Chapter 89: Big Sister Looking for Trouble (1/2)
Wang Shi could not help but feel sorry for her own daughter. She pulled Shi Yumei into her arms and sighed, “My good child, it must have been tough for you! When your second brother returns, let him help you!” Wang Shi was extremely furious. Our Shi family helped pay off his debt, gave him good food to eat, and let him have a roof above his head, and yet there he went educating me about etiquette! What a joke! Even if my Shi family is wealthy, that money shouldn’t be spent so wastefully! Feeding the dogs would be better! Wang Shi thought to herself.
“No, don’t!” Shi Yumei panicked and said, “Mother, please don’t tell Second Brother about what happened today. Please don’t tell him!”
“You—”
“Mother ah!” Shi Yumei smiled as if nothing had happened, “Even I was at fault today. As a man, living in his wife’s parental family would, of course, make him a little uncomfortable and sensitive! I should have spoken nicely and should not have been overtaken by my anger! It is all my fault for making Mother worry about me! I—” Shi Yumei whimpered.
“You ah!” Wang Shi was also feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Watching her daughter be in such a state, she could not even be angry. She sighed, “Really! Forget it, whatever you say, Mother will side by you! Ai, this really—”
Seeing that her mother had promised her, she let out a sigh of relief. But that made her feel even more of a letdown. So after much thought, she said again, “Mother, I think that after Mid-Autumn Festival, have Banana Courtyard readied quickly, and we will move in immediately! That way, it’ll save Mother from any more troubles!”
Wang Shi was reluctant to give up on her own daughter, and she was about to open her mouth to speak otherwise, but the thought of her unreliable son-in-law made her think that not seeing him would be better! She nodded and said, “That’ll also be good! When you two settle down in the courtyard, live your life well! Your husband said he will be participating in the examinations that will be held three years later, right? So just listen to your second brother and have him concentrate in studying in the courtyard. There won’t be anything else for him to worry about!”
“En, thank you, Mother! Only Mother and Second Brother treat me the best!” Shi Yumei smiled gratefully.
The dishes were served back out again. The mother and the daughter sat to eat, but Shi Yumei felt worried for her husband and went to pick a few dishes before having Cui Zhu send them to Ren Zhixian. Wang Shi watched without saying a word.
The next day was the annual Mid-Autumn Festival. The entire Shi household were busy early in the morning as they prepared for the festival. In the small garden, the servants shuttled to trade for preparation items, report upon completing their tasks, or give their opinions. It was extremely lively. Sang Wan, Zhide, and the others were as busy as bees, and Nanny Li brought Liu Ya with her to the kitchen to direct the dinner preparations. This was a major festival, and no mistakes should be made. Only with Nanny Li personally looking over the dinner preparations would Sang Wan not be worried.
Putting that aside, Shi Yumei wandered around the household and ended up arriving near the small garden. As she watched the servants come and go, she thought of the cold and empty Peony Park which made her heart burn with anger. With a sneer, she headed to the small garden with Cui Zhu.
Sang Wan heard from a little servant that the eldest missy had come, and she quickly gave her instructions for Zhide to supervise the preparations before leaving with a few other servants.
“Big Sister! What brings you here!” The moment Sang Wan left the house, Shi Yumei had already gone past the patio and was heading her way.
Shi Yumei was scornful after hearing those words, and she said, either with a mocking intent or not, “My younger sister-in-law, you’re now in control of the household, so what need is there to curry favor with me! What’s wrong? Am I not welcome?”
Where did that come from?
“That’s not it! That’s not it!” Sang Wan hurriedly smiled as she replied, “It is my fault as I should have invited Big Sister over. It’s just that these few days have been very busy for—”
“Ai, having to manage the ins and outs of the household, there’s no way you can’t be busy. I can understand! I mean, what does it matter? I’m just a missy married out from the Shi family. Inviting me in to have a seat isn’t important at all!” Shi Yumei smiled and interrupted her.
“Big Sister, those words really make me feel bad! Although it was due to my negligence, I hope that Big Sister won’t put it to heart! Oh, Big Sister, please have a seat inside!” Sang Wan quickly smiled and invited Shi Yumei into a warm room before the two sat down.
Seeing that Sang Wan was not reacting to her remarks and responding only with a smile, she labeled her as a big-hearted person as she secretly sneered to herself instead, Indeed sinister to the roots. No wonder Cousin Fangzi didn’t dare say anything even though she was obviously suffering!
After some cold introductions, the tea was served. Sang Wan was quite startled when Shi Yumei did not accept the tea. She then had to personally give the cup of tea with a smile. “Big Sister, please have some tea!”
Only then did Shi Yumei receive the cup with a smile. She opened the lid, and a faint tea fragrance rose to her nose. Then, she took a glance at the clean and elegant cup before taking a good look at the clear tea. It was yellowish-green—a beautiful and refreshing color for a tea.
Shi Yumei took a small sip and smiled with praise, “This is good tea! What is this called? I’ve never had this before!”
Sang Wan then smiled to answer, “What you’re drinking is plum tea from Anhui. I, too, think that it is great. If Big Sister likes it, I can have someone send some over to Big Sister later.”
Shi Yumei nodded and responded with an ‘oh’ but quickly spoke again, “Nevermind, there’s no need to! If I were to run out of it while being addicted, that wouldn’t be good. I’ll be much better off not having it in the first place!” With that, she said, again either with a mocking intent or not, “In any case, it doesn’t matter whether the tea is here or at my place, so if ever my mouth itches to have a drink of this good tea, I’ll just come over for some. Sister-in-law, you wouldn’t find me a bother, right?”