Chapter 12 V2 : Turbulence on the Dinner Table (2/2)

“Rest early today. You’ll have to wake up early tomorrow!” Shi Fengju sat on his mattress and pulled the quilt over his body while giving Sang Wan a smile.

The bed curtain had yet to be pulled. Sang Wan was wrapped in a light blue embroidered robe, with the pink inner nightgown still a little exposed, and her hair was draped over the right side of her chest. Her relaxed posture and peaceful facial features would have made even strangers too comfortable with her.

“Lord, I have a few words I’d like to discuss with you!” Sang Wan smiled as she spoke those words. In her tone, there was a sense of embarrassment.

Looking at a beauty under the dim light was not something Shi Fengju was used to. He was not someone who looked only at a person’s appearance, but a beauty with a kind heart was not something his eyes and heart could resent. He couldn’t help but sneak glimpses at Sang Wan before sitting up straight and nodding. “Please continue. Just speak your mind.”

Sang Wan thought over her words slightly before smiling. “I’d like to thank you beforehand for accompanying me for my homecoming tomorrow!”

Hearing that, Shi Fengju understood that Sang Wan had some things she’d like to discuss for the next day and spoke generously. “That is what I should do, so no need to thank me. If you have something you’d like me to do, please tell me.”

She was respectful towards his mother, so how could he not return that favor? An opportunity for him to do so had come right up to his doorstep, so why not accept it?

Hearing that, Sang Wan was secretly relieved. Keeping the smile on her face, she went on. “Then I’ll continue. I’m sure you know my family’s current situation, so I was thinking that we should only bring a small number of people for the homecoming; maybe one or two maidservants to follow us there, as there is no need for a big crowd to follow us into my humble home. If a large number of people follow us there, I’m afraid it might become inconvenient for my brother’s wife, who will be doing the hosting! There isn’t any other reason behind it, just that my brother and sister-in-law have already done so much for me, so I don’t wish to trouble them any further.”

After telling him what was on her mind, she darted a sincere look at Shi Fengju. In her past life, her homecoming had been carried out impressively, but were the servants from the Shi family not full of pride? Upon arriving at the Sang family’s residence, their eyes had been filled with distaste and the tip of their tongues was filled with criticism!

How could Sister-in-law Fang bear to hear those criticisms? At that time, her face had been furrowed as her anger built up. Even Sang Wan had not been spared from that anger. But what could Sang Wan have done? She was like a rat, stuck between both parties.

The homecoming ended with both parties parting on bad terms.

It would have been great if the matter had ended there. But unfortunately, the servants who had followed to the Sang family had spread rumors within the Shi family, and there had even been some who had defamed the Sang family in front of Wang Shi, saying how smelly it was there, and how arrogant and mean the Sang family members were. What’s more, they had even gone on to say how disrespectful the Sang family members were, just because they had read a few books, and that the Sang family members had ridiculed how the Shi family members stank of money!

Those few words pierced Wang Shi’s heart and she became furious. She gave a scolding to the Sang family members and called forth Sang Wan to give a good lesson, before declaring that she wished not to see Sang Wan unless called.

After hearing what Sang Wan said, Shi Fengju remembered the state of her house on the day he had gone to receive her during the wedding ceremony. Though he hadn’t cared about its state then, he could somewhat picture what he had seen back then.

Two small courtyards and a few trees planted at the entrance. Behind the house, a fenced garden. The house was built with grey bricks and tiles, and though old, it was still well maintained and clean. Among the other villagers, that house was the most well-off.

However, that was nothing compared to the Shi family’s household. That kind of house might not even be as good as a respected maidservant’s here.

This was definitely a problem! If many people were to go there, that was not a homecoming, but an event to embarrass her!

Shi Fengju had never been a petty person, but disdained the children from rich families who liked to brag about how well-off their families were and he refused to bend and become like them.

“It is my bad for not looking at the bigger picture.” Shi Fengju smiled and continued, “I’ll arrange it properly tomorrow, so don’t you worry!”

“Then I’ll give my thanks to you again!” Sang Wan’s heart leaped with joy and she openly displayed her happiness towards Shi Fengju by giving him a broad grin.

Shi Fengju smiled and shook his head.

Taking advantage of the opportunity in front of her, she went on to describe her family. “My family is fairly simple. My second brother studies in Wenchang Academy and was present on the day I was married. However, he left right after the whole ceremony ended. As such there’s only my oldest brother, sister-in-law, together with their two children, a son and daughter, and a nanny to take care of them. There are no exquisites in my house. On behalf of my family, I apologize for the rudeness and hope that you will excuse us!”

Shi Fengju laughed. “I don’t care about any of that. But hearing you say everything in such a rush makes it seem like you’re nervous! You even brought up exquisites; so what if there are exquisites!”

Sang Wan smiled as she listened. “Maybe I’m just being a little too paranoid!”

“Yes, you are.” Shi Fengju smiled in response.

With that, the two returned to rest and the room was once again blanketed in silence. Well, Sang Wan rolled her eyes behind the bed curtains. Deep down, she thought: If you were like me and remembered the experiences and memories from our past lives, I’m sure you would not think that I’m being paranoid.

This time around, that past life seemed a little more distant, just like a dream fluttering into nothingness. However, Sang Wan felt a little uneasy. She was unsure if it all really was a mirage or if she had actually experienced it.