Shi Yumei sighed and said, "How could I not understand that! But your eldest brother-in-law—you know what he’s like, stubborn to the core! He takes all those no-gooders as his friends. The moment I give him a little advice, he rebukes me as ’womanish words’ and ’clueless, don’t interfere without understanding.’ Second brother, please help your eldest sister! Anyway, we are far apart now, those people can’t instigate your brother-in-law into doing anything, let’s just consider it buying some peace!"
"Eldest sister," Shi Fengju already felt unsure what to say, both angry and sympathetic, and said faintly, "You can’t keep indulging your brother-in-law ! Eldest sister, it’s not that your brother refuses to spend this money, I wouldn’t say a word if it was spent on other things, but I simply cannot agree with this matter! Those people, I never even need to inquire about them back in Meng County! You must surely be aware of this, right? To speak unpleasantly, your brother-in-law hasn’t even passed the exams to become an official yet; while living off our family, he dares to treat you , to treat our family’s people . Imagine if he really does make it one day, think about how he would treat you! Eldest sister, you can’t keep giving in !"
Shi Yumei stood there dazed, her mind a blank, and after a long sigh, she forced a smile and said, "I know you mean well for me, I also understand all that you are saying, but—sigh, never mind! You are right, we can’t continue to let him have his own way! Those people from Meng County, indeed the farther away the better! Second brother, I won’t bother you any longer, I’ll head back now!"
Shi Fengju wanted to say more but ultimately didn’t. He and Sang Wan stood up to see off the "Eldest sister, take care!"
Shi Yumei responded with a "hmm" and suddenly looked at Sang Wan. She stared straight at her face, such an intent gaze that Sang Wan felt puzzled and said with a smile, "I’ll come for a chat with my sister-in-law when I have the time, you won’t find me boring, will you?"
I dare not find you boring, it’s you I cannot afford to provoke! Sang Wan thought wryly, all the while smiling and saying, "How could that be? Feel free to visit anytime, eldest sister!"
Shi Yumei curved her lips into a smile and left.
"Don’t worry, eldest sister won’t cause you any trouble!" Shi Fengju gently patted his wife’s back.
Sang Wan smiled and shook her head, helping him to sit together on the bed, "I treat her with respect, she won’t do anything. Don’t be angry anymore, after all, your brother-in-law is your sister’s husband, her position is indeed difficult!"
Shi Fengju snorted, "How can I not be angry! How can there be such shameless men in this world! Why does our family always attract such people!" Shi Fengju was reminded of Gu Jin and Sang Wan’s second uncle and aunt.
Sang Wan also remembered and laughed, "Every family has its own difficult scriptures to chant. Our family has these troubles, others have their own problems, it’s just that we don’t know them or can’t understand! It’s the New Year, don’t be angry anymore! It’s not good!"
Shi Fengju was amused by her words and enveloped her in his embrace with a light sigh, "I’m glad I have you, Miss Wan, I’m growing fonder of you by the day!"
Sang Wan stiffened slightly, smiling as she pried his hands away, "It’s broad daylight, and here you are, getting handsy again!"
Shi Fengju said, "You’re well aware that I’ve just been upset, can’t you indulge me and comfort me for once! Don’t worry, which bold slave would dare to barge in here, I’ll skin them alive!"
Sang Wan laughed heartily and made a funny face at him, "Master talks tough, just hope you don’t scare anyone!"
"Did I scare you? Let me compensate you..." Seeing her coquettishly changing expressions, Shi Fengju’s heart fluttered, he hugged her tighter, lowered his head and captured her vermilion lips. Sang Wan’s body and heart trembled, and she let out a soft moan, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck to reciprocate his tender affections.
While the two indulged in love’s enchanting scenery within their room, Shi Yumei walked with an uneven pace back to the banana garden. She couldn’t help feeling a headache at the sight of the large gateway hung with dark-patterned cotton curtains floating in the green hues of green and ink lakes ahead.
She walked into the room feigning composure, and before she could speak, she heard Ren Zhixian’s earnest and imposing voice, "Did you handle the matter properly? Did you remember everything I tasked you with, not missing a single thing? For the Four Treasures of the Study, get the complete gift box sets from either Gufang Store or Guangwen Store, and remember to pick famous and properly mounted calligraphy and paintings, not to settle for ordinary ones carelessly! For the ancient cauldron and incense burner, choose those that are simple, elegant, and small; the big ones are too cumbersome and will be laughable as gifts. Don’t forget to include a box of the finest spices, agarwood, plum blossom incense powder would both do, none of that crude and shoddy stuff! That should do. As for fabrics and foods – such common things are not to their liking, no need to lower the taste! Hey, why are you staring at me like that? Did you hear everything I said clearly? Is that what you told your sister-in-law? Don’t go buying the wrong thing and then trouble her to send someone for exchanges!"
Shi Yumei didn’t feel it before, but after hearing her second brother’s words and seeing her husband behaving , she felt a mix of shame, annoyance, guilt, and acid in her heart: what kind of husband had she married!?
Although this was her natal family, the way he gave orders and demands, he clearly acted as if he was the master! Even she felt ashamed, and yet, he took it for granted!
"Hmph!" Shi Yumei snorted coldly, and sat down without courtesy, commanding Cui Zhu to pour tea. She sipped leisurely, watching her husband’s face grow colder, and only then she leisurely placed the tea cup down, pulled out a silk handkerchief to gently wipe the corners of her mouth, and said calmly, "I didn’t speak to her."
"What did you say!" Ren Zhixian’s face turned ugly in an instant.