CHAPTER 306: CHAPTER 154: HEARTSTRINGS STIRRED

Sang Wan, as the eldest daughter-in-law, had to organize and mediate many matters despite Mrs. Wang’s lax and indolent tendencies. It would be quite a hassle when the time came. Sang Wan smiled and agreed, ordering a stool to be moved for Mrs. Li to sit, and a hand furnace was brought for her. After smilingly giving a few instructions, she left with Shi Fengju.

Stepping out of Jicui Pavilion, Sang Wan felt that her legs were numb, her waist ached, her shoulders were sore, and her throat was parched. She couldn’t help but raise her hand to gently rub her neck.

A strong hand gently rested on her shoulder, and the slender fingers kneaded lightly, as Shi Fengju’s warm voice sounded at her ear: "Are you very tired? You are too impatient; these things could also be done tomorrow. Uncle and Aunt would understand."

Feeling relieved on her neck and shoulders, Sang Wan relaxed her muscles subconsciously and hummed softly, turning her head to smile, "If we still have to do it tomorrow, it’s better to get it done early and be free of it."

That auntie looked gentle and modest, but just from the way she spoke with the second aunt, Sang Wan knew she was not to be trifled with. Wishing to have a few peaceful days ahead, Sang Wan would rather work harder. She thought, since they entered today, she had hurried to handle and arrange everything personally, showing enough willingness, so even if they had complaints, it would be inconvenient for them to nitpick further!

Shi Fengju chuckled and shook his head, looking at her with eyes that couldn’t help but be filled with warmth and pity.

He had never seen her in the midst of handling affairs — so earnest, meticulous, and engrossed in her actions, speech, smiles, frowns, the inadvertent aristocratic demeanor that she displayed fascinated him deeply. This was his wife, the more he was with her, the more he cherished her, yet also the more he realized how little he truly understood her.

"When can we ever finish all the tasks? Why overexert yourself?" Shi Fengju smiled faintly, leaning closer to whisper, "Let’s hurry back. Once we return, I’ll give you a good massage."

Sang Wan’s face grew hot, and she instinctively pushed him away.

"Don’t move," but Shi Fengju unexpectedly grasped her soft and slightly cool hand, glancing toward her hair, "There’s dirt in your hair!" Saying so, he reached out gently and pinched off a thread of spider silk.

Sang Wan, who initially wanted to struggle, forgot to mind that he was still holding her hand upon hearing his words. She stood still, letting him remove the dirt. Otherwise, being seen by others would be unseemly.

"Hee-hee!"

Just as Shi Fengju extended his finger with the spider silk in front of her for her to see, they heard the playful and crisp laughter of two young girls.

Both were startled and looked toward the source of the sound; Sang Wan quickly withdrew her hand and took a step back.

A feeling of regret and frustration swelled in Shi Fengju’s heart. He turned to Shi Yuzhen and Shi Yulin with a smile, "Why aren’t you two resting in the house properly? Aren’t you tired from the journey?"

Shi Yulin hid behind her elder sister, looking at them with a giggling smile without speaking. Shi Yuzhen, somewhat sly, blinked and said, "We are not tired; I was just taking my fourth sister to see our third sister! How unexpected to bump into Big Brother and Sister-in-law here!"

Shi Fengju laughed, "Then go quickly! Our third sister must also be bored staying inside all day and surely looks forward to someone to talk to!"

Shi Yuzhen then said with a smile, "We won’t disturb Big Brother and Sister-in-law any longer!" After nodding to Sang Wan, she led Shi Yulin away. Soon their bell-like laughter could be heard.

Feeling guilty and embarrassed, Sang Wan lowered her head and walked without speaking to Shi Fengju again. Shi Fengju also felt a bit awkward, thinking how unlucky it was that as soon as he managed to converse with his wife, those two girls happened to come out.

Once back at Ningyuan, Xingzhi and the others attended to them, helping them change clothes and wash their faces. After busying around for a while, they settled down to drink tea and rest in the warm pavilion.

"By the way, I should prepare gifts for my two sisters-in-law as a first meeting gesture, right?" Sang Wan asked with a smile.

Shi Fengju nodded with a smile, "Just prepare one or two pieces of jewelry casually. They don’t have to be too valuable. You can bring them over during dinner."

Sang Wan hummed a reply with a smile, considering to pick out a gold hairpin for Shi Yuzhen and a pair of bracelets for Shi Yulin.

"I’m really grateful for your help today; I would have been completely clueless and wouldn’t have known where to start!" Sang Wan thought for a moment, deeming it better not to upset him. If he were to throw a tantrum and stop helping, and if her mother-in-law refused to manage, whom could she turn to?

Moreover, he deserved the thanks. She had never arranged a house this way before, and without Shi Fengju’s suggestions, she would indeed have been in a difficult position.