CHAPTER 381: CHAPTER 194: TAKING CHARGE

Aunt Fang entered the room and stiffened slightly upon seeing Shi Fengju also present. She had heard that Mrs. Hu had something come up today and couldn’t make it, knowing Sang Wan would definitely be at home, and had managed with difficulty to get permission from Second Madam Shi to come over righteously. She had planned to make things clear this time! Who knew that Shi Fengju would also be here.

This was something Aunt Fang had never dreamed of. During the New Year, which man isn’t out drinking and watching operas all day? Yet, the young master was actually at home.

"Oh, the young master is here too!" Aunt Fang’s smile became strained.

Sang Wan secretly chuckled and said, "Aunt Fang is such a rare visitor, please have a seat!"

"I wouldn’t dare! Madam, you are too kind!" Aunt Fang forced a smile and sat down at the lower end of the seating arrangement. Her heart couldn’t help but pound. Shi Fengju was her Master’s nephew, and as an aunt by marriage, it was inappropriate to sit in front of her nephew for too long, even if his wife was also present—this wouldn’t sound good if it got out.

After exchanging pleasantries, Sang Wan smiled and asked, "May I know if Aunt Fang is here for a particular reason? If there’s any way I can help, please feel free to speak up!"

As the family head’s wife, Sang Wan was fully entitled to say this.

Aunt Fang hesitated and glanced at Shi Fengju, then with an awkward smile said, "Well, there is something I wanted to discuss with you, Madam, it’s just—haha..."

Aunt Fang’s intention couldn’t be more clear—she had something to say but not in front of the young master, indicating that he should step aside for now.

Shi Fengju certainly understood Aunt Fang’s obvious hint, but he understood Sang Wan’s hint even better—his wife didn’t want him to leave, so of course, he wouldn’t. Pretending not to have noticed anything, he smiled instead and said to Aunt Fang, "Please, Aunt Fang, there’s no need to be courteous. Just say whatever it is you have to say!"

Aunt Fang’s mouth twitched, feeling an indescribable bitterness.

Some things could be said in front of Sang Wan, but how could they be mentioned in front of Shi Fengju? Aunt Fang hummed and hawed for quite a while without stating her purpose for the visit, only vaguely asking if it would be possible to take the fifth young miss out to enjoy the Lantern Festival lights on the festival night, and then reluctantly got up to leave.

If she stayed here too long, she wouldn’t be able to explain it to Second Madam Shi later!

As Aunt Fang left, Shi Fengju turned to Sang Wan and asked, "What exactly was Aunt Fang here for?"

This question had already taken many turns in his mind. Shi Fengju could not fathom why Aunt Fang would have something so secretive to discuss with Sang Wan that she couldn’t speak to Second Madam Shi, or why not tell Second Master Shi? By bypassing her own family head to find Sang Wan, would Second Madam Shi be pleased?

Now Sang Wan naturally had nothing to hide from him, and knowing about this matter might offer an alternative solution. So she smiled and sighed, "Well, this is a long story! I really don’t know how to begin explaining it!"

Shi Fengju laughed and said, "This is really curious. What kind of matter has even you so troubled?" He became even more eager to know.

Sang Wan sighed and said, "It actually started some days ago. I inadvertently overheard Aunt Fang’s trusted old woman and maid talking in the garden, saying that Aunt Fang wanted to matchmake my younger sister-in-law with my second brother. I originally took it as a joke, but after a couple of days, Aunt Fang actually came to me. I could see from her expression that it seemed to be the case. Every time she almost mentioned it, I’d divert the conversation elsewhere, and after bumping into her on the road a couple more times, I never let her get a chance to speak up. Yet she came again today!"

Shi Fengju found the situation both frustrating and humorous, saying, "Aunt Fang actually has such a thought? She’s really bold! Second Uncle and Second Aunt-in-law are around—when did it become her turn to decide on the fifth sister-in-law’s marriage matters? Besides, the fifth sister-in-law is still so young, practically a child. To say she should marry my second brother—"

Shi Fengju was unsure whether to be angry or to laugh, imagining the situation where their little sister-in-law would be calling herself "Second Sister-in-law," and shuddered at the thought.

Sang Wan gave him a look and said indifferently, "Aunt Fang isn’t reckless enough to act without considering the consequences. It’s hard to say if Second Aunt-in-law knows about this, but how could Second Uncle be unaware?" Surely she wouldn’t have the audacity to do such a thing behind the family head and the wife’s back!

Shi Fengju froze for a moment, then became angry and with a slap on the table and a frown, said, "How could Second Uncle be so thoughtless!"

Sang Wan didn’t respond. In Second Master Shi’s eyes, there were only his beloved goldfish and birds; he wasn’t very concerned about his children. And since Aunt Fang had always been good at pleasing him, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to subtly whisper something in his ear when he was in a good mood.