Chapter 163 (1/2)

s.h.i.+ Fengju’s face turned turned expressionless as he said in a low voice, “Husband and wife in name? Just like before?”

“Do you not like that?” Sang Wan raised a brow slightly in amazement, “You don’t seem against it! I don’t like to scheme against others, and neither do I have any tricks up my sleeves nor the heart to devise one . Even if you gave me your word, saying that you love me, but what about Gu Fangzi? Tell me, who doesn’t know how much she loves you? I’m also sure you are well familiar with her character compared to mine? Surely, you wouldn’t wish for this household to be in a turmoil!”

s.h.i.+ Fengju understood her meaning and said plainly, “Then what do you want to be done?”

“Make her leave the s.h.i.+ household!” Sang Wan said without any hesitation, “So long as she’s here, she will just be like a thorn in my heart, making me uneasy . I can’t stop you from having concubines, but she’s different; she’s the only one I cannot accept! If you were in my shoes, I’m sure that you would not be able to accept her . If she is no longer important to you, then make her leave! If you want her, I will grant your wis.h.!.+ But if you want both of us to stay, you’ll have to forgive me because I won’t be able to do that . I will return the authority of this household to her and request Mother to let me move to the country house to stay a while . ”

“I’ll never allow it!” Upon hearing that she was intending to leave, s.h.i.+ Fengju felt frustrated . He clenched his teeth and said, “I will never allow you to leave, and you will never be able to leave me!”

Sang Wan said plainly, “Mother actually dotes on me and she is very easy to speak to . As for Gu Fangzi, she probably can’t wait for me to leave . I just need to mention it and I’m sure she will prepare a carriage for me immediately . As for you, you can’t always be at home right? When you are far away from home, would you be able to stop me?”

s.h.i.+ Fengju was speechless .

He had always been clever and he understood things without having to be told twice . If he did not allow her to leave, she naturally could not leave . However, her treatment towards him could not be controlled by him! Now that her footing in the household had strengthened and her second brother was the top escorted examinee, even if he did not make it through the next examination this time, who knew if he would succeed on his next try? Even if he decided to stop taking the examinations, he could settle to be a magistrate . Just by that alone, the s.h.i.+ family could not do anything to her! Besides, he could not harden his heart to do anything that would harm Sang Wan!

If he were to force her to stay, what would remain would be her body . Even if she remained gentle or virtuous, it would all be on the surface only . However, he loved her so much that he did not want just her body . He loved to see her gentle smile; he loved to have small talks with her as he listened to her soft and gentle voice; he loved her contented smile which would warm his heart . All of which could be gotten only with her by his side .

s.h.i.+ Fengju finally gave in and sighed, “If she had not entered the household, everything would’ve been easy to handle . But now that she had entered, asking her to leave,” s.h.i.+ Fengju shook his head, “Mother will never allow it!” And the person herself would definitely refuse!

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Sang Wan said, “Her marriage with you was not made public, and only a handful of others know of it . With the s.h.i.+ family’s financial power, arranging another marriage for her would not be a trouble! Mother has always doted you and felt that letting her be a concubine was not fair for her . Only you can handle this properly, and I’m sure Mother won’t say otherwise!”

s.h.i.+ Fengju went silent . He agreed with what Sang Wan said, but she had missed the key person and that was Gu Fangzi herself! If Gu Fangzi did not want to leave, he could not force her to . If she were to make a scene, Mother would definitely feel guilty to her and would be more likely to let her stay . It wasn’t that he wanted her to stay, he just wasn’t all too confident about it .

Sang Wan felt disappointed, but she had already expected him not to give an immediate reply too . Otherwise, she would feel uneasy as well!

She gently pried his hands away and said with a forced smile, “It’s getting late now, I have to go to Third Aunt’s place and then check on both Ji Cui Tower and Han Shuang Pavilion afterwards!” She turned and left . s.h.i.+ Fengju heard her instruct Hong Ye, “Watch over the house properly and take care of your young master . Remember to direct any messengers to Ji Cui Tower!”

From the gentle sound of footsteps, she had left with a servant .

Hong Ye gently slid open the door and entered to serve her young master, but he waved his hands to signal her out, which she promptly did so .

Even though the house was silent, s.h.i.+ Fengju’s mind was a mess . He understood Sang Wan’s concerns . Her soft outer appearance and strong stubbornness made him love her even more, but he was at a loss of what to do . However, he was sure of one thing . If it’s about letting her go, he would never agree to that!

He had already done something that made him regret, and that was allowing his cousin to stay . Now, he could not afford to make another mistake that would cause him to regret —— letting her leave!

s.h.i.+ Fengju did not come up with a plan after much thought . He suddenly felt that the house was stuffy and unbearable, which made him annoyed and irritated . He got up and left without saying a word .

Sang Wan reached w.a.n.g s.h.i.+’s place calmly and reported to her about the conclusion, which w.a.n.g s.h.i.+ nodded in agreement . Sang Wan then went to Third s.h.i.+ Family’s Old Mistress’s place and apologized to her again before letting her know about the punishments given to the servants . Third s.h.i.+ Family’s Old Mistress was never a kind-hearted person when it came to dealing with servants and felt that Sang Wan was not being harsh enough . In her eyes, a servant without respect for their master was the most detestable and should be beaten to death!

On a second thought, it might be because New Year was approaching and it was inappropriate to give harsh punishment that would end up cutting their blessings . Her face did not show any displeasure as she smiled at Sang Wan while saying courteous words like “You have worked hard” .

Sang Wan felt relieved seeing that this incident was somewhat resolved and she hurriedly smiled, “Third Aunt, please do not worry . In the future, I will properly manage every aspect of this household and not let a similar incident happen again! Oh right, the latest Third Aunt and Third Uncle can move in is tomorrow evening . When that time comes, I will order a few servants to guide you there! The time given was short, so if there’s anything still lacking, please let me know in the future!”

Third s.h.i.+ Family’s Old Mistress was elated . She smiled and said, “Sang Wan is no doubt capable! It’s already fine that we can move in tomorrow, we aren’t too particular!”