Rebirth of an Abandoned Woman Chapter 18

Sang Pingliang grunted. “Enough, enough. Save your breath! It’s because we were hopeless; caring for our own family instead of helping others! It is understandable that they won’t see us as their elders!”

“Second Uncle must have gotten the wrong idea!” Feeling disturbed, Sang Hong added, “The things are still here. Why don’t Second Uncle and Second Aunt take a look, and then ——”

“Yes, yes, yes. That’ll do!” Li Shi immediately grinned and agreed, cutting Sang Hong off. As she stood up, she said, “I knew our eldest nephew is the most filial and the most respectful towards the eldest; unlike that mean lady over there!”

Fang Shi looked at her husband in dissatisfaction. But seeing that Li Shi had already stepped foot into the room, she had no choice but to follow in. Since the man has already spoken, let’s see what will be taken away!

The four entered the room. Seeing the heap of gifts, the old couple’s eyes instantly glistened. Fang Shi took out a list and stepped forward. While viewing the list occasionally, she gathered a pile of gifts and put them in a corner. “These are for Second Brother which we have no control of. As such, they cannot be taken!”

Right after, she picked up a pair of gold hairpin and rolled fabric, and two pieces of head cloth before calling for Nanny Xu to receive the gifts on the spot. “My sister-in-law said to give you these as thanks for taking care of her since young. These are for you!”

Nanny Xu received the gifts gleefully before returning to tidying up the house.

“These few rolls of fabric and a set of scholar’s treasure, together with the two gold necklace are for Xiao Quan and Xiao Nuan!” Fang Shi picked up the gifts before saying in dissatisfaction, “That is all. Second Uncle and Second Aunt, you may take whatever you deem! Oh and I almost forgot, the two hundred silvers that have to be left for Second brother’s government examination and to purchase the gifts that have to be sent during the Double Fifth Festival!”

Seeing Fang Shi take a numerous number of gifts away, Sang Pingliang and Li Shi could not help feel a heartache. Whatever she had said was reasonable and thus the old couple could not object. In the end, the two picked four pairs of rolled fabric and a pair of gold bracelets, a pack of bird’s nest, and two pots of fine wine. Carrying those gifts as they left, Sang Pingliang suddenly turned back and questioned Fang Shi. “Did Sang Wang truly only gave two hundred silvers?”

Fang Shi’s face was already dark and unhappy as she stood at a side. Hearing so, she sneered, “If Second Uncle does not believe, why not have a look?”

Sang Pingliang grinned. Holding the two pots of wine firmly and putting a few of the rolled fabrics underneath his arms, he gleefully left.

“Oh yes,” Li Shi smiled, “There were still many dishes left which will be a waste if your family isn’t able to finish them! I’ll come by later to take some of them away.”

“Oh! Thank you, Second Aunt!” Fang Shi smiled coldly.

Seeing that the two had finally left, Fang Shi heaved a long sigh of relief. Raising her hand, she undid the knot nearest to her collar. She felt extremely stuffy inside her clothes!

“Ah Xian, they are our elders nevertheless…” Sang Hong pulled his wife’s hand and forced a smile.

“I know! I know!” Fang Shi said unhappily. “Elders, hmph! I’ve never seen them act like elders anyway! Still, now is different from the past; you’ll have to keep an eye on them. What if one day, their hearts were hardened by pig oil and they ran straight to the Shi family, that would harm our Ah Wan!”

“I will!” Sang Hong answered firmly. Such a thing, Second Uncle and Second Aunt wouldn’t act rashly, right?

Fang Shi kept silent and went to put the gifts away. She unconsciously went to touch the pocket on her skirt. In it contained three hundred silvers worth of banknote, and a pair of bracelet inlaid with pearls, given by Sang Wan that was not included in the gift list.

On the route back in the carriage, Sang Wan leaned her head to a side in silence. What happened today was so embarrassing.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that the life her older brother and sister-in-law had in these few years weren’t easy. No wonder sister-in-law was hot tempered and speaks sarcastically. To have such an unreliable uncle and aunt was simply intolerable!

