Chapter 255 - 254: Asking for Help
After Mrs. Chu and Chu Lingxuan left, Fu Garden returned to its usual tranquillity.
Every day at late morning, Chu Hanyan and Chu Lingzhi would come to Fu Garden, where Chen Afu taught the three children. At midday, Marquis Chu would also come here for a meal. After the meal, Marquis Chu would return to Tang Garden to rest, then come back in the evening for another meal, and then the elder and the two children would return to Tang Garden.
Chu Lingxuan came back every few days, always in a hurry. He was probably busy until late at night before he hurriedly returned, making up excuses to talk to Chen Afu at Fu Garden, bringing gifts for the children, and leaving hurriedly before dawn the next day.
The time of separation was long, but the meetings were brief. Coupled with Chu Lingxuan’s worn-out appearance, Chen Afu’s concerns and affections for him deepened. She would prepare food for him late into the night for him to take back to the Yamen or army camp. Even though their time together was brief, they cherished their moments under the lantern-light. Their greetings, mutual concern, or shared smiles brought them immense joy.
On the 29th of April and the 10th of May, Chu Lingxuan was supposed to be resting, but he had work and couldn’t come back. Not only was Chu Hanyan disappointed, even Chen Afu felt a bit let down. Only Dabao was secretly pleased.
On the 12th of May, the long-awaited Mr. Liao finally arrived from the Capital City.
Mr. Liao, in his fifties, was somewhat thin. His deep gaze gave the impression of a learned man. Chen Dabao, Chu Lingzhi, and Chen Alu officially became his students.
The study was located in the Outer Court of Tang Garden. From then on, every morning around 9 a.m., Dabao and Alu would set off from home to Tang Garden for lessons, taking every tenth day off. However, at midday and in the evening, they would still come to Fu Garden for meals with Marquis Chu. Chen Afu also invited Mr. Liao over, but when he didn’t come, she occasionally sent him some food.