Shi Fengju’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his face cooled as he spoke in a deep voice, "Treat each other with mutual respect? Like the incident not long ago?"
"Do you think that was not good?" Sang Wan raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise, "But I haven’t heard you say it was bad! I’m not fond of scheming against others nor do I possess such high tactics or energy for that. Even if you’ve promised you like me, what about Gu Fangzi? How much she likes you is something I believe everyone is aware of. You must be clearer about her temper than even I am, right? I think you wouldn’t want our home to be restless and filled with strife all the time either!"
Shi Fengju seemed to grasp her underlying meaning and asked indifferently, "So what do you suggest?"
"Let her leave the Shi family!" Sang Wan said without hesitation, "As long as she’s here, it’s like a thorn piercing my heart, I can’t settle down. I can’t say no if you want to take a concubine, but she is different. I cannot accept her! If you were in my shoes, I don’t think you would be willing to accept it either. Since she’s not that important to you, let her go! If you want her, I am willing to fulfill your wish! But to ask me to stay with her, I’m sorry, I cannot do that. After the New Year, once she’s finished mourning, I will hand the housekeeper’s authority over to her. I will ask my mother to let me move to the manor for a while."
"Don’t you dare think about it!" The moment Shi Fengju heard she planned to leave, an inexplicable sense of loss arose in his heart, biting his teeth he said, "I won’t let you go, and you won’t be able to leave!"
Sang Wan replied indifferently, "My mother actually cherishes me a lot, she’s very easy to talk to, and maybe Gu Fangzi is even more eager for me to leave, right? The moment I mention it, I bet she would immediately prepare a carriage for me. As for you, you can’t stay home every day, can you? When you are traveling far away, will you be able to manage?"
Shi Fengju was suddenly at a loss for words.
He was a clever man and could understand many things with just a hint. He could keep her from leaving and she indeed cannot leave on her own will, but how she treated him in return was also out of his control! Now that she had firmly established her place in the household, and her elder brother was Xie Yuan—who’s to say he couldn’t pass the next level of exams if not this one? Even if he stopped taking exams, he’d surely hold the position of a magistrate steadily. Just based on this point alone, the Shi family wouldn’t be able to do anything to her! Moreover, he couldn’t bring himself to be cruel to her.
If he insisted on keeping her, all he could keep was her presence. Whether she was tender, virtuous, or just putting on an act, that was all there was to it. But he liked her so much, what he wanted was not merely her presence. He enjoyed seeing her gentle smile, enjoyed her casual conversations with him, listening to her soft and pleasant voice, liked seeing her calm and peaceful smile which warmed his heart. This feeling he only ever got from her.
Shi Fengju eventually admitted his defeat, sighing, "If she hadn’t entered the family, everything would’ve been easy to discuss, but now that she’s already a member of the household," Shi Fengju shook his head, "Mother won’t agree to it!" She herself will never agree either!
Sang Wan said, "Her entry into the family hasn’t been publicized, and not many outsiders know about it. With the Shi family’s financial resources, arranging a proper marriage for her elsewhere shouldn’t be difficult! Mother has always been fond of you and has always felt that making her a concubine was a disgrace, as long as you handle this matter properly, Mother shouldn’t have anything to say!"
Shi Fengju was silent. He admitted Sang Wan was right, but she had avoided the most critical person—the person in question, Gu Fangzi herself! If Gu Fangzi refused to leave, he couldn’t force her to go either. If she made a fuss, Mother would definitely feel guilty towards her and be even more inclined to keep her. He really didn’t have full confidence in this matter, and it wasn’t because he wished for her to stay.
Sang Wan felt a secret disappointment in her heart, but she didn’t have any delusions that he would reply to her immediately. If he were to swear on his honor to agree to her now, she would feel even more insecure and uneasy!
She gently removed his hand and forced a smile, saying, "It’s getting late, I have to visit my third aunt. Then I’ll check on both Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion!" With that, she turned and walked out lightly, Shi Fengju heard her call Hong Ye to instruct, "Take good care of the house! Serve the young master tea properly, and if anyone comes looking for me, direct them to Jicui Pavilion!"
The sound of her footsteps echoed lightly; it was her leaving with the maid.
As Hong Ye lightly lifted the curtain wanting to enter and serve him, Shi Fengju waved his hand signaling her to leave, and Hong Ye quickly bowed and backed away.
The house was eerily quiet, but Shi Fengju’s mind was a chaotic mess. He could understand her concerns, and her inner resilience masked by outer softness made him both love and feel helpless about her. However, he could never agree to let her leave!