Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 521 - 512

Chapter 521: 512

Seeing Liao Chen was so obstinate, Chen Afu felt utterly helpless. She said, "Knowing that mother-in-law is in danger, how could we possibly not send someone to protect you? What kind of man would I have to face uncle if something were to happen to you? Nevermind, I will not return to Capital City either, but stay with mother-in-law instead. Wherever you go, I’ll follow. If we have to live, let’s live together. If we have to die, we’ll die together."

Liao Chen shook her head, "That’s out of the question. You’re still young and because of the child, you cannot take risks."

Chen Afu said, "If maternal grandmother knows it’s dangerous to live here, why are you still staying? Filial piety is the most important of all virtues, and a daughter-in-law cannot abandon her mother-in-law."

Liao Chen closed her eyes, squeezing her prayer beads with both hands. "Amitabha Buddha, Xuan’er’s wife, you speak frequently of filial duty, so you must listen to me. Tomorrow, take Yan’er back to Capital City and let Qi’er and Mrs. Song return to Dingzhou Mansion."

Seeing her like this, Chen Afu recalled statements made by Chu Lingxuan in the past – Liao Chen, when she was young, had once locked Marquis Chu out for the whole night and refused to listen to his explanations. Such obstinacy, indeed, invoked anger.

Chen Afu wasn’t from ancient times and didn’t refrain from talking back to elders. She said, "Grandmother, it seems to me that you deem me and Yan’er’s lives, along with the lives of the couple, as precious. As long as we leave this place and survive, that’s enough." Pointing a finger outside, she continued, "Bbut Uncle Luo who serves you, the young monks by your side, and the guards who protect Grandmother, their lives are not precious? They can die with Grandmother at any time? Grandmother, in front of Buddha, all lives are equal. Not only are the lives of those outside who serve and protect grandmother precious, grandmother’s life is even more valuable. Grandmother has faith in Buddhism and should treasure everyone’s life regardless. Moreover, as a nun, things like pride and face held in high esteem by worldly people should not matter to you. In the face of life, these things are nothing... Buddha also said that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."

These words were rebellious and unpleasant to hear, leaving Liao Chen speechless.

Liao Chen opened her eyes wide in astonishment, trembling with anger. "You, you, how dare you talk to me like this? Fine, fine, take everyone outside and go..."

Seeing Liao Chen angered by the penetrating words, Chen Afu softened her tone and said, "Grandmother, your life is more precious, how could we leave you alone? Next year, uncle might be able to return from war. If anything happens to Grandmother, uncle will be heartbroken. Ever since the day when grandmother entered Buddhism, uncle swore to achieve merit and success, hoping one day he could reunite with Grandmother. Plus, Auntie, the children, and the grandmas and uncles of the Luo’s, they all think about you every day... Especially father-in-law, all his forbearance and plotting is not only to assist the crown prince, but also to hope that one day everyone could gather...Modest words hold the highest wisdom in speaking. Grandmother, think about last year’s Chinese New Year’s Eve, just to protect Grandmother, uncle and Uncle Luo were injured and three guards were killed. Yan’er was also terrified, do you want that kind of situation to occur again? You, with your Bodhisattva temperament, definitely won’t...You must not fall for Lady Ma’s and Rong Zhao’s tricks. They deliberately provoked you, irritated you, and wanted to force you out of Dingzhou Mansion. If so, even if there are no remnants of the second prince nearby, they might let people disguise as those remnants to harm you. They are so malicious, why would we fulfill their wish?"

Liao Chen wasn’t foolish, she also knew that those words were purposely meant by Lady Ma to provoke her. But her proud nature made the malicious and contemptuous words unbearable, causing her to adamantly run out. Chu Lingqi, Mrs. Song, and Manager Luo didn’t dare to say much. If persuasions didn’t work, they would follow her out.

Now, having been directly pointed out by her daughter-in-law and thinking about all the people in the courtyard who were protecting her, along with her daughter and grandchildren in Capital City, her old mother and elder brother in Shizhou Mansion, and her son fighting in the Southern Region, she began to cry.

Chen Afu then helped Liao Chen sit down and talked to her for a long time. She didn’t dare to continue the rebellious talk but talked about how Chu Lingxuan, Chu Hua cherished her, how adorable the young brothers as well as Yu’er were...Seeing it was getting late, she personally helped Liao Chen to bed before leaving.

Although Liao Chen didn’t agree verbally, Chen Afu knew that she had implicitly consented.

As soon as she left the room, a cold wind hit her face, causing Chen Afu to shiver. She tightened her cloak and left the West Cross Courtyard.

In the courtyard, trees stood silently, leafless and sparse. Through the leafless branches, a pale-yellow crescent moon quietly hung at the edge of the sky, with scattered cold stars emitting cold light, making the earth feel even colder.

Chen Afu took a deep breath and looked towards Huajin Mountain. The continuous mountains were as dark as iron, mysterious, solemn, and full of chilling air...Suddenly, her heart began to pound with fear, she quickly covered her chest.

What kind of feeling was this? This feeling was really not good!

At that moment, she heard Jin Yanzi’s voice in her head, it chirped, "Mommy, it seems like something’s happening outside, my bird brothers from the east side were scared and have started chirping loudly. It’s the middle of the night, how can this be happening, it’s so scary!"

Huajin Mountain was to the east of the manor.

Startled, Chen Afu wondered if there were people descending from the mountain, startling the birds in the trees?

Better safe than sorry!

She hurriedly told Hong Fei, "I have a feeling of unease in my heart, as if something is going to happen. Go to the outer courtyard and tell Manager Luo and Captain Li to get ready." Turning to Xiao Hong, she said, "Go to the east wing and wake up Er Ye, tell him there seems to be a situation."

Then, she dashed back to West Cross Courtyard, softly knocking on Liao Chen’s window saying, "Grandmother, get dressed quickly. I feel uneasy, afraid that something might happen tonight... You, take care."

"Take care" meant to hide well.

A voice came from inside the room, "Alright, I know."

Ever since the incident last time, there were three secret rooms inside the manor. Including this bedroom in the West Cross Courtyard, the upper bedroom in the main court, and the rearmost room in the rear shield.

Leaving West Cross Courtyard, Chu Lingqi had already run out from the east wing, still dressing while running. He ran to Chen Afu, asking, "Sister-in-law, what’s the matter?"

Chen Afu said, "I am afraid something will happen tonight, make sure the guards and soldiers are ready. If nothing happens, that’s even better. Tomorrow we will return to Dingzhou Mansion together with Grandmother."

Chu Lingqi nodded, he had always deemed Chen Afu as intelligent. Although she made everyone prepare based on an intuition, there was nothing wrong with that. As this was the last night before Auntie would return to Dingzhou Mansion, they had to ensure her safety.

At this moment, Mrs. Song and several maids had run out, some had even started crying.

Mrs. Song asked, "What’s the matter?"