The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 542 - 509: Longevity Festival, Wanwan Enters the Palace (Part 2)

Chapter 542: Chapter 509: Longevity Festival, Wanwan Enters the Palace (Part 2)

Despite Song Yuanbao’s inner reluctance, Emperor Guangxi’s Longevity Festival arrived as scheduled at the end of July.

It is rumored that people born in July are unlucky.

Lucky or not, he is already an Emperor, and any comments are useless.

However, the more Song Yuanbao looked at Emperor Guangxi, the more he disliked him.

This year, Song Yuanbao didn’t want to attend the Longevity Festival, but Zhao Xi insisted he must be present, saying Mrs. Song would also come.

This Mrs. Song naturally refers to the fifth-rank Yiren, Wen Wan.

With just a month until her due date, Wen Wan’s movements were already very restricted, requiring assistance to move around. For safety’s sake, she initially shouldn’t attend the palace banquet, but Emperor Guangxi had spoken and wished to see his niece during the Longevity Festival.

The message was brought by Song Wei.

Upon hearing this, Wen Wan nodded without hesitation and agreed.

Song Wei said, "Wanwan, as you’re nearing your due date, if you don’t want to go, you can find an excuse to avoid it and visit the palace after the child is born."

Wen Wan caressed her abdomen, smiling with her brows arching, "It’s said the Imperial Palace is the most auspicious place, and it’s the Emperor’s Longevity Festival. If I go before giving birth, this child will definitely be blessed."

Song Wei abandoned the idea of persuading her and discussed with Mr. Cui to ensure a skilled driver would be arranged so there would be no jolting.

Mr. Cui had already received orders from the Emperor to ensure Mrs. Song’s safe arrival at the palace, so when Song Wei spoke, he readily agreed with a smile, promising everything would be arranged perfectly.

On the day of the Longevity Festival.

Early in the morning, Wen Wan was assisted by Yun Cai and Linglong to wash and dress.

The imperial decree attire of the fifth-rank Yiren was embroidered with cloud and Yuan Yang patterns, different from the attire of other ranks. The Three-Feather Crown on her head was slightly heavy and wobbled when Wen Wan stood up.

Yun Cai and Linglong were immediately frightened and turned pale.

Linglong supported her, saying, "Madam, if you feel really unwell, tell the master, we can just not go, the child is what’s important."

Wen Wan reached for the dressing table to steady herself, shaking her head, "This is a visit to the palace, not a stroll. Once agreed, how can I simply say no and not go?"

Most importantly, she didn’t have a bad feeling, indicating there shouldn’t be any surprises during this palace visit, just that it might be tiring.

Song Wei was already dressed, and as he came over, Linglong was just opening the curtain, with Yun Cai supporting Wen Wan out of the main room.

He took her from Yun Cai’s hands, telling the young maidservants to wait at home.

Servants weren’t allowed into the Imperial City; if they went, they’d be left outside, which Song Wei wanted to avoid.

The person who came to pick her up was the Chief Eunuch, Mr. Cui.

Beside the golden tassel horse carriage with the Treasure Top Canopy stood two teams of Imperial Guards, along with two nannies.

It was obvious that Emperor Guangxi had thoughtfully arranged everything, fearing any accidents happening to his niece during the journey and had prepared early.

With the Chief Eunuch sent to pick her up, along with the protection of the Imperial Guards and nannies from the palace to serve her, such treatment far exceeded what a fifth-rank Yiren would typically receive. But as Song Wei was favored by Emperor Guangxi, it was known throughout the Capital, and Mrs. Song receiving such favor wasn’t unexpected.

Wen Wan had this honor, and even Mr. Cui thought she benefited from Song Wei’s influence. Who would have imagined that Mrs. Song was actually Emperor Guangxi’s niece, the daughter of the Former Changping Princess?

Her swollen belly bulged the wide imperial decree attire, and Wen Wan walked with caution.

Seeing this, the two nannies hurried forward, first saluting, then helping Song Wei assist her onto the carriage.

The carriage was prepared with a Mountain and River Embroidery Pillow; Wen Wan had just sat down and hadn’t moved when Song Wei swiftly came up and placed the pillow for her to lean on comfortably beside her left hand.

Once Wen Wan was seated comfortably, Song Wei then removed the heavy Three-Feather Crown from her head.

Her head suddenly felt lighter by dozens of pounds, Wen Wan let out a long breath, feeling a bit embarrassed as she looked at him, "Am I troubling you?"

Song Wei replied, "You’ve been troubling me for so many years, a bit more doesn’t matter."

He always used a serious tone to say somewhat cheeky words.

Hearing him acknowledge her trouble, Wen Wan just smiled, her eyes turning moist.

Then she lifted her head, staring directly at him, "Mr. Song, do you remember how long we’ve been married?"

"Seven years." Song Wei answered without hesitation, almost blurting it out.

Seeing her lower her eyelids, her shoulders shaking with laughter, Song Wei couldn’t help but be curious, "What’s so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing." Wen Wan wasn’t sure what she was laughing at.

On one occasion at a flower viewing banquet, a woman commented that after seven years of marriage, couples often reach a point of mutual disdain.

Wen Wan just realized she’d been married for seven years and saw nothing but tenderness in Song Wei’s eyes instead of loathing, making her doubt the credibility of that woman’s words.

Perhaps it was because of this that she laughed.

Seeing her unable to stop, Song Wei gently pressed her shoulder, "Did I remember wrongly or is something on my face?"

Feeling the man’s breath approach, Wen Wan quickly calmed down, saying neither, and then felt discussing marital breakdowns seemed a bit inappropriate in front of him, especially silly, so she changed the subject, "I haven’t prepared any gifts, and I didn’t see you bring anything when leaving. What about the congratulatory gift?"

Song Wei rarely kept a secret, "You’ll know when we enter the palace."

Alright.

Though tantalizing, Wen Wan actually didn’t resist this feeling of expectation. Though what awaited might not be a surprise.

The driver was skilled, the ride was smooth, and Wen Wan didn’t feel any jolt or discomfort.

The carriage stopped outside the Imperial City Gate, with a sedan chair awaiting.

Song Wei personally helped her put the Three-Feather Crown back on, ensuring her appearance was proper before lifting the curtain to alight from the carriage.

The two nannies waited by the side, assisting Wen Wan off the carriage and into the sedan chair.

The banquet hour was still early, so Mr. Cui first led Song Wei and Wen Wan to Qianqing Palace.

Wen Wan stood outside the palace gate, gazing up at the towering palace walls and the noble and solemn plaque above the gate, not moving forward. She thought of the scene the first time she met her uncle.

It was just when Song Wei was taking a county exam, she sat on a stone block outside the county government awaiting him and ended up being taken to Songhe Building. Their purpose was Song Wei, but they were quite polite to her.

At that time, Wen Wan didn’t know they were the Emperor, or even her own uncle, only knowing it was a "Mr. Xiao" who didn’t lack money, and she felt a bit nervous in front of him.

"Wanwan, let’s go."

Song Wei’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

Wen Wan snapped out of it, smiled, and gradually stepped into the main gate of Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Guangxi was already seated in the main hall and when Mr. Cui reported that Mrs. Song had arrived, his eyes couldn’t help getting warm, his voice hoarse, "Announce!"