Third Madam Shi was infuriated and said: "But Big Brother never opposed it at the beginning, in fact, he was very supportive of you! Does Sister-in-law not understand the principle of following her husband upon marriage? She should think about it, being an official is not the same as doing business, not everyone is cut out for it!"
Third Master Shi laughed and said: "Oh, so you also know the principle of following your husband upon marriage? But look at yourself now, are you following me? I haven’t said anything, yet you are discontented! It’s normal for Sister-in-law to feel upset, isn’t it!"
Third Master Shi really wanted to add "women are !" but considering Mrs. Wang was his sister-in-law, it was not appropriate to speak ill of her, so he held his tongue.
"You!" Third Madam Shi was beside herself with anger.
Third Master Shi laughed again and said: "Enough! Now that we’re back in our own home, drop all that nonsense from outside. Who among our own family would bully us? Sister-in-law isn’t like that, neither are Second Brother and Sister-in-law, and Fengju and his wife goes without saying; they wouldn’t have been so diligent and thoughtful in cleaning the house for us, ensuring everything is perfectly in order! Look around this room, is there anything you can find fault with? Think about it, in the mansion now, it is Fengju and his wife who are running the household. If they had the intention to trip us up, to assert their dominance by doing something that appears to follow the rules but is actually sly, we really would have no grounds to complain!"
"How can you say there’s nothing!" Third Madam Shi immediately seized on his words: "Isn’t the fall that Yingfang took the other day an example? It’s lucky that the maid was loyal and quick to catch me, otherwise, it would have been me who broke a bone!"
Third Master Shi frowned and replied: "You are too sensitive! We had just returned that day, and there were a lot of things going on in the house, a minor oversight from our niece-in-law isn’t much of a big deal! Besides, the old lady and the three maids were all strictly punished, weren’t they? Our niece-in-law has explained herself to you. Look, you asked for the courtyard to be tidied up within two days, and wasn’t it done so? When we entered, even the charcoal fire was already lit, and the hot tea was ready. Even our own children might not be able to do as well, or be so considerate. You should also see the good in what they’ve done!"
Third Madam Shi looked around the room, the luxurious curtains and all were brand new, the floor was covered with clean, fresh Persian velvet carpets, every table, chair, and couch was part of a complete mahogany set, complete with chair cushions and seat pads. Vases and censers for holding incense, as well as decorations like wall hangings and paintings, were also suitably and tastefully arranged. By the window, a white base doucai (contrasting colours) blossom-pattern square-mouthed flower vase contained two blossoming rouge red plum branches, slanted in placement.
The silent red glow of the charcoal fire was spreading warmth. The room was indeed warm and cozy, with not a single fault to find.
"Enough! I can’t win against you!" Third Madam Shi sighed, stood up, and started directing Mrs. Gui and other personal attendants to unpack their bags and trunks. Hearing the orders, everyone sprang into action, getting busy.
As the sky grew darker, Third Madam Shi ordered the lights to be lit and continued organizing with everyone’s help. Now that they had returned from official service, although many belongings had been discarded, there were still many that remained. During packing, to save space, various items had been stuffed in with no strict categorization, every nook and cranny was filled to the brim. Now to unpack and organize everything again was a true hassle!
"Dad! Mom!" A crisp voice came from outside, the curtain moved, and it was Shi Yuzhen leading Shi Yulin and two maids into the room.
"You haven’t finished tidying up here? Why is it so messy!" Shi Yuzhen exclaimed.
"Where could it be done so quickly! Sit over there, don’t make more of a mess!" On one hand, Third Madam Shi gave out orders with a list in hand for the packing, and on the other, she raised her head to talk to Shi Yuzhen and her sister: "You’re staying in Hanshuang Pavilion, right? How is it? Do you like it?"
The sisters looked at each other, smiled, and nodded in unison, "It’s nicely arranged! No worse than our own home!"
Third Master Shi couldn’t help but laugh: "What nonsense! What do you mean ’our home’? This is our real home, understand?"
"Oh!" Shi Yulin nodded her head, only half understanding, while Shi Yuzhen secretly stuck out her tongue.
"Dad! Mom! Let’s eat first. We’re hungry!" Shi Yulin called out again, "Mrs. Li said the kitchen will send food over for us to eat with dad and mom!"
"Now that Xiaolin mentions it, I’m really hungry, and it’s getting late. Let’s eat first!" Third Master Shi also hastened to say.
Third Madam Shi rubbed her sore back, nodded with a smile, and said: "It’s already this time before you realize!" Then she ordered everyone to stop and have a meal first. She called for someone to bring hot water for handwashing and asked if the kitchen had delivered the meal.
Mrs. Gui hurriedly approached with a smile: "The kitchen has just sent a food box over, this servant has taken it and placed it on that table!"
Third Madam Shi nodded and ordered it to be brought to the side hall, and then asked if the hot water had been brought over?
Yingxia, holding a copper basin, and a little maid carrying a teapot hurried over, Yingxia quickly said with a smile: "We are not very familiar with this place, it took us a while to find where the basins were kept! This hot water is heated over the charcoal fire in the wing room, it’s really inconvenient without a kitchen!"
Third Madam Shi nodded, and couldn’t help but look at Third Master Shi, as if to say, see, it’s not just me who finds this inconvenient, right? If this were in Qinghui Garden, would we have these concerns? Then she instructed: "Remember this, remind me tomorrow to bring it up with the matriarch, to have a small kitchen set up in the left wing room. That’ll be more convenient for us!"
Yingxia quickly agreed, and helped the masters wash their hands without further mention.