Chapter 217 - Crisis (2/2)
This implied that the kitchen staff did not respect her.
Auntie Xu’s expression changed slightly. Before she could refute, Nanny Li answered calmly, “Miss Gu is right that if Lan Xiang had relayed the message well, then there would not be this misunderstanding! The kitchen was really busy yesterday, which I hope Miss Gu did not forget. The kitchen had to prepare the offerings for the ancestors, as well as for your father, yesterday. They were as busy as bees so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the fact that Sister Xu can only make the pastry tomorrow.”
Wang Shi almost became furious again after hearing Gu Fangzi’’s words, but after hearing Nanny Li’s words, her anger dissipated again. Whenever Shi Fengju travelled somewhere far, the household would prepare offerings for their ancestors and gods to bless Shi Fengju with a safe and smooth travel. This was a tradition that Wang Shi had personally started many years ago.
Her son’s safety was naturally more important than satisfying her cravings. After all, how could they neglect the divine beings?
Without a choice, Lan Xiang quickly kneeled with her head lowered, “This maidservant, this maidservant was in a rush to report back to Old Mistress and Missy, and did not hear what Auntie Xu said later on…”
“Then this is just a misunderstanding, Old Mistress! Tomorrow, Sister Xu will make the pastry for you to have. It isn’t worth getting angry over this!” Nanny Li smiled and said.
Auntie Xu kowtowed a few times in response.
Wang Shi waved her hand and said with eyebrows slightly creased, “Forget it, forget it! I’ve already lost my desire to have it so you don’t have to make it tomorrow. Stand up now. Sang Wan, you get up too! Next time, all of you have to do your work more carefully! Don’t do things so haphazardly and create so much trouble!”
Everyone quickly acknowledged it. Nanny Li then went forward to help Sang Wan up.Gu Fangzi stepped forward as well to help Sang Wan up together with Nanny Li. She smiled apologetically, “This is all my fault. Because Lan Xiang, that lass, was disorganized, she caused Sister Sang Wan to suffer! When I go back, I will definitely teach her a lesson! Sister Sang Wan is in-charge of many things in the household, it isn’t a surprise if you were to overlook a thing or two. Really, Sister Sang Wan, you’ve worked hard! Yet I’ve only ended up giving more trouble to you, and I feel really bad about it. I hope you’ll extend your generosity and forgive me this time. I hereby apologize to you!”
After she finished, she took two steps back and bowed.
Sang Wan could not help but to feel a surge of anger rising within her, but she smiled faintly, “Sister Fangzi, you are being too formal. What’s there to feel wronged by over a small misunderstanding! Instead, it implicated Mother and spoilt her mood. That itself is due to my negligence!” Sang Wan looked towards Wang Shi and smiled, “Mother, thank you for being a benevolent person. Please forgive your daughter-in-law this time!”
Wang Shi could not help but smile with a sigh, “Enough, enough, let’s not talk about this anymore! It is true that you would have overlooked some things given the large amount of work in the household. Mother only said those words because I was angry at that moment, so don’t take it to heart! Next time, you should be stricter towards the servants to prevent them from becoming careless when they become too comfortable! Furthermore, Fangzi is also one of the masters in this household, her words also carry weight. If anyone dares to take her lightly, I will not be happy if I knew about it!”
Wang Shi initially wanted to suggest letting Gu Fangzi share some of the burden Sang Wan carried in the household, but she suddenly recalled what her son had said to her before he left home. He was clearly unwilling to let Gu Fangzi be involved in the household matters. When the words were at her mouth, she quickly swallowed them back.
Sang Wan and Nanny Li secretly heaved a sigh of relief. Sang Wan responded respectfully and left with Nanny Li, bringing Auntie Xu along with her.
If Wang Shi took away some of her power and gave it to Gu Fangzi under this circumstance, who knew how others might think of the household. Still, even if she did not give Gu Fangzi any power, her last sentence had granted her protection.
Gu Fangzi quickly returned to coaxing Wang Shi and made her laugh to turn her mood for the better. However, Gu Fangzi was secretly very unhappy. Her initial plan was to sway Wang Shi with her words to let her be involved in managing the household. While Shi Fengju wasn’t around, there would be no one else who knew the household better than she did. When that happened, she would be able to meddle covertly and make Sang Wan suffer in silence. When she ended up losing Wang Shi’s affection, even if Shi Fengju were back, the outcome would be set!
Who would’ve known that Wang Shi would hold in her words and not say what she wanted. She had spent so much effort to obtain such an opportunity, but it seemed that her effort had gone to waste again.
Luckily, Wang Shi was still backing her and had granted her protection. From now on, no one would dare to disrespect her, which was better than nothing.
After staying at Wang Shi’s place for four days, Gu Fangzi finally returned to Peony Park2. In order to express her gratitude to Nanny Li for her hard work, she intentionally asked Lan Xiang to reward Nanny Li with some quality fabric and money. Nanny Li was taken aback and thought that the sun had risen from the west!