Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 527 - 518: Break Free

Chapter 527: Chapter 518: Break Free

Early on the morning of the tenth day of the winter month, everything for the return to the Capital City was already prepared. Afu, leading Chu Hanyan, went to Luomei Nunnery again, accompanied by Mrs. Song.

Liao Chen was still reciting sutras in the Small Buddha Hall. The young nun Qingmiao, who served her, said that these days, except for nearly two hours of rest in her room at dawn, she spent almost all her time reciting sutras in the Small Buddha Hall.

Afu waited outside the door for more than half an hour, but Liao Chen did not come out.

Young Nun Qingmiao came out and said, "Amitabha Buddha, the abbess asks both of you to leave. She prays for your safe journey."

Afu felt helpless. With Liao Chen’s character, it would be extremely difficult for Marquis Chu to bring her back, and for Chu Lingxuan to bring her home.

Afu said, "In the future, I would like to ask young nun to take good care of her."

Young Nun Qingmiao bowed and said, "Amitabha Buddha, naturally."

On the way, Afu asked Mrs. Song to take good care of Liao Chen, not only in daily life but also emotionally. After a while, when Liao Chen is not as sad, she should take Wen more often to accompany her. The most effective way to soften a person’s heart is with a child.

Mrs. Song nodded in agreement, "Rest assured, elder sister-in-law, we will certainly take good care of her."

In the Outer Court, Chen Shi, Chen Agu, Chen Yulan, and Wang Xiaodi were already waiting. Representatives from the Fus, Qins, and Wangs had also come to see them off.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Afu led Chu Hanyan onto the carriage.

The little girl’s mental state was still not very good, she had lost weight, making her eyes appear even larger. Afu held her in her arms all the time, softly humming songs to her, including "Little Swallow in Floral Dress".

At the sound of that song, the little girl’s eyes brightened, she softly said, "Mother, whenever I hear this tune, my heart..." She thought for a moment about how to describe the feeling, "my heart feels like spring bathed in sunlight, warm, but not too hot. So, so comfortable."

Afu smiled and said, "Mm-hmm, mother feels the same way. When I sing this song, I can recall past times."

Again, she saw Fu Garden, Lu Garden, Tang Garden in her mind’s eye, mischievous little Dabao, adorable Yan’er, and refined little Alu... This time she was in a hurry and after what had happened, she didn’t have time to go to the countryside to see them,

The next day, Afu and her party arrived in the Capital City before sunset. By the time they returned to the Marquis’ Mansion, it was already pitch-black.

The steward who came to greet them asked them to go directly to Yong’an Hall, saying that the family was already waiting for them there.

Afu and the young miss again took the palanquin to Yong’an Hall.

Out front of the hanging flower gate, the gatekeeper knelt down laughing, "The Marquis asks the grand lady and the eldest girl to directly go to the main court."

She wasn’t being asked to go see the third master and the third mistress in their five-section dwelling, but to the main court. Could it mean that Marquis Chu had moved into the main court? This meant he had left Princess Mansion and returned to the Yong’an Marquis Manor to resume his duties as the head of the family?

Afu felt a rush of excitement, she led the young girl hastily toward the back. When they arrived at the main court, they saw many lanterns hanging in the courtyard, the main building and the side rooms were brightly illuminated. Loud laughter and chatter could also be heard, notably the Marquis’ laughter, the two young brothers, and Xie Heng chattering away.

Afu and Chu Hanyan entered the main building and, turning around a twelve-panel screen, they saw Marquis Chu and Old Marquis Chu sitting across from each other at a square table. Both sides were filled with people, including Xie Ling and Chu Hua’s family. Little Yu’er was riding a baby walker, walking in circles in the middle.

Upon seeing her mother and sister entering, Yu’er did not rush up to embrace them. Instead, she turned her back to them and staggered towards Marquis Chu before throwing herself into his arms, bursting into distressed sobs.

Yu and Ming, sitting on the silk-covered stools, also began to sob loudly, saying in between their tears, "Mother only wants elder sister, she doesn’t want us and younger sister."

Three self-proclaimed abandoned little ones started a round of crying and wailing, as if they were going to bring the roof down.

Feeling a pang of sadness, Chen Afu first went to Marquis Chu and Marquis Chu to salute them respectfully.

Marquis Chu had already seated Yu’er on his lap. After soothing her with a few soft words, he turned to Chen Afu and said, "Xuan’er, you have worked hard. You deserve credit for helping the Luo estate overcome this disaster."

Quickly, Chen Afu humbly replied, "Father, you overpraise me. I have just..." Before she could finish speaking, Yu and Ming had run up and clung to her legs, crying out, "Mother, we missed you so much."

Marquis Chu laughed heartily, "These little monkeys were fine when their mother wasn’t here, either they were following their grandfather or me, now at the sight of their mother, they’ve completely forgotten about us. The little ingrates!"

Chen Afu chuckled, dragging the two brothers to sit with her, whispering calming words to soothe them. Then she turned to Yu’er, who was seated on grandfather’s lap, and said, "Darling, come here to mother. Mother has missed you so much."

Yu’er pouted, glanced at Chen Afu, and once again snuggled into grandfather’s chest, turning her back to her mother.

During the meal at the West Wing, Chen Afu took the opportunity to ask Mrs. Chu a few questions.

Speaking in low tones, Mrs. Chu said, "Rong Zhao and Lady Ma have been convicted, charged with colluding with the second prince and the deposed Queen Mrs. Wang to trap imperial court officials and assisting the second prince and the deposed queen in persecuting the crown prince and queen. Rong Zhao is on a spiritual journey in Huangjue Temple, and Lady Ma has been demoted to a commoner and put in the cold palace."

The crime was a severe one, especially the second part. Perhaps the Emperor was also angered by their failed scheme to constrain Marquis Chu and severely punished them.

Mrs. Chu continued, "Now, the court has begun to purge the supporters of the second prince..."

Originally, the Emperor and the crown prince intended to purge the remnants of the second prince’s faction at a later stage, but the cases of Rong Zhao and Lady Ma brought this plan forward. This change meant that many families would face hardship, leaving them unable to enjoy the New Year.

Regardless, Marquis Chu was finally free.

Chen Afu glanced at Marquis Chu at the other table. Unlike Marquis Chu and the rest, who were brimming with joy, he merely smiled faintly, whispering something to Yu’er in his embrace.

After the meal, as everyone gradually left, Marquis Chu and Marquis Chu asked Mrs. Chu and Chen Afu to stay back.

Chen Afu provided a detailed report on the matters of Dingzhou, particularly noting that Liao Chen was currently in poor spirits.

After listening, Marquis Chu’s eyes dimmed again and he sighed, "Mrs. Luo was a bit temperamental, but she used to be gentle and virtuous. Having endured such a great blow and having spent over a decade in the monastery, her temperament has changed. Alas, it’s my fault."

Later, Marquis Chu elaborated on the situation in the Capital City, where unrest persisted. Two families with marital ties to the Chus had been implicated in the second prince’s faction. One was the Ma’s, the family of Ms. Chu, and the other was the He’s, the family of Chen Afu’s younger sister’s husband.

Both families had asked Marquis Chu for help, but he had refused and specifically instructed Chen Afu not to get involved.