CHAPTER 300: CHAPTER 151: THE THIRD HOUSE IS RETURNING

Sang Wan secretly lamented, she had never managed such large family affairs, and with the New Year almost upon them, everything from cleaning and decorating to ancestral hall rituals, hosting banquets, arranging New Year gifts for relatives and friends, rewarding servants, and managing food and clothing for the family all fell into her hands. Although she had the help of Mrs. Li, Xingzhi, and Liu Ya, the ladies in charge still managed to find faults from time to time, leaving her overwhelmed. With the third house returning at this time, wouldn’t she have to arrange everything for both masters and servants? It wouldn’t be too bad if they were easygoing and understanding, but dealing with the likes of Shi Yumei and her husband, this New Year might not be peacefully celebrated!

"I didn’t hear anything mentioned in the letter either, let’s see when they return! It’s the same with the third sibling couple, if they are to return, why not send a letter earlier? It’s already this time of year, and there they are, rushing their journey!" Mrs. Wang sighed.

Shi Fengju pointed at the letter and laughed, "Mother, you’re wronging Third Uncle. This letter was sent two and a half months ago, the delay must have been caused by something happening en route!" Shi Fengju slightly raised his eyebrow, "Perhaps, Third Uncle’s delay was also during their journey, we must hurry to tidy up the house, who knows what day they will arrive!"

"Right, right!" Mrs. Wang then said to Sang Wan, "Miss Wan, you might need to work a bit harder. After you get back, have someone arrange it! Your Third Uncle and Aunt haven’t returned for seven or eight years; we can’t let them feel slighted, it wouldn’t look good if word got out!"

Although Mrs. Wang harbored some grudges against Third Master Shi Guanghui and Third Madam Shi, Mrs. Zhang, as family, she never skimped on the essentials.

"Yes... Mother!" Sang Wan calmly knelt and responded, it was, after all, her responsibility, one she couldn’t escape from.

"I remember Third Uncle and Aunt previously resided in Qinghui Garden, that garden having been vacant for so many years won’t be cleaned in a hurry, and it’s cold and deserted from being uninhabited for so long. Might as well choose another place to clean up for them to stay temporarily and decide on further arrangements next year!" Shi Fengju laughed.

"That," Mrs. Wang hesitated and said, "might not be good. They have always lived in Qinghui Garden; other courtyards can’t compare to its spaciousness and grandeur. By moving them elsewhere, wouldn’t they be displeased? With the New Year approaching, we don’t want any unhappiness at home, it’s inauspicious!"

"Third Uncle and Aunt aren’t like that, mother, you worry too much!" Shi Fengju laughed: "Qinghui Garden’s three sections and dozens of rooms, just removing dust and washing might take several days, not to mention the need to clean up and trim the grass and trees in the courtyard, and the old windows and doors, changing window papers and curtains, let alone arranging household furnishings. How long would that take? What if they return before it’s done, wouldn’t that look even worse?"

Mrs. Wang felt uneasy for a moment, somewhat regretting that she hadn’t looked after and maintained Qinghui Garden in the first place, locking it up on a whim, leading to today’s frantic situation.

"Alright!" Being a household manager herself, Mrs. Wang thought of Qinghui Garden’s vastness and long disrepair, and realized it wouldn’t be easy to refurbish. She truly sympathized with Sang Wan! She nodded and said, "Then, let’s prepare Jicui Pavilion for them to stay temporarily!"

Jicui Pavilion, located in the southeast of the garden facing the peony garden, was an independent small courtyard that was regularly cleaned and only required simple arrangements. The residence had eight rooms, which would surely be sufficient for living. Considering their long journey back, they likely wouldn’t have brought much luggage; any excess could simply be stored in the warehouse. As for the servants, only a few personal attendants need stay, the others could be accommodated in the servants’ quarters of the mansion.

"Mother is right, I also think Jicui Pavilion is perfectly suitable. By the way, both younger sisters have also grown up; they probably won’t stay with Third Uncle and Aunt anymore, we need to arrange another place for them to stay."

Such a hassle! Mrs. Wang frowned impatiently and waved her hand, "I’ll not manage that, you’ll see to it!"

Shi Fengju laughed, "Hanshuang Pavilion on the east side of Jicui Pavilion is not small either, let’s use that! The two younger sisters will probably only come with four or five attendants, nurses and maids, it won’t be crowded."

Mrs. Wang smiled and nodded to Sang Wan, "Miss Wan, you heard that, go ahead and make the arrangements! Be quick! And, not to mention anything else, make sure beds, mattresses, and charcoal fires are prepared. This winter is really cold! We don’t know how many clothes they’ve brought, so prepare a couple of sets for each!"