The weather was good at noon, so the dining tables were set up in the courtyard, totalling four. All the government officials, along with the Shi family brothers, Shi Fengju, and the accompanying elders like the Li Zheng fit perfectly.
The wives and matrons had laid out the food and wine, then retreated.
In the kitchen, there was another table prepared for those helping out. The fare here was less elaborate, but it still included top-quality items.
Seeing that there was fish, meat, chicken, duck, and meatballs, along with the town’s best Fenjiu, the officials were delighted. They exchanged polite greetings as they took their seats, inwardly praising the Sang family’s hospitality.
Mrs. Li looked around the kitchen and suddenly exclaimed, "Oh my, has our Miss Wan’s meal been prepared yet? I’ll bring it to her!"
All the matrons laughed, "Mrs. Fang has already taken it over, we’ve been waiting for you!"
Ignoring their taunting laughter, Mrs. Li turned her head and headed straight for the wing room.
Sang Wan was sitting opposite Mrs. Fang, eating. The sudden entrance of Mrs. Li startled them both.
"Miss Wan, you have begun your meal! Hehe, I thought no one had time to attend to you just yet and was about to ask them to prepare your food. It turns out your sister-in-law has already brought it over!"
Mrs. Fang didn’t even bother to put down her chopsticks, and with a faint smile, she said, "This is my home, and Miss Wan is my sister. Shouldn’t I be the one to look after her? You needn’t worry yourself with these unrelated matters! I see you’ve been busy all day; why don’t you go to the kitchen and eat?"
Upon hearing this, Sang Wan smiled and averted her gaze without a word.
Mrs. Li, still hoping Sang Wan would ask her to stay, realized Sang Wan was pretending not to hear. She sat down anyway, laughing, "I won’t go to the kitchen; too many people there, it’s inconvenient. I’ll just join you and eat something simple!"
"Suit yourself, there are no spare bowls here!" Mrs. Fang responded coolly.
Mrs. Li thought about getting up to fetch a bowl from the kitchen but did not want to be mocked by the other matrons. Seeing Xingzhi standing aside, she looked up with a smile, "Would you mind giving me a hand, sister? Could you fetch me a bowl and chopsticks from the kitchen?"
"Second Aunt Sang, don’t you understand? This is the Shi family’s maid, and you must treat guests with respect!" Mrs. Fang frowned.
"Isn’t she just Miss Wan’s maid? I am Miss Wan’s own aunt second removed, and I can’t even order a maid around?" Mrs. Li said dismissively.
"Elder sister!" Sensing the acrid tone in Mrs. Li’s words and remembering Mrs. Fang’s remark about Mrs. Li being unwelcome everywhere, Sang Wan worried that Mrs. Li would seize the opportunity to create a scene. So, with a gentle laugh, she called out to stop her, directing Xingzhi, "Please go! The elder deserves your respect with her age!"
It was clear that Sang Wan only respected formalities, not familial relations.
"Yes, big mistress!" Xingzhi didn’t mind and, bowing, went on her way.
"Our Miss Wan is the one who truly knows etiquette!" Mrs. Li gave a smug look to Mrs. Fang, then turned to Sang Wan with a wide grin, affectionately patting her hand. Her greedy eyes obsessively trailed down from Sang Wan’s head, clicking her tongue in admiration, "Oh my, Miss Wan, that gold hairpin with gemstones and your clothes must be quite expensive! They are so beautiful!"
She then continued, her eyes gleaming and mouth full of praise, asking incessantly about the materials and the hairpin ornaments, with endless chatter. Suddenly, she clutched Sang Wan’s hand and refused to let go, exclaiming, "Oh, this gold bracelet is studded with so many gemstones, it’s truly stunning! Tsk tsk, anyone would treat it as an heirloom!" Her hand reached out as if longing to remove the bracelet from Sang Wan’s wrist.
Sang Wan continued to nod and smile vaguely, deliberately not offering any of her jewelry. Mrs. Fang could not stand this and pushed Mrs. Li’s hand away, saying bluntly, "Second Aunt Sang, how is Miss Wan supposed to eat !"
"I wasn’t talking to you, so why are you butting in!" Mrs. Li huffed in annoyance, then glared at Mrs. Fang, "I think it’s time for you to go out and attend to other matters; there’s plenty waiting for your attention!"
"We don’t need you to worry about our household matters," Mrs. Fang retorted coldly.
Just then, Xingzhi returned with a bowl and chopsticks. Seeing Mrs. Li eagerly taking them, Sang Wan stood up with a laugh, "I’m a bit tired and would like to rest in my room for a bit. I wonder if elder sister—"
Mrs. Fang hurriedly replied with a smile, "Your room has been tidied and is ready for you. I’ll escort you there, take a good rest!"
As she said this, she took Sang Wan by the arm and led her away.
"Miss Wan, stay a little longer and chat with your aunt! Why rest at this hour of the day? Be careful not to fall ill from too much rest!" Mrs. Li saw Sang Wan leaving and quickly stood up to stop her.