Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty-Chapter 62 - 61 Concealing Selfishness

Chapter 62: Chapter 61: Concealing Selfishness

Chapter 62 -61: Concealing Selfishness

Despite her beliefs, Mrs. Wang, a former embroidery artist, had a forward-leaning aesthetic taste. She instinctively felt the dolls would indeed look attractive, so she began to carefully embroider on the satin designated by Afu.

Not long after, they heard Mrs. Hu’s loud voice from the old courtyard, but paid it no mind. If she wishes to make a fuss, let her be, and see if Tang Garden is indeed within her capabilities.

It turned out that when Mrs. Hu returned home last night, her daughter, Aju, told her that Hu Cuicui had mentioned Mr. Luo drove a carriage to the second branch of the family with what appeared to be a multitude of beautiful satin from the vehicle.

Hearing this, Mrs. Hu gnashed her teeth and cursed, “What a heartless creature, giving us nothing nice, only sugar and pastries. He got some cotton and fine linen for your father to make a cotton coat, and your father was so moved. Just those cheap things, only given to your father and your wet nurse, without even considering me.”

With a coquettish voice, Aju said, “Mother, go to the second branch and claim some satin for me. I want to make a few beautiful dresses.”

Mrs. Hu nodded approval and added, “Let’s also make two outfits for your uncle and Cuicui.”

Returning to her room, she vented her anger to Chen Ye. “I’ve said before that your second uncle is not as sincere as your third uncle. Despite my warning, you worked hard for them as though it is your own family. Yesterday, many people in the village saw Mr. Luo delivering satin to the second branch. They hid it, only giving us some candies and pastries…”

Chen Ye was not comfortable hearing about Chen Ming’s clandestine actions. He had always believed that brothers should be united and support each other. He was willing to help his brothers, but wished more that they would not overlook his contributions and keep him in mind.

Mrs. Hu often compared Chen Ming unfavorably to Chen Shi, and Chen Ye was reluctant to listen, especially not pleased with Mrs. Hu’s demand from Chen Ming. Considering the hardships of his second brother’s family, he understood their poverty. Now that the second brother’s family was better off and often thought of him, the food they often sent made him very happy. It wasn’t the food itself that he valued, it was the fact Chen Ming kept him in mind.

But if they really had received so much satin and concealed it without telling him, it would be hard to justify.

Would he take their share if they told him about it?

Unwilling to let Mrs. Hu know his thoughts, he voiced out, “Stop making baseless assumptions. Second brother isn’t like that. It must be the village folks who saw it wrong and are spreading rumors.”

Mrs. Hu was not convinced that the villagers could have been mistaken. She had always felt that the people of the second branch were dishonest. Some embroidery women could earn several pieces of silver a month, yet Mrs. Wang claimed she couldn’t even earn a single piece. Pretending to be poor every day, who would believe that?

After thinking long into the night, she decided to let Dahu and Daya accompany Dabao to Tang Garden. She has always believed that her grandchildren were much superior to Dabao. If Dabao could capture the affection of Mr. Luo and the aristocrats, her grandchildren surely would be better liked. Even a sliver of the wealth of the gentleman of Tang Garden would be more than enough for her family.

Only after Chen Ye and Agui left for work this morning, did she secretly take Dahu and Daya with her.

As soon as Dabao saw the three of them, he invited them to sit in the courtyard, informing them that he was waiting for Manager Luo to pick him up. He also mentioned that Grandpa and Uncle were unwell and still in bed while grandma was busy outside.

Mrs. Hu intended to go to the New Courtyard, but found the door locked from the inside. Seeing the people asleep in the two rooms, she couldn’t go in either. Left with no choice, she sat in the courtyard with the children.

Seeing Dahu, Daya, Qi Qi, Hui Hui, and Zhui Feng playing happily, Mrs. Hu watched the two birds thoughtfully.

At about late morning, Manager Luo arrived.

As soon as he saw Manager Luo, Dabao immediately got up to greet him and said, “Grandpa Luo.”

A gloom fell over Manager Luo’s face, anger simmering within him. He’d already explained to this family that he wouldn’t entertain further notions about that child and the parrot, and yesterday he’d given so many pieces of satin and other presents. Even if these were meant for making dolls, how much satin could they possibly need? His young master was just being compassionate, giving them an excess so they could make clothing. He specifically said the child could go to Tang Garden himself.

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Assuming that this family would take the hint today and let the child go alone, he didn’t expect they were still waiting for him to escort them.

Without entering the door, he stood outside the fence and said, “Dabao, I came to take you. Let’s go.”

Dabao didn’t move, instead he pointed to the two children beside him and said, “This is my brother Dahu and this is my sister Daya. They also want to go to Tang Garden with me.”

Manager Luo looked at Dahu and Daya in surprise and knew that these were not Dabao’s siblings, they must be children from the main branch of the Chens.

Mrs. Hu, who had been standing there, finally had the chance to speak. She approached with a smile and said, “Hello, Manager Luo. I am Dabao’s great-aunt, this is my grandson Dahu and my granddaughter Daya. In terms of cleverness, they greatly surpass Dabao. They, too, wish to accompany Dabao to play with the young noble. More children present would make it more lively, wouldn’t they?”

As she was meeting old Mr. Luo, Mrs. Hu went to great lengths to dress up. She specially donned her choice lake-blue embroidered silk waistcoat, donned two silver hairpins, wore a gold clove and also applied rouge. The waistcoat was not fitting well because it was something she begged for from Chen Shi’s wife, Mrs. Zhang, who had returned to her hometown a few years ago. Although she had let out the seams, it was still somewhat short and tight.

Manager Luo had never seen such a shameless woman. In his heart, he sneered. Did she think that Tang Garden was the grove to the east of the village that anyone could visit whenever they pleased? Not to mention his young master was ill and couldn’t be around strangers, even if he was not sick, he was not someone these peasants could meet as and when they wanted.

Seeing Manager Luo silent, Mrs. Hu smiled again. “Dabao’s mother originally was dumb, utterly stupid. Dabao ain’t particularly smart either, nowhere near as sharp as my children are.”

Mrs. Hu’s words angered Dabao, leaving him red in the face, twisting his fingers, but he didn’t dare to speak out.

Manager Luo was far too clever. Seeing this scene and hearing Mrs. Hu’s words made it alarmingly clear what was happening. He had always considered this family different, not prone to taking advantage, but it turned out there were people like this waiting here. It was bullying to speak so bluntly about a child’s mother in his presence. The child didn’t dare to retaliate, clearly accustomed to Mrs. Hu’s oppression.

Manager Luo’s expression darkened even more, radiating authority. Daya, frightened, hid behind Mrs. Hu’s leg, and Dahu also dared not step forward.

Mrs. Hu was incensed, still smiling at Manager Luo while forcefully pulling Daya in front. Frightened, Daya burst into tears.

Seeing Mrs. Hu’s antics, Dabao’s face became even more flushed. His resentment toward Mrs. Hu grew, but couldn’t ignore the fact she was his relative, casting shame on him.

Manager Luo scoffed coldly, “Because your children are clever, they must accompany my young master to play? What a joke. There are countless people in the world who believe they are clever, can my young master possibly entertain all of them?”

Mrs. Hu hadn’t anticipated this reaction. Her own children were indeed superior to Dabao. She hurriedly defended, “I didn’t speak without basis. It’s true that my children are more intelligent. Since your young master is a girl, shouldn’t she be happier playing with a girl…”