Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty -
Chapter 490 - 481: Maternal Grandparent’s Home
Chapter 490: Chapter 481: Maternal Grandparent’s Home
A few days later, in the late afternoon, Chen Afu, in a semi-worn out cotton padded jacket, sat on the bed, teaching the little brothers how to stack blocks. Ms. Chu, meanwhile, was learning to tie knots from Mrs. Li.
Perhaps owing to developmental issues in her childhood, Ms. Chu’s finger joints were not very flexible. Thus, Chen Afu asked her to practice tying knots often to improve flexibility.
The weather had begun to warm, and only a basin of charcoal was lit indoors. Even the bed was not heated. A thick quilt was laid on the bed, and sitting atop it did not feel cold at all.
From time to time, Chen Afu and Ms. Chu laughed heartily due to the antics of the little boys.
At this time, a maid from the Outer Court delivered a note from the Zhennan’s Marquis Mansion, stating that Mrs. Ma from the Marquis’ Mansion would visit The Chus’ eldest daughter tomorrow morning. accompanying her would also be Granny Ma, the eldest daughter’s maternal aunt, as well as her cousin, Lady Ma.
Zhennan’s Marquis Mansion is the maternal home of Lady Ma.
Chen Afu furrowed her brows, "They’ve come at last." She said to Ms. Chu, "The Mas are coming to see you tomorrow morning. You don’t need to go to school."
The Marquis’ Mansion had hired a scholar specifically to teach Ms. Chu.
Ms. Chu nodded her head and continued tying knots.
The next day, Chen Afu dressed Ms. Chu. She was wearing a light green satin blouse and long skirt, with ruby-coloured brocade and a shawl over her shoulders. Plum blossoms were embroidered on the edges of her sleeve and skirt, and two jade rabbit hairpins were stuck in her hair bun. Despite not applying any makeup, Ms. Chu still looked stunningly beautiful.
Around late morning, Lady Ma and the group of three were led into the Bamboo Pavilion.
Chen Afu, hand in hand with Ms. Chu, waited by the front room’s door.
Mrs. Ma was about forty, exquisitely made up, plump but not overweight, and could be classified as a gorgeous middle-aged woman. Behind her, followed a woman nearing thirty and a girl of twelve or thirteen.
Mrs. Ma was Lady Ma’s niece and Princess Rong Zhao’s cousin, which made her Chen Afu’s elder. Chen Afu curtsied, saying, "Mrs. Ma."
Mrs. Ma first surveyed Chu Hanyan, then holding Chen Afu’s hand, she smiled, saying, "Mrs. Chu, thank you for taking such good care of Yan."
Chen Afu smiled and replied, "Yan is my daughter. Of course, I would take good care of her since we’re very close."
Mrs. Ma was taken aback for a moment, but smiled again, saying, "Indeed, Yan is so blessed to have a mother like you..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Granny Ma clung to Chu Hanyan, shedding tears, saying, "Yan, you’ve grown so much, it’s wonderful. Now, your mother’s spirit can rest in peace."
Lady Ma also took hold of Chu Hanyan, saying, "My dear cousin, you look so much like your mother, such beauty." After saying so, she too began to weep.
Chu Hanyan was startled and moved back, clutching Chen Afu’s hand tighter.
Chen Afu’s eyebrows knitted together.
Mrs. Ma also frowned. She thought to herself – this family is a load of useless individuals, untrustworthy. At home, I had reminded them repeatedly to move slowly - first win the young girl’s heart, then improve ties with The Chus... No wonder that the Ma who was married to Chu Lingxuan was good for nothing. The Marquis’ Mansion had sent a huge dowry, hoping she could help Princess Rong Zhao. But she was not helpful at all; she died young from an illness. All those silver coins, all those thousands, wasted without even a sound.
She suppressed her anger and said, "Although you are her aunts and cousin by blood, this is your first meeting. Please don’t frighten her."
Granny Ma quickly laughed it off, "Oh, my apologies. I was just too excited to see my niece." Then she added, "My dear, your maternal grandparents, as well as your uncle, all miss you terribly."
They entered the living room, sat down, and served tea. Ms. Chu greeted Mrs. Ma and Granny Ma with a curtsy. Mrs. Ma took a pair of jade bracelets off her wrist and presented them to Ms. Chu as a gesture of greeting. Granny Ma removed a long peacock pin studded with emeralds and rubies from her head and gave it to Ms. Chu as a present.
Chen Afu speculated that the golden peacock pin must have been given to Granny Ma by the Mas to present to Ms. Chu. Granny Ma’s hands were trembling as she took it off, and the fourth Miss Ma’s eyes also showed reluctance.
Understandably so, all the ornaments on Granny Ma’s body combined were not worth as much as that pin.
Chen Afu then smilingly removed a golden sparrow pin from her head and gave it to the fourth Miss Ma as a greeting gift, which finally brought a smile to her face.
Chen Afu quietly thought to herself, such disgraceful and superficial maternal relatives were not suitable influences for Ms. Chu.
The people began to engage Ms. Chu in conversation. Mrs. Ma and Granny Ma reminisced about their longing for Ms. Chu and how they wished she could return to the capital soon.
Chen Afu didn’t hold back, talking about her first impression of Ms. Chu being weak and pitiable, and how shy and introverted she was. She spoke about the extraordinary effort she put into preparing meals for her, and making her more outgoing.
Chen Afu could not say that Ms. Chu was foolish, but she could say that she was frail.
Mrs. Ma’s face changed colors as she listened, she was turned off. If it were before, she would definitely not show any respect to Mrs. Chen. Mrs. Chen was just the daughter of a minor official. Her own husband was not only a Marquis but also the Royal Uncle. However, neither Lady nor Princess Rong Zhao had time for her anymore, and the Marquis had chosen the wrong side and was labeled as part of the Second Prince’s party. He was disliked by the current Emperor and even more so by the Crown Prince.
The Marquis was relying on her to improve relations with The Chus through Chu Hanyan.
Mrs. Ma took out her handkerchief to wipe her tears, saying, "I must admit, Mrs. Chu, we were deceived by those evil servants who fooled the Princess. We only found out about all of this later... Oh, I was heartbroken when I heard about it..."
Granny Ma suggested, "This adults’ talk might not interest the children. Hanyan, why don’t you lead your cousin outside for some fresh air?"
Ms. Chu looked at Chen Afu. Chen Afu gave her a nod in agreement, so she rose and took the fourth Miss Ma outside. Mrs. Huang and Miao’er followed close behind, serving Ms. Chu.
It was the Ma family’s first visit, so Chen Afu kept them for lunch.
After the meal, Granny Ma suggested that Ms. Chu could stay with them for a few days, claiming that her maternal grandmother was sick because she missed her.
Chen Afu replied with a smile, "Hanyan was terrified by a wicked person when she was little, and is extremely timid. She never leaves home without me, let alone stays anywhere else. She can’t even play outside. Hence, our family has always restricted her from going out alone since she was young."
Mrs. Ma forced out a smile and said, "Even if that’s her maternal family rather than others, are they going to hurt her?"
Chen Afu replied with a troubled expression, "How about, I send someone to ask the old marquis in the Outer Court? I’ll only dare to let her go if he agrees."
Mrs. Ma and the others had no choice but to wait for someone to go and ask the permission from the Marquis in the Outer Court.
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