"That can be overlooked! Mrs. Li is after all your wet nurse and is of age, I did not bother with her before and naturally, I won’t start now!" Gu Fangzi continued: "But when I asked her where my clothes, jewelry, and all sorts of decorations in the peony garden went? She kept making excuses and not telling me, even mocking me for caring about things that aren’t mine! Those things, no matter their value, were gifts from my aunt and you, my big cousin! How could she take them away without even asking me! I fear aunt would be angry, and I haven’t dared to tell her yet, cousin, you must back me up! Otherwise, who knows how she’ll bully me later!"
"Did she really say that to you?" Shi Fengju asked indifferently, his hand at his side tightened.
"Big cousin, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Lan Xiang, she was there too! Or, you can go to the peony garden yourself and see!" Gu Fangzi said with a sense of grievance.
"If that’s the case, then go tell my mother tomorrow!" Shi Fengju sneered silently, "I don’t deal with the affairs of the inner courtyard; let’s see how my mother will handle this for you!"
Up to this day, Shi Fengju didn’t believe a word Gu Fangzi said! He believed even less that Sang Wan would be that kind of person.
She wants to make a fuss? Well then, let her make a fuss!
"Then I will go and ask my aunt to decide tomorrow!" Gu Fangzi was secretly delighted. Those objects were worth a fortune, treasures that she obtained with great effort, she was already heartbroken when they were taken away.
"Alright, you can go back!" Shi Fengju withdrew his hand, not in the mood to look at the account book anymore, he said indifferently: "I’m also heading back to Ningyuan to rest."
Gu Fangzi’s happy mood plummeted again, her pretty face darkening as she stared at Shi Fengju disgruntled, but Shi Fengju was unperturbed, showing no signs of retreat.
Gu Fangzi had no choice but to back down. Indeed, Ningyuan was his place to stay, and it was natural for him to go back there to rest. But how could he leave without considering her feelings?
Gu Fangzi felt twisted inside, and soon she rationalized for herself. It seemed that her big cousin was truly upset about what happened during the day, a reminder to herself, to remember her — place!
Although harsh, he also meant well! Gu Fangzi forced herself to accept this explanation.
"Big cousin, please escort me back! Please, will you escort me?" Gu Fangzi asked softly and coquettishly, leaning closer to Shi Fengju.
"Lan Xiang!" Shi Fengju immediately called out for someone. Turning to her, he said: "Fangzi, let me remind you again, if you truly want to live peacefully in the Shi Mansion, remember your place, remember!"
"Don’t worry, big cousin, I remember! I, I won’t trouble you anymore..." Gu Fangzi smiled weakly. It seemed off, but at that moment, she didn’t want to think about anything else.
The next day, true to her word, Gu Fangzi exaggerated her complaint in front of Mrs. Wang, adding: "Big cousin said that he doesn’t handle the affairs of the inner courtyard; he told me to ask you to make a decision! Aunt, you can’t ignore me!"
"Such a thing happened!" Mrs. Wang’s eyebrows furrowed at once, she immediately commanded: "Summon Mrs. Sang and Mrs. Li here!"
Gu Fangzi sat in front of Mrs. Wang, her eyes slightly lowered, her lips unconsciously curved into a smirk.
When Sang Wan and Mrs. Li arrived, seeing Gu Fangzi, they knew nothing good was afoot. The two exchanged glances, then proceeded to greet Mrs. Wang.
After listening to Mrs. Wang’s questions, Mrs. Li slapped her forehead and laughed apologetically: "Oh, it’s about this! I was negligent! But if I may ask, Miss Fangzi, who told you that everything in the peony garden was taken by Mrs. Sang?"
"Isn’t that the case?" Gu Fangzi softly said: "Now, sister is handling the various affairs of the mansion, the peony garden was arranged by people she sent. If not sister, then who else dares to?"
"Mrs. Sang is busy all day, and the start to finish of this matter was my responsibility, let me explain to Miss and Miss Fangzi!" Mrs. Li said: "Every item was checked against the inventory in the peony garden by the maids and old women, in front of them, packed in boxes, registered, and all safely stored in the big warehouse! None entered the door of Ningyuan, nor did it pass through Mrs. Sang’s hands! In the future, they will naturally be returned to Miss Fangzi! I thought Miss Fangzi had already inquired with the maids and old women of the peony garden, how come they didn’t tell Miss Fangzi? Miss Fangzi, did you hear those words from somewhere else? Or are these all speculations?"
Gu Fangzi didn’t expect things to turn out this way, momentarily stunned and somewhat disbelieving. Such a perfect opportunity, she didn’t believe Sang Wan would resist meddling!
Even if a few items were left out, broken, or damaged during the sorting, no one could complain.
Moreover, since her return, not a single moment had gone smoothly, where would she have thought to first ask the maids and young women of the peony garden!
Seeing her expression, Mrs. Li knew what she was thinking, secretly sneered confidently: "Everything from the peony garden, not a thread less, nor a scratch or damage, all safely kept in the warehouse! If Miss Fangzi doesn’t trust this, you can have the manager’s wife lead you to see for yourself!"
This statement was clearly mocking her for being petty, Gu Fangzi’s cheeks immediately flared up hot, holding back her irritation she hurriedly smiled: "Is that so? Then it’s my mistake! I didn’t ask clearly and almost wronged you, Mrs. Li! But since you’ve registered everything, why didn’t you send the register to me?"