Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty-Chapter 64 - 63 Its Almost Time

Chapter 64: Chapter 63: It’s Almost Time

Chapter 64 -63: It’s Almost Time

Mrs. Hu had been quite brazen about her demand and Chen Shi had found it embarrassing to refuse. However, he knew that Chen Ye was quite conscious of his reputation and, not wanting to admit it was because Mrs. Hu cried or stole that he gave in, claimed that his household was doing so well that they specifically gave gifts to the main house.

Mrs. Wang then narrated how Chen Shi fell into debt while working on the main house, and it was only a few months ago that he managed to clear his debts. The harsh financial situation could barely afford his family any meat to eat. Currently, they daren’t return to the village, fearful of the backlash.

Hearing this, Mrs. Chen burst into tears, hammering her chest with her fist in anger, cursing Mrs. Hu as a shameless hussy and the Hus as a bunch of no-goods. Regretting the decision to allow her eldest son to marry this home-wrecking witch. After her tears dried, she entrusted everyone present never to speak of Mrs. Hu’s crying and demanding for the house and jewelry, as it would bring shame on Chen Ye. Her eldest son, who was a contributor to the Chens and was highly conscious of his reputation, she wouldn’t want to impose that embarrassment on him.

However, Mrs. Hu’s temper tantrum at the second house and her role in Chen Ming’s illness should be reported to Chen Ye so that he could chastise her.

The reason why Chen Shi couldn’t confide in Chen Ye about this situation was due to Chen Ye already reaping the benefits. While they could bring up the second house issue because Chen Ye wasn’t directly involved as the benefits hadn’t been received yet.

Mrs. Chen also mentioned that she would reprimand Mrs. Hu on her return and teach her some manners, like scrubbing the pigsty. The only two ways Mrs. Chen had to reprimand Mrs. Hu were to complain about her to Chen Ye, and to assign her these menial tasks.

Chen Afu sighed inwardly. Mrs. Hu’s audacity of demanding so brazenly was because she knew that the more outrageous her behavior was, the less likely these people dared to bring it up with Chen Ye. In the Chen family, Chen Ye was like a god. If his pride was hurt and he lost face, Mrs. Chen would feel distressed and both Chen Ming and Chen Shi would be upset.

At midday, Mrs. Chen did not stay for lunch at the second house and went back to report on, and deal with, Mrs. Hu.

Chen Ming hadn’t been feeling well and had his meal in bed. Shortly after he ate, Chen Ye and Chen Agui arrived.

The father and son apologized to Chen Ming. Chen Ye explained that he had already lectured and even beaten Mrs. Hu, hoping to appease Chen Ming. He promised to bring Mrs. Hu in the evening to apologize to Chen Ming in person. He further stressed the importance of brotherly unity and joint effort in overcoming difficulties.

Chen Ming had full faith in Chen Ye and his mood lifted after hearing these words.

As Chen Ye and his son still had work in the fields to attend to, they hastily left. Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang made a beeline for the New Courtyard to get to work.

In the late afternoon, a young man in his twenties arrived. He was the elder son of Manager Luo, Junior Manager Luo. He reassured them that Dabao had been invited to have dinner at their place and would be escorted back once the meal was over, so the Chens should not worry.

Mrs. Chen, Chen Ye and Mrs. Hu arrived back before dinner.

With Chen Ye and Mrs. Chen present, Mrs. Hu behaved meekly and didn’t support Qiao’s decisions. With red-rimmed eyes, she turned to Chen Ming and said, “Uncle Chen, don’t be mad. I’m straightforward and don’t mince my words. Your older brother yelled at and hit me, Mother-in-law scolded and punished me, I lost face and reputation. I’m sorry, I won’t blabber about this to outsiders anymore…”

Despite being angry with Mrs. Hu, Chen Ming didn’t want to put Chen Ye in a difficult position and said, “It’s good that you understand, elder sister-in-law.”

In the midst of this, Chen Dabao was escorted back by the junior manager Luo.

Upon seeing Dabao carrying only a package of pastries, and not numerous packages as Mrs. Hu had claimed, Chen Ye was finally relieved. He knew that his younger brother hadn’t hidden anything from him, and he was genuinely pleased.