But luckily, the scene during the homecoming in the past did not reproduce itself here. Older brother and sister-in-law were still themselves! As for her, she was not embarrassed in front of the Shi servants and become the joke of the Shi family. Zhan Huan and the rest of the servants were Shi Fengju’s trusted servants, and when taking care of the outer courtyard, Li Yan and Song He are strict with their mouths. Still, Sang Wan hoped that whatever happened today in her home would not spread wings in the Shi family.

That being said, one must know that Gu Fangzi is like a predator, waiting to pounce at any mistakes she made and exploit them.

Though she had no intentions to lift her gaze to look at Shi Fengju, he too had somehow seemed to look at her. As such, their gaze met and Shi Fengju laughed at her.

Sang Wan at this moment was feeling frustrated and disturbed, and seeing Shi Fengju smiling made her uncomfortable. Her eyes turned red and she lowered her head before sighing, “If you want to laugh, then laugh! What happened today was something you did not expect, right? Whatever the case, they’re my uncle and aunt, and are my elders. For those unpleasant actions that they did, I hope you’ll not put them to heart!”

Shi Fengju was taken aback and felt a little sorry for her. Hurriedly, he tried to comfort her. “I did not meant to laugh at you; you’re just thinking too much!”

I don’t believe!

Sang Wan raised her head and looked at him as if trying to convey the words through her eyes. “Really?”

“Of course!” Shi Fengju nodded earnestly and sighed. “These years must not have been easy for you.

Sang Wan hesitated before shaking her head. “My older brother and sister-in-law, and my second brother too, cares for me! I care not for those who gossip about us.” Never take the words from Second aunt’s mouth seriously unless one has a long life!

Shi Fengju smiled and suddenly said, “Still, don’t belittle me… my cousin’s father, in other words, my uncle, compared to your second uncle… Keke!”

Sang Wan’s brow raised in curiosity. Gu Fangzi’s father? Sang Wan only knew that Gu Fangzi’s mother is her mother-in-law’s younger sister who passed away. As for her father, she was not familiar with him.

“So, don’t you worry. What happened today will not be spoken of by anyone when we return.”

Sang Wan nodded and smiled embarrassedly.

It was already night when they arrived back in the Shi household. The two went to the courtyard to greet Wang Shi. However, as Wang Shi was not present, the two instructed a servant to inform her before they returned back to the chamber.

The night passed quietly.

Morning the next day, Shi Fengju left early. Sang Wan washed up before rushing off to greet and serve Wang Shi.

Three days had passed and she was now considered a member of the Shi family; she was now no longer considered new. As a daughter-in-law, it is her duty to serve her mother-in-law. As such, she dared not be careless.

When Sang Wan arrived, Wang Shi just woke up not long ago and was having tea. Sang Wan hastily walked up to Wang Shi and greeted her.

“Enough. No need for the ceremony!” Wang Shi grinned and waved her hand before adding, “Have you had your breakfast?”

“Yes. Mother-in-law, please enjoy your breakfast; your daughter-in-law will have it later!” Sang Wan smiled as she spoke.

“Save the trouble, have it with me then! How was the homecoming yesterday? Is everything alright there?” Wang Shi placed the cup of tea on the table before asking casually.

“Thank you, mother-in-law, for the concern! Everything’s alright back at my parental home. Older brother and sister-in-law are also well!” Sang Wang answered almost immediately and smiled as she helped Wang Shi up. Together, they headed to the side hall to have breakfast. Sang Wan secretly pondered; for her mother-in-law to treat her so well all of a sudden, she must have something she wanted to say.

Wang Shi nodded gently and went on to have a casual talk with her daughter-in-law. As the two sat, Wang Shi instructed Xiu Li and Xiu Chun to attend to them, and have Sang Wan not need to serve her, but instead have breakfast with her. Sang Wan immediately gave her thanks.

After having breakfast, Wang Shi gestured to Sang Wan and smile, “Come, follow me to the parlour and have tea to help in the digestion!”

“Yes, mother-in-law.” Sang Wan answered quickly and again, helped her mother-in-law up and to the parlour.

A Shi maidservant served them tea. Sang Wan received and took a sip before hearing Wang Shi asking her, “How’s the taste of the tea?”

