Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 531 - 522: Tire Slippage

Chapter 531: Chapter 522: Tire Slippage

At the end of the twelfth lunar month, Chen Afu had finally tidied up the property at the Marquis’ Mansion.

Chu Ling’an and Mrs. Shen had also gotten wind of the old man’s plans, and they were both heartbroken and relieved. The sorrow was because they didn’t want to separate households now. Living together with the Marquis’ Mansion, where all the expenses were paid by the main house, they were considered the young masters and mistresses of the mansion. The relief came from the fact that, thankfully, they passed the main house to Chu Ling’an as per the older man’s wishes. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have taken long for their wealth and influence to decline.

Chu Ling’an knew his father’s terribly stingy nature, so he had a chat with the old Marquis, ensuring that the properties and assets the old man had given him were kept a secret from his father. Of the fifty thousand silver yuan allotted to them when they separated households, six thousand was reserved for their half-sisters’ dowries and ten thousand for Chu Lingqi. The majority of the leftover silver was used to buy houses and farmland. The old Marquis agreed and had already sent people to scout out properties in secret.

While The Chus were splitting up in secrecy, negotiations for supporters of the Second Prince were advancing publicly at court. He Quan, Chen Yuhui’s father-in-law, was arrested and sent to Dali Temple, and the He family was put under house arrest and forbidden to leave The Hes.

Originally, they thought that the crackdown on the Second Prince’s supporters wouldn’t occur so quickly, and Chen Shiying hadn’t had time to discuss Chen Yuhui’s divorce with He Quan.

Upon hearing of He Quan’s arrest, Chen Shiying was terrified. He didn’t care about the fate of He Quan, he was worried that if He Quan was in a position of influence, he might spare Chen Yuhui due to their children. He Linsheng, on the other hand, was an aimless man with no sense of reason, who loathed Chen Yuhui.

Hurriedly, Chen Shiying requested leave to return to the Capital City. He tried to negotiate with The Hes. Mrs. He and He Linsheng made it clear to him that a woman must follow her husband, and could not abandon him the moment he met with misfortune.

Chen Shiying used Chen Yuhui’s unborn child as a bargaining chip, suggesting that if The Hes were exiled or sold into slavery, it would be difficult for the baby to survive and they would be born into slavery. If they approved Chen Yuhui’s divorce, The Chens would try to provide for this child and ensure a promising future for him.

However, He Linsheng retorted that as a descendant of The Hes, the child must share in the fortunes and misfortunes of his family. If Chen Shiying wanted to help, he should help the whole family. If he couldn’t, then his daughter and grandchild would share their fate with their husband’s family.

Facing the hopeless He Linsheng, Chen Shiying felt powerless. Lacking both the ability and the audacity, it was impossible for him to save The Hes. If it wasn’t for Chen Yuhui’s numerous scandals, which had been publicized widely, even up to the Imperial Court, he wouldn’t even have been capable of saving Chen Yuhui.

Out of options, Chen Shiying left the mansion of The Hes dejectedly. He did not dare to linger longer and had to return to Dingzhou the following day. The work at the end of the year was looming, and the Crown Prince hinted to him that after the new year, there would be more significant tasks.

Before departing, he visited The Jiangs and the Marquis’ Mansion, asking The Jiangs and Chen Afu to look after his daughter, Chen Yuhui.

Chen Afu invited Chen Shiying to dinner at the Bamboo Pavilion.

Heartbroken, Chen Shiying said to Chen Afu, "Afu, if my daughter needs help when I’m not in the Capital City, please help her. Ah, although she has failed to meet expectations, she remains my daughter, and I don’t want her to die young. She is only three months pregnant. I fear that wretched He Linsheng would harm her."

Chen Afu agreed readily, "Alright, I will send someone over to The Hes every few days to check on her."

Although Chen Afu disliked Chen Yuhui greatly, under these circumstances, especially given her pregnancy, it seemed necessary to look out for her wellbeing regularly.

After dinner, the three children were brought back to the Bamboo Pavilion from Anrong Hall by the servants.

They didn’t recognize Chen Shiying anymore. On seeing this handsome young man, with a small mustache on his upper lip, Yu asked Chen Afu, "Mother, who is this uncle?"

Yu’er also opened her big, round eyes and asked, "Uncle, who?"

Their words made Chen Shiying break into laughter.

Chen Afu laughed and scolded them, "What nonsense! He is your grandpa. Come, bow to him."

Ming finally found a reason to ridicule his elder brother. He laughed, "Brother called grandpa an uncle."

A little embarrassed, Yu scratched his head, trying to save face. "Haha, grandpa is handsome, like an uncle, not like a grandpa."

Yu’er chimed in, "Handsome."

Afterwards, all three children bowed to Chen Shiying, saying, "Greetings, grandpa."

Yu’er, not able to say as many words, just yelled, "Grandpa," with her voice surprisingly clear and loud, even overshadowing her two elder brothers.

Chen Shiying said, "Good children," and lifted Yu’er into his arms, laughing, "This grand-daughter is so capable, such a young age, yet she can bow and call out people’s titles."

Yu’er, a sucker for good looks, loved her handsome grandfather the most. Now encountering a grandfather who was even younger and more handsome, she was even more delighted. She hugged Chen Shiying’s neck and kissed his cheek, laughing "Grandpa, grandpa, grandpa."

wSeeing her resemblance to Chen Afu, Chen Shiying was filled with joy. Was Afu as pretty as this when she was young? He thought to himself as he kissed her back a few times.

Chen Shiying’s gloomy mood was driven away by the innocence and joy of the children. He played with them for a long time before returning home.

On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, after finishing her work on the budgeting at the Conference Hall in the Inner Courtyard, Chen Afu did not return to her Bamboo Pavilion but instead visited Mrs. Li at her Minghe Residence. The children and pets were collected by the Marquis Chu from Animal House and taken to Anrong Hall, making Chen Afu free to visit Mrs. Li.

Despite Marquis Chu regaining his freedom, he still dared not meet Liao Chen, considering the emperor’s attitude against them. So, he spent his days playing with the children. Only after the death of the old emperor could he strive to win back Liao Chen’s heart.

It was said that the old emperor was severely ill, but the Dowager’s health, to everyone’s surprise, showed a significant improvement, even better than before. Chen Afu wondered whether it was because of the desserts she had sent her.

When she stepped inside, Mrs. Li was sitting on the bed, giggling.

Chen Afu laughed and asked, "What’s the good news that got you in such a good mood, Aunt Li? Has Uncle Chun sent a letter?"

Mrs. Li responded, "Whenever your Uncle Chun sends a letter, didn’t he include one for Xuan’er too?" Then she continued, "Chu Lin’s match has been decided, it’s the young master of The Dings. They would come to formally propose in a few days."

The young master of The Ding’s father is a minister in the Ministry of Punishment. The young master himself is studying at the Imperial College, and he is fifteen this year...

Chen Afu laughed, "Aunt Li, you’ve done a great thing. Sisters Chun Lin and Chu Lin will remember you for their whole life."

Mrs. Li replied, "I don’t need them to remember my kindness. I just don’t want them to suffer because of Mrs. He."

While the two were talking, Ya Li, the Maid-in-Waiting who had followed from Chen Yuhui’s maiden home, was brought to them. Her face was streaked with tears.

Chen Afu was startled and asked, "What happened?"

Through her sobs, Ya Li said, "Miss Chen, master He caused Miss Chen Yuhui to miscarry. She’s bleeding so much..."