Shi Fengju already had an idea of whether there was an issue or not, and he did not expect Sang Hong to calm the situation. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect, and lifting his wine glass, he said, "It’s good that there’s nothing wrong! It’s good that there’s nothing wrong! Servants are of mixed quality and inevitably there might be lapses! Big brother’s magnanimous heart is admirable! This glass, I toast to you, big brother, please!"
"I don’t deserve such honor!" Sang Hong lifted his glass, clinked it with his, and downed it in one gulp, sighing, "Actually, as long as Miss Wan is fine, nothing else matters! I know my brother-in-law is a reliable person, and there is no need to say more! Miss Wan is gentle and often keeps things to herself, so please, brother-in-law, take more care of her in the future!"
"Hehe, surely, surely!" Shi Fengju instinctively avoided eye contact and chuckled in a concealing manner.
Behind the partition, Sang Xiaoquan and Sang Xiaonuan were really hungry. Moreover, being in a strange environment, they ate their meals politely without any noise, which reassured Mrs. Fang.
Sang Wan helped her sister-in-law to sit down, and the two chatted over tea.
"Sister-in-law, did something happen? Why did you and big brother arrive so late?" Sang Wan also asked.
Mrs. Fang’s face immediately showed a trace of irritation, but remembering what Sang Hong said, she shook her head and smiled, "Nothing! What could have happened? We were just delayed on the road a bit!"
"Really nothing?" She couldn’t hide her expression from Sang Wan’s eyes, and Sang Wan sighed softly, "Sister-in-law, are you treating me as an outsider? Can’t even talk to me about it?"
Mrs. Fang was momentarily stunned. She thought for a while and then decided to speak frankly, "It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but honestly, your brother was afraid that you would get angry and didn’t let me say anything! But I think, telling you is a way to give you a heads up! It’s better for you to be more cautious in the future!" Mrs. Fang then recounted everything that happened from the moment they entered the house, adding, "If it weren’t for running into Chang Huan by chance, your brother and I might have already left Qingzhou!"
Mrs. Fang’s face turned slightly pale as she thought to herself, if we had left at that time, Miss Wan’s reputation would have been totally ruined!
"Miss Wan, won’t you be angry with your brother and sister-in-law? It wasn’t done on purpose by them, really—it’s just too bullying!" Mrs. Fang felt extremely aggrieved. Either her own spouse was aggrieved, or her sister was aggrieved; in any case, someone always had to bear the brunt! This made her very angry.
Liu Ya, who had been all ears, said indignantly, "Madam, no need to say more, it must be that cousin scheming behind the back! She runs the household; besides her, who else could order the servants to do such despicable things!"
Sang Wan couldn’t stop her, and Mrs. Fang’s expression turned cold, puzzled, "Cousin? What cousin? Why would she antagonize you? What? Does your family let the cousin run the household?"
Sang Wan had to smile and explain, "This cousin is the daughter of mother-in-law’s own sister. She lost her mother early and was raised by my mother-in-law, and she has always helped manage the household affairs. Perhaps, perhaps she sees me as a threat since I married into the family, so she’s not very friendly towards me. But, there’s really nothing inappropriate with the big picture!" While saying that, she scolded Liu Ya, "You girl, how can you talk nonsense without any basis? Who allowed you to talk recklessly!"
"Is that really so?" Mrs. Fang was skeptical, and after receiving Sang Wan’s affirmation, she still said angrily, "Even if that’s the case, it’s still too bullying! Even if she is your mother-in-law’s niece, she’s still a relative! Now that you’re part of the family, it’s only right for you to manage the household, how can she still do so! Miss Wan, your mother-in-law doesn’t have any objection to you, does she?"
"How could that be!" Sang Wan felt incredibly overwhelmed and forced a smile, speaking tenderly, "Mother-in-law is very nice, she’s good to me, really! Ah, sister-in-law, I’m already married, you don’t need to worry about me all the time, I’m aware! Really! However, today is the first time big brother and sister-in-law have visited, I feel sorry you were put in such a position!"
Mrs. Fang snorted, "That’s putting it mildly! I’m so annoyed! But it doesn’t matter for us; at worst, we just won’t visit as often in the future, but it’s different for you! If you’re aggrieved, can you endure it forever? It’s one thing to forgive others, but your mother-in-law—that’s still your mother-in-law! If she decides to make life difficult for you, don’t you have to endure until...?"
"Mother-in-law is truly good; you’ll know once you meet her!" Sang Wan affirmed decisively, then joked, "Sister-in-law has always been strong-willed and can’t tolerate any injustices! I’m a bit surprised, the slave was so rude, yet sister-in-law, you managed to restrain yourself and didn’t make a scene?"