As soon as Shi Fengju noticed Sang Wan’s expression, and upon reflecting on his own words, he realized his blunder and hurriedly laughed, saying, "That, Miss Wan, don’t take it to heart, I didn’t mean to belittle you! It’s just that, just that the hairpin looks very nice on you. Why bother choosing that one to give to elder sister? Don’t you have many other pieces of jewelry..."
Sang Wan’s expression slightly softened, but her tone toughened, she said flatly: "What difference does it make? Either way, it’s all the same!"
Yet her heart complained, your elder sister picked it herself, how could I say no? I fear if I didn’t give it, you would come to trouble me later!
Shi Fengju became momentarily lost for words, unable to speak. Seeing Sang Wan turn to lie down on the bed, Shi Fengju felt a warmth in his heart and blurted out, "Of course it’s different, that hairpin was specifically purchased for you, I don’t want you to give it to someone else!"
Sang Wan was stunned, her body rigid and unable to move. What did he say? He said it was "specifically" for her? Had she heard it wrong?
Shi Fengju took a deep breath, "Miss Wan, you heard right, it was indeed meant specifically for you. I thought that hairpin suited you well! I didn’t expect you to give it away to someone else."
Sang Wan’s lips quivered as she softly said, "I, I, today elder sister came over, the gift, she picked it out herself..."
"What?" Shi Fengju’s eyes brightened, his bad mood inexplicably lightened a bit.
Sang Wan felt a bit embarrassed and mumbled, "It’s nothing! It’s getting late, let’s rest early!"
Shi Fengju chuckled, saying, "You mean, the hairpin was picked out by the elder sister herself, it wasn’t you who willingly gave it, right?"
Sang Wan thought to herself, it’s already given, what’s the point in dwelling on this! She could only nod and responded, "Yes!"
Shi Fengju’s smile broadened, he seemed addicted to asking, he quickly continued, "Then, do you like that hairpin?"
"...I like it." Sang Wan gently nodded.
"I see!" Shi Fengju laughed, "Let elder sister take it then, you don’t have to feel sorry about it. I’ll find you another good one later! Get some sleep early!"
"Okay!" Sang Wan thought to herself, when did I say I felt sorry? Yet his words still made her feel inexplicably happy. At least, she meant something in his heart, didn’t she?
Early the next morning, Lan Xiang hurriedly rushed to the main courtyard to find Shi Yumei, looking anxiously, she said, "Madam, our young lady has fallen ill! I didn’t dare to speak up and thought of seeking help from madam, what should we do!"
Upon hearing this, Shi Yumei panicked, scolding, "Silly girl! Your young lady is sick and you didn’t rush to call the doctor immediately!"
"But, the young lady said it wasn’t serious and didn’t want to trouble the madam over such a trivial matter..." Lan Xiang hesitated and faltered.
Shi Yumei frowned, becoming irritated as she walked with Lan Xiang toward the peony garden, she muttered angrily, "Let’s go and see her! How can someone be so overly cautious like they’ve lost their nerves! Not daring to tell Sang Wan to call a doctor even when sick, it shows just how much Sang Wan usually bullies her!"
Shi Yumei clenched her teeth, thinking that woman really knows how to manipulate and win people’s hearts! I’m so gullible, just yesterday a few pieces of jewelry made me feel positively towards her, almost fooling me with her pretentious facade!
Gu Fangzi lay in bed, coughing continuously, her face flushed, dressed in ivory white silk inner wear, her hair loosely tied with a silver hairpin, her eyes slightly red and visage haggard, looking pitiful and endearing.
"How did you become so suddenly! Wasn’t everything fine yesterday!" Shi Yumei exclaimed in shock, sitting by the bed.
"Big cousin!" Gu Fangzi barely called out before she couldn’t hold back her tears, which began spinning in her eyes.
"Don’t cry, don’t cry!" Shi Yumei gently embraced her, softly patting her back, she whispered, "My dear sister, don’t be sad! Does it hurt a lot? I’ll ask that wicked woman right now, no one even came to see you!"
"Don’t!" Gu Fangzi quickly grasped Shi Yumei, holding back her tears she said, "It’s not sister’s fault, it’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have sat in the courtyard for so long last night, that’s why I caught a cold. I don’t know why but I found myself sitting there deep into the night, and this morning I woke up with a headache and stuffy nose... I’ve troubled you again, big cousin!"