CHAPTER 317: CHAPTER 159: DISPOSITION (PART 2)

Third Madam Shi couldn’t help but relax upon hearing these words, and smiled, "No wonder both your mother-in-law and Fengju are so fond of you. Your way with words is truly clever and articulate! Please, have a seat, no need for such formalities here with your third aunt!"

Third Madam Shi and Mrs. Gui thought that those few negligent maids did not entirely intend to target her specifically. It was due to the lax and sloppy habits in the household that they acted this way, which made her feel much better. At least she was no longer as angry and humiliated as before.

Sang Wan quickly smiled, accepting the offer to sit down and took the tea that Mrs. Gui presented.

Sang Wan cast a quick glance around the room and said with an obliging smile, "To think that Third Uncle, Third Aunt, and the two young ladies have to stay here is truly an imposition! The house was cleaned yesterday, today all the curtains, screens, and window paper are being replaced, and by tomorrow or the day after furniture and decorations should be properly arranged. Please bear with it for a few more days, Third Uncle and Third Aunt, you’ll be able to move in very soon!"

This matter was of utmost concern to Third Madam Shi at the moment, and hearing what Sang Wan had to say gave her great relief. She happily replied, "That’s wonderful! You’ve been such a big help! We’re not fussy; if we need any small items later on, we’ll just ask you to acquire them. Right now, we just want to move in as soon as possible, as long as it’s mostly ready!"

"Yes, yes!" Mrs. Gui chimed in eagerly, "Not to hide it from Big Sister-in-law, it’s truly inconvenient living here. Having our own courtyard is much better! Just having bedding on a bed or couch will do for now, other things can be added gradually!"

Sang Wan hadn’t expected them to be so eager and could only agree with a smile, thinking to herself that everyone indeed needed to work hard. It was urgent to get this matter sorted!

Yet Mrs. Gui was not satisfied with her answer and eagerly added with a smile, "Big Sister-in-law, what about this? Today we change the curtains, screens, and window paper, and tomorrow we arrange the furniture, since tomorrow is an auspicious day for moving in. How does that sound if we move in tomorrow evening?"

So soon? Sang Wan was taken aback and couldn’t help but glance at Third Madam Shi. Seeing her sipping tea silently, she knew it was her wish as well. It seemed that today’s events had indeed irritated her, and this seemed like a deliberate challenge to warn Sang Wan that she was not someone easy to push around.

Sang Wan sighed at her misfortune; she would have to increase the workforce to start moving the larger pieces of furniture this afternoon and get everything set up overnight, hoping there would be enough time by tomorrow. There were so many rooms, both large and small, to attend to, not just Jicui Pavilion but also Hanshuang Pavilion! Although Third Aunt and Mrs. Gui said, "as long as it’s mostly ready" and "just bedding will do," Sang Wan knew better than to take their words at face value. That would be foolishly naive!

Not only did she need to arrange the major pieces of furniture properly, but she could not neglect the various decorative ornaments either.

"Okay..." Sang Wan’s face showed difficulty as she pondered for a while, before forcing a smile and nodding reluctantly with gritted teeth, "I will try my best to arrange it. If, if by any chance, it can’t be done, I hope Third Aunt will understand!"

She couldn’t agree too eagerly either, or else Third Aunt and Mrs. Gui might think the task was easy. If Sang Wan were to agree too readily and any slight mistake or oversight led to complaints, it would be a grave injustice.

"With your word, I will rest assured!" Third Madam Shi was clever. Although Sang Wan left a leeway in her words, she had essentially agreed.

"You’ve been conscientious, and Third Aunt understands that. Why would I blame you?" Third Madam Shi smiled and added with a sigh, "Third Aunt isn’t trying to make things difficult for you, it’s just genuinely inconvenient here! As long as the house is clean, there’s really no need for fuss!"

Sang Wan quickly responded with a smile and casually inquired if Third Aunt had any other requests. Third Madam Shi naturally said there were none and then saw her out.

"This Big Sister-in-law is indeed something! Such a rarity!" Mrs. Gui remarked as she watched Sang Wan and her party depart, leaning over to speak with Third Madam Shi.

Third Madam Shi heaved a sigh, her words tinged with both envy and admiration, "Sister-in-law is truly blessed!"

Third Madam Shi wasn’t one to believe in fate, but sometimes she couldn’t help but think there was something to it! Take Mrs. Wang, for example. With hardly any education and without much cleverness or wit—often speaking without thinking—she was still said by fortune-tellers to have a ’prosperous husband’ fate. Indeed, after marrying into the Shi family, the family business soared to new heights, and she was favored by both her in-laws and husband.

In her lifetime, Mrs. Wang received kindness from her in-laws and love from her husband, had an able and dutiful son, and now such a good daughter-in-law. The single thing she did in life was to enjoy her blessings!

Unlike herself, who even during her most glamorous years as the wife of an official, amidst all the social engagements and exertions, worried and toiled every single day.

Upon returning to Ningyuan, Sang Wan immediately ordered Mrs. Li and Xingzhi to take charge of Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion, respectively, and to hurry up with adding more hands to speed up the clearing process. She also commanded Liu Ya to take the keys to the warehouse and bring people out to air the selected big pieces of furniture and move them into the house in the afternoon.

Sang Wan gritted her teeth and had them relay to the others: for enduring this hardship, everyone would receive a generous reward in the coming days! Anyone who slacked off would face severe punishment!

After Mrs. Li and Xingzhi hurriedly left, several housekeepers came to fetch tokens and retrieve items or report back. Sang Wan dealt with them quickly before calling Hong Ye over to ask if the incident in front of the guest room that morning had been thoroughly investigated. What exactly happened?