Rebirth of an Abandoned Woman

“Yes!” Shi Yumei laughed and said, “Fengju is used to fooling around with you when you were both still young, didn’t he used to help you a lot with this and that? That’s just him being himself, but for some reason, Mother wasn’t too happy about it. She mentioned to me that she was so infuriated that she could not sleep! I really don’t know what to say anymore! She really dotes on Fengju too much! But Fengju is not someone who doesn’t know his limits. Furthermore, he isn’t a child now; he won’t behave like how he was in the past. Fooling around sometimes helps to be a change of pace for him! I had to coax Mother for quite a while!”

Gu Fangzi suddenly felt her body turn as cold as ice. She had finally found the answer she was looking for! No wonder her aunt was acting a little weird yesterday, so this was the reason!

Cousin Yumei, Cousin Yumei, why did you talk about the past all of a sudden! Do you know you will be the death of me this time! Gu Fangzi felt distressed and she cried out to the heavens in her heart!

She knew Wang Shi more than Shi Yumei did. For Wang Shi to have heard those words from Shi Yumei, she would not only be mad at Sang Wan, but also at her too. Her imagination must have run wild which was no wonder that she had suggested arranging another marriage! If it was in the past, even if her cousin, Shi Fengju, was brainwashed by that vixen, Sang Wan, to arrange another marriage, her aunt would never agree. But yesterday, those words clearly came out from her aunt’s mouth.

“What’s wrong? Why does your complexion look so poor?” Shi Yumei sighed after finally realizing that Gu Fangzi was acting abnormal.

“Nothing, I’m fine!” Gu Fangzi forced a smile and shook her head.

Shi Yumei thought she knew Gu Fangzi well. She held her hands up and patted them as she sighed, “You don’t have to think too much! Sang Wan and Fengju’s marriage was fixed by my grandfather and cannot be changed! Let alone the fact that she is now married into our family! Even though Fengju is nice to her, he doesn’t treat you badly as well! Both of you have had feelings for each other since young; that cannot be compared with Sang Wan. Fangzi, must not attempt anything foolish! I am too familiar with Fengju’s personality. So long as you don’t do anything foolish, he will never turn his back on you!”

“Cousin Yumei!” Gu Fangzi knew that her own emotions were showing on her face and she quickly adjusted it back. With a smile, she said, “I know that, you don’t have to worry! Sister Sang Wan is Big Cousin’s wife, why would I be so foolish as to scheme against her? It is only logical for Big Cousin to treat her well! I am happy as long as I can stay in the Shi household, and be by Aunt Wang and Big Cousin’s side, really! I will always remember my place!”

Shi Yumei was feeling both satisfied yet sad at the same time. She smiled and spoke a while more with Gu Fangzi before leaving.

After Shi Yumei left, Gu Fangzi was so mad she was speechless, and her face was as cold as ice. She never dreamt that the problem was because of Shi Yumei. In the end, the one to ruin her happiness entirely and remove her mightiest backing without any premonitions was Shi Yumei!

Gu Fangzi was extremely infuriated, yet could not vent it out because she knew that Shi Yumei did not do so on purpose! However, what was done unintentionally was even more frustrating than what was done intentionally!

Gu Fangzi knew how stubborn her aunt was. Since she now had ill-feelings towards her, to get on her good side, she had to think of a good way, and that required much brainstorming.

While Gu Fangzi was gritting her teeth to regain her advantage, Shi Fengju told Sang Wan about his mother suggesting marriage to another family to Gu Fangzi in Ning Garden1Ning GardenSang Wan & Shi Fengju’s place of residence. Sang Wan was naturally worried about it, but she knew that the matter was not within her control, and not something that could be solved by being worried. As such, she comforted Shi Fengju gently to not rush the process and take his time. Seeing how she did not rush him, he was delighted. After all, she was his wife, and she knew his struggle!

Gu Fangzi made the most of her time to express her filialness towards Wang Shi, and omitted any mention about leaving, almost as if Wang Shi had never suggested it to her before. Her expression remained undisturbed and she did not attempt to fawn over her or gain some sympathy. At first, Wang Shi was a little uncomfortable, but that feeling dissipated after awhile. Gu Fangzi saw that it was about time, and intentionally began to talk about some things from the past to Wang Shi. She did not say much but instead focused on the main point, the rest were for Wang Shi to imagine and make the connections herself. On a whole, it was about how she was young and insensible while her cousin remained patient with her which she was still forever grateful for.

Again, Wang Shi’s heart wavered after listening to Gu Fangzi. She suddenly thought of how her daughter spoke about them so casually, as if it was anything but serious. Her daughter had always been very protective of her brother. If Fangzi really was unreasonable, surely her daughter would not have been alright with it.

Wang Shi was suddenly remorseful, as she felt she had accused Gu Fangzi. Seeing how she was so filial and caring towards her, and so insistent, the thought of arranging her another marriage subsided.

Gu Fangzi saw that her objective had been met, and was very elated. She sneered coldly, and tactfully did not talk about the remarriage at all as she put all her effort into serving Wang Shi. She could not wait for Sang Wan to take the initiative to talk about the remarriage with Wang Shi. When that happens, it would be seen as her own agenda! Wang Shi would deal with her herself, and she did not even have to make an appearance.

