Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 529 - 520 Acting

Chapter 529: Chapter 520 Acting

Marquis Chu, seeing the astonished expressions of the third lady and Afu, said, "Everyone, please take a seat." He then briefly outlined the events that had transpired.

Apparently, the emperor had managed to attend court despite his ill health, and had started by praising Marquis Chu for his vast contributions in supporting the Crown Prince to defeat the Second Prince’s party, demonstrating unparalleled strategic wisdom. He also commended him for disciplining Princess Rong Zhao appropriately on his behalf. Since he was no longer a prince consort, he should no longer shirk his responsibilities and was thus appointed as the Right Army Commander and the Grand Preceptor, both of the first rank...

However, upon hearing this, Marquis Chu was terrified. The emperor’s incessant praises of his immense contributions were veiled criticisms of his overreaching influence. By claiming that Marquis Chu had disciplined the princess on his behalf, he was implying that Marquis Chu harbored disloyal intentions.

Even if Marquis Chu had not planned to retire from his official duties, upon hearing the emperor’s words, he did not dare to continue serving in his capacity.

Moreover, although there were currently three people in the court holding honorary titles such as Grand Preceptor or Grand Tutor, they were all well into their sixties and none of them held any substantial power. Marquis Chu was aware that if he dared to accept these two positions today, the emperor would find an excuse to deal with him the next day, and his entire family could be put in danger.

Without hesitation, he knelt down and declined the offer. He admitted to his shortcomings, confessing that he had committed treason by attacking the princess in a fit of rage. Although the emperor had a large heart and did not hold it against him, he felt the need to constantly reflect upon his actions. Furthermore, he cited his poor health as a reason for him to be unfit to serve in the court. Not only did he refuse to hold public office, he also promised to transfer his title of Marquis Yong’an to Chu Lingxuan, his son, upon his return. After that, he would retire to the countryside for health and self-reflection reasons.

The emperor was not pleased, insisting that Marquis Chu had done right in disciplining the princess and that he was still in his prime, capable of many contributions to the court. Admitting laziness was not an option.

Deeply moved by the "Emperor’s boundless grace" and embarrassed that he could not share the emperor’s worries, Marquis Chu remained kneeling and sobbed uncontrollably, expressing his remorse for betraying the emperor’s kindness and overstepping his boundaries by hitting the princess. He mentioned his health struggles, including his weak legs and waist, and his difficulty in breathing. The doctor suggested that his condition could improve if he retired to the countryside...

The emperor had no choice but to withdraw the substantial rank and allow Marquis Chu to accept just the position of Grand Preceptor. However, Marquis Chu still did not dare to accept, going so far as bowing his head until it bled.

In the end, the emperor had to reluctantly retract the decree entirely. Again, he emphasized the great loss the court would suffer from the absence of his beloved subject, Marquis Chu...

This episode of "the great loyalty between the Emperor and his subjects" deeply moved all the court officials present. Many of them shed tears and, kneeling, they declared, "Long live the Emperor, forever and ever!"

Prior to this occasion, Marquis Chu had already discussed with the old Marquis that he no longer wished to hold any official position, and would even transfer his title to Chu Lingxuan. Although the old Marquis outwardly did not oppose this, internally he harbored a silent hope that the Crown Prince, upon ascending the throne, would heavily rely on his son. His son, being in the prime of his life at forty-four, and showing outstanding political ambition from a young age, was well-suited. However, after this public declaration from his son in front of all the officials today, there was no chance of him ever returning to public office again, even after the current emperor’s demise.

Helplessly, the old Marquis commented, "At least now the emperor can rest easy." Looking affectionately at his son, he said, "But you, at the peak of your life, are retiring completely to spend the rest of your days in leisure. What a pity!"

Marquis Chu chuckled, "That’s not a bad idea. I can follow in the footsteps of Tao Weng, picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence while leisurely looking out at the southern hills... Life like that wouldn’t be too bad. Also, my retirement would put the emperor’s mind at ease, making things easier for my third brother and Xuan’er."

Gazing at the still handsome and elegant Marquis Chu, Chen Afu felt a pang of sadness. That bastard emperor, cold and ungrateful; because of his petty suspicion, he had treated a loyal subject, who had served him for many years, so poorly.

The third wife, however, added, "Uncle was right. Just remember what happened to the Yue Family. It was very terrifying."

Upon the mention of the Yuan family, all the resentment inside the old Marquis and Chen Afu disappeared.

Marquis Chu chuckled and said to Chen Afu, "After Xuan’er comes back and I pass my title to him, I’ll retire to... the Fu Garden in the countryside." He originally intended to say Tang Garden, but remembered that Tang Garden was part of Mrs. Luo’s dowry. If Mrs. Luo didn’t forgive him, he wouldn’t be able to reside there, so he switched to Fu Garden instead.

Before Afu could respond, the old Marquis chuckled, "Smart choice. Fu Garden is a wonderful place. It has been so many years since I have thought about Tang Garden and Fu Garden. Once you move there, I may join you."

Five days later, Chen Afu came to understand just how wise and brilliant Marquis Chu’s decision to resign was, and how sincere and insightful his public apology had been.

On the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, Shiyi and Xiao Lixuan visited The Chus’ Mansion again.

Shiyi secretly told Chen Afu that he had overheard his mother and elder brother saying that the emperor seemed to be planning to bestow a woman to Marquis Chu. The problem was that this woman, Princess Mingwei – the third daughter of Prince He Shuo, was completely unsuitable. This princess, a widow of twenty, was known for being physically robust, possessing extraordinary strength, and being fiercely assertive. Her husband had died fighting with her.

The Crown Prince and his mother were debating how to persuade the emperor to give up on this idea. Despite their extensive discussion, they finally decided not to intervene. They were already under scrutiny from the emperor for their prior dependence on Marquis Chu. Any more interventions on their part would only further displease the emperor.

As a result, due to Marquis Chu’s excellent performance, the emperor decided to abandon the plan of granting the marriage at the last minute.

Shiyi, deeply embarrassed, whispered to Chen Afu while tugging at her sleeve, "Mother-in-law, I’m sorry. Please help me apologize to Marquis Chu for not being able to help him even though he treats my brother and I so well."

Chen Afu, deeply moved, cradled his face and grinned, "Thank you. My father-in-law and I know that you are a good boy who does not forget acts of kindness. What the Crown Prince and Empress did was right. Sometimes, it’s better not to intervene."

Inside, however, she was cursing at that despicable emperor. He was the worst!

The theater of "the great loyalty between the Emperor and his subjects" quickly spread far and wide. Everyone praised the Emperor’s benevolence and Marquis Chu’s loyalty. However, Li felt uncomfortable. She found Marquis Chu to be self-centered. He had resigned from his high-ranking positions, yet he should have been strategizing for a better position for her son instead. Opting for a low-ranking position in return for a high-ranking one meant that the emperor had gained an advantage.

There was no need to mention Chu Lingxuan; upon his return, he would inherit the marquisate. He was also a third-ranked military official. Even the illegitimate son, Chu Lingqi, had become a fifth-rank official. Only her own son, Chu Ling’an, still held a seventh-rank position. If Marquis Chu lent a hand, her son could easily secure a fifth-rank position.

Li rushed to share her thoughts with the second lord, also asking him to talk to Marquis Chu about securing a fifth-rank position for her son, so he could at least outrank the illegitimate son.