The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 543 - 510: What a Good Child! (First Update)
When Zhao Xi was eight years old, he was the only prince in the palace. Emperor Guangxi once had a bad dream, dreaming that this son would also leave him early, just like the previous children who died in the womb.
Emperor Guangxi was a bit flustered. In his panic, he went south in disguise during the opening county exams in spring, intending to choose a suitable assistant minister to carefully nurture, and upon his return, he planned to crown him the Crown Prince, hoping to bind his life with endless wealth and honor.
Meeting Song Wei and his wife was unexpected.
Back then, Miss Song, Wen Wan, because she couldn’t speak, felt somewhat reclusive and didn’t like interacting with strangers. Aside from Song Wei, she habitually lowered her head in front of anyone.
Emperor Guangxi first saw her at a restaurant in Pingjiang County.
The young lady feared he would poison her, remaining unmoved by a table full of delicacies, sitting to the side with her slender pale fingers tightly clenched. No matter how he reassured her, she couldn’t respond with a word.
Emperor Guangxi’s initial aim was Song Wei, having Chu Feng bring Wen Wan merely as a way to force Song Wei to show up. He paid little attention to Wen Wan, never imagining she was the daughter born by Fanghua while fleeing.
He had countless regrets regarding Fanghua.
The sacrifices his stepmother made through his sister to secure his rule were well understood, yet sometimes, even as the Emperor, he was not entirely master of his fate.
The only thing he could do was compensate afterwards.
While lost in thought, the sound of light footsteps came from outside.
Emperor Guangxi looked up and saw Song Wei and his wife following behind Mr. Cui. His gaze immediately fell on Wen Wan.
The young woman wore a red robe embroidered with cloud and phoenix patterns, the wide sleeves gently draping over her pronounced belly. She walked slowly, the gold phoenix beads at either side of her Three-Feather Crown swung rhythmically, and the golden glow of the hall highlighted her fair skin with a lustrous aura. Her eyes, framed by a delicate face, were bright and clear.
She was very beautiful but lacked the sharp, intimidating aura that Fanghua possessed. Her gentle and timid demeanor exuded affability, prompting Emperor Guangxi to softly sigh, "What a good child!"
In a daze, Wen Wan had already approached, about to bow gracefully.
Emperor Guangxi quickly said, "You’re heavy with child, there’s no need for formalities."
Wen Wan lowered her eyes, "Thank you, Emperor."
Not hearing the long-anticipated "Uncle," Emperor Guangxi felt a tinge of disappointment and signaled to Mr. Cui, "Cui Fuquan, offer them a seat."
Cui Fuquan hastily added a soft ten-fragrance cushion on a purple sandalwood Taishi Chair beside them, assisting Wen Wan to sit.
Song Wei watched her sit securely before leisurely taking a seat next to her.
Emperor Guangxi dismissed all the servants, stared at Wen Wan for a moment, and laughed softly, "To my shame, I didn’t recognize you back then."
Wen Wan thought that even if Emperor Guangxi had clearly seen her appearance back then, he couldn’t have immediately known she was the Eldest Princess’s daughter.
In this world, there are people who resemble each other. One is a favored lady of the heavens, the other an illiterate mute girl from the countryside. Who would connect them?
With a gentle smile, Wen Wan said, "I couldn’t speak at that time, had no verbal interaction with you, so it’s only natural you didn’t recognize me."
This prompted Emperor Guangxi to recall that he had never heard her voice back in Ningzhou, and he quickly asked, "Can you speak freely now?"
Wen Wan nodded, "The doctor said it has been completely healed, and the previous condition won’t occur any longer."
Emperor Guangxi sighed, "Don’t blame your mother for leaving you in the countryside, it’s all my fault, I failed her, and that’s why she fell to such a fate."
These words didn’t stir much emotion in Wen Wan.
In life, one tends to get used to many things, even a lack of motherly love.
Somewhere along the line, Wen Wan became accustomed to her biological mother’s "non-existence," so when they frankly acknowledged each other on the painted boat, she was calm.
She calmly accepted the fact of her unseen identity.
She calmly accepted the reality of her presumed father becoming her adoptive father.
She didn’t deny that deep down, she once longed for her mother’s love, but by the time she reunited with her mother, she was already a mother herself, and maternal love was no longer her entire life; she also had a husband and son.
Did she ever resent it?
Wen Wan thought, if there was resentment, it was at the moment her biological mother revealed the truth, she just didn’t know whom to resent.
