Chapter 74: Complain (1/2)

“Missy, is this alright?” Lan Xiang inserted a flower hairpin in Gu Fangzi’s hair before asking carefully.

Gu Fangzi took a look. Other than a silver accessory hanging from the hairpin, there was only a decorative silver flower on it. The craftsmanship of the hairpin was good, but no matter how she looked at it, it was extremely cold.

“That’s good enough!” Gu Fangzi grunted coldly. She pondered upon how she should just ask Big Cousin to get her some white and green jade accessories. In the past, she had only liked brightly colored beautiful filigree, gold lace cloth, handicraft ornament jadeite, sapphires, and other jewelry except for jade because they looked so dull and cold. However, she could not wear those accessories that she once adored right now! Not just that, they were all confiscated by Sang Wan that b*tch!

Gu Fangzi could not help but feel distressed. Secretly, she mulled over how she could make her spit them all out.

After washing and dressing up, a little servant brought in her breakfast. It consisted of a bowl of eight treasures lotus porridge, a bowl of brown rice porridge, a plate of pancakes, a small tray of steamed dumplings, and two or three more small dishes to complement the porridge.

“Just these?” Gu Fangzi’s face suddenly sank.

Lan Xiang understood her meaning and quickly whispered back, “Missy, you’re still in your mourning period, so these dishes are all vegetarian…”

Mourning period this, mourning period that! Gu Fangzi was left miserable by those two words. Suppressing the anger within her, she swallowed down her misery and said no more as she sat and ate the entire breakfast prepared for her.

After finishing her breakfast and rinsing her mouth, she got up and said, “Let’s go, we’ll go and greet Aunt!”

Lan Xiang had wanted to remind her to first place Old Master Gu’s tablet on the altar and light a stick of incense, but she quickly closed her mouth.

Walking on the path which she was extremely familiar with, the entire scenery was still the same as before, but Gu Fangzi’s heart felt uncomfortable.

Shouldn’t her marrying in be considered a joyous event? Forget about not hanging any red, there was not even a single item to represent the celebration. Even the hanging lanterns and the potted flowers had no traces of being rearranged!

Was her arrival really not worth announcing at all?

Sang Wan! Gu Fangzi secretly gritted her teeth. This time, she hated Sang Wan even more to the core; however, she seemed to have neglected Nanny Li.

At this time, Wang Shi was awake at the same time as before. Without having a change of clothes, she put on a gown and a large piece of peony flower on her combed hair.

“Miss Gu has come to greet Mistress!” Hearing so, Wang Shi was startled and she smiled. “Why so early? Really, child, why are you suddenly so polite all of a sudden! Quickly, invite her in!”

The lass agreed, but before she could leave, Gu Fangzi saw herself in. Sliding the door apart, she stepped in and smiled. “Aunt! Fang’er has come to greet you!”

“Keke, good, good!” Wang Shi turned and looked at her in the eye. She wore clean and simple clothes, and the hairpin on her hair was also simple. Her heart was pained over the fact that Gu Fangzi actually looked more elegant than usual.

Now that Gu Fangzi was an orphan after both her parents had passed away, Wang Shi’s heart melted slightly, and she said with a smile that was filled with pity, “Did you have a good rest yesterday? Why’ve you come so early! Sit outside for a moment, Aunt will be ready in a while!”

“En, everything was fine yesterday. Thank you, Aunt, for your concern! Only Aunt treats me the best!” Gu Fangzi nodded. With a smile, she received an ivory comb from Nanny Jiang. “It’s been quite some time since I last helped Aunt comb her hair. Let me do it!”

Wang Shi’s body stiffened over the thought that she was still fresh into her mourning period, but she couldn’t bear to refute her good intentions, so she smiled and allowed her to do so.

Gu Fangzi used the wide ivory comb carefully and slowly through Wang Shi’s hair before using a small sandalwood comb to run through her hair again. After putting the small comb down, her ten dexterous fingers smoothened the satin-like black hair. Within moments, the beautiful peony flower was removed before a scarlet gold hairpin, inlaid with a reddish blue jewel the size of a pecan, and the decorative flowers were carefully inserted through the hair.

“Aunt, your hair is still so good! Black, bright, smooth, and soft just like a satin!” Gu Fangzi praised with a smile.

Wang Shi looked into the mirror and observed herself. Satisfied with Gu Fangzi’s skill, she grabbed her hand and smiled. “Keke, Aunt is starting to have some white hair already, so it’s not as good as you say anymore! But your skills are much better than before! You combed my hair quickly and neatly, and my heart agrees wholeheartedly!”

While helping Wang Shi up, Gu Fangzi smiled. “If Aunt would like, in the future, I can help comb Aunt’s hair every day.”

“That—” Wang Shi gently patted her hand and laughed. “You still have to mourn. That’ll tire you out if you have to keep rushing here every day!” With that, she let out a sigh, “My good child, oh how you’ve suffered!”

All the grievances that she suffered yesterday rushed to her heart, and her eyes turned red. She intimately pulled Wang Shi’s arm and gently cuddled it before whispering softly, “Having Aunt care for me, I don’t feel miserable at all! Really! As long as Aunt’s around, Fang’er will be even happier and more at ease!”

Wang Shi loved her yet pitied her at the same time. Thinking of the time when she followed her around when she was still so young, she was no different from her own children. The sense of pity hardened in her heart, and Wang Shi raised her hand to gently touch Gu Fangzi’s hand. “Foolish lass, what are you saying! Don’t worry. From today on, we’re a family! Aunt will not let you suffer from any unfair treatment!”

“En!” Gu Fangzi grinned and said, “I just knew Aunt cares for me the most and treats me the best!”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

“Oh, Sister, you’ve come!” From the corner of her eyes, she saw Sang Wan standing by the doorway with no intention to enter or leave. Gu Fangzi was surprised, and she let out a cry as she hurriedly let go of Wang Shi’s arm. After recovering from the shock, she took two gradual steps and stood well-behaved at the side.