CHAPTER 474: CHAPTER 243: THE THIRD-DAY HOMECOMING

As soon as Shi Yumei heard Mrs. Wang order Mrs. Jiang to help Sang Yufei up, she could hardly restrain herself from speaking, but Sang Yufei had already smiled and spoken first. She raised her hand to dismiss Mrs. Jiang, and kneeling next to Shi Lian, she faced Mrs. Wang with a smile: "How could such a family ritual be neglected? Mother should accept this bow from your son-in-law!"

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then all burst into smiles, with Mrs. Wang beaming with joy, repeatedly saying "Good, good," and gleefully drank the tea they offered, acknowledging with a "Mother" and giving them their seeing each other gifts.

When it came to Second Master Shi and Third Master Shi along with their spouses, they refused to accept his kneeling no matter what. Shi Fengju tried to decline but ended up giving in, bending at the waist and saluting in their place.

After the greetings were done, they went to the ancestral hall to pay respects to the ancestors. Afterwards, Second Master Shi and his brothers, along with Shi Fengju, invited Sang Yufei to speak in the flower hall, while Shi Lian naturally went to the inner chamber to meet their mother and the two aunts, giving a detailed account of her interactions with the Sang family’s eldest sister-in-law, and listened to her mother’s guidance.

Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "I never expected you to be so fortunate, becoming an official’s wife as soon as you married! From now on, you must serve your husband well, respect your older sister-in-law, and not lose face for our Shi family! If you live your life well, I as a mother can rest assured, and also proudly face your father in the future!"

Shi Lian quickly stood up and performed a ceremonial bow in response.

Mrs. Wang didn’t have much else to say to her, after asking a few questions, she ordered her to go back to the Fuqu Pavilion to rest. Noticing Shi Yumei was standing by, she looked at her and said with a smile: "Yumei, it’s good that you are not busy with anything! It’s going to be rare for you sisters to see each other in the future, so you should escort your younger sister there!"

Mrs. Wang had their best interests in mind, hoping that Shi Yumei could develop a good relationship with Shi Lian so that in the future, Sang Yufei could be of help to Ren Zhixian. Shi Yumei was initially reluctant, but suddenly thinking of something, she agreed with a smile and went out with Lian.

Knowing that Shi Lian would need to rest for a while in the Fuqu Pavilion upon her three-day bridal visit, arrangements had been made well in advance, with everything ready inside and even the maid serving tea and snacks temporarily assigned.

Having nothing to say to Mrs. Wang, and even less to Shi Yumei, once she saw the room she pondered on an excuse to ask her to leave, but Shi Yumei took the initiative to sit down, measuring her up with a smile.

Under such circumstances, Shi Lian found it difficult to voice any dissatisfaction, so she hastily commanded Cai Yun to serve tea.

Shi Yumei dismissed everyone else and scrutinized Shi Lian, and with a smile, she asked, "Are you getting accustomed to living with the Sang family? How are the people there? Are they treating you well?"

Hearing her questions off tune, Shi Lian felt a slight discomfort in her heart but responded with a smile, "The eldest brother and sister-in-law are very pleasant to get along with, and they treat me well."

"I thought as much!" Shi Yumei sighed softly, offhandedly remarking, "For a family like theirs to marry a lady from a family like ours, it must be the fortune of several lifetimes of good deeds; how could they not treat you well! Our family’s maids probably know better etiquette and are more well-informed than them! Seeing the grandeur of our family, they must revere you like a goddess! Ah, Lian, you’re really fortunate, marrying into a modest family spares you from grievances, and although life may be simpler, it’s not bad either! By the way, what dowry did mother prepare for you? There must be plenty of good lands and estates, right? The Sang family must have struck it rich this time! Where else could they find such an excellent match?!"

Shi Lian suddenly felt as uncomfortable as if she had swallowed a fly. The Sang family had always treated her like one of their own, her sister-in-law showed her closeness and affection, her nephews and nieces affectionately called her "Second Aunt" with warm smiles, and deep in her heart, she too considered them as her own family. Hearing Shi Yumei’s words now felt particularly grating to her ears.

Shi Lian endured and endured, ultimately holding back any sharp retorts and just smiled vaguely.

It’s not that she didn’t want to or didn’t dare to, but she couldn’t. Her marriage was better than Shi Yumei’s, and jealousy was to be expected from Shi Yumei. Today was a happy day of returning to her parental home, and Shi Yumei, spoiled and headstrong, certainly did not understand the concept of keeping the peace; if they disagreed, she would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to create a scene. In the end, it would be unsightly for everyone involved, so why bother?

Yet Shi Yumei, seeing that she did not respond, refused to let her off and continued to smile and press on: "Tell me, little sister, isn’t what I’m saying reasonable? Isn’t it just as I described? Ah, those people from the Sang family are quite calculating! You’ve always been simple and honest, so in the future, you’ll have to assert yourself so as not to tarnish the Shi family’s name, lest others look down upon you! I’ve heard that the Sang family’s eldest sister-in-law is quite a sharp-tongued character, that kind of rural shrew, and if she takes advantage of you, it would be a real disgrace to speak of!"