CHAPTER 472: CHAPTER 242: SHI LIAN’S WEDDING

Mrs. Wang was extremely uncomfortable, first complaining about him not obeying and asking why he was in such a rush to return to the business. Wasn’t it agreed that he would rest for a few more days? How could Shi Fengju find any rest after Gu Fangzi got involved? Pointing to heaven and earth, he repeatedly assured her that he was fine. Only then did Mrs. Wang sigh and give up, still instructing him to come home early every day!

Seeing that she had finally let go of the matter, Shi Fengju quickly agreed.

Mrs. Wang glanced at him and then said, "Did you go to the peony garden yesterday? What on earth did you say to Fang’er? She fell ill again today!"

Shi Fengju was startled and frustrated. Just a few words from him made her ill? Since when was she so delicate?

"Mother, can we not talk about this now? She might be tired from the mental and physical strains these past days. How could my words have such an impact!"

"Listen to what you’re saying!" Mrs. Wang scolded. "Isn’t she exerting herself for your sake? You need to give her peace of mind so she can recover quickly! Today, you must give your mother a definite answer! When exactly will you consummate the marriage with her?"

Now, Shi Fengju felt a headache whenever he heard the words "Gu Fangzi" and "consummation." After thinking it over, he said, "Mother, Miss Wan’s second brother has just won third place in the imperial exams, and their family is busy with the celebration. If I rush to take a concubine and consummate the marriage, wouldn’t that be like opposing the Sang family and deliberately shaming them? The Sang brothers are very fond of their sister Miss Wan, how can they not have thoughts about this? Mother, let’s postpone this matter! Mother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now! I’m a bit tired and would like to rest!"

Today, Mrs. Wang saw the pitiful, sallow face of Gu Fangzi in the peony garden and was originally determined to get a straight answer from her disobedient son, but when she heard him saying he was tired and wanted to rest, she could no longer speak the words on the tip of her tongue and waved her hand, sighing, "Alright, alright, go back and rest! Let me tell you, don’t think you can muddle through this! You better think it through. In a few days, I will still ask you! Mrs. Jiang, remind me if I forget! And by the way, did Miss Wan look after you and have you eaten the bird’s nest that was sent over yesterday?"

"I ate it, I ate it! How could Miss Wan forget something you told her?" Shi Fengju was somewhat impatient, thinking that it would’ve been more comfortable to be out and about with Miss Wan than to come back and deal with these vexations.

"Oh right, Mother, do you think we should send someone to bring Big Sister back to stay for a few days? Third Sister getting married is also a big occasion!" Shi Fengju suddenly mentioned, thinking that if Big Sister came back, she would at least divide some of Mother’s attention and perhaps spare him a little.

Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but laugh, "Oh dear, I’ve been feeling like I was forgetting something important and just now I couldn’t remember! Of course, we must bring your Big Sister back! Let’s send someone tomorrow! I wonder how they’re getting on in Meng County!"

Shi Fengju agreed and then went out.

That day, the Shi family sent word to the Sang family stating that Shi Fengju and Sang Wan had returned. The next day, a matchmaker sent by the Sang family arrived at the door, and the family set the auspicious date for the wedding procession, which would be on the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, still ten days away from now.

After the date was set, many final stage preparations began in earnest — purchasing various wild goods, delicacies, ingredients, fine wines, sugary treats, fruits, and pastries, inventorying the banquet tables, chairs, bowls, chopsticks, hiring the master of ceremonies and the music band, preparing the big red ’happiness’ characters, red silk and red flowers to decorate the house, arranging fresh flowers, checking the bride’s wedding attire for the last time, final inventory of the dowry to ensure the packing is proper and without errors, writing wedding invitations to distribute to friends and family, and so on. Not only Sang Wan, but Second Madam Shi and Third Madam Shi were also busy, and Mrs. Wang couldn’t be idle and personally went to check the dowry once again.

Amid the bustle of the entire household, the soon-to-be bride, Shi Lian, was actually the most leisurely one. Watching the household’s busyness and knowing it was all for her, Shi Lian felt a multitude of emotions. She never thought she would have such a vainglorious and triumphant day. She was always just a character in the residence that couldn’t even count as a supporting role, but now she had become the center of attention! Such is the unpredictability of life.

Unexpectedly, the steward who went to Meng County to fetch Shi Yumei and her husband returned with the empty carriage, reporting to Mrs. Wang that the elder brother-in-law and Big Sister were busy and would not come!

Mrs. Wang was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Busy? How can they not come back when our house is celebrating such a big event, being her real sister and brother-in-law? What could be more important than this? Did you make it clear?"