"What do you know about the way of the wife!" Third Master Shi immediately darkened his face and said, "Don’t talk nonsense anymore, I have my own considerations in my acts, don’t talk wildly! The elder is not that kind of person, let us just wait patiently!"
Seeing her husband get angry, Third Madam Shi dared not say more and had to hold back, though she still felt unhappy internally.
During dinner time, the third house gathered to dine at Mrs. Wang’s place, she welcomed everyone with a smile to take their seats. Although she still wore a smile, it was not as warm as the one at noon, and seemed more polite.
This time, Sang Wan behaved wisely, standing properly beside Mrs. Wang, who then smiled and said, "Your third uncle and aunt are not outsiders, having the maids serve us is enough. Come, sit down!"
Third Master Shi and Third Madam Shi also smiled and said "no need to be polite", and so Sang Wan smiled, excused herself, and then sat down next to Shi Fengju.
Third Madam Shi looked at Sang Wan and couldn’t help but smile at Mrs. Wang, "Miss Wan is indeed gentle and virtuous; congratulations, elder sister-in-law, on having such a good daughter-in-law! Ha-ha, it shows our Master’s judgment is indeed excellent!"
Third Madam Shi’s words were purely a casual compliment, but since Mrs. Wang had hidden worries, upon hearing these words, her face slightly stiffened and she forced a smile, "Indeed! Miss Wan is very much to my liking. Seeing how affectionate they are as a couple, as a mother, I’m reassured and delighted!"
Hearing this, Sang Wan’s face heated up, she instinctively exchanged glances with Shi Fengju, noticing the deep sparkling of his dark eyes, seeming to contain intense emotions, he was slightly smiling at her. Sang Wan felt flustered and almost knocked over her bowl!
"This is elder sister-in-law’s fortune!" Third Madam Shi continued laughing, "Miss Wan has been with us for over half a year now, right? I wonder if there’s any news yet?"
News? What news? Sang Wan was utterly bewildered, while Shi Fengju appeared slightly embarrassed.
Mrs. Wang inadvertently looked towards Sang Wan’s belly, thinking to herself, yes, it almost slipped my mind with third sister-in-law not mentioning it, Miss Wan has been here for quite a while, and Fengju is quite attentive to her, there should be some news by now, right? But remembering that these questions came from Third Madam Shi who seemed to take pleasure in others’ troubles made Mrs. Wang’s mood turn sour again. So she responded flatly with a sigh, "Miss Wan has only been married for half a year, it’s still too early. There’s no rush, there’s a long road ahead!"
Only then did Sang Wan understand what Third Madam Shi was referring to, her heart tensed, and she instantly blushed, awkwardly lowering her gaze.
Third Madam Shi was slightly taken aback and smiled awkwardly, "Sister-in-law speaks the truth." Yet, she couldn’t help feeling irritated inside, thinking, what now? I was just casually asking and showing concern, do you have to be so cold and dismissive?
"Oh, let’s focus on eating, don’t just talk, the dishes are getting cold!" Second Madam Shi interjected with a smile.
Everyone laughed and agreed, calling to each other as they started eating. The family had not gathered together in a long time, and soon the atmosphere became lively and warm again.
Only Second Madam Shi, seeing the main family and third family all together, especially as the year end approached, felt lonely with her own place so deserted and her son wandering who knows where! She wondered if he was hungry, cold or well. These thoughts weighed heavily on her heart.
After dinner, considering that Third Master Shi and his family were tired from the long journey, they briefly sat in the flower hall for a short chat before dispersing.
Because of what Second Madam Shi said, Sang Wan felt uneasy, feeling that Shi Fengju’s gaze toward her was deeper and more inscrutable, containing emotions she neither knew nor wanted to know. Fortunately, upon returning to Ningyuan, he did not say anything, and like always, they exchanged a few familial words before washing up and going to bed separately. It was only after laying on the bed that Sang Wan’s heart finally settled down.
In the second house of East Hetang, Second Madam Shi sat on the bed, thinking of how lively and united the other two houses were, she could not help but converse with her confidante Mrs. Lin about her son, becoming increasingly upset as she spoke, tears unstoppable flowing down.
"Why is this child so disobedient? It’s been two years since he’s been outside, how could he be so heartless, not even thinking about his own mother! If something goes wrong, how am I to live!" Second Madam Shi wiped away her tears, "As long as he comes back, that would be enough! Whatever he wants, I’ll agree, even if it means letting that woman enter our house, so be it! I’m really fed up with living in constant anxiety!"