Chapter 203 - Proposal (1/2)

Chapter 203: Proposal

The next day, Nanny Ning left the Hong household for the Shi household with two other servants to deliver the message.

When Wang Shi heard that their city’s magistrate had sent people over, she quickly invited them in without much thought as she assumed that they were here to invite them to Old Mistress Hong’s dinner party.

To her surprise, Nanny Ning mentioned Shi Lian’s marriage right after a formal greeting, which caught Wang Shi off guard.

“Well, why did Old Mistress Hong think to do so for no reason?” Wang Shi couldn’t help but laugh as she asked.

She actually did not feel anything was wrong when Old Mistress Hong requested for Shi Lian to be married over as a concubine. The Hong family served the imperial court; how could Shi Lian be a legal wife of their legitimate son? It was already in favor of Shi Lian to be able to marry into such a family, even if it were as a concubine.

“Isn’t this just fate?” Nanny Ning laughed, “Old Mistress Shi, did you bring her and a few other nannies along when you went to Plum Blossom Temple a few days ago? Our Young Master happened to pass by and decided to take a walk up the hills to watch the plum blossom flowers. Ever since he laid his eyes on her from afar, he has been thinking about her, and that’s why our old mistress has sent this old servant over to deliver this proposal! There is no need for you to worry, Old Mistress Shi, our old mistress is extremely kind, and our Young Master does not have a legal wife yet. Although your missy will be married into our family as a concubine, she will be granted a higher position and enjoy the same rights as if she were his legitimate wife! We will never treat your missy poorly!”

Nanny Ning spoke with a bright smile on her face. These words had already been rehearsed with Old Mistress Hong and they turned out fluent and pleasant to the ears. She expected Wang Shi to say nothing but yes to their proposal, but to her surprise, Wang Shi’s face stiffened slightly when she heard her.

“At Plum Blossom Temple…Young Master Hong met our family’s third daughter there?” Wang Shi forced a smile on her face as she asked.

“Yes!” Nanny Ning laughed, “That’s why I said it was all fate! Hehe, there is this saying that ‘Though born a thousand miles apart, souls which are fated to meet will meet’!”

Old Mistress Hong and Nanny Ning did not expect Shi Fengju and Sang Wan to keep it a complete secret from Wang Shi, and Wang Shi had no idea at all. They thought that what they had proposed would show that the Hong family was willing to take responsibility for what had happened and Wang Shi would definitely be relieved as well as pleased with them. But who knew that they had instead surprised Wang Shi instead!

Wang Shi was both surprised and furious, and thought to herself: that foolish girl was really not a good one, all she has done was bring trouble to this family! She didn’t seem to wander a lot when she’s at home, so why had she gone astray once she went out? What was she doing in the plum blossom forest? What’s more, she ended up attracting the Young Master of the Hong family here. Even though he only looked at her from afar, if word were spread to the public, who knew what the rumors would be? The public might even think that they were having an affair!

That would be an embarrassment to their Shi family!

Wang Shi had the urge to call Shi Lian over right this instant to ask her about it and teach her a proper lesson; how could she still be interested in the marriage proposal? So she laughed and excused herself, “For this, I’ll have to thank Old Mistress Hong for the effort! Who knows whether our third missy deserves such good fortune? How about this, I will reply to your old mistress in a few days.”

“Marriage is a big thing so it definitely has to be considered carefully!” Although disappointed, Nanny Ning still forced a smile and said, “Why don’t this old servant come back to receive the reply from you three days later? Old Mistress Shi, what do you think?”

“Good! Then we’ll discuss this again!” Wang Shi nodded and smiled before she had the servants see Nanny Ning off.

Right after sending Nanny Ning away, Wang Shi’s face turned dark and she sent servants to call Shi Lian over.

Shi Lian had received a fright in the plum blossom forest, and the more she thought about it, the more it became a trauma for her. She was feeling as uncomfortable and frightened as a bird on a wire, and the moment she heard that her stepmother was looking for her, her face immediately turned pale!

“I’ll go over right after getting changed. Sister Xiu Chun, you can report back to Mother first!” Shi Lian quickly forced a smile and said.

“Then I’ll be taking my leave first. Third Missy, please make haste!” Xiu Chun smiled and left.

Shi Lian held Cai Yun’s hands tightly and instructed her, “Quickly send someone reliable to inform Sister Sang Wan that Mother has called for me. You have to hurry!”

Cai Yun was anxious as well, and hurriedly nodded once Shi Lian had instructed her, “I understand, Missy you can get changed first, this servant will send someone to inform Young Mistress now! She would definitely not leave you be!”

The pair of master and servant, finished their preparations in a hurry and composed themselves before calmly walking towards Wang Shi’s place.

Wang Shi was waiting for her in the warm room; Xiu Chun directly led Shi Lian in when she arrived before leaving to stand outside the door. There was only Nanny Jiang left inside to serve Wang Shi.

“Kneel! You shameless fool!” Wang Shi clenched her teeth and scolded her sternly.

“Mother!” Shi Lian kneeled in front of Wang Shi. Her feet were suddenly too weak to stand, and she said with tears in her eyes, “This daughter is ignorant and must not have been filial to anger Mother. Mother, please tell me what I’ve done wrong!”

“You dare to ask me?” Wang Shi sneered and said, “Keep putting on an act, I will watch you keep up your act! You shameless fool! What on earth happened that day in the plum blossom forest at the back of Plum Blossom Temple?”

Shi Lian almost fainted when she heard Wang Shi asking her about it. How could she dare say anything before Sang Wan arrived? Moreover, that was not something a missy could say.

Shi Lian’s eyes were immediately full of tears, and all she could do was lower her head and cry without saying a word.

“What are you crying for? What a disappointment you are. Tell me right now, who did you meet with in the plum blossom forest on that day?” Wang Shi said angrily.