It’s not that he dislikes her acting coy with him, it’s just that he feels this is not the right ti.
"What’s wrong?" Sang Wan was sowhat surprised.
"Nothing!" Shi Fengju replied sullenly, shaking his head. But he couldn’t help it and asked, "Why are you so happy that I’m helping Third Sister? You seem to care about her affair even more than I do!"
Sang Wan had no clue of the sourness in his heart and sighed lightly, "I just feel sorry for her if she ends up marrying that profligate son from the Hong family. Although she and I are not related by blood, having been around her these days, I’ve grown fond of her for being honest and gentle and can’t bear to see her fall into such a plight!"
A woman who falls into that kind of trap is without hope for the rest of her life!
Shi Fengju’s eyes flickered slightly, knowing she must be reminded of her own situation, and hugged her shoulders, chuckling: "Don’t worry, I always keep my word!"
The next day, after Sang Wan reported back to Mrs. Wang, she began to get busy with Shi Lian’s marriage arrangents, using the excuse of discussing the dowry to visit Shi Lian again, subtly giving her advice during conversation.
Shi Lian, who had already been in despair and contemplating death, now felt revitalized upon hearing Sang Wan’s earnest words, brightening up her somber face and living as usual.
Gu Fangzi had kept Lan Xiang to spy and initially thought that a storm would ensue once Mrs. Wang and the others returned from ihua Temple. According to her plan, Sang Wan entangled with Young Master Hong in the plum forest, alarming Mrs. Wang, and Mrs. Wang would definitely not pardon Sang Wan after losing so much face; confinent would be the least of it!
Unexpectedly, everyone returned as if nothing had happened, appearing unconcerned. Lan Xiang’s report was first t with disbelief by Gu Fangzi, but seeing her swear by it and seeming sincere, Gu Fangzi thought: Auntie must be preserving her dignity and suppressed the matter!
Gu Fangzi was unavoidably annoyed and thought to herself how well her aunt could endure!
Even if the matter was suppressed, Mrs. Wang should still find another reason to severely punish Sang Wan. Yet there was absolutely no response!
Not until today did the whole household learn that the Third Miss was to beco the concubine of the governor’s son on the sixteenth of this month. Gu Fangzi pondered and realized sothing must have gone wrong: Young Master Hong must have not encountered Sang Wan but t Shi Lian instead!
Gu Fangzi felt listless and dropped the matter entirely, continuing to convalesce behind closed doors.
Whoever Shi Lian wants to marry, be it as a wife or concubine, Gu Fangzi couldn’t care less, nor would she feel any guilt over it. In her eyes, this was hardly a matter worth ntioning!
Mrs. Wang saw that Shi Lian showed no dissatisfaction or reluctance, naturally assuming that she was completely willing, and the slight guilt in her heart vanished without a trace, increasingly perceiving herself as having arranged a good match for her. Thus, she joyfully awaited the auspicious day to send her off.
Unforeseen, while there were no issues with Shi Lian, a problem arose with Shi Yui.
Ren Zhixian wanted to move back to ng County and refused to stay in the Shi family any longer, making a scene in front of Mrs. Wang.
Instigated by Cui Bao, Ren Zhixian and Cui Bao targeted the decorations and furnishings throughout the banana garden, and whenever possible, they stealthily moved things a little at a ti like ants, storing them in an inn. This included incense burners, fragrant materials, brushes, inks, papers, inkstones, brush pots, paperweights, vases, flower vases, jade chis, gold and silver jade ornants, silk brocades, and even intricately embroidered tablecloths and chair covers, small potted plants, and exquisite bowls and plates were not spared.
Of course, they started with the study, followed by other rooms in the banana garden, and then the living room and bedroom that Shi Yui occupied.
In the beginning, Shi Yui didn’t notice, but later her beloved rosewood and white jade Buddha’s hand sculpture, about an arm’s length tall on the living room long table, went missing, prompting her to ask Cui Bao puzzledly.
In truth, everyone in the banana garden knew about Ren Zhixian and Cui Bao’s actions, and the maidservants almost laughed themselves to tears when they talked about it behind their backs. But which slave would dare to speak out of turn about the master’s matters? Even if they saw sothing, they would pretend not to have seen. Cui Bao felt the sa.
When asked by Shi Yui, Cui Bao privately complained and hesitated to speak.
Shi Yui beca even more suspicious, "Did you put it away? Or did you accidentally break it? Speak up quickly, and don’t keep deceiving !"
Having no choice, Cui Bao knelt down and replied, "Master took it away the other day!"
Shi Yui frowned, assuming Ren Zhixian had taken it to admire. Although unhappy, she didn’t make much fuss. She only ntioned it casually during a al, saying that the white jade Buddha’s hand was a cherished gift from her mother and asked him to be careful not to break it.
It was just a reminder, but to her surprise, Ren Zhixian denied it flatly, "What white jade Buddha’s hand? I have never seen it!"
Shi Yui widened her eyes and said, "That’s strange! Cui Bao clearly stated you took it, and you’re still pretending? Otherwise, look at the long table in front of the round window; why is the white jade Buddha’s hand missing?"
Ren Zhixian slamd the table and angrily retorted with a dark face, "Cui Bao! You say you saw take it with your own eyes? Huh? Your things disappeared, how should I know!"
Cui Bao’s legs went weak with fear, and her face turned pale, montarily stumbling over her words. Shi Yui, who knew Cui Bao was always honest, was confident she would not lie to her. Seeing her husband daring to deny the accusation in her presence, Shi Yui was furious and the two began to curse at each other.
Indignant, Shi Yui stord into Ren Zhixian’s study, determined to find the white jade Buddha’s hand! Little did she know, not only did she not find the Buddha’s hand, but she also felt sothing was off in the study. After several sweeps with her eyes, she finally exclaid with a gasp, "Where have all those decorations gone? The pair of bronze bull paperweights, the lotus flower jade Bi, the hundred-flower vase, the blue-glazed plum vase, the green jade talisman, the white jade lotus leaf with carved lotus pod, the coral candlestick, the gold-sprinkled double-eared incense burner – where have they all gone!"
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