Chapter 85: Big Brother-in-law’s Deb (1/2)

Ren Zhixian always thought of himself as some brilliant person by acting all pretentious of his self-righteousness. He had always looked down upon Shi family as a family that stunk of money, and Shi Fengju was aware of that. Hearing his mother say that he was willing to stay in this ‘stinky’ household, Shi Fengju was very surprised.

“Is this Big Sister’s or Big Brother-in-law’s idea? Does Big Brother-in-law also agree to this?” Shi Fengju felt that it was necessary to have his doubts answered. If this were his big sister’s idea, then that single-minded big brother-in-law of his would surely make a huge ruckus in the future!

“It’s something that we’ve discussed and come up with!” Shi Yumei hurriedly said, “Since it’s also very comfortable here, it’ll surely make him feel at ease as he studies. Qingzhou is also closer to Hangzhou, so going over there three years later for the exams will also be more convenient! Moreover, my husband can help guide Third Younger Brother! Three years later, they can both journey to Hangzhou together and take care of each other while on their way there!”

“No need!” When Shi Yumei mentioned about having Ren Zhixian give some ‘guidance,’ Wang Shi and Shi Fengju quickly refused in unison.

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“Third Younger Brother already has a tutor to guide him. That tutor has also said that he can take the exams in two years time. Changing a tutor halfway through will not be beneficial for Third Younger Brother! And doesn’t Big Brother-in-law also have to study? We can’t have Third Younger Brother affecting him in his studies ah!” Shi Fengju added.

“Agreed, agreed! Your Second Brother is right!” Wang Shi quickly went along with it.

Shi Fengju felt uncomfortable letting an unreliable person guide his younger brother. Let’s say that this unreliable person really did give his younger brother guidance. If he were unable to pass the next exam, he would surely complain that he had spent most of his time guiding his wife’s younger brother and thus neglected his own studies! Moreover, if Shi Fenghua were to pass, that person would surely brag that it was all because of his guidance!

After listening to Shi Fengju’s explanation, Shi Yumei’s expression, that had changed slightly, returned to its usual again, and she could not help but smile with a nod. “That’s understandable! But, is that tutor of his reliable? He better not hold down our Fenghua!”

“Reliable! He’s reliable! He is a senior from Hanlin Academy who returned back to his hometown after retiring!” Wang Shi’s mouth spoke quickly.

Shi Yumei let out a long “Oh!” and spoke no further. Even though she did not fully agree with her mother’s words, she did not have the confidence to refute.

Although she had remained quiet, Shi Fengju understood her meaning, and he thought to himself, No matter how unreliable he is, he must at the very least be more reliable than my big brother-in-law!

Seeing her so, Shi Fengju quickly diverted the subject as far away as possible, “Let’s see, how about Banana Courtyard? The area is spacious, and the environment there is quiet. Big Sister, what do you think?”

“Banana Courtyard? Banana Courtyard ah… En, let’s go ahead with it! We’ll have that then!” Shi Yumei thought for a while, and the smile on her face seemed to be a little forced.

Banana Courtyard was located at the south of Shi household. Its main entrance faced the outer courtyard with its residence and yards facing inward. A wall ran between the inner region of the household and Banana Courtyard, with a small gate to allow passing through. The entire courtyard happened to be built between the inner and outer regions of the household. At night, those servants on their night duty would lock the small gate, isolating the inner and outer regions.

There were two yards in Banana Courtyard—one in front and one at the back of the residence. The residence itself consisted of two corner rooms connecting to the main room, one back room, one rear room, and two side rooms. In the backyard, there was a one-acre square flower garden decorated with rockeries, a clear pool, and plants. Although small, the garden was decorated beautifully. The front yard was planted with banana trees, plum trees, and bamboos, making the atmosphere extremely elegant and quiet—it was a place very suitable for studying.

A place like that was already considered the best for someone who brought her husband back after being married off.

However, Shi Yumei could not help but feel somewhat saddened because what she had originally wanted to propose was to return to her own individual building where she had stayed before her marriage. But as of now, that building was no longer a place for her! The Shi family would very soon have a new missy—the daughter of her younger brother, and that place would belong to that new missy! How could she, who brought her husband back, ever return to the inner region of the household?

Feeling saddened, she could sense the new restraints that were holding her back as an “outsider” which she did not have in the past, and she quickly forced a smile and said, “Then, I’ll have to trouble Second Younger Brother! When Banana Courtyard is ready, we’ll move into it. In the future, we’ll eat by ourselves.”

“Why are you being so polite to your own brother!” Seeing that Shi Yumei was restraining herself, Wang Shi also got a little saddened. Thinking back to when her daughter used to be so strong-willed and troublesome, she had changed after an ill-matched marriage. Her father-in-law and her mother-in-law passed away three years after their marriage, and from then on until now, it had not been another three to four years before her immoral husband ruined the entire household clean. Even her dowry was sold off!

Seeing her daughter in such a state with a timid expression that would have been impossible to express in the past, these few years really must have not been easy for her. For her daughter’s disposition to have even changed, as a mother, how could she not be saddened?

Wang Shi could not help but hold her daughter’s hand. Her next words were for Shi Fengju to listen, “There’s no hurry, let your younger sister-in-law handle the tidying of Banana Courtyard after the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Once it’s tidied, you can move in immediately! In the future, if there’s anything you wish to eat, just feel at home and have the kitchen send the dishes you like over! And if there are times when you think of Mother, you can just come over and accompany Mother! Keke, Mei’er ah, you’ll always be Shi family’s Eldest Daughter! Whatever you want, just voice it out. If anyone dares to disrespect you, I’ll be the first to have no mercy on that person!”

“That’s right ah, Big Sister, since you’re back, you should settle down with a peace of mind! You’re also Father and Mother’s daughter. A portion of Shi family’s assets belongs to you, too!” Shi Fengju also laughed.

Shi Yumei’s heart loosened a little, and she quickly smiled to say her thanks to her mother and her younger brother. Then, she dismissed Shi Fengju, “And just listen to what you just said! The family’s business is run single-handedly by you, so I didn’t do a single thing for it. Father and Mother married me off lavishly with exceptionally good dowry. The Shi family doesn’t owe me anything anymore. The entire assets belong only to you and Fenghua, and they have nothing to do with me! If you ever dare say that again, I’ll really die of shame!”

Mother, daughter, and brother—all three of them let out a good laugh.