Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 514 - 505: Showing Weakness

Chapter 514: Chapter 505: Showing Weakness

The two chatted idly for a while, then Chu Hua, giggling, nestled into Chen Afu’s arm and said, "My grandmother asked me to inquire whether the third sister from your sister-in-law’s maiden house has been engaged yet..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu really wanted to uphold her dignity, but couldn’t bring herself to do so. The Xies now sensed impending victory over the rebellion and saw that a daughter of the Chus would soon become the prince’s wife. With Chen Shiying highly regarded by the Crown Prince and likely to be summoned to the Capital City for an official appointment, they seemed to be re-evaluating Chen Yuqing once again with the intention of marriage.

Yet, Chen Afu truly lacked the confidence to assert herself. Xie Feng, the Fifth Master Xie, had managed to pass the autumn examinations this year. Though dark-skinned, he was tall and handsome. If Chen Yuqing, who was of marriageable age, missed out on him, she might not find another match who was as reputable, handsome, talented, and amiable as Xie Feng.

She smiled and replied, "The other day, I received a letter from my parents saying there are several good family matches they are considering, but nothing is decided yet..."

Chu Hua urged, "Oh dear, do send a letter to Mr. Chen soon. We wouldn’t want him to already have someone in mind by the time we proceed, causing my Fifth Uncle to miss out." She then started persuading on behalf of Fifth Master Xie, "The only reason my Fifth Uncle hasn’t married at such an age is because he’s chosen the path of imperial examinations. Our elders want him to marry a daughter from an official family. If he were to marry a daughter from a military family, he would have been engaged long ago."

Chen Afu nodded and chuckled, "Fine, I’ll write a letter tonight and have someone deliver it to Dingzhou tomorrow."

Chu Hua then gossipingly shared, "I heard from my father-in-law that everyone in the court is saying Mr. Chen will return to become an official in the Capital City next year, definitely as Vice Minister, but it is still unclear whether it will be the Ministry of Personnel or Ministry of Industry."

Chen Afu helplessly responded, "Nothing is confirmed yet and it’s already being spread around. My father was unlucky because of such rumors, which led to the dissatisfaction of those with ulterior motives..."

This year, the harvest in Dingzhou, which included rice, wheat, corn, and sweet potato among other crops, far exceeded other regions.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince were overjoyed and wanted to fully utilize Chen Shiying’s expertise. Particularly the Crown Prince, whether it was based on Chen Shiying’s talent and character, or due to his ties with the Chus and Chen Afu, wanted to promote Chen Shiying.

Chen Afu had already gotten reliable news from Shiyi that Chen Shiying would become Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry next year. While the Ministry of Personnel held more power, Chen Afu still hoped Chen Shiying would go to the Ministry of Industry. Firstly, the Ministry of Personnel was highly sought after, and Chen Shiying’s qualifications still paled in comparison to some others. Blocking their paths could invite criticism. Another reason was, if Chen Shiying performed well at the Ministry of Industry, his chances of getting promoted to the rank of Minister were higher compared to the Ministry of Personnel or Ministry of Revenue.

By evening, Marquis Chu came to the Bamboo Pavilion with a group of children. He wore a semi-new, blue, straight robe, with a black wooden hairpin in his hair. He cradled Yu’er in one arm and Yi in another, while Yu and Ming clung onto his robe; Chu Hanyan walked in front of him, hand in hand with Xie Heng. Despite the loud ruction from the children, Marquis Chu did not show a hint of impatience.

Seeing him like this, Chu Hua felt tears welling up in her eyes. Recalling her past father, he was once so heroic and ambitious, becoming a senior official at just thirty. But since he was schemed against by that woman and had to become a prince’s son-in-law, he was forced to interrupt his official path which led to his family leaving him. Even though the Second Prince’s party had been defeated and the Ninth Prince had ascended, he still was heavily suppressed by the Emperor. Now at only forty-four, in the prime of his life, he could only derive joy from raising his children...

Upon seeing Marquis Chu in this state, Chu Hua was able to let go of all her past resentments.

"Father..." Chu Hua called out, but then, choked up with tears, she couldn’t speak another word.

Upon seeing his long-ignored daughter finally call him and his helplessness reflected in her eyes, Marquis Chu felt a sting in his nose. He managed a faint smile and said, "My darling, Hua’er."

Seeing the father and daughter finally reconcile, Chen Afu was also pleased. She promptly sent for the old marquis and the Third Lady’s children to come to the Bamboo Pavilion for dinner.

Before dinner, Xie Ling arrived. Marquis Chu was delighted and shared many drinks with his father-in-law and son-in-law.

In the next few days, Chen Afu started busy preparations for the banquet on the twentieth.

On the morning of the eighteenth of October, the first snow of autumn unexpectedly fell. Marquis Chu stood by the window watching for a moment before asking a servant to bring his cloak. He put it on with a stern face, then left his house, got into a carriage, and headed to Baoguo Temple to fetch Rong Zhao.

Upon seeing Marquis Chu, who she hadn’t seen in a long time, Rong Zhao instinctively wanted to complain: why had he not come to see her in the temple for so long? Was he still reminiscing about that vile woman? However, looking at his icy gaze and tightly pursed lips, the words she wanted to say changed into, "Chu Lang, it’s so cold today. Why did you come in person?"

She certainly knows how to play the humility card.

Marquis Chu was taken aback, then replied, "Hmm, let’s go." He walked out of the room first but instead of getting into the carriage, he mounted a horse.

Rong Zhao glanced at Marquis Chu on the horse, and then at the snowflakes falling slowly from the sky. She knew he did not want to share a carriage with her, and even if it was extremely cold, he would rather ride a horse. In front of all the guards and servants, she couldn’t bring herself to plead with him to share the carriage. So, biting her lip, she got into the carriage herself.

Marquis Chu escorted Rong Zhao back to her room and said, "Rest well, princess. I will be in the outer study."

Just as he was about to leave, Rong Zhao abruptly grabbed his sleeve and said in a coaxing tone, "Chu Lang, during my time in the temple, I was either reciting scriptures or reminiscing about the past..."

"The past?" A sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of Marquis Chu’s mouth, but he did stop walking.

Rong Zhao continued, "Yes, the past. Chu Lang, I was wrong before. I shouldn’t have listened to the second brother and schemed against you, causing you to lose face... But what can I do? Once a major mistake is made, it is impossible to undo." She then softened her voice and said, "Chu Lang, I truly adore you. Even in my dreams, I wanted you to be mine. Hence, I made that wrong move, fell into the second brother’s trap and displeased the Emperor. Chu Lang, the saying goes, ’One day’s husband and wife suggest hundred days of grace.’ We have been husband and wife for over a decade, spent sweet moments together. Can’t you let go of the resentment you hold against me and live a peaceful life from now on? The doctor says I am still in good health, and I can still bear children. Chu Lang, I want to bear your children. And don’t worry, even if I mother a boy, he won’t compete with Xuan’er for the position of crown prince."

This was Rong Zhao’s well-thought-out plan from her time in the temple - to show weakness. Currently, she and the mother concubine had completely lost the Emperor’s favor and had incurred the Crown Prince’s displeasure. Although the emperor is her biological father, he might not be ruthless enough to force her into a monastic life. But once the Crown Prince assumes the throne, she would have no choice but to enter a monastery.

She did not want to become a nun. Her prolonged stay in the temple was unbearable.