"That’s wonderful! The old servant will not disappoint young master or lady!" Aunt Cui said with a beaming smile.
At night, large crabs were freshly steamed and served, their meat plump and succulent, and the crab roe rich and flavorful, accompanied by thin ginger strips and fine aged vinegar, alongside warmed rice wine brewed with sticky rice and mingled with chrysanthemums. Sang Wan could eat without regard or the need to attend to others, enjoying the dinner immensely.
She thought she could truly relax for a few days, but unexpectedly, the next day after sleeping well past dawn and just as she finished breakfast ready to go out for a stroll, two fast horses galloped forth, with the Mashan people shouting from afar, "Young master! Lady!"
Shi Fengju slightly raised his eyebrows and said, "It’s Butler Jin himself, what has happened?" Butler Jin was the second in command in the Shi Mansion, his personal arrival indicated no small matter.
"Let’s invite him in first and see what he has to say!" Sang Wan also felt a bit nervous.
"Young master, lady!" Butler Jin quickly dismounted and casually tossed the reins behind him, hurrying forward breathlessly and bowing immediately.
"Young master, lady! I have come to report joyful news!" Butler Jin gasped for air as he spoke with a smile.
"Joyful news?" Sang Wan and Shi Fengju were both startled.
Sang Wan’s heart sank slightly. Joy? What happy event could there be in the mansion now? Unless, taking advantage of their absence, Gu Fangzi had schemed something up!
For her, it was a disaster, not a joyful occasion, but for the young master beside her, it might not be the same. Sang Wan couldn’t help but glance sideways faintly at Shi Fengju.
Shi Fengju was also looking towards her, his eyes conveying an indescribable sentiment. Indeed, like Sang Wan, Shi Fengju was also apprehensive at this moment, his thoughts drifting towards Gu Fangzi. What could this cousin possibly be up to now? This cousin was no longer the person he thought he knew and understood.
"Alright! Catch your breath and speak slowly! What’s the hurry?" Shi Fengju said impatiently, frowning and glaring at Butler Jin.
Butler Jin, with a beaming face that shone, completely ignored the young master’s displeasure, wiped his forehead, and repeatedly apologized with a smile, "I was out of line, out of line! Young master, lady, please hurry back to the mansion, Second Uncle Shi has returned from Hangzhou! He has achieved the top rank in Xie Yuan, it’s indeed a grand celebration!"
"What!" Sang Wan’s eyes suddenly brightened in disbelief, she grasped her palms tightly and asked, "You mean, my second brother? He’s ranked as Xie Yuan!"
"Second brother has returned? That’s wonderful!" Shi Fengju also couldn’t help but rejoice.
"Yes, yes! He’s at our mansion right now! The madam is also happy, hence she immediately sent me to invite the young master and lady to hurry back!"
Uncle Cui, Aunt Cui, and the others who understood were all overjoyed, and hurriedly led the crowd in kneeling and offering their congratulations.
"Good, good!" Sang Wan, her face filled with smiles, quickly commanded them to rise, and was about to reward them when she realized she had nothing prepared; Shi Fengju then smiled at Uncle Cui, "Every person on the manor is to be rewarded with an extra month’s pay, record it in the accounts later!"
Uncle Cui and everyone quickly thanked him with a laugh, and Uncle Cui said, "The old servant will prepare the carriage for the young master and lady immediately, I dare not delay the master and lady any longer!"
"Second brother passed the exam, truly passed! That’s fantastic, so wonderful!" Sang Wan’s face could not contain her smiles, her eyes glistening brightly, her speech nearly incoherent.
Her father was highly learned, yet spent his lifetime failing to pass the exams. Her eldest brother had early success in the preliminary exams but also never progressed, forced to abandon efforts to avoid her father’s path. Now, her second brother had truly vindicated her father and her elder brother!
"Miss Wan, come, get on the carriage, let’s go back right away!" Seeing her overwhelmed with happiness, Shi Fengju held her arm and squeezed reassuringly.
Sang Wan momentarily snapped back to reality, putting away her inner excitement and regret, and she turned to him with a grateful smile.
The journey back was swift compared to their leisurely arrival; in less than an hour, the carriage returned from the quiet mountains to Shi Mansion.
Indeed, the entire mansion’s presence bubbled with joy and welcoming smiles upon seeing Sang Wan and Shi Fengju. Whether it was Sang Wan’s misperception or not, the greeting "Lady" seemed even more respectful and ingratiating than usual.
The two first returned to Ningyuan to change their clothes. In Ningyuan, Mrs. Li and Liu Ya had already gone to Mrs. Wang’s side, where Mrs. Wang, Second Master Shi, Second Madam Shi, Ren Zhixian, Shi Yumei, and others were all present, welcoming Sang Yufei with joyful laughter and chatter filling the house.