The next day, the two of them got up early, hurriedly cleaned up, had a light breakfast, and left the house.
From Ningyuan, Sang Wan did not bring any maids or servants, instructing Xingzhi to keep an eye on the courtyard and the house. She only took Liu Ya back with her.
Shi Fengju also made arrangements on his end, bringing Chang Huan, Shi Ming, and two of his trusted servants from the outer courtyard, each couple being trustworthy and discreet - Li Yan and Song He and their wives.
Two carriages were prepared in total. Shi Fengju and Sang Wan took one, while the two young attendants rode horses alongside. The two pairs of husband-and-wife servants drove the other carriage, in which Liu Ya and the gifts they brought were also placed.
Before setting off, Shi Fengju turned to Sang Wan to ask for her opinion. Sang Wan gave him a subtle smile and nodded in response. With a wave of his hand, Shi Fengju ordered everyone to board their carriages and prepare to depart.
The carriage rolled away from the gates. The sound of the wheels gradually faded. Gu Fangzi emerged slowly from behind a thick cluster of pomegranates, her face gloomy. With a snap, she broke the twig in her hand, the green leaves crumbling in her palm, staining her pale skin with shades of green.
Gu Fangzi disregarded the snow-white skin of her hand, her eyes glaring ahead in anger as if she was about to breathe fire.
That woman, my cousin was accompanying that woman back! Even though she knew this was inevitable, she still felt aggrieved. The faint smile on Sang Wan's face flashed through her mind, and the gentle warmth displayed between her brow and eyes exacerbated the knot in Gu Fangzi's heart.
"She's delusional! Just delusional!" Gu Fangzi muttered to herself, then laughed sardonically. Shaking her head lightly, she sighed, "What am I doing coming here? There's nothing to see! Really!"
As the carriage left the city gate, the continuous mountains in the far distance could be discerned through the gauzy curtains. Sang Wan's handkerchief loosened and tightened repeatedly as she continuously shifted her body, no longer being able to contain her excitement. At this, Shi Fengju couldn't help but look at her.
She gave him an embarrassed smile and said, "Thinking that I'm about to see my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews makes me a bit nervous!"
Shi Fengju chuckled. "It's only been a few days since you've seen them. What's there to be nervous about?"
At his words, Sang Wan was startled and forced a smile, "You're right! It's only been a few days. What was I thinking! Hehe!"
A few days? In his eyes and everyone else's, indeed it's only been a few days, but for her, it has been several years! How could she not be nervous, not be expectant, about meeting her long-separated family, those truly related to her by blood?
Her straightforward older brother, her outspoken sister-in-law, her adorable nieces and nephews - do they still look the same as they did when she left? Will they still be as welcoming towards her as before she got married? Yes, they must be! Because all the unpleasantness had not started yet, and it would never start!
Sang Wan's heart roiled, and her breath hitched.
"Don't worry, there's still more than two hours of travel. If you're tired, close your eyes and take a rest." Shi Fengju said, less in jest now. Perhaps this was just how a newly married woman felt, he thought sympathetically.
Sang Wan's mind was a turmoil, so she took his advice and closed her eyes to collect her thoughts. She nodded and leaned against the carriage wall.
It was almost noon when their carriage passed through Yangliu Town and arrived at the nearby Sihe Village. Sang Wan's natal home, the Sang residence, was at the east end of Sihe Village.
The Shi family's carriage was strikingly impressive with its tall wheels, newly painted carriage body, vermillion curtains patterned with dark floral prints, golden tassels hanging on all sides, and sachets of beads and jade at the four corners. Drawn by two sturdy dark red horses, it immediately caught the villagers' attention. Despite there being only two carriages, the villagers were awestruck and couldn't help but admire the opulence of the famed Shi family from Qingzhou. Many of the children chased jubilantly behind the carriage, enjoying the spectacle.
The carriage stopped at the Sang residence. Liu Ya, dressed in new clothes and accessories, pushed open the carriage curtain and jumped down to assist Sang Wan.
The women and girls who had been watching the commotion were amazed. "Hey, isn't that Liu Ya? Look at her clothes and the ornaments in her hair! I've never seen anything so beautiful before! The Shi family's really rich! Even a maid is dressed better than us!"