Chapter 108 - 54: Returning with Fulfillment_2

Words : 1186 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 108: Chapter 54: Returning with Fulfillment_2 Although Sang Wan has never seen Western perfume in her two lifetimes, she had read about it in a recent notebook novel. It was a joke about someone who, unfamiliar with the goods, got a bottle of Western perfume and tried to pour some out from the small hole to smell it. However, he did not know that the construction of the Western perfume bottle was exquisitely clever, appearing to have a hole but actually, the perfume could not be poured out. Instead, it would spray out evenly like mist when the cap was pressed cleverly. The man tried hard to pour it out for a long time but failed, and became the butt of the joke. Obviously, Mrs. Zhuang wanted to make a joke out of her too. Being cautious by nature, Sang Wan, even if uncertain, would not attempt to try something in front of outsiders, let alone in front of Mrs. Zhuang. Hearing this, she smiled and said: "How could such a clever thing not be wonderful? Madam is teasing! Miss Wan likes it very much, thank you for your generous gift!" After speaking, she did not wait for Mrs. Zhuang to say more. She tucked the perfume bottle into her sleeve and sat back down beside Mrs. Wang, properly and politely. Mrs. Zhuang, left with no choice but to make polite remarks, let it go. Mrs. Wang’s anxiety was finally relieved. Speaking of which, when Shi Fengju had also received a bottle to honor her, she and Mrs. Jiang, Xiuli, Xiuchun, and others had made a fool of themselves; although they could see perfume inside and a small hole on the outside, they could not pour it out. Eventually, it was Xiuli who somehow pressed the right spot and sprayed Xiuchun all over, scaring her into a scream, and their laughter rose together! All of Sang family’s assets could hardly buy such an expensive item. How could Sang Wan have ever seen it? If she really had done what Mrs. Zhuang suggested, it would have turned into a big joke! Just then, a messenger from Yuhua Pavilion arrived to report that the play was ready, and Mrs. Zhuang shook off her mood, smiling as she invited everyone over. Whether intentionally or not, Mrs. Wang and Sang Wan found themselves surrounded by more people, as the ladies from various families took the initiative to speak kindly to Sang Wan, obviously accepting her as the lead lady of the Shi family. She was thoughtful and educated; even if Gu Fangzi was competent, she surely couldn’t surpass Sang Wan. Mrs. Wang might not handle family matters and indeed cherished her niece, but she was not foolish, otherwise, she would not have insisted on this marriage arrangement! Clearly, she would not allow the demeaning of a wife for a concubine. In other words, Sang Wan’s status in the Shi family was now firmly secured, unshakable! It would be too light a gesture to merely add luster to her position when she was fully established. Instead, building a relationship with the future matriarch of the Shi family while she was still finding her footing was the wise move. Once they entered Yuhua Pavilion, everyone took their seats amid polite deference, and several ladies chose the plays. The actors started singing and acting, with water sleeves lightly flowing, and the atmosphere once again improved. It was not until nearly sunset that the ladies left, fully satisfied, taking their leave one after another. Mrs. Zhuang saw them off with a smile, though her smile seemed somewhat forced. On the carriage ride back, Mrs. Wang finally laughed heartily, unable to contain her joy at Mrs. Zhuang’s deflated demeanor. "Our Miss Wan must be exhausted from today!" Mrs. Wang said with a beaming smile, looking more and more satisfied with Sang Wan, and generously added: "Rest well these next few days. You don’t need to come over for greetings! Order whatever you want from the kitchen, and if you want to buy something, ask the housekeeper to get it for you! Our family may not say much, but we’re certainly not short of money!" Sang Wan knew her mother-in-law always spoke this way, so she quickly thanked her and agreed with a smile. Unexpectedly, that evening before bed, Mrs. Jiang came by, catching Sang Wan off guard as she did not expect anyone at that time. She quickly used a jade hairpin to tidy up her hair, threw on an autumn-fragranced robe, and went out to meet her. Ever since returning from the Zhuang family, Mrs. Wang had been ceaselessly singing Sang Wan’s praises. Mrs. Jiang, astute as ever, sensed that the leading lady had indeed impressed the great lady today. Seeing Sang Wan coming to greet her, she quickly smiled and said: "My lady, please go inside, lest the night breeze gives you a cold. Your servant here surely does not deserve such honor from you!" Courtesies are pleasant to hear for comfort, but should not be taken too seriously. Sang Wan smiled, ordered a stool to be brought for Mrs. Jiang to sit, and Hong Ye, ever clever, served tea early. Mrs. Jiang was neither in a hurry to sit nor to take the tea, instead, she smiled and brought a-foot-long box forward, humorously saying: "The great lady sent your servant especially to deliver this to nourish my lady’s body, and she specifically mentioned that this top-quality blood bird’s nest is extremely nourishing. She instructed my lady to have the maids prepare a bowl with a silver pot every evening and eat it before bed!" Sang Wan promptly took it with her own hands and handed it to Mrs. Li who was beside her, and gratefully smiled: "It troubles mother to worry about such small matters, making me quite uneasy! It’s getting late today, I will visit her tomorrow to express my thanks!" Mrs. Jiang laughed: "No wonder the great lady said my lady understands proprieties and manners, one in a thousand! The great lady said you should just accept it, no need to come over to thank her. She considers you like her own daughter, and you don’t always have to be so polite! The great lady said, knowing you have this sentiment is enough!" Sang Wan could only smile and duly agreed, then invited Mrs. Jiang to sit down for tea. Expecting that it was late and Mrs. Jiang would take the hint to leave, she was surprised when Mrs. Jiang, after expressing thanks, indeed sat down. While sipping tea, she talked a lot with Sang Wan, continuously praising how wonderful Sang Wan was and how much the great lady valued and cherished her, forcing Sang Wan to respond with polite smiles. After finally sending off the ever-smiling Mrs. Jiang, Sang Wan returned to her room to rest, with Liu Ya bedding down beside her bed. "Madam, Mrs. Jiang sure had a lot to say tonight!" Typically, before sleeping, the master and servant would chat casually, and Liu Ya started to prattle: "She usually doesn’t talk that much!"

Chapter 108 - 54: Returning with Fulfillment_2

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