Chapter 15 The Best Uncle and Aunt (Part 2)_2

"I'm just speaking plainly!" Mrs. Fang waved her hand and interrupted, sighing, "Isn't that the truth! Go on, go on! It doesn't make much difference to you now, just like losing something on the ground for others to pick up for free!"

Sang Wan smiled with pursed lips, and whispered near Mrs. Fang with a soft laugh, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, I've reserved all the good stuff for you and big brother, including second brother's share! Outsiders won't benefit from it!"

"You little imp, getting married has really sharpened your wits! But seeing you like this, your brother and I can rest assured!" Mrs. Fang said with a laughing scold after hearing her words, her expression much improved.

Sang Wan giggled softly, feeling warm inside, and bade farewell to Mrs. Fang.

In the second house, Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li kept sending their eldest daughter to peek out at the entrance, waiting impatiently until Mrs. Li scolded her countless times.

Mrs. Li was Sang Pingliang's second wife; his eldest daughter, Sang Rou, born from his former wife, was three years older than Sang Wan, but she wasn't yet betrothed. Mrs. Li excused that there were no suitable families, but they both knew what she was really scheming. Sang Rou was annoyed but powerless.

"They're here, they're here! Cousin and her husband, our big cousin are coming!" Finally seeing their radiant party approaching, with Liu Ya and two decently-dressed maids carrying bags and parcels, Sang Rou immediately felt joyful and hastily ran back inside to spread the news.

Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li both stood up quickly, instinctively straightening their clothes, checking each other for any improprieties. Mrs. Li stepped forward, forcefully press a finger against Sang Rou's forehead, spat at her and scolded, "What cousin, cousin's husband? You have no manners! They are Shi family's young master and his wife! What is your status? Dare you call them cousin, cousin's husband? Just look at your dumb appearance, unworthy of public appearance, now hide yourself back in your room and avoid embarrassing us any further!"

Sang Rou instinctively looked at her father with a hurt expression, then her eyes shifted to land on her half-sister, Sang Yan.

Sang Pingliang unconsciously followed his eldest daughter's gaze to his younger daughter. Sang Yan's hair was sleek and shiny, adorned with beautiful silk flowers and a silver hairpin with inlaid turquoise, wearing a water-red chrysanthemum-embroidered jacket, a pink new skirt, and narrow silver-blue new shoes embroidered with begonia petals, dressing more splendidly than during New Year. On the other hand, Sang Rou was in blue cloth clothes washed white, her old shoes stained with mud, her hair a mess simply tied up, shoulders hunched, looking unseemly by comparison.

"What are you doing! Didn't you know we were expecting important guests today?" Sang Pingliang frowned, glaring at Mrs. Li unhappily.

Mrs. Li secretly fumed inside, but shouted out loudly with grievance, "Oh my, master, what are you saying! Does Ayan lack anything? Just yesterday, I told them that important guests were coming today, asked them to dress nicely, wear their most presentable clothes to avoid embarrassing you, embarrassing our family! This damn girl just wouldn't listen to me, insisted on wearing this... What can I do! She's grown up, do I still need to dress her myself! You think everyone in Sang family can be as lucky as Awan!"

Speaking, Mrs. Li glared resentfully at Sang Rou.

Sang Pingliang upon thinking it over realized it was indeed true; his wife had truly instructed their daughters right in front of him last night without hiding it from Sang Rou.

This further infuriated Sang Pingliang, who reprimanded Sang Rou frowning, "You're such an adult yet so thoughtless! Are you deliberately dressed this way to shame your father? What are you standing there for, get back to your room now!"

Sang Rou clenched her fists, tears swirling in her eyes, unable to rebut her father, weakly agreed with a subdued reply, and turned to leave.

Sang Rou harbored deep resentment, as today early morning she had to chop wood, clean the pigsty, tidy the vegetable garden, and busy herself in the kitchen, with Mrs. Li never letting her rest for even a moment. She did have a new set of clothes, but how could she wear them while doing those chores? If they got dirty or damaged she would feel distressed, and then face Mrs. Li's scolding for being wasteful! If she complained again in front of her father, the chance of getting new clothes in the future would probably be slim!

As Sang Rou walked away, she heard Mrs. Li joyfully instructing her sister, Sang Yan, "Did you hear that? Later remember to serve tea to your cousin and her husband, remember etiquette, address them properly!"

Sang Rou clenched her teeth, her hatred growing.

"Are uncle and aunt at home?" During this, Sang Hong's voice came over.

"Yes, yes!" Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li quickly responded, smiling joyfully like flowers.

The couple hurriedly went to greet, and Mrs. Li suddenly pulled Sang Pingliang, raising her eyebrows and lowering her voice, "Why is Ahong here too?"

"So what if he's here!" Sang Pingliang replied impatiently.

Mrs. Li scoffed, discontentedly muttering, "Awan knows the way herself; what's he doing following here! What a waste of our good tea!"

"Womanly nonsense!" Sang Pingliang glared at her, "Come on, stop talking and let's go."

"Awan, nephew-in-law, haha! Please come in! We've been waiting for you! Haha!" Sang Pingliang repeatedly bowed, grinning ear to ear, warmly inviting while calling Awan and nephew-in-law, his eyes practically glued on Shi Fengju, and upon seeing the hefty gifts Liu Ya and the two daughters-in-law were carrying, his heart filled with joy; he didn't know how to flatter Shi Fengju enough.

Mrs. Li's eyes lit up too, and putting aside old grudges, she warmly held Sang Wan's hand, praising, "Our Awan is truly blessed, look at this stylish dressing, just like a wealthy family's daughter! Seeing you like this now, your aunt is also relieved! Good child, it wasn't in vain that your aunt adored you when you were young! Come, come, quickly come sit inside! Let's have a good long chat, your aunt has so much to tell you! Poor dear, your mother passed away early, other than your aunt, who else can have heart-to-heart talks with you!"