Chapter 247 (1/2)

Chapter 247

Wang Shi had given Shi Lian an additional two servants and three maidservants . After discussing with her husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, Shi Lian decided to leave one of the servants at home to help take care of the lands given to her as dowry while she brought the other five to the capital .

Besides Cai Yun, the three maidservants were all active and eager, and had long regarded themselves as part of the family . Upon seeing Sang Yufei who was handsome and had come in third for Hanlin Academy’s examination, they adored him greatly and considered themselves as ‘knowledgeable’ for not being born in a lowly family . They were also confident that although Sang Yufei was now highly regarded, he came from the countryside where beauty standards were lacking . As such, they intentionally stroked their hair coquettishly in front of him and expressed every sort of flirtatiousness . Shi Lian only watched them coldly, but Cai Yan clenched her teeth and scolded them countlessly . Sang Yufei sneered secretly . After all, he wasn’t Ren Zhixian, and was not charmed by some maidservants . On the contrary, he hated seeing their behavior more than Shi Lian .

The two of them had already secretly discussed that on their way to the capital, they would sell those three people to avoid trouble when they arrived there .

On the day when it was time to leave, Sang Yufei and Shi Lian both paid their respects to Sang Hong and his wife . After thinking that they would only meet again in another two or three years, tears welled up in Sang Hong’s eyes and he had mixed feelings . He was happy, proud, and sad to part with them .

“Don’t forget to write us a letter when you settle down, so that we don’t have to worry about the expenses there . If you are short on money, write a letter back to tell us . Although we aren’t very wealthy, thanks to you, our situation has become better, so we can still be of help,” Sang Hong patted his second brother’s shoulder and said . Sang Yufei quickly agreed .

Fang Shi was pleased that Shi Lian was gentle, well-mannered, and sensible . Although she was very reluctant to part after getting along with her for a few days, she held her hands and said with a smile, “We will help to look after the lands and stores . The dowries that you didn’t bring along, I’ll tidy and lock them up later . I heard that the expenditure in the capital is high and the people there are influential, but the two of you shouldn’t get by being pressed for money . I did some calculations yesterday . The lands and shops will yield 700 to 800 silvers a year . I think it’ll be more than enough for the two of you to live well in the capital!”

Upon hearing that, Shi Lian felt a sense of warmth in her heart . Although she wasn’t the pampered daughter in her family and didn’t care about money, Fang Shi was willing to give all the profits in one year to her . This kind intention was invaluable .

“Big Sister-in-law, you and Big Brother, together with Xiao Quan and Xiao Nuan, have to live better too . This way, we’ll not have to worry . We will be bringing quite a large sum with us to the capital, and my husband has an official’s salary, so we won’t be hard pressed for money . Don’t worry,” Shi Lian said with a smile .

Sang Hong replied with a sigh, “But most of the money came from your dowry . It’s better not to use them! You should keep them instead . ”

Shi Lian said with a smile, “Big Brother, you’re regarding my husband and I as outsiders by saying that . When my husband gets promoted in the future, he can return them with his increased salary!”

This brought smiles to everyone’s faces .

“Big Brother, don’t worry . I know what to do . ” Sang Yufei said with a smile . He was not inflexible . If he had to spend the money and there was no other way, it was understandable to use his wife’s dowry . Just as she had said, he would return it to her in the future . Since they were husband and wife, they ought to go through thick and thin together .

Upon seeing that it was getting late, Sang Hong was afraid to delay their journey, so he urged them to set off . Sang Yufei and Shi Lian paid their respects again before they went up the carriage .

When they arrived in Qingzhou City, they went to the Shi household as promised . After staying there for three days, Sang Yufei had a knowledgeable discussion with Shi Fenghua before becoming a guest at Magistrate Hong’s place . After which, they took a boat to the capital under Shi Fengju’s arrangement .

After Magistrate Hong met Sang Yufei, he praised his talents and learned that he was backed by the huge financial ability of the Shi Family . He assured Sang Yufei that there was nothing to worry about when he arrived at the capital, and after a year or two in Hanlin Academy, he would have no problem entering the Ministry of Manpower or Ministry of Finance . He couldn’t help but secretly make up his mind to take good care of this man so that the Shi Family would owe him a small favor in the future . Therefore, when Magistrate Hong inadvertently heard his incompetent son mention to Sang Yufei that his wife was a concubine that he didn’t want, it infuriated him . Ignoring his wife’s dissuasion, Magistrate Hong firmly beat his son with a hard plank .

Not long after Sang Yufei and his wife had left the Shi household, an uninvited guest came over .

This man wore a brand new round-neck robe, made with royal blue silk, and a pair of black boots . He also wore a jade hairpin to tie his hair . From behind, he looked like a wealthy young man with an elegant figure . However, his front was greatly disappointing . This man was almost fifty years old . He had a pair of beady eyes, high cheekbones, yellow skin with wrinkles, flat lips, and two wisps of moustache . There was also a cautious smile on his face . He clearly did not have any status or confidence .

This man was Sang Pingliang .

“Is your Miss Gu around?” Sang Pingliang asked the gatekeeper with a smile .

For such an old person to ask about Miss Gu the moment he arrived, the gatekeeper couldn’t help but look at him from head to toe before asking while remaining vigilant, “Who are you? Why are you looking for her?”

Why was he looking for her? Of course it was to ask her for help!