Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 557 - 548: Not Robbing Anymore

Chapter 557: Chapter 548: Not Robbing Anymore

Chen Afu’s labor this time was relatively smooth. It started in the late afternoon and by 9 p.m., she had given birth.

The first child was a boy, who cried loudly. Before he was weighed, the midwife exclaimed, "Good heavens, there’s another twin, and he’s so chubby!"

After weighing, the midwife announced loudly, "It’s a boy, six pounds and one ounce."

People outside the room were astonished at the news, and Chu Lingxuan and others were overjoyed.

Having delivered one child, Chen Afu felt instantly lighter. She was delighted to hear her son was so heavy. However, before she could even laugh, she was hit with another wave of pain. Half an hour later, she gave birth to a girl.

This time the midwife didn’t shout in surprise but said, "It’s a girl. Congratulations, madam has given birth to fraternal twins."

The baby girl didn’t cry. It was only when the midwife slapped her bottom that she started crying. Her voice was tiny, mewling like a cat. The girl weighed three pounds and two ounces.

Upon hearing her daughter’s frail cries and knowing her light weight, Chen Afu was moved to tears.

The midwife quickly consoled her, "Don’t worry, madam, twins are usually lighter. I have been a midwife for over twenty years. This is the first time I’ve seen a twin boy as heavy as your son. Most twin girls weigh around three to four pounds like your daughter. As long as they are cared for well, twins grow faster than singletons."

Chen Afu didn’t fall asleep right after giving birth, as she had previously. Though she was extremely tired, her mind was exceptionally clear. Her eyes never left her tiny daughter. The baby girl was very small. Her tiny head was about the size of Chen Afu’s fist, making her eyes look longer and her nose larger. Her little arms, legs, and fingers were incredibly thin, all skin and bones. Especially her tiny buttocks, which were pointed due to lack of flesh, her rectum protruding out. It was heartbreaking to see.

How could such a tiny baby survive without her mother?

After Chen Afu was tidied up, she was carried into the room across, where Chu Lingxuan, Mrs. Chu, and Mrs. Jiang came in.

Mrs. Chu held the girl, Mrs. Jiang held the boy. Both children were swaddled in red silk blankets. The boy, white and charming, with chubby cheeks, looked like Chu Lingxuan and was fast asleep. The girl was tiny and thin, wrinkled and red, light as a feather. Her tiny head was about half the size of her brother’s. She didn’t sleep. With one eye open and one closed, her clear gaze melted hearts.

Seeing his fragile daughter, Chu Lingxuan was less fond of his plump son. He took his son from Mrs. Jiang and smacked his bottom, chastising, "You little rascal, bullying your sister for food inside your mother’s womb. If you do this again, I’ll teach you a lesson."

He was not too hard on him, but the boy, rudely awakened from his sleep, began to cry loudly.

Mrs. Jiang quickly said, "Son-in-law, don’t do this. Li is so small, he doesn’t understand!"

The old Marquis had already sent a letter, saying that they should use the previously picked name for the girl, Zhu, Chu Hanzhu, Zhu’er. The boy would be Li, Chu Sili, brother Li.

Mrs. Chu, looking at Chen Afu, who had been keeping her eyes wide open, smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I won’t take little Zhu’er this time." She bent her head to kiss little Zhu’er and said, "You are so weak, Mrs. Chu doesn’t dare take you away from your mother. Be assured, your mother is a wonderful caregiver, she will definitely help you to grow healthy and beautiful. Good child, I’ve been looking forward to you for so long, we were destined to be family. When you grow up, come to keep grandma company."

Seeing this understanding Mrs. Chu, Chen Afu finally put down her worry. She smiled, "Mrs. Chu, you live so close. Coming every day to see little Zhu’er is just like raising her in your home." After speaking, she fell asleep.

Although Zhu’er was thin and weak, she didn’t have any other illnesses. Her appetite was small, and she could only eat half as much as her brother. Chen Afu secretly took the two babies to the special place when no one was around. Jin Yanzi and Jin Bei cherished little Zhu’er and gave her more of their precious bird’s nest than they gave to her other siblings.

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, Chu Lingxuan, Mr. Chu, and Chu Lingwei went to the countryside. Chu Lingxuan met with Inspector Luo’s elder brother-in-law and together they convinced Liao Chen. Mr. Chu and his son went to visit the old Marquis.

Originally, the old Marquis and his son should have returned to the capital city for the Lunar New Year. But since Inspector Luo was going, the old Marquis didn’t want to return to the capital and his father had to accompany him in spending the new year in the countryside.

Since Chu Lingxuan wasn’t home, Chen Afu spent her nights in the special place, except for midnight when she waited outside for the two mothers to come and change the babies’ diapers and bathe them.

Perhaps it’s true that smaller babies grow faster. Although little Zhu’er didn’t eat much, she grew well. Within a few days, she put on a pound and a half, which was only half a pound less than brother Li.

Her tiny face and arms were chubby, her bottom was rounded. The baby girl was finally looking healthy and was growing more lovely and adorable.

Seeing the girl’s improvement, Chen Afu, Mrs. Chu, and others finally stopped worrying.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, Mrs. Chu and Chu Lingzhi had lunch at Yong’an Marquis Manor and then returned to Xijin Marquis Manor. On New Year’s Eve, it is traditional to stay awake and guard the house at your own home.

Once the mother and son left, Rong’an Hall quieted down. Now there were no other adult family members in the manor except for Chen Afu, who wasn’t allowed to leave her room.

Prince He had a royal feast in the palace and then came straight to The Chus’. He said he wanted to remain awake and guard the house here. Spending Lunar New Year in his lonely He Royal Mansion seemed daunting.

Yu, Yu’er were jumping with joy as they welcomed him. Chu Hanyan also couldn’t help but smile.

Chen Afu disagreed, saying, "Today is special. The empress dowager and the emperor didn’t keep you in the palace so that you could celebrate the new year in your own mansion to ensure prosperity for the coming year. If you come here, isn’t it disregarding their good intentions?"

Prince He’s eyes reddened a bit as he stuttered, "I... I understand that, but I just don’t want to spend the New Year alone. Such a big place, and I’m the only master, it’s very lonely." He shook Chen Afu’s sleeve and pled, "Mom, please agree."

It had been a long time since he called her mom, and an equally long time since he whined like this.

Chen Afu was already reluctant to let him spend the New Year by himself. Touched by his pleas, she felt even more pity for him. However, reason prevailed over emotion. She caressed his face gently and said softly, "My good child, I’m also reluctant to leave you. But He Royal Mansion is your home, and you must stay there for Lunar New Year." Seeing tears well up in Prince He’s eyes, she quickly added, "Tomorrow night you can come and spend the night here. You can sleep in the east room, close to me."

Hearing this, Yu and Yu’er began to clamor, "We also want to sleep here. We also want to be close to mom!"

Chu Hanyan also wanted to express her desire to be close to her mother, but remembering her relationship with Prince He, she held back.

Prince He nodded reluctantly after hearing this. He then played in the courtyard with his little brothers and sisters for a while before leaving unwillingly.