CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 242: SHI LIAN’S WEDDING (2)

The housekeeper hurriedly replied, "The slave has explained everything clearly, that’s exactly what the young miss said!"

Mrs. Wang wouldn’t believe it. She blamed the housekeeper for being confused and incompetent, waved him away, called Shi Fengju over, and asked him to send someone else to make another trip.

Upon hearing this, Shi Fengju immediately understood what was going on and chuckled, "Mother, since you are worried, I will send someone again tomorrow! But I think, maybe they really don’t have the time. Isn’t my brother-in-law busy reviewing his lessons? My sister needs to take care of him; how can she leave him alone! If they really can’t come, then let’s just forget about it!"

Shi Fengju felt helpless toward his eldest sister. After their second uncle from the Sang family obtained the title of Tanhua, knowing this, her brother-in-law must be feeling quite awkward, so how could he agree to visit? The eldest sister and the third younger sister have never got along well. When she heard that the third sister married a Tanhua and now holds a court-appointed position, becoming a lady officer immediately upon marriage, how could she, being so competitive, come back and say ’congratulations!’?

If she were to see relatives and friends and get asked about it, she would feel even more suffocated.

When he first mentioned bringing the eldest sister back, as soon as he left the main courtyard, he knew it probably wouldn’t work out.

Mrs. Wang didn’t think about all this and only said, "Then tomorrow, you send someone who can handle things! Even if your sister and brother-in-law are busy, wouldn’t they at least send a letter? I don’t understand how these people handle things!"

Shi Fengju just smiled and did not say anything.

The next day, he did not send anyone, but in the evening, he brought a brocade box to Mrs. Wang, which contained a pair of dragon and phoenix patterned gold bracelets, and said with a smile, "My sister and brother-in-law really couldn’t find time to come. My brother-in-law is at a critical stage of his studies! If it were interrupted now, it would be hard to pick up again! This pair of gold bracelets is their gift to add to Third Sister’s dowry!"

Mrs. Wang then felt relieved and laughed, "They really think of everything, struggling through their own days, they should keep the money for themselves, yet they still remembered your third sister! You must tell her, remind her to remember the kindness of her sister and brother-in-law, and help them whenever possible in the future!"

Shi Fengju casually agreed and then excused himself.

In a blink of an eye, it was the eighth day of June. Since last evening, the Shi Mansion had become extraordinarily lively. Bright red silk and satin were hung everywhere, and the giant red lanterns at the gate were lit all night. During the actual day, it was even livelier. Everyone with a face to show in Qingzhou City came! First, because it’s a family connection on top of a good story, and second, because the Shi family has gained a son-in-law who achieved Tanhua, which is a very prestigious matter, who wouldn’t come to show their face and curry some favor? Not only did all invited guests show up, but many who weren’t invited also came unasked. Fortunately, the Shi family anticipated this and had enough servants and helpers drafted from the business and manors. Even though it was overwhelmingly busy, there were no major mishaps and the bride was cheerfully sent off!

Afterward, in the courtyards and halls prearranged by the mansion, feasts were held for the guests until nearly evening, and the last group of guests was sent away. Several housekeepers and stewardesses were once again frantically busy directing everyone in cleaning up, inventorying items, and storing them in the warehouse. Sang Wan, who was in charge of everything, along with everyone in Ningyuan, were extremely occupied. It took a full two days before everything was finally tidied up.

Soon, it was the third day since the new bride returned to her parental home.

What Mrs. Wang and Shi Fengju did not expect was that on the first day Shi Lian returned home, Shi Yumei came back with Cui Zhu to visit her third sister and brother-in-law, causing great astonishment among everyone. Mrs. Wang, of course, was delighted.

That day was inevitably busy again, instructing the kitchen to prepare the banquet dishes for lunch and opening the ancestral hall for cleaning early in the morning, preparing incense, paper money, and offerings, waiting for their return to pay respects to the ancestors.

At noon, the housekeeper came in to report: "The third young madam and her husband have returned!" Shi Fengju and Sang Wan then went out to greet them.

The meeting was exceedingly cordial. Sang Wan, having not seen her second brother for a long time, finally saw him, her eyes warmed up, and she stepped forward smiling and said congratulations. Sang Yufei too had a lot to say, but looking at her, he just smiled, and after a long while, he sighed and said, "Sister, you’ve worked hard for our sake!"

Sang Wan smiled upon hearing this and said, "Brother, don’t say such things. Being able to personally handle this joyous occasion for you fills my heart with indescribable happiness. I really didn’t expect to have this fortune in this lifetime!"

Everyone laughed upon hearing this, but the newlywed Shi Lian blushed, too embarrassed to look up and sneaked a smile.

Then they entered the main courtyard where Mrs. Wang was. By that time, the couples of the second and third masters of the Shi family were already seated. Shi Yumei stood behind Mrs. Wang, surrounded by a room full of maids and old women.

Sang Yufei and Shi Lian came in, everyone met and settled down, followed by more lively conversation. Then the maids brought over trays of tea, and Sang Yufei and Shi Lian prepared to start the tea ceremony and address change.

Now an official, Sang Yufei was about to kneel when Mrs. Wang swiftly raised her hand with a smiling "This won’t do" and commanded Mrs. Jiang to step forward and hold him.

Standing behind Mrs. Wang, Shi Yumei had been watching the young couple from the moment they entered the door, rotating her gaze around them. Everyone in the hall wore a cheerful smile, but only she, seemingly calm and composed, actually felt a sudden pang of sourness in her heart.

Sang Yufei, now even more refined and distinguished than when she last saw him, truly a different man once he leaped over the dragon gate; even a common fish turned into a dragon. Looking at Shi Lian beside him, dressed in a red gold embroidered peony wide-sleeved outer coat and matching sixteen-section Hunan dress, her hair done with peony talisman, adorned lavishly and showing bashful beauty, Shi Yumei felt even more sour.

She couldn’t help but secretly resent her mother for agreeing to this marriage! Wasn’t this plainly allowing that wretched girl Shi Lian to ride over her own neck? Her own daughter now couldn’t even compare to a girl of humble birth; could there possibly be any glory in her face?