Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 97 - 96 Needlework Master

Chapter 97: Chapter 96 Needlework Master

Manager Luo added, "A total of 600 taels of silver."

Chen Afu had guessed that the Ten Brocade Sparrow was valuable, but she didn’t expect it to be worth so much. To her, no matter how beautiful the Ten Brocade Sparrow was, it couldn’t compare to Qi Qi and Hui Hui who were intelligent and could speak. She had thought that Qi Qi and Hui Hui together might be worth this price, but she didn’t expect a single Ten Brocade Sparrow to be worth so much.

She was stunned, the unexpected events of the day were too many for her to handle.

Had she suddenly risen from poverty to wealth?

She suppressed the elation in her heart, didn’t take the silver note, and asked, "Is that bird really that valuable?"

Manager Luo laughed and said, "Our old Marquis is fond of collecting fine birds, so the master has some knowledge of them. He said, it’s the first time that a Ten Brocade Sparrow has appeared in the territory of the Dashun dynasty. Two years ago, the barbarians tributed four of them to the Emperor. Because of their colorful and beautiful feathers, the Emperor named them Ten Brocade Sparrows. Unfortunately, two have already died, and the remaining two live in the Imperial Palace."

Turns out it’s a species of great rarity, no wonder it’s so valuable. It seems that this bird only appeared in the Dashun dynasty of this era a few years ago, and even the name Ten Brocade Sparrow was given by the Emperor. Jin Yanzi also said that the bird is called Ten Brocade Sparrow, the Emperor is indeed talented.

Chen Afu then reached out to take the silver note, smiling and saying, "Master Chu is very kind, and thank you, Mr. Luo."

Manager Luo laughed and continued, "Our master also mentioned that my sister seems to be very fond of Ms. Chen. Our master would like to invite you to be the needlework master for our sister. When she is in Tang Garden, we would like you to guide her needlework."

He then mentioned her salary and welfare benefits. She would earn two taels of silver a month, plus four sets of clothes per year, and they would cover her meals. If the young lady makes significant progress, the master would give a generous reward.

Regardless of Chu Hanyan’s illness, even a normal young girl couldn’t be asked to learn needlework at the age of four. This was definitely a way for her to keep her company, becoming a childcare matron. This was a good pretext and it granted her significant dignity.

A master is a teacher, whether it’s teaching knowledge or teaching needlework. As a teacher, she would definitely be respected by others.

Plus, if the young lady were to live in the Tang Garden for her education, it would be close to her workplace. Most importantly, the leaves of the agarwood would certainly benefit the young lady’s illness. She was confident that she could do this job well and receive her superior’s gratitude.

However, although Chen Afu was tempted by the generous reward, and although she liked and sympathized with the young lady and wished to help her, she didn’t want to be stationed at the mansion every day at a set time. She was too busy, having many things to do. Not only did she need to make a fortune and become a landlord, but she also had to build her own home...

But she didn’t wish to offend the Chus nor did she dare to. Hesitatingly, she said, "I thank Master Chu for his favor, and I’m willing to teach Yan. However... as Manager Luo knows, my family depends on me. I’m rather busy and cannot do it every day..."

Manager Luo laughed again and said, "Our master knows that Madam Chen is the backbone of the family, with many tasks to manage. Whenever you feel free and find the time to go to Tang Garden, it’s up to you."

This was what Chu Lingxuan whispered to Manager Luo earlier. Chen Afu wasn’t a servant, they couldn’t force her, she had to be willing to help.

Manager Luo could also tell that Madam Chen was extremely wise. No wonder the little lady liked to be close to her. If such a woman willingly guided the little lady, it would certainly be a blessing for her. So, he absolutely wouldn’t press hard on her.

Upon hearing this, Chen Afu realized the favor they were showing her. As a small commoner who was like an ant in front of these nobles, they had already gone so far.

She looked out the window where, even though it was autumn, beautiful flowers bloomed and the air was filled with birdsong. Next to the hibiscus flowers, Chu Hanyan sat on a brocade stool, with Qi Qi and Hui Hui hopping around her, and Dabao sitting beside her, occasionally playing with the parrot, watching the young lady, and making comments.

The young lady’s gaze was vacant and unfocused, her pretty face was always turned in one direction, as if she was lost in thought. Occasionally, she would be drawn by Dabao to glance at him or the two parrots, then turn her eyes away, staring in an unidentifiable direction.

Thinking of the silly Afu who had already passed away, Chen Afu’s heart ached inexplicably. She said, "Master Chu, Manager Luo, thank you for your politeness. If that’s the case, I will pluck up the courage to express my thoughts. I was told that Yan gets up at the beginning of the late morning and takes a nap after lunch. I will go to Tang Garden at that time, and return home after her nap. When she wakes up after her late afternoon nap, I will go back there and stay until the evening. This will add up to over three hours. During the day, as long as Yan is awake, I will be at her side. This will allow me to ’teach’ Yan while managing my household affairs. Would it also be possible, um, to have a day off every five days?" She added, "If I don’t work enough hours, deductions can be taken from my monthly pay."

In her previous life, she worked five days off in one day and she didn’t like the ancient practice of a day off every ten days.

Manager Luo laughed and replied, "Madam Chen, you’re joking. Three hours a day is more than enough, there’s no need to deduct monthly salary. Having a day off every five days is reasonable. Oh, you bring Dabao every day, so the two children can play together and you don’t need to worry."

Chen Afu nodded in agreement and added, "However, I’m not very skillful. I’ll do my best. I ask for Master Chu and Mr. Luo’s patience."

Manager Luo chuckled and said, "Our master has good judgment, he won’t make a mistake." He praised their master and then praised Chen Afu. "Next time, Ms. Chen, bring the dolls as soon as they’re ready and deliver them to the manor, just tell the gatehouse to call me. Yes, next time you come, Ms. Chen, make more sweet dates, our master loves them too." He whispered, "Once the mansion is freed up, I’ll accompany Ms. Chen to the dental clinic. With more funds on hand now, you’re able to buy more land."

Chen Afu nodded and smiled in gratitude.

Manager Luo sent a carriage to take Chen Afu and her son home. Mrs. Wei also gifted them with two packets of pastries and two packets of candies, and once again thanked Chen Afu for the glutinous rice dates and the swallow toy she made for Yan, and for hosting her children at her home.

Chen Afu secretly sighed, how cunning Manager Luo and his family were.

Before leaving, Chen Afu didn’t dare to disturb Chu Hanyan. Mrs. Wei was afraid that she would be rushing off, so she sent Qiao’er with the glutinous rice dates to coax her inside the house.

Before Chen Afu and Dabao had left the compound, they heard Yan’s crying. While crying she was also calling, "Bird...aunt...Dabao..."

Dabao was quite heartbroken. He paused his footsteps and looked up, saying, "Mother, I just realized that when Yan’er used to cry, she would only shed silent tears. Now that she’s crying out loud, she must be very upset."

Chen Afu picked him up and said, "Truthfully, Yan crying loudly is better than crying silently. It’s a way of venting emotions, and it clearly tells people what’s on her mind."

Chen Dabao didn’t quite understand, he just hung his head and sighed like an old man. Qi Qi and Hui Hui, who were in the basket, also seemed upset, echoing their little master’s sigh.