CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 27: COUSIN’S ANGER

Shi Fengju wanted to continue being stubborn and refuse to eat, but he couldn’t bear the hunger and thirst any longer. Just as he was about to reluctantly agree, Chang Huan barged in from outside and blurted out, "Young Master, the kitchen stove has been extinguished, and Aunt Li said that the food has been distributed to the different courtyards. Shall I bring some food for you from Ningyuan, or should I ask Aunt Li to make you a bowl of noodles? Oh, fearing you might not wait, I brought a plate of hibiscus cakes, jade crumb cakes, and peach cakes!"

As Chang Huan was about to proudly present the pastries, he noticed Sang Wan and Xingzhi standing in front of him with a sneaky smile, and his master’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

How could Shi Fengju not be angry? He had just casually told Sang Wan in Ningyuan that he wasn’t hungry, and now he had been caught red-handed! Chang Huan’s words were particularly irritating to his ears.

Xingzhi tried to suppress her laughter, her eyes focused downward as if she hadn’t heard anything. Being unaware of what happened in Ningyuan, Chang Huan hurriedly greeted Sang Wan with a smile, "Madam, you’re here!"

Sang Wan secretly found it amusing, but she didn’t show it on her face. She nodded slightly to Chang Huan and said with a smile, "Alright, I’ll let you have these pastries as a reward. Take them and eat! Don’t worry about the young master, I’m here! You can go!"

Chang Huan subconsciously glanced at his dark-faced master and said sheepishly, "It’s Madam who’s considerate towards the young master, then this slave will leave!" He then quickly disappeared as if he was escaping.

"Damn it!" Shi Fengju cursed in annoyance.

"Young Master, please sit down and eat!" Sang Wan knew she couldn’t wait any longer, or Fengju’s embarrassment would turn into anger. She pulled him to sit down, gestured for Xingzhi to serve the food, and personally handed him a bowl of soup.

Seeing that Sang Wan wasn’t making fun of him and her expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn’t heard Chang Huan’s words, Fengju’s embarrassment subsided. Wanting to say something to smooth things over but fearing it would only make things worse, he decided to let it go and simply sit down and accept the food.

The taste of the hot, fragrant bamboo shoot soup immediately stimulated his appetite. Fengju’s spirits were lifted, and he courteously said to Sang Wan, "That’s enough, Xingzhi can stay and serve me. You can go back first!"

Since he said he had something to do, whether he did or not, he had to stay in the study a bit longer.

"Alright then, I’ll go back first! Young Master, don’t stay up too late! Go back and rest earlier!" Sang Wan nodded and smiled, then instructed Xingzhi, "Later, prepare a pot of good tea for the young master to aid digestion, and ask someone to prepare some fresh fruits as well. Don’t forget!"

"Yes, Madam!" Xingzhi agreed, kneeling.

Shi Fengju glanced at Sang Wan and felt at ease. Indeed, men can’t do the job of serving others properly! Since she was willing to act until this point, he should make things easier for her!

While thinking this, Fengju suddenly felt a little guilty, so he softened his tone and said to Sang Wan with a smile, "Don’t bother, I don’t have much to do; I’ll be back soon! Right, if you’re tired, go and rest first!"

Indeed, the ancient saying, ’casting a peach in return for a plum,’ was true! Sang Wan thought to herself, smiling in response and then headed off.

Just as she hadn’t yet reached Ningyuan, she heard someone calling "Madam!" from behind her. She stopped and turned to see who it was, only to exclaim in surprise, "Xingzhi? Why didn’t you stay to serve the young master?"

Sang Wan thought Shi Fengju had sent Xingzhi to accompany her, and she secretly rejoiced. To her surprise, Xingzhi’s face appeared awkward, and she hesitated to speak.

Sang Wan’s heart sank, and without saying anything more, she understood the situation.

"Did Miss Gu go to the study?" Sang Wan asked indifferently.

Everyone in the mansion, including Mrs. Wang, would always display this expression when they had to mention Gu Fangzi in front of her. It was as if Gu Fangzi was a ferocious beast or a natural disaster.

Upon thinking about it, wasn’t that the case?

"Yes." Seeing that she had said it, Xingzhi had no choice but to nod, but quickly added with a smile, "Madam, you don’t know, Miss Gu has been helping the young master a lot in business these past two or three years. It’s common that they discuss matters together. That’s why..."

"My cousin is talented and capable, my mother-in-law has mentioned it before." Sang Wan smiled, and her expression remained gentle and amicable.

Xingzhi couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Sang Wan. Any other person in her position would have been terribly wronged. She felt sorry for her! Xingzhi wanted to say a few words of comfort but realized that her relationship with Sang Wan wasn’t close enough, so she held back.