CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 192: TO THINK SHE WOULD TREAT HER SON THIS WAY

"Look at him, just look at him!" Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but complain to Mrs. Jiang again, "Was it easy for me to raise him with so much hardship? I did it all for his benefit! But he doesn’t appreciate my painstaking efforts at all. I love him dearly yet he accuses me of wrongdoing! He enjoys serving others like a slave! But he is the esteemed young master of the Shi family! There’s a saying, ’A man forgets his mother as soon as he gets a wife,’ and it really is true! Why should I still care about him!"

Mrs. Wang cried and complained, while Mrs. Jiang was busy console her endlessly, secretly sighing in her heart, thinking to herself that even if the madam wanted to complain, she shouldn’t do it in front of Miss Wan like this! Miss Wan was standing right there, and these words put her in such an awkward position!

As for Sang Wan, she didn’t need to say anything; she simply hung her head, wishing she could bury it into her chest. Her mother-in-law always spoke her mind, but these words were truly harsh to hear!

Sang Wan smiled wryly, but what else could she do even if the words were harsh? Could she dare talk back to her, get angry, throw a tantrum? Of course not!

"Mother!" Seeing that Mrs. Wang had vented enough, Sang Wan stepped forward smilingly and said, "Mother, let’s go see how Sister is doing. I’m not sure if her illness has gotten any better."

Hearing Sang Wan mention her daughter, Mrs. Wang stopped crying. After a moment of surprise, she wiped away her tears and said, "I almost forgot about this! Mrs. Jiang, call a maid to bring the woolen clothes, and let’s go!" Saying this, she stood up, glanced at Sang Wan, and coldly said, "You don’t need to come! Go back and serve your husband! Lest he can’t find you later and blames me again!"

Sang Wan was at a loss whether to cry or laugh, thinking to herself that with such remarks, her mother-in-law really was quite a character. Just like a child holding a grudge!

"Mother, my husband just yesterday told me to take good care of Sister! I should accompany you, I might be able to help a little!" Sang Wan hurriedly said with a smile.

"Yes, Madam!" Mrs. Jiang also hurriedly smiled and said, "It’s rare for Miss Wan to be so considerate, let her come along! The more people care, the more at ease our sister-in-law will feel, right?"

With that, Mrs. Wang said nothing further, snorted, and walked out, leaning on Mrs. Jiang. Sang Wan quickly followed, supporting her on one side while Mrs. Jiang took the other. Mrs. Wang visibly disliked the help, trying to shrug her off, but Sang Wan brazenly pretended not to notice and kept on helping. In the presence of others, Mrs. Wang could hardly push her away, and so she let her be.

Yumei took her medicine last night and wrapped herself in a thick brocade quilt, sweating out the heat neatly; by this morning, her complexion already looked much better, and her spirits were also considerably improved. When Mrs. Wang and Sang Wan arrived, Cui Zhu was taking care of feeding her porridge.

Mrs. Wang was delighted to see her daughter’s condition much improved, and her face brightened considerably.

Although Yumei’s attitude towards Sang Wan was still indifferent, it no longer held the previous disdain and coldness.

But who was Yumei? Having grown up by Mrs. Wang’s side, she could easily read her mother’s emotional changes through her expressions. It wasn’t long before she looked at Mrs. Wang and asked, "Mother, why do you look so upset? Who upset you?"

Seeing this, Sang Wan tactfully went out to ask Cui Zhu in detail about Yumei’s condition, her medications, and other related matters, leaving some space for Mrs. Wang. Listening to those words in person was simply too uncomfortable! If Yumei added fuel to the fire, Sang Wan would have wished for a crack to appear in the ground for her to disappear into!

Mrs. Wang didn’t even check if Sang Wan had left before she started recounting the events of the previous night and this morning. As she talked, she became angry again, unable to stop herself from mixing annoyance with compassion as she scolded Fengju thoroughly, and of course, Sang Wan wouldn’t escape her moment of ranting either—criticizing her for being unworthy, disrespectful to her husband, saying she didn’t deserve any affection!

Unexpectedly, Yumei burst into laughter upon hearing this and laughed, "When will brother ever change that temper of his? He’s already so grown up, yet he still acts this way! He’s not afraid of making himself a laughingstock!"

Mrs. Wang was flustered and exclaimed, "What are you saying? What do you mean by that? Could it be that behind my back, Miss Wan usually treats your brother in such a way? This can’t be true; this can’t be! I knew it, who knows how many things they might be hiding from me!"

