Chapter 206 - Promise (2/2)
Wang Shi’s previously confused expression relaxed and she frowned, “Look at her! Who knows what she’s trying to do?” She then turned to tell Sang Wan to get started on the preparation. Her requirement was simple, and it was for the Shi family to not to be a disgrace and to make sure that all necessary preparations were settled well.
Sang Wan forced a smile and accepted before she smiled, “This daughter-in-law will go and draft out a proposal together with Nanny Li and the rest. I will come back and report to Mother about it tomorrow morning!”
“Go then!” Wang Shi nodded and said.
Sang Wan then went to Shi Lian’s place while on her way back. Shi Lian was lying on her bed and crying silently while Cai Yun stood beside her with tears in her eyes. Cai Yun was surprised to see Sang Wan, but just when she was about to say something, Sang Wan waved at her and pointed to the outside, hinting at her to leave. Cai Yun left quietly after a quick glance at her own Missy.
“Third Sister,” Sang Wan patted Shi Lian’s back gently and said, “Stop crying, I’m afraid another storm will come if Mother knows about this!”
“Sister Sang Wan!” Shi Lian’s trembling shoulders suddenly stiffened. She got up and wiped her tears before saying, “I am not afraid of telling Sister Sang Wan the truth! What else is there for me to lose at this point of time? So what if she knows? What can she do to me?”
“Don’t you say such angry words!” Sang Wan held her hands and sighed lightly, “This is really strange, your brother did send a servant to inform me that Mother had agreed to refuse this marriage. How could they have the date settled in a blink of an eye? This really is…”
How would the two of them know that it was Shi Yumei who caused it? Shi Lian shook her head and sobbed, “I have no idea why it became like this as well! In any case, I’ll never marry him! I would rather die than suffer from this marriage!”
“Don’t you say that!” Startled, Sang Wan held her hands even more tightly than before.
“Sister Sang Wan,” Shi Lian smiled and said thankfully, “I know that you and Big Brother have tried your best to help me, and I am very grateful to the both of you! Maybe this is my fate, which I would never be able to escape from!”
Sang Wan couldn’t help but to feel sorry for her, and she only spoke again after a while, “You mustn’t be so pessimistic, the situation hasn’t arrived at that stage yet! My good sister, don’t ever do anything silly, understand? I will discuss it with your brother again when he comes back at night!”
“There’s no need for it!” Shi Lian smiled bitterly and said, “Mother even had the date settled with the Hong family, who are the local magistrate. Since the deal has been settled, what can Big Brother do? Sister Sang Wan, I’m already very grateful for your effort! I don’t want you and Big Brother to quarrel because of me! You don’t have to tell Big Brother about this!”
“You are his sister, your brother will never stand to watch you suffer! Third Sister, promise me, it has not gotten to that extent yet. You have to stay strong and you must never do anything silly, do you hear me?”
Sang Wan recalled the night before her wedding with mixed feelings. She felt the same as well, didn’t she? No one would be able to understand that feeling of fear and uneasiness unless they had been through the same situation. What Shi Lian was suffering right now was much worse than her back then as she was about to marry over as a concubine. Especially when her husband-to-be was such a person, and the fact that they had just been through a terrible confrontation just a few days ago!
“Mm!” Shi Lian nodded as her heart was warmed by Sang Wan’s gentle eyes and words that were filled with deep concern for her.
“That’s the way! Rest well and don’t cry again! It’ll be troublesome if anyone were to see you like this!” Sang Wan was inwardly relieved. She persuaded Shi Lian a little more before she got up and left.
Thinking again about Sang Wan’s words, Shi Lian instructed Cai Yun to bring her some water to wash her face. “Third Sister!” Just as she was done, Shi Yumei stepped in happily after calling out to her.
Shi Lian’s body stiffened. Fortunately, she had washed her face, otherwise, Shi Yumei would definitely create trouble for her in front of her mother if she saw her crying, and she would never be able to live the rest of her days here peacefully.
All that Shi Yumei said were words of congratulations. The fact that she crowed so much about the marriage made it seem like Shi Lian was actually the one who benefitted the most from it and she should thank Wang Shi for that.
Although Shi Lian was extremely disgusted, she did not dare to talk back to Shi Yumei, so she forced a smile and a reply.
What Shi Yumei wanted to see was a bitter look on her face, but she was disappointed when Shi Lian’s expression remained as bland as ever, almost as if she was not concerned at all. Shi Yumei widened her eyes and stared closely at Shi Lian’s face.
“Big Sister, is there something on my face?” Shi Lian leaned backwards to subconsciously avoid her and asked faintly.
“Of course not!” Shi Yumei laughed, “But I do notice that your eyes look slightly swollen, did you cry just now?”
“Listen to that!” Shi Lian was frightened, and she hurriedly explained, “I’m perfectly fine, so why would I cry?”
Shi Yumei sneered and said, “Who knows? You might be dissatisfied with your marriage arranged by Mother!”
Shi Lian was extremely frustrated, but she kept the bland smile and said, “It has always been the parents who make the decisions for their children’s marriage. Now that Father is not around, of course Mother would be the one to settle it for me. Why would I not be grateful to Mother for arranging such a good marriage for me?”
“It’s good that you know!” Shi Yumei was feeling a little resentful. She left shortly after as the longer she spent there, the more frustrated she would be.