CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 196: MISUNDERSTOOD INTENTIONS

"I have no idle gossip to spread, nor is it related to Miss Wan; it is my own decision. Mother, if you have no objections, please speak to my cousin on this matter!" Shi Fengju said.

"Speak to her?" Mrs. Wang couldn’t help frowning, and without a second thought, she retorted, "Have you really thought this through? Are you truly willing to let go? You’ve argued with me countless times for her sake, and now, all of a sudden, you’ve had a change of heart? That’s a bit too odd!"

Shi Fengju sighed, "Mother, please stop bringing up the past. Let’s just say your son is unfaithful and unreliable, alright? There are many things I simply cannot express in front of you! Not to mention before you, Mother, even in front of Miss Wan, it’s difficult for me to speak out. Like the time she tried to seduce me to consummate our marriage during her period of mourning by undressing..."

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Mrs. Wang could never denigrate her own son, and she hurriedly said, "I didn’t mean it that way! If this had come up before she entered the door, it would be easy to talk about, but now she’s essentially become a member of our family. How can I suddenly tell her to marry someone else? How can I bring myself to say such a thing?"

"Mother, please just think of it as making an extra effort for your son," Shi Fengju chuckled. "Mother, I know you’ve always felt that making my cousin a concubine was beneath her. Wouldn’t it also be nice to marry her off with dignity and grace? In any case, I truly have no desire to take her as my concubine."

Mrs. Wang sighed softly, "Since you’ve put it like that, I’ll try to speak with her. The family you find for her must be a reliable one, so we can send her off with honor and ceremony!"

"I will!" Shi Fengju nodded.

Watching her son leave with joy and excitement, Mrs. Wang felt an uncertainty in her heart, not knowing whether to be happy or melancholy. Seeing her son not as attentive and compliant to Gu Fangzi as she had imagined should make her glad; but after all, Gu Fangzi had been by her side for so many years and served her with such devotion—how could she not feel any affection for her?!

Now that she was to send her away, Mrs. Wang felt an inexplicable reluctance, and subconsciously, she thought that although Gu Fangzi had caused trouble for her son behind his back, she did actually like him. After all, she wouldn’t have entered the household during her period of mourning if she didn’t. Now to tell her to marry someone else, she would probably be unwilling!

"Mrs. Jiang, do you think this is truly the young master’s idea, and not something Miss Wan has said to him?" Mrs. Wang, still pondering, let the question slip out.

Mrs. Jiang was not in a position to entertain such a notion and hastily replied with a smile, "Perhaps not? The young master has always had his own opinions, and everyone in the mansion knows his relationship with the cousin. With Madam Sang Wan’s temperament, she would probably avoid discussing any matters related to the cousin as far as possible, let alone initiate such a conversation with the young master."

Mrs. Wang thought it over and agreed. Miss Wan was not so foolish. Knowing that Gu Fangzi was her husband’s childhood sweetheart and they shared a deep affection, it would be obvious to keep her distance rather than instigate her husband to send her rival away, inviting nothing but disdain.

"You have a point! Miss Wan’s nature is gentle and accommodating, and she doesn’t seem like someone intolerant of others," Mrs. Wang sighed lightly and waved her hand, "Given this, there’s no time like the present. Fetch Fangzi over!"

"Yes, my lady!" Mrs. Jiang responded and set off to give the orders.

Gu Fangzi was surprised to hear that her aunt was summoning her and inquired with a smile from Xiuli, who had come to report. Xiuli, for one, had no clue, and even if she did, she would not dare to say so, only managing a smile and feigning ignorance. This displeased Gu Fangzi, who brooded, thinking how insolent they were becoming, presuming she could no longer turn her situation around now. "Humph, just wait until the mourning period over, and I reclaim the authority of housekeeper. I’ll see how I deal with each of you then!"

"Aunt! I heard you were looking for Fang’er; Fang’er is here to pay her respects!" Gu Fangzi stepped forward with a beaming smile and ceremoniously greeted her.

Mrs. Wang would usually break into a smile upon seeing her so well-behaved. Today, however, the thought of Gu Fangzi’s willful behavior in front of Shi Fengju caused Mrs. Wang’s brow to involuntarily furrow slightly. She nodded and managed a smile, "Please, have a seat!"

Gu Fangzi, who had already had an acute understanding of Mrs. Wang, felt her heart skip at the reaction but became even more dutifully obedient, taking a seat.

At this moment, Mrs. Jiang, with a smile, approached Lan Xiang, "Lan Xiang, come with me for a bit. There’s an embroidery pattern I’d like you to help me look at!"

Lan Xiang understood that the madam wanted to speak privately with the young mistress and quickly agreed, following Mrs. Jiang out.