Rebirth: Contract Husband Falls in Love with Me
Chapter 80 - 40 Attempting to Hide Only Reveals More - Part 2

Chapter 80: Chapter 40 Attempting to Hide Only Reveals More - Part 2

Sang Wan’s heart skipped a beat; she initially did not want to accept it, but seeing his nervous face, her heart softened: Since it was given to her, why not accept it!

Sang Wan smiled as she took it, her fingers gently stroking the white, soft jade box, tilting her head with a smile yet not a smile, "Just by the way, huh!"

Shi Fengju nervously rubbed his hands and chuckled awkwardly, quickly saying, "It’s specially chosen, specially! The shopkeeper said it’s the latest cosmetic powder, what do you think?"

"The products from Minghua Hall are naturally good!" Sang Wan lightly lifted the lid, a faint fragrance of orchids wafting to her nose, elegant and lingering. The powder in the box was white as frost and smooth in texture. She dabbed a small amount, the size of a mung bean, on her palm and rubbed it until it melted, noticing the skin there became much more moisturized and lustrous, then she smiled and said, "Indeed, it is good stuff, thank you!"

However, she noticed Shi Fengju staring blankly at her hands, which made Sang Wan’s face heat up, and she put down her hand and coughed loudly.

Shi Fengju snapped out of it with an "Ah!" and rubbed his chin with a smile, "Ah, you like it, that’s great! Let’s eat, let’s eat!"

Those slender, sleek hands, and her skin as white as jelly, unconsciously reminded him of her similarly jelly-like snowy neck and collarbone that he saw last night, and he couldn’t help but stare dazedly.

Sang Wan, too, felt somewhat embarrassed by his gaze, but being on visiting grounds, she was much more rational than him, she smiled, stored the jade box away, and ordered the maids to bring up the meals, then suddenly asked him, "Why did you suddenly think of giving me something out of nowhere?"

Shi Fengju blurted out, "Last night, I was impulsive, wasn’t I apologizing!"

Now that it was asked! Sang Wan’s face turned red and she turned her face away, "I’ll go set up the meal!"

Watching her flee to the dining room, Shi Fengju was startled for a moment, then shook his head with a chuckle, collecting his emotions and slowly walked towards the dining room, feeling inexplicably delighted.

In the blink of an eye, it was almost the Dragon Boat Festival, Mrs. Wang suddenly summoned Sang Wan over.

Sang Wan tightened up inside, busily tidying up her makeup, and took Mrs. Li and Liu Ya with her.

Her mind unavoidably thought of the chaotic scene when her brother and sister-in-law visited in her past life, causing Sang Wan’s long set heart to stir anxiously again.

Hopefully, everything will not be the same!

The preparations needed for the festival and the gifts to be prepared for dealings with relatives were managed by Gu Fangzi, Sang Wan didn’t ask, nor did Mrs. Wang say anything.

Mrs. Wang only asked a servant to bring over a gift list for Sang Wan to review and approve, to send back to her natal family as a return gift. In Qingzhou culture, on a married woman’s first festival, her family visits, and the husband’s family must also prepare a return gift according to tradition.

Sang Wan saw the items listed: two jars of realgar wine, two jars of Calamus wine, four boxes of sticky rice dumplings, two tails of large carp, a pair of live chickens, a pair of live ducks and geese each, ten pounds of pork belly, two cans of tea leaves, a pair of treasure vases, two sets of purses, two pieces of brocade, and a necklace for each child.

According to Qingzhou customs, only these preparations were necessary, and it was likely that the Sang family had prepared similarly. However, at the end of the gift list, an additional item of 100 taels of silver in white silver was added.

Sang Wan’s expression changed slightly, she stared silently.

Mrs. Wang initially didn’t notice, upon seeing her expression, she chuckled, "Oh yes, your brother and sister-in-law also have it tough, the household conditions aren’t too good, I specifically had people add two hundred silver banknotes to it! If you think it’s not enough, you can add more!"

Mrs. Wang spoke casually and didn’t regard it as a big deal, Sang Wan barely managed to hold back her emotions.

At this moment, Sang Wan could confirm, this definitely wasn’t Mrs. Wang’s own idea, definitely influenced by something Gu Fangzi said. To Mrs. Wang, it was a kind gesture, but according to tradition and customs, it clearly came off as an insult.

The more lavish and grand the return gifts, the more respect shown towards the woman’s natal family; this time, however, it was different.

Sang Wan knew her brother and sister-in-law’s temperaments very well; her brother would only feel guilty and sad, feeling he had let her down, but her sister-in-law would definitely be furious, thinking that the Shi family looked down on people and intended to humiliate the Sang family!

Sang Wan was about to speak when only to hear Gu Fangzi laugh and say, "Big cousin, don’t be shy, we are all family, no need to be strangers! This, too, is just a little token of affection from your aunt! See, your aunt really esteems her big cousin!"

"Haha, Fangzi is right, we are all relatives!" Mrs. Wang also laughed and said to Sang Wan, "Your brother and sister-in-law also have it tough, when they come, make sure to spend good time with them, chat with them! Oh right, ask Fengju to join too."

Sang Wan was inwardly annoyed, reluctantly managed a polite smile, but was still careful with her words, "Mother, your kindness is appreciated on behalf of my brother and sister-in-law! However, as you said, we are relatives, family members, truly no need for such formalities. My brother and sister-in-law would feel uncomfortable. I think perhaps—"

"What are you saying, big cousin!" Gu Fangzi laughed, "It’s already said that it’s just a piece of kindness from your aunt, just gratefully accept the elder’s intentions, there is no reason to feel uncomfortable! Big cousin wouldn’t think that your aunt is offering charity or humiliating uncle and aunt, right? If big cousin thinks so, wouldn’t your aunt’s efforts be wasted!"

Seeing that Mrs. Wang’s expression indeed changed slightly, Sang Wan quickly stood up, hands drooping, "Miss Wan wouldn’t dare! Miss Wan absolutely doesn’t think so! Mother, Miss Wan just feels that the gift is too generous..."

Mrs. Li now understood and chuckled beside, "The servant has something to say, though I’m not sure if it’s proper to speak!"

Mrs. Wang wouldn’t dismiss Mrs. Li, she said, "Old sister, speak your mind!"

Mrs. Li then laughed, "Miss, pardon the servant’s rudeness, but this time, it’s actually you who are mistaken!"

"Oh? How am I mistaken?" Mrs. Wang was puzzled.

"How are you not?" Mrs. Li laughed, "Relations go both ways, just follow the rules and customs, you indeed have good intentions, but outsiders might say that the Shi family is showing off wealth and looking down on relatives!"

Mrs. Wang was stunned, then immediately understood, and burst out laughing, "Indeed, I was wrong! Let’s remove it then! Miss Wan, I didn’t think it through thoroughly, don’t blame me!"