Chapter 211 - Here Comes The Zhou Family (1/2)

Chapter 211: Here Comes The Zhou Family

“I must’ve been so engrossed that I almost forgot my purpose for calling you here!” Third Old Mistress Shi tapped on her own forehead and smiled, “Right, I want to buy several fertile lands, and one to two country houses. By any chance, are you aware of any means to buy them?”

Sang Wan was stunned momentarily, “What Third Aunt wants——”

Third Old Mistress Shi sighed softly and said, “There isn’t any need for me to hide from you. Our family’s Yuzhen is already engaged to my lord’s colleague and will be married in Chengdu in the middle of next year. As for Yulin, your third uncle and I have discussed it and thought that it would be good to find her a marriage here in Qingzhou in the next few years. We’ll eventually turn old; it wouldn’t be good if both of our daughters aren’t near us. With that in mind, I’m thinking of slowly purchasing several lands now, and giving them to Yulin as her marriage dowry. I do know that our Shi family owns a few lands, but this is to express our sincerity as her parents and it won’t become a conflict of interest!”

Sang Wan nodded, acknowledging with a smile, “Since this is the case, Sang Wan will do her best! But I don’t know much about what happens outside the household! For something like this, how about I discuss with Fengju when he’s back, or I can ask a head servant who might know more about this!”

Third Old Mistress Shi thought so too. However, as she was not in-charge of the household, it would not be convenient for her to privately invite and ask a head servant, who managed external affairs. She said happily, “That will be great! Third Aunt shall give you my thanks here first!”

“I am only passing the word, Third Aunt has no need to be so polite with me!”

After leaving Ji Cui Tower, Sang Wan took slow steps back to Ning Garden1. With her head hung low, she seemed to be deep in thought. Third Old Mistress Shi’s words had shaken her. She suddenly thought about herself and wondered if she should do the same and procure several lands for herself.

Everything was going smoothly for her. However, there was an irrational fear and insecurity within her whenever she was alone. She was clear that everything she now had belonged to Shi Fengju. What he gave, she received, but he could take them back at any time, and she would become penniless!

Thinking back to the ambitious claims that Gu Fangzi had made not too long ago, Sang Wan’s mind was in chaos.

Gu Fangzi had a special place in the Shi Household. Even though she did not know what happened between Gu Fangzi and Shi Fengju to make him feel so repelled by her now, as long as Wang Shi was around, Shi Fengju would not be able to completely send Gu Fangzi away. That woman was clearly a sly and scheming one, who knew what other crazy things she would do. One could be a thief for a thousand years, but there was no such thing as hiding the treasure from a thief for a thousand years. There was no way she could keep defending herself against Gu Fangzi! What if she were to accidentally fall into one of her traps one day, that possibility was there! When that happens and Shi Fengju becomes angry with her, what should she do?

The worst case scenario would be getting a separation, but what comes after?

Given the chance right now, she should insure herself with the purchase of private properties. At least with that, there was something she could fall back on to feel more secure.

The more Sang Wan thought about it, the more convinced she was with the idea. She secretly made up her mind to inform Shi Fengju that Third Old Mistress Shi wished to purchase properties, and would ask a head servant to carefully investigate property prices.

When Shi Fengju returned in the evening, Sang Wan’s mood didn’t seem too good. After he changed, he pulled her into the chamber and massaged her hands while asking with a smile, “What’s wrong? Your expression doesn’t look too well. Did someone cause any trouble for you today?”

Sang Wan slightly trembled. She thought she had carefully concealed her emotions, yet this person could tell with a glance. In front of him, she was just like an open book.

Her mother-in-law’s instructions were not words she would take lightly, otherwise, it would be terrible if she was out of luck. In any case, she had to tell him sooner or later, and since he had already asked, there was no need for her to hide it from him. Keeping her hands, she took a seat before relaying her mother-in-law’s instructions before snapping, “Mother wants me to convince you to let cousin stay in the household. Since I’ve already told you, just do as you please!”

Shi Fengju knew she must have been unhappy with his mother, but he did not get angry. He sat down beside her and said, “Mother always liked to say those sorts of things, so don’t take her words to heart!”

Seeing how Sang Wan remained silent, Shi Fengju stretched his hand over her shoulders and hugged her against his body before using another hand to caress her face, “What? Are you jealous?”

Sang Wan glared at him unhappily, and without her knowing, frustration tainted her words as she spoke, “I don’t know what you said to your mother, but if you were really firm, then she would not have used me to persuade you. She’s an elder, how can I simply disobey her words? If I could not convince you, then it would become my fault, but it isn’t my wish to convince you at all!”

Shi Fengju creased his eyebrows and said, “I’ve really underestimated Cousin Fangzi! Who knew she was so capable!” He laughed coldly and said, “What I hate most in life is being coerced. Even if she used any means and managed to stay, I will never glance at her!”

Sang Wan’s heart pounded loudly and she looked at Shi Fengju in a daze. Did he just say “even if she managed to stay”? Was he going to give in and let her stay?

Shi Fengju was a little puzzled by the look on her face, but he came to a realization quickly. He smiled and said, “That was just a slip of the tongue. Sang Wan, I will not let her stay in our household to cause trouble for us! If she refuses to leave through the front door, then I will send her to one of the country houses far away!”

“Do you think she would be willing to go? You are being too simple-minded!”

Shi Fengju laughed coldly, “Something as trifling as this won’t pose a problem for me!”