"Hmm!" Shi Lian had no ti to sympathize with their mutual outpouring of feelings, not even enough ti to greet him properly, as she hurriedly recounted what she and Cai Yun had heard, in a state of six gods without a master: "Sang Lang, what should we do about this! Although Aunt Fang left today, she might co back tomorrow or the day after to find my elder sister-in-law, and by then, wouldn’t it be—"
Sang Yufei was also stunned for a mont, finding the situation sowhat laughable yet pitiable. He had seen Shi Rui at the banquet; she was still a little girl with double hair buns and a round face, and the thought of marrying a child as young as her sent a chill down his spine.
"Don’t panic, let’s think of a solution," Sang Yufei tried to comfort her with his words, but in reality, even he felt unsure. However, they absolutely could not let Aunt Fang take the initiative to speak.
It wasn’t that he was afraid of rejecting the proposal; after all, the age difference between him and Shi Rui was too significant, and Shi Rui was still too young. Just on this point alone, he could easily decline the marriage proposal, and even if Second Master Shi and Aunt Fang were displeased, their displeasure would be limited. After all, Shi Rui was far too young; they couldn’t possibly force the issue and make soone wait for three to four years!
But in doing so, Sang Yufei would be at a disadvantage to propose marriage to the Shi family for Shi Lian, as it would be an obvious slap in the face to the second house of the Shi family. Mrs. Wang, who detested trouble the most, certainly wouldn’t be willing to offend her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and since Shi Lian was not her own daughter, why would she needlessly stir up trouble for her?
"Aunt Fang will surely bring it up again, how can I not be anxious!" Shi Lian was so agitated that she was almost in tears. The words slipped out before she realized, and she felt utterly embarrassed. Her face flushed crimson with sha as she hung her head, not knowing what to say.
"You go back first! Let think about it so more! Don’t worry about Aunt Fang anymore, just pretend you don’t know about this. I will et with my sister later and talk to her," Sang Yufei advised her soothingly.
Shi Lian, no longer able to maintain her composure, tearfully asked Sang Yufei: "Have you, have you thought of a solution?"
Sang Yufei slightly raised his eyebrows and replied: "If worst cos to worst, I’ll just avoid it. I’ll leave the Shi Mansion for the capital tomorrow. Once I’m gone, perhaps this matter will no longer be an issue. Miss Wan is my younger sister, and no sister manages her brother’s marriage affairs. It’s useless for them to talk to Miss Wan about it!"
Shi Lian felt a surge of joy in her heart, followed by reluctance as she said: "Are you going away so soon?" Although they could not et every day, knowing that he was staying at her family’s place and that they were so close to each other, she had been in high spirits these past days! Suddenly hearing that he was leaving made it hard for her to accept.
"Leaving a few days earlier or later makes no difference, don’t worry. Now go back quickly, don’t let others see you!" Sang Yufei said with a smile.
"Take care of yourself on the journey," Shi Lian sighed and quickly turned to hurry away.
Sang Yufei walked leisurely in the garden with his hands behind his back, deep in thought. After a while, he changed direction and headed towards Ningyuan.
Winter days were short, and Sang Wan was dozing off casually in the warm pavilion around noon. Hearing that her elder brother had co, she smiled and got up to greet him.
The siblings didn’t need to stand on ceremony with each other and began to talk in the warm pavilion.
"Is there sothing on your mind, Second Brother?" After serving the tea and sending the maid away, Sang Wan asked with a smile.
"Miss Wan, I need your help this ti!" After taking a sip of tea, Sang Yufei explained his situation. He didn’t ntion Shi Lian, only saying that he had overheard the conversation of the maids from the second house in the garden by accident. Sang Yufei didn’t want anyone to know about his acquaintance with Shi Lian; he didn’t want her to be looked down upon because of it.
"What, what—Are you sure you heard right?" Sang Wan’s eyes widened in shock.
Shi Rui? That playful and gluttonous little girl who was always laughing cheerfully and seed like a re child, who would still cry and run to her wet nurse when she fell and hurt herself—Aunt Fang actually wanted to marry her off to her second brother?
Would she really have to call such a girl "Second Sister-in-Law" in the future? Just the thought of it made Sang Wan shiver, and goosebumps covered her body.
"I didn’t hear it very clearly, but I’m about seventy to eighty percent sure," Sang Yufei said with a wry smile. "I’m thinking of bidding farewell to the family head’s wife today and leaving the Shi Mansion for the capital tomorrow!"
"That seems rather hasty!" Sang Wan sighed softly.
"Miss Wan, please help out this ti!" Sang Yufei said with a straightforward smile: "You wouldn’t really want such a little girl as your sister-in-law, would you?"
Sang Wan, however, said with a smile: "Actually, with such a big age difference, even if you refused, it wouldn’t be a big deal. Why would you need to—Well, perhaps it’s best to leave sooner rather than later!"
Refusing a marriage proposal and then continuing to live in their ho would indeed feel awkward. It was better to leave quickly and settle the matter once and for all.
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