Sang Wan said with a bitter smile, “I didn’t think that things would get to this point today! I was completely angered by that frustrating troublemaker and didn’t think things through!”
Nanny Li replied with a smile, “It doesn’t matter. There’s still Young Master! If she can’t get his love, so what if she becomes the second wife? You might not have seen it, but from the moment Young Master came in to the moment he left, he never glanced at her once! If he was still clinging onto their old affection, he wouldn’t have done anything to Lan Xiang! It’s clear that her persistence had worn off his affection!”
Sang Wan’s heart was slightly moved, but she still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Although Shi Fengju had ignored Gu Fangzi, he did not reject his mother’s request. It seemed that he had no way out, just like her! After all, she was his biological mother. How could he go head-to-head against her to the end?
Despite thinking that, Sang Wan still felt sullen.
When Nanny Li saw that Sang Wan did not look well, she helped her to lie down before she pulled the thin silk blanket up to her chest and took her leave.
Sang Wan secretly hoped that Shi Fengju would come to see her after sending Wang Shi back. Even if he couldn’t change anything, it would be good if he had a few words with her. Unexpectedly, he was nowhere to be seen after a long time. Even after she had fallen asleep and woken up when the sky was slightly dark, Shi Fengju was still nowhere to be seen.
Sang Wan was slightly disappointed. She sat up and was lost in thoughts for a while. Then, she let out a long sigh, tidied her hair, and got down the bed.
She secretly mocked herself. What exactly was she angry at? What was she expecting? Hadn’t she been clear that there would be such a possible outcome as witnessed on this day? Back then, she had concluded such a possibility as the worst possibility, and she even thought about how she was going to endure and accept it. Since it was unavoidable, rather than getting vexed about this, it would be better if she put it aside and lived her life comfortably!
This lifetime of hers was incomparable to her previous one as her life and status were guaranteed. What did she have to worry or be at a loss about? What difference was there between a second wife or a concubine, and who it was going to be? Although this one was troublesome, most of the servants were not inclined towards her. What could Gu Fangzi do to her? Now that they had already fallen out, there was nothing to worry about in the future! Since she had achieved her goal, it was fine if she could live her life from hers. However, if she were to put her in a difficult situation and plot against her, she would not be easily bullied either.
After thinking all these, Sang Wan felt more carefree. She smiled slightly and put the matter aside.
When Nanny Li came in to report to her that Shi Fengju still had some matters to handle and that she did not need to wait for him for dinner, Sang Wan didn’t mind at all. She only faintly acknowledged before asking what the kitchen had prepared. She told someone to save a few dishes for Shi Fengju and instructed them to serve dinner as usual.
When Nanny Li saw that Sang Wan looked much better after resting for a while, she was secretly happy for her for thinking things through.
Despite having those thoughts, Sang Wan couldn’t let things go and was still worried. With such a situation this day, no matter how busy Shi Fengju was, shouldn’t he come back early and say a few words to her? Even a long time after dinner, he was not seen. Sang Wan couldn’t help but be unhappy. She took a bath and went to bed.
She didn’t know when Shi Fengju would come back. However, what she knew was that while she was about to fall into a deep sleep, someone embraced her and whispered something to her before lowering his head to give her a light peck. Sang Wan did not open her eyes to bother with that. She subconsciously leaned into his embrace and fell asleep.
On the next day, Wang Shi sent Nanny Jiang over to relay her words, telling her to decorate the house, arrange a banquet, and let all the relatives and friends know that Gu Fangzi had been raised to be the second wife.
Once Nanny Jiang said that, everyone in Ning Garden1Ning GardenSang Wan & Shi Fengju's place of residence had a change in expression.
Nobody had expected Wang Shi to do something like that when she got angry. When Liu Ya, who had always been loyal to Sang Wan, heard that, she trembled from anger. If it wasn’t because Nanny Jiang had come and she couldn’t afford to offend her, Liu Ya would have lashed out.
However, what Nanny Jiang said later on shocked Liu Ya even more.
Nanny Jiang looked at her and said, “Old Mistress also said that since Miss Liu Ya has been with the Young Master for quite some time, your status will be raised as well. When the time comes, you’ll be Concubine Liu!”
“What?” Liu Ya turned pale. Upon seeing everyone’s gaze on her one after another, with some feeling dissatisfied and some jealous of her, she blushed at once. She shook her hand and quickly said, “Nanny Jiang, please tell Old Mistress! I don’t have much good fortune and am ill-fated, so I can’t afford to have that! Whoever wants to be the concubine can take my place. In short, I…I just won’t!”
Nanny Jiang was also put in a difficult situation as she had already said those words in front of Sang Wan. However, she had to make Wang Shi’s words clear. Thus, she said with a smile, “Miss Liu Ya, what are you saying? Old Mistress thinks highly of you! This is a blessing that many could only hope for!” Upon seeing that Sang Wan did not utter a word, Nanny Jiang could only say, “You’re Young Mistress’ dowry servant and you have served Young Master. You should be delighted about this! Young Mistress will surely be happy for you too!”
