Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me
Chapter 128 - 64: I Haven’t Forgotten My Promise, Yet You Never Believed_2

Chapter 128: Chapter 64: I Haven’t Forgotten My Promise, Yet You Never Believed_2

The next day, Shi Fengju returned to Shi Mansion. Gu Fangzi personally escorted him to the door, unable to hide her reluctance as she said, "Cousin, don’t forget your promise!"

Shi Fengju thought to himself, I have never forgotten my promise, but you’ve never believed it!

"Alright." He smiled faintly, turned around, and left.

As the main gate of Shi Mansion came into view, Shi Fengju rubbed his temple with a headache and shook his head as he stepped inside.

Mrs. Wang was very displeased with her son’s behavior for visiting Gu Fangzi before coming home. Seeing his still ruffled expression upon his return, she turned her face away and refused to speak to him. Shi Fengju had no choice but to coax her for a while before she finally cheered up again.

"How is Fangzi doing now?" In the end, Mrs. Wang sighed and asked. Despite being annoyed with her son, she was still more concerned about Gu Fangzi.

Shi Fengju briefly described the situation there.

It was not much different from what Mrs. Wang had imagined, and after sighing a few times, she let it go.

"It’s good that you’re back! Hurry back to see Miss Wan and get some rest! You must be exhausted from all the traveling and busyness these last few days!" said Mrs. Wang.

"Mother, I have something I want to ask you," said Shi Fengju. "In your letter, you mentioned August 6th—"

"Forget what I said!" Mrs. Wang quickly interrupted with a wave of her hand. "That’s naturally out of the question now! Let’s wait until Fangzi has finished mourning!" Now, the last thing Mrs. Wang wanted to hear was mention of this matter, even if it was brought up by her son. It made her truly uncomfortable.

"No," Shi Fengju said, "let’s stick to the original plan! Bring cousin into the mansion on August 6th!"

"What!" Mrs. Wang’s eyes widened in surprise. "You, you mean to bring her in on August 6th? This, this is to—"

"Cousin is not getting any younger, three years," Shi Fengju’s lips curled up in a mix of seriousness and jest. "That’s too long; she can’t wait that long!"

Mrs. Wang was left speechless, and then said, "Since you’ve already said so, I suppose Fangzi has the same idea! Well then, let it be within the hundred-day mourning period! The sooner she enters the mansion, the better, as she will have someone to look after her! But let’s be clear, consummation must wait until three years later! We can’t mess up the major rules! After all, it was her own father who passed away!"

"I know," Shi Fengju nodded in agreement.

"And as for Miss Wan, you talk to her yourself," Mrs. Wang said, sounding rather uninterested. She thought to herself how this entire affair had become so bothersome and felt quite uneasy.

"Mhm!" Shi Fengju’s heart tightened, and he could only nod, "For everything else, I’ll have to ask you to give instructions and arrange it, Mother."

As they were discussing this, Mrs. Li heard that Shi Fengju had returned and hurried over. Upon seeing her arrival, Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "This matter was initially taken care of by Mrs. Li, so just ask her about it!"

Shi Fengju smiled and greeted Mrs. Li, then told her the situation.

Mrs. Li was initially stunned, then couldn’t help but curse inwardly: What a heartless woman she must be to be in such a hurry to get married when her father has just died! She may not worry about her own tough lot in life, but what if it causes trouble for the young master?

Mrs. Li regretted not discussing the matter thoroughly with Mrs. Wang in advance. Now that Mrs. Wang has agreed and the young master has shown such an attitude, she had no choice but to swallow her words. Thankfully, they would only consummate the marriage after three years!

"Since it’s within the mourning period and she’s becoming a concubine, there’s no need for anything special. No need to set up a banquet! On that day, a small sedan chair can be brought in through the side door, and that’s it! Making too much of a fuss would rather invite gossip."

Mrs. Li said this, wishing deep down that on a dark and windy night, she could quietly lift Gu Fangzi up on a small sedan and bring her in, then lock her in peony garden forever and never let her step out again.

"And about the peony garden, it probably needs to be re-arranged since many of the things there are now inappropriate. After all, she who is mourning must abide by more customs and taboos! The dead must be respected and the rituals observed! Provoking the spirits is something we can’t afford to mess with!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang clasped her hands in prayer and recited a phrase for the Buddha, then hurriedly added, "You’re always the most thorough thinker, eldest sister! We’ll go ahead with your idea! Also, do you think we should specially set up a room to place Gu Jin’s tablet, so Fangzi can offer incense and pay her respects morning and evening?"

"Yes, certainly!" Mrs. Li nodded. "The servant will have someone tidy up a wing room in peony garden right away! This way, once cousin enters, she won’t be delayed in performing her filial duties!"

Mrs. Li’s mention of "cousin" reminded Mrs. Wang, who then said, "Right! Since the marriage hasn’t been consummated, when Fangzi comes, let’s still address her as cousin!"

"What the young lady has said is absolutely right! That’s exactly how it should be done!" Mrs. Li’s smile deepened at the corners of her mouth.

They continued their conversation, each sentence coherent and rational. Shi Fengju stood aside, not having the opportunity to interject. Moreover, he did not even know what else he should say. She had already given up, hadn’t she?

After finalizing their plans, they each went their separate ways. Mrs. Li took some people and went straight to the peony garden, while Shi Fengju hesitated, taking one fast step and one slow step, as he headed back to Ningyuan.

Meanwhile, Sang Wan was completely unaware of this matter. She was very calm and composed.

"The young master is back!" Upon hearing the maid’s report, Sang Wan busily led her attendants out to greet him. She welcomed Shi Fengju into the house with a smile and commanded her maids to fetch water and prepare tea.

Shi Fengju’s heart unexpectedly lightened, and he couldn’t help but look up at her. Before him stood the woman with her hair demurely coiffed, adorned with a simple hairpin. She wore a goose-yellow lighthearted damask outer coat embroidered with orchid grass, paired with an ivory white long skirt. Her slender figure moved gracefully and elegantly, her sparkling eyes bright, her smile gentle, exuding an indescribable tranquility and natural grace, making one forget the mundane world.

"Hmm, you’ve worked hard at home!" Shi Fengju smiled slightly and nodded.

Sang Wan glanced at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, and jokingly said, "Look at how the young master puts it! There’s a saying that goes, ’Thousands of days are well at home, but it’s hard to be out even for a day.’ What hardships did I have? Rather, it’s the young master who has tirelessly traveled to and fro. You still look quite spirited, young master!"