Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but feel a surge of pity and tenderly embraced Shi Yumei as she sighed softly, "My dear daughter, you have been wronged! Once your second brother returns, he will make decisions for you!" Mrs. Wang inwardly seethed with anger, thinking to herself, this shameless man, my family has helped to pay off his debts, providing him with food and lodging, yet he dares to be so pretentious and lecture me on propriety, what nonsense! Even though the Shi family is wealthy, I’m not willing to spend money this way; it might as well be thrown to the dogs!
"No, no!" Shi Yumei panicked, hurriedly saying, "Mother, please don’t tell second brother about this today, could you? Don’t mention it to him!"
"Mother!" Shi Yumei said with a seemingly nonchalant smile, "Today I was also at fault. As a grown man, living at his wife’s natal home, he must feel uncomfortable and perhaps a bit sensitive! I shouldn’t have lost my temper; it’s better to speak kindly. It’s all my fault, worrying you for no reason, I—" Shi Yumei’s voice choked with emotion.
"You ah!" Mrs. Wang also felt distressed and, seeing her daughter , found it difficult to even be angry, sighed and said, "I’m not criticizing you! Nevertheless, no matter what you say, mother will follow your wishes! Oh, this really is—"
Shi Yumei breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her mother’s consent, yet felt even more guilt towards her mother. After a moment of thought, she said, "Mother, I think after the Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s quickly clean up the banana garden so we can move there! It’ll at least save you from trouble every day!"
Mrs. Wang was reluctant to let go of her daughter; she opened her mouth intending to persuade her to stay but, upon remembering her unreliable son-in-law, decided it was better out of sight. She nodded and said, "That’s a good idea! Once you settle down in the banana garden, just live your life well! Didn’t your son-in-law say he’s planning to take the rural examination in three years? Just listen to your second brother, from now on, he should focus on studying in the garden and leave other matters alone!"
"Mm, thank you, mother! You and second brother are the kindest to me!" Shi Yumei said with a grateful smile.
The meal was served again, and the mother and daughter sat down to eat. However, Shi Yumei, feeling sorrow for her husband, selected a few dishes for Cui Zhu to take to Ren Zhixian. Mrs. Wang noticed but did not say a word, letting her daughter make her own decisions.
The next day was the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Shi Mansion was bustling with activity from the early morning, preparing for the evening’s Mid-Autumn family feast. In Ningyuan, maids, daughters-in-law, and old nannies were bustling back and forth—reporting on tasks, fetching game pieces and items, asking Sang Wan for guidance—it was a lively scene. Sang Wan and Xingzhi were extremely busy, while Mrs. Li took Liu Ya to the kitchen to oversee the preparation of tonight’s dishes. It was a major affair, not allowing for a single mistake, and only with Mrs. Li personally supervising could Sang Wan be at ease.
As for Shi Yumei, she aimlessly wandered around the mansion, unintentionally ending up near Ningyuan. Observing the constant bustle of people inside and outside Ningyuan, she contrasted it with the desolation of the peony garden, feeling a surge of anger rise within her, and with a cold laugh, she made her way towards Ningyuan with Cui Zhu following.
When Sang Wan heard from a little maid that the eldest lady had arrived, she quickly instructed Xingzhi to take care of the matters at hand while she and the other maids hurriedly went out to greet her.
"Eldest Sister! What brings you here?" Just as Sang Wan stepped out from the house onto the corridor, Shi Yumei had already crossed the courtyard and was approaching.
Hearing the words, Shi Yumei snorted lightly, the corner of her mouth curling up as she sidelong glanced at Sang Wan and said with a mock-smile, "Now, as the managing lady of the mansion, I must come and butter you up, mustn’t I! Or is it that my younger sister-in-law doesn’t welcome me?"
Where did that come from?
"Why would that be! I couldn’t ask for more!" Sang Wan hurriedly replied with a smile, "It’s my mistake, I should have invited Eldest Sister over earlier, but these past few days have been so busy—"
"Ah, being in charge of the household affairs inside and out, one must be busy, I understand! Besides, I’m just a married daughter of the Shi family, what does it matter? It’s no big deal whether you invite me to sit or not!" Shi Yumei cut her off with a faint smile.
"Eldest Sister’s words make Miss Wan feel guilty! I have been neglectful; please don’t blame me, Sister! Oh, Eldest Sister, please come and sit in the warm pavilion!" With a smile, Sang Wan hastily invited Shi Yumei into the warm pavilion, where they sat down.
Shi Yumei, observing that Sang Wan still responded with a calm smile despite her sarcasm, didn’t praise Sang Wan’s magnanimity or good manners; instead, she sneered inwardly: Surely a person of deep schemes, no wonder the cousin ate a loss under her roof and still dare not speak out!
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the maids poured tea. Seeing that Shi Yumei did not reach for the tea, Sang Wan was taken aback at first but then personally picked up the cup and offered it to her, smiling, "Eldest Sister, please enjoy the tea!"