The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 494 - 461: A Scourge Lives a Thousand Years
It completely exceeded Wen Wan’s expectations when Song Qi proactively asked for a spot at Hongwen Academy. She looked at the young girl and gently reminded her, "Hongwen Academy is not as carefree and easygoing as you might imagine. The rules inside are strict, and the courses are demanding. Giving you a spot is not impossible, but you need to think it through; otherwise, there’s no need to go in and waste time."
Song Qi spoke earnestly, "It is precisely because I lack discipline that I need to go in and learn. With the way people talk about me outside, if I don’t have any real skills, wouldn’t that disgrace Third Uncle’s face?"
Second Lang’s wife was utterly confused as she listened, "What are people saying about you outside?"
Song Qi pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Wen Wan looked at her, "I’ll discuss this with your Third Uncle once he returns this evening. Your family is close to Hongwen Academy, so if it works out, you won’t have to take a carriage to and from school; a few extra steps will get you there." She paused, "There are not a few female students in Hongwen Academy. Once you’re there, don’t compare yourself with others. Temper your nature if needed, and besides that, you have to learn how to get along with people. Being a lone wolf is not necessarily a good thing."
Song Qi took note of everything, "Thank you, Auntie."
While they were talking, someone from the kitchen came to ask if they wanted to serve the meal now.
Wen Wan glanced at the little one in Second Lang’s wife’s arms smacking his lips, thinking he must be hungry already, and asked them to serve the meal immediately.
Jinbao was taken out by his grandfather to get medicine. Before leaving, he said he would have lunch outside and hasn’t returned yet.
The dining table was very quiet, with only the faint sound of chewing and the sound of porcelain spoons clinking against the bowls as they drank soup.
When the servants came in to clear the dishes, Second Lang’s wife remembered to ask, "Do your parents-in-law eat separately from you now?"
Wen Wan said no, "Father-in-law took Jinbao out to get medicine, and Mother-in-law caught a cold these past two days. She’s lying in bed and it’s inconvenient for her to join us."
"Then I should go see her."
Even though she was terribly afraid of her mother-in-law, Second Lang’s wife had to bite the bullet and say this because of her position.
Wen Wan did not prevent her and got up to take both mother and daughter to the next-door Rong’an Hall.
As soon as they entered, they heard a bout of coughing.
This cold came quickly and fiercely. The doctor prescribed strong medicine, and the smell of herbs lingered in the room for a long time.
Standing at the entrance to the room, Second Lang’s wife softly spoke to Wen Wan, "Having married into the Song family for sixteen years, it seems I’ve never seen Mother-in-law this sick."
In her memory, Granny Song had always been shrewd and strong-minded, skilled at work and unrivaled at scolding. No matter how meticulous she was, she was no match for her mother-in-law.
But now, the phlegmatic cough from inside unexpectedly brought about a feeling that everyone had aged.
Wen Wan said, "Mother-in-law is over fifty now; her body is not what it used to be, easily falling sick when it’s cold or hot."
Actually, most of it was due to ailments left from hard work during her younger years. Back in the hometown, where everything was manual labor, she exercised often and was fairly healthy. But after coming to the Capital to be the mistress, when everything is done by servants, she became idle and fell ill instead.
Wen Wan still remembered those years back in the hometown, even after it snowed, Mother-in-law would still wear thin clothing to work and never fell sick. In recent years, she’s become susceptible to cold every winter, needing to wear more layers than others. The fire basin indoors must be constantly maintained, and she doesn’t like going out, preferring to doze at the fire basin’s side.
Once again, a cough was heard from the inner room. Second Lang’s wife thought about how in just a few years she might also become like this, and her heart tightened sharply.
She reached out to stop Wen Wan, "Since Sister-in-law is pregnant, it might be better not to enter, lest you catch the illness. You can’t take medicine, and it’d be a problem then."
Saying this, she handed Song Duobao to her, "I’ll have to trouble you to help look after my son."
Wen Wan nodded. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
It was precisely because Mother-in-law wouldn’t let her come over that she didn’t stay there for nursing duties.
It’s not that she didn’t want to fulfill her filial duties, but that the child was more important.
Clearing her thoughts away, Wen Wan took hold of Song Duobao’s soft chubby hand. The little guy could already walk and did not resist being led by Auntie.
Not long after he was born, his parents decided to reform their ways due to some disaster, teaching him to be quiet and well-behaved.
Wen Wan looked at him and thought of her brother Yan Li, far away in Ningzhou. That little guy was also very quiet. Even back then on the painting boat, though he was seasick to the point of vomiting, he did not make a sound.
Taking the little one to sit at the table in the outer room, Wen Wan asked Yun Cai to bring some sweet soup from the kitchen for dessert.
After Second Lang’s wife took her daughter inside, she sent Yun Xia, who was attending to the illness, out.
Upon seeing the mistress, Yun Xia came over and made a salute.
