Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me
Chapter 120 - 60 Everything Must Follow Rules_2

Chapter 120: Chapter 60 Everything Must Follow Rules_2

Sang Wan hurriedly said, "All I want is for my second brother to return safely. As for topping the examination list, there will always be opportunities!"

Unable to comprehend her feelings behind these words, Sang Yufei took it as consolation. He nodded, smiled, and assured her with a "Don’t worry!" before turning to leave.

After Sang Yufei left, Sang Wan’s heart remained tightly clenched, suspended in mid-air, her mind uncontrollably wandering. Only when she thought of the two servants accompanying him did she feel slightly relieved. It was not until three days later, when the servants returned to report that the uncle was safe in Hangzhou and had settled into an inn, that Sang Wan could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Gu Fangzi could not delay any longer. Reluctantly finishing the handover, she boarded the carriage with Lan Xiang and left the Shi Mansion.

Before departing, she could not help but turn back for a deep, lingering look at the Shi family’s impressive courtyard, its high walls and grand eaves giving her an unprecedented sense of solidity.

Soon, she would return! By then, this place would genuinely, completely, and utterly belong to her—Gu Fangzi!

Sang Wan also collected her emotions and familiarized herself with the household affairs while arranging for the peony garden to be refurbished and decorated, making preparations for the upcoming event.

In truth, Sang Wan didn’t need to worry about these matters, as Mrs. Li was already eagerly waiting to show Gu Fangzi a lesson with this task, Sang Wan thus willingly left everything to her care.

After receiving Sang Wan’s instructions and getting endorsement from Mrs. Wang, Mrs. Li took charge decisively. All the exquisite porcelain and jade decorations in the peony garden were stored in the warehouse, replaced by ordinary quality handicrafts. The complete set of huanghuali wood furniture was also swapped for common fir furniture, with the exception of the raden-embellished bed depicting landscapes and figures—since Shi Fengju would also sleep on it, that was why it remained. All the window curtains, door curtains, brocade screens, and table and chair fabrics in bright red were replaced with light pink or pine-green colors. Of course, the quality of the materials was also downgraded by a notch or two.

Mrs. Li proclaimed that this was the treatment a concubine deserved. She even mentioned that if it weren’t for the fact that she’s the niece, she wouldn’t be eligible to live in such a spacious courtyard like peony garden! The implication was that they had already been more than generous to her!

When it came to inviting guests for the feast, Mrs. Li claimed that the Shi family had already held one celebration for the main wife this year, and taking in a concubine at this time wasn’t suitable for hosting guests. Moreover, there was no one from the Gu Family that needed an invitation. Since that was the gist of it, there was no need for more than a token effort. Just setting up three to five tables in the mansion, one for the masters, others for the senior servants, and yet more for the distinguished old maids and head maids from the various courtyards to liven things up would suffice.

Mrs. Wang felt that something seemed amiss even though it sounded reasonable, and she laughed, "It makes sense when you put it that way, but it seems a bit unfair to Fangzi!"

"How could it be unfair!" Mrs. Li quickly replied with a smile, "Isn’t this how it is for every concubine in any household! Miss, don’t forget, from now on she will not be your niece, but the young master’s concubine! Our Shi family is a household of principles, and a concubine who behaves like a concubine won’t lose the Shi family’s face! If people start talking about favoring the concubine and neglecting the wife, and not to mention what others might say, Mrs. Zhuang could twist it into anything!"

Adding weightily, "The niece has always been sensible and knowledgeable about etiquette, she will surely agree with doing things this way! It’s for the dignity of the entire Shi family!"

Absolutely cannot tolerate being spoken of by Mrs. Zhuang! Mrs. Wang’s expression shifted, and she stated resolutely, "Correct! We in the Shi family are principled, and we cannot afford to give people a reason to gossip!"

"Miss has spoken rightly! Then, as a servant, I will prepare as instructed!" Mrs. Li’s smile bloomed even brighter.

"Very well, elder sister, you’ve worked hard!"

"Not at all! Miss, you flatter me too much!"

The mistress and the servant smiled at each other.

Shi Fengju had initially sent word that he could return by the latter part of July, but unexpected matters delayed him until early August. The auspicious date was set for the start of August, and upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but become anxious. Considering the time, she thought it unnecessary to wait for her niece to give her son a surprise. She commanded someone to send an urgent message to Shi Fengju, telling him of the situation and asking him to return before the sixth day of August, no matter what!

Time was also running out for the Sang family. Mrs. Wang reluctantly ordered Sang Wan to return home once to inform Sang Hong and Mrs. Fang.

Sang Wan reluctantly complied with the order.

Upon receiving the news, both Sang Hong and Mrs. Fang’s expressions changed. Sang Hong, stunned as if turned to stone, couldn’t believe it was true for a good while, while Mrs. Fang, after her initial shock, burst into consecutive cold laughter, "I guessed as much! It turns out to be exactly like that!"

Mrs. Fang believed that the Sang family should confront the matter head-on to show that they were not to be trifled with. However, Sang Hong feared causing trouble and worried about Sang Wan being mistreated in the future, which stopped Mrs. Fang from taking drastic actions.

Infuriated, Mrs. Fang ranted and, seeing neither her husband nor her sister-in-law inclined to cause a scene, she also grew disheartened. In anger and frustration, she coldly laughed, "Indeed! Since the proper Sang family members aren’t worried, why should I bother myself! Do as you please! To be treated like this and still bear it, the Sang family truly has good patience!"

She then left in a huff.

Tears immediately streamed down Sang Wan’s face. She called out, "Elder sister!" and grasped Mrs. Fang’s arm tightly, choking back sobs, "I know elder sister cares for me, and I’m filled with unspeakable gratitude! But, but Gu Fangzi and the young master have long been affectionate towards one another, whether sooner or later, it would have come to this! I—"

Sang Wan stubbornly pulled Mrs. Fang to sit down and briefly recounted the situation between Gu Fangzi and Shi Fengju. Both Sang Hong and Mrs. Fang were stunned and then even more enraged.

"This is all big brother’s foolishness! Had we known it would come to this, we should have called off the marriage!" Sang Hong lamented regretfully.