”No! I don’t want to!” Liu Ya panicked that her face became so red as if she was about to cry. She hurriedly shook her head and refused.
When Nanny Jiang saw that she didn’t seem like she was pretending, she was stunned. Everyone was stunned too, while only Sang Wan felt uncomfortable.
This matter had long been of the past. If Nanny Jiang didn’t bring it up, Sang Wan would have also forgotten about it. If Liu Ya changed her mind now, took advantage of the situation to her own benefit, and pretended to be put in a difficult situation to ‘reluctantly’ agree to it, Sang Wan wouldn’t say anything either. She could only suffer in silence.
However, Liu Ya did not not do so. She was still the innocent servant who had followed Sang Wan from the Sang Family and was wholehearted towards Sang Wan. The riches and honor over the past year did not blind her eyes or heart.
“Liu Ya, why are you making this difficult?” Upon seeing the situation, Nanny Li couldn’t help but frown and scolded in a low voice. Liu Ya was her adopted daughter and was also someone who belonged to Shi Fengju. Obtaining a concubine status would already be the best outcome. Although this foolish servant had a deep affection towards Sang Wan, she shouldn’t act on impulse at this time! Besides, when she became a concubine, she would still be Sang Wan’s trusted servant in the future. So why did she refuse? Now that she had refused, someone would surely implicate this matter onto Sang Wan and label her as ‘unvirtuous’!
She wasn’t helping Sang Wan but harming her instead!
Nanny Li was secretly anxious and couldn’t help but look at Sang Wan. At this moment, as long as Sang Wan spoke, she believed that Liu Ya would definitely be able to get out of the embarrassing situation. After all, Liu Ya had refused because of her affection towards Sang Wan.
Because Nanny Li was Liu Ya’s adoptive mother, it was not convenient for her to speak. If she spoke, it would be as if she was helping her adopted daughter.
Sang Wan was actually put in a difficult situation as well. She knew about Liu Ya’s intentions but could not say a word, not even a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The outcome had to depend on Liu Ya!
In a moment of desperation, Liu Ya was quick-witted and said, “Nothing happened between Young Master and I! I would rather be a servant for life and serve him and Young Mistress. As for being a concubine, I’ve never thought about it. Please tell Old Mistress that I appreciate her kindness but forgive me for refusing it!”
“What did you say?” Nanny Li was taken aback. “Back then… Back then, didn’t you…”
Nanny Jiang was also dumbstruck. Just what is going on in the past two days? Why can’t there be any peace? Such a simple task of passing a message, why did it have to become so difficult? She also felt a headache, let alone Old Mistress!
“Miss Liu Ya, this matter mustn’t be taken lightly.”
“I’m not, Nanny Jiang.” Liu Ya quickly added, “Actually… I was only serving tea in the study room. Afterward, Young Master fell asleep. He didn’t tell me to leave, so I didn’t dare to leave. So I… I fell asleep on the chair. The next morning, Young Master woke me up and I went back…”
Nobody could utter a word. Nanny Jiang opened her mouth and said helplessly, “You silly servant! Why didn’t you say a thing about it? Everyone thought that the Young Master had taken a fancy to you.”
Liu Ya’s face turned red and stuttered, “Nobody… asked me about it. How can I simply bring it up!”
Nanny Li froze. Everyone had taken it as a matter of course, so nobody would have asked her. She couldn’t bring it up for no reason either.
However…
Nevertheless, Nanny Li still felt that this matter was too absurd.
Sang Wan silently laughed. This servant was quick-witted and duped both shrewd nannies.
“Liu Ya.” Sang Wan finally spoke. “This matter is Old Mistress’ kindness towards you. I won’t force you, but think clearly first. No matter what, I’ll still treat you as you are in the future.”
Liu Ya was her dowry servant after all. Regardless, she had to speak on this.
“Young Mistress.” Upon hearing that, Liu Ya kneeled before her. She looked up at her and said firmly and calmly, “I wouldn’t dare to rise in the social class because of connections. I would rather serve you and Young Master for a lifetime! Forgive me for not accepting Old Mistress’ good intentions. Young Mistress, please agree to this!”
Liu Ya and Sang Wan had always been on good terms. Everyone was also used to seeing her smiling self. Now that she was suddenly serious today, they were somewhat surprised. Her expression and tone showed that she had spoken from the bottom of her heart. Otherwise, given her relationship with Sang Wan, even if she admitted, Sang Wan would not tolerate her. So what if she became a concubine? She was still a servant and could only depend on Sang Wan. Unless she had lost her mind, she would not betray Sang Wan.
Nanny Jiang’s expression turned somewhat ugly and she felt that Sang Wan had a temper these days. She had gone against Wang Shi not long ago which caused her to act in a fit of pique to raise Liu Ya’s status. However, she would not be at a losing end even if she agreed to it. Better still, when Wang Shi saw that she had gone according to her wishes, she might even feel guilty and let the past matters be bygones. However, not only did Sang Wan not help to persuade Liu Ya, she also vaguely supported her.
