For a ti, everyone went to the hall at Mrs. Wang’s to sit down and talk. Except for the maids who attended to them closely, the rest were taken by the managing ladies of the manor to rest.
Third Madam Shi and her husband took their two daughters to greet Mrs. Wang and Second Master Shi and his wife again, having their daughters call on them.
When Shi Yuzhen left, she already had mories and could vaguely match the faces in front of her with those in her mory. She sweetly curtsied and greeted everyone one by one. Hearing the warm responses from her eldest aunt and second aunt, a sense of long-lost affection suddenly filled her heart, and she relaxed. Upon eting Sang Wan, whom she did not recognize, she even joked, "The elder sister-in-law is truly beautiful!" which made everyone laugh.
For Shi Yulin, apart from her parents, sister, and wet nurse, all others were strangers. Feeling slightly intimidated, she quickly greeted them and then retreated to stand by her sister’s side while holding her hand.
After they had offered their greetings, Fengju, Sang Wan, and the others inevitably went to greet their uncle and aunt, going through a fair bit of motion before finally settling down to talk.
Mrs. Jiang then led Shi Yuzhen and her sister, along with their wet nurses, into the warm pavilion with smiling accompanint, ordering soone to pour tea, and preparing fruits and refreshnts as hosts, while the elders also started conversing in the hall.
"I truly did not expect you to arrive today; ah, we haven’t prepared anything yet!" Mrs. Wang said with a sigh, spreading her hands slightly.
Third Master Shi and his wife took the elder sister’s words as re politeness. Third Master Shi quickly said with a laugh, "We’re all family here; there’s no need for such formalities. Elder sister’s words are too distant!"
"Indeed!" Third Madam Shi also said with a smile.
Mrs. Wang sighed, "I’m glad you understand, now I can rest easy! Isn’t it an odd coincidence? Fengju and I had just finished reading the letter you sent back, and we hadn’t even had ti to pass it to Second Uncle and Second Brother and his wife. Truly, we had prepared nothing, and right on the heels of that, you arrived at the manor! This is really—haha, so coincidental!"
"What!" Both Third Master Shi and Third Madam Shi were taken aback, their eyes widening in shock.
"How could this be!" Third Madam Shi exclaid, "We clearly sent the letter over two months ago!"
"Oh dear, Third Sister-in-law!" Mrs. Wang hurriedly called, "I’m not deceiving you! We truly received the letter today! If you don’t believe , ask Fengju, no, let’s call the doorman to ask who delivered the letter!"
"I—" Third Madam Shi’s face flushed red, and she was at a loss for words.
Third Master Shi hastened to laugh, saying, "Look at what elder sister says! How could you deceive us! The journey was long; surely there was so delay on the road! Elder sister, please don’t take it to heart!"
Third Madam Shi felt quite embarrassed and glanced at her husband silently. In her heart, she also felt wronged, thinking, What did I even say? I simply asked a casual question, and now it has beco my fault!
Mrs. Wang quickly said with a laugh, "I’m relieved to hear you say that, Third Uncle!" Then, with a troubled smile, she continued, "As soon as we received the letter, we discussed cleaning and preparing the house for you. Who would have known you’d arrive before we could start! It’s not that—well, for tonight..."
How to stay for tonight! Mrs. Wang was too embarrassed to say it outright.
Third Master Shi and Third Madam Shi exchanged glances, not having thought of this until now.
Second Master Shi coughed and, after looking at everyone, said, "I think for tonight, it would be best for Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law to stay in the guest room. Let’s have the eldest nephew’s wife quickly tidy up your house! This is an unavoidable situation, so please make do for now!"
It was inevitable for Third Master Shi and his wife to feel uncomfortable upon hearing this, as it was their own ho they were returning to. Yet upon arriving at their own house, they would have to stay in a guest room! Besides, after so many years of absence, returning at last, they couldn’t help but feel a bit sensitive, afraid of being neglected or sidelined by their ho, and to their dismay—they had indeed encountered just that!
"Let it be so then, we will just make do! We’re all family here, after all, there’s nothing to mind! Haha, eldest nephew’s wife, thank you for your troubles!" Third Master Shi said, though he felt a bit awkward, he knew that the situation was simply too coincidental, and they could not possibly force the house to be tidied imdiately, nor could it be done in ti!
"Third Uncle, you’re too polite! I will make sure we clean the house as quickly as possible!" Sang Wan responded with a busy smile.
Third Master Shi also smiled and nodded. Third Madam Shi took a sip of tea, remaining silent.
"By the way, Third Brother, why did you suddenly decide to co back? Did sothing happen?" Second Master Shi asked.
Mrs. Wang, Second Madam Shi, and the others perked up and listened attentively upon hearing this.
The couple exchanged a subtle look, both feeling sowhat uneasy.
Third Master Shi coughed and said with a smile, "I fell severely ill last year and my health was truly compromised. Thereupon, I resigned from my official post, and I might need to stay at ho for so ti."
"Resigned from your post!" Everyone exclaid in unison. Mrs. Wang thought, no wonder it was not ntioned in the letter, likely out of embarrassnt!
"Why would you resign from a good post!" Second Madam Shi exclaid in a hurry, "Ah, Third Uncle, it’s not easy to obtain an official position; how regrettable to resign! This is—such a waste!"
Third Madam Shi, displeased, replied with a laugh, "Second Sister-in-law is unaware, resigning is not leaving the post for good; it’s temporary. After a year or two, I can still fill a vacancy!"
"A year or two, that’s so long!" Second Madam Shi was taken aback again, "Third Sister-in-law, they say out of sight, out of mind; after a year or two, the daylily will have cooled. By then, will others still recognize you?"
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