Rebirth of an Abandoned Woman Chapter 17

Part 1

“The day isn’t early and the route back isn’t short. We should head back first! Second uncle and second aunt, older brother and sister-in-law, take care!” After sitting for a short while after lunch, Sang Wan informed as she smiled.

“There’s no need to hurry; our son-in-law hasn’t said anything yet!” Sang Pingliang was in the midst of thinking how he should become closer with Shi Fengju, but upon hearing Sang Wan said so, he felt extremely unhappy and used his seniority power by giving Sang Wan a glare. Speaking in a grave tone, he spoke sincerely, “My dear niece, being your uncle, I’d be best for your uncle to give you some advice. Now that you’re married, the world does not now revolve around you; your husband’s opinion comes first! Otherwise, you might end up throwing our Sang family’s face!”

Sang Wan and Fang Shi silently exchanged glances at each other. Both could see the helplessness in each other’s eyes.

“We should be heading back now. The route back to Qingzhou from here isn’t short. The later we leave, the later we’ll reach home!” Shi Fengju smiled as he strengthened Sang Wan’s point. Giving Sang Wan a glimpse, he added, “Second Uncle, you’re thinking too much. Sang Wan is a very good wife who is very courteous. My mother likes her a lot!”

The expression on Sang Hong’s face lightened. He smiled slightly and nodded his head.

Sang Pingliang coughed a few times softly. “Then that’s good! I’m not trying to boast here, but it goes without saying. After all, she is our Sang Wan!”

Shi Fengju smiled, “Yes.”

“Such a pity for that was too hasty! We could not have much of a conversation!” Sang Pingliang sighed. “Next time then! Next time, stay here for a day or two and we’ll get together again, okay?”

Shi Fengju gave a vague smile and agreed softly. Zhan Huan had already prepared the carriages.

The group left the house. Shi Fengju and Sang Wan boarded the carriage straight after bidding goodbye. The loud noise as the carriage drove away could be heard. Before long, the carriage had already left the village. Making a turn, the carriage was no longer in sight.

Sang Pingliang let out a deep breath and said, “My eldest nephew.” He turned and was about to continue.

“I’ll have to head back into the house to clean it up. Second uncle and second aunt, if there’s nothing else, please leave! My dear husband, could you head over to the field and see whether the fence is still holding out fine. If not, do some repairs on it!” Fang Shi rudely interrupted Sang Pingliang.

Sang Pingliang glared widely at Fang Shi and scolded, “What’s with that attitude of yours? How could you interrupt your elders when they’re speaking? My eldest nephew is a delicate scholar; how could you have him do such labor work! That’d be a disgrace to the educated class!”

“The educated class?” Fang Shi smiled strangely. “Didn’t you say that being a scholar is useless? Instead of holding onto a book, might as well work in the farmland! When did a scholar become delicate?”

Sang Pingliang’s face was flushed with anger. He turned to Sang Hong and glared at him as he scolded, “Look at your wife, just look at what she is saying!”

“What I said was what second uncle always said!” Fang Shi said while keeping the smile on her face. “Time sure has passed. Second uncle has indeed aged with such a poor memory! To have forgotten about the words that always hung on your mouth!”

Li Shi could not help but shouted, “That was before and now is now! Things can change!”

“Yes! That’s it!”

“Ó, I see!” Fang Shi acted as if she had gained an enlightenment. She clapped her hands together and laughed, “No wonder! In the past, Second Uncle and second aunt weren’t willing to even take one step into our house, even if we were to invite you both!” But now, they were as difficult as flies to chase away!

As for the second half, Fang Shi did not voice it out. But it was quite obvious to Sang Pingliang and Li Shi regarding what she was trying to imply. They were so furious that they became speechless.

“Ah Xian, that is enough. Better invite second uncle and second aunt to talk inside the house!” Sang Hong had seen enough.

Fang Shi became silent. She gave a soft ‘humph’ and acted as if she had not heard her husband. But in the end, they were the elders. Now that Ah Wan is married into the Shi family, words might reach the Shi family that the Sang family were having a dispute in public, and that the younger generations were disrespectful towards their elders. That may not cause much implications for Fang Shi herself, but it might indirectly affect her second brother-in-law who is still studying and her two young children.

Sang Pingliang rolled his eyes and walked into Sang Hong’s house without a word.

Nanny Xu was still tidying up the place. Seeing them enter, she spoke with Fang Shi for a while before entering the kitchen to wash the plates.

“Second uncle, second aunt, do you have something that you’d like to speak with me?” Sang Hong smiled politely.

Sang Pingliang glanced at him before gently crossing his arms and walking slowly towards Fang Shi. He then cleared his throat twice.

“Second Uncle?” At a loss, Sang Hong gazed at Sang Pingliang; he was an honest and simple-minded person.

What a slow-witted person he is! Li Shi rolled her eyes discreetly and forced a smile, “If I may say, my dear nephew-in-law, does your second uncle and second aunt not deserve a cup of tea?”

Sang Hong was taken aback and gazed at his wife, “Ah Xian.”

Fang Shi turned without a word. Not long after, she held a cup in her hand as she walked in. Standing in front of Sang Pingliang and Li Shi, she mocked, “Tea leaves are expensive yet do not fill the stomach. Our house do not have such money to spare and as such, we drink plain water! Second uncle and second aunt, this should do it! If you wish to have tea, go home and have it!”

Sang Pingliang and Li Shi became furious but there was nothing they could do.

Part 2

“That is also in the past.” Li Shi laughed, “Now that your family is now affiliated with the Shi family. With the Shi family now, wealth is just within reach! What I fear is that in the future, your family might not even want to drink a cup of tea that costs only a few silvers!”

