Chapter 222: Relatives

As the weather was great, Liu Ya moved a stool out to do needlework and gossip with a few servants under the shade of flora in the garden. When she heard that someone was requesting to see her, she called the servant in as she continued with her needlework in her hands.

“Young Mistress has gone out with Old Mistress today. Do you want to make a trip here again later or should I tell them on your behalf?” Liu Ya lifted her head and cast a glance at the old woman. She was slightly astonished. The old woman was Auntie Zhang from the second gate.

Auntie Zhang hurriedly replied with a smile, “It cannot wait. Girl, I have to get an answer before I can go back! Girl, I was told that a married woman is here outside with a young missy. They claimed they are Young Mistress’ relatives. When they were asked how they were related to Young Mistress, the married woman wasn’t able to answer, but she said that Young Mistress will know when she sees her. What should I do…”

Now that Sang Wan had a firm footing as the young mistress of the household, nobody dared to neglect her matters. If it was in the past, the gatekeeper would have driven the mother and daughter out and their arrival would not be announced.

“Young Mistress’ relatives?” Liu Ya was stunned. It made more sense if the relatives were the Shi family’s since there were very few relatives from the Sang family who would pay a visit. Moreover, who would come to Qingzhou from very far away? However, both mother and daughter were certain that their Young Mistress would know when she saw them so she assumed they were not deceiving them.

“Why don’t you have a look? Or should I lead them in?” Auntie Zhang promptly asked with a smile.

“I’ll go and have a look!” Liu Ya said and she placed the needlework basket down. She got up and brushed her sleeves and jacket before she instructed a few words. Together with Auntie Zhang, they headed towards the second gate.

After they exited through the second gate and arrived at the outer courtyard, they saw a married woman, who was dressed in a red-embroidered clothing and an ivory skirt. She was waiting with a young missy, who was dressed in autumn-colored clothing. The married woman was looking in all directions and her face was filled with curiosity. On the other hand, the young missy looked rather anxious. She hung her head low and unconsciously played with her fingers.

“Liu Ya! You’re here!” When the gatekeeper saw Liu Ya, he promptly went forth and pointed to the mother and daughter. Before he could speak, that married woman rushed ahead and grabbed onto Liu Ya’s hands. She then exclaimed while beaming with joy, “Liu Ya, you’re finally here! We’ve waited a long time for you!”

Both the gatekeeper and Auntie Zhang were stupefied. Her attitude really gave them a scare. So she turned out to be the Young Mistress’ relative! However, how did a gentle and refined person like the Young Mistress have such an uncouth relative…

Not mentioning the two who were muttering to themselves, Liu Ya was extremely ashamed and she pulled her hands back with great strength before returning a vague reply, “Why are you here? Since you’re here already, come in and follow me!”

Liu Ya silently sighed. She did not expect Li Shi to bring Sang Yan to the Shi family’s doorstep. She could not help but wonder what they were up to.

Li Shi proudly glanced at the gatekeeper and Auntie Zhang at the side who were both still stupefied. She said with her chin raised high, “Why is there only you? Where’s Sang Wan? Why don’t I see her?”

When the gatekeeper and Auntie Zhang heard her call their Young Mistress by her name, they couldn’t help but lower their heads. Not only was this uncouth woman a relative of the Young Mistress, but she seemed quite close to her as well.

“Young Mistress accompanied Old Mistress to be a guest in another household. Hurry in and follow me! You can have a seat there, sip some tea, and have something to eat while you wait for Young Mistress to return!” Liu Ya smiled as she went ahead.

How she wished to stuff Liu Shi’s mouth full of food right now. Her Young Mistress was still in a fierce fight with her cousin-in-law, yet the Second Old Mistress Sang had to come and make trouble for her Young Mistress.

“Liu Ya, slow down. This is too tiring!” Li Shi was greatly discontented. She panted as she hurried to catch up with Liu Ya before pulling her to stop.

After noticing the surprise in the gatekeeper and Auntie Zhang’s eyes, Li Shi felt herself rise to a noble. She was the Second Aunt of the Shi family’s Young Mistress after all!

As a result, she did not care about Liu Ya.When they arrived at the second gate, Liu Ya slowed down her pace and said with a smile, “There’s still some distance left between here and where Our Young Mistress resides. Second Old Mistress, we should hurry so that you can take a rest.”

“Are we still very far away? This Shi household is really lavish! It’s just as huge as our entire village!” Li Shi couldn’t help but look all around her. She saw pavilions bright under the sunlight among the lofty and neat buildings, as well as the verdant and lush flora. They screamed of wealth and beauty. She looked around insatiably and couldn’t help but give praise. After a while, she blurted out, “Liu Ya, my legs are going to break walking such a long distance. Why isn’t there any sedan chair? They should have them in this big household, right? Call two sedan chairs here!”

“Mother!” Sang Yan felt greatly embarrassed and she pulled Li Shi’s sleeve lightly.

However, Li Shi wasn’t aware and went on to urge Liu Ya to call for two sedan chairs to where they were.

Li Shi couldn’t bear to part with the carriage fee. After the driver entered Qingzhou, he dropped them near the entrance. Li Shi had thought that since the Shi family was located within Qingzhou, she was sure she would arrive by asking around. Why waste the money for nothing? Who knew that even though she had managed to ask for directions. Qingzhou was extremely huge. Both their legs almost broke when walking from the city gate to the Shi household! She had originally braced herself with a breath but now that she had arrived at her destination, that breath was lost. How could she still hold up?

