Chapter 248
Rebirth of an Abandoned Woman
âThe sooner, the better!â Hu San quickly said with a smile, âWhy donât I stay in an inn in town for a night to give you time to handle the things you need to do at home? Then you can come find me at the inn tomorrow and weâll leave for Qingzhou together . Or, it would be even better if we could leave now!â
Gu Fangzi had instructed him to get it done as soon as possible without letting Sang Hongâs family know . Although Hu San didnât understand why, leaving with Sang Pingliang and reporting back sooner would not be wrong .
âLetâs leave now, letâs leave now! No problem, no problem!â Sang Pingliang was also afraid that undue delay might bring about trouble, so he wished he could hurry to meet with Gu Fangzi right away . If he were a step late and someone took his cushy job, he would certainly regret it!
âOkay! Then, weâll set off immediately once youâve packed up!â Hu San said with a smile .
Sang Pingliang quickly agreed . Just when he got up, he suddenly thought of something and gently patted his head before asking with a smile, âLittle Brother Hu San, can I ask... um... how much is the salary?â
Li Shi had been smiling at the side . It was because her husband received the job because of her, and their family income would definitely increase . If she told others that they were put in charge of stores by the Shi Family in Qingzhou, it would certainly sound impressive . And since her husband was leaving, wouldnât she be able to torment that vixen? She had to vent all of her resentment!
Upon hearing Sang Pingliang ask about the salary, Li Shi quickly perked her ears up to listen .
Hu San spread his hands and said with an embarrassed smile, âIâm not very sure about this . Youâre our Young Mistressâ uncle and chosen for the job by Miss Gu, your salary wonât be low! Besides, this can be discussed! Miss Gu will surely allow for it . â
Li Shi quickly smiled and asked, âThen, do you know how much was the salary of the previous person managing the warehouse?â
This was well-asked . Sang Pingliang could not help but praise his wife with a glance .
After thinking, Hu San replied with a smile, âIt should be two or three silvers . There are other perks as well . He received bonuses on festivities and three free meals a day . For Second Old Master Sang, it should be more than that . â
âThatâs a lot!â Sang Pingliang and Li Shi were so excited that they felt dizzy . They did not need to fork out money for meals and lodging, which was akin to solely earning money every month . Also, there were bonuses during festivities! Where would they find a job as good as this?
âBrother Hu San, hold on . Iâll pack up and be right back!â Sang Pingliang gladly said .
Li Shi sat in the hall with Hu San while the new concubine went into the room with Sang Pingliang to help him pack .
âHurry up! Just pick any two nicer sets of clothes and wrap them up!â Sang Pingliang rubbed his hands in delight and said . Then, he added, âWait, wait! Donât pack the clothes that look too good . Just pick two ordinary-looking sets instead!â
The Shi Family had money . Miss Gu also had good intentions, so she was definitely not a stingy person . If she were to see him not well-dressed, surely she would have new ones made for him, would she not? So why should he bring his new clothes over? What a waste that would be!
âYes, my lord!â The new concubine lowered her head and folded his clothes before she spread a large cloth on the bed to bundle them together .
âWhatâs wrong? Why do you look a little unhappy?â Sang Pingliang pulled her hand and asked gleefully .
âMy lord!â The new concubine looked at him with eyes full of affection and pity before saying, âPlease bring me along! How can you not have someone to serve by your side? Furthermore, your wife hates me very much . If you leave me here, you might not see me again when you return! Without your protection, she will not spare me! My lord, I donât wish to leave you!â
The new concubine turned her body and covered her face as she started crying .
Upon finding that reasonable, Sang Pingliang hurriedly consoled her and said after much hesitation, âBut I donât know if Miss Gu will object if I bring you along!â
When the new concubine saw that he was persuaded, she became spirited and quickly responded, âThereâs no problem . You can simply rent a house outside, canât you? Besides, who are you? Can Miss Gu not respect your request?â
Sang Pingliang was fond of hearing such words . However, the thought of having to fork out money to rent a house pained him . He said, âI wonder if the rent in Qingzhou is expensive...â
The new concubine spat in contempt to herself but hurriedly said with a smile, âThe sea freight warehouse is usually constructed at the pier near the waters, and not in the flourishing regions of Qingzhou . How expensive can it be? Iâm sure Miss Gu is big-hearted . If you could put in some nice words, she might even arrange an available house for you! My lord, if Iâm not by your side, wonât you feel bored? Who will wash your clothes for you? And who will massage your back when youâre tired?â
Upon seeing his concubine charming him and showering him with suggestions, how could he bother with anything else? Unconsciously, he said with a smile, âYouâre right! Only you will care about me! Alright, itâs settled then . You will pack up and go to Qingzhou with me!â
âMy lord!â The new concubine was overjoyed when he agreed . After she had swiftly packed his things, she returned to her room to pack as well .
When it was time to leave, Li Shi saw the new concubine carrying two bundles and blindly following Sang Pingliang .
