Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 511 - 502: Granted Marriage

Chapter 511: Chapter 502: Granted Marriage

Xue Baoyi was angered when Chen Afu pushed her onto Yang Sanye, she shouted, "Chen Afu, you lowly...." But upon seeing the somber expression on Chen Afu’s face, she took another step forward and swallowed the rest of her words in fright.

Now, her own mother has lost the emperor’s affection. In the eyes of the empress dowager and the empress, she and her mother were less than this country woman. She had to admit that she and her mother had lost their social standing...

Chen Afu ignored the dark-faced Xue Baoyi and stepped into the sedan chair, leaving in a huff. Behind her, she could hear the sounds of Xue Baoyi’s wails and curses, and Yang Sanye’s attempts to soothe her.

Marquis Chu had stayed at Baoguo Temple for three days before descending the mountain alone, disregarding Rong Zhao’s pleading looks. He did not return to the Princess Mansion, but went directly to Yong’an Marquis Manor.

Now, he had nothing to do in public and he dared not do anything in private, so he passed the time by playing with his grandchildren, which brought him great joy.

Now, not only did the two small brothers clamor for their grandfather every day, but even Yu’er would point to the door and repeatedly whimper "ah" as soon as she woke up, showing that she wanted to play with her grandfather too.

On the tenth day of the eighth lunar month, Shiyi and Xiao Lixuan came to the Chus’ residence to play together. This was the first time Shiyi had visited the Chus’ since he had requested the emperor and the empress to marry Chu Hanyan, and he was still somewhat embarrassed in front of Chen Afu and Chu Hanyan.

He had already received Chen Afu’s hint when he let Qiu Yue go with him, and before that matter was settled, he must never let the word out, nor could he tell Yan’er.

Seeing his flushed face, Chen Afu found it amusing. The little lad was growing up, and he understood what it meant to be shy.

Unaware of the reason, Chu Hanyan personally handed him a bowl of watermelon shaved ice and said, "Your Royal Highness’s face is so red. You must be very hot. Have a bowl of shaved ice to cool down."

Shiyi chuckled and accepted the shaved ice, whispering, "Yan’er is so nice. In the future, big brother will give you the best things." After glancing at Chen Afu next to him, he quickly added, "and mother too."

Looking at the golden boy and jade girl before her, Chen Afu said with a smile, "Thank you."

In no time, it was mid-September. Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang had finished the farming work in the countryside and arrived in the Capital City. They planned to stay here for two months, visit their son and daughter’s family, and then return to the country at the end of the year. They preferred to live in the countryside where they had grown accustomed to the lifestyle and had many acquaintances.

That day, Chen Afu happily brought several children and the animals from their home to visit.

When everyone gathered together, not only were the people happy, but the animals were even happier. Yuan Bao had two little female dogs. They resembled their father with their white and yellow fur, so one was named Da Huang, and the other was named Er Bai.

Some time ago, Chang Chang and Duan Duan had gotten together, and Duan Duan’s belly was already growing round. She would be a mother in another two months.

Chen Aman also brought Yang Qian with her, and Chen Ayu, Yang Mingyuan, and Yang Chao would come for dinner.

Some time ago, the Xinglong Grand Restaurant in the Capital City was grandly opened. The business was good. This restaurant was mainly managed by Chen Ayu, and Chen Shi was still in charge of the grand restaurant in Dingzhou.

Chen Ayu was also engaged, and would get married next year. The girl’s father was in the wine business, with wineries and shops in numerous locations, which made them among the wealthiest in the region. What they admired was not only Chen Ayu’s talents and abilities, but more importantly, the fact that his cousin was the wife of the heir to Yong’an Marquis Manor, and the foster mother of the Eleventh Prince.

Both Mrs. Wang and Chen Ming quietly asked Chen Afu, We miss Dabao. Can we secretly go see him? That child is very compassionate. Even though he has entered the palace and become a prince, he still cares about us and brings us things."

Chen Afu smiled and said, "I’ll have someone send him a message to come visit my house when he has free time, then you all can meet him. You don’t have to sneak around to see him."