Wen Wan, holding a spoon and feeding sweet soup to the child, asked Yun Xia, "Did the maid I asked Steward Xun to buy come?"
Yun Xia nodded, "She came. Earlier, when you and Second Madam were having lunch, I didn’t dare let her disturb you, so I asked Steward Xun to show her around to familiarize herself with the environment."
"The old lady’s illness is severe and there’s no time for them to adjust. Bring everyone over, I will select a few good ones to serve the old man and old lady with you from now on."
Yun Xia responded and went out, shortly after bringing in a few pretty young maids.
Wen Wan had no negative premonitions, thinking that this batch of little maids should be reliable, she inquired about each one’s situation and kept four in the end.
Thus, Rong’an Hall now had five maids.
Yun Xia glanced at Wen Wan’s lower abdomen and said softly, "The broker said this batch of maids were handpicked per your instructions. There are a few left; Madam, would you like to send them all to Qingteng Residence? In another six months, you’ll be due for childbirth, and with only Yun Cai in the house, it may not be enough."
If Yun Xia hadn’t mentioned it, Wen Wan almost forgot about this matter. When she had Jinbao, it was in the countryside, with both her mother-in-law and stepmother Mrs. Zhou taking care of her, plus there weren’t so many formalities in the countryside, so manpower didn’t feel lacking. Now, with her second child being born in the Capital, there naturally can’t be no one in the house.
She thought for a moment and nodded, letting the remaining maids be arranged to go to Qingteng Residence.
...
Inner room.
Granny Song had been lying on the bed for two or three days, the cold hadn’t improved, and she ate very little at each meal, her entire body weak beyond words, her brows and eyes no longer showed the usual sharpness and dominance.
"Mother, how are you feeling?" Second Lang’s wife kept Song Qi at a distance, sitting by the bedside herself, asking while reaching out to tuck the quilt corners for her mother-in-law.
Granny Song opened her eyes, crimson blood visible in her pupils.
"Why have you come?" Even sick, her attitude towards her daughter-in-law remained unchanged.
Second Lang’s wife didn’t mention Song Qi, firstly not wanting to add to the old lady’s troubles, and secondly, fearing more criticisms.
"Isn’t Mother sick? Your daughter-in-law brought Qi Qi to see you."
Granny Song snorted, "For the past sixteen years, I’ve not seen you really behave like a decent person for a day. Now that the old woman is sick, you’ve suddenly become energetic, rushing over from afar — are you waiting to see me make a fool of myself or are you plotting something again?"
Her lips cracked from the fever yet she wouldn’t change her habit of speaking ill as soon as she opened her mouth, Second Lang’s wife found it amusing, "Can still scold people, proves you’re alright. I heard from Third Brother’s wife, father went out to get medicine, once they’re back, I’ll decoct it for you."
"No need." Granny Song showed no kindness, "Third Lang’s family has enough people to serve me, if you decoct the medicine, I’m afraid I won’t live to drink it."
Second Lang’s wife wasn’t angry, "I will definitely decoct the medicine, whether or not to drink it depends on you."
Granny Song wanted to say more but was halted by the cough that surged to her lips.
Seeing her coughing until her neck turned red, Second Lang’s wife quickly poured warm water.
Granny Song took it, drank a mouthful, then handed it back to her.
Second Lang’s wife observed her mother-in-law and asked, "Has Fangniang visited?"
"I’m not dead yet, why should I bother notifying each household?" Granny Song did not want her youngest daughter to know she’s sick, "Her man isn’t mature, she inevitably has more worries, bringing two kids around, if I can avoid troubling her, I will. Wait till I really need to go into the coffin, then notify her, still in time."
Second Lang’s wife pursed her lips, "People often say troublemakers live a thousand years, Mother’s mouth has troubled countless people, your lifespan is long, why speak of life and death."
Granny Song: "Get out!"
"Alright then, rest well." Second Lang’s wife stood up, "I’ll see if father has returned."
"Get out immediately!"
With one more reprimand, Second Lang’s wife didn’t wait for Song Qi to call her grandmother, she took her out.
Seeing Second Madam come out, Yun Xia immediately went to the inner room.
Wen Wan just finished feeding Song Duobao sweet soup, turned her head to Second Lang’s wife, "What did you say to anger Mother-in-law?"
Second Lang’s wife spoke truthfully, "She keeps talking about death, I just told her, troublemakers live a thousand years, like her, her lifespan is long."
Wen Wan: "You really dared to say that, aren’t you afraid she’ll take it out on you first once she gets better?"
Second Lang’s wife seemed indifferent, "You also said, for her to take it out on me, she must get better first."
Saying this, Second Lang’s wife recalled not seeing Song Jiao when she went in, "Wasn’t Jiaojiao here before us? Why didn’t she come to see Grandma?"
Wen Wan said, "She just returned, looked unwell, I let her go to her room to rest first, planning to tell her when she wakes up."
Second Lang’s wife nodded, "Arrange a room for me too, I’ll stay here the next few days to tend to the sick."