Then, Mrs. Hu suggested that she and Alan, who were both skillful with their hands, could help with the creation of the nobles’ objects.

Mrs. Chen was actually tempted by the idea. If Mrs. Hu and Alan did help and managed to please the nobility, then the main house might also benefit.

Mrs. Wang hurriedly opposed, “Even if elder sister-in-law and Alan are skillful, they can’t help with this task. It’s not that I disagree but it’s because Mr. Luo said yesterday that these objects were for his young master to play with, and they had to be well-made and exquisite. He knew I used to be a seamstress, and therefore, gave them to me to make. Afu is just there to assist me.”

This comment was a result of a discussion between Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang in the late afternoon. They were aware of Mrs. Hu’s nature and feared she might want to join in, hence they had pre-planned this excuse.

Both Mrs. Chen and Chen Ye were afraid of giving offense to the nobles should the task be done poorly. Upon hearing Mrs. Wang’s admonition, they forbade Mrs. Hu from bringing up the matter again.

Then Mrs. Wang added, “If there’s any leftover satin, I’ll give a piece to the mother and to the uncle to make clothes.”

At this, Mrs. Chen broke out into a smile.

Waving his hand, Chen Ye said, “Don’t think about saving the satin, just make sure the work for the nobleman is perfect. If there’s any satin left and the nobleman doesn’t want it, we can make a nice outfit for my mother, so she can wear some satin in her old age. I work in the fields every day, I’m not the type to wear satin.”

At this, Mrs. Chen burst into hearty laughter. “Oh my, I heard this satin cloth is quite nice and shiny. Wearing it when I’m of old age would make this old woman fashionable.”

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Mrs. Hu hurriedly added, “If there’s enough satin available after making something for Mother, we should make an outfit for elder sister-in-law. She’s reached this age and hasn’t yet worn a satin outfit. Oh, we should also make something for Aju, she likes pretty things.”

At this, Chen Ye’s face turned red with embarrassment, he clenched his fists and yelled, “How can you be so demanding, you disgusting woman? You’ve destroyed my pride, I swear I’ll beat you to death if you continue like this.”

Seeing his elder brother so embarrassed, Chen Ming quickly attempted to placate him, “Calm down, big brother. We’re all family, let’s not fight. If there is anything left, we will make outfits for the elder sister-in-law and Aju.”

Chen Afu was left speechless. Despite the commotion caused by Mrs. Hu, she managed to score an outfit made of satin cloth, even Aju was promised one. It was infuriating!

After a bit of chatting and laughing, they shared some pastries with everyone, then escorted the three of them home.

Even though the second house had been victimized and Mrs. Hu threw a tantrum, they still managed to score a satin outfit. Despite having been slapped a few times, possibly she felt worth it because she achieved what she wanted.

This incident left Chen Afu feeling uncomfortable. It wasn’t because she was unwilling to part with a few yards of satin, but the principle of the situation pained her. How could they just capitulate to Mrs. Hu’s deplorable behavior?

Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang, on the other hand, seemed quite pleased. In their eyes, while Mrs. Hu got a thrashing from Chen Ye and aroused the wrath of Mrs. Chen, lost face and reputation, and all she gained was a few lengths of satin – an outcome that posed no great harm to the second house.

Chen Afu realized she had been too naive before. Given her present situation, even if Mrs. Hu demanded something unreasonably, there were too many outside pressures forcing her to comply.

She felt a growing urge to quickly increase her own power.

With Chen Afu and Mrs. Wang working tirelessly day and night, they managed to complete the swallow puppets by late afternoon on the third day. In addition, they made a tiger puppet and a chick puppet, as tokens of appreciation for Manager Luo’s grandchildren. The tiger puppet was quite complex and Chen Afu didn’t know how to make it, so she drew the design and Mrs. Wang did the cutting and sewing.

Upon hearing that the unique puppets were ready, both Chen Ming and Alu came over to have a look. Before visiting, they made sure to wash their hands as they knew the puppets needed to stay clean.

Chen Ming was a bit hesitant to enter the east room, so Chen Afu laughed, assisted him in and playfully said, “Dad, I’m your daughter, why are you being so formal?”