Mrs. Wang was delighted, "That’s wonderful. No matter what, we did raise him for many years, and we miss him terribly."

Since the arrival of September, good news from the South has been frequent. The rebel-suppression army’s momentum has been unstoppable, capturing multiple cities and steadily driving the Second Prince’s party southwards. Particularly on the eighth day of October, news came urgently from eight hundred miles away that the rebel-suppression army had occupied the provincial capital, Dian City, of Southern Province. If the war continues to progress at this speed, it should be over by the first half of next year.

The Emperor was overjoyed and issued a decree to reward the warriors who were fighting the rebellion.

Upon hearing this news, both the Third Lady and Chen Afu were overjoyed to the point of tears, as were the Old Marquis and Marquis Chu. While the family was celebrating with drinks at Anrong Hall, someone from the Outer Court came in to report that a chamberlain sent by the Emperor with an Imperial Decree had arrived and summoned the eldest daughter to meet him and receive the decree.

Marquis Chu looked at the Old Marquis and then at Chen Afu and the Third Lady at the other table. All of them have a sense of understanding. They quickly stood up and went to their respective yards to change clothes.

Mrs. Li was extremely confused and exclaimed, "Why does the Emperor want to issue a decree to Hanyan? Could it be that he wants to grant her a title? If anyone should be granted, it should be the Third Brother and Sister, or Wei’er, or Zhi’er. After all, it was the Third Uncle who is the supreme commander of the rebels-suppression army..."

The Second Master scolded, "Shut up! Do you think you can guess the Emperor’s intentions?"

Chen Afu pulled his niece back into the yard and donned the Imperial Decree receiving robe, and helped his niece change into a big red dress. He told her not to be afraid and to do as she had been taught.

Earlier on, Chen Afu had asked Mrs. Huang to teach the little girl the etiquette of receiving both an Imperial Decree and an Imperial Edict.

Upon arriving at the Outer Court, the incense table had already been set up.

The chamberlain said to Chu Hanyan with a smile, "Ms. Chu, it’s time for you to receive the decree."

All the people present knelt down.

The chamberlain unfolded the Imperial Decree and read aloud, "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees. We have heard of Chu Hanyan, granddaughter of Marquis Yong’an Chu Guangche. She is mature, gentle, and of exceptional beauty and grace. We find this pleasing. Our Eleventh Son, Li Zetai, borne by the Empress, is of noble stature, intellectually astute, and well-matched with the Chu girl. It is like a match made in heaven. To complete this perfect pairing, We hereby betroth Chu Hanyan to Our Eleventh Son as his consort. All ceremony procedures are to be undertaken by the Ministry of Rites and the Observatory, culminating in their marriage once she becomes of age. This decree is to be announced at large. So it is ordained."

Chu Hanyan was flustered and frightened and didn’t fully understand what was being said. As she was zoning out, she saw Chen Afu, who was kneeling beside her, tugging her dress. She hurriedly prostrated herself, trembling as she said, "Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!"

The chamberlain handed the decree to Chu Hanyan, then offered words of congratulation to the Old Marquis and Marquis Chu. Chu Ling’an discreetly passed him a wallet.

No sooner had this chamberlain departs, than another from Cining Palace arrived to relay the Empress Dowager’s edict, praising Chu Hanyan and gifting her two jade Ruyis and four bolts of palace brocade.

Shortly thereafter, a chamberlain from Kunning Palace arrived with an edict from the Empress. This edict also praised Chu Hanyan and gifted her two boxes of eastern pearls and two sets of gold and jade headdresses.

After seeing off all the chamberlains, the niece finally understood that she was betrothed to Eleventh Prince, and she would marry him when she grows up. Although her face was flushed with shyness, she was extremely happy in her heart.

She knew that marrying him would be like her mother marrying her father, living together forever and having children for him. She liked living with her elder brother. This was a dream she kept in her heart for a long time but never dared to tell anyone else. She couldn’t believe that it had finally come true.