CHAPTER 299: CHAPTER 150: XINGZHI PLEDGES LOYALTY (PART 2)

"My parents will listen to my opinion, Mrs. Li need not worry," Xingzhi hastily added.

Seeing that she had said so, Mrs. Li did not persuade her further. A smile finally appeared on her face as she nodded and laughed, "That’s good, too. Going out after three or four more years, Lady Sang Wan will surely not treat you unfairly! Actually, I want you to stay as well, having served so many years in this garden, you are familiar with everything. It’s Lady Sang Wan who always thinks of you, neglecting herself! How about you go and speak to Lady Sang Wan personally about this!"

Xingzhi knew Mrs. Li intentionally wanted her to show loyalty in front of Sang Wan and win her favor, so she smiled and agreed. She then went with Mrs. Li.

Mrs. Li spoke her piece then excused herself, leaving Xingzhi alone to talk with Sang Wan.

Before Sang Wan could ask anything, Xingzhi had already knelt down, kowtowed and tearfully said, "Lady Sang Wan, this slave sincerely wishes to stay and serve you. I beg you to keep this slave! You have given me a new lease on life, and it is only right for me to serve you for a lifetime. How dare I harbor any selfish thoughts to leave? Please, allow me to stay!"

After that incident, Xingzhi seemed no different from before, always silent. Sang Wan thought she might have forgotten, and naturally did not deliberately remind her to repay the favor. At the beginning, helping her was more out of a feeling of empathy, Sang Wan never really expected her to be overly grateful. Now hearing Xingzhi’s words, she felt a bit remorseful for having misjudged her.

"Rise and speak!" Sang Wan quickly raised her hand with a laugh, "It wasn’t that serious a matter; I shouldn’t detain you over it. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you, but of course, it’s even better if you wish to stay!"

"This slave will stay!" Xingzhi kowtowed in thanks and then stood up, saying, "This slave wants to stay to help Lady Sang Wan. I have said before that since that day, my life belongs to Lady Sang Wan, and I have never forgotten that!"

"Why the trouble!" Sang Wan could not help but sigh lightly, and then jokingly said with a laugh, "Hearing you say this, it seems like I’m in some kind of dangerous den!"

"Lady Sang Wan," Xingzhi replied seriously, "That is indeed what this slave thinks."

Sang Wan was taken aback, her expression subtly changing.

Xingzhi looked up and straight into her eyes, candidly saying, "There are some things this slave has long wanted to say to Lady Sang Wan, but I’ve never found the right moment to speak up. Lady Sang Wan, you must remember, after the New Year in February, Miss Biao will complete mourning, her methods," Xingzhi paused, then continued, "this slave has seen too much of them... And now there is still Grand Aunt in the house, her temper, is even more— Lady Sang Wan, not to boast, but it may prove somewhat useful having this slave by your side at this time."

Sang Wan visibly shivered, her complexion changing slightly.

"How hard it must be for you!" Sang Wan sighed softly: "To think that your heart is completely devoted to me!" she said, half-jokingly, "You are foolish, as you itself understand, you should be avoiding trouble at this time, why would you muddle into it!"

Xingzhi said, "Although this slave is not a noble person, I still understand the principle of repaying kindness. Lady Sang Wan, from now on, you can trust this slave with anything; just leave it to this slave to handle."

This sentence was more trustworthy than any oath, and Sang Wan believed that as long as it was Xingzhi who said it, there was no need to doubt.

"Good, with your words, nothing could be better!" Sang Wan finally smiled and nodded.

"Lady Sang Wan trusts this slave, and this slave is also reassured!" Xingzhi also sighed in relief, and the two exchanged a smile.

In the blink of an eye, it was the last month of the year, and the shopkeeper and clerks in the shop had already arranged everything properly. Those who were due for holiday had already started their journey home, while the remaining tasks were neatly delegated, and all accounts that needed settling had been sorted out, leaving the rest to be calculated in the coming year in lunar January.

As usual, this month was Shi Fengju’s most leisurely month, and he no longer needed to go to the shop every day, opting to stay at home and rest. It was rare for him to rest properly each year, and Mrs. Wang, pitying her son, instructed that he be excused from the morning greetings to allow him more rest. She even excused Sang Wan from her morning greetings, ordering her to take good care of her husband.

Shi Fengju would not really be excused, but he went later than usual, often after having breakfast for a while, and the couple would go together, sitting and chatting with Mrs. Wang for a while.

Mrs. Wang was naturally in a delightful mood with all her children around her.

That day, just as the couple returned to Ningyuan, complaining about the freezing weather while taking off the thick fur-lined cloak, and before they had time to sit down for some hot tea, Xiuchun from Mrs. Wang’s side hurried over and came in laughing, "Young Master, Lady Sang Wan! The Madam has something urgent and asks you both to come over quickly!"

The couple looked at each other slightly surprised, and Shi Fengju laughed, "What is it? Is Mother bored and wants us to play cards? If Lady Sang Wan has other things to do, she need not come over. Let’s go, I’ll go with you!"

Xiuchun hurriedly laughed, "Young Master, it’s best if Lady Sang Wan comes along too! The Madam received a letter, it seems to be a family letter delivered by Third Master, we don’t know what it’s about!"

"Third Uncle?" Shi Fengju was startled, and then smiled at Sang Wan, "Third Uncle has been serving as an official in Sichuan, and it’s been two years since he last sent a letter home. Maybe there really is something important, let’s quickly go and see!"

"Alright!" Sang Wan nodded, quickly ordering someone to fetch the cloak she had just taken off to put it on again, her heart secretly pounding, hoping there was nothing wrong, hoping the people from the third house were not like Grand Aunt and her husband...

When Shi Fengju and Sang Wan arrived, Mrs. Wang had already had someone read the letter and was handing it to Shi Fengju while speaking, "Your Third Uncle, Third Aunt, and your two female cousins said they want to come back for the New Year. They might arrive in a few days, you better hurry up, prepare a few rooms, and also prepare clothes, bedding, and daily household items."

"Why are Third Uncle and Third Aunt suddenly saying they want to come back! Has something happened?" Shi Fengju was taken aback and hurriedly unfolded the letter to read.