Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 513 - 504: Private Talk

Chapter 513: Chapter 504: Private Talk

By the late afternoon of the ninth day, Chen Afu checked the notes from the Outer Court listing those who had sent congratulatory gifts. Among them, surprisingly, was the He family, the in-laws of Chen Yuhui. After Mrs. He made a thick-faced visit to The Chus once, both Chen Afu and the third lady didn’t pay much attention to her, so she was too embarrassed to come again.

It seemed that Chen Yuhui became quiet all of a sudden. Chen Afu didn’t hear any news about her causing trouble or getting beaten. She obtained Chen Yuhui’s news either from Chen Shiying’s letters or Mrs. Jiang’s. According to the letters Chen Yuhui sent home, she was doing okay in The Hes. Even though she still caused some trouble, He Linsheng did not dare to hit her. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law also tolerated her and even often asked her to visit Chen Afu more often. But she refused to "bend over for five pecks of rice" and was determined not to establish a relationship with Chen Afu, whom she couldn’t relate to...

Marquis Chu intended to invite guests at home on the twentieth day, including relatives, friends, and those who had come to congratulate us, to liven up the place for a day. After all, Hanyan’s wedding was still quite a while away, so inviting people now seemed appropriate.

Chen Afu asked Mrs. Li to inform the account room in the Outer Court to distribute an additional month’s salary to every master and servant in the mansion. This was the result of her discussion with the head of the household, Marquis Chu. With such a joyous occasion in the house, everyone was happy.

Both the old Marquis and Marquis Chu were trying to ditch work, so they let Chen Afu help with some duties of the Outer Court.

Having just dealt with the matters at hand, Chen Ming, Mrs. Wang, and Chen Aman led Yang Qian to Bamboo Pavilion in high spirits. They had also heard the news and were extremely elated.

Mrs. Wang laughed, saying, "Yan’er is blessed indeed. At such a young age, she’s going to be the consort to the prince, and possibly later, a princess consort. Oh my, such a fortune! I mean, it’s like falling into a honey jar being married to Dabao." She then lowered her voice, "Now that Dabao is your son-in-law, you guys will surely have more interactions in the future. Oh, how wonderful! We’ll have the opportunity to see him even more."

Chen Afu nodded with a smile, invited them to have dinner at Bamboo Pavilion, and sent someone to fetch Chen Alu directly from the Imperial College.

Yang Qian and Chu Hanyan were whispering to each other on the brocade stool.

Yang Qian said with envy, "Sister Yan, I didn’t expect you to be betrothed to the Eleventh Highness. He’s excellent in every way, with a good temperament, good family background, good looks... Oh my, everything about him is good. You’re really fortunate." She beamed, "Now, the prince will be my cousin-in-law, and our family is related to the royal family. Wow, the status of our family has risen a lot."

Upon hearing that even the status of sister Qian’s family had been elevated because of her, Chu Hanyan’s little face turned rosy from happiness. She replied softly, "In the future, Qian will also find a good husband."

Yang Qian blushed and started to tickle Hanyan at her armpits, making the young girl laugh out loud. After they finished laughing, Yang Qian nodded mildly. When she was at home, her grandmother had told her the same thing. Now that The Yangs are also related to the royal family, her brother would marry a miss from an official family and she would marry a son from an official family...

Some of the girls’ words reached Chen Afu’s ears and she found it quite amusing. Children in ancient times seemed to grow up early, knowing about such things at just eight years old.

Mrs. Huang frowned slightly and whispered reproachfully, "Miss..."

Chu Hanyan knew Mrs. Huang was scolding her for saying certain words that she shouldn’t have. Mrs. Huang had told her before that her status was now more distinguished, she should be more careful about what she should say and what she shouldn’t, considering the occasion.

The young girl pursed her lips bashfully.

Chen Afu didn’t want to be too strict with the young girl. She always felt that life wasn’t easy for women in ancient times and always wanted to let them spend their days in the natal family more leisurely and freely. Although they couldn’t be spoiled and unruly like some noble daughters, they also couldn’t be too oppressed.

Seeing that Chen Aman seemed to have something to say, she sent the two girls to play in West Cross Courtyard.

Chen Aman whispered, "My husband asked me to ask my sister if you could find a teaching maid who understands etiquette for Qian. Qian’s character is straightforward, and we’re afraid she will suffer when she gets married." She then started to blush, "Both my mother-in-law and I come from a humble background and don’t understand much about the operations within the households of the wealthy. With the support of so many noble relatives, our family business is sure to grow, and the individuals associated with our children will undoubtedly be of high status. Chao can go out to study, but Qian can only stay at home. We’re not good at teaching her, so we want to get her a good governess."

Chen Afu loved Yang Qian, the little chatterbox. Even though she talked a lot, she wasn’t annoying and was truly kind-hearted. The chaperone to be found for her did not necessarily have to come from the palace like Mrs. Huang. Instead, they needed to understand the working of the internal affairs of a wealthy family and know the basic etiquette. Such people were not hard to find, in fact, the Marquis’ Mansion had a few.

So she nodded and said, "Okay, I also like Qian. I hope she can lead a good life in the future. If I find someone suitable, I’ll send her over to your place to be Qian’s teaching maid."

Three days later, Chen Afu sent Mrs. Chen to The Yangs. Mrs. Chen was in her thirties. When she was young, she was the head maid for Liao Chen. After Liao Chen departed, she married a small manager surnamed Chen. She had several sons, but then Manager Chen got seriously ill and died. As a single mother raising several children, her life was extremely difficult. Mrs. Chen was quite knowledgeable, literate, and very suitable to be Yang Qian’s governess. The Yangs were wealthy and wouldn’t mistreat her.

On the afternoon of the fifteenth day, Chu Hua led her two children to The Chus’ Mansion. Instead of going to Anrong Hall, she went directly to Bamboo Pavilion.

Chu Hua first took Hanyan’s little hand and congratulated her, saying with a smile, "Yan’er is handsome and audacious, and only by becoming a queen can she live up to this."

Chen Afu hugged Yi and kissed her several times. She then let Miss Chu take Yi and Xie Heng’s siblings to play with Marquis Chu, laughing, "Yu and his two siblings have been playing with their grandfather all along and will only come back in the evening. You guys should go and annoy your grandpa. Later in the evening, Yan’er will invite grandpa to come to Bamboo Pavilion for dinner."

Chen Afu knew Marquis Chu had been looking for an opportunity to reconcile with Chu Hua. Hearing that, Chu Hua did not stop him and even reminded him, "Heng brother is older, he should serve grandpa well."

Watching the children leave, Chu Hua sighed and said, "Rong Zhao is about to return home soon. It would be great if she could stay in the nunnery for a while longer, then my father might be happier."

Chen Afu nodded, "Yeah, these past few months, father-in-law has been living in the Marquis’ Mansion all jolly and has even gained some weight. That woman will be back soon, and father-in-law will stay at the Princess’ Mansion again."

Chu Hua added, "Oh, I miss my mom. A few days ago, I wanted to go to Dingzhou to visit her. However, my mother-in-law caught a cold again, so I didn’t feel right saying it."

Chen Afu said, "You are married, and indeed, some things are hard to say. Strictly speaking, I should have visited mom in Dingzhou a long time ago. Unfortunately, I have been busy with the mansion’s affairs and couldn’t take time off. However, after some days have passed and once things are sorted out, I still plan to make time to visit her."