CHAPTER 302: CHAPTER 152: THIRD MASTER AND THIRD MISTRESS ARRIVE AT THE GATE

Shi Fengju noticed her furrowed brows and slightly dazed expression and knew what was on her mind, comforting her with a smile: "Don’t worry, we just need to do our part. After all, they belong to the third house, and they have Third Uncle and Third Aunt to guide them!"

Sang Wan suddenly saw the light, and thought the same thing. Though they were one family, there were still distinctions of closeness. If they were truly troublesome, it wouldn’t make sense for them to make a fuss with her, and if they did, she could excuse herself.

"Is our fourth sister only ten years old this year? Then, wasn’t she only two when she went to Sichuan with them?" Sang Wan asked in surprise. Considering the notoriously difficult road to Sichuan, and the distance so great, it was incredible to Sang Wan that the couple from third house ventured so far with such a young child.

"Exactly! Not just the fourth sister, even the second sister was only seven or eight years old back then, not as old as Shi Rui is now! Originally, Third Uncle wanted Third Aunt to stay in the mansion with the children, but Third Aunt insisted on taking the two sisters with her, and Third Uncle couldn’t persuade her otherwise, so he had no choice but to go along with her!" Shi Fengju said with a laugh.

Sang Wan nodded. Third Aunt must also be worried that being far away might lead Third Uncle to ... be less than faithful, she mused. A woman of ideas and resolution indeed!

"Young master! Madam!" While they were talking, Chang Huan suddenly ran over breathlessly. "Young master, madam, the family of Third Master have returned!"

"What are you panicking for!" Shi Fengju rebuked in irritation: "We already know, go back! Wait, the able Hou is in the outer courtyard. There might still be things for you to handle, don’t run around everywhere!"

"No, it’s..." Chang Huan hastily explained: "The family of Third Master Shi, they’re already at the mansion gates, walking in!"

"What!" Shi Fengju and Sang Wan both changed countenance.

"They’ve already entered the mansion at this time?" Sang Wan was incredulous.

"Yes! Madam!" Chang Huan hurriedly said: "Mrs. Wang and Miss Shi have already gone over, they sent me to ask you both to hurry over!"

Sang Wan looked at Shi Fengju.

Shi Fengju said to her: "Let’s hurry over as well! We’ll see to welcoming them into the mansion first!"

"Alright!" Sang Wan nodded, and they both hastened on their way.

By the time they reached the second gate, Mrs. Wang and Shi Yumei had just arrived, followed by Second Master Shi and Second Madam Shi without delay. Shi Fengju went to meet the arriving Second Master Shi while Mrs. Wang and the others waited at the second gate. The crowded place was filled with maids and older female servants chattering and craning their necks, eager to see if the government official Third Master Shi and his wife looked any different.

"Eldest sister-in-law, what are Third Uncle and Third Sister-in-law thinking, not even sending us a message in advance? To arrive at our doorstep so suddenly!" Third Madam Shi complained a little discontentedly.

Mrs. Wang was also feeling indignant inside. When she received the news, the carriage was already at the mansion gates, leaving her no time to change. She was still wearing her half-old lychee-red wrapped grape pattern Hangzhou brocade outer coat, and a silver-grey discreet pattern pleated skirt. She had only managed to quickly replace her hairpin with a gold one inlaid with rubies and cockatoo gemstones, and put on a fire weasel fur velveteen cloak before she hurriedly came.

She retorted: "Who knows! We did receive a letter indeed, but it was received just now! Who would have thought that as soon as the letter was read, they have suddenly arrived!"

Third Madam Shi originally wanted to question why she wasn’t informed upon receiving the letter but upon hearing Mrs. Wang’s explanation, she simply acknowledged with an "Oh" and laughed: "Well now, this really caught us all unprepared! Miss Wan, it seems you’ll have your work cut out for you again."

Sang Wan glanced at Mrs. Wang, and with a gentle smile said: "It is what I should do."

Mrs. Wang, however, said: "There’s no need to panic; if there are any oversights, you can’t be blamed. Just do your best to handle things."

Sang Wan was slightly surprised, but not agreeing would be foolish. She quickly gave Mrs. Wang a grateful smile and nodded, acknowledging "I understand."

While they were speaking, the entourage of Third Master Shi and Third Madam Shi, a group of thirteen or fourteen people, had already walked over. Mrs. Wang and the others promptly went forward to greet them.

Amidst the mutual greetings, a lively and warm exchange ensued. Words like "Sister-in-law," "Younger Brother’s Wife," "Third Aunt," "Third Uncle," filled the air, creating a joyful atmosphere with laughter and cheerful voices.

Sang Wan quietly observed Third Master Shi and his wife. Both were in their forties or fifties; Third Master Shi had an average build, slightly more robust than Second Master Shi, a square face, tan skin, narrow eyes, and wore a neatly trimmed beard, exhibiting a dignified presence in his every motion and appearing agreeable in conversation with his siblings and their spouses. Third Madam Shi had fair skin and her facial features were stately and gracious. Although she was also smiling and greeting everyone, her manner was much more reserved. The two young girls, one tall, one short, followed behind her, holding hands, both with double-looped buns and identically styled clothes and accessories, only differing in one wearing rose-red and the other in beige.