Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 542 - 533: Genuine Fear and Anxiety

Chapter 542: Chapter 533: Genuine Fear and Anxiety

The little Yu’er in front of him had her hair hanging down around her ears, wearing a sleepwear set in Consort Yang’s color that only his daughter-in-law would make, along with little bunny slippers. Her tiny face was as white as jade with two rosy circles on her cheeks, clearly showing she had just clambered out from under the covers. She looked at him with big, shiny, innocent round eyes, and was nervously twirling her fingers.

Chu Lingxuan’s smile deepened, he reached out and picked her up.

Just as Yu’er was hesitating, she suddenly found herself being lifted in the air; she had been picked up by Daddy. He kissed her face vigorously and laughed saying "Ahh, Yu’er, my little treasure."

Influenced by Chu Lingxuan’s mood, she too hugged his neck and kissed him twice, giggling, "Daddy, Daddy, hehehe..."

Her little mouth, positioned right next to Chu Lingxuan’s ear, nearly gave him a fright with its loud volume. He hadn’t expected such a small body to have such a large voice.

Still laughing, Chu Lingxuan kissed her a few more times.

Chen Afu chuckled, "Alright, let your father go and bathe."

When Chu Lingxuan emerged from the cleansing room, he continued to affectionately interact with the other children. Before too long, the food was already set out on the table.

Chen Afu told the children, "It’s already late at night, time for bed. When you wake up tomorrow, you’ll see your grandfather, the marquis."

Despite being tired, the children clung to their father, unwilling to leave. Seeing their mother glance at her, Chu Hanyan picked up Yu’er and proposed, "Let’s go rest first, we can see Daddy again tomorrow."

Yu’er yawned in agreement.

Seeing their sisters leaving, the two brothers obediently followed.

Chen Afu settled onto the bed and poured a cup of wine for Chu Lingxuan, half a cup for himself, then raised his cup and laughed, "Here’s to the triumphant return of our great hero."

Chu Lingxuan drained his cup with a laugh. His passionate gaze never left Chen Afu, causing her mature face to redden. Despite the fact that the table was filled with all of Chu Lingxuan’s favorite dishes, the banquet lost its flavour in comparison to the object of his deepest desires.

He drank two more cups of wine and then announced, "I’ve had enough to eat." He then told the maid serving them, "You all can go now, we’ll clean up tomorrow morning."

He didn’t want to wait another moment. He had barely waited for the maids to leave the room before he embraced Chen Afu and carried her towards the bedroom. Chen Afu blushed with embarrassment and complained in a low voice, "Can’t you wait? Let them leave first..."

Chu Lingxuan replied, "I’ve already waited for a year; I can’t bear it any longer." With that, he placed her on the bed.

Chen Afu suddenly recalled something and blocked Chu Lingxuan’s advance with her hand, asking, "There are prostitutes in your military camps, right? Plus, a few months ago, the Late Emperor rewarded you for your victory not only with wine and roasted meat but also with women... You, being unable to bear it?"

Thinking of the bizarre system and the perverse Late Emperor, Chen Afu felt a wave of indignation.

Chu Lingxuan held her hand in his, leaned down to kiss her and said with a smile, "My uncle and I only partook in the rewards of wine and meat, the women were left for the boys..." He then playfully pinched Chen Afu’s chin and said, "In this moment, don’t say such things that could ruin the mood." With that, he laid on her.

Having yearned for Chen Afu for over a year, saving energy for his release, especially after drinking, Chu Lingxuan was very invested and serious. But Chen Afu was lost in her own world.

She was unaware that Jin Yanzi and Jin Bei had already entered the room. The image of the two birds was constantly in her mind. One bird was looking around in baffled innocence, not understanding the situation. The other bird’s face was flushed with embarrassment, its two nostrils bleeding, and occasionally screeching, "Mommy, Daddy Chu is corrupting the child. Oh my, it’s so embarrassing, I am even embarrassed for you..."

Feeling helpless, Chen Afu had no choice but to let him have his way.

Chu Lingxuan was still working tirelessly even after they had made love twice that night, while Chen Afu had fallen asleep.

The next day, as Chen Afu was deep in sleep, she was awakened by the noise of the children.

She opened her eyes to see the four children standing in a line in front of her bed.

Ming said, "Mommy, the sun is shining on our bottoms."

Little Yu’er stroked her small face and said, "Mommy, lazy, lazy."

Chu Hanyan and Yu laughed at her.

Xia Yue, seeing that Chen Afu was awake, said, "The master was invited by Lord Marquis and Madam to Rong’an Hall, he did not want the maids to disturb you." She then proceeded to assist her with getting up.

Chen Afu sat up, her body sore, cursing Chu Lingxuan under her breath for turning their lovemaking into a battlefield, not showing the slightest bit of tenderness.

In the late morning, Chen Afu led the children to Rong’an Hall. Not only were the old Marquis and Madam present, but the second uncle’s family was also there.

Chen Afu noticed Mrs. Li shooting her an unfriendly look, but she ignored her and apologized to the third Madam, "Yesterday when the master returned, the children stayed up late and woke up late, so they have kept you waiting."

The children, who were absorbed in their father, did not notice their mother "falsely accusing" them. After performing a courtesy bow to the elders, they threw themselves at Chu Lingxuan.

Little Yu’er climbed directly onto his lap, while the two younger brothers leaned against his legs, Chu Hanyan leaned against his side.

Listening to their conversation, it turned out that yesterday, the emperor wanted to bestow the title of Western Marquis on Grandpa, appoint Chu Lingxuan as the Minister of War, as well as give him the honorary title of Queen’s Protector and the position of Commander-in-chief. Despite these extremely high honors and favors, the men of the Chu family dared not accept.

Earlier, the Marquis Chu and the old Marquis had already discussed the future of the men in the Chu family; Marquis Chu, the man feared by the late emperor, would fully retire, the highly meritorious Grandpa would semi-retire, and the young Master Chu Lingxuan, Second Master Chu Lingqi and Third Master Chu Ling’an would strive for further accomplishments. The Fourth Master Chu Lingwei would join the government after a few years. Although Chu Lingwei was studying at the Imperial College, his academic performance was not very good, so he would also join the military to seek a promising future.

The network that Marquis Chu had built would be gradually handed over to Chu Lingxuan. Once Chu Lingwei has matured, the noble title and power held by the Grandfather would be gradually transferred to him.

Due to special circumstances, Marquis Chu and Grandfather, with the support of the late emperor, had secretly built up considerable power, which was why the late emperor had been so wary of the Chu family. Although they had relinquished their powers, they still held extensive connections. To safeguard the family against future political enemy and for the preservation of the family, they had to pass down these connections, despite retiring.

They had conveyed this intention to Grandpa and Chu Lingxuan through a trusted aide who previously visited them. As a result, Grandpa had only accepted the honorary title of Queen’s Protector; he declined the substantial positions as well as the noble title.

Moreover, it was apparent from the emperor’s intent of converting Grandpa into a civilian official as the Minister of War that the emperor did not want Grandpa to remain in power. It was inconceivable to have a high-ranking official, who could marshal troops, and another high-ranking military officer from the same family. The large hats bestowed upon Grandpa and Chu Lingxuan left them truly apprehensive.