Gu Fangzi fell silent.
A slight chill crept over Shi Fengju’s heart, and an indescribable disappointment filled him.
"You still don’t trust me!"
"That’s because the things you’ve done make it impossible for me to trust you!" Tears welled up in Gu Fangzi’s eyes as she fixed her gaze on Shi Fengju and said, "Do you like her? Answer me with your conscience, have you started to like her? Do you think I am making a fuss over nothing and see me as sinister and despicable? Tell me!"
Shi Fengju didn’t speak as his eyes quietened, "Fang’er, I hope such things won’t happen again. I don’t wish the Fang’er I like to be that kind of person."
After finishing his words, Shi Fengju turned and left.
"Big cousin!" Gu Fangzi was suddenly gripped by panic. She ran forward and hugged Shi Fengju tightly from behind, her cheek pressed against his back as she sobbed, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Big cousin, it’s my fault, I was wrong! Please don’t be angry, please don’t ignore me, okay? Big cousin, I did all this because I’m worried about you, I’m afraid you won’t want me, I’m really scared! Big cousin, I can’t live without you! Big cousin!"
Shi Fengju stiffened, letting out a long sigh, "Promise me that it won’t happen again, will you?"
"Mhm mhm! I promise, I promise! It won’t happen again, it never will!" Gu Fangzi nodded frantically.
Shi Fengju’s lips curved slightly as he turned around and gently patted her back, "Fang’er, trust me."
"Mhm, then, you must promise not to change your heart!" Gu Fangzi held on to him tightly, leaning into his embrace.
"I promise." Shi Fengju was momentarily lost in thought but still nodded gently.
Gu Fangzi finally broke into a smile through her tears, and with a soft voice said, "The day after tomorrow you’ll be leaving, I’ve personally made two sets of clothes for you. My handiwork isn’t great, so big cousin you mustn’t make fun of me."
"Really! Clothes made for me?" Shi Fengju laughed, "Since when did you become so virtuous?" From childhood, Gu Fangzi had always despised needlework, she never made him even a belt or socks, let alone clothes. The only sachet was one she embroidered years ago.
Gu Fangzi gave him a playful yet serious glance, "Does it mean only your main wife can be virtuous, and I am not allowed?"
Shi Fengju’s eyes dimmed as he forced a smile.
Gu Fangzi babbled on, "You better keep your distance from those unrighteous ghosts and evil spirits outside, those bad influences. Don’t learn bad habits from them! You are not allowed to visit brothels, nor can you associate with women outside. Hmph, if you come back and I catch a hint of something, I won’t let you off easily!"
"How could I be that kind of person?" Shi Fengju said with a patient smile.
"You never know! That’s why I need to remind you!" Gu Fangzi retorted.
Sang Wan had also packed her things, sorting out nightgowns, underwear, outer garments, cloaks, socks, belts, handkerchiefs, and other assorted items categorized and packed away, along with towels, scented pancreas, and toiletries, as well as purses, scented cakes, tea leaves, nail clippers, seal rings, and various other items packed into two large and two small boxes, explaining to Shi Fengju with a smile, "There’s an inventory list on top of the boxes for convenience when searching for things! Tomorrow Mrs. Li will call someone to carry them out and hand them over to Chang Huan, and I will ask her to give instructions as well. If there is anything we haven’t thought of, we’ll have to buy it on the spot! Life on the road is not the same as home; Chang Huan and the others might not think of everything or attend to everything meticulously, so you’ll be the one to remind them, or they’ll take the chance to slack off!" she went on for quite a while.
A warmth filled Shi Fengju’s heart, but he couldn’t help feeling conflicted and said reluctantly, "Actually, the maids could have handled these things; you really didn’t need to do it yourself. After all...I mean, it’s fine to have the maids do it!"
Sang Wan’s face paled slightly as she forced a smile, "Look at what you’re saying! After all, you kept my brother company yesterday, so consider this a plum in return for a peach!"
Shi Fengju knew that she had started preparing days ago and felt a bit regretful inside for speaking that way.
Continuing, Sang Wan said, "Besides, it was a personal request from mother, I couldn’t just ignore her wishes. Besides, Mrs. Li is here too!"
In other words, she did it for others to see.
Shi Fengju smiled, although it was a forced one, and somehow felt disappointed hearing her words.
"Oh yes," Sand Wan tidied an escaped lock of hair and brought over a rectangular wooden box, "This is a medicine box. Inside there are gauze, Qili Powder, Biwensan, Zhuge Powder, Suhexiang Pills, Shixiang Huisheng Pills, Huoxiang Pill, loquat ointment, white tiger oil, and other commonly used medicines and pills. This medicine box is also specially made to be waterproof and sunproof. Keep it well, for emergencies. Of course, it would be best not to have to use it!"