Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 419 - 215: Gu Fangzi Returns to the Residence

Having changed her attire and re-combed her hair at the peony garden, she seemed to have transformed entirely, rejuvenated. Dressed in a light goose-yellow gown that complemented her lightly powdered face, she was especially pretty and charming.

Once Gu Fangzi was properly groomed, she went to flatter Mrs. Wang, delighting her greatly. Naturally, she ended up serving and also having her lunch at Mrs. Wang’s side.

Though she had ended her mourning period, she still chose light vegetarian dishes during meals. Mrs. Wang, moved by sympathy, had a bowl of fresh ham and wild chicken soup prepared for her and gently laughed, "Eat more of the tasty foods to nourish your body. Now is the time for growth, how can you just eat vegetarian food? Don’t harm your health! The past is over, don’t think about it. People should always look forward!"

"Thank you for your concern, Auntie!" With teary eyes, Gu Fangzi gently tugged at Mrs. Wang’s sleeve and said affectionately and dependently, "Now in this world, you are the only elder and relative I have left! I only wish for you to live a long and blessed life so that I can show filial obedience for the rest of my days and repay your profound kindness."

"I know your heart is in the right place, dear niece!" Mrs. Wang was touched, and gently patted her hand, urging her to drink the hot soup while it was still warm.

Gu Fangzi smiled sweetly and obediently drank the soup and had her meal. After accompanying Mrs. Wang around the courtyard for a stroll and a chat, Gu Fangzi smiled and said, "Auntie, now that I’m back from the temple, it’s time to tidy up and arrange the peony garden anew for a fresh start and good fortune! However, all the items are stored in the warehouse; it might take two or three days to clean and set everything up. So, I was thinking, for these couple of days, I might as well stay in the guest room! During the day, I’ll share meals with you here, Auntie, please don’t mind me being around!"

Mrs. Wang laughed, "Why would I mind! When you were all younger, didn’t you dine with me too! You’re right; it’s indeed time to rearrange for a fresh start, not just inside the house but also have the gardeners replant and care for the flowers and plants in the courtyard. It’s a good season for that! And you don’t need to stay in the guest room; you might as well rest here at night, it’s more convenient!"

Gu Fangzi had been aiming for this, which is why she deliberately mentioned freeloading meals here, to lead to this offer. Hearing Mrs. Wang’s words, she was overjoyed and hurriedly smiled, "If Auntie doesn’t find me annoying, then I’m indeed taking advantage!"

"Nonsense!" Mrs. Wang playfully scolded, and the two broke into laughter.

When Mrs. Wang went to take her nap after lunch, Gu Fangzi went to Ningyuan with Lan Xiang. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Upon hearing of Gu Fangzi’s arrival, Mrs. Li’s face darkened, and she scoffed, "I knew she couldn’t sit still! Such an intimidation for Madam the moment she returns! She should have come to see her as soon as she met the lady of the house, but look at the time now! In my opinion, let’s leave her waiting outside for half an hour first, to deflate her arrogance a bit, lest she gets too full of herself and disrespects others!" Following her words, she ordered Xingzhi to relay the message that the Madam was currently unavailable and asked her to wait.

"Let her in," Sang Wan shook her head with a gentle smile towards Mrs. Li. "Although she didn’t come earlier, she’s been accompanying Mother in the main courtyard all this time, showing filial piety. How could I compete with Mother over that? If I don’t see her now, who knows what she might say! In the end, Mother wouldn’t be happy if she learned about it. Just let her come; it’s just a brief meeting before I send her away!"

Mrs. Li chuckled, "Madam, you’re so understanding; I let her anger cloud my judgment!"

It was then that Xingzhi went to give the message.

Gu Fangzi and Lan Xiang waited at the door for quite a while without seeing anyone come out. Lan Xiang, feeling uncertain, whispered to Gu Fangzi, "Miss, is Madam angry and deliberately making things difficult for you?"

Gu Fangzi sneered, "That would be just fine! Besides, she’s the legitimate wife, it’s her due right!"

Before she could finish, Xingzhi approached them with light steps, inviting them in with a smile. Gu Fangzi nodded with a faint smile and followed behind Xingzhi.

Reflecting on it, it seemed like a long time since she had stepped into Ningyuan. Gazing upon this familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar place, Gu Fangzi felt momentarily dazed. The courtyard had many more roses and blooms than before; along the paths of the patio and the gallery, planted in the earth and in pots, they were in full bloom in red, yellow, white, pink, orange, particularly in vibrant reds. The flowers were lush, the petals piled high one upon another, swaying in the breeze, supremely vivid and enchanting.