Lan Xiang was extremely eager to give Gu Fangzi advice, impatiently wishing that Gu Fangzi would reconcile with Shi Fengju right away. On one hand, it was because of her loyalty to her master, but more importantly, only when Gu Fangzi and Shi Fengju made up would her own miserable days come to an end!
During these days, Gu Fangzi had experienced neither softness nor hardness in her dealings with Shi Fengju, and naturally, all her pent-up anger was taken out on Lan Xiang. The anxiety and trepidation of living day-by-day in such a state were truly unbearable.
"No!" Gu Fangzi’s eyes brightened, then she forcefully held back and shook her head decisively: "Now is not the time! Let’s wait a bit more, maybe in two or three days! It would be better to let the cousin really think it through and see who truly holds him dear in their heart!"
She had lost before due to her eagerness for quick success. Now, she had to learn to be calm, to wait for the most opportune moment, and not to make the same mistake again. Hmph, men are all worthless bones; they always yearn for what they can’t have. She mustn’t devalue herself, easily initiating goodwill. She needed to contemplate a good plan carefully, preferably one that would make him come to her on his own initiative!
"But Miss!" Lan Xiang was anxious, unable to bear watching such a great opportunity fly by. She hurriedly said: "Miss, delay may bring trouble. What if the chief wife admits her mistake and reconciles with the young master? Wouldn’t that mean there’s no chance left? Miss, don’t forget there’s Mrs. Li by the chief wife’s side. Can Mrs. Li watch the chief wife and the young master at odds without saying a word? The chief wife can’t ignore her advice, and the young master also won’t refuse to give her face!"
A chill ran through Gu Fangzi’s heart: That’s also true!
"What you said makes sense," Gu Fangzi’s originally full confidence was immediately disrupted by Lan Xiang’s words, like ripples constantly forming on a calm lake surface when a stone is thrown in.
"Yes, Miss, we must strike while the iron is hot!" Lan Xiang continued to persuade: "Right now, the young master might be feeling troubled. If Miss appears to comfort him and treats him well, how could the young master not remember your past kindness? This is exactly the right moment—"
"You seem quite ardently helpful! And rather knowledgeable too! I didn’t see that coming at all!" Gu Fangzi said with a smirk, raising an eyebrow and staring at Lan Xiang.
"This slave thanks you for the compliment, Miss!" Lan Xiang said joyfully as she knelt to express her gratitude, suddenly sensing that there was something off about Gu Fangzi’s smile and tone, a trace of coldness and wariness.
Lan Xiang’s heart trembled, and she quickly knelt down, "Miss, this slave sincerely and wholeheartedly considers everything for Miss’s sake! This slave dares not have any ulterior thoughts! This slave, alone and helpless, depends entirely on Miss! When you are well, this slave is well; when you are neglected, this slave suffers as well!"
"Alright, alright! I know you are loyal; get up!" Gu Fangzi waved her hand and frowned slightly. Maybe she was just being paranoid. After all, what could a girl with no one to rely on do except to depend on her? She had purposely bought Lan Xiang from outside to cultivate as a confidant because she had no ties with anyone in the Shi Mansion, which would make her easier to control! She supposed the girl would not dare to harbor other intentions!
However, that last sentence was truly unpleasant. When had she, Gu Fangzi, ever been "neglected"? She was simply in mourning!
"Keep a close watch for me, and as soon as the cousin comes back, let me know right away! Also, take two taels of silver to the kitchen and ask Mrs. Han to make me a pot of bamboo chicken soup."
"Yes, Miss!" Lan Xiang’s spirits lifted, and she quickly agreed, getting up from the ground, "Should I prepare your clothes and jewelry ahead of time, Miss?"
Gu Fangzi looked down at the plain clothes she was wearing, a touch of disgust flashing in her eyes, "No need! Just , homely will do! After all, they are all quite similar! Hmph, that worthless junk doesn’t even deserve to be called jewelry!"
Lan Xiang dared not say more and busied herself with the preparations.
Before Lan Xiang’s persuasion, Gu Fangzi was full of confidence and remained composed, but after hearing Lan Xiang’s words, she could no longer stay composed, feeling restless and in complete disarray. How could she wait three or four days as planned? She wished that Shi Fengju would return this very moment and that she could go find him immediately!
She was even afraid that her actions weren’t fast enough—if by chance they were preempted by those at Ningyuan, she would have been happy for nothing! Even if that despicable Sang Wan refused to proactively concede, there was still the astute Mrs. Li in Ningyuan!
Gu Fangzi was not mistaken. Indeed, Mrs. Li was earnestly persuading Sang Wan, "Even teeth and tongue sometimes clash, how much more for two people? What can’t a married couple talk through? There are no overnight grudges, right? We must go on with life, must we not? Chief wife, listen to this old servant: with one night past, the anger should have dissipated, right? If there’s anything, just discuss it properly! With the new year approaching, if you and the young master continue and the lady finds out, wouldn’t it grieve the old madam? Chief wife, this old servant will have someone keep watch and invite the young master over as soon as he returns to the mansion? Have the kitchen prepare several dishes you both like and set aside some good wine. Once everything is talked through, it’ll be fine!"