Chapter 204 - Refusal (1/2)
Chapter 204: Refusal
Hearing so, Wang Shi hesitated for a while before she spoke again, “You are right! There is no reason for a missy from our Shi Family to be a concubine in another family! Her mother is no longer around; the people out there with malicious intent will think that I am ill-treating her and spread rumors about it! However, with the Hong family so polite with their proposal, would it be rude for us to refuse them?”
Sang Wan answered, “Marriage should only be discussed when there is a mutual consent between both families, so it will not be a problem for us even if we refuse them. Furthermore, their proposal is for Shi Lian to become their son’s concubine, not as his lawfully wedded wife! Old Mistress Hong will definitely be able to understand where we are coming from if we refuse them.”
Wang Shi nodded slowly, but she remained silent.
Sang Wan did not dare to speak any further, and forced a smile, “This is only your daughter-in-law’s small insight. Mother, please do not take it to heart if I have said anything wrong. Why don’t we wait for Lord to be back to discuss and make a decision together?”
Wang Shi was pleased with her words. Seeing that Sang Wan knew to take Shi Fengju’s opinion into consideration, Wang Shi smiled, “You have a point there. A matter of such gravity should be discussed with Fengju since he is the most familiar with the world outside!”
“Mother is right!” Sang Wan laughed and bade farewell after exchanging a few more words.
Sang Wan exhaled deeply when she stepped out of the courtyard, feeling slightly downcast. Wang Shi did not seem to be against the marriage with the Hong family, and it was not an insult to Shi Lian, who was a concubine’s daughter, to marry an official’s legitimate son.
However, the son was an insolent who failed in his attempt to take advantage of her. With this problem present, would Mister Hong still treat her well when she gets married to him? And because it was Shi Lian, her life ahead would definitely be miserable!
Sang Wan had first-hand experience with an unfortunate marriage. Deep down, she understood what it was like for a maiden to be married to the wrong man. As such, she did not think twice when it came to rejecting the marriage in front of her mother-in-law on Shi Lian’s behalf. However…
Sang Wan’s heart sank a little. A thought suddenly came to her; she did not actually ask Shi Lian for her opinion on the marriage. What if Shi Lian was actually willing to marry into the Hong family, which was reputable and influential?
Sang Wan hesitated for a while before making a turn to Fu Qu Lodge with the servants.
Shi Lian’s heart was slightly settled. When she heard the news of her sister-in-law making her way to her residence after a visit to Wang Shi’s place, she hurriedly went out to welcome Sang Wan.
The two went into the house, and Sang Wan gestured for the servants on duty to leave before she told Shi Lian about the Hong family asking for her hand in marriage.
Before she could finish, Shi Lian’s face turned pale and she fell onto her knees as she clutched onto Sang Wan’s sleeve like it was her last option, “Sister Sang Wan, I do not wish to marry him! Please help me, Sister Sang Wan! I would rather marry into a commoner’s household or become a nun for the rest of my life than to marry that lecherous man! Please, Sister Sang Wan!”
“Hurry and get up quickly!” Sang Wan’s heart ached when she saw Shi Lian fall into despair. She leaned over to help Shi Lian up, and repeated the conversation she had with Wang Shi before sighing, “You and I have always gotten along very well, and I do understand a thing or two about your personality. Initially, I thought that with his insolent attitude, it is highly possible for him to ask for your hand in marriage because he harbors ill-intention, which was why I persuaded Mother against the idea without asking you for your opinion. Who knew that you’d think the same way as well. However, you have to understand that the final decision lies in Mother’s hand, should her mind be made up, even I would not be able to change her decision.”
Shi Lian’s tears continued to fall as she pleaded Sang Wan for help.
Of course Shi Lian understood. Sang Wan was the only person in the household who would willingly speak up for her, but when it came to her marriage, Sang Wan had no say in the decision made.
“Sister Sang Wan has always treated me well, and I am very thankful to know that you are keen on helping me out. No matter the final outcome, I will never blame you and will only be grateful towards you! But please, Sister Sang Wan, please try and help me again! There is nothing I can do to make it up to you, but I will use the rest of my life to pray for your happiness and that you and Big Brother will remain as a devoted couple until both your hair turns grey as you enjoy a long and blissful life together!”
“Silly lass, don’t be so formal!” Sang Wan raised her handkerchief and wiped Shi Lian’s tears away before she forced a smile, “the marriage has not been confirmed yet, so don’t be hasty! Don’t we still have your big brother? Mother always takes his words into consideration!”
Shi Lian’s face brightened as she held onto Sang Wan’s hand thankfully, “Thank you, Sister Sang Wan!”
In order to ask her big brother for help to persuade her mother, she could only request Sang Wan to do so as it would be inappropriate if she did so directly.
“Don’t worry,” Sang Wan patted her hand and comforted, “The reason why I’m telling you about this is because I want to know how you feel about the marriage and to get you mentally prepared. Third Sister, do not act recklessly and turn the situation worse, alright? Pretend you are clueless and let your big brother handle the rest!”
“Okay!” Shi Lian nodded.
Sang Wan offered a few more words of comfort before she took her leave.
As this was a matter that would affect Shi Lian’s entire life ahead, it was nearly impossible for her to stay calm and she cried silently after Sang Wan left. Cai Yun, who later knew about the situation, was dumbfounded and accompanied her missy solemnly.