Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 559 - 550: Fortunate

Chapter 559: Chapter 550: Fortunate

Upon hearing Jin Yanzi’s words, a thought occurred to Chen Afu. This time, everyone in the family was going back. Without Dabao around, it indeed felt like something was missing. However, convincing this bigwig to return to the countryside didn’t seem an easy task. But, it wasn’t entirely impossible either.

She smiled and said, "Bao Bao is really smart, indeed." And added later, "Let’s invite Alu too, without him, it wouldn’t be a proper reunion."

Jin Yanzi chirped gleefully, "Indeed, indeed, how could we forget Uncle Alu, how forgetful of us!" And, saying that, she even smacked her little head with a wing.

As soon as midnight arrived, Jin Yanzi and Jin Bei couldn’t wait to fly out of the space.

On the next evening, Prince He returned to the Royal Mansion from his lessons in the palace. Aunt Qiu told him that Madam Chu had sent word that Jin Bao and Jin Bei had returned and invited him to have dinner at the Chus’ place.

Prince He had been looking forward to the return of Jin Bao and Jin Bei for a while, and overjoyed to hear the news, he quickly departed for the Chus’ place with Chang Chang and Duan Duan. Chou Chou and Gun Gun had been staying at the Chus’ over these past few days.

Dinner was served on the large square table in the main hall. The family gathered for the meal, Yu’er even joined in. On the left side of the square table was a high stand with a big plate on it, where Jin Bao and Jin Bei ate. On the right was a small low table, where Chang Chang’s family was having their meal.

During the meal, Yu and Ming were quite ostentatious about the fact that they were returning to their hometown, and that they would even bring their uncle along. Hearing this, Prince He held Chen Afu’s sleeve, wanting to return with them.

Chen Afu said, "I’d love for you to return with us. There are so many memories there for us. But, will the emperor and the empress dowager agree?"

Chu Hanyan also wanted Prince He to come along, saying, "Prince He, you should try to talk to the emperor and the empress dowager. Do you remember Tang Garden and Fu Garden?"

Prince He hastily replied, "Of course I remember. Not only do I remember Tang Garden and Fu Garden, but also the little path between the two courtyards, and Lu Garden and Xiangluo Village. I’ve dreamt of going back there." He earnestly promised, "Don’t worry, I will find a way to persuade the emperor and the empress dowager."

As he mentioned the path between Fu Garden and Tang Garden, Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu exchanged a knowing smile. Though they didn’t say anything, they knew what the other was thinking — that pathway had witnessed their farewells, their heartbeats, their understanding, and their love...

Chu Lingxuan added, "Prince He, you ought to ask the emperor and empress dowager properly. If they refuse, don’t throw a tantrum. You can always return once you’re older."

Prince He nodded and said, "Don’t worry, General Chu, I will discuss it with them."

It took a long while for Prince He to persuade the emperor and the empress dowager. He told them about his longing for the countryside and how he dreamed of going back there, even shedding tears before they agreed. The emperor specifically summoned Chu Lingxuan and demanded that he ensure Prince He’s safety on the journey.

There was a little hitch when Li Xuan found out that Prince He was going back to Tang Garden with the Chus. He too wanted to have a tantrum and insisted on going as well, asserting he had fond memories of the place. However, Prince Rui refused and even kicked him a couple of times for his insolence.

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu led the kids to play at Prince Rui’s place for a day and said that they could all go back together when Li Xuan was older. She didn’t plead for him — she already had enough children to look after and didn’t want another one to coddle.

In the late afternoon of the 8th of March, Chu Lingxuan led his grandfather, wife, children, and Prince He to begin their journey to Tong County. They stayed in Tong County Post Station for a night, and the next morning, they boarded the boats.

The two boats they used belonged to the Chus, or more accurately, Fuyunlai Trading Company. Now, Fuyunlai Trading Company had ventured into the boat shipping business too.

One boat housed the primary residents and their personal attendants, whilst the other was filled with a hundred guards.

By now it was spring season with stunning views. At the deck, Prince He was playing with Yu, Ming, and Chang Chang’s family. Chu Hanyan, Yu’er, Jin Bao, and Jin Bei were jesting around.

Li and Zhu’er were lying within their prams. Chen Afu and Chu Lingxuan were sitting under a sunshade. Li and Zhu’er seemed to realize their siblings were having fun and were cheerfully waving their arms and giddily chuckling.

Witnessing the scene filled Chen Afu with a sense of accomplishment. She had lived her previous life for thirty-two years and always desired her own family, her own husband, and cute children. Unfortunately, she died with nothing to her name.

Despite living here for just six years, she now had it all - a warm family, both in her husband’s family as well as her family. A husband who loves her, which is more than a hundred times better than Liu Xudong. Cute children, seven of them. No, not just seven, there were also Jin Bao and Jin Bei...

Indeed, as Master Wu Zhi predicted, she was destined to be blessed in this life.

She shifted her gaze from the children’s distant figures to the man beside her, Chu Lingxuan.

Chu Lingxuan was 28 this year. At that age, men of the previous times were not even married, and their careers were only just starting. Chu Lingxuan had not only combated nomadic invasions in the west and suppressed rebellions in the south but was trusted by the Emperor and depended upon by his family.

He was clean-shaven, still young, and handsome. His grandfather mentioned to him several times that a clean-shaven face indicated unreliability and that a man in his rank was expected to grow a beard to look dignified and trustworthy.

But Chu Lingxuan knew Chen Afu did not like men with beards, so he decided not to grow it until he turned 30.

At the sight of Chen Afu’s moist eyes and a loving gaze, Chu Lingxuan was deeply moved and whispered something in her ear. Chen Afu blushed and lightly laughed, "You’re such a bother, aren’t you ashamed?"

The ship arrived in the outskirts of Dingzhou around sunset, and Butler Yang was already waiting at the dock. The Chu’s Mansion in Dingzhou didn’t house any major residents anymore, and very few stayed over. Therefore, not many servants were retained there, while the majority were relocated to the Capital Marquis Mansion.

Once on land, they found out that Uncle Wang Cheng and Chen Shi had also come to meet them.

After a round of greetings, they returned to Chu’s Mansion in Dingzhou.

The grandfather stayed in the Outer Court as usual, Chu Lingxuan and Chen Afu stayed with Li and Zhu’er in the main court. Prince He was with Yu, Ming, and Chang Chang’s family heading to Chaohua Courtyard, while Chu Hanyan took Yu’er to Taoyue Pavilion. Butler Yang, ever the sharp one, had even prepared the Gui Courtyard to Chen Alu’s delight.

After a night’s stay, everyone was ready to head to the outskirts the next morning. Prince He and Chu Hanyan were a bit reluctant to leave, but they couldn’t resist the allure of Fu Garden and Tang Garden, and obediently got into the carriage.

Since they set off early in the morning, they arrived at the small road of Shangshui Village around early noon. As soon as they saw the vague silhouette of Tang Garden, Jinbao and Jinbei took off towards it.

Shortly after, two birds flew towards them, circling above Chen Afu’s carriage, and then dived into the carriage through the window. They were Qi Qi and Hui Hui. They excitedly called out to "Mom," trying to crawl into Chen Afu’s arms.

Next, familiar barks were heard. Chang Chang, Duan Duan brought Chou Chou and Gun Gun excitedly jumping off the carriage to greet them.