Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 494: Wait for me to come back at 485

Chapter 494: Wait for me to come back at 485

Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu quickly got out of bed. The servants had already prepared hot water and breakfast.

The breakfast was shrimp wonton soup, Japonica porridge, golden silk cake, milk-cool soft cake, and onion pancakes - all of Chu Lingxuan’s favourite dishes.

Chen Afu had no appetite and just sat across from him staring blankly at him. Chu Lingxuan felt a tad uneasy under her gaze and reaching out to ruffle her hair, he said, "Wait for me to return and you can stare all you want."

After breakfast, Chu Lingxuan returned to his bedroom, picked up Yu’er, and showered her with kisses. Then he went to the east wing, picked up Yu and Ming, and kissed them too.

He then left the east wing for the West Collapse Courtyard. Afraid of waking Hanyan, he didn’t even light a lamp. Guided by the daylight streaming through the window, he bent slightly to take a few looks at her. He smoothed hair from her forehead and left it softly by her pillow.

Seeing his daughter’s chubby little face and rosy-fair skin stirred a mixture of emotions in Chu Lingxuan. Before he met Afu, he had found it hard to part with his daughter, worrying about her wellbeing. But now, even if he was going to face death, he had complete faith in her.

Chen Afu walked him to the outer court. When he reached the gate, he turned around and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair, and took several deep breaths. He said, "Wait for me till I come back. But if anything should happen to me, don’t be too sad. You have to take care of our children and carry on with life."

Chen Afu choked out, "I won’t accept any shortcomings. I just want you to return alive..."

All the men of the Chu family were present in the outer court to bid Chu Lingxuan goodbye. Chu Ling’an arrived at the Bamboo Pavilion just as Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu were sharing an intimate moment.

He quickly hid behind a large tree, his earlier reverence for his sister-in-law diminishing significantly. No matter how intelligent or virtuous a woman might be, if she were seen in such a state, she would seem disrespectful.

Chu Lingxuan released his hold on her and headed for the exit, leaving the courtyard.

Watching him disappear behind the trees, Chen Afu broke down into sobs. Xia Yue came forward to lead her back to the courtyard, comfortingly saying, "The Marquis is a grand marshal, he would not allow the Crown Prince to risk his life."

Mrs. Li whispered displeasedly, "Xia Yue, don’t make such reckless statements. The Crown Prince is very capable, why would he need the Marquis’s protection?"

Xia Yue immediately blushed, realizing her blunder, and quickly nodded in agreement.

When the three children woke up and didn’t see their father, they started crying inconsolably. When the two boys realized they had scared their sister, they stopped crying, but Hanyan continued to cry with her face covered by a handkerchief.

Chen Afu wasn’t scared of the crying or wailing, but she was anxious about Hanyan’s disjointed sobbing. She held Hanyan in her arms and comforted her while asking someone to request two days off for her husband, promising to take the children to see Auntie Aman and Cousin Qian.

The two little boys didn’t know who Aunt Aman and Cousin Qian were, but they were excited to hear about going out and began to laugh. Hanyan was slightly distracted as she hadn’t seen them in a while.

Chen Afu also wanted to go out and relax, to alleviate her anxiety and sorrow. She felt that barring Marquis Yong’an’s Mansion, only a visit to the Yang’s would allow her to genuinely unwind.

She sent someone with a note to the Yangs, announcing their visit the following morning.

The two boys protested loudly when they learned they only got to go out the next day.

Chen Afu scolded, "When we visit someone else’s home, we have to tell them in advance."

Then, she started to narrate a story to the children to divert their attention. These past few days had been hectic for the third lady, so Chen Afu couldn’t take the children to the Anrong Hall. Even their meals weren’t served together in the Anrong Hall anymore.

That night, Chen Afu and Yu’er went to the spatial realm once again. Jin Yanzi was very sensible. While playing with Yu’er, she occasionally looked up to comfort Chen Afu who was absent-mindedly leaning against an agarwood, "Mommy, don’t worry, we don’t want you to become a widow. After we leave, every now and then, I will visit Daddy Chu."

Chen Afu responded weakly, "Thank you, baby."

The next day, late in the morning, Chen Afu led a few children and some gifts to visit the Yangs in a carriage.

Chen Afu and the others were important guests at the Yangs. Not only were Yang Mingyuan and Chen Aman at home waiting for them, but Chen Ayu also came.

It was the first time for the three of them to see Yu’er. They gave her a gift when they met.

Yang Qian’s character was as lively and cheerful as ever. After paying her respects to Chen Afu, she started chatting with Chu Hanyan, "Sister Hanyan, why did it take you so long to visit my house? I missed you and Dabao so much, as well as Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Zhui Feng. Let me tell you, my Dad bought me several birds and puppies, but none of them is as smart as your Qi Qi and the others..."

While Yang Qian was prattling on, Chu Hanyan didn’t get a chance to interject, but Ms. Chu still smiled and played along.

Chen Afu thought that it would be good to let the young girl make more friends in the future.

Upon not seeing Chen Dabao, Yang Chao was quite disappointed. He asked Chen Afu, "Aunt Chen, where is Dabao? To see him, I took special leave from my teacher at the private school."

Yang Mingyuan and Chen Ayu didn’t know the real identity of Chen Dabao yet. Chen Shi’s letter to them only vaguely mentioned that Dabao was the child of a noble family who, for special reasons, was sent to live among commoners and happened to be picked up by Mrs. Wang, and now has left the Chus.

In their view, everyone from the Chus was noble, so they assumed that Dabao’s real identity was similar to that of the Chus.

Chen Afu smiled and said, "He had class today and it wouldn’t be good for him to take a leave, so he didn’t come."

Chen Aman, as always, was good at entertaining children and quickly attracted the attention of the two young brothers.

Ming proudly showed his sister to her, "My sister, Yu’er, is pretty."

Chen Aman chuckled and after looking at Yu’er for a few moments, she said, "Indeed, she’s very pretty. Oh dear, what should I do? Auntie is thinking of keeping Yu’er."

Yu hastily stretched out his arm to block Mrs. Li, who was holding Yu’er, and said anxiously, "No way, our sister is to be seen, not to be kept."

Chen Aman’s laughter still rang out clear as a silver bell. Hearing her laugh, Chen Afu felt much better.

They were directly led to the courtyard where Yang Mingyuan and Chen Aman lived.

At that time, the sun was just right, and Chen Aman and the Yang siblings were playing under the trees with the several children, as well as Qi Qi and Hui Hui.

In the hall, Chen Afu was drinking tea with Yang Mingyuan and Chen Ayu. He also listened to Chen Ayu talking about her plan to open the Xinglong Grand Restaurant’s main branch in the Capital City. She had already rented a three-story building, and the location was passable. She felt that she should position herself according to her own strength and network, and opening a slightly above average wine shop would be enough...

Eighteen-year-old Chen Ayu had become more mature and steady, losing her previous shyness. With her handsome appearance, she was indeed a promising young talent.

Chen Afu nodded repeatedly, thinking that the Chens had chosen a good business leader in her.

She laughed, "In the future, Ayu will handle business, Alu and Atang will pursue their official careers, and our Chen family will rise."