Chapter 32: Chapter 16 Aunt and Uncle's Scheme_2
Sang Wan and Shi Fengju had just left with a few servants, and Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li couldn't wait to rummage through and unwrap the gifts they had brought.
Seeing so many bright, heavy, soft and silky fabrics and gold jewelry, Mrs. Li's smile was so wide she could hardly close her mouth, touching this and pinching that, ceaselessly marveling in admiration.
"Look at this gold hairpin, it's even set with gemstones! Tsk tsk, such a style, such weight, it's the first of its kind in our village! It might even be better than the one the wife of Master Shen in the town has!" Mrs. Li happily stuck the gold hairpin into her hair bun. As she flipped through her hand, she passed the gift list to Sang Pingliang, "Dear, read it out loud! My eyes are dazzled!"
Sang Pingliang cleared his throat and began reading each item from the gift list, Mrs. Li's happiness grew with each item, and the corners of Sang Pingliang's mouth turned up even higher.
Upon hearing there were also 100 taels of fine silver, the couple's eyes bulged as they searched excitedly.
"Here, here! Ah, it's silver banknotes!" Mrs. Li found a red envelope, tearing it open, visibly trembling as she waved the silver banknotes in her hand.
"Give it to me!" Sang Pingliang's eyes lit up and he immediately reached out to snatch it, Mrs. Li instinctively withdrew her hand.
"Hand it over right now!" Sang Pingliang glared at Mrs. Li and scolded.
Although Mrs. Li was usually quite domineering, she dared not oppose her husband outright when he glared and set his face sternly; she reluctantly and unwillingly handed over the silver banknotes.
Sang Pingliang snatched them and shoved them into his chest, "I'll keep these lest you squander them all! And these gold pieces, don't touch them, I'll put them away later!"
"These are the jewelry my niece gave me!" Mrs. Li protested.
"Get some jewelry from the town if you want. Wearing this is too eye-catching, what if someone robs you? What niece, she is a girl from our Sang family, my niece! Hey, take off that hairpin now, are you really going to wear that to dinner? How shameful!" Sang Pingliang said unapologetically.
Mrs. Li felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, her joy cooling off immediately.
Her husband was famously stingy and guarded his wealth in all the villages around; nobody could take a penny from him! She couldn't even say for certain how much personal reserve he had. When he was not at home, she and her daughter had secretly searched more than once, turning over every nook and cranny, even under the bed, but still saw no hint of anything. These silver and gold jewelry were only for her to feast her eyes on; she definitely had no share!
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"Yes, your niece!" Mrs. Li scoffed sarcastically, "Can't tell whether it's just for appearance or if they truly regard you as their uncle! Such a load of gifts, and they sent over so little, here's just 100 taels, who knows, maybe there they give out a thousand taels! Hey, you are an elder too!"
While Sang Pingliang was busy matching the inventory with the gift list, his movements faltered upon hearing her, and an unjust feeling emerged in his heart.
Mrs. Li had a point, he also saw that large load of gifts with his own eyes, the portion they got was less than half of that! And the silver, perhaps there it was more than even a thousand taels!
The more Sang Pingliang thought about it, the more disgruntled he became, glaring fiercely at Mrs. Li he cursed: "Yet you have the face to say this? Weren't you the one who was mean and petty before? If you hadn't caused troubles, wouldn't they treat us well today? You've spoiled my reputation! They begrudgingly sent gifts, and you should be satisfied! Now, get out of my sight!"
Mrs. Li seethed but dared not directly retort against Sang Pingliang. Muttering under her breath, "No matter what, we are the elders, no argument can change that!"
Sang Pingliang grunted and fell silent, but his mind was already plotting: once they left, he would talk to Sang Hong to see how best to leverage more benefits, they couldn't end up at a loss like this!
Sang Pingliang went into the room to temporarily store the jewelry, and the couple then headed over to Sang Hong's house for dinner.
The dining table there was already set, with Mrs. Fang entertaining Sang Xiaoquan and Sang Xiaonuan in the courtyard, as the children customarily did not join the adult dining table.
Upon seeing Sang Pingliang and his wife enter, one resentful and the other listless, Mrs. Fang guessed the cause and greeted them with a smile, "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, here you are! Come inside please, we were just waiting for you!"
Normally, Mrs. Fang was indifferent to Sang Pingliang and his wife, never allowing them any advantages in her presence. Now seeing her suddenly full of smiles towards them, the couple exchanged looks with a clink in their hearts, guessing together: People sparkle when they're happy, and Mrs. Fang behaving thus must surely be because she received great gifts!
The couple felt even more dissatisfied, snorted displeasedly, and walked past Mrs. Fang into the house. Mrs. Fang pursed her lips and silently sneered.
"Second Uncle, Second Aunt, come in! Take a seat!" Sang Hong quickly got up to welcome them; Shi Fengju and Sang Wan also stood up. Sang Yan secretly sighed in relief; she really had no words to share with Sang Wan and felt uneasy sitting there.
"Ha-ha, please sit down, everyone! Didn't mean to keep my nephew-in-law waiting!" Sang Pingliang smiled ingratiatingly towards Shi Fengju.
Once seated, they saw the table neatly arranged with dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat, and even a pot of fine wine was heated. Sang Pingliang and Mrs. Li's smiles finally felt genuinely happy to a degree.
During the meal, Sang Pingliang was boisterously hospitable, continually addressing Shi Fengju, who was visibly distressed and felt awkward. After fidgeting with his chopsticks hurriedly claiming he was full, he retired to the side to drink tea. As Shi Fengju left the table, Sang Pingliang and his wife no longer held back, feasting voraciously, almost eating themselves sick.
