CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 241: BECOMING IN-LAWS THROUGH MARRIAGE

Shi Lian’s face had already turned red with embarrassment. She quickly smiled in gratitude, instructed Cai Yun and others to take the items and put them away properly, called for tea, and then signaled everyone to leave with a meaningful look.

Shi Lian said to Sang Wan, "Ever since sister-in-law arrived at our home, you have taken great care of Shi Lian. I am endlessly grateful! Marrying into the Sang family is my fortune." As she spoke, she attempted to rise and give Sang Wan a formal bow of thanks.

"That won’t be necessary!" Sang Wan quickly helped her to sit back down, half-seriously and half-jokingly said, "Soon, I’ll have to call you ’second sister-in-law’, if you treat me with such a grand gesture, how could I be at ease!"

"Big sister-in-law!" Shi Lian could hardly bear her teasing, her face blushed so red she could almost not lift her head, and only after a moment whispered softly, "In Shi Lian’s heart, you will always be my big sister-in-law. You did not despise me as a concubine daughter reaching above my status, that itself is my good fortune."

A sense of affection arose in Sang Wan’s heart, she gently said, "Do not think this way! Our Sang family is merely a countryside family, although my second brother has succeeded academically, he is new to the bureaucratic world – who knows what the future holds! My second brother is a good person, I only hope that you can share both the joys and hardships with him, he will certainly not fail you! As for my elder brother and sister-in-law," Sang Wan paused briefly, then continued, "My elder brother is an extremely loyal and honest person, but my sister-in-law is straightforward and can’t tolerate any deceit, after you join our family, I hope you can get along well with them."

Shi Lian nodded, "Big sister-in-law, do not worry, I will! Since I am married into the Sang family, I am a daughter-in-law of the Sangs. Sharing joys and hardships with my husband is my duty, I will definitely respect them both!"

Sang Wan laughed, "You’ve always been gentle and kind-hearted. Cai Yun has been with you for many years and knows you thoroughly. Those other girls — daughters of major households often have more arrogance than ordinary girls, and as they are your accompanying maidservants, they may even think too highly of themselves! Our family is not as grand as Shi Mansion, and my sister-in-law particularly dislikes pretentiousness! I shouldn’t be the one telling you this, I just wanted to remind you, hoping that you don’t develop any misunderstandings with my sister-in-law in future. If you don’t understand my intentions, then just consider that I never said anything!"

"Big sister-in-law!" Shi Lian’s eyes slightly reddened, clutching Sang Wan’s hand, she choked up and said, "Only a big sister-in-law like you would talk about these things with me! How could I be so foolish to not appreciate your good intentions and instead blame you? I never liked those maids either, saying that they were selected by my mother, but they were actually selected by someone from the peony garden! If they behave, that’s fine, but if they dare to disrespect Master, I will deal with them myself halfway to the capital and settle for some peace!"

Upon hearing this, Sang Wan felt relieved and laughed, "Then I worried for nothing! It’s good that you are aware of all these things. My sister-in-law is very easy to get along with, just keep your mind at ease!"

Seizing the opportunity, Shi Lian asked Sang Wan many questions about the Sang family, in hopes of getting along well with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law in the future, and more importantly, to avoid making any mistakes — with the presence of her second uncle and aunt, who knows what they might provoke? If this caused a rift with her sister-in-law, it would be difficult to resolve later! Sang Wan also took the time to explain everything to her, and Shi Lian carefully remembered each detail.

Since Sang Wan had returned and this marriage was also connected with the Sang family, it was both logical and proper for Sang Wan to handle the arrangements. Gu Fangzi, perhaps due to the severe blow dealt by Shi Fengju the previous night, fell ill again today. At noon, Mrs. Wang called for Sang Wan and instructed her to take over the preparations for the wedding, giving her several meaningful looks, yet ultimately said nothing.

Sang Wan felt calm inside and was not afraid of what she might say. The little hope in her heart still clung on and refused to turn to ashes completely, all because of the words Shi Fengju had spoken. As for herself, she had already let go very peacefully. Even if she hadn’t, what could she do?

While Gu Fangzi had initially handled the arrangements and wanted Mrs. Li’s assistance, Mrs. Li was unwilling to be ordered about and excused herself by saying there were matters at Ningyuan that required her attention since the young master and his wife were not around, and kept an eye on the situation from afar.

"Madam," Mrs. Li burst out, "there might be many shady dealings involved here, and I believe it wouldn’t be hard to investigate and identify them. Would you like me to investigate and pull out those greedy individuals? To prevent inadvertently benefiting that vixen by making her appear generous!" Mrs. Li was eager to try.

In large families, it was routine for stewards and matrons to seek advantages during festivals or major events, which was generally accepted as long as it wasn’t excessive, with the heads of the family turning a blind eye.

Sang Wan slightly pondered, then shook her head and laughed, "Isn’t this always the case? Let’s leave it be. It’s better to have fewer troubles rather than more!"

Not satisfied, Mrs. Li said, "That vixen benefits then, using the family’s money to curry favor and buy people’s hearts! Madam, if you don’t say something, not only would the servants take their chances, but they might secretly laugh at you for being naive and oblivious!"

That was true indeed!

After thinking it over, Sang Wan said, "In that case, just give a quiet warning to those who took the most for themselves to let them know that we are not oblivious, and that should be enough! There’s no need for the benefits they’ve taken to be returned. Mrs. Li, if the young Miss implicitly allows them to take these benefits, and yet we take them back, wouldn’t that make us detested?"

Slapping her forehead, Mrs. Li chuckled, "I must have let that vixen confuse me! I completely forgot about this! Madam is right, let’s do it this way! I will handle this matter!"

Sang Wan smiled and nodded in agreement.

In the afternoon, when Shi Fengju returned from outside, Mrs. Wang had him summoned.