packet. The red packet for Yu’er was tucked into her blanket.

The family had just finished breakfast when a maid came to report, "Grandma, Manager Xiao Luo from The Luos’ estate is asking to see you."

Luo Yuan, what’s he doing here so early?

Chen Afu said, "Let him in."

Luo Yuan rushed in. His clothes were crumpled, and when he took off his hat, his hair was a mess, with several strands of hair falling out.

Seeing his condition, Chen Afu’s heart sank.

Luo Yuan bowed and informed in a low voice, "Grandma, something’s happened to The Luos’ estate."

Chen Afu immediately sat up and anxiously asked, "What happened? Is Mother-in-law okay? And what about my husband, Yan’er, are they okay?"

Luo Yuan stood up and looked around the room, the servants immediately came over to take the children out of the room. Dabao didn’t want to leave, but upon seeing Chen Afu’s look, he resentfully left the room.

Luo Yuan said, "My master... his arm is injured..." Seeing Chen Afu gasping in shock, he hurriedly added, "Don’t be alarmed, Grandma. My master is mostly fine, it’s just a minor injury. The mistress and Missy are both fine, they were just scared a little..."

Last night, suddenly more than a dozen masked men attacked The Luos’ estate. The Luos’ estate had many guards who tried to keep them out of the estate, but these men were highly skilled, and several of them managed to storm into the estate. They were after Liao Chen. Liao Chen’s room had a clear signal, the scent of sandalwood. During the protection of Liao Chen, Chu Lingxuan was injured, and Manager Luo and Chu Huai were also stabbed. Especially Manager Luo, who was still in a critical condition...

Chen Afu’s heart felt like a roller coaster. When she heard that Chu Lingxuan was okay, she was relieved, but when she heard that Manager Luo was in trouble, her heart rose to her throat again. Not only was Manager Luo a loyal servant, but he was also a good person who had helped Chen Afu’s family a lot. Both Chen Afu and Chu Lingxuan felt a deep affection for him and treated him like an elder.

Her eyes filled with tears, she said, "I hope good people have good fate, and Uncle Luo will be unharmed."

Tears welled up in Luo Yuan’s eyes. He wiped them with his sleeve and said, "My master has sent me to inform Grandma that the mistress has agreed to return temporarily. Please ask Grandma arrange for people to clean up the Luomei Nunnery, they will be back in the afternoon."