CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 115: THE SANG FAMILY GOSSIP

Mrs. Fang escorted Sang Wan to the wing room, apologized for her departure, and asked all the aunts and young wives to keep Sang Wan company while she went off to busy herself with arranging lunch.

Sang Wan ordered the maids that followed to take down the sunflower seeds, candy, pastry, and other items they had bought, arrange them on trays, and set them out on various tables inside and out for everyone to enjoy while chatting.

Outside, Chang Huan and the others unloaded the cart full of fish, meat, chickens, ducks, vegetables, and the essential ingredients from oils to sauces to wine. Everyone lent a hand, with Mrs. Fang directing the bustling activity.

Inside, the gathering of daughters-in-law and aunts grew even more joyful as they chattered away to Sang Wan, adding their own exaggerations to the events of the past few days.

Despite having gotten a hint from Sang Yufei beforehand, Sang Wan was still deeply moved when she heard everyone’s account of events. Her uncle and aunt truly chilled her heart!

"You don’t know, grandma, that Sang Pingliang disregards both your eldest and second elder brothers, but recognizes you! Who doesn’t see what he’s plotting? He’s just eyeballing the fact you’re now the Shi family’s esteemed young mistress and hoping to profit from you! It’s outrageous that he could even say such things. Disowning his own brothers in favor of you! If he had been kind to you before, that would be another story, but he was nothing of the sort!"

"Exactly!"

"Yes, indeed!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Speaking of yesterday’s incident where a couple made an absurd scene trying to adopt Sang Yufei, the crowd was even more excited, laughing heartily as they exaggerated the story as if they witnessed it themselves. Hearing this made Sang Wan both angry and amused!

Not wanting to mention or hear any more of these disgraceful matters, Sang Wan sighed and said, "Us three siblings have depended on each other since we were little. Now at last, we have come through the hard times! My elder brother is honest, and my second brother is seldom at home now. From now on, if anything happens at home, we’ll have to rely on the support of all the aunts and sisters-in-law here! Besides that, we would be grateful for just a few kind words, a fair judgment if you could lend it!"

Everyone knew she was referring to Sang Pingliang and his wife and nodded in agreement, smiling and saying, "You don’t need to remind us, grandma! Being a decent person means speaking the truth and not telling lies, right? Fair words should be spoken!"

Sang Wan graciously thanked them and smoothly shifted the conversation to other family matters, engaging in a lively chat with everyone.

After some time, Mrs. Fang entered, rubbing her sore shoulders and said with a smile, "Look at me, so preoccupied with busying myself I haven’t had the chance to properly talk to grandma!"

"It’s my fault for not being able to help, and you’ve been overexerted, sister-in-law," Sang Wan said with a smile, getting up and pulling Mrs. Fang to sit down.

"Nonsense, how could we let grandma, who rarely comes home, do any work!" Mrs. Fang laughed, "Besides, Liu Ya is still bustling about outside! That girl Liu Ya is getting more and more capable! It’s only because she’s taking care of things outdoors that I managed to sneak some rest!"

Seeing that the two sister-in-laws seemed to have things to discuss, everyone tactfully got up, laughing and saying they’d go check if there’s anything else they could help with. Even those who weren’t as discerning were tactfully pulled away.

Sang Wan and Mrs. Fang made a show of politeness to see the guests out, then turned and sat down to talk.

Mrs. Fang said, "Those government officials have come to deliver good news, and I heard from my younger brother about distributing tips. We thought to give ten taels to each leader, and five coins to everyone else; you’ve seen the world, grandma, do you think this preparation is appropriate?" She winced with a toothache and frowned, "I’m just worried it’s not enough—I’ve prepared thirty-six portions. What’s with these people, reporting the news with such a crowd! And now we must prepare lunch for them too! Ah, grandma, it’s making you spend again!"

Xingzhi was serving by their side and couldn’t help but smirk upon hearing this, thinking to herself that this aunt of hers was quite down to earth.

Sang Wan chuckled, "This is a joyous occasion, they’re all hoping for a good meal and to earn a little tip. Is it any wonder everyone who could come did? Sister-in-law, don’t worry about the cost, the days when we’ll be short on money are few from here on!"

Having said that, she instructed Xingzhi to take out a large red envelope from her bundle and handed it to Mrs. Fang with a smile, "There are 100 taels of silver banknotes in here. Just have elder brother give this to the leader, and how they divide it is their concern! Once they’ve had lunch, we won’t have anything else to do with it!"

"100 taels?" Mrs. Fang exclaimed, "That’s... that’s a bit too much, isn’t it! I think 50 taels should be enough. Even if you have money, it shouldn’t be squandered like this!"

"Big sister," Sang Wan smiled, "It’s a happy event, why not be generous for good luck? It’s not a waste!"