Shi Fengju, seeing everything is in order, smiled at Sang Wan, "The wet nurse is right, let’s head back first!"
Sang Wan nodded and smiled: "That sounds good! Let’s have a quick look at Hanshuang Pavilion and then return."
Hand in hand, the two of them headed there. Finding no issues at Hanshuang Pavilion, they returned to Ningyuan.
Upon entering the warm pavilion, after the maid served them hot tea and was sent out by Shi Fengju, the couple snuggled and talked. With Shi Fengju in high spirits, no matter how he looked at his wife, he felt she was just perfect. His passionate gaze and ever-smiling lips displayed unparalleled tenderness, making Sang Wan’s heart suddenly feel like it was floating on clouds.
In the afternoon, they had thoroughly tidied up the courtyard, checked everything without missing any details, from beds and couches to tables and chairs, and from tea cups to teapots, everything was ready. They ordered the servants to stoke up the charcoal fire, and then they went over to the guest room area to invite Third Madam Shi and her family.
Mrs. Gui had already looked out the door several times, and seeing them arrive she finally felt relieved. Smiling widely, she hurried up to greet them, "Young master, madam, you’re finally here! Come on in, the master and madam are waiting!"
"Sorry to keep third uncle and third aunt waiting!" Shi Fengju and Sang Wan smiled as they went in.
Third Madam Shi had already packed her belongings, with bundles and trunks placed in one corner, ready for moving.
Seeing this, Shi Fengju and Sang Wan did not say much else. After exchanging pleasantries, they specifically called over about ten servants and maids to help carry the items, sending them off to Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion. Meanwhile, they themselves respectfully invited Third Master Shi and his wife to move, and had Mrs. Li lead Shi Yuzhen and her sisters there.
The Shi Yuzhen sisters cheered and hurriedly asked the servants to grab their belongings and run.
"Such short notice, must have been hard on you!" Third Master Shi said with a gentle smile.
"Where does that come from, third uncle! This is what we should do!" Shi Fengju and Sang Wan laughed in response.
However, Third Madam Shi appeared somewhat puzzled and asked, "Jicui Pavilion? Why not Qinghui Garden? Is there someone else living in Qinghui Garden now, or has it been repurposed?"
"Not at all," Shi Fengju quickly laughed and explained, "After third uncle and third aunt left the estate, Qinghui Garden was locked up. It has been uninhabited for many years, and the place is large, not easy to clean up in a hurry. So we prepared Jicui Pavilion for you to stay temporarily. Next year, when the weather warms up, we’ll gradually tidy up Qinghui Garden! Then, third uncle and third aunt can move there!"
Third Madam Shi lightly "Oh"ed, her expression somewhat subdued. Mrs. Gui couldn’t help but interject, "Qinghui Garden has been locked up for so many years, has it really never been cleaned or maintained at all? This, this—"
Caught off guard, Shi Fengju did not know how to reply. Back when his mother was dissatisfied with third uncle being granted an official position by the Imperial Court, as soon as they left, she ordered Qinghui Garden to be locked up. Not to mention maintenance, the locks hadn’t even been opened over the years, and they were probably rusted by now!
"Enough, enough! Hurry up with the move! I think Jicui Pavilion is just fine. It’s all our own home, it does not really matter where we stay. With so many affairs at home this year, how could the niece-in-law handle everything? Let’s talk about Qinghui Garden after the New Year!" Third Master Shi sternly glanced at Mrs. Gui and said.
Then, Third Madam Shi directed everyone to move, and did not forget to smile at Shi Fengju and Sang Wan, "We’ll have to trouble you again after the New Year then! We’ve lived on this estate for not a short while, still, we’d prefer to live in our old courtyard, it feels more like home!"
Of course, Shi Fengju and Sang Wan readily agreed. Both of them sighed internally, thinking about the courtyard that had been closed for seven or eight years, wondering how overgrown it must be; they had a hefty cleanup ahead of them. They feared even the rooftops might need to be extensively repaired and restored.
Having escorted them to Jicui Pavilion, Third Master Shi allowed Shi Fengju and Sang Wan to leave first. Seeing that they needed to sort out their own luggage, and it was really inconvenient for others to stay, they smiled and took their leave.
"Master! You’re too easygoing!" Third Madam Shi huffed as she sat down on the chair, "Even if we left home, does it mean we will never come back? Elder sister-in-law did it on purpose! She intentionally let our courtyard fall into ruin! This courtyard that has been locked for seven or eight years, how can it be livable now! Master, they are doing this to embarrass you! If you don’t stand firm, how are we to live in this estate, won’t we just be bullied to death!"
Hearing this, Third Master Shi chuckled lightly and slowly said, "Look at you, getting worked up over nothing. We are not at home, and elder sister-in-law’s refusal to touch our courtyard is also a form of respect! Moreover, back in the day, it was elder brother who made merits for the Imperial Court, solving a pressing crisis, and the court granted permission to buy an official title, which should have indeed gone to elder brother. But father decided to give it to me, we were the ones who benefited from elder brother and elder sister-in-law. If they want to vent a bit, it’s only human nature! If our roles were reversed, can you say you wouldn’t feel even a bit aggrieved?"