Wen Wan wasn’t a pessimist; she wasn’t one for whining or enduring the changing seasons melancholically. So, what was past was past, there was no need to be constantly entangled in unresolved cycles like "Why did my biological mother give birth to me?" "Why was I left in the countryside?" "Why was I ignored for so long?"
Whether right or wrong, her biological mother merely unfolded a story, laying the truth of the past before her. Other than that, her mother didn’t force her to reclaim the Lu family name, didn’t demand she divorce Song Wei to follow them, didn’t require her to call them parents, nor did she interfere with her life under the guise of love to prove her parental status.
They chose not to disturb, so she had to have her own stance.
Looking up, Wen Wan smiled and said, "Nowadays, the only one who can’t let go is probably the Emperor Uncle, right?"
The way she called "Emperor Uncle" was so sweet and soft that Emperor Guangxi was stunned for a while before slowly smiling, with a pampering tone he never had even for Zhao Nuo, "Little girl."
Wen Wan’s face turned red, "Hmm?"
Emperor Guangxi said, "You really are a good child."
Beautiful and so understanding, the Zhao family bloodline is indeed strong!
Emperor Guangxi actually felt a little touched.
Just as his eyes started to redden and he was about to get emotional, he heard a eunuch outside reporting that the Imperial Concubine requested an audience.
Emperor Guangxi’s old face fell, and the corners of his mouth noticeably turned down.
Wen Wan was contemplating whether she and her husband should avoid the situation, when she heard Emperor Guangxi say, "Let her in."
The little eunuch who delivered the message withdrew, and shortly after, the light jingling of ornaments was heard from outside, followed by Princess Consort Qi, dressed in a palace gown embroidered with golden threads and a jade rabbit, slowly approaching, pausing momentarily upon seeing the Song Wei couple.
Emperor Guangxi lazily explained, "That is Mrs. Song, of the Minister Song’s family, Mrs. Wen."
Mentioning that surname, Emperor Guangxi felt as if a knife stabbed into his heart, and his temple throbbed uncontrollably.
Princess Consort Qi raised an eyebrow.
Wen Wan dared not neglect courtesy, standing up to salute her.
Seeing Wen Wan’s difficulty in moving, Princess Consort Qi guessed a bit, "Judging by Mrs. Song’s appearance, it’s quite a late term, isn’t it?"
Wen Wan nodded, "In response to the Imperial Concubine, there’s only a little over a month left until the due date."
"There will be many people at the feast later, make sure you take care, don’t get bumped or anything," Princess Consort Qi advised.
Wen Wan politely thanked her.
Emperor Guangxi asked her, "Why did you come?"
Princess Consort Qi got back to the main topic, looking at Emperor Guangxi, "Emperor, the auspicious time for the feast is approaching, I’ve come to invite you to move to the Qingliang Palace."
Emperor Guangxi waved his hand, "I know, you may leave first."
For some reason, Princess Consort Qi felt that the Emperor seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today, with a rare hint of a smile on his usually tense old face.
After Princess Consort Qi withdrew, Emperor Guangxi told Song Wei, "You accompany Wanwan and go over first, I will come shortly." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Hearing him so casually call her "Wanwan," Wen Wan silently smiled and, together with Song Wei, headed towards the Qingliang Palace where the feast was held.
It’s now late July, and the autumn tiger prevails; the sun rises higher, making it almost unbearably hot outside.
Song Wei somehow pulled out a silk fan and handed it to her.
Wen Wan slowly fanned herself, yawning a bit sleepily.
Today’s birthday star is Emperor Guangxi, and there were quite a few titled ladies entering the palace with their husbands, just like Wen Wan. She has tried her best to minimize her presence, yet her face still caused quite a stir.
As soon as they entered the Qingliang Palace, they heard people inside talking in small groups, vaguely catching words like "Former Changping Princess."
To this, Wen Wan responded with a smile.
It’s not the first or second time she’s been told she resembles the former Princess, besides, being mother and daughter, it’s natural to look alike. It doesn’t cost a piece of flesh, as long as they don’t resort to insinuations and personal attacks, Wen Wan can tolerate it.
The Qingliang Palace is built on water, with a fan wheel inside, the water turning the fan wheel, cooling the entire hall.
Led by a little palace maid to her seat, Wen Wan put down the silk fan and reached out to rub her calf.
Knowing she was uncomfortable, Song Wei bent down, ready to massage her.
Wen Wan blushed and quickly pulled back her leg, softly saying, "There are so many people, Mr. Song, please maintain your image."
