"So it is settled then!" Sang Wan felt relieved and hurriedly changed her clothes and washed her face and combed her hair.
Just as she was done, Shi Fengju returned. Upon seeing Sang Wan, his eyes lit up with unmistakable admiration. Her innate beauty and temperant were already extraordinary, just a slight embellishnt made her glow compellingly, captivating anyone who saw her.
The maids couldn’t help but giggle behind pursed lips upon seeing the young master’s reaction, causing Sang Wan to feel sowhat embarrassed, resenting Shi Fengju for not considering the ti and place. Seeing him still dazed, without any self-awareness, she forced a smile and asked, "Elder sister and brother-in-law are back; does my outfit look alright?"
"It looks great," Shi Fengju responded without thinking, and then casually added, "Where is the white jade hairpin I gave you? It looks even better with that on!"
Sang Wan paused, and Liu Ya, cleverly, ran to fetch the hairpin.
"Is that so!" Sang Wan laughed; since her husband had spoken, she had no choice but to dutifully wear it.
"The young master truly has a good eye! This mutton-fat jade hairpin really suits our lady!" Mrs. Li praised with a laugh, and everyone echoed in agreent.
Sang Wan’s cheeks flushed as she scolded playfully, "Mama Li, you are teasing again! Quickly fetch water for the young master to wash his face and change. We need to hurry over!"
Thus, Mrs. Li and the others busied themselves with their tasks.
The couple tidied themselves up and headed out together. Along the way, Shi Fengju casually glanced back and gave a signal, prompting Liu Ya and others to slow down and distance themselves from the couple.
"My dear Wan," Shi Fengju whispered softly to Sang Wan, "My sister is straightforward and says things without thinking. If she says anything... don’t take it to heart..."
Sang Wan was taken aback, looking up at Shi Fengju only to catch his evasive gaze, understanding all too well: this must be soone who feels the marriage was mismatched, that she had climbed up the social ladder!
"I understand," Sang Wan said with a light smile, "She’s family. No matter what elder sister says, I won’t take it to heart."
"That’s good! Let’s go!" Shi Fengju felt assured, smiling slightly.
When the two arrived, Shi Yui and Ren Zhixian had already reached there.
"Little brother, little brother! You finally ca!" Shi Yui greeted laughingly as she pulled on Shi Fengju’s arm to look him over, "Still the sa old you! But you’ve beco much steadier than before!"
"Elder sister! Brother-in-law!" Shi Fengju too began to feel joyful, chatting and laughing with Yui.
Truth be told, this sister truly cherished and protected him. In their childhood, whenever soone dared to bully him, she would always stand up for him imdiately, adhering to the principle of defending her brother regardless of right or wrong. Thus, Shi Fengju and she always had a close relationship.
"I an, you should have run over here the mont I arrived, why so late today? What, have you beco estranged from your sister now?" Shi Yui’s gaze skimd over Sang Wan, seeing not only an attractive figure from the back but an exceptionally beautiful face too, and couldn’t help feeling a ping of jealousy.
"Look where you’re going with this! I just ca back from the business office!" Shi Fengju chuckled, adding, "How could I ever be estranged from you, elder sister! You’ve spoiled us brothers since we were little!"
"At least you have so conscience, kid!" Shi Yui scoffed with a laugh.
"Wan, co, here are elder sister and brother-in-law!" Shi Fengju said as he introduced Sang Wan to Shi Yui and Ren Zhixian.
From the mont Sang Wan walked in, Ren Zhixian’s gaze had been inadvertently drawn to her, and with just one glance, he couldn’t help but recall the strikingly beautiful figure he glimpsed upon his arrival. Without asking, he was certain this woman was the one he had seen earlier.
The person exudes an elegant aura that only a well-read scholar can! But what a pity, such a stunningly beautiful woman marrying Shi Fengju, who is steeped in rcantilism! Really, a fresh flower stuck in cow dung!
Ren Zhixian couldn’t help but inwardly heave a sigh of regret, his face filled with pity.
"Elder sister! Brother-in-law!" Sang Wan quickly stepped forward and kneeled to salute.
Shi Yui first glanced at her husband, then turned to take in Sang Wan from head to toe, smiled and said, "So this is our Sang family’s sister-in-law? Indeed, a ravishing beauty! I must say, our Shi family does nurture well! Look at sister-in-law’s outfit, hehe, more grand than even those pampered ladies and young misses raised in Qingzhou City!"
Sang Wan’s smile stiffened slightly on her face, tactfully pretending not to hear.
Shi Yui was not Mrs. Zhuang; although Sang Wan hadn’t t Shi Yui in her past life, she knew that Shi Yui was the daughter whom Mrs. Wang, her mother-in-law, adored the most and also the sister Shi Fengju favored.
"Sister-in-law!" Ren Zhixian, however, nodded courteously towards Sang Wan with a smile, his eyes shimring as he looked at her, trying to find so signs of sympathy and forming an alliance in her gaze.
In his view, they should have common ground, both coming from scholarly families, both educated, and both in a position of disadvantage within the wealthy Shi family.
Unexpectedly, Ren Zhixian realized Sang Wan wasn’t paying any attention to him, not even glancing his way, leaving him disappointed! He thought to himself, seeming pretty clever and attractive, yet it turns out she’s just a good-for-nothing embroidered pillow!
If Sang Wan knew what this couple really thought about her with such twists and turns, she wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry!
"Heh heh, sister, brother-in-law, let’s sit down and talk!" Shi Fengju, covering his mouth with a fist to cough, called out with a chuckle.
Shi Yui and Ren Zhixian sat down, and Shi Fengju took a seat next to Sang Wan. Just as Mrs. Wang was about to ask her about the dinner arrangents, Shi Yui interjected from across, "When did our Shi family start lacking manners like this? A daughter-in-law seated in front of her mother-in-law? Is this really the upbringing from the Sang family or is it that you scholars have different rules?" She then turned to her husband and said, "With mother-in-law present, I never behaved so inappropriately, did I?"
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