"Yes, I had already planned to leave in a few days anyway. Heading to the capital earlier would also give me time to find a suitable inn," Sang Yufei said with a smile.
"Is all your luggage and travel funds ready?" Sang Wan asked busily when the topic of going to the capital came up. She really wanted to offer to provide the funds herself, but thinking of what Shi Yumei had said, she forcibly suppressed the thought. She didn’t want to take any more advantage from the Shi family!
Sang Yufei, fearing she would stress over this, hurriedly reassured with a smile, "Don’t worry, Elder brother and sister-in-law have already prepared everything for me! I’ve taken three hundred silver banknotes, and though the capital might be expensive, I believe it should be more than enough! You don’t need to worry about me anymore!" Sang Yufei sighed lightly and continued, "In principle, as the elder brother, it should be I who takes care of you. Yet, you still end up worrying about everything, and there’s also your husband who has done so much for our family! Dear sister, there’s no need for you to prepare anything for me this time. If you did, I would truly feel uneasy!"
"Second Brother, take care along the way. I will be waiting to celebrate your packed achievements and your triumphant return!" Sang Wan smiled and nodded, then quickly added with another smile, "No matter the outcome, the most important thing is that you stay safe! Second Brother, please don’t worry us, make sure you come back soon!"
"Rest assured! I will! And you all take care at home too!" Sang Yufei responded with a smile.
The siblings talked and bid farewell to each other. Noticing that it was about time, Sang Yufei went first to inform Shi Fenghua of his departure. Though Shi Fenghua was quite surprised, he did not insist on keeping him when he was determined to leave, so they simply bid each other farewell. Afterwards, Sang Wan accompanied him to bid farewell to Mrs. Wang, who warmly tried to persuade him to stay. Seeing his insistence, she finally sighed, "What Second Uncle says makes sense, to settle in the capital sooner brings peace of mind earlier. Then I won’t hold you back! Second Uncle, take care on your journey! Our Shi family has shops in many cities along the canal, as Chang Huan knows. If you need anything, just find our people, don’t be shy!"
Sang Yufei quickly thanked her.
Mrs. Wang also ordered someone to seal two hundred taels of silver as a travel gift, but Sang Yufei firmly declined, saying he had already imposed on the Shi family for so many days and felt uneasy about accepting more. Mrs. Wang had no choice but to let it go.
In the evening, Sang Wan packed two newly made cotton robes and had Liu Ya deliver them to him, instructing him that fifty silver banknotes were sewn into the hem of the robes for emergency needs.
Sang Yufei felt greatly warmed by this, thinking to himself that only true family could be so thoughtful! With this trip to the capital, if he did not achieve success, how could he be worthy of the devoted support from his brother, sister-in-law, and sister? A sudden tightness gripped Sang Yufei’s heart.
The next day, brothers Shi Fengju and Shi Fenghua personally escorted him to the wharf. Sang Wan, Mrs. Wang, and others bid him farewell at the second gate, but Shi Lian could not see him off and sat restlessly in her room. Hearing from Cai Yun that he had already left, she sat dejectedly for a while.
Once Aunt Fang heard about his departure, she regretted not seeing him off, "Why did he leave so soon? Aye, Mrs. Yin, you too, why didn’t you inquire earlier when the Second Master Sang would leave? If only I had known he was leaving today, I would have crawled to Ningyuan yesterday just to see the lady of the house!"
Mrs. Yin thought to herself, who would have known this, and you didn’t realize it yourself either!
"Madam," one said, "although Second Uncle has left, isn’t the lady of the house still here, and aren’t Sang family’s Second Uncle and his wife still around? You talk to the lady of the house, and getting those two on board will settle the matter, right? Elders are respected like parents, and even if Second Uncle becomes a high-ranking official, he cannot disregard his elder brother and sister-in-law!"
It really made sense! A vision of an honest and simple face, that of Sang Hong, passed momentarily before Aunt Fang’s eyes, grounding her confidence, she smiled and said, "Indeed, indeed! It’s best having the elders decide on these matters, it really isn’t much about Second Uncle!"
Sang Hong, being such an honest man, where is there any unwillingness?
Feeling invigorated, Aunt Fang, after resting a couple of days for her waist injury, took Mrs. Yin with her to visit Sang Wan at Ningyuan.
Upon hearing that Aunt Fang sought an audience, Sang Wan felt a jolt in her heart. She initially did not wish to meet, but since the visitor was already at the doorstep, it wasn’t right to send her away without due respect for Second Master Shi. She thus quickly ordered someone to invite Fang in.
"What brings Aunt Fang here today? You are indeed a rare visitor, please come in and have a seat!" Sang Wan smiled and then added, "You’ve come at just the right time. I was just feeling that something is missing in this embroidery pattern I’m working on. Perhaps you can offer your guidance!"
"Hehe, you flatter me!" Aunt Fang, well known for her skillful handiwork, took it over and pointed out while laughing, "This painting of a hibiscus with a resting cat is truly beautiful. The branches and leaves of the hibiscus seem a bit too sparse, making it look a bit scattered. Just a slight adjustment will do!" She excused herself and took the brush offered by Liu Ya. After a few touches, the painting indeed looked much more harmonious.
"Aunt Fang indeed has skillful hands!" Sang Wan praised with a smile.
"Hehe, it’s nothing! It’s just something to pass the time with in leisure, and over time, naturally, one becomes proficient!"
"It’s not just that simple; I believe it involves talent and perception! Some learn quickly and grasp things immediately, while others might not reach your level even in a lifetime!"
"Oh, my lady, you really know how to compliment! Now you’re making me feel rather embarrassed!"
Laughing together, everyone seemed amused.
Then Mrs. Yin leaned in with a smile, "I’ve always heard that the lady of the house is so courteous, and it really is true. We servants are fortunate to have such a mistress! Speaking of embroidering patterns, our madam might not be the best. Our youngest Miss, despite her age, is really good at it!"
Light gleaming in her eyes, Aunt Fang inwardly praised Mrs. Yin for knowing her way around matters and with a complacent smile, nodded her head, about to steer the conversation towards her daughter. But seeing Sang Wan already smiling and picking up the conversation, she said, "Is that so? It appears our residence really nourishes talent; the young ladies of our house do excellent needlework, at least better than me! I’m the worst at this; even my maid does better than me!" Sang Wan chuckled, pointing at Liu Ya.