Li Shi suspiciously looked back and forth at the two of them . Her expression sank and she said, âWhy arenât you giving him the bundles? Can you afford to delay him?â
The new concubine did not utter a word and looked at Sang Pingliang with a pair of clear and pitiful eyes
Sang Pingliang coughed and said calmly, âYan Zhi will be coming along with me to Qingzhou . Youâll stay at home to look after the place!â
âWhat!â Li Shiâs eyes widened so much that they almost dropped out .
âWhat do you mean âwhatâ?â Upon seeing her lose her self-control and question him in a sharp voice, Sang Pingliang felt disgusted . Even more firm in his decision to take Yan Zhi along with him, he frowned and rebuked, âDidnât you hear me clearly? If you didnât, then Iâll say it clearly once again . Iâm bringing Yan Zhi along with me!â
âYou canât!â Li Shi yelled angrily and disapproved without hesitation .
âItâs not up to you to decide!â Sang Pingliang was furious .
âYou just canât!â Li Shi grabbed Yan Zhiâs head with utmost strength and said hatefully, âYou vixen! Did you seduce him again? If you think you can live a comfortable life in Qingzhou, thatâd be over my dead body! Sang Pingliang, let me tell you . Miss Gu and I clicked well on our first meeting . Did you think I wonât dare to have her cancel the job offer?â
âRidiculous! Donât you dare!â
âDonât think that I wonât!â
The heated argument that almost turned into a fight made Hu San frown in disapproval .
The one who caused this disaster quickly lowered her head and stood to the side ignorantly . On the other hand, this simply solidified Hu Sanâs impression that this family was not anything good .
â(Cough) . Second Old Master Sang and Second Old Mistress Sang, please calm yourselves down! Thereâs no need to argue!â While they were quarreling with all their might, Hu San only wanted to complete his task as soon as possible . He simply was not in the mood to watch the drama, so he hurriedly stepped forward to pull Sang Pingliang away and said with a smile .
âBrother Hu San, weâve let you see us make a fool of ourselves! Please be seated and wait a while . Itâll be over soon!â Sang Pingliang controlled his anger and pacified with a smile . He then turned around to look at Li Shi and growled in a low voice, âStupid woman! Come with me!â
Sang Pingliang had already regarded Hu San as a servant . Therefore, how could he, a master, quarrel in front of a servant? Wasnât that embarrassing? If he had to quarrel, it had to be in private .
However, Li Shi was unwilling! She had regarded Hu San as Gu Fangziâs spokesperson, so she scolded in her heart: How dare you treat me like this in front of someone sent by Miss Gu! Iâll let him see your true colors . Then, he can go back and tell her before letting her judge! Weâll see if she will still take care of you!
âWhat right do you have to make me follow you? What is it that you cannot say in front of everyone? Let me tell you that today, I wonât listen to you! Sang Pingliang, youâre a scoundrel who spoils your mistress and neglects your wife . For someone with a character like you, do you think you can excel? In your dreams!â Li Shi said fiercely with both hands on her waist .
âAre you looking for a fight!â How could Sang Pingliang take that?
âYou want to hit me? Just for the sake of this vixen, you want to hit me? Bring it on! Do it! Hit me then!â Li Shi shouted and made a scene as she went up to him .
She usually would not dare to treat Sang Pingliang in such a way . However, she had the backing of Miss Gu now, who felt as if she had known her for a very long time . Since Sang Pingliang was also going to ask Miss Gu to take good care of him, she had nothing to be afraid of and was soon bursting with confidence .
âYou...â
âSecond Old Master Sang and Second Old Mistress Sang!â Hu San said to himself: Things will turn bad if they start fighting . Fetching a person is such an easy task, so Iâll be done for if I canât even complete such a task! Upon seeing that the situation was becoming worse, he quickly stepped forward to stop Sang Pingliangâs raised arm and said with a smile, âThe two of you should talk over things since you have already been married for so many years . Please calm down!â
When Li Shi saw Hu San stop Sang Pingliang, she felt even more full of herself . She was increasingly certain that Miss Gu would be on her side, so she couldnât help but complain tearfully . âBrother Hu San, do you know how miserable I am? Ever since this vixen married into the family, there were no peaceful days in this household anymore! This vixen has so many tricks up her sleeves to seduce my husband! He doesnât listen to me no matter how I advise him, and heâll only call me unvirtuous if I say too much . He even said that Iâm a jealous woman! If I really were one, how could I still let her get married into this family! Look at her . I didnât do anything to her, she looks fine . Yet, my husband treats me like this! He wants to bring this vixen to live comfortably while abandoning me at home . Brother Hu San, please judge whether I have done anything wrong!â
Hu Sanâs ears almost exploded from her complaints . He held back the urge to shout at them and took the chance to push away Sang Pingliang in order to distance himself from her . He then said with a rigid smile, âHow about this? Why donât you bring along Second Old Mistress Sang as well!â
In any case, Miss Gu did not say that the two of them could not go together, so he might as well bring them first . Li Shi was obviously a person who was hard to deal with . Since his words did not carry much weight, there was no way he could persuade her . And seeing that Li Shi sounded as if she was very close with Gu Fangzi, if he happened to offend her and she said anything about him to her, it would be disadvantageous for him!