Upon hearing Gu Fangzi bring that up, Wang Shi couldn’t help but feel disgusted. She waved her hand and said, “He won’t. I’m in charge of this. Go back and pack your luggage, and be ready to set off! Since he has already gotten rid of Lan Xiang, would he still be angry? If he’s still angry, then he has quite a temper!”
Gu Fangzi was silently happy to hear that. She quickly got up and agreed respectfully. So what if her cousin didn’t like her? Since she could make him commit to her in the past, she believed that as long as she had a chance to be by his side, she would still have a way to make him fall for her! Feelings could either change for the better or for the worse, and it would depend on whether she was diligent enough to come up with a plan to win him over!
She had lost once and learnt from her mistakes this time!
“What’s this servant’s name? Is she useful to you?’ Wang Shi nodded and asked.
Gu Fangzi took this chance and said with a smile, “She is sensible and obedient. I would like to request for another servant to go to Hangzhou together so that I can take care of Big Cousin more carefully! When I come back, I’ll return the servant to you!”
This was what Wang Shi wanted. With another servant by her side, her son would naturally be better taken care of.
“Sure!” Wang Shi replied with a smile, “I’ll let Xiu Chun go with you then! If you like her, she can serve you in the future!”
Wang Shi treated the servants by her side very well. How could she simply give them away after being used to them for so many years? She could not bear to give her servants even to her son, let alone others. Gu Fangzi understood she was not sincere and only blurted it out. She would be a fool if she agreed to that!
She hurriedly refused her, “I wouldn’t dare want a servant who serves you! You have taught them to be so outstanding; I will seem inferior if I take them, so I won’t dare to have them!”
“How dare you dislike my servants!” Wang Shi started laughing and felt relieved. In fact, she regretted her words as soon as she blurted it out.
“You haven’t told me your servant’s name yet!” Wang Shi raised the question again.
Gu Fangzi was slightly embarrassed and said with a reluctant smile, “She is called… called Lan Xiang…”
“Lan Xiang?” Wang Shi’s expression sank and she asked, “Who gave her this name?” Without needing to ask, Wang Shi could roughly guess who it was.
“It was Big Cousin.” Gu Fangzi was still somewhat embarrassed but said with a smile, “But it doesn’t matter what her name is. Any name is fine!”
Wang Shi sighed. “Since you think so, then I’m relieved! My dear child, you’re sensible to be able to see the whole picture!”
“As long as it’s Big Cousin’s decision, I will not go against it,” Gu Fangzi said softly.
Wang Shi sighed softly and nodded before waving her hand to dismiss her.
“Fengju is already old enough, but why does he not do things properly!” After Gu Fangzi left, Wang Shi couldn’t help but complain to Nanny Jiang.
Lan Xiang had been sent away but here came another one. What nerve he had to do that! Wasn’t he clearly punishing her on purpose!
It was not proper for Nanny Jiang to answer that, so she forced a smile and stuttered. Wang Shi didn’t need an answer from her, but felt more and more angry. She instructed Nanny Jiang to tell Shi Fengju to see her after he came back.
Shi Fengju returned only when it was very late. Once he heard that his mother was looking for him, he went over without even changing his clothes.
“You just returned home? Why are you back so late?” Wang Shi stared at him before saying sadly, “Your wife isn’t home. Is that why you don’t want to come back?”
Shi Fengju was caught in between tears and laughter. What was wrong with his mother recently? Why did she suddenly drag Sang Wan into this?
“Aren’t I going to Hangzhou in two days? I have to hand over everything here clearly and properly, so I came back late!” Then, he said to Wang Shi, “Mother, what’s wrong with you lately? In the past, you wouldn’t say such things!”
Wang Shi was startled to hear that, and thought: Great, you’ve changed! Weren’t her words something she would often say when her son returned late? When did he start to talk back to her!
“What are you talking about? Your mother is doing fine. I think there’s something wrong with you instead! Have you decided on a date to set off?” Wang Shi asked as she stared at him.
Shi Fengju answered with a smile, “Probably two days time!” He then added, “Mother, do you have anything you want? I’ll bring it back for you on my way home!”
“I don’t have anything I want!” Wang Shi replied with a smile, “I want you to bring two people with you, and you cannot decline.”
“Two people?” Shi Feng was slightly startled and seemed to have understood what his mother meant.
“You need someone proper to take care of you outside. Let Fang’er and Xiu Chun follow you. They can help you tidy up and take care of your meals and everyday life. Only then will I be at ease at home!”
“Mother,” Shi Fengju frowned and refused, “There is no need for them! I wanted to tell you about this too. I plan to go to the Dong Liu Country house tomorrow night and bring Sang Wan along the day after. Sang Wan has been the one looking after me, even on the journey back from Handan, so I’m used to her taking care of me. Furthermore, the scenery in Hangzhou is nice, so I want to bring her out to enjoy it. Cousin Fangzi and Xiu Chun should stay at home to accompany you instead!”
Wang Shi was startled. “You… you want to bring Sang Wan with you?”
