Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 425 - 218: Scheming
At the end of the letter, there were lines of impassioned, indelicate poetry that read: "Spring’s splendor vast as the sea, fervor thick as mud, seize the melting warmth of the weather, sprawl on floral bedding... so smitten, soaked through gauzy silk, not a trace of tears of longing on the kerchief." There were also two lines of smaller script, containing even more private words that were too scandalous to hear.
Sang Wan’s face turned as red as rouge in an instant, her neck flushing with an embarrassing heat. Instinctively, her hand rose to cover her face. The coolness of her hand felt slightly soothing against her skin. Her gaze fell on the letter she had tossed onto the ground, and thinking of the licentious poetry and remembering the unfinished intimate moment they had before parting, interrupted by his teeth-gritted words, "I’ll settle with you when I get back!"—Sang Wan’s heart surged with mortification again.
From outside the curtain came a burst of voices, and Xingzhi seemed to be calling "Cousin Miss." Sang Wan was stunned, thinking to herself, why has Gu Fangzi come? Before she could collect her thoughts, Gu Fangzi had already cheerfully called out "Sister" and lifted the curtain to enter, her gaze immediately falling onto the letter on the ground. With a "Huh," she bent down intending to pick it up.
"Don’t touch it!" Sang Wan was so alarmed that her soul nearly flew out of her body and her spine went cold; she shouted sharply and swept forward like a gust of wind, unceremoniously snatching the letter away.
Gu Fangzi and the maids Lan Xiang and Xingzhi who had followed her in were all stunned, staring at Sang Wan as if they didn’t recognize her. Sang Wan’s movements were always gentle, composed, and elegant—none could have imagined she had such a side to her unless they saw it with their own eyes. They wouldn’t believe it, even in their dreams!
Sang Wan, at that moment, had no time to ponder their reactions. All she felt was an immense relief—had that item fallen into Gu Fangzi’s hands for her to see, she truly would have no face to show!
"Why are you here, sister? Please, have a seat! Xingzhi, serve the tea!" In an instant, Sang Wan had regained her composure, gracefully sat down, and smilingly said.
Xingzhi knelt and responded, heading off to do the task.
However, Gu Fangzi stepped forward, staring at the letter in Sang Wan’s hand and said with a smile, "Sister, is that also a letter from young master? I wonder what was written that you won’t let me take a look?"
Sang Wan’s heart skipped a beat; instinctively, she wanted to say it wasn’t, but if it wasn’t, then what was it? She had clearly been flustered just now, and if the letter was from Shi Fengju, that wouldn’t be too bad. But if she said it wasn’t from him, it would surely have to be from someone else. A letter from "someone else" making her so flustered would definitely be problematic! It wouldn’t be impossible for others to suspect she has a secret affair.
Tucking the letter into her sleeve, Sang Wan smiled and said, "It’s from young master to me, only telling me to serve Mother well and manage the household. See, the envelope is still here!" With that, Sang Wan indicated the tea table with a nod of her head.
Gu Fangzi followed her gaze, those brightly embossed words on the tawny envelope, "For my wife’s eyes only," were particularly glaring. A sourness bloomed in Gu Fangzi’s heart, yet she pressed on with a smile, "Dear sister, why not let me have a look? I’d like to hear young master’s teachings too!"
Sang Wan furrowed her brows, her eyes glinting with a touch of coldness when looking at her and after a moment, she spoke indifferently, "This is not for you to see."
At that, Gu Fangzi flared up with indignation. It was one thing for young master to remind her of her place, but who was Sang Wan to speak to her in such a manner!
"Sister!" Gu Fangzi sneered slightly and said in bewilderment, "I am curious. If the letter is from young master, why did you throw it on the ground? When Aunt receives a letter from young master, she cherishes it as if it were a treasure, handling it with great care. Do you despise young master so much? Or is it that young master instructed you in something which you are unhappy about, causing your anger?" She finished with another sneer, "It can’t be something to do with me, distressing you so, could it?"
The more Gu Fangzi thought about it, the more convinced she was. It must be young master instructing this woman to keep an eye on her, causing her to react so out of jealousy! Yes, it must be that!
"Nonsense!" retorted Sang Wan, "Which of your eyes saw me throw that letter away? It just fell to the ground accidentally! I was just about to pick it up when you barged in! Xingzhi," Sang Wan turned her head to glare at Xingzhi, her brows knit together, "What kind of service is this? How can Cousin Miss enter without being announced first? No manners at all!"
"This slave admits her fault and will take care to remember next time!" Xingzhi stepped forward with her hands folded. Gu Fangzi had become increasingly presumptuous in Ningyuan, often barging in without notice, leaving them, mere maids and servants, unable to stop her.
Sang Wan spoke coldly, "You should take note—otherwise, if everyone shirks their duties like you, the rules of this house might as well not exist! Go and report to Mrs. Li later, have half a month’s wages deducted, you hear me?"
