Shi Fengju’s eyes sank and he said nonchalantly, “Don’t do anything for now. I’ll speak with my mother first!”
Upon hearing that, Nanny Li was secretly happy and hurriedly agreed. Then, she told the servants to draw water for Shi Fengju to wash his face and hands before helping him get changed. She also told them to see whether the kitchen had prepared food.
Since Sang Wan was absent, Ning Garden1Ning GardenSang Wan & Shi Fengju's place of residence was very much silent. When Liu Ya was still around, she loved to interact with others. However, Nanny Li and Zhide did not talk much. Shi Fengju and Nanny Li had nothing more to say afterward, and he was not in the mood to speak with the rest of the servants either. When Sang Wan was around, the two of them would chat happily. Now that she and Liu Ya had left, nobody dared to make a sound besides doing the work assigned to them. As such, the atmosphere inside the house felt somewhat tense.
Shi Fengju felt awkward being surrounded by servants. During dinner, he dismissed them, and only his bowl and chopsticks remained with him on the huge table. He couldn’t taste anything from the luxurious dishes on the table, so he returned to his study room and sent someone back to Ning Garden to let everyone rest as he did not feel like returning.
After Sang Wan had left, Wang Shi paid attention to Ning Garden and got to know that Shi Fengju had locked himself in his study room. That made her somewhat unhappy. Since his wife wasn’t going back, he wasn’t going to do so either?
When it was time to pay respects to her the next morning, Wang Shi immediately went straight to ask Shi Fengju, “Fengju, are you angry with me? Sang Wan said she wanted to recuperate at the country house. I wasn’t the one who chased her away. Nanny Jiang was present at that time. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her!”
Upon seeing Wang Shi look at her as if wanting her to testify for her, Nanny Jiang was caught in between tears and laughter. Old Mistress has become more and more like a kid! She is the Young Master’s mother. Why would he doubt her words? Besides, Nanny Jiang was her trusted aide. If the Young Master doubted his mother’s words, would he still believe her? Moreover, which master even needed her servant to testify for her!
“Yes, Young Master. Young Mistress was indeed the one who wanted to leave. It had nothing to do with… Old Mistress!” Nanny Jiang could only say this.
Like Nanny Jiang, Shi Fengju was also caught between tears and laughter. He was angry with his mother’s actions. However, when he heard her words at this moment, he didn’t know whether to still be angry.
Shi Fengju felt that he was pretty much out of luck. In the past, he had refused his and Sang Wan’s marriage, and his mother had to make use of his deceased ancestors and father in order for the marriage to go through. Now that he had seen through Gu Fangzi and was fond of his wife, he wanted to spend every blissful day with her and yet his mother kept intervening.
If his mother was deliberately causing all kinds of trouble for his wife, he would naturally protect her from his mother. However, the problem was that his mother did not actually hate his wife. Because of various reasons, things blew up and Gu Fangzi contributed to it as well. How could he bear to blame his mother?
“Mother.” Shi Fengju said with a helpless smile, “Why would I blame you? Sang Wan had discussed it with me before going to Dongliu Country House. It’s naturally what she wanted!”
Upon hearing her son say that, Wang Shi was relieved. She nodded her head and said with a smile, “I’m relieved that you’re thinking this way! That study room is desolate with no one considerate to serve you. Don’t stay there tonight! If you don’t want to return to Ning Garden, go to Peony Park2Peony ParkGu Fangzi's place of residence instead!”
“Mother!’ Shi Fengju’s expression sank slightly.
“Why?” Wang Shi argued, “Fang’er is your concubine. Since your wife is not here, it’s proper for her to serve you! Besides, she will soon be raised to your second wife. I’ve set my mind on this, so don’t you tell me otherwise!”
After Wang Shi said that, she glared at her son unblinkingly, not letting any of his slight change in expressions slip past her eyes as if she wanted to see through him.
It wasn’t that he was unwilling, but he could not do so! He, Shi Fengju, would not keep a woman who schemed and made use of his mother over and over again. By getting rid of Lan Xiang, he wanted to give her a warning, but she unexpectedly did not care at all. Instead, she made his mother say such words.
“Since you aren’t against it, then this matter is set! I’ll ask someone to look at the available dates and pick an auspicious one to get it done!” When Wang Shi saw that her son did not say a word, she made the final decision.
“It might not be possible in the coming days.” Shi Fengju said with a smile, “I’ll need to attend the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce this year in Hangzhou two days later. This can wait until after that!”
The Chamber of Commerce was held once every two years. Almost all the merchants in various countries would gather in Hangzhou and sell various unique goods. There would also be many new and fresh goods there, and it was one of the most important gatherings for businesses all around the world. Not only could one have connections, but it was also beneficial for one to grasp the trends of various industries at present and in the future. All along, the one in charge of the Shi Family’s business would attend it. At the same time, he would bring back various commercial purchasing contracts, which affected the direction of the Shi Family’s business in the next one or two years. Naturally, Wang Shi had heard about it.
