Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 541 - 532

Chapter 541: 532

By the end of the morning, someone had already reported to Rong’an Hall that the victorious forces of rebellion were approaching the city gates. Soon after, another message came, reporting that the emperor had led the civilian and military officers towards the city gates for a reception.

Many messages poured into the manor, one after the other. The emperor received the victorious forces outside the gates of the city; the troops knelt on the ground, shouting three times in unison, "Long live the Emperor, Long live the Emperor, Long Live the Emperor a Thousand Times Over." The emperor laughed loudly... Commander Chu, valiant and majestic, was kneeling at the front, loudly reporting the process of the victorious rebellion. The emperor personally helped him up and rewarded his troops... The emperor in his Dragon Chariot, with Commander Chu on his horse, paraded together... This lasted until noontime when the emperor led his civil and military officials, as well as the senior generals who had backed the rebellion, into the Imperial Palace.

Commander Chu was most frequently mentioned in the reports, making the third wife shift between crying, laughing, and feeling proud.

Before lunch, Chu Lingwei, Chu Lingzhi, and Chen Alu returned as well. They spoke excitedly about how valiantly Commander Chu had conducted himself and how the emperor had honored him. They also saw Chu Lingxuan, who was the youngest and most handsome of the senior generals, riding horseback closely behind Commander Chu...

At this time, Chu Ling’an, who was on duty in the palace, sent a message to inform them that the emperor had invited the three lords, the Marquis Chu, and Chu Lingxuan to a banquet in the palace. They might also dine there in the evening, so the people at home should not wait for them.

After dinner, everyone left Rong’an Hall and returned to their respective courtyards. Chu Lingwei and Chen Alu went out again, saying they wanted to participate in a poetry competition at the wine-shop where the scholars would "Sing Praises of the Heroes."

All morning, the children had been excited, especially Yu’er. Although the two little brothers could not remember what their father looked like, they knew that their father loved them very much and eagerly awaited his return. Under the repeated explanations of her mother and older sisters, Yu’er had a general understanding of what her father was like, and was filled with expectations. Chu Hanyan didn’t need to be mentioned; she was looking forward to his return every day. Seeing her mother cry, she also cried. She had also made a beautiful bracelet for her father...

Chen Afu saw that the little brothers and Yu’er were already very tired, and had someone bring them to rest. They were. Chen Afu laughed and said, "Your daddy will not be back until after dinner."

Hearing this, the children grudgingly let the servants lead them away to sleep.

Chu Hanyan sat next to Chen Afu and said, "Mother, I’m too excited to sleep."

Chen Afu laughed and said, "Your mother can’t sleep either, so we’ll just sit here and wait." She then sent for the third wife and Chu Lingzhi, and had Chu Lingzhi give another "live broadcast" from the street.

To encourage Chu Lingzhi to put more effort into his storytelling, Chen Afu specially prepared Rose Fruit Dew and refreshments for him.

They passed the afternoon in Chu Lingzhi’s "live broadcast". Mother and son ate dinner at the Bamboo Pavilion and returned to their quarters later that evening.

Waiting was indeed hard to bear.

At night, after all the children had been coaxed to sleep, the three men of the Chu family still hadn’t returned.

Just as Chen Afu was preparing to undress and get into bed, Jin Yanzi led Jin Bei through the cracks in the window into the room. They chirped excitedly at Chen Afu, saying, "Daddy Chu is home, Daddy Chu is home, he’s already gone to Grandpa Chu’s courtyard."

The excitement was unbearable.

Xia Yue, a maid in the room, laughed and said, "Wow, Jin Bei has learned to imitate the voice of a sparrow, how strange."

At this time, a servant from the Outer Court came to report that the prince had returned and was currently with the old Marquis. He would probably return in about half an hour. The Marquis and the three other old gentlemen were kept in the palace by the emperor and would not return until tomorrow.

The Bamboo Pavilion immediately became lively. Xia Yue rewarded the messenger with a purse, and Chen Afu had the servants prepare food in the small kitchen. Banquets in the palace sounded impressive, but one could hardly ever get a full meal. She found clothes for Chu Lingxuan from the closet, from undergarments to outer robes, and then sat on the heated brick bed in the east room to wait.

Thinking that she was about to see her husband, whom she had been separated from for more than a year, Chen Afu’s body trembled slightly.

After more than half an hour, the courtyard was full of joyous noise and Chen Afu quickly got up and hurried out the door.

A dozen colorful lanterns illuminated the courtyard, as she saw Chu Lingxuan, clad in his military uniform, striding in. He had tanned and lost weight, and though his handsomely sculpted features were more rugged and unrestrained, his smile make him akin to the dazzling sun on a winter’s day, stunning, captivating, and warm...

With tears in her eyes, Chen Afu ran towards Chu Lingxuan. When she reached him, she hesitated to throw herself into his embrace. After all, this was ancient times and there were still several servants in the courtyard.

The smile on Chu Lingxuan’s face broadened as he reached out to take her hand, saying, "Afu, I have returned safely."

Chen Afu choked on her words, "Mmm, that’s wonderful. I can hear your voice again, see you again... Lingxuan, our children and I were looking forward to seeing you every day."

Chu Lingxuan pulled her into his embrace. He whispered into her ear, "I missed you and the children too. I thought of you every day."

Then, Chu Lingxuan led Chen Afu into the house.

Once inside, Chu Lingxuan held Chen Afu in his arms, holding her tightly, mumbling, "Afu, Afu, I’ve missed you so much..."

While speaking, he kissed her ears, temples, cheeks... when he almost reached her lips, Chen Afu lightly pushed him away and said, "The children are here."

Chu Lingxuan turned around and saw that the bamboo green curtain had been lifted, revealing four little faces lined up from tall to short, watching them.

He quickly let go of Chen Afu, waving and smiling at the small faces, "Sons, daughters, don’t be silly, come in quickly."

The two little brothers were the first to run in, Chu Hanyan leading Yu’er followed. The four black eyes were wide open and staring at Chu Lingxuan.

The three smallest were still a bit confused. Chu Hanyan walked forward and tugged on Chu Lingxuan’s robe, saying, "Daddy, your daughter missed you."

Chu Lingxuan held the little girl’s face, smiling, "Daddy missed Yan’er too, so much. My good girl, you’ve grown so much and even have a marriage arranged, Daddy really can’t bear it."

The two little brothers were always about action. After confirming that the man in front of them was indeed their biological father, they ran up and hugged his legs, saying, "Daddy, Yu brother (Ming brother) are good kids, we miss you too."

As soon as Daddy came back, the two little boys were so spoiled they could hardly speak clearly.

Chu Lingxuan laughed out loud, saying. "Yes, yes, you are Daddy’s good sons."

He then crouched down to be level with Yu’er’s innocent gaze, reaching out with a smile, "Little Yu’er, you’ve grown so tall in the blink of an eye, and can even walk now. I am Daddy, come, let Daddy hold you."

Little Yu’er looked at the strange man in front of her. Was this her Daddy? He was handsome, even more handsome than her big sister-in-law’s father. Her mother and sister told her that Daddy was the best person and loved them most. Seeing her sister and brothers and her mother all hugging him, she also wanted to go up and hug him. But she was also a little scared, and didn’t dare to go forward. She hesitated, twisting her little chubby fingers, unsure of what to do.