Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me-Chapter 434 - 222: Winning Over (Part 2)

Mrs. Li was intent on flaunting her seniority over Sang Wan in front of Gu Fangzi, and immediately issued orders to Liu Ya with a haughty air.

Gu Fangzi, standing to the side, could hardly contain her laughter, which almost caused her stomach to ache. Seizing the opportunity, she agreed with a smile and a nod, "Yes, Liu Ya, it would also be nice for second aunt to come to my place for a visit and a chat, right? Sister isn’t here right now, having gone to Ningyuan herself. Isn’t she bored as well? What’s the matter? Afraid that I’ll bully the second aunt or be rude to her?"

"No, no! Fangzi, you are so kind, it makes me feel ashamed; I wouldn’t think like that!" Mrs. Li quickly waved her hands in denial.

"Cousin Miss," Liu Ya refused to let her go and turned to Gu Fangzi, "Ningyuan has its own kitchen, so the relatives of the mistress don’t need to trouble Cousin Miss yourself! We slaves will serve them well. Otherwise, if the mistress blames us for being lazy, I really couldn’t bear the responsibility! Please forgive me, Cousin Miss! If you truly like the second madam so much, I can accompany her to visit you after informing the mistress later!"

Gu Fangzi sighed softly and spoke in a gentle tone, "Liu Ya, what’s the matter with you? I simply invited second aunt to have a seat and chat at my place. Why do you insist on being an obstacle? Is this your idea, or does sister share these sentiments? Sister’s relatives are also my relatives, and I will naturally treat them with due courtesy! Besides, if I help sister to entertain her guests, she might even be thankful to me. Why would she blame you?"

Lan Xiang added from the side, "The second madam is a master, and as a master, she should decide on her own affairs. What place do slaves have to overstep their boundaries?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Li straightened her chest and scolded Liu Ya with a frown, "That’s enough, Liu Ya. You can go back now! I’m off to visit Miss Fangzi, and you need not follow! No matter how much Miss Wan pampers and spoils you, you are still a slave, don’t overextend your bounds! It was fine previously, and I was too lazy to mention it, but the Shi family is a prestigious household with strict rules. You’ve already been here a while, how come you haven’t learned such a simple thing?"

Gu Fangzi slightly curled her lips, thinking to herself that it was apparent their relationship wasn’t great to begin with; this was good for her as she could make use of the situation.

Liu Ya couldn’t help but be amused by this chastisement, then said, "Please forgive me, second madam. You’ve come such a long distance, and you must have quite a few things to discuss with the mistress. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to go to Ningyuan with me? The mistress has always disliked bothering others, and knowing that I was negligent and caused you inconvenience visiting Cousin Miss would surely upset her."

At this, Mrs. Li began to hesitate. She had eagerly come to find Sang Wan, surely with important matters to discuss. If Sang Wan was truly put out, would she still be willing to help her? Although it felt good to be flattered, when compared to significant matters and tangible benefits, she still had a sense of what’s more important to prioritize.

"You girl, the better you speak! Sister has always been gentle and easy-going, so when would she ever become unhappy so easily? Let’s go, second aunt. If need be, I’ll accompany you to meet sister later and personally explain that it was me who invited you over to talk and ease your boredom. I don’t think sister would object!" Gu Fangzi, seeing Mrs. Li hesitate, quickly took her by the arm and began to lead her away.

After much inner conflict, Mrs. Li finally relented and smiled, nodding, "Alright, I will go with you for a visit! Liu Ya, stop your prattle and go back!"

"Second madam!" In desperation, Liu Ya stepped forward with both arms outstretched to block the way.

"Impertinent!" Gu Fangzi uttered in a low, stern voice. She opened her mouth as if to speak further but held back, only turning her head to look at Mrs. Li.

Seeing Liu Ya so clueless, Mrs. Li too became annoyed and scolded her, "What’s this? You, a slave, actually think you can meddle in the master’s affairs? Is this how Miss Wan taught you? Where I wish to go isn’t up to you to interfere! Move aside!"

"Liu Ya, what has happened?" A resonant voice of a middle-aged woman came from nearby; it was Mrs. Li followed by two young maidservants.

Mrs. Li had finished her tasks and returned to Ningyuan. The maidservants had told her that the mistress’s relative from the Shi family had arrived and Liu Ya had gone to receive her. Initially, Mrs. Li didn’t think much of it and had just instructed them to thoroughly inspect the courtyards and houses, inside and out, for anything that might need to be cleaned or tidied up, so as not to disgrace the mistress in front of the visitor.

However, when Liu Ya still hadn’t returned after a considerable wait, Mrs. Li, drawing on her experience, knew something must have happened. So, she hurriedly took people along to search for Liu Ya, coincidentally coming upon the scene where Gu Fangzi wanted to take Mrs. Li away but Liu Ya had stepped forward to obstruct.

"Godmother!" Upon seeing Mrs. Li arrive, Liu Ya breathed a sigh of relief, quickly stepped forward to explain the situation briefly, and then stood by with lowered hands, waiting for Mrs. Li to make a decision.

Mrs. Li laughed and said, "Cousin Miss, how can the mistress’s relatives from her natal family trouble you to attend to them? Isn’t that plainly causing the mistress to lose face? Second madam, please come with me to Ningyuan. I’m sure the mistress won’t be long in returning!"

As soon as Mrs. Li arrived, Gu Fangzi knew her wish was unlikely to come true. Seeing Mrs. Li speaking so firmly, Gu Fangzi’s expression changed slightly, then she lowered her head to look aggrieved.

Mrs. Li became displeased upon seeing this, and upon hearing Liu Ya address Mrs. Li as "godmother," she immediately categorized Mrs. Li with Liu Ya’s party. Mrs. Li also saw how pitiful Gu Fangzi looked and instantly felt repulsion, thus she frowned and said, "I say, mother, I made my own decision to go with Fangzi; what concern is it of yours! You are just a slave—"

"Second madam!" Interrupting her hurriedly, Liu Ya said, "My godmother is the mistress’s servant companion and also the young master’s wet nurse. The young master and the mistress have always respected her; she is not any ordinary slave."