Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 407 - 208: Fire at Fuqu Pavilion
Although this courtyard is also neat and tidy with white walls and freshly painted doors and windows, and even the curtains are brand new, and there are two pomegranate and magnolia trees planted in the yard looking quite lively. However, it simply cannot compare to the banana garden, not to mention comparing it with the grand pavilions and towers of the Shi Mansion!
As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, Ren Zhixian’s eyebrows shot up high, his heart full of reluctance. In his eyes, this courtyard was too small and lacked style, how could he possibly live here?
Shi Yumei also felt a slight disappointment, but she was relying on her natal family for support, so managing as much was considered passable. Naturally, it couldn’t compare to the Shi family’s mansion, but it wasn’t bad compared to the wealthy families in Meng County.
Upon entering the house, and seeing the neat arrangements of furniture inside, Shi Yumei perked up and began directing Cui Zhu and others to move stuff in and out.
"Butler Yu, is this the place arranged by the young master? There’s no other option? Yumei is used to living well, she might not be accustomed to living here!" Ren Zhixian called over Butler Yu and asked in a deep voice.
"This place is quiet, and the neighbors are all respectable families, very suitable for your scholarly endeavors! You and Madam living here with a few slaves are more than enough! The young master said, if you’re not satisfied, you can look for a place on your own later!" Butler Yu responded with a smile, neither servile nor overbearing.
Where could Ren Zhixian have the means to arrange something by himself? Hearing this he frowned deeply, and remained silent, but then asked, "What about this month’s living expenses? Have you brought them?"
Butler Yu said, "I’ve already handed them all to Madam!" He smiled lightly and added, "Since you are a scholar, I humorously feared the stench of copper might displease you!"
Ren Zhixian’s expression became even uglier, completely out of options, he stomped his foot and said, "Nevermind, put the stuff in the courtyard, then you all can go back and report!" Then paused, "What about the deeds of the house? Were they also given to Madam?"
"Deeds?" Butler Yu appeared confused, "Old servant here doesn’t have any deeds! This house was bought with the silver from the public funds of the mansion, naturally, the deeds are kept in those public funds. But the young master said, you and Madam should just feel at ease living here!"
Ren Zhixian finally burst out, "So you mean to say this house belongs to the Shi family?"
"Since it was bought with the mansion’s public funds, naturally it belongs to the Shi family." Butler Yu maintained a reluctantly smiling face, but inwardly he scorned greatly, thinking that such questions were absurd coming from a so-called scholar, shameless to such an extent, he’s indeed a rare specimen!
Ren Zhixian suddenly became furious, his face alternating between pale and flushed, wanting to point at Butler Yu’s nose and curse out loud, then take his wife and concubine and storm out! Unfortunately, as the saying goes "a single coin can choke a mighty hero," he had the thought but not the courage.
"If there’s nothing else, this old servant shall take his leave now! It’s getting late, I still have to hurry back and report to the young master!" Butler Yu said, slightly bowing.
"Get lost!" Ren Zhixian squeezed out a word through gritted teeth, releasing a huge sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart.
Butler Yu gave a slight smile, not minding his attitude at all, and after bidding farewell to Yumei, he quickly left with two Xiaosi and instructed the coachman to hurry the carriage away.
No sooner had they left, Ren Zhixian rushed to Shi Yumei and asked where the living expenses were?
"What are you doing?" Shi Yumei immediately became alert and said, "This is the family’s chew, don’t think about squandering it foolishly!"
"I’m asking how much there is!" Ren Zhixian said impatiently.
Shi Yumei replied irritatedly, "100 taels!" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
"Just 100 taels!" Ren Zhixian sneered, "Isn’t your Shi family now just an empty shell? A grand young lady and you only give out 100 taels a month!" Not even enough for a good meal outside!
Shi Yumei also sneered back, "It’s a pity that now I’m not just the Shi family’s young lady, but also a daughter-in-law of the Ren family. How about you? How much have you handed over to me?"
Ren Zhixian glared at her coldly, scoffed, then claimed he was tired and needed to rest, and forcefully took Cui Bao to serve him, leaving Shi Yumei and the servants to continue sorting out.
Shi Yumei, infuriated, couldn’t stop cursing under her breath while Cui Zhu hurried to console her with a smile.
What Ren Zhixian hadn’t expected was that not only did he have no leeway with the household expenses, but even the various major restaurants and shops in the county town of Meng had become stingy, and one by one refused to let him run up a tab anymore! Initially, Ren Zhixian didn’t understand, but then he speculated that this must be Shi Fengju’s doing, feeling both embarrassed and enraged, and as he lost face among his cronies, he argued daily with Shi Yumei, causing endless disturbances, and there was not a day of peace.
