Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me
Chapter 261 - 131: Shi Yumei Swallows Her Pride (2)

Chapter 261: Chapter 131: Shi Yumei Swallows Her Pride (2)

Shi Yumei opened her mouth slightly and lowered her head, "I just can’t stand the unfair treatment toward cousin Fangzi—"

"Silence!" Mrs. Wang’s face darkened again, "Watch how you speak! Fangzi is my own niece and grew up with Fengju since they were young. She willingly chose to be a concubine, and I have promised her that if she bears a son, I’ll raise her status to legitimate wife and allow her to wear red dresses. What grievances could she possibly have? She herself doesn’t complain, so what gives you the right to meddle? You’d better pay more attention to that ’fairy’ in your own quarters! I warn you, no matter what, Miss Wan is the wife, and Fangzi is the concubine. There has always been a distinction between wife and concubine from time immemorial, and any change to this order would mean family rebellion and chaos! Our Shi family would never commit such acts of favoring a concubine over the legitimate wife!"

"But Fangzi and my brother are the true couple! It’s clear that Sang Wan is being deceitful!"

"The marriage agreement between the two families was decided by your grandfather when he was alive, so are you criticizing him as well?" Mrs. Wang glared at her and sighed lightly, "I must admit my own oversight! If I had known that Fangzi and Fengju would develop to this stage, I wouldn’t have allowed them to be in contact so often! Alas, I thought they were just kids and it was not a big deal, but who would have thought—Never mention this matter again, do you hear me?"

Shi Yumei was suddenly at a loss for words and reluctantly responded: "Yes, I heard you!"

At Aunt Fang’s place in the second house of the Shi family, Aunt Fang was diligently serving tea to Second Master Shi, listening to him excitedly talk about his treasured birds and fish.

As the conversation moved on to the canary he had just acquired, Second Master Shi said with a smile: "Speaking of which, this incident even involved the good fortune of our eldest sister-in-law’s brother from her natal family, haha, if not for him, that rustic Mr. Jin would never have parted with it so readily! Haha, if that young man becomes a top scholar or something next year, our Shi family will certainly bask in his glory!"

Seizing the opportunity she had long calculated for, Aunt Fang lavished praise on Sang Yufei, clicking her tongue in admiration: "Indeed, the eldest sister-in-law is truly respectable for her grace, character, and the way she treats people. Who would expect her brother to be so accomplished and an exemplary figure of talent? Truly a dragon amongst men! I wonder which fortunate girl will have the luck of marrying him!"

"Oh?" Second Master Shi pinched Aunt Fang’s fair cheek while smirking and said: "You’re not falling for him, are you? Want me to follow the lead of our brother-in-law and present a concubine as a gesture of goodwill?"

"Oh dear Master!" Aunt Fang repeatedly spat in disdain, and with a flirtatious glance rebuked Second Master Shi: "What nonsense are you talking about! That’s so indecent!" After a chuckle and a coquettish glance, "Even if I were willing, why would someone like him fancy me? I’d better just serve you properly, Master!"

"Hah, at least you have some self-awareness!" Second Master Shi laughed, "With your looks, I wouldn’t take you even if I was like him!"

"You!" Aunt Fang retorted in annoyance: "Master, regardless, I bore you a daughter, and this is how you talk about me?"

"I’m just joking, why are you getting so worked up!" Second Master Shi said with amusement.

"Your jokes aren’t funny at all!" Aunt Fang gave him a disgruntled look.

"What? Angry now?" Second Master Shi chuckled, pinched her cheek again, and smilingly said, "You have the nerve to blame me when it was you who brought him up with nothing but praises!"

"I have something I wanted to discuss with you! And here you are, making fun of me instead!" Aunt Fang turned her head away from his hands and said with a cold face.

That was Second Master Shi’s temperament; he was most susceptible to an indirect approach. Seeing this, he was not angered but instead coaxed Aunt Fang patiently and eagerly asked her what she wanted to discuss.

Seeing that the moment was ripe, Aunt Fang softened her expression, and taking the opportunity to act coquettishly, she sighed and said with a reproachful glance at Second Master Shi: "What else could it be? With you, Master, I have nothing to worry about. It’s about my daughter!"

"Arui?" Second Master Shi was taken aback, "What’s happened with Arui? Has she caused trouble?"

"Master!" Aunt Fang reproved, "Arui is so well-behaved and obedient, how could she possibly cause trouble! Alas, the girl is growing up day by day, and it’s time to find her a good family to marry into. In principle, this is for the Master and Madam to decide, and it’s not my place as a concubine to speak of such matters, but after all, Arui is my own flesh and blood, how can I not love her?"

Second Master Shi initially felt a smidge of displeasure and resistance, thinking the Madam should be the one to decide and that Aunt Fang shouldn’t worry about it, but after hearing her out, he found he couldn’t speak those words. After all, Arui was her biological child, and it’s only natural for a mother to care for her offspring. She even showed respect for the Madam, which demonstrated proper manners.

"You’re worrying too soon! How old is Arui? It’s still early!" Second Master Shi dismissed the concern with a laugh.

Aunt Fang hurriedly said, "Master, Arui is twelve in nominal age, and turning thirteen next year, it’s not too early! It’s better to decide on these matters early and prepare in advance! Besides, as time passes by year after year, all the good matches will be taken by others!"

"Look how anxious you are!" Second Master Shi laughed, "Rest assured, I’ve always cherished Arui since she was little, I wouldn’t bear to see her aggrieved! With our Shi family’s status, are we worried about finding a good son-in-law? Even if she were to marry tomorrow, I could prepare her dowry overnight. What’s there to prepare? Honestly, you worry about nothing when you’ve got free time!"

Aunt Fang grew anxious and spoke straightforwardly, "I have no other intentions! I was just thinking, since there’s a suitable match available right now, why not secure it early and put this matter to rest?"

"A suitable match?" Second Master Shi expressed surprise.