Chapter 70: Carry This Sedan Chair Back (2/2)
Shi Fengju and Sang Wan quickly agreed.
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After leaving the courtyard, Sang Wan saw that Shi Fengju’s arm was still on her shoulder, and she stopped on the spot before leaning her head to look at him. That bleak expression made Shi Fengju’s heart race a little. However, not daring to court disaster again, he gave an awkward smile before quickly keeping his hand away.
“Sorry, I’ve caused you trouble! Mother is just like that. Her words come out without any thought, but she means no ill. Please don’t be mad!”
Sang Wan was startled, and she sighed to herself. When did he become so careful when speaking with her? He really seemed to be giving her allowances which might have made her boldness increase! After going through what had happened just now, Sang Wan knew that her ignorant behavior was dangerous. If she were careless, she would get reprimanded by her mother-in-law again, and so she smiled gently, “How can I be mad at my mother-in-law! Still, it was I in the wrong last night…”
Shi Fengju’s heart was in glee, and he quickly laughed, “I don’t blame you, it’s my fault! Enough, let’s not talk about this anymore. Come, let’s go back to the small garden!”
Sang Wan smiled and nodded before following him back.
In a blink of an eye, it was already the 6th of August. Gu Fangzi was marrying in as a concubine within a hundred days after the passing of a family member, so the wedding was done as low-key as possible without any banquet held. For this reason also, none of the Sang family came. Fang Shi voiced out a few words of dissatisfaction, but after thinking that Gu Fangzi would still have to observe three years of filial piety before being able to do the deed with Shi Fengju and that Sang Wan’s child would already be able to walk by then, her anger subsided.
Early this morning, Gu Fangzi first took a carriage from the Gu family’s small courtyard before arriving outside Qingzhou City to switch to a small sedan.
Seeing the white sedan chair that was here to pick her up—simple and white without no decorations—Gu Fangzi felt a little dissatisfied. She then took a glance at the two servants there who were here to see her to the Shi household. They, too, were in plain clothes without a single flower on their hair. The mood of a happy occasion was not even present, making her even more displeased.
“Auntie Wu, who arranged for this sedan chair?” Gu Fangzi asked with a frown.
Auntie Wu replied, “To answer Miss Gu, it was Nanny Li who arranged it with Ma’am’s assent.”
“Oh?” Gu Fangzi said coldly, “What about the sir and the mistress? Did they say anything?”
Auntie Wu could not help but feel a little contempt. To marry in during such a period as a concubine, what else would you expect? Mistress has always hated going against taboos. It’s not like you don’t know!
“This matter was entirely handed over to Ma’am and Nanny Li to handle. Mistress did not interfere!” Auntie Wu answered plainly.
I knew it! Aunt must be oblivious to this! It must’ve been that Sang Wan trying to take advantage of me! Trying to display your authority? As if!
Gu Fangzi immediately concluded and refused to ride the sedan chair. With a commanding tone, she instructed Auntie Wu, “Carry this sedan chair back and let Aunt have a look!”
“Ah?” Auntie Wu and the other servant who had come to pick Gu Fangzi almost choked from the shock. “Miss Gu, that—whatever for?”
Gu Fangzi snorted coldly, “What kind of family is Shi family? They’re Qingzhou’s richest people! What’s more, I’m my aunt’s niece. If I were to ride such a chilly and plain sedan chair to the family’s entrance, would that not cause Shi family to lose face! Not only will that be so, others might even say that my aunt is a very harsh person, even to her own niece! Sister may have no experience in handling affairs, but how can she be so careless as to ruin the reputation of the family and my aunt! Lan Xiang, you follow them back and ask my aunt properly!”
Because Wang Shi had already stated that Gu Fangzi would still be addressed as “Miss Gu” and would only be changed after a tea ceremony once the deed was done three years later. As such, Gu Fangzi still referred to Wang Shi as before.
“That——” Auntie Wu was placed in a difficult position.
She was aware of Nanny Li’s authority, and she knew that Nanny Li disliked Miss Gu very much. Supposedly, her sedan chair could have been better than this, but since Nanny Li had already arranged for it and it was not against any regulations, no one could fault her! Miss Gu must have dismissed the idea that this was done by Nanny Li and instead wanted to intentionally pull Ma’am in; this was clearly obvious. Auntie Wu could not help but bitterly grumble to herself, Why must I get dragged into this trouble!
Ma’am was greatly favored and could easily coax the mistress. The Young Master was also very respectful towards her. If possible, Auntie Wu wished she did not hear the way Miss Gu narrated the problem.
“Miss Gu, laonu thinks we should just forget it! Why make things so troublesome! In any case, we aren’t eye-catching so if we enter through the side gate, I’m sure no one will know! What’s more, don’t you have to observe three years——
“Quiet!” Before Auntie Wu could finish, Gu Fangzi’s face had turned pale, and she shouted angrily.
Auntie Wu’s remark no doubt ignited her anger as it directly penetrated through her sore spot and through her flesh and bone!
Marrying into the Shi family was both exciting and majestic. Who knew how many times Gu Fangzi had imagined herself doing so. Even without a huge red sedan chair, it would still be a happy occasion with loud music in the air. But never had she ever dreamed that she would be picked up by so few people on a small sedan chair and then carried in just like that.