Chapter 243 - Shi Lian Getting Married (1/2)

Wang Shi felt very uneasy. The first thing she did was scold him for being disobedient. Why was he in such a hurry to return to the business again? Hadn’t they come to an agreement that he would rest for a few more days? But how could Shi Fengju rest after knowing that Gu Fangzi got involved in the business? He repeatedly assured her that he was fine, and she could only sigh before telling him to come back early every day!

Upon seeing that his mother had let this matter go, Shi Fengju hurriedly agreed.

Wang Shi glanced at him and said again, “Did you go to Peony Park2 yesterday? What did you say to Fang’er? She fell sick again today!”

Shi Fengju was surprised yet furious. She fell sick because of a few words that he said? Why hadn’t he seen her so weak before?

“Mother, can we not talk about this? Maybe she’s exhausted from all the work these days. And as if my words would even work on her!”

“Listen to what you’re saying!” Wang Shi said angrily, “Hadn’t she been working hard for you? You have to reassure her so that she can get better soon! Today, you have to give me a word of promise! When exactly will you consummate with her?”

When Shi Fengju heard about ‘Gu Fangzi’ and ‘consummation’, he answered after some thoughts, “Mother, Sang Wan’s second brother came in third in the examination and their family is now busy preparing for the upcoming joyous occasion. Yet here I am, being urged to consummate. Isn’t this deliberately disrespecting the Sang family? Both brothers from the Sang family love their younger sister, Sang Wan, dearly. How can they not have any opinion on this? Mother, we’ll talk about this slowly again in the future. I’ll be leaving first if there’s nothing else! I want to go back and rest. I’m feeling a bit tired!”

Wang Shi went to Peony Park to see Gu Fangzi’s pitiful-looking face today. She had decided to get her disobedient son to say something dependable. However, when she heard that he was tired and wanted to rest, she kept her words and waved her hands, “Alright, go back and rest! Let me tell you, don’t think I’ll let this matter go. Think carefully about this and I’ll ask you again in a few days. Nanny Jiang, remind me if I forget! And another thing, did Sang Wan serve you the bird’s nest I sent over yesterday?”

“I ate it! I ate it! There’s no way Sang Wan would forget your instructions!” Shi Fengju was getting a little impatient and he muttered to himself: Nothing but frustration at home. How I wish to bring Sang Wan out with me.

“Oh, Mother. Don’t you think you might want to send someone to pick Eldest Sister up to stay over for a few days? Her third sister is getting married. It’s a joyous occasion!” Shi Fengju said suddenly. If my eldest sister comes back, then she’ll be able to share part of Mother’s energy and less focus will be on me.

“Oh no!” Without thinking, Wang Shi replied with a smile. “It’s no wonder I felt like I’ve forgotten something! Of course, we have to fetch your eldest sister back! I’ll send someone there tomorrow! I wonder if they’re doing well in Mengxian!”

Shi Fengju acknowledged and left.

On this day, the Shi family had sent a message to the Sang family to inform them that Shi Fengju and Sang Wan were back. A matchmaker, who was engaged by the Sang family, soon arrived on the next day and the Shi family set a good day to fetch the bride, which was on the eighth of June. There were only ten days left.

After the day was decided, the final stage of preparations quickly began. They purchased various goods that could only be found in the mountains, dried goods, exotic delicacies, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, rice and noodles, fine wine, sweets, melons, and more. In addition to that, they had to check the tables, chairs, and tableware for the banquet; invite an emcee and a percussion team; prepare red ‘喜’ characters, red balls of silk safflower, and bonsai of flowers; check the bride’s wedding scarf, as well as a final check on the chest to ensure that the dowry was ready and nothing was lacking, send out wedding invitations to friends and families, and many more. Not only was Sang Wan busy, even Second Old Mistress Shi and Third Old Mistress Shi went to help. Because of that, Wang Shi could not avoid helping as well and she went to check the dowry.

The entire household was bustling except for the bride, Shi Lian. At the thought that they were all busy because of her, she was deeply moved. She had never expected herself to have such a glorious day. After all, she was someone who was never considered to play second fiddle in the household, but she unexpectedly became the focus of attention! As the saying goes: ‘The affairs of the world are unpredictable’.

The head servant, who went to Mengxian to fetch Shi Yumei and her husband, returned empty-handedly. He hurriedly went to report to Wang Shi that the both of them were not free and would not be coming back!

Astonished, Wang Shi hurriedly exclaimed, “Not free? As the eldest daughter and eldest son-in-law, how can they not come to attend such a great joyous occasion? What can be more important than this! Did you relay my message properly?”

The head servant quickly answered, “I did, but Eldest Missy indeed told me so!”

Would Wang Shi even believe him? She scolded the head servant for being muddled and not knowing how to handle the situation. She waved her hand for him to leave before she called Shi Fengju over and told him. She wanted him to send someone more appropriate to Mengxian.

Shi Fengju immediately understood what had happened and said with a smile, “Since Mother doesn’t feel assured, I’ll send someone there tomorrow! But I think that maybe they really don’t have the time. Doesn’t Brother-in-law have to study? And there’s no way Big Sister can leave when she has to take care of him! I think just let them be!”

Shi Fengju actually found his eldest sister pitiful. The second son of the Sang family had come in third in the examination. After a person like his eldest brother-in-law knew about that, would he still want to come? His eldest sister and third sister were never on good terms too. Upon hearing that Shi Lian was marrying an official, who came in third in the examination, to be his wife, would she want to come over to congratulate her? She was strong-minded after all!

Not to forget, if her relatives and friends were to ask about her husband, it would only make her more sullen.