Chapter 153 (1/2)

Just by seeing brows knitted together, s.h.i.+ Fengju knew what she was thinking . With a comforting smile, he affirmed, “Don’t worry, we’ll just do whatever we have to . They belong to the third family anyway, so it’ll be up to Third Uncle and Third Aunt to educate them!”

Sang Wan was suddenly enlightened . She agreed with him that although they were one family as a whole, they were not close . If they really were rude and unreasonable, there was no reason for them to be rude to her . And even if they were, all she had to do was avoid them .

“Fourth Sister is only ten this year? Then wouldn’t she be two when she followed them to Sichuan?” Sang Wan asked in surprise . The road to Sichuan had always been long and difficult . For Third s.h.i.+ family to bring such a young child along with them to a faraway place, Sang Wan found it unbelievable .

“Exactly!” s.h.i.+ Fengju laughed, “Not just Fourth Sister, even Second Sister was only seven or eight at that time; she wasn’t even as old as s.h.i.+ Rui! In the beginning, Third Uncle wanted Third Aunt and the children to remain in the household, but Third Aunt insisted on going and bringing their two children along with them . Third Uncle wasn’t able to dissuade her and could only concede!”

Sang Wan nodded . Third Aunt must be afraid of Third Uncle cheating on her since he would be beyond the reach of her power? She seemed like a strong-minded person!

“Young Master! Young Mistress!” While they were talking, Zhan Huan suddenly ran up to them while panting, “Young Master, Young Mistress, the third family is back!”

“Why are you so alarmed?” s.h.i.+ Fengju scolded him unhappily, “We already know . You are dismissed now! Wait, wait around here first, I might have something for you to do, don’t go running away!”

“No, no,” Zhan Huan hurriedly said, “What I mean is that the third family is now at the gate and they are walking in right now!”

“What!” Both s.h.i.+ Fengju and Sang Wan’s expression changed immediately .

“They are already here?” Sang Wan couldn’t believe what she heard .

“Yes! Young Mistress!” Zhan Huan hurriedly said, “Old Mistress and Eldest Missy are already on their way there . They’ve sent this servant to call Young Master and Young Mistress over!”

Sang Wan glanced at s.h.i.+ Fengju .

s.h.i.+ Fengju looked at her and said, “Let’s hurry there too! We will see about what to do after welcoming them back!”

“Okay!” Sang Wan nodded . The two of them hurried over .

By the time they arrived at the second gate, w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ and s.h.i.+ Yumei had just arrived too . Second Old Master s.h.i.+ and Second Old Mistress s.h.i.+ arrived shortly after . s.h.i.+ Fengju and Second Old Master s.h.i.+ went out to welcome them while w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ and the rest stayed behind the second gate . A large group of servants stood gossiping with one another as they stretched their necks to the fullest to see how different Third Old Master s.h.i.+ and Third Old Mistress s.h.i.+ were after becoming an official .

“Sister w.a.n.g, what’s wrong with Third Brother-in-law and Third Sister-in-law? Why didn’t they inform us earlier? All of a sudden, they appear right at the gate!” Second Old Mistress said discontentedly .

w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ was not in a good mood either . By the time she heard that the third family’s carriage had already stopped in front of the gate, she did not even have time to get changed . She was still wearing a lychee red overdress with grape patterns made from silks produced in Hangzhou and a silvery grey pleated skirt with dark stripes . She only had time to change into a golden hairpin which had a ruby phoenix and a prized fur cloak before rus.h.i.+ng to the second gate .

So she said, “Who knows? We did receive a letter, but we only just got it! Who knew they would arrive right after we finished reading it?”

Second Old Mistress wanted to question why they were not informed after the letter had arrived, but she gave an “Oh” after hearing w.a.n.g s.h.i.+’s words and laughed, “Great, our household hasn’t prepared anything yet! Sang Wan, it seems like we’ll have to trouble you!”

Sang Wan gave a glimpse at w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ and smiled, “That is what Sang Wan ought to do!”

But w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ said, “No need to panic, it won’t be your fault if anything goes wrong with this, just give your all and do what you have to . ”

Sang Wan was a bit surprised, but she would be a fool if she didn’t agree with her . Hurriedly, she smiled at w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ thankfully and nodded, “I understand . ”

5

As they talked, Third Old Master s.h.i.+ and Third Old Mistress s.h.i.+ were walking towards them with thirteen or fourteen others . w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ quickly went forward to welcome them .

It was impossible to avoid the exchange of greetings when they saw each other, and forms of address like “Sister-in-law”, “Third Brother”, “Third Aunt” and “Third Uncle” flew with a broad smile on their faces .

Sang Wan observed Third Old Master s.h.i.+ and his wife discreetly from top to bottom, they were both in their forties or fifties . Third Old Master s.h.i.+ was average in stature and looked healthier and stronger than Second Old Master s.h.i.+ . He had a square face shape and a darker skin tone, his eyes were narrow and he had a neat beard . His gestures displayed his dignified manner and he smiled gently when talking to the rest of the family . Third Old Mistress s.h.i.+ had a lighter skin tone and a well-featured face . Although she was also smiling when giving her greetings, she looked more reserved . Her two daughters held her hands and stood beside her . They both had double-ringed hair buns and had the exact same clothes and accessories, except that one was red and the other was yellow .

Everyone went to w.a.n.g s.h.i.+’s place to sit for a chat . Servants were guided by the servants from the household department to rest first while a few who were closer to their masters stayed .

Third Old Mistress s.h.i.+ greeted w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ and Second Old Master s.h.i.+ and his wife again before having her two daughters greet them again as well .

s.h.i.+ Yuzhen had some memories of her elders before she left the household and could vaguely match the faces with her memory . She bowed to greet them one after another with a lovely smile on her face . There was a long lost feeling of warmth when she heard her first aunt and second aunt welcome her back with a smile, and she finally relaxed a little . She even commented playfully at how beautiful Sang Wan was when she saw her even though she was a stranger to her, and that made everyone laugh .