Chapter 10 V2 : Cooking (1/2)

Shi Lian had only come because of her stepmother’s instructions. Because of her quiet nature and Sang Wan’s unfamiliarity towards her, Sang Wan was left in an uncomfortable situation. Similarly, as a girl who put her own safety first, there was nothing she could say to her sister-in-law. But luckily, with the chirpy little girl, the awkwardness between the two was not that bad; they were at least able to have a few conversations with each other.

Except for Shi Rui, the visit was torturous for both Sang Wan and Shi Lian; it was an act that they both had to go through.

But not long after, Gu Fangzi came in with a broad grin on her face. Seeing the three in the chamber, she clapped and laughed. “Wow, Cousin Sang Wan, it’s so lively here! My cousin-in-law sure is easy to get along with; to become so familiar with my two other cousins, who are rarely seen together, so soon after getting married into the family!”

Gu Fangzi’s voice was both delicate and clear; it was sweet like the chirps of an oriole. Once the three heard Gu Fangzi’s voice, the atmosphere within the chamber brightened.

“Cousin Fangzi,” Sang Wan greeted her before inviting Gu Fangzi to a seat. The other two cousins went on to greet Gu Fangzi. With that, the chamber became more lively and comfortable.

“That isn’t the case! Cousin Fangzi, I’ve always wanted to play with you! But unfortunately, Cousin Fangzi is always either busy handling the family’s business with Cousin Fengju or accompanying Aunt Wang! By the time cousin returns, the sky is always dark, so Shi Rui wants to go but can’t go! Shi Rui has long heard that Cousin Fangzi has a pet oriole. Shi Rui really wants to see it!” Shi Rui blinked her large sparkling grape-like eyes and smiled, oblivious to the fact that her words brought about embarrassment to a certain person.

Gu Fangzi’s face suddenly flushed and her expression turned sluggish. Although there wasn’t a person in the Shi Family who didn’t know about her relationship with Shi Fengju, which Wang Shi had tolerated, she couldn’t help but feel a little odd when a little girl talked about her and Shi Fengju in front of Sang Wan.

While Shi Rui’s mouth was moving, Shi Lian had been holding the teacup tightly as she admired the blue and white flowery designs. Her gaze was so focused on the teacup that she was in a world of her own.

Shi Lian might be able to act foolish, but Sang Wan, on the other hand, was not as fortunate. Acting as if interested, Sang Wan smiled at Shi Rui. “I’d love to go and see the flowers. Although I’m not sure which flowers bloom at this season, why don’t we go and take a look when the weather is good?”

Shi Lian raised her head slightly and glanced at Sang Wan before dropping her head down to carry on admiring the teacup.

Relieved, Gu Fangzi added, “Yes! Just as Cousin Sang Wan said, when the weather is great, let us all go to the flower garden! The flower garden in the Shi family has lots of different flowers that bloom beautifully every year!”

The little Shi Rui loved a lively atmosphere, so hearing Gu Fangzi’s words, Shi Rui laughed and applauded. After a few moments in deep thought, she suggested, “Yesterday, Shi Rui walked past the garden and saw that the cape jasmine was blooming beautifully in the Fragrant Garden! A whole lot of them, big and as white as snow! Also, the fragrance could be smelled from far away! Big Sister Sang Wan and Cousin Fangzi, why don’t we go there and play tomorrow?”

Tomorrow? Tomorrow was Sang Wan’s homecoming!

The thought of Shi Fengju accompanying Sang Wan to the Sang family early in the morning made Gu Fangzi’s heart feel somewhat sour. But immediately, she got over it. Lifting her slender white fingers, she knocked softly on Shi Rui’s forehead and laughed gently. “You, ah, you only know how to play and care not for anything else! Tomorrow will not be possible. Your big sister has to go for her homecoming tomorrow!”

“Homecoming? What is homecoming?” Shi Rui was startled and asked cluelessly.

The maidservants in the corner giggled among themselves. Sang Wan and Gu Fangzi couldn’t help but laugh. As for Shi Lian, she had finally had enough of the teacup and rested it on the table before laughing with the rest of them. Seeing that everyone except her was mysteriously laughing, Shi Rui glanced to her right, and then to her left before asking, with a perplexed look on her face, “Did I… did I say something wrong?”

“What does a kid know?” Gu Fangzi glanced at Sang Wan intimately before smiling. “Homecoming means returning to the parental home. Tomorrow, your big sister has to return to her parental home! Why don’t we wait a few days until the weather becomes a little warmer and pick a sunny afternoon to enjoy ourselves in the garden? We can fly a kite too! What do you say?”

Gu Fangzi took the initiative to help her out of a predicament. Sang Wan naturally thought the least she could do was show some sign of gratitude. With that, she nodded her head slightly.

Shi Rui gave an “Oh,” to show she understood, but once she heard that she could also get to fly a kite, she was so overwhelmed with excitement that she couldn’t stop grinning and clapping, and immediately started talking about the big swallow kite in her chamber.

“We’ve sat for quite a while already; let’s not trouble Big Sister Sang Wan any further and head back now.” Shi Lian smiled tiredly as she spoke.

“That is so!” Gu Fangzi hurriedly smiled and nodded. Turning to Sang Wan, she continued, “Cousin Sang Wan still has to prepare dinner later on, so we should take our leave soon! Before that, let me give a huge hint. Aunt Wang loves to eat winter melon soup. He he, if Cousin Sang Wan were to prepare it, I’m sure Aunt Wang will be pleased!”

“Is that so? Hēhē, many thanks to Cousin Fangzi for the advice!” Sang Wan’s eyes glistened and her lips hooked into a smile. However, the hand that clutched her handkerchief was rather tight.

In her past life, Gu Fangzi had also shown her kindness by giving her advice. And sure enough, she had heeded her advice and made winter melon soup. However, that soup had been tampered with, and once Wang Shi had eaten it, she developed red rashes all over her face and was mocked by that Old Mistress Zhuang. And because of that, Wang Shi no longer wanted to see her again as she was so furious at her that her teeth itched!

“Cousin Sang Wan, you’re welcome!” Gu Fangzi giggled and mischievously winked at her before leaving together with Shi Lian and Shi Rui.

Sang Wan secretly sighed. Winter melon soup… winter melon soup!

Now that Gu Fangzi had announced it in front of so many people that Wang Shi’s favorite dish was winter melon soup, if she were to not make it, it would look like she did not consider Wang Shi of high importance and was deliberately rejecting Gu Fangzi’s good heart! The winter melon soup… even if she didn’t want to prepare it, she would still have to.