Sang Wan was naturally not foolish enough to attract suspicion upon herself. About the remarriage, other than what Shi Fengju told her privately, she never expressed it and remained oblivious in front Wang Shi.

Instead, it was Shi Fengju who could not hold his tongue and asked his mother how the remarriage was going.

Wang Shi was unwilling to give a clear stance like before, and said “Gu Fangzi’s mourning period hasn’t ended! This isn’t something that can be handled cleanly so quickly!”

Shi Fengju turned somewhat gloomy as he thought to himself: How can something so simple not be handled cleanly? But he said, “I understand. Mother, then please let her know about it anytime. I will send someone to search for a suitable family to avoid being too late!”

Hearing him, Wang Shi panicked, “There’s no need to rush this! Wait for awhile, just wait awhile more! Fengju, Fangzi has stayed in our household for so many years, and I’ve always seen her as part of our family! My heart feels empty when you suddenly want to send her away! Fengju, why don’t you think it through a little more! I think Fangzi is good woman, and didn’t you like her a lot in the past? It’s not as if our family cannot afford another bowl of rice, we should let her stay!”

“Mother!” Shi Fengju’s expression changed, “No way, I don’t want her to stay at all!”

Wang Shi finally realized something amiss, and her expression became solemn as she threaded her question slowly, “Fengju, tell Mother honestly, did something happen between you and Fangzi?”

How could he? Shi Fengju creased his eyebrows and said, “Nevermind that, don’t ask me anymore! Mother, I am being very serious. I cannot accept her as my concubine anymore. She has to leave in the end, if not, it will be the same as sabotaging her entire life!”

Shi Fengju left immediately after throwing his words. Wang Shi was stunned and could not wrap her head around what he had said.

Shi Fengju was furious as he glared in the direction of Peony Park2Peony ParkGu Fangzi’s place of residence for a moment before heading towards the direction.

He had wanted to leave some face for her by asking his mother to pass on the message, and finally letting his mother make the decision. When that happened, he would play a filial son who followed his mother’s wishes. If it played out that way, the eyes of outsiders or the people in the household would see it as the Old Mistress of the family feeling sorry for her niece and deciding on this decision in the end. The Young Master of the family, being filial, obeyed his mother’s wishes. With that, it would be ideal for both parties!

However, if she did not want this courtesy, then she should not blame him for telling her directly!

“Big Cousin! You’re here!” Upon seeing Shi Fengju, Gu Fangzi went to welcome him with a smile and could not help but feel jubilant. She was very satisfied with what she had done. In the end, the problem really lay with her aunt. She must have spoken some good words for her, if not, why would her cousin come to Peony Park to see her?

“Big Cousin, I didn’t think that you’d come! Lan Xiang, what are you waiting for? Go and pour a cup of tea!” Gu Fangzi grabbed Shi Fengju’s arm happily and welcomed him before hurriedly ordering Lan Xiang.

Shi Fengju pulled his arm away without hesitation, and took two steps back. He looked at her and said indifferently, “I don’t need the tea. Lan Xiang, you may leave! I have a few words to speak with you, and will leave once I’m done.”

“Big Cousin, you, what’s wrong?” Gu Fangzi’s smile froze, tears clouding her eyes.

In her attempt to make things difficult, Shi Fengju felt immensely disgusted. With his eyebrows creased, he said, “Cousin Fangzi, there are no outsiders here so I will be direct with you! When your mourning period is over, I will find you a good family to marry into. Please be mentally prepared!”

“No!” Gu Fangzi’s tears rolled down as she said pitifully, “Big Cousin, I don’t want to marry into another good family, I just want to be with you, I just want to remain in the Shi household! Big Cousin, you were not like this in the past, how could you treat me like this! Please don’t chase me away, I don’t want to leave the Shi Household, I don’t want to leave you and Aunt Wang!”

Shi Fengju said, “Cousin Fangzi, I have said this before, there are no outsiders here so you don’t have to put up a front. I’m tired of the way you act even if you don’t feel that way! And please do not talk to me about the past anymore, I feel disgusted even listening to you! Regardless of how you think, I can only tell you this, the person I like is Sang Wan. Even if you continue to stay here, I won’t touch you even once, so whatever for!”

Gu Fangzi looked at him incredulously, and she suddenly laughed coldly, “You finally admitted! You finally admitted!” It was almost as if she had finally caught his tail.

Shi Fengju was out of words for a moment, but he felt more relieved than ever before. He nodded without avoiding, “Yes, I’ve finally admitted and you’ve finally gotten the answer you wanted, are you satisfied now?”

Gu Fangzi was suddenly stunned. That’s right, ever since Sang Wan entered the household, she had been asking him endlessly, and forcing him to answer her. However, he had always smiled and denied while asking her not to think too much, and not to worry so much! But she had never believed him! Instead, she believed her sixth sense and judgement more.

And today, without her asking, he had finally told her honestly that the person who he liked was Sang Wan. Her speculation had now come true, and the truth showed that she was not wrong! She was right!

So what now? Even though she was right, she clearly lost him at the same time!

Gu Fangzi was at a loss. She did not know what sort of answer she was really looking for from the question that she was always so concerned about.