"You! What am I supposed to say to you!" Shi Yui was utterly frustrated with her, as if hating iron for not turning into steel. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but look carefully around the room at the arrangents. What she saw was a stark simplicity, a night-and-day difference from the previously splendid and exquisite decorations!
Shi Yui conveniently ignored the fact that Gu Fangzi was in mourning and snorted: "She has reduced your room to this state, and you still speak for her! Even the hos of our more dignified housekeepers are more refined than this!"
Saying that, she asked, "What about the original items? Why did you obediently put everything away? You should have kept a few and displayed them, so it looks sowhat presentable!"
Seizing the opportunity, Gu Fangzi added fuel to the fire, twisting the truth, and recounted how everything had been packed away by Sang Wan. Then with an air of guilt, she said: "Originally, I had especially kept a gold-inlaid white jade Guanyin pendant for fertility, a gold-inlaid jadeite bead hairpin, a string of high-quality agarwood prayer beads, and a few other items for my dear cousin, but she made pack those away too. Now that my dear cousin has returned, I wasn’t able to prepare a proper welco gift..."
"That Sang family girl goes too far!" Angered, Shi Yui was about to jump up and slamd her hand on the table. "I am going to settle the score with her right now!"
"Cousin, please no! I’m begging you, you mustn’t!" In panic, Gu Fangzi hurriedly pulled her back, tears almost streaming down her face.
Shi Yui originally intended to confront her imdiately, seeing Gu Fangzi’s tearful shaking of her head and saying "You mustn’t," it took her a mont to realize, finally sighing and saying: "You’re right; if I go find her now, she wouldn’t dare do anything to , but she would surely make you suffer later! I can’t be so impulsive and drag you into this!"
Exactly that! Gu Fangzi thought to herself.
"Thank you for your understanding, dear cousin!" Gu Fangzi wiped her tears and took a couple of steps back, giving Shi Yui a deep courtesy and said softly: "I’m really okay, truly."
"Don’t worry, I have my plans!" Shi Yui thought for a mont and let out a sneer, "Rest assured, whatever I do, I definitely won’t let her suspect you!"
Gu Fangzi hurriedly said, "Auntie and big cousin are already having a hard ti. If we cause them concern—"
"My mother is so naive! It seems that my younger brother has also been misled by her! I can’t be bothered to speak in front of them!" The thought of Mrs. Wang and Shi Fengju’s defense of Sang Wan made Shi Yui even more indignant, and she grumbled bitterly: "Once I expose that woman’s true face, my mother and brother will surely understand!"
"Cousin really thinks of everything!" Gu Fangzi promptly showered her with flattery. The two of them sat back down to drink tea and chat.
Gu Fangzi was thrilled to hear that Shi Yui and Ren Zhixian were planning a long stay at the Shi family residence. Her smile was genuine and joyous, clearly emanating from the heart.
"That’s wonderful! Truly wonderful!" She grasped Shi Yui’s hand tightly, beaming with joy, "Cousin, now we can talk together often, just like in the past!"
"Indeed!" Shi Yui, seeing the sincere happiness and welco from Gu Fangzi, couldn’t help but feel glad too. The thought of the happy tis they used to share as cousins ward her heart even more.
"While dear cousin is here, I also have company to relieve my boredom, which is wonderful!" Gu Fangzi laughed again, then sighed, "But to speak the truth, cousin may not be able to stay at ho for long. Once your husband tops the imperial examination and becos an official, dear cousin, you’ll be living a life of luxury. Just don’t forget your little cousin here, make sure to visit often when you have the ti!"
Everyone loves to hear complints, especially ones that resonate deeply. Shi Yui was overjoyed upon hearing these words, as if her husband’s future success was imminent. She repeatedly expressed her agreent with delight.
Seeing that she had cheered her up, Gu Fangzi flattered her further, leading Shi Yui to be even more delighted and her resentnt towards Sang Wan to grow.
Soon, it was approaching dinner ti, and Xiuchun ca over with a smile to invite the lady of the house to dine.
"Is it that ti already!" Shi Yui was surprised and glanced outside at the sky, and then, pulling Gu Fangzi along, she said with a smile, "Let’s go, we can head over together!"
"Cousin, you go ahead!" Gu Fangzi withdrew her hand, refusing, and apologized with a smile: "I’m in my mourning period right now, so I won’t join you! I’ll just have sothing to eat in the peony garden."
Upon hearing this, Shi Yui realized the situation and once again felt a surge of compassion. She gently patted Gu Fangzi’s hand and tenderly advised: "Then I won’t insist. Don’t dwell on those sad thoughts! Eat well, your health is the most important!"
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