CHAPTER 379: CHAPTER 193: DISCIPLINING THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW

Mrs. Jiang was waiting for these words and hurriedly replied with a smile, "Madam has been standing outside in a proper manner, waiting. Should the old servant call her in?"

"Hmph!" Mrs. Wang sneered, "Proper manner? Who knows if it’s just an act for show and something different behind one’s back! Forget it, call her in!"

Mrs. Jiang understood that Mrs. Wang was trying to apply what happened with Gu Fangzi to Sang Wan and dared not say more. Knowing what she had in mind, she simply complied and went to fetch Sang Wan.

Sang Wan was already prepared to be left hanging by her mother-in-law the entire day. Although she had been standing for a while, she did not feel impatient, and when Mrs. Jiang came out to call her, she thanked her calmly and did not show any signs of relief or liberation, earning Mrs. Jiang’s great admiration. Such composure of the Mistress was truly beyond what ordinary people could achieve. If it were the Lady, she would have already lost her temper!

"Mother, your daughter-in-law is here. Do you have any instructions?" Sang Wan walked forward, folded her hands over her left waist, and respectfully bowed to Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang half-closed her eyes and scrutinized her. She was wearing an orange-yellow outer coat with continuous branches, flowers, and leaf patterns edged with a stand collar, paired with a silver-blue brocade slant-collar inner jacket, with a ruby plum blossom button at the neckline. Accompanying it was an ivory white silk, embroidered fish-scale pleated skirt. Her hairstyle held a tilting hairpin with a bead and a few simple and exquisite ruby and sapphire hair ornaments. Her slender waist was petite, and her figure graceful. She dressed delicately and modestly, yet not without opulence. As she stood forward, she truly resembled a gentle and endearing beauty that precipitated affection.

Looking at this attire, it was difficult for anyone to believe that she could be someone who pretends to be virtuous and hides a fierce and overbearing side, tormenting her husband at home.

Sang Wan did not know what was going through her mother-in-law’s mind. She only felt somewhat uneasy under her gaze but did not dare to speak out of turn, just stood earnestly, hoping her mother-in-law would show some leniency and not find another fault with her.

"You, go out!" Mrs. Wang suddenly spoke.

Sang Wan thought it was directed at her and was about to respond when she saw Mrs. Jiang already bowing in response and leaving, so she continued to stand with her eyes downcast.

"Come closer, it spares me the effort of raising my voice!" Mrs. Wang shifted on the bed and said indifferently.

"Yes, Mother!" Sang Wan replied with a smile and stepped forward.

Mrs. Wang looked at her again and asked indifferently, "Have you read ’Lessons for Women’ and ’Admonitions for Women’ at home?"

This was akin to a slap in the face, directly questioning her morals as a wife. Sang Wan’s face flushed red as she bowed her head and said, "I have certainly read them and dare not forget!"

"You should not forget! I don’t need to elaborate on the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, right?" Mrs. Wang added.

"Mother!" Sang Wan went down on her knees with a soft weeping voice, "Your daughter-in-law... your daughter-in-law did not intend it last night. I know I was wrong. Please, Mother, forgive your daughter-in-law this once!"

Hearing her mention last night’s incident, Mrs. Wang’s anger started to flare up again, and she said coldly, "Answer my questions honestly! Has there been any such incident before? You must tell the truth! If I find out otherwise, do not blame me as your mother-in-law for being heartless! Our Shi family absolutely cannot tolerate a daughter-in-law who dominates her husband! Is a husband meant to be tormented like this?"

"Absolutely not!" Sang Wan hurriedly replied, "Mother, feel free to investigate. It was just that last night I felt a little dizzy when getting off the carriage, almost stumbled, and in addition, your daughter-in-law defended the honor of her husband in front of his friends yesterday, which made him happy for a moment—Mother, how could your daughter-in-law be so unappreciative? As a woman, how could I not understand that a husband is to be revered above all else? How could I dare to be so presumptuous in the Mansion? If the servants were to witness such behavior, not to mention losing dignity, not only would my husband face disgrace, but also myself, how could I have the face then?"

Mrs. Wang was soft-hearted by nature and upon hearing Sang Wan’s reasoning found it plausible. She was the Mistress of the Shi Mansion after all, and if such matters were to be seen by servants, where would her dignity as the rightful wife remain? How could she maintain authority over them? One cannot be like those concubines and maids who were merely taken for men’s pleasure; even if they acted brazenly once or twice, it was not a serious matter!

"It’s good that you understand this principle! It won’t be in vain that I have cared for you!" Mrs. Wang’s expression finally softened as she nodded, "Since there’s been nothing of the sort, that’s for the best! Remember, no such behavior ever again, you hear? If I find out again or hear any rumors, hmm, just you wait!"

"Your daughter-in-law will heed Mother’s teaching and absolutely not dare to do so again!" Sang Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.