Mrs. Jiang said these words and quickly took a step back, bowing to apologize.
"Get up quickly!" Mrs. Wang said with a smile: "Once the door is closed, we can say anything! You are right, and I agree with you! However, let’s wait for Fengju to co back to make a final decision, I will first discuss this with Miss Wan."
"The madam has thought everything through!" Mrs. Jiang quickly added another sentence.
At that mont, a maid reported: "Soone from the Zhuang family has delivered an invitation!"
Hearing the word "Zhuang family", Mrs. Wang hastily composed herself, realizing it was a servant delivering the invitation and not Mrs. Zhuang herself, she then breathed a sigh of relief and gently patted her chest, saying: "That damn girl, always giving a scare! But it’s okay!" She had thought Mrs. Zhuang had co in person to mock her for the troubles caused by Gu Jin’s visit! Then she thought, how could Mrs. Zhuang have such tily information? It must have been her own fears, and she couldn’t help but laugh about it.
After the visitor paid their respects, they handed over the invitation. It was from Mrs. Zhuang inviting her to a banquet three days later. Mrs. Wang did not think twice and happily accepted.
"I heard that Mrs. Zhuang’s sister-in-law brought over a relative’s daughter, and she is said to be a talented lady. Is that true?" Mrs. Wang casually asked as she laid down the invitation.
"It seems so." Mrs. Jiang nodded and dismissively said: "Who knows how distantly related they are. I heard that Mrs. Zhuang calls her ’niece’ very affectionately! I believe it’s all an act to show off to the elder son of the Zhuang family! Bah, what talented lady! I bet she can’t compare to our eldest madam!"
"I think so too!" Mrs. Wang was suddenly full of fighting spirit and said: "Call Miss Wan over!" Whether this daughter-in-law truly has any genuine talent will soon be apparent. If she loses to that worthless relative of the Zhuang family, it will give her more reason to bring Gu Fangzi into the house; if she wins, just give her so praise and comfort, and treat her even better!
Having made up her mind, Mrs. Wang then said to Mrs. Jiang, "The matter we just discussed, don’t ntion it to the eldest madam yet, let’s talk about it after the banquet!"
Mrs. Jiang found this amusing, but smiled and quickly replied: "Your servant wouldn’t dare speak out of turn! Who else besides you has the authority to speak!"
Mrs. Wang thought so too and nodded with a laugh.
At that ti, the two aunts from the second house were quarreling, creating a chaotic atmosphere in the courtyard. Given Second Madam Shi’s temperant, she would undoubtedly vent her unresolved anger on Second Grandma Shi. Thus, Second Grandma Shi slipped away quietly first and ca to Sang Wan’s place to avoid trouble. The sister-in-law discussed and directed the maids on the bed to trace flower patterns while cracking sunflower seeds and gossiping.
Hearing that Mrs. Wang wanted to see her, Sang Wan tapped her coat and stood up, grabbing a handful of sunflower seeds and sugar for the ssenger, and asked, "Is there a visitor?"
The ssenger accepted them with thanks and replied with a smile: "No, it was soone from the Zhuang family who delivered an invitation that seed to be inviting the madam to a banquet, so the madam sent to call the eldest madam over."
"I understand!" Sang Wan smiled and nodded, "I’ll change my clothes and co over!"
Mrs. Wang likes to see people dressed neatly and glamorously. This everyday pale floral top was a bit too plain; changing would be better.
Sang Wan then looked at Second Grandma Shi, who quickly smiled and said, "Since the eldest aunt has invited you, sister-in-law, you should go ahead. I’ll stay here and watch over the maids finishing these two flower patterns before going back!"
Although the master wasn’t around, a guest should know to take their leave. But Second Grandma Shi really did not want to return to that ss, at least not until Second Madam Shi’s fury had subsided, so she shalessly said so.
Since she said so, Sang Wan was not in a position to explicitly rush her away, so she smiled and invited her to make herself comfortable, noticing Hong Ye and others had already invited the ssenger who brought the news to sit on a small stool beside them and drink tea and snack while chatting softly. She then called Liu Ya to co in and change clothes.
Soon after, Sang Wan erged wearing an erald-colored narrow-sleeved outer coat with patterns of ’Four Gentlen’ flowers scattered on a water-red satin surface, along with a peach-colored printed long skirt. Even her hair was slightly adorned, pinned with a ’Three Friends of Winter’ hairpiece in jadeite and pearls, and she wore a bracelet of exceptionally fine green jadeite on her creamy white wrist. She called Mrs. Li and two maids to follow her, along with the leading maid, and they all left together.
Mrs. Wang was exceptionally warm today, her smile so broad that it made Sang Wan secretly amazed and suspicious.
Sang Wan naturally couldn’t decline the invitation to the banquet at the Zhuang’s house three days later. She smiled and nodded softly, boldly asking for advice: "Don’t laugh at , mother-law, but I’ve never attended such a banquet before. I’m not even sure how to dress or how to prepare, so I would appreciate any advice you can give!"
Mrs. Wang was delighted to hear her say this and replied with a smile: "Don’t worry! I’ve already thought of this, the best tailor from the embroidery shop will co by later tonight, and with two or three days, there’s enough ti to make the most fashionable outfits! And as for matching jewelry, the lady shopkeeper of the embroidery shop will also help arrange it, and I’ll have soone send it to you when it’s ready!"
Sang Wan was relieved and quickly smiled, "That couldn’t be better! As always, mother is thoughtful and ticulous, I am truly incomparable!"
Mrs. Wang waved her hands and said with a smile, "Our Shi family is wealthy, it’s nothing! Oh, Miss Wan, I’ve heard that Mrs. Zhuang’s distant niece is quite a talented lady! When the ti cos, you must stand out for your mother-in-law and outshine that woman! Let everyone know what a real talented lady looks like!"
So much pressure! Sang Wan inwardly groaned. Though she considered herself well-read, the world is vast, and talents erge in every era. Given that this woman had a reputation as a talented lady, she must be no ordinary person. Not to ntion, Mrs. Zhuang wouldn’t flaunt and invite people to a banquet without true ability from that woman!
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