CHAPTER 467: CHAPTER 239: CHANGES AT HOME (PART 2)

Shi Fengju endured his annoyance and said, "Did she also tell you these words?"

"I think what she said was not wrong!" Mrs. Wang did not deny it and seeing her son’s increasingly ugly expression, she quickly added, "Don’t blame her for this matter. If you must blame someone, blame me. I was the one who called several shop managers from the shipping company to personally instruct them! If you think Fang’er is greedy for power, you are wrong! She was hesitant at first because she was afraid that you would misunderstand her when you came back. I assured her with all my heart, so she had no further worries! In a few days, she will tell me about the shipping matters."

Shi Fengju didn’t know what to say anymore, and hurriedly asked, "Mother, did she ask you for any advice? You don’t understand business matters, so you didn’t say anything, right?"

"Look at what you’re suggesting!" Mrs. Wang said, "Doesn’t your mother even have that little self-awareness? Of course, I don’t understand business matters, so how could I give reckless advice? Our Shi family’s rules are there, and the ancestors are watching! All I did was instruct Fangzi to always remind them to be diligent, to regularly inspect all boats to prevent any mistakes, and to train the workers well so they don’t panic in critical moments. That’s all!"

That’s all? Shi Fengju felt helplessly exasperated, does mother not know, her few words of "that’s all" could lead to countless more! With these few words, Gu Fangzi could do so much. Although the managers and shopkeepers of the shipping business were not directly controlled by Mrs. Wang, who would dare to disobey Mrs. Wang’s wishes?

Shi Fengju was at a loss for words to describe the anger in his heart, Gu Fangzi, she really was becoming more capable!

Mrs. Wang was still chattering on, but Shi Fengju could no longer bear to listen and excused himself saying he was tired and left the main courtyard.

If this matter made him exceptionally angry, then another issue left him uncertain whether he should be happy or worried.

In early May, Sang Yufei returned from the capital after taking the imperial examination and ranking third. After returning to his hometown to pay homage to his ancestors, he was to enter the Hanlin Academy.

This was originally a momentous joyous occasion, naturally bringing honor both to the Sang family and the Shi family.

However, unexpectedly, the Sang family wanted to form a closer bond by marriage and sent a matchmaker to arrange a marriage with Shi Lian, the third young miss of the Shi family, to be his wife.

Mrs. Wang, hearing this from the matchmaker, was naturally thrilled. The Sang family didn’t care that Shi Lian was a concubine daughter, and taking a top scholar as a son-in-law was indeed a highly prestigious matter.

While delighted, Mrs. Wang recalled that Shi Lian had once been caught in a fire. After personally verifying that there were no scars on her legs, she was relieved. She also discreetly mentioned the matter of the governor’s son to the Sang family. Unexpectedly, it seemed like the matchmaker already knew of this matter and dismissed all concerns. Only then did Mrs. Wang truly rejoice.

Since Sang Yufei needed to hurry back to the capital to start his new post, the marriage arrangements naturally needed to be expedited, hence the entire household started busily preparing.

Since Shi Lian’s husband-to-be was a top scholar, and also a relative by marriage of the Shi family, Mrs. Wang naturally spared no effort, instructing everything to be arranged according to the standards of a legitimate daughter.

Except for setting the day for the wedding, which had to wait for Shi Fengju and his wife to return, everything else was ready. And in fact, all these preparations were handled by Gu Fangzi.

Strictly speaking, Gu Fangzi had no reason to interfere in this; she an "aunt" arranging the marriage matters of a young mistress of the house sounded improper.

But, on the face of it, Mrs. Wang was in charge while she was just someone carrying out tasks, which left no room for objection.

If you were to ask Gu Fangzi, she would feel both jealous and hateful about this marriage arrangement. Why should Shi Lian, a girl born of a concubine, marry a top scholar as his legitimate wife? Meanwhile, she, who had been childhood sweethearts with her elder cousin, was relegated to being a concubine! Moreover, the top scholar was Sang Wan’s brother, which made Fangzi even more displeased.

Displeased as she might be, Gu Fangzi showed more happiness than anyone else on the surface, and was especially affectionate and close to Shi Lian, carefully managing everything.

She knew this was a rare opportunity! Just when such a matter came up, it seemed even God was not treating her unfairly!

She did not believe that after she wholeheartedly arranged the marriage for Sang Wan’s own brother, Sang Wan would come back and drive her away! As long as she did not dishonor herself nor tarnish the reputation of the Sang family, she would accept her fate!

She believed that Sang Wan would not do so. For the sake of saving face, the Sang family would not allow her to do that either.

She was even prepared to persuade her elder cousin if he wanted to send her away.

Thus, during these days, Gu Fangzi felt particularly comfortable and at ease, not worried about her future at all.

Her thoughts were exactly what Shi Fengju worried about; he knew that for the time being, he couldn’t do anything about her.

At this moment, Sang Wan, also in Ningyuan, heard from Mrs. Li about the recent changes in their household and learned about this matter.

Sang Wan was both shocked and angry, unable to recover for a while.

She was puzzled and annoyed, why would her second brother suddenly seek to marry Shi Lian? And she was even more upset that the marriage was arranged by Gu Fangzi’s own hands.

"The madam is fully concerned about the young master, and although she is also delighted about this marriage, where does she have the mind to focus on this? Although the household has a second madam and a third madam, since the third young miss is the daughter of the madam, and the madam did not say anything, they also did not intervene. Isn’t this just the case, the adopted daughter took it upon herself!" Mrs. Li sighed.

Sang Wan was silent for a while, by this account, did she owe Gu Fangzi a favor?

While she was troubled, Gu Fangzi came smilingly to "care" and "congratulate" her on her brother’s successful examination, naturally mentioning the marriage as well.

It wasn’t until Shi Fengju returned that Gu Fangzi very perceptively smiled and got up to take her leave.