CHAPTER 305: CHAPTER 153: THE FRUSTRATION OF STAYING IN THE GUEST ROOM (PART 2)

"It’s really not proper for Third Uncle and Aunt to stay in a guest room, we should have someone clean up Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion quickly!" Shi Fengju said with a smile.

Sang Wan replied with a wry smile, "Mother has washed her hands of it; you have to help me!" Otherwise, I’m going to end up offending both sides!

Shi Fengju liked what he heard and immediately laughed, "Don’t worry, who will I help if not you? If anything goes wrong, just push it onto me!"

Unable to help herself, Sang Wan let out a snicker and said teasingly, "Dare I push it onto you? Mother won’t let me off either!"

Laughing together, both felt their spirits significantly lightened for a moment.

Back in Ningyuan, before Sang Wan could give any instructions, Xingzhi hurriedly stepped forward with a smile and reported, "Madam, the kitchen will soon send over the menu, and once it’s been approved by the masters, they will start preparing it right away. It’s unclear which house needs to be tidied up, but Liu Ya is already looking for people and tools to get started. Mrs. Li said she would go and see if the ladies and elder sisters who came back with Third Master and Madam are well accommodated, and she should be back shortly. You and young master should rest up for now!"

Sang Wan exchanged a glance with Shi Fengju and smiled, "You all are really considerate, go ahead and handle anyone coming back with messages, and tell Liu Ya to clean up Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion. Later, young master and I will go and see what needs to be added there!"

Xingzhi quickly agreed and went off to pass on the instructions. The couple sat down, and a maid poured tea for them.

"Jicui Pavilion and Hanshuang Pavilion are regularly cleaned and looked after, so tidying them up won’t be troublesome, and the warehouse is fully stocked, preparation will be quick. You don’t have to worry," Shi Fengju said with a smile.

Sang Wan simply acknowledged with a smile.

Before long, the kitchen sent over the menu, featuring special hometown dishes such as pine nut smoked meat, crab roe tofu, orchid pork, and gold coin tenderloin, indicating that the kitchen had been considerate and prepared these specifically to soothe Third Master Shi’s homesickness.

After reviewing the menu, Sang Wan handed it to Shi Fengju and said with a smile, "I’m not sure about Third Uncle and Aunt’s tastes. Mother said there’s no need to pass it by her, so please take a look. If there are no issues, instruct the kitchen to start preparations straight away!"

Shi Fengju took it with a smile, glanced through it, nodded with a smile, and said, "Aunt Han has been overseeing our kitchen for more than twenty years. Her preparations will never be wrong. Let’s go with this!"

Sang Wan then hurriedly sent someone to take it to the kitchen.

Soon, Mrs. Li returned as well, and Sang Wan said with a smile, "Mrs. Li, you must be tired. Take a rest! Young master and I are just about to visit Jicui Pavilion!"

Shi Fengju asked, "Is everyone Third Uncle and Aunt brought back well settled? They didn’t make any fuss, did they?" These people included long-term servants of the household and those purchased there, and after serving the official master for many years, they might have developed a sense of superiority. They could be picky and cause trouble. If the servants start creating a fuss, it’s the master’s face that’s at stake, and those people only care about their own pride, not realizing the importance of the master’s face, making them even more difficult to handle than the master himself.

"Young master, rest assured, this servant has settled them all! All is clear now! This old servant is indeed a bit tired, I’ll rest a bit and then later go to Jicui Pavilion to see what needs to be done," Mrs. Li said with a laugh. Indeed, some of them were troublesome, but as young master’s wet nurse, her intervention made it hard for anyone to not give due respect, and that’s why nothing serious happened.

"You have worked hard, Mrs. Li! Please rest," Shi Fengju nodded with a smile, and went out with Sang Wan.

In Jicui Pavilion, the floors had already been cleaned, and everyone was carrying water to wipe the doors, windows, beams, columns, and every corner. Seeing Shi Fengju and Sang Wan approaching, they promptly bowed and greeted them.

"No need for formalities, work briskly!" Sang Wan said with a smile: "The hard work over these next couple of days will be well rewarded for each one of you afterward!"

Sang Wan had always been clear when rewarding the servants, and upon hearing this, everyone became joyful. They all thanked Madam profusely and worked with renewed energy.

"How about Hanshuang Pavilion?" Sang Wan asked Liu Ya.

"Hong Ye is overseeing there! Madam, don’t worry!" Liu Ya hurriedly replied with a smile: "This place is quite messy, and there’s a lot of dust. Young master and Madam should return first and avoid it. It won’t be too late to come back once it’s clean tomorrow!"

Sang Wan responded with a smile, "Since we’re here, why not have a look? You go on with your work, don’t mind us!" Saying so, she walked further inside with Shi Fengju.

Shi Fengju stopped Liu Ya, asking her to prepare ink and paper, and said to Sang Wan with a smile, "There’s a lot that needs to be added here. It’ll be convenient to jot it all down on paper!" Thus, the two of them meticulously looked over everything from the bed, couch, tables, chairs, and cabinets to curtains, screens, and carpets, discussing where to place what, what style and material of tables and chairs to choose, what curtains and carpets to match, how to arrange decorations on the treasure shelves, where to place screens, where to hang brocade curtains, and so forth. It took nearly two hours to go over everything. Fortunately, Mrs. Li came over soon, quietly taking notes and saying that she would open the warehouse the next morning to take out and clean the items, and everything could be put in place by the afternoon.

Suddenly remembering something, Sang Wan hastily said, "Oh right, mother mentioned before, I’m not sure if there are enough clothes for Third Uncle and Aunt. Mrs. Li, please send someone to invite the tailors over to take their measurements tomorrow so their clothes can be made quickly! Also, check if there are any new bedding and quilts in the warehouse, if there are, quickly take them out for airing, and if not, get someone to buy them right away!"

"We have our own silk shop, embroidery house, and ready-made clothing store, so don’t worry, it won’t be a trouble!" Shi Fengju said with a smile, instructing Mrs. Li to notify the purchasing department with a simple message from a young maid.

After agreeing, Mrs. Li added with a smile, "Madam can check Hanshuang Pavilion tomorrow and let me know about the arrangements necessary there, just like we did here. For the rest, I will coordinate with the warehouse and take care of it! After everything is arranged, Madam and young master can have a look to see if it’s satisfactory and whether any changes are needed. You better go back to rest and freshen up now, as we still have to dine with the lady tonight!"