“Fine. We’ll talk about it when you come back!” When Wang Shi saw that her son did not turn her down, she felt better. She didn’t want to argue with him at the moment.
“Mother, don’t make this matter public yet. We’ll talk when I return. Can you promise me that?” Shi Fengju asked.
Despite being unhappy, Wang Shi could only reluctantly nod her head. “Alright. You’ll have to listen to me when you return!”
“When have I not listened to you?” Shi Fengju smiled.
Wang Shi scoffed. “Don’t play dumb with me! If you’re really filial, you would’ve already complied with me on this! Be extra careful on the journey. I think it’s better to ride a carriage instead. Let the supervisors make all the arrangements first. It shouldn’t matter if you reach there slightly later!”
When Wang Shi recalled the accident that had happened not too long ago, she felt fearful.
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll listen to you. I won’t get on a boat this time but ride a carriage!” Shi Fengju replied with a smile.
“That better be so!” Wang Shi nodded in satisfaction upon hearing that.
Not long after Shi Fengju left, Gu Fangzi came to pay a visit while looking pale and dispirited. She forced a smile on her face as though it would sink when it was touched, which made Wang Shi feel sorry for her. When Wang Shi saw an unfamiliar servant behind Gu Fangzi, she silently sighed, waved her hand, and said with a smile, “Take a seat! Fengju has agreed to raise you to his second wife. This piece of news should be enough to make you happy, right?
As expected, Gu Fangzi’s body shook as she looked up in disbelief.
Her big cousin had agreed to raise her to be his second wife? Had her aunt heard that wrongly or was she the one who had heard wrongly?
“Silly girl! Would I try to deceive you?” Wang Shi said with a smile, “Shi Fengju is going to Hangzhou to attend the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce in two days. It’ll be done when he comes back!”
Gu Fangzi, who was delighted for a moment, was dispirited again. Wouldn’t it be a month later before he returned from Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce? At that time, who knew what changes there would be! Her big cousin was clearly delaying it. Only her aunt would believe him so easily!
“Thank you, Aunt Wang!” Gu Fangzi said softly while looking down with a slight smile on her face. Of course, she couldn’t show Wang Shi that she was somewhat disappointed and displeased.
“No need to thank me.” Wang Shi sighed. “In my heart, both you and Yumei are my dearest children. Whenever I recall the man that Yumei married, I always feel uncomfortable! How can I bear to see you not getting by well!” That concubine’s girl, whom she looked down on and did not take seriously, ended up having a good marriage.
Upon hearing that, Gu Fangzi was moved and yet, somewhat disappointed.
“Now, things are finally perfect!” Wang Shi said with a satisfied smile, “In the future, spend your days well with Fengju. I know that you’re a good child, and you will not let me down! You still need to take good care of your cousin, Yumei, in the future!”
Gu Fangzi’s heart lit up and everything suddenly became clear at once. Her aunt was actually helping her wholeheartedly and had such a goal. This was just nice. This way, she would definitely help her to the end! After all, her eldest cousin did not get along well with Sang Wan, which was clear to everyone.
“She is like an elder sister to me, I’ll have to ask her for guidance instead! She will be the one taking care of me instead of the other way around!”
When Wang Shi heard that, she knew that Gu Fangzi regarded Shi Yumei highly, so she was very happy with that. She nodded and said with a smile, “You’re right. The two of you are like real sisters and need to help each other in the future! Seeing you girls getting along well, I can rest assured!”
Gu Fangzi hurriedly made a vow to express her dedication.
After some thought, she suddenly said, “When is Big Cousin going to Hangzhou?”
Wang Shi replied with a smile, “He said it’ll be within the next two days. I’m afraid it will be soon!”
Gu Fangzi nodded and said with a smile, “I remember that the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce seems to start on the 22nd of June every year. I had guessed that he’d be setting off soon.”
Wang Shi said with a smile, “It seems so. You have a good memory…Oh, I remember! I’m pretty sure you went with him once in the past!”
“Aunt Wang,” Gu Fangzi smiled slightly and seized the opportunity to say, “It’ll be more convenient if someone takes care of him on the journey. Why not let me accompany him there!”
Upon hearing that, Wang Shi was happy. She nodded and said with a smile, “You’re very right! With you taking care of him, I can rest assured at home! Also, the two of you can nurture your feelings on the journey. When you return from Hangzhou, you will then be raised to his second wife. Won’t that be great?”
Gu Fangzi had expected Wang Shi to agree. When she heard that, she felt great joy and quickly said, “Aunt Wang, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Big Cousin! Still, I know that he has doubts about me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten rid of Lan Xiang! Although I can’t bear to part with her, I think it’ll be worth it as long as he isn’t angry with me anymore. I don’t know if he’s still angry with me now…”
