"Miss Wan, I—" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Don’t say it!" Sang Wan softly raised her hand to cover his mouth and whispered, "You don’t need to feel guilty towards me. I know you were sincere when you promised me, but who could have foreseen what the future held? I truly don’t blame you for breaking your word. With Mother stating things so clearly and publicly, if you were to refuse now, not only would it be difficult for you, it would be hard for me as well; causing unrest in the family over this is not wise. Let’s just drop it! I only have one request, she must not manage the household affairs, otherwise, I’d rather live my whole life in this manor."

"I didn’t want to talk to you about that!" Shi Fengju said with a chuckle, seizing her slightly cold hand and gently kissing it. "Miss Wan, don’t worry about this matter. This has nothing to do with you; it’s my own business! Whatever decision I make, it has nothing to do with you, do you understand?"

Sang Wan shook her head, and with a wry smile said, "Fengju, you’re oversimplifying things! Mother won’t see it this way, and neither will she! With their motherly bond, how can we disregard Mother’s will for our own interests?"

This remark struck a chord with Shi Fengju. Indeed, the proverb ’throwing a rat to spare the bottles’ fit well here. If it were not for his unwillingness to hurt his mother’s feelings, why would he endure such a plight? And Gu Fangzi certainly wouldn’t dare to be so presumptuous.

"Miss Wan, your understanding is enough for me. Just take good care of yourself, and bear me a son as soon as possible—that’s better than anything else! Stop thinking about these worries, alright?"

Sang Wan was silent, her heart filled with an indistinct sense of loss.

"Rest well tonight, and tomorrow morning we will go to Hangzhou together! Hangzhou is picturesque; we’ll take our time and enjoy the scenery along the way, letting nothing irrelevant disturb our peace of mind," Shi Fengju added with a sudden smile.

"To Hangzhou?" Sang Wan was startled, lifting her head from his embrace in confusion.

Shi Fengju laughed and said, "Yes, the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce is about to start soon. I’ve arranged for the shopkeepers and clerks to go ahead and prepare. By the time we arrive, everything should be just about ready! These past few days I’ve been busy with these arrangements, which is why I couldn’t visit you sooner. Otherwise, how could I bear to leave you alone and upset?"

Sang Wan felt an indescribable emotion upon hearing his last words, yet she still insisted, "I came here to clear my mind, not because I was upset!"

"Yes, yes, of course—you weren’t upset, it was me. Will that suffice?" Shi Fengju said with a laugh. "Everything is arranged; just trust me and follow me on the road tomorrow! Miss Wan, are you afraid it will be tough on the journey?"

Tough on the journey? No matter how tough the road is, it’s surely better than staying at the residence where every day you must be cautious and on guard. Such a life is the true hardship, wearing on both body and soul!

"I’m not afraid!" Sang Wan gently shook her head.

"Good, then," Shi Fengju smiled. "From now on, whenever I travel, I will bring you along with me; does that sound good? The Shi family’s business spans across the country. We could visit different places, and before you know it, half the year will have passed."

Sang Wan paused for a moment, then understood Shi Fengju’s intentions. Mrs. Wang’s words were something he couldn’t openly refute, but he intended to counteract them this way: by taking her with him, he could have it as he wished, naturally outside anyone’s control.

"Fengju..." Sang Wan’s gaze took on a complicated expression.

Feeling reassured in his heart, Shi Fengju knew that she would understand him without having to spell it out.

"One day, Mother will understand my intentions. She will not truly want to make things difficult for me," Shi Fengju whispered tenderly into her ear as he hugged her, "Miss Wan, I just want to spend my entire life with you."

Moved, Sang Wan instinctively raised her arms to encircle his waist and buried herself in his embrace, saying nothing.

Encouraged, Shi Fengju felt a surge of joy, the familiar soft and fragrant touch returning. He held her face gently and leaned down to press his lips against her delicate ones, their kiss deep and lingering.

The two seemed to have set aside any past grievances, brightening each other’s spirits. After a leisurely walk in the woods, they returned to the manor where Shi Fengju instructed the maid Liu Ya to pack the things they would need to take. Elated at the prospect of accompanying the young master and his lady to Hangzhou the next day, Liu Ya cheerfully began packing.

After dinner, without much delay, Shi Fengju drew Sang Wan to bathe and prepare for bed. Having been apart for days, their time in the hibiscus-draped bed was filled with passionate, intense love, followed by them falling asleep in each other’s arms.

Not in a rush, Shi Fengju didn’t seek to hasten their journey. The official road was smooth, the shade of trees dense, and the carriage spacious and stable. They proceeded at their own pace, pausing along the way, and arrived in Hangzhou on the 20th of June.

By then, Hangzhou City was bustling with merchants from all directions. The Shi family owned a residence near West Lake, at the foot of Pagoda Mountain, which had been cleaned and readied. Shi Fengju ordered directly for the carriage to take them there.

"Miss Wan, take a good rest these next few days. If you feel cooped up, just step outside and West Lake is there. You can take a stroll with the maids; it should be pleasant! Once I’m through with this busy period, I shall accompany you for a proper visit," Shi Fengju said after they settled in, smiling as he supported her shoulders.

The absence of vexing matters had made their journey together very pleasant. Sang Wan’s mood had improved significantly as well. She smiled and nodded at his words, replying softly, "You can go ahead with your business, don’t worry about me! If you have dinner engagements, don’t drink too much, and come back early in the evening!"

"Don’t worry, if I won’t be back for dinner, I’ll have someone inform you! And if I come back late, don’t wait up for me; get some rest early!" Shi Fengju reassured her with a smile and a kiss.

With a soft "mm" in agreement, Sang Wan spoke with a slight teasing tone, "Jiangnan is known for its many graceful and refined beauties. My husband, don’t be dazzled and forget your way home!"

Hearing this, Shi Fengju burst into laughter, pinching her cheek playfully as he said, "Alright, I wouldn’t dare provoke you. You would be cold and distant, making me miserable. Although Jiangnan has its share of beauties, to me, they are merely a part of the scenery. All I think about is hurrying home to be with my wife."

Sang Wan chuckled, feeling a bit shy.

She was slightly annoyed with herself; was she showing jealousy? She wondered why those words had slipped out without thinking!