"Rituals must not be discarded, filial piety must be adhered to, the actions of the younger brother’s wife are indeed improper! The eldest brother-in-law should provide guidance!" Ren Zhixian also spoke earnestly. In his heart, deep disappointnt in Sang Wan grew, prompting an involuntary sigh: How difficult it is to find a like-minded person in this world!
"It was my fault, I was careless for a mont!" Sang Wan quickly stood up.
"Miss Wan!" Shi Fengju could not help but feel a silent anger, giving Ren Zhixian a cold glance. He had never held much regard for this seemingly virtuous, yet utterly pedantic eldest brother-in-law. If he were a real man, he wouldn’t have squandered the family wealth and consider it normal to sell off his wife’s dowry just to get by. What’s more infuriating is, among the four maids brought by his elder sister as part of her dowry, all but Cui Zhu were taken in as maids and concubines less than a year after the marriage, and when tis got tough, he sold those three and only kept Cui Zhu, who now has also started to wear her hair up like a married woman!
It’s one thing for his wife to be admonished by his elder sister, but why should he interject? If he really were well-mannered and understood the concept of propriety, wouldn’t he know to avoid impertinence? Is his eldest brother-in-law’s wife soone he has a right to comnt on?
Shi Fengju took Sang Wan’s hand and made her sit down, "We’re all family here, no need for so many formalities! Since when did my sister beco so fastidious!" Shi Fengju said with a chuckle, lightly and casually, while secretly squeezing Sang Wan’s hand to comfort her.
"Indeed, Yui, you’ve misunderstood Miss Wan!" Mrs. Wang said with a smile: "Your sister-in-law knows very well about rules and etiquette! I’ve even felt she’s too courteous at tis, which can make family feel distant! Ha ha, it took quite so effort for her to let her guard down in front of , and now with your words, she might beco all uptight again! Miss Wan, it’s just your sister’s casual remark, don’t take it to heart, ha ha, please sit! By the way, how’s dinner coming along?"
"Mrs. Li is keeping an eye on it, it should be ready soon!" Sang Wan hurriedly answered with a smile, offering a grateful smile to her mother-in-law.
"Yes, it was just a comnt, younger sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart! Ha ha, you are indeed fortunate, with both my mother and brother so protective of you!" Shi Yui, seeing that her mother and brother sided with Sang Wan, felt even more displeased, but sensing her brother’s irritation, she didn’t continue. Glancing around, she then asked with a laugh: "Why don’t I see cousin Fangzi? Fengju, what could Fangzi be doing that she hasn’t co to see upon hearing of my return?"
Shi Fengju’s heart tightened, and he instinctively glanced at Sang Wan. Shi Yui, noticing this look, felt even more resentnt, thinking: Not long after the marriage, and already my brother is wrapped around her finger! What will happen if they have a son in the future!
Sang Wan maintained a calm and tranquil expression, her brows not raising an inch, yet inwardly, she felt aggrieved. She had seen the look from Shi Fengju and the displeasure on Shi Yui’s face, and thought: Is there anyone more wronged than in this world? Young master, your sister asked you a question, why look at ? What does your Fangzi’s activities have to do with ?
"Unfortunately, she went to the temple yesterday to conduct a ritual ceremony for our uncle’s soul, and won’t be back till tomorrow! When she’s back, she will, of course, pay you a visit," Shi Fengju said with a forced smile.
"So that’s the case! I was wondering; Fangzi is such a nice person, she certainly wouldn’t neglect to see !" Shi Yui laughed rrily. She went on to lavish praise on Gu Fangzi, recalling fond past experiences they shared together.
Mrs. Wang, being on in years, naturally loved to reminisce about the past, but Sang Wan sitting aside found herself unable to contribute even a single word, only left to sit there silently, while Shi Fengju found all the chatter increasingly awkward and grating to the ear, wanting not to listen at all. Finally reaching his limit, he sought an opening to interrupt and casually turned to Ren Zhixian with a faint smile, asking, "Speaking of which, wasn’t eldest brother-in-law planning to attend the rural examination in Hangzhou this year? What brings you here—"
He rembered during his own wedding, his sister had sent a ssage, claiming that she needed to stay ho to tend to her husband and help him study for this year’s rural examination and hence wouldn’t attend his wedding.
Ren Zhixian’s expression changed slightly, then he composed himself, clearing his throat and saying sowhat awkwardly: "That is, this year’s fortune is not favorable, not suitable for traveling... not suitable... the next session, the next session will be just right!"
Shi Yui, upon hearing Shi Fengju bring up this matter, couldn’t help but get angry. Unfavorable fortunes indeed, but it wasn’t for him, it was for her! It was bad enough that he had spent all their living expenses on courtesans at the brothel, but to make it worse, his stubborn pride forbade her from borrowing money from her natal family! She knew what he ant by not allowing her to borrow: not to reveal the true reason for needing the money! No matter, she thought, her family was wealthy, and both her mother and brother doted on her; it wouldn’t be a problem to fabricate so excuse and secure a few hundred silver taels. The real issue was that the fool, drunk, had fallen into a ditch and sprained his ankle, which took over a month to heal! By the ti he recovered, the registration period for the examination had already passed!
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