Liu Ya suddenly did not know whether to cry or laugh.

Call the sedan chairs? Second Old Mistress Sang sure had the guts to say that! Even her Young Mistress could not easily request for a sedan chair in the household since only her Old Mistress had the privilege to do so. On the other hand, Second Old Mistress Sang was impolite and ordered her around as she spoke.

Liu Ya couldn’t help but frown as discontentment grew in her.

Li Shi held on being the ‘Master’ so she did not care about Liu Ya, which made her unhappy. When she saw some rocks by the side, she placed her bottom down and kneaded her arms and legs before yelling, “I can’t walk any further! I’m so tired! Liu Ya, hurry and send the sedan chairs here!”

“Mother! What are you doing?” After Sang Yan took a step into the Shi household, she felt uncomfortable. When she witnessed her mother’s crude actions, her face ended up flushing red from embarrassment.

“You, stand at the side! You don’t have a say in this!” When Sang Yan did not go along with her, she glared at her angrily.

Liu Ya was in distress and she said bitterly, “Second Old Mistress, get up quickly! This isn’t somewhere you should be sitting. Only the servants will casually sit around like this! It’s not that I don’t want to call for the sedan chairs but there are rules within the household. Other than Old Mistress, even Young Mistress cannot easily call for a sedan chair on usual days! If you’re tired, we’ll walk there slowly! This isn’t a place to rest!”

“There’s such a rule?” Li Shi did not believe her.

“Why would I deceive you! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Young Mistress when she returns!” Liu Ya promptly replied.

“Mother, get up quickly! I’m sure we aren’t far!” Sang Yan hurriedly helped Li Shi up.

“Fine!” Li Shi finally stood up and dusted her bottom before mumbling, “A servant like you shouldn’t forget your roots after entering the city! Hmph, I will definitely ask Sang Wan later. If you dare deceive me, I will deal with you later!”

“Yes, yes. I won’t dare!” Liu Ya was relieved and hurriedly led the way with a smile. She could only hope that she would not meet anyone on their way as she hurriedly led them to Ning Garden1.

To her surprise, what she was most afraid turned into reality. Not long after they started walking again, they met Gu Fangzi with Lan Xiang.

Liu Ya’s expression changed drastically. She could only drop her hands and greet, “Miss Gu!”

Gu Fangzi was merely heading to the garden to take a stroll since she had nothing to do. Who knew that she would bump into Liu Ya?

She did not seem to care at first and wanted to walk away. However, she realized that there was a middle-aged married woman behind Liu Ya who was observing her from head to toe. In those eyes, she could see the familiar greed.

Gu Fangzi had good looks and was raised in the household ever since she was young. As a result, her manners were no different from a rich daughter. Right now, she was wearing a light yellow outer robe, decorated with pictures of branches, flowers, and leaves at the side. She also wore a silver-blue silk gown with a collar. Her delicate hair bun was dazzling with a beaded green jade and she was dressed in a refined and noble manner. Li Shi loved seeing those the most, so she couldn’t help but stare at her.

When Gu Fangzi realized, she smiled at her.

However, Lan Xiang could not take it anymore. Li Shi and Sang Yan were not well-dressed. There was not a single decent ornament in their hair. One was uncouth while the other was timid. She thought they were servants picked by Sang Wan from the country house to serve in the Shi household. Her expression immediately darkened and she scolded, “How dare you! Is Miss Gu for you to stare at? Hurry up and apologize to her!”

Liu Ya then returned to her senses and was silently angry at Li Shi’s short-sightedness. Who knew that Li Shi would put both of her hands on her hips and raise her chin before harshly telling Lan Xiang off, “You’re the impudent one! What guts you have as a servant! Do you know who I am? I’m the Second Aunt of your Young Mistress!”

Liu Ya felt a wave of dizziness and secretly glared at Li Shi. She was unwilling to address her in front of the gatekeeper and Auntie Zhang because she did not wish to let anybody know about the relationship between Sang Wan and her. Who knew that they would end up running into Gu Fangzi and her servant.

“What!” Lan Xiang opened her eyes wide in shock. Even though her astonishment in response wasn’t intentional, she was really shocked.

Gu Fangzi was also stunned, but she immediately chuckled as she hurriedly lifted her handkerchief to cover the smile on her face.

“What?” Li Shi was furious with Lan Xiang’s reaction and she snorted, “Ask Liu Ya if you don’t believe me! Why would I lie about it?”

Was there still any need to ask? It was already shown on Liu Ya’s face. She looked as if she did not know whether to cry or laugh from the embarrassment.

“So it’s Second Old Mistress Sang!” Gu Fangzi stepped forward with a smile and greeted Li Shi before saying, “This servant has been impolite. Please don’t mind her as it would only sully your status!”

For a flower like Gu Fangzi to greet her politely and speak affectionately to her, Li Shi immediately had a good impression of her and said with a smile, “You’re Miss Gu? Hehe, you’re too polite. You look just as beautiful as a deity! Anyway, it’s common to see an impolite servant, so why would I make a fuss over her?”

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