Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 408 - 208: Fire at Fuqu Pavilion (Part 2)

Butler Yu reported the affairs of Meng County to Shi Fengju exactly as they were, to which Shi Fengju simply gave a faint smile and dismissed him. Soon after, the warehouse manager came to report: many fixtures and furnishings from the banana garden are missing, unable to match the inventory records...

Shi Fengju did not need to think to know it must have been his brother-in-law who took them and said, "Just make a list, and don’t forget to note it in the register as lost!"

The manager, knowing full well the situation, quickly left with a compliant smile.

Shi Fengju sighed deeply, pondering how his brother-in-law, once back in Meng County and restrained by such measures from acting recklessly, must be extremely annoyed! He only hoped that his brother-in-law wouldn’t vent his anger on his sister.

Meanwhile, preparations for Shi Lian’s marriage continued in the residence. Being taken as a concubine, the preparations were minimal, merely the usual necessities; there was neither chaos nor jubilation in the mansion, a stark contrast to when Shi Yumei had her wedding.

Unexpectedly, early one morning Shi Fengju and Sang Wan, still embracing in their sleep, were awakened by Mrs. Li’s panicked knocking.

"Young master! Young mistress! It’s terrible, terrible news! The third miss’s Fuqu Pavilion has caught on fire!"

"What? A fire!" Sang Wan’s heart trembled, and they both quickly got dressed.

"How is the third sister now? Is the fire under control?" Shi Fengju asked with a stern face.

"How could this have happened all of a sudden! Young master, let’s hurry and see! And mother, let’s not alarm her yet to spare her the fright," Sang Wan hurriedly added.

Mrs. Li said, "People have already been called to put out the fire, but with the fire’s current status, it’s hard to tell how it’s faring! The third miss’s hair got slightly burned, likely from the smoke, and she fainted. Right now, she’s in the adjacent Zhuijin Tower, and I’ve sent for a doctor!"

Sang Wan and Shi Fengju immediately wrapped up in cloaks and went over with some people.

The fire was already under control, but small embers were still burning and thick smoke was billowing into the sky, the air filled with ash and a pungent smell.

Unable to bear the smoke, Sang Wan started coughing, prompting Shi Fengju to gently pat her back, softly suggesting, "Let’s not go over there, let’s head to Zhuijin Tower instead!"

Sang Wan nodded.

Shortly afterward, the doctor arrived and administered emergency treatment to Shi Lian, who slowly regained consciousness. Shocked and scared, she burst into tears upon seeing Shi Fengju and Sang Wan, and Cai Yun also cried non-stop by her side. Mrs. Li ordered someone to take Cai Yun down to rest, leaving Hong Ye to wait on them.

After Sang Wan managed to calm Shi Lian down, she asked Shi Fengju to step outside while others helped Shi Lian change and wash up. It was only then that they discovered a severe burn on her leg, the flesh terribly damaged, likely to leave scars.

Mrs. Li sighed deeply.

"How could this happen! All of a sudden!" Word had already reached Mrs. Wang before anyone knew. Mrs. Wang, shocked and furious, hurriedly dressed and rushed over.

"Mother!" Shi Lian cried miserably from her pillow, bowing to Mrs. Wang, "Mother, it’s all my unfilial behavior, all my unfilial behavior that has disturbed you!"

"Where is Cai Yun? What exactly happened!" Seeing her unharmed, Mrs. Wang grew even more irritated.

"Mother!" Shi Fengju came in from outside, supporting her and saying, "The third sister is quite frightened. The doctor just gave her some sedatives. Let’s talk outside," he suggested, guiding Mrs. Wang out.

Sang Wan nodded to Shi Lian and instructed those around to take good care of her before following them out. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Shi Fengju had already inquired about the cause. It turned out that Shi Lian had been copying Buddhist scriptures until late last night and forgot to extinguish the lamp before going to sleep. The window was not closed tightly, and the wind knocked over the oil lamp, igniting the table cloth and causing the major fire.

"For the time being, let the third sister stay in Zhuijin Tower. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and there was nothing important in the room. If it’s gone, it’s gone. We’ll wait for the weather to warm up before ordering a cleanup and reconstruction. Mother, please don’t take this to heart," Shi Fengju advised.

"Hmph!" Mrs. Wang, unable to contain her irritation, snapped, "She’s grown so big yet still does things so carelessly! She claimed she was copying scriptures to accumulate blessings for me. Well, look at this mess! It nearly scared me to death!"

"Mother, it was an accident, who could have anticipated this!" Shi Fengju responded with a smile.

Mrs. Wang sighed, asking Sang Wan, "What did the doctor say? Where is she injured?"

Sang Wan replied, "The doctor said she was frightened and needs a good rest. Her hair was burned, and she has a few blisters on her hand, but it’s nothing serious. But her lower left leg has a burn almost half a foot long and as wide as half a hand, quite severe. The doctor said it’s likely to leave a scar..."

"This is outrageous!" Mrs. Wang slammed her hand on the table, truly angered now, complaining, "Why did this have to happen just at this time! This girl is really getting more and more troublesome! The Hong family is coming soon to receive her; what are we supposed to do now!"

Shi Fengju and Sang Wan exchanged glances, remaining silent.

"Ah well!" Mrs. Wang groaned, frowning, "Fengju, what should we do about this!"

"Mother, what is there to ask! Given the third sister’s condition, how can she be sent off in a sedan chair! Surely we can’t expect her to go to the Hong family to recover!" Shi Fengju exclaimed.

Mrs. Wang was at a loss for words. According to Sang Wan, the injury on her leg was so severe that it probably wouldn’t heal for half a month or twenty days. The young master of the Hong family was taking a concubine, not fostering an ancestor, so why would he willingly take back someone in need of care? Besides, with her leg in such a state, would the young master still fancy her?

"Let it be!" Mrs. Wang sighed, "I have no choice but to sacrifice my old face. When dawn breaks, I’ll send someone to call off this engagement! It’s the girl’s misfortune; no one else is to blame!"

"It seems that’s the only way!" Shi Fengju also sighed.