“Yes.” Shi Fengju added, “You don’t have to worry now, right?”
Don’t have to worry? Theoretically, she should be at ease. After all, there was somebody taking care of her son! However, Wang Shi felt uncomfortable and said after a while, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I was worried for nothing!”
“I’ve been busy, but aren’t I telling you now!” Shi Fengju smiled brightly and said, “Alright, just take it that I was forgetful and muddled. I’ll apologize to you, Mother. Are you happy now?”
Wang Shi was caught in between tears and laughter. No matter how uncomfortable she felt, there was nothing she could say. She waved her hand and said, “Fine, fine! Be on your way! Whatever you say is always more reasonable!”
Although Wang Shi was displeased, her son’s feelings were more important. Since he said that Sang Wan took care of him well, Wang Shi could only drop the subject.
Shi Fengju smiled and said a few more words before taking his leave.
At Peony Park2Peony ParkGu Fangzi's place of residence, Gu Fangzi had not stopped smiling ever since she returned. She packed her own luggage and was meticulous. She knew that it was an excellent opportunity this time. If she didn’t grasp this opportunity, it would be rare to come by in the future! Jiangnan was picturesque, and the two shared a common past. They had also been on this path together, and Sang Wan would not be there to dampen her spirits. Gu Fangzi believed that a human heart was not made of iron. On the account of her working hard to take care of him, even if he didn’t change his mind right away and treated her as before, he would at least treat her well. When they returned, the two of them would definitely get along better. At that time, as long as she sowed some discord between Sang Wan and him, Sang Wan would surely make some mistakes out of anger and Shi Fengju would eventually belong to her!
In order to gain Shi Fengju’s favor and make him reminisce about the past, Gu Fangzi made careful considerations in choosing her clothes and accessories. In the middle of the night, she and her servant finished packing up. They extinguished the lamp and went to bed.
Lan Xiang’s peaceful breathing could be heard very soon, while Gu Fangzi was too excited to sleep. In the dead of night, she couldn’t help but think of the previous Lan Xiang. If she was still here, she would have been as excited and would have neverending words to tell her. The present Lan Xiang was still incomparable!
Gu Fangzi did not expect that when she paid respects to Wang Shi the next morning, she would receive a turn of events that was like a bolt from the blue. Her face turned pale in a split second and her shocked expression made Wang Shi feel even more sorry and guilty.
“This is all my fault. Things wouldn’t have turned out like this if I had asked Fengju first! Since he’s bringing Sang Wan along, you shall stay at home. It’s good too since you can better prepare for your marriage!” Wang Shi slightly clapped her hands while smiling.
Gu Fangzi was so angry that she nearly cursed. She clenched her fists tightly and held herself back.
“Yes. Sister Sang Wan has always been meticulous. With her taking care of Big Cousin, you and I don’t have to worry! It’s fine as long as he is happy! This has nothing to do with you, Aunt Wang. How can I accept your apology?” Gu Fangzi said reluctantly with a smile.
Wang Shi saw that she was apparently forcing a smile, looking worse than if she were crying. She felt awful, yet Gu Fangzi still went ahead and consoled her. Wang Shi felt very touched at that. She lightly patted Gu Fangzi’s hand, and sighed while not knowing what to say.
Sang Wan and Liu Ya had spent two days in Dong Liu Country house. It was a secluded place where the Shi Family loved to spend their summers at. All the furniture in the house was cleaned and tidied up, so it was convenient for Sang Wan to stay in.
There was a huge fragrant camphor forest behind the house. Sang Wan loved the peace and the special fragrance in the air there the most. She often spent half a day with Liu Ya there.
On the day that she arrived, she was vaguely hoping that Shi Fengju would come to find her. Even if she wouldn’t go back with him, the least he could do was express that he had her in his heart.
Unexpectedly, two days had passed and Shi Fengju was nowhere to be seen. On the contrary, Nanny Li had sent someone to deliver tea leaves, tea set, pastries, fruits, a thin blanket, cushions, and more, which she was used to eating and using, on the next day. Sang Wan was grateful but couldn’t help but feel wronged. She silently got angry and became somewhat gloomy.
Liu Ya knew Sang Wan the best. Upon seeing her reaction, she consoled with a smile, “Young Mistress, don’t be too sad. Young Master must be very busy these few days. Otherwise, he would’ve come here to visit you! Everyone knows that he treats you the best!”
Were her feelings so obvious? Even her servant could see through her in one glance and even took the initiative to console her!
Sang Wan suddenly felt disarrayed and embarrassed.
After a second thought, what was she angry for? So what if Shi Fengju didn’t visit or care about her? Wasn’t that expected? Why did she want him to come? She was simply thinking too highly of herself and him. Why should she make herself suffer for no reason?
With those thoughts, she suddenly felt better. She shot Liu Ya a displeased look and said with a smile, “What are you talking about? How did you see that I’m sad? I finally came out to have some fresh air. The scenery here is so good, and there is nothing much to worry about. I’m not so foolish as to let my imagination run wild instead of spending a good time here!”
