"What are you talking about! Don’t let your mind wander when you are sick!" Mrs. Wang scolded her.
Gu Fangzi was not willing to comply. Her face turned beet red in her urgency, steadfastly insisting not to trouble Sang Wan and saying that having Lan Xiang was enough. Seeing this, Mrs. Wang had no choice but to agree with her.
Seeing Gu Fangzi as if finally relieved and smiling gratefully at her, Mrs. Wang felt a slight sourness in her heart. Fangzi is really wronged! And has become so sensible!
Mrs. Wang sighed, holding Gu Fangzi’s hand, not knowing what to say.
Gu Fangzi forced a smile and said, "I am sick, I should not keep aunt, older cousin, and sister around any longer. If you catch my illness, I would feel even worse! It’s almost the first day of February, and I remember aunt always goes to Meihua Temple to stay for a few days. Unfortunately, this year, Fangzi can’t accompany aunt there!" Chapters first released on novel⟡fire.net
"Don’t think too much, aunt knows your filial piety, and it doesn’t just have to show in this way! You rest well, and I will bring back a peace charm for you from there," said Mrs. Wang, immensely moved by her concern despite her illness.
"Mm, thank you, Aunt!" Gu Fangzi said with a weak and grateful smile, then turned to Sang Wan, "Sister, this time you must keep aunt company, and please bow a few more times in front of the Bodhisattva for Fangzi!"
"Don’t worry!" Sang Wan smiled reluctantly and nodded her head.
After talking a bit more, everyone left.
"Ah," at the gate of the peony garden, Shi Yumei suddenly stopped Sang Wan and said indifferently, "Fangzi is already , what about Fengju? Why hasn’t he come to see her?"
Sang Wan felt stifled, thinking to herself, why are you asking me if he has not come?
"Okay," Mrs. Wang frowned slightly and spoke up, her son had already told her how it was a few days ago, how could he still come to see Fangzi? "Miss Wan, you go back and mention it to Fengju, alas, Fangzi is quite pitiable!"
"Yes, mother," Sang Wan answered softly.
Mrs. Wang nodded and ordered her not to follow, and went back home with Yumei.
Sang Wan sent her part of the way before turning back to Ningyuan to relay Mrs. Wang’s message to Shi Fengju.
"I see she is really quite ill, completely haggard," Sang Wan said gloomily.
Shi Fengju felt very annoyed and scoffed, "Is it hard to think of headaches and fevers at this time of year? She really has the nerve to carry this out! I underestimated her!"
Upon hearing this, Sang Wan quickly silenced him, scolding, "How could you say such things! If others hear, wouldn’t they think you so heartless!"
Shi Fengju grunted, "I am indeed heartless, what do I care if others hear? Go see her, she can dream on! I want to see how long she can keep this up, if she can keep it up for a lifetime, I’d really be impressed!"
Sang Wan looked at Shi Fengju, momentarily dazed. She couldn’t help but think, in her past life, when he mentioned her, was he also this indifferent and ruthless?
"What’s wrong?" Shi Fengju, seeing her dazedly staring, took her hand and squeezed it, his gaze softening as he chuckled, "Don’t worry, mother clearly understood what I meant, I won’t go see her, mother won’t blame you! Alas, since she’s sick now, this matter needs to be put on hold, Miss Wan, please give me some more time."
"Of course," Sang Wan quickly smiled, "No one would push her in this state! You, you shouldn’t keep fretting about this, just take it slowly." Isn’t Gu Fangzi not the type to admit defeat so easily?
"Mm," Shi Fengju nodded, feeling relieved, "Miss Wan, saying that reassures me!"
"Mother is going to Meihua Temple on the first day of February, I need to accompany her. I’m not sure how it was prepared in previous years! I should ask Mrs. Li and the managing maids about what needs to be prepared," Sang Wan said, chatting with him for a bit before smiling and getting up.
Shi Fengju chuckled and said, "Then I’ll go visit my uncle for a bit, you go ahead!" After finishing his sentence, he changed his clothes and went out.
In the peony garden, Gu Fangzi was still lying on the bed with a haggard and dazed face, but her eyes were icy cold.
Pretending to be sick was merely a facade; she was using it to clear suspicions.
"Be sure to get Asan in touch with Young Master Hong, and tell him exactly as I just instructed you. Remember, don’t forget!" Gu Fangzi stared at Lan Xiang.
Lan Xiang, taking on a major task for the first time, was inevitably a bit nervous, subconsciously touching the 50 taels of silver banknotes in her bosom, unable not to say, "Miss, are you sure we should do this?"
"What? You don’t want to help me?"
"This slave dares not!" Lan Xiang hastily knelt down.
"Get up! Then go!" Gu Fangzi coldly scoffed, "It’s just passing a few words, what does it have to do with you?"
"Yes, this slave understands!" Lan Xiang slightly relaxed her breath.
On the first day of February, as dawn broke, Sang Wan, along with Shi Yumei and Shi Lian, accompanied Mrs. Wang, and with maids and matrons, they set out in carriages towards Meihua Temple.
Every year on this day, Mrs. Wang took her daughters to Meihua Temple to pray for blessings for her deceased husband and for the wellbeing of her children and household.
Master Mrs. Su Heng of Meihua Temple was quite familiar with Mrs. Wang. The temple had been prepared days in advance; Sang Wan had sent people over two days earlier to arrange things, and when Mrs. Wang and her group arrived, everything was in order.
Master Mrs. Su Heng herself came out to greet them, exchanged pleasantries, and after entering the quarters at Qingqiu Courtyard where Mrs. Wang and her party were staying, they settled in. Mrs. Wang then took her daughters-in-law to the temple to bow to the Bodhisattva before going to speak with Master Mrs. Su Heng in her wing room.
From the next day on, Mrs. Wang, accompanied by Master Mrs. Su Heng, would kneel and chant prayers for blessings in the side hall of the temple, listening to Master Mrs. Su Heng expound Buddhist teachings. This would continue for three days before returning to the residence.
Sang Wan and the others only accompanied Mrs. Wang on the first day; from the next day onwards, Mrs. Wang sent them out.