Wang Shi laughed, “This three flavor tea was something that I began drinking since last year. At that time, my spleen and stomach felt uncomfortable. It was Gu Fangzi that lass who found this tea, saying that it will help to nourish the spleen and stomach, and is also good for the body. After that, I kept drinking the tea and it has become a habit to drink it!”“Naturally, it’s good. The color of the tea, it’s fragrance, and the taste is brilliant.” Sang Wan hurriedly gave a smile as she spoke.

Hearing Wang Shi praise Gu Fangzi, Sang Wan’s hands tightened and her heart stiffened. However, she smiled nevertheless and spoke, “That is because cousin-in-law is filial. Mother-in-law had not well treatment was not in vain!”

“That isn’t just so!” Wang Shi nodded and added, “If I must say, Fangzi is more intimate with me than my own daughter! Her temper is good, is polite and meticulous, and does not harbor any ill-intentions! I feel blessed with her by my side. For these two to three years, she had managed the management quite well. Without her, it might have become a disaster!”

Sang Wan’s heart felt a little bitter. Her tongue felt extremely heavy with nothing to add after Wang Shi. In the end, all she could manage was a ‘Yes’ before forcing a smile.

“Sang Wan ah,” Wang Shi finally spoke after some time, “You’ve just entered the Shi family not long ago and is not familiar with the family affairs. Still, if I may say, the Shi family and the Sang family are different; there are many things you do not know. As learning the ropes isn’t easy, I feel that the affairs should still be handled by Gu Fangzi. What do you say?”

“The management of the house is naturally up to mother-in-law to decide!” Wang Shi immediately stared at Sang Wan. Sang Wan spoke without hesitation which would of course resulted in her to be greeted by her mother-in-law’s stare.“En! It’s good if you think that way!” Wang Shi spoke with satisfaction before nodding and smiling. “It seems I was not mistaken to have you married into the family; truly a sensible child! But rest assured, you are Fengju’s official wife. No one else is of a higher position than you! As a daughter-in-law, one should know when to retreat and when to not! Fangzi will take care of the troublesome things, and you can just live with a peace of mind. Take care of your body and may you bear the heir of the family! And since we’re on the topic, you should also give thanks to her!”

“You’re right, mother-in-law.” Sang Wan smiled gently. “The family affairs isn’t easy nor is it little. As I’ll be troubling cousin-in-law, I’d better give her thanks!”

“Yes, that’s it!” The more Wang Shi heard, the happier she was.

“However, your daughter-in-law would like to add on to it. Everything else is fine, just that I would not like to trouble cousin-in-law with the small garden. Mother-in-law, what do you think?” Sang Wan spoke while keeping the gentle smile on her face.

She will not be able to fight for the management of the affairs nor did she have the experience for it. However, the small garden was different. That would be the place where she’ll often be in. It wasn’t reasonable to have Gu Fangzi intervene or she wouldn’t be able to sleep or eat with a piece of mind.

Wang Shi was slightly puzzled but nodded and laughed. “That is true. The small garden shall be managed by you then!” Letting Gu Fangzi manage too many things wouldn’t be reasonable for her.

“Yes. Your daughter-in-law thanks you!” Sang Wan stood and said her thanks.

Since her purpose was completed, she did not need Sang Wan to stay and accompany her. Gesturing with her hand, she spoke, “Enough, you should head back now! Do what you need to do as I have no need for you to serve me! Oh, and in the future, no need to come and greet me so early in the morning! Maybe two hours later would be great!”

Wang Shi’s mother-in-law passed away at an early age, but during the time when she was alive, she had a gentle temperament and dislike ordering people around. Wang Shi, as a result, did not experience the hardships of being a daughter-in-law under the mercy of her mother-in-law. As such, she did not have the mind and interest to impose strict orders on her own daughter-in-law.

Translator Note: It suddenly came to me that the word ‘Shi’ behind those married female names was actually what people do in the past. The maiden’s surname comes first then the ‘Shi’. So in this case of Li Shi, Wang Shi, and Fang Shi; Li, Wang, Fang are their surnames followed by the word ‘Shi’.

Chapter end