Chapter 108 - 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.