CHAPTER 344: CHAPTER 175: HE IS SO DISHEARTENING (PART 2)

Shi Fengju was at a loss for words, thinking that he isn’t a fool, abandoning you now? Then he might as well get ready to drink the northwest wind! If by any chance he makes a name for himself in the future, then it’s really hard to say!

However, Shi Fengju did not dare to say these words in front of Shi Yumei, for saying them would undoubtedly be like stabbing her heart with a knife.

Shi Fengju flipped to the second page, his brow slightly raised, and said forthrightly: "We will prepare the New Year gifts for the family elders immediately, but these names listed here aren’t from the Ren family, and these items—such as the Four Treasures of the Study and various calligraphies and paintings—whom are they for?"

Shi Yumei was taken aback and could only murmur with her eyes downcast: "These, these are for the friends of your brother-in-law in Meng County... Your brother-in-law said we should prepare a set for them as well."

"That’s not acceptable!" Before Shi Fengju could speak, Mrs. Wang had already angrily retorted: "It’s those no-good so-called friends again, I see no need to keep company with them, it would be better to cut ties!"

"Mother! How can you say that!" Shi Yumei exclaimed anxiously.

"Why can’t I!" Mrs. Wang said angrily: "I see that those people are leading our son-in-law astray, otherwise, they wouldn’t take him to those places of ill repute. Yumei, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but there are some things you need to handle as a wife—can you really let him run amok like that?"

"I’m of the same opinion," Shi Fengju stated resolutely: "It is right to honor the elders, but as for these social exchanges among friends, it doesn’t seem appropriate to have me bother with them, right? I’d be no better than his slave!"

Thinking about it, this did seem sensible, and Shi Yumei could not utter a word in response; she could only stay silent and concede.

"Then it’s settled!" Mrs. Wang declared with finality, turning to Sang Wan: "Miss Wan, I’m afraid you’ll have to take extra trouble. Have the procurement team hurry up and prepare another set, later arrange for someone to send it to Meng County!"

Mrs. Wang sighed, also feeling constricted in her heart. The members of the Shi family replacing the Ren family to send New Year’s gifts to the Ren family elders—it felt awkward no matter how she thought about it!

"Yes, Mother!" Sang Wan responded as she rose, and together with Fengju, they both went out.

As it happened, Zhuang Weixian had matters to discuss with Shi Fengju, so Shi Fengju changed his clothes and went out. He instructed Sang Wan to hand over the list to the housekeeper in the outer courtyard for handling, and Sang Wan smiled and agreed.

Seeing Shi Fengju go out, Sang Wan said to Liu Ya and Xingzhi: "The Mistress and the young master refused Miss Shi’s request, I wouldn’t be surprised if she looks for trouble with me later. You both should be alert, and if someone comes, don’t talk carelessly. I think it’s better for me to avoid the situation for now!"

Xingzhi and Liu Ya both smiled and agreed with "Yes". Out of the blue, Liu Ya sighed again and said: "The eldest Miss is actually quite pitiable!"

"Here you go again, talking nonsense!" Sang Wan scolded her.

"But it’s true!" Liu Ya continued: "A woman fears marrying the wrong man, this saying is never wrong! If you ask me, our first Mistress is fortunate to have such a good husband like the young master!"

"Indeed," Xingzhi also smiled: "The young master is increasingly fond of the Mistress. There’s nobody in our entire household who doesn’t know!"

"If you two have that much free time to gossip about me here, you’d better rush off and get to work!" Sang Wan smiled and rebuked them.

As they were talking, the voice of a young servant girl performing a courtesy outside could be heard: "Eldest Miss, you have arrived!"

The three people inside the warm pavilion changed color, and Sang Wan hurriedly instructed: "Just say I am not here, and hurry out!"

Liu Ya rushed out, just to see Shi Yumei walking in while asking: "Hmm, where is your Mistress? Is she in the room?"

"Eldest Miss!" Liu Ya silently exclaimed in relief, quickly intercepted the little servant girl who was about to speak, stepped forward with a smile and courtesy: "Eldest Miss, you have come, but unfortunately, our Mistress has just stepped out!"

"Stepped out?" Shi Yumei raised an eyebrow skeptically: "Where did she go?"

Liu Ya shook her head with an apologetic smile: "The slave does not know, after the slave had finished her work, the Mistress had already left... Eldest Miss, are you looking for our Mistress for something?"

Shi Yumei huffed and said disdainfully: "If I did not have business here, why would I come! Since she is not here, never mind then. When she returns, tell her to wait for me in the room, have someone go to the banana garden and let me know, I have urgent matters to discuss with her!"

"Yes." Liu Ya hurriedly agreed, seeing Shi Yumei out.

"Mistress," Liu Ya looked to make sure Shi Yumei had gone far away before returning to the room, laughing: "Although we fooled her for now, if the Eldest Miss finds out you lied to her, who knows what kind of scene she’ll make!"

Sang Wan laughed: "I’ll just leave through the back door and take a turn, so it won’t be a lie!" If she had seen her, it would have been even more troublesome, and she didn’t know how to deal with her! Mrs. Wang and Shi Fengju could stand their ground and talk tough because they were family heads, yet even they had to take care of her feelings. How could she possibly refute her to her face? It would be strange indeed if she accepted it!

Sang Wan then commanded someone to bring the lynx fur cloak for her to wear.

Xingzhi laughed: "But in this freezing weather, where will you go? Right, the second, third, fourth, and fifth young misses are at Qingying Pavilion enjoying the plum flowers and barbecuing meat; why not join them, Mistress? You can say it’s to look after the younger misses, that would make sense!"

"Great idea!" Liu Ya also laughed: "That’s a good plan! This morning, the second young miss and others still came to you asking for fresh meat, condiments, charcoal fire, barbecue grills, and iron hooks. Let’s go over and take a look!"

Sang Wan agreed with a laugh, leaving Xingzhi to watch the house. She went with Liu Ya and took two young servant girls, exiting through the back door, heading towards the plum forest to find Shi Yuzhen, Shi Lian, and the others.

Shi Lian’s leg injury had already healed; the sisters had not seen each other for a long time and were having a lively time eating and playing. They all laughed and called out "Sister-in-law!" as they stood up to greet her when they saw Sang Wan coming.

"You really know how to enjoy yourselves! I smelled the aroma from a distance!" Sang Wan couldn’t help but laugh.

Shi Yuzhen laughed: "Thanks to the fresh beef and venison provided by sister-in-law. Sister-in-law, you’ve come at just the right time, the best meat has just started to roast!"