"Mrs. Li," Sang Wan sighed with a wry smile, "I know you care about me deeply, and I am truly grateful! You say so, but when the time comes, I must consider the young master’s thoughts. A mere complaint from the cousin or a little act of coquetry in front of my mother, and those unaware might think we are using our power to bully an orphan!"
These words were exactly what Mrs. Li wanted to hear. Her heart instantly felt relieved, and with a wide smile of contentment, she said, "That’s the difference between a wife and a concubine! It’s truly destined by fate! Such magnanimity, Madam, is something no concubine can match! Look at me, before I have even spoken, you already brought it up!"
Sang Wan was startled and paused, feeling stunned herself.
I just want to live a peaceful life in the future without him looking down on me. I, Sang Wan, am upright and fair, not one to take out anger or seek revenge arbitrarily!
"Madam," seeing Sang Wan’s silence, Mrs. Li sighed again, "Please heed my advice and don’t be disheartened! The young master’s heart surely leans towards you, and you must not turn it cold now! Though it’s presumptuous to say, I raised him, so I know him better than he knows himself! That little vixen is not a good match for him at all! Only you truly deserve the position of Grandma Shi!"
So all of this just means you want me to go flatter him, taking advantage of his guilt to make him feel even guiltier, right?
Sang Wan secretly shook her head. Aside from its effectiveness, such behavior is beneath her.
"Mrs. Li," knowing she couldn’t agree with Mrs. Li on this matter, Sang Wan said with a strained expression, "I am truly feeling tired and weak today and will not go over!" Having thought about it, she playfully continued, "Mrs. Li, why don’t you go? The young master might also want to see you and have a talk! I’m not in good spirits right now, and my complexion looks terrible, I wouldn’t want to upset the young master’s mood! What do you think?"
"Madam, you really are something!" Mrs. Li felt both amused and annoyed, thinking about it made her feel at ease, so she nodded and said with a smile, "Alright then! I’ll make a visit! Madam, since you’re tired, do rest early!"
Sang Wan indeed intended this, and upon hearing Mrs. Li’s words, she smiled and gratefully said, "Thank you! Mrs. Li, please go ahead!"
Mrs. Li had just left when Sang Wan washed up and went to bed. Her mood was genuinely terrible, and she had no desire to meet Shi Fengju.
When Shi Fengju dragged his way from the study back to Ningyuan, Sang Wan was already in bed. Hearing this from the maids, Shi Fengju also secretly heaved a sigh of relief, washed up, and went to his room.
As usual, he quietly took out his long-unused bedding from the cupboard and carefully laid it on the floor. After looking towards the tightly drawn bed curtains, he gently laid down.
From the moment he entered, Sang Wan sensed his presence and subconsciously controlled her breathing, lying quietly. After everything returned to silence, she then gently opened her eyes. In the dim light, she could see nothing clearly, just as her mood was at this moment.
The next morning, when Sang Wan got up, Shi Fengju had already left. Sang Wan didn’t say anything and, as usual, washed up and had breakfast.
"Madam, I’ve already instructed everything concerning the peony garden. Would Madam like to go and see if everything is satisfactory? Is there anything that needs changing?" Mrs. Li asked after breakfast.
Mrs. Li was meticulous in her work, and Sang Wan understood her intentions. By visiting and giving a nod of approval herself, it would appear as if she had arranged everything, showing generosity and hands-on involvement before Mrs. Wang.
"Alright! Let’s go have a look after a few of the maids and sisters-in-law have reported their tasks!" Sang Wan didn’t want to dismiss Mrs. Li’s kindness and smiled as she nodded.
"Yes, Madam!" Mrs. Li, seeing that she understood her painstaking effort, replied with satisfaction.
After dealing with routine matters, Sang Wan, accompanied by Mrs. Li, Liu Ya, Xingzhi, and others, proceeded to the peony garden.
At the entrance of the courtyard, the brightly colored potted flowers that were originally placed there had all been moved away. Even the two large blue and white porcelain pots that each held a pomegranate tree on either side were gone, replaced by tall potted cypress plants with dark green, dense foliage conveying a sense of solemnity.
The red lanterns hanging on the roof were also replaced with plain ones, and all decorations were removed.
Entering the inside of the house, it was as cold and clear as a snow cave. Although it was sunny outside, Sang Wan couldn’t help but shiver and felt a chill.