Chapter 13 Return to Parents' Home for Three Dynasties_2

"Indeed, didn't notice before, but now that you look at it, this girl is quite beautiful!"

"Miss Wan from the Sang family is so fortunate!"

"Yes, enjoying endless riches! Even the Sang family is going to bask in reflected glory! Alas, the Sang family is thriving now!"

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Sang Wan had already alighted from the carriage, instantly capturing everyone's attention. She was clothed in a bright red embroided peony double-collared outer coat, with a two-inch wide gold embroidered border, and a jujube red skirt adorned with the auspicious patterns of eight treasures and leaping rabbits, which hinted at double happiness and wealth. She carried herself with a slender and graceful poise, dignified and composed. Her hair was styled in an elegant peony talisman updo, shining with pearls and jades that made the bystanders dazzled and unable to identify the exact jewelry, except the gold-mounted ruby pendants by her ears that they did recognize. Those gems, larger than a thumb, shimmered and dangled lightly with her movement, exceptionally eye-catching.

The door creaked open, and Sang Wan's elder brother, Sang Hong, came to greet her, with his children, Sang Xiaoquan and Sang Xiaonuan, one on each side, escorted by Mrs. Xu.

"Awan, you're back!" Sang Hong rubbed his hands and stepped forward with a smile, his demeanor somewhat reserved.

With a smile, Sang Wan called out "Big Brother!" and quickened her pace as her eyes moistened, leading Shi Fengju to meet her brother.

Shi Fengju bowed his hands and called "Big Brother," to which Sang Hong hurriedly returned the greeting.

Sang Xiaoquan and Sang Xiaonuan, who were especially close to Sang Wan on ordinary days, seeing their little aunt richly dressed but still approachable and gentle, cheerily called out "Auntie!" The siblings broke free from Mrs. Xu's hold and flung themselves towards Sang Wan, who embraced them with one arm each, speaking softly with a lowered head and gentle laughter.

"That—" Sang Hong coughed, intending to lead the way for his sister and brother-in-law into the courtyard, only to be interrupted by the loud voice of a burly middle-aged man herding the curious onlookers away: "Hey hey hey, what are you all clustering around here for? Move along, move along, nothing to see here! Don't get in the way of our distinguished guests, scatter, disperse!"

The crowd, with contempt and embarrassment in their eyes, muttered in scorn and dispersed. Those with children present did not forget to pull them away too, and in a blink of an eye, the front of the Sang family home cleared out completely.

Unconsciously, Sang Wan's brows furrowed slightly, a chill settling in her heart: Uncle Li Yan and Auntie Song He are here!

Before Sang Wan could react, her Uncle Sang Pingliang, as if he were right at home, stepped forward enthusiastically, gripping Shi Fengju's hand tightly and shaking it, bowing slightly while beaming with joy, "Hehe, this must be our Sang family's new son-in-law! Truly an outstanding young man, so promising! It's our country manners that have troubled you, son-in-law, please be generous and don't take offense! Come, come, let's go inside for a seat! I have prepared some fine tea to welcome you, son-in-law, please, after you!"

While speaking, Sang Pingliang also reprimanded his wife, Mrs. Li, who had begun chatting with the wives of the Li and Song families, "What are you standing around for? Hurry up and properly host our relatives and guests inside!"

"Oh dear! Isn't it because I was so thrilled to see our Miss Wan that I got confused! Sisters-in-law, please come this way! Hey, you brothers too, go into the house for a rest!" Mrs. Li clapped her hands, her shrill voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Shi Fengju's ears were filled with the loud and assertive voices of Sang Pingliang and his wife, and he felt a strong distaste. His brow knitted slightly as he found his hands gripped tightly by Sang Pingliang, the clinginess extremely unpleasant. He gently tried to pull away several times but couldn't break free, and it wasn't appropriate to forcefully shake him off; thus, he could only reluctantly put on a smile and endure the thunderous enthusiasm that echoed beside him, not really grasping what had been said at all.

Sang Wan secretly lamented, giving her big brother several pointed looks, but he just stood by, muttering under his breath, utterly unable to stop their uncle.

Seeing her uncle and aunt about to lead Shi Fengju and the others to their own house, Sang Wan grew even more anxious. She clearly remembered that in her past life, the discord had started just like this. Her uncle and aunt had taken Shi Fengju and his entourage to their house, along with all the gifts, and when her sister-in-law returned and witnessed this, she became so furious she openly blamed Sang Wan, accusing her of ingratitude and forgetting who had arranged her marriage! Her uncle and aunt were no pushovers either and argued back fiercely against her sister-in-law. Amidst her panic, embarrassment, and shame, Sang Wan cried incessantly, while the members of the Shi family stood by without a word, enjoying the drama...

"Uncle, Auntie, you're going the wrong way; our house is over here!" Sang Wan couldn't wait any longer and took a few steps forward, raising her voice to say.

At the same time, seizing on Sang Pingliang's momentary distraction, Shi Fengju forcefully withdrew his hand and hurriedly came to Sang Wan's side, quickly saying with a smile, "Then let's go inside!"

Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li exchanged glances, their expressions slightly darkening.

"Miss Wan, that sounds rather distant! What's this about 'your house' and 'our house'? Aren't you my niece, Sang Pingliang's? Wouldn't I treat my niece's husband properly? After your father passed, it falls upon me, your uncle, to stand up for you. You should not be so modest. Come on, let's go to your uncle's house!" Sang Pingliang's stance was full of elder authority, his kindly eyes sternly reproaching Sang Wan for acting unfamiliar and ungrateful toward him.

Sang Wan sneered inwardly—when had this uncle of theirs ever looked after them? "Kicking someone when they're down" would be more like it!

An uncle who, facing their siblings, had nothing but complaints: complaining about their father's lack of fate for officialdom yet stubbornly seeking prominence resulting in the loss of the family fortune and claiming his early death was well-deserved! He also reprimanded her elder brother, Sang Yufei, for not learning from their father's lesson and still pursuing studies—better off farming back home to ensure a bowl of food! Claiming, "If you don't listen to me and end up starving or freezing to death, don't come to me for help!"

Her second brother had managed to gather a few students to teach, earning only a little annual salary, yet the uncle insisted on taking half, claiming he had found those students for her brother.

Auntie was no slouch either, always speaking ill of Sang Wan, pushing her around, spreading tales to everyone that the Shi family would soon dispense with her, and that someone like her could even dream of being the young mistress of the Shi family—she should look in the mirror at herself first!