"Mother," Yumei smiled and said, "Brother has always been like this; when he cares, he gives his all wholeheartedly, wishing he could give everything to someone! That’s just his temperament, and it’s not exactly inappropriate, why bother so much about him!"

"No, that’s not right!" Mrs. Wang, known for her stubbornness, was not someone who would be easily persuaded by a few words from Shi Yumei, right? She continued to ask, "What did you mean by what you just said? You haven’t explained it to me yet. Has Miss Wan been tormenting and ordering Fengju behind my back? Tell me the truth! This is utterly preposterous!"

Shi Yumei innocently responded, "How would I know! If you want to know, go ask Fengju yourself! All I know is that from our childhood, Fengju, Fangzi, and I grew up together, and Fengju has always helped Fangzi a lot, even often carrying her on his back when we were kids! But now, it seems his heart is totally with Miss Wan!"

Shi Yumei couldn’t help but sigh softly.

"Fengju often helps Fangzi?" Mrs. Wang was stunned, then said after a moment, "With all the slaves in the household, why would Fengju need to lift a finger?"

Shi Yumei, filled with mixed emotions, hadn’t kept an eye on Mrs. Wang’s expression. Besides, having grown up together with Shi Fengju and Gu Fangzi, she had seen many things and thought them normal. Triggered by her mother’s questioning, she casually recounted some past incidents.

Mrs. Wang grew increasingly angry and shocked as she listened, imagining from her daughter’s careless descriptions that her own son, in front of Gu Fangzi, was almost like a servant, always running errands and serving tea and water. Mrs. Wang was furious! She felt dizzy and her vision began to blur!

There were so many things happening in the household that she had no inkling of! Absolutely outrageous, truly outrageous! Her foolish son, whom she treated like a treasure, was being used like a common slave! And Gu Fangzi, she had treated her so kindly, so compassionately; in her presence Gu Fangzi acted all meek and gentle, but behind her back she bullied her son like this!

"Eh, Mom, what’s wrong with you!" Shi Yumei finally noticed when Mrs. Jiang almost got cramps in her eyes from signaling, and asked in surprise.

"It’s nothing!" Mrs. Wang almost gnashed her teeth while saying these four words. She couldn’t bear to stay any longer and said, "You rest well, remember to have Cui Zhu brew the medicine on time! If you feel uncomfortable, ask someone to tell me. Whatever you want to eat, just send someone to get it! I’ll be leaving now!"

Shi Yumei felt that her mother was being somewhat inexplicable, but she didn’t think much of it and nodded, saying "Mm," watching as they left.

When Sang Wan saw Mrs. Wang coming out, she hurriedly smiled and called "Mother," stepping forward to help her. But Mrs. Wang cast a disgusted glance at her, snorted coldly, and left her behind with Mrs. Jiang and others, striding away.

That look was chilling to the bone, cooling Sang Wan’s heart suddenly as well; she hesitated and then hurried to follow. Based on her past experiences, she didn’t have to guess to know that Shi Yumei must have said something. Unbeknownst to Sang Wan, Mrs. Wang’s heart was ablaze with towering rage, and seeing her so gentle and obedient, her face the picture of docility while approaching to serve her, reminded her subconsciously of Gu Fangzi, who was likewise compliant and gentle in her presence, but what about behind her back? Behind her back, she was committing deeds that stab at her heart!

Mrs. Wang went straight back to the main courtyard and entered the warm pavilion. Without her permission, Sang Wan dared not follow inside, and obediently waited outside in the hall. Sang Wan couldn’t help feeling regretful, thinking she had brought it on herself! If she had known, it would have been better to leave with Fengju earlier. Why would she step forward and let herself be the target of anger? This inexplicable, it just got worse the more she tried to appease!

In recent years, Mrs. Jiang and the others had never seen Mrs. Wang so furious; her face even turning pale. They could neither speak nor dare to console her.

How could they understand Mrs. Wang’s current feelings? Mrs. Wang felt not only disappointed but also betrayed!

She loved Gu Fangzi like her own daughter, truly treating her like her own child, and Gu Fangzi had always been docile and affectionate in her presence, appearing completely supportive of her and her son. More than once had she inwardly praised Gu Fangzi for her kind heart and gratitude, seeing her as a wonderful girl! Yet behind her back, she had been ordering her son around like this!

How could she do such a thing!

That means all her actions before her were just a facade!

"Is Miss Wan still outside?" After a while, Mrs. Wang faintly asked.