The moment those words landed and before Fang Shi could throw in another sentence to counter Li Shi, Sang Hong’s face darkened and he chided, “Second Aunt, what do you mean by that? Ah Wan marrying into the Shi family was what my father arranged. For not being able to prepare a good set of dowry as her elder brother, I’ve let Father and Mother in the heavens down. Now that she is married, we cannot afford to bring to her any troubles!”

Never before had Sang Pingliang and Li Shi saw Sang Hong furious before. The two were suddenly taken aback and felt a little fearful.

When an honest man turns angry, the impact would be greater than that of an ordinary person.

Fang Shi immediately pursed her lips. The thought of retaliating Li Shi with “We’re marrying our sister-in-law off, not selling her away!” but held herself back.

“Your second aunt did not mean much,” Sang Pingliang coughed awkwardly and managed a smile on his face, “Why not this; we’re relatives and it is common for relatives to support each other mutually, such as helping each other out during times of need, sharing glory or loss as a whole. Should it not be the case?”

“Yes, yes, that was what I meant! The Shi family is wealthy anyway, wealthier than us! If ——”

“Second uncle and second aunt!” Sang Hong snapped, “The Sang family is the Sang family. and the Shi family is the Shi family. Ah Wan just entered into the Shi family; though we do not have the ability to be much of a support for her, we should never trouble her! For the sake of my dead parents, I hope Second uncle and second aunt would be more understandable! Otherwise, don’t blame your nephew for being blunt!”

Sang Hong glared in their direction. His two cold eyes stared into their eyes, making the two old couple shudder. Fang Shi, who was witnessing her husband at a side, could not help but look at him in admiration for this was the first time she had ever this side of him.

Sang Pingliang could not help but feel annoyed, but under the cold pressure released by Sang Hong, he was not able to utter a single word.

Sang Hong was well-known among many of the villages for being an honest man and his words are solid evidence. As such, no one had never believed the words he said. Never had he confront anyone, and if a case ever happens, everyone knew that it must be the other party that was in the wrong. Although Sang Pingliang may thirst for wealth, he dared not risk going against Sang Hong face to face. He believed that if he ever went to seek Sang Wan, only God knows what Sang Hong might do!

An honest person also has a side that is extremely frightening.

“I, I was just speaking off my mind, there’s no need to hurry! I’m an elder, I cannot bring myself to ask her. However, you’re Ah Wan’s elder brother! If there ever comes a time when you need her help, you’d still need to seek her out right?” Sang pingliang stammered as he spoke.

Sang Hong’s anger had subsided. He stood and held his hands together before apologizing, “I was irrational just then. May Uncle forgive me.”

Sang Pingliang’s face also eased a little and he gently waved as he spoke, “enough. When have I ever quarrelled with you? We’re a family; and I’m sure you’re doing so for Ah Wan’s good!”

“Yes, that’s true! We’re not unreasonable!” Li Shi added. Her eyes turned a little and she faked a smile, “Well, back to topic. Those valuable gifts that Ah Wan brought today might be enough to last your family through the rest of your lives!”

Here comes the main topic! Fang Shi sneered quietly.

Sang Hong answered, “That is Ah Wan and the Shi family’s goodwill. As for how many there are, I’ve not checked.”

“A carriage full of gifts. My dear eldest nephew, shouldn’t you share some with us? Your two other cousins have to have their dowry prepared some day! We’re a family, shouldn’t you put us into consideration?” As Li Shi spoke, Sang Pingliang looked widely at Sang Hong.

Fang Shi was so furious that she almost laughed. As their father and mother, it is their duty to marry off their daughters and not ours to bear! They sure are trying too hard!

Sang Hong understood their reasoning. Thinking for his two cousins, especially Sang Rou who was older than Sang Wan but still unmarried. If that were to continue, she might even end up alone and become a bachelorette; that'd be too pitiful!

Seeing Sang Hong’s expression, Fang Shi immediately knew what he wanted to say. Sensing an impending danger, she snatched the opportunity to speak. “We do care for our two cousins, and when the day they get married comes, we’d have to send our wedding gifts to them! Every house has their own difficulties, and I’m sure second uncle and second aunt know. On the eighth month, our second brother has to enroll for the government examination. If he passes, he’ll have to go for the imperial examination in the capital. The expenses for that isn’t small! The purchase of new clothes, books and ink, additional classes that he participates in occasionally, and the gifts he brings when visiting his seniors for guidance; all those will cost money! The Double Fifth Festival is also coming up soon, and according to the customs, we’ll have to send gifts to the Shi family. The gifts Sang Wan sent to us might have to be exchanged into silvers for us to do so! If the amount we send were to be little, Ah Wan might become a joke in the family! After the New Year, Ah Wan will be coming back for her homecoming, for that, we’d have to prepare her New Year gift in advance! My two children will soon also grow up. One will be studying, and for the other, a dowry would have to be prepared! Just think about it, money has to be used in every aspect! This worries me a lot!”

Fang Shi listed everything clearly, startling Sang Pingliang and Li Shi, making them loss for words. Even Sang Hong, who’d wanted to speak up, hesitated.

“You sure have a way with that mouth, but don’t you think you’re exaggerating too much? In the end, what you meant to say is that you don’t want to share any with us! Fancy you using such a big excuse!” Li Shi snorted.

Fang Shi sneered discreetly. It seems that the greed in a human heart can never be satisfied. Ah Wan did not go to their house empty-handed, but it seems as if they’d forgotten all about it!

Chapter end