Lunch time, Shi Fengju really came. He arrived on the dot, and just as arranged, the dishes were served onto the table directly from the kitchen without the need of a steam box to keep the food warm.
“I had some matters to deal with in the study room.” Shi Fengju coughed as he said it plainly.
Sang Wan stared blankly at him. Did he just tried to explain why he left in a hurry just then?
Still, his good intention will not be unappreciated. More importantly, it proved effective for the maidservants who were listening.
Gently, Sang Wan nodded with an “Oh” and continued, “Sir, you must be tired! For today’s lunch, I’ve requested the kitchen staff to prepare some of your favorite dishes. Do dig in!”
Seeing her smile gracefully, he became more natural. And just like that, they were like a real couple; a real family. The awkwardness in his heart gradually disappeared. Of course, the night before they had already spoken their mind, so the awkwardness disappearing is not something impossible.
“Dig in!” Shi Fengju laughed. Skimming his eyes across the table, he noticed that the soup and all the other 8 dishes were his favorite. He said, “In the future, no need to take me into account. If you’ve something you’d like to eat, feel free to ask the staff to serve them.”
Sang Wan smiled slightly. As she sat, she spoke, “I don’t really have anything in particular that I like to eat. We are not too fastidious about our food.”
Shi Fengju stared at her blankly before giving her a smile and stopped pursuing further into the conversation. He knew full well of the Sang family’s current situation. However, never did he thought that Sang Wan would say it so gracefully, as if it was not embarrassing. This scored a few points in his heart.
After all, such words are not something a man can easily express. But for a woman, the difficulty is on another higher level!
After the two had their lunch, Shi Fengju instructed Zhide to bring in all the maidservants, who are assigned around the small garden, to meet their Mistress. For now, she’ll have to live her life in this world. And as for him, to ensure she is not looked down upon, and her stay here is without misery.
Sang Wan was astonished. He must have hit his head when he went out just then! Never could she imagine his temperament and actions to make a complete flip! Of course, she was delighted nevertheless!
Immediately after Shi Fengju displayed his affection towards Sang Wan, the maidservants assigned around the small garden quickly went to give their respect to her. Some of the maidservants who were previously unruly towards Sang Wan now felt very perturbed as they fear that the new Mistress might carry a grudge towards them. This made them more polite and cautious.
Sang Wan ordered Liu Ya to take out the gift that she had prepared beforehand. The gift was colorful pouch, embroidered with a variety of auspicious patterns. In the pouch were a few scattered coins. The current Sang family’s financial situation isn’t well off, thus Sang Wan’s gift could not be too generous. The sum of coins in the pouch could be anything ranging from 2 silver to 2 copper coins. In the eyes of the maidservants in the Shi family, such amount amounts to nothing! In her past life, because of the gift, she received a reputation of being stingy, thus losing the hearts of her maidservants. However, due to her family’s current financial state, the most she can give amounts to only that little.
“I can only give you this much, treat it as a figure of luck —— What I’m saying is the truth and not just
for show! If you dislike it, you may return it! If you all work diligently, maybe in the future I might take advantage of Sir’s family fortune and reward all of you generously!” Sang Wan said half-jokingly.
Upon hearing that, the maidservants could not help but laugh. Even Shi Fengju smiled slightly.
With that, the slight unhappiness towards Sang Wan vanished like the wind! No one in the chamber does not know of their Mistress’s family financial state. But still, the pouch is nothing but a figure of luck! Being a maidservant of such a wealthy family, who would really lack such a meagre sum of money? However, since their Mistress had already given her word, worrying about the present would not bring any benefit to them in the future!
And since Sir remained silent and did not rebuke, her words might be true!
“Since Ma’am has already given her word, for tonight’s banquet, have the kitchen staff prepare two more extra tables for all of you to attend and enjoy! Tell the kitchen staff to put that into my account! Zhide, you’ll do the relevant arrangements!” Shi Fengju carried the spirit of helping others till the end, and laughed.
The maidservants’ eyes glistened and their faces exposed a broad smile. Rarely was the young master this generous, thus given such opportunity, who’ll not be happy? Again, Young Master did this only because of their Mistress, and as such, their attitude towards Sang Wan took a turn for the better.
Liu Ya was even more excited, and she laughed without restraint.
Seeing that his part has been played well and done, staying with Sang Wan still made him feel a little uncomfortable. Thus, he came up with an excuse and left. Sang Wan and the maidservants hurriedly went to see him off. And after that, the maidservants accompanied Sang Wan back into her chamber. This was still much better than her previous life by many folds!
Sang Wan did not let such a great opportunity, to win over the hearts of the maidservants, slip by. She had a long conversation with them before instructing them to return to their tasks. Deep down, she sighed.The incidents in the past, she too was responsible for them; by trying too hard to maintain her image and for being too submissive! If not for the dreary lesson gained after her death, perhaps in this life, changing her usual temperament might pose a challenge!
At night, a banquet was held in the courtyard, and together with Wang Shi, they had a hearty meal. No less, the couple’s act continued; husband and wife on good terms, and respectful towards each other. This made Wang Shi very pleased. Occasionally, she would smile and nod.
Deep down, Wang Shi is against the marriage. But immediately, she suppressed it. After all, it was her father-in-law and husband’s will. As a daughter-in-law, and a wife, it is her duty to fulfill their final wish. Unless Sang Wan is handicapped or has a bad reputation among the people, the marriage will go as arranged. As for him, he’ll have to endure for the time being.
Once in awhile, Gu Fangzi would look away from the crowd and discreetly convey her goodwill and friendliness. And from time to time expose a friendly smile at her. Seeing Gu Fangzi smiling at her, Sang Wan politely smiled back. Even though she knew full well of her intentions, she couldn’t help but feel worried, but since Gu Fangzi is keeping her act, why not play along?
At night, the awkwardness lingered in the air as the couple were left alone in the chamber.
A small group of maidservants would occasionally scurry past the small garden. Clearly, Shi Fengju sleeping outside in the small garden would be impossible. As a newlywed, him sleeping in the study room is even more of a no-go.
And because of that, he was in a more awkward situation compared to Sang Wan.
“It’s already very late! I’ll sleep on the floor, and you’ll sleep on the bed!” Immediately after saying so, he swiftly grabbed a mattress from the cupboard and lay it gently on the floor. Right after removing his robe, he tugged himself under the quilt. Looking up at Sang Wan, he wanted to say something but quickly stopped himself.