Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 538 - 529: Hanging

Chapter 538: Chapter 529: Hanging

Speaking of recuperation, that was only relative to Chen Yuhui. Despite all medical efforts, her health had failed irrevocably. Now, the mere gust of wind could knock her down. Without the help of makeup, her face was pale as paper, and even a few steps made her pant. In this state, there was no chance of her remarrying.

Chen Shiying bore a deep hatred for He Linsheng’s malicious acts and for his own daughter’s relentless behavior. He felt she had brought this fate upon herself. Considering her strong bond with her grandmother, as well as their shared incapacity from ailments, they could keep each other company and wouldn’t feel lonely living together in the countryside. All her dowry would be moved along with her, attended by more servants, and a bigger courtyard. With the allowance he provided them annually, they wouldn’t have a hard life.

However, when Chen Shiying shared this plan with Chen Yuhui, she broke down.

She sobbed as she accused her father, "Dad, are you really my father? How can you treat me like this! Is this what mother and Afu told you to do?"

The intensity of her emotions gave some color to her face, but she struggled to draw breath after uttering these two phrases, visibly exhausted.

Chen Shiying was astounded, believing there wouldn’t be many fathers as benevolent as him in the whole world. When The Hes’ misfortune struck, his well-intentioned colleagues advised him against incurring the emperor’s displeasure because of Yuhui’s disobedience. Her uncles also tried to persuade him numerous times. But he stubbornly chose to save her from The Hes’ disaster. He couldn’t bear to see his young daughter cope with the situation at The He household. Yet, all he got from his daughter was reproach.

Chen Shiying became angry enough for it to show in his face. He replied sternly, "Yuhui, has your father not already done enough for you? Your mother and elder sister helped you so much, how can you talk about them like that? You were able to escape from The Hes’ situation, thanks to your grandfather’s soothing the emperor’s wrath. The emperor quickly granted you a separation mostly due to the influence of the Chus, don’t imagine that I have such an impact."

Chen Yuhui cried and retorted, "They helped me out of their guilty conscience. The marriage proposal from the Chus was primarily for me and General Chu wanted to marry me..." She coughed violently as she confronted a constant source of pain in her heart. Once it subsided, she continued, "Such a splendid proposal, but with the help of Mrs. Jiang, was snatched by Afu. Everything Afu possesses now was supposed to be mine".

She wailed following this revelation.

Chen Shiying shook his head in disbelief and retorted, "How can you still be so obstinate? I have explained to you countless times. Your proposal to Chu Lingxuan was just something your grandmother and Chu’s second lady had in mind. The second lady, who is Chu’s aunt, has no say in the Chu family. What worth does her promise hold? Chu Lingxuan really wanted to marry Afu, who is loved by the old Marquis and Marquis Chu as a daughter-in-law."

Chen Yuhui panted and replied, "Dad, stop lying. I’m not a fool. Of course, you need to speak like this now. Presently, my younger sister is about to marry into the Duke’s household as the young mistress. Your daughters - one is the wife of a marquis and the other is about to be the wife of a duke. While I, your second daughter, am in this miserable situation. Father, please, I beg you, help me."

Chen Shiying dumbfounded, asked, "What more can I do than what I am doing now?"

Chen Yuhui’s face reddened even more as she said, "Father, don’t send me to the countryside. If you do, I’ll never have a chance at a better life. Can’t you speak to General Chu? I only wish to be his consort. My affections for him have never changed. I can no longer bear children, and I don’t care about formal titles."

"Enough!" Chen Shiying snapped - the loudest he had spoken in a while. He was so furious that his face went bright red, his fists clenched. If it weren’t for the fact that Chen Yuhui couldn’t withstand physical punishment, he would have slapped her.

Poiting a finger at her, he scolded, "How can I, Chen Shiying, have such a shameless, ruthless and cruel daughter. You may leave tomorrow, this family can’t keep you any longer."

Having said that, he turned around and left, not wishing to cast another glance at her.

When he heard a teacup breaking from behind, he paused for a moment then resumed his walk back to the main court.

He knew his daughter was vicious and self-serving. He blamed himself for her upbringing, thinking he should have been more strict in disciplining her, along with her mother and Aunt Tang.

He’d hoped that suffering at The Hes would teach her a lesson and, being saved by so many people, she would learn to be more grateful. Once a person is grateful, they can be redeemed and gradually change for the better.

However, instead of being grateful to her benefactors, this daughter of his remained obstinate and delusional. After all this, she harbored thoughts of becoming General Chu’s concubine!

Even if she possessed beauty, wisdom, and good health, which she presently lacked, Chu Lingxuan would not consider her, and Afu would not tolerate her.

More importantly, how could a daughter of Chen Shiying be reduced to someone else’s concubine?

He entered the east room of the main court, watching as Mrs. Jiang led two girls to pack the boxes and soft knick-knacks positioned on the bed.

When the two girls saw Chen Shiying’s unhappy countenance, they quickly bowed and left the room.

Mrs. Jiang brought him a cup of tea and asked, "My lord, are you angered? Don’t be upset. You already knew how stubborn Yuhui is."

She had known he was going to talk with Chen Yuhui and anticipated that it wouldn’t end well. However, she hadn’t expected him to be this livid; his face was the color of a pig’s liver.

Chen Shiying sat down. After gulping down the tea, he announced, "Arrange to send Yuhui to the countryside tomorrow, with a few more maids accompanying her..." He paused before continuing, "Considering her condition, ensure she is treated well... Besides, we should not worry about the villagers being suspicious anymore and give her mother more money. They have been there for a long time now, so nobody will question their residing there. Give them extra, and send some gifts to the village head and the landlord, requesting their assistance."

Mrs. Jiang felt a wave of relief. She was concerned that Chen Shiying might go soft and keep Yuhui at home, which would jeopardize Qing’er’s wedding. Yuhui’s unpredictable actions always terrified her.

She reassured him, "Don’t worry, my lord. I will have a larger house built and send Yuhui’s dowry over. Additionally, we will give them fifty taels of silver every month to cover their expenses."

Chen Shiying nodded his approval. The returns from Chen Yuhui’s extensive dowry, land, and shops would suffice for a lifetime in the countryside.

In the midst of their planning, a maid rushed in to announce, "Master, Mistress, bad news, the Second Young Madam has attempted to hang herself."

Mrs. Jiang sprung up in shock, while Chen Shiying stayed still and, clenched his teeth, asked, "Is she dead?"