CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 176: IS HE JUST TRYING TO PROVE HIS LOYALTY? (PART 2)

Shi Fengju just had to pinch her face, laughing and saying, "Is that so? Your face is clearly the cooler one!" The two were jesting when suddenly they heard someone cough behind them, and Gu Fangzi’s gentle voice softly followed, "Big Cousin, Sister!"

Sang Wan’s body stiffened slightly, and so did the smile on her face. She turned her head gently, only to see Gu Fangzi approaching gracefully in a plain white jacket and skirt, wrapped in a Su Qing cloak to ward off the chill, with her hands tucked into her sleeves and Lan Xiang accompanying her. She bent her knees in a light curtsy to them and said, "Big Cousin, Sister, what a coincidence!"

Shi Fengju couldn’t help but glance at Sang Wan, as he sighed internally and responded nonchalantly, "Why are you out in such cold weather?"

With a charming smile, Gu Fangzi replied softly, "Thank you for your concern, Big Cousin. Rest assured, Fangzi will take good care of herself! I just felt stifled staying indoors for so long and came out for a stroll to get some fresh air. I didn’t expect to wander here! Big Cousin and Sister seem to be enjoying themselves, though!"

"If there’s nothing important, you should hurry back. We are about to leave as well!" Shi Fengju felt rather speechless inside. How had he never before noticed her ability to take things so personally, to comfort herself? Her every remark seemed to be a taunt directed at him, and she did it deliberately in front of Miss Wan!

"Hmm," Gu Fangzi said with a smile, "Sister is so delicately built; be careful not to catch a cold. Should we head back soon? Big Cousin, could you do me a favor?" Gu Fangzi added with a soft smile towards Sang Wan, "Sister wouldn’t mind, right?"

Sang Wan felt a surge of disgust, inexplicably flustered. She glanced towards Shi Fengju with a mockingly playful look and shook her head as she smilingly said to Gu Fangzi, "You two can talk; I’ll be leaving first!"

Without a second thought, Shi Fengju reached out and firmly grabbed Sang Wan’s hand, refusing to let her go. He said to Gu Fangzi, "What is it? Tell me!"

Shi Fengju was inwardly vexed. Gu Fangzi truly could not be given the slightest bit of courtesy, daring to upset Miss Wan right in front of him. He couldn’t help but feel guilty for not previously considering Miss Wan’s feelings, realizing how much she must have suffered from Gu Fangzi’s subtle unkindness.

Gu Fangzi’s heart sank abruptly. She hadn’t expected Big Cousin to deny her even the chance to speak with him alone! With a hand holding Sang Wan’s, he had made everything clear without uttering a word. In his heart, Sang Wan was the most important— he did not want her to bear even the slightest grievance!

Perhaps because of the fierce northern wind, Gu Fangzi’s complexion turned waxen white as paper, and with a forced laugh she said, "Actually, it’s nothing much. I just saw some beautiful red plums blossoming in the plum forest up ahead and wanted Big Cousin to help me pick a couple of branches to put in a vase. Big Cousin is the best at choosing plum branches. The ones you’ve picked in the past were perfect, both in shape and for remaining in bloom for over half a month! Please pick another one for me!"

Sang Wan no longer wished to listen and couldn’t help but gently tug her hand free. Yet Shi Fengju’s grip tightened, and she looked up at him accusingly, yet he seemed unfazed.

"You’re still in mourning; it’s better not to have such things in the house. Hurry back! We should be going as well!" Shi Fengju said as he pulled Sang Wan away to leave.

Sang Wan’s lips moved but ultimately she said nothing, and she simply let him lead her away together.

Gu Fangzi stood there dumbfounded, her eyes wide as she watched the two of them intimately walk off arm in arm, and for a moment, it felt as if there was nothing left in the world but emptiness! She was the loneliest, most desolate person, with no one to care for her or keep her in their thoughts!

In front of Sang Wan, he had rejected her, not even willing to help her with such a minor favor! Was he declaring his feelings to Sang Wan? Gu Fangzi felt a sharp pain in her heart, unlike any before, striking directly at her heart so intensely that she couldn’t even deceive herself!

It seemed, she had truly lost him! She lost to Sang Wan! Decades of affection could not compare to the half-year Sang Wan had been in the household! How could she possibly accept this!

Lan Xiang looked worriedly at Gu Fangzi, whose face was as white as snow and expression fierce. She gently touched her arm and said, "Miss, let’s go back!"

Gu Fangzi remained silent, turning around and walking silently towards the peony garden. She couldn’t help but look up at the nearby plum forest, ablaze with rouge-like red, and resentment surged within her: Mourning! It was always about mourning!

Unless she was a fool, she would not believe it anymore. It was clearly nothing but his excuse!

Finally, Sang Wan managed to gently pull her hand free from Shi Fengju, still feeling the warmth of his touch on her skin.

"Miss Wan," Shi Fengju turned his head to look at her, speaking softly, "Don’t worry, I promise to properly handle the matter I agreed to."

"Hmm." Sang Wan forced a smile and looked up at him, replying, "I never said I didn’t trust you!"

Feeling relieved, Shi Fengju let out a sigh and said, "But I thought you seemed upset, I was worried you were angry."

Sang Wan’s face stiffened slightly as she said lightly, "I’m not angry; I just felt a bit uncomfortable, that’s all!"

Hearing this, a wave of joy washed over Shi Fengju as he lightly wrapped his arm around her shoulder, smiling, "Don’t let yourself be bothered by irrelevant things, dear Miss Wan. Your husband would feel distressed!"

Sang Wan’s face heated up and she quickly pushed his hand away, chiding him, "What are you doing! It’s not proper for others to see!"

Shi Fengju broke into laughter, then let go, and the two made their way back to Ningyuan together.

When the maid prepared lunch, Sang Wan had just finished eating roast meat with Shi Lian and the others, and wasn’t able to eat anything from the servant-laden table. She simply sat beside Shi Fengju during his meal, occasionally adding food to his plate without eating herself.

While Shi Fengju was distressed, he said, "You girls really shouldn’t be so rough—it’s too much roasted food. Be careful not to upset your stomach!" He then ordered someone to cook a small pot of candied jujube porridge and served her a bowl to eat after it was ready.

Warmth filled Sang Wan’s heart. After consuming the small bowl of sweet, glutinous, and perfectly textured rice porridge, her stomach indeed felt much more comfortable, and the slight uneasiness finally dissipated completely.