Chapter 19 Greed for More_2

Seemingly reminded of something, Mrs. Wang's face also darkened as she snorted, "I'd like to see who dares! This is the Shi family, it's not up to outsiders to comment! If anyone dares to overstep, I will make the decisions on your behalf!"

"How could that be! To trouble Auntie with such a trifle, I would be even more unfilial! After all, I'm not the legitimate Master of this house, it's no wonder people won't obey me! Auntie's words naturally carry weight, it's just that those unruly servants may obey in words but not in heart, and behind the scenes, they surely can't stop gossiping, I fear they might even start to slander Auntie!"

At this moment, Mrs. Wang seemed to have grasped the essence and, after pondering for a while, she slowly nodded, "You do have a point! If only you had entered this household earlier, none of this would have happened!"

"Auntie!" Gu Fangzi's face flushed with shyness as she lowered her head, eagerly interjecting, "I-I didn't mean that, really! I just didn't want people to gossip and cause unrest at home, I didn't expect it to come across that way! Now that Big Cousin Sister-in-law has just entered the family, if I were to——wouldn't it make her lose face? She would feel wronged later on!"

When Mrs. Wang heard Gu Fangzi articulate what she was about to say, she felt somewhat remorseful inside. Appreciating her understanding of the overall situation, she said subconsciously, "How would she be wronged? She is the legitimate wife of the household, who dares to wrong her? Unless she herself cannot stand firm! As for losing face, it's even more untrue; not to criticize, but which young master doesn't have a few concubines or maids? Before our Fengju got married, he didn't have any, which is already decent! We've given her plenty of respect out there!"

Gu Fangzi secretly rejoiced in her heart, but her face showed hesitation, "But... that would hardly be——"

"Enough, enough! I'll make the decision on this matter! You don't need to worry about it! When Fengju returns, I'll talk to him! You, just wait for the good news! Hehe!" Mrs. Wang glared at Gu Fangzi, and seeing that she was about to open her mouth to speak further, she intentionally frowned and said sternly, "What? Do you not want it?"

"Auntie!" Gu Fangzi instinctively stood up, stamped her foot shyly, "I won't talk to you anymore, I-I have things to do, I must get busy!"

"Go on, then!" Mrs. Wang laughed cheerfully, her laughter still ringing as Gu Fangzi had already turned and ran out.

Sang Wan, feeling heavy-hearted, returned to Ningyuan, puzzled and unable to make sense of why her mother-in-law was in such a hurry to speak to her like that.

She reflected carefully, and during the two to three days since she entered the household, she hadn't done anything remotely impolite or wrong. Logically, her mother-in-law shouldn't have embarrassed her like this.

What on earth had happened?

In the evening, Liu Ya, seizing an opportune moment when no one was around, discreetly informed Sang Wan of the news she had heard in the kitchen. Only then did Sang Wan learn that yesterday, after Shi Fengju accompanied her home, two maids in the house made a mistake and were punished by Gu Fangzi to kneel in the courtyard. The two maids felt aggrieved and complained behind her back that now the estate had a Big Madam, why should an outsider who merely stayed temporarily act so arrogantly? It's as if she didn't consider herself an outsider!

It just so happened that Gu Fangzi overheard these words and felt so wronged that she wept in her room. Somehow this matter reached Mrs. Wang's ears, who was furious. She immediately had the two maids receive twenty heavy spankings each and sent to the outer courtyard for hard labor, and then personally comforted Gu Fangzi.

No wonder! Sang Wan nodded silently to herself. No wonder her mother-in-law was in such a rush to talk to her; it turned out to be for the sake of supporting Gu Fangzi!

Sang Wan let out a soft sigh. In her past life, of course, the household was naturally managed by Gu Fangzi, which marked the true beginning of her nightmare! She did not expect that in this life, nothing would change! The outcome was still the same.

Sang Wan's heart grew colder. If it was only like this, it would be one thing, but knowing Gu Fangzi's character, she would probably not give up so easily. If Gu Fangzi entered the family now, how would Sang Wan manage her own position? She could only hope that Shi Fengju was a man who kept his promises—at this point, that was all she could hope for! Her influence was too insignificant to alter facts.

As Sang Wan expected, Gu Fangzi indeed led Mrs. Wang to make a decision, and that's what she presented to Shi Fengju.

"You and Fangzi grew up together; the entire household knows about the two of you, it is a matter of time. I see no issue with her entering the family now, what do you think?" Mrs. Wang said laughingly. Her casual tone revealed her confidence in the matter, especially since her son also liked this cousin!

After listening, Shi Fengju could only give a resigned, bitter smile, "Mother, right after I return, you're in a rush to have me over here just to talk about this?" What's the rush in such matters?

"What else would I be talking about?" Mrs. Wang was surprised not to get her son's elated and joyful agreement. She glared at him irritably, "Fangzi isn't getting any younger, you owe it to her to make things clear! I think Miss Wan is reasonable and understanding; she will agree! Fangzi can first enter as a concubine, and once she bears a son, she can be promoted to legitimate wife, allowed to wear the red dress, which should give Miss Wan enough face!"

"Mother, did you come up with this idea, or was it——Fangzi's idea?" Shi Fengju paused, but still asked.

"What's the difference?" Mrs. Wang frowned, "What? Are you unwilling? I'm not going to mince words, son, you cannot do such a heartless and merciless thing! Miss Wan is gentle and virtuous, and Fangzi is smart and capable. The two of them will surely get along harmoniously; that's your good fortune!"

"Mother, I have my own ideas about this; please, don't worry about it." Shi Fengju frowned. Just one year, merely one year's time. He could wait, and he believed she could too! He wanted to give the woman he loved a complete and grand wedding; what was wrong with that? Why settle for less now?

"Nonsense!" Mrs. Wang became angry, snorting coldly, "I don't worry? If I don't, who will! This isn't just about you; I can't stand to see that girl Fangzi aggrieved! You may bear it, but I can't!" Saying this, she recounted yesterday's incident to Shi Fengju in full, then continued, "You tell me, can we still wait?"