The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 576 - 543: Sowing Discord (Part 2)

There were numerous guests at the Song family today, and as soon as Song Wei stood for a moment, he was called away by someone.

Tang Yuan stood in place, his face flushed red one moment and pale the next.

Tang Yong tightly clutched his sleeve.

Tang Yuan came to his senses, looked at Xu Jia beside him, and asked her, "Did you already know from the start that the improved mechanical beasts would be mass-produced?"

The look in his eyes seemed to suggest that as soon as she said "yes," he would immediately turn against her.

Focused entirely on his widowed sister-in-law, paying no heed to court affairs, now humiliated in front of others, yet still thinking of venting his frustration on his wife? Xu Jia didn’t mind adding fuel to the fire, "Earlier, I deliberately led you to question Mr. Song."

Recalling Song Wei’s expression just now, Tang Yuan’s suppressed anger instantly flared up again, and any goodwill he had developed towards Xu Jia during the carriage ride vanished. He said with a dark face, "Xu Family, you have disappointed me greatly!"

Xu Jia looked at him smilingly, "What effect does the Second Lord’s expectations and disappointments have on me?"

"You!"

Xu Jia spoke calmly, "I made you embarrass yourself in front of Song Sicheng alone earlier, but if you were to ask him at the banquet later why the improved mechanical beasts are not being promoted, it would be an embarrassment in front of half the court. I need not say which situation would be more humiliating for you, right?"

Just imagining the embarrassment in front of so many people made Tang Yuan’s face burn with shame, and he wished he could find a hole to crawl into immediately.

He raised his head again and saw his newlywed wife with a faint smile on her lips, her poised demeanor making her whole image vibrant and bright.

Ever since the day she entered the household, she seemed to always have this attitude towards him, neither warm nor cold, never ambiguous about tasks she should do, always avoiding those matters she shouldn’t handle.

Even though the old lady of the Xu Family had been buried for so long and he still slept in the study, she never showed sadness or complained about it.

To some extent, she would be a perfectly satisfactory virtuous wife and loving mother.

Though he couldn’t provide her with romance and the reality of being husband and wife, letting Yongyong grow up under her care might be a good choice; at the very least, she could diligently educate Yongyong well.

When he realized what he was thinking, Tang Yuan’s heart pounded violently.

If she was a virtuous wife and loving mother, what was Qingyu?

No, Qingyu was the wife he intended to spend his life with and couldn’t be replaced by anyone else.

Tang Yuan was so lost in thought that he didn’t pay attention to his footing and stumbled on the steps while exiting the corridor.

The noise was loud enough to draw considerable attention, and someone jokingly asked if he was drunk before the banquet even started, immediately causing burst of laughter.

After only just arriving at the Song Mansion, Tang Yuan had already embarrassed himself twice, once in front of Song Wei and again before the guests. His expression turned ugly, "Why didn’t Second Lady remind me?"

Xu Jia replied, "If the Second Lord had a stomachache, would he go scold the Kitchen God? If you tripped while walking on flat ground, it shows blindness, and the responsibility lies with the eyes, much like how you, being a Hanlin Official, took leave for marriage and forgot to pay attention to court affairs. Distracted, you should think about who to ask for accountability."

With implications in her words, Tang Yuan was taken aback, having to suspect if she knew something.

Xu Jia finished speaking, then laughed as she patted Tang Yong’s head, "Don’t you agree, little one? Remember to keep it a secret!"

After speaking, she put her slender finger to her lips, gesturing for silence.

Tang Yong looked at her with a bewildered expression.

Xu Jia laughed softly and walked away.

Tang Yuan’s face turned incredibly grim, glaring at Tang Yong, "What did you tell her?"

Tang Yong didn’t understand why his uncle was angry at him, feeling wronged and couldn’t hold back, breaking out into tears.

Once his matter with Qingyu got exposed, it would inevitably cause a disaster.

Tang Yuan dared not think further, so enraged, he raised his hand and slapped Tang Yong’s little face.

The child was only four years old and couldn’t withstand such force, failing to keep his footing, and with a bang, fell to the ground, his loud cries attracting disapproving and questioning looks from the guests again.

Afraid of making a scene, Tang Yuan quickly pulled his nephew up and hurried to a quiet area.

Behind the vermilion lacquered pillars of the corridor, someone had taken in the whole previous scene, with a rarely seen twitch on their exceptionally handsome face, asking, "Who was that person just now?"

"In response to Your Highness, it was the Second Lord of the Tang Family with his new wife from the Xu Family and nephew Tang Yong."

Such questioning was precisely exchanged between Crown Prince Zhao Xi and Eunuch Sanbao.

Originally, Zhao Xi attended the full moon banquet at the Song Mansion per Emperor Guangxi’s decree. However, having sent someone in advance to check it out, he learned that the Song family was bustling with guests today. Showing up as the Crown Prince could add prestige to the Song Mansion but would also put Song Wei in the spotlight.

Understanding the consequences of immense fame, Zhao Xi, being the Crown Prince, understood better than anyone, thus abandoning his regal entourage, he discreetly entered the Song Mansion in plain clothes, planning to just present the gift to Song Wei and leave. Unexpectedly, he witnessed the scene just now upon arrival.

Tang Yuan was this year’s newly appointed third-place scholar, now serving at the Hanlin Academy. Zhao Xi had seen him twice, known for his eloquence and orderly conduct.

That woman could silence him effectively and even managed to strain relations between uncle and nephew with a single sentence, certainly proving herself to be a formidable figure. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Seeing him stand still, Eunuch Sanbao carefully spoke, "Does Your Highness wish to know more? Shall I investigate further?"

"No need." Zhao Xi withdrew his gaze coolly, "Proceed to meet Minister Song."

Master and servant quietly moved towards the main hall, avoiding disturbance, and halfway there, Song Yuanbao approached with several people.

Seeing Zhao Xi had entered in plain clothes, Song Yuanbao hurried to find an excuse to dismiss his classmates, then quickened his pace to approach him, lowering his voice, "Your Hi... Why did you arrive unannounced?"

Zhao Xi asked him, "Where’s Minister Song?"

Song Yuanbao shook his head, "There are too many guests today; my father is currently busy entertaining them everywhere, I also don’t know where he is."

Listening to him call Song Wei ’father,’ Zhao Xi’s eyes moved slightly, "It seems the matter with Mr. Wang has been resolved."

"Haven’t caught the mastermind yet." Song Yuanbao sighed, "But no matter what, thanks are due to Your Highness for helping me settle him."

Zhao Xi glanced at Song Yuanbao with words at the tip of his tongue but refrained from speaking.

Song Yuanbao: "Your Highness, do you wish to ask me something?"

Zhao Xi showed no expression, "No."

"You do, you clearly do!" Song Yuanbao blocked Zhao Xi’s path, staring at him, "Are you wondering if Wang Xiaolang is truly my uncle?"

Zhao Xi remained silent.

"Why won’t you ask then?"

"Not interested."

"Liar!" Song Yuanbao’s voice weakened, "Are you afraid I’ll blame you for meddling again?"

Seeing Zhao Xi unresponsive, Song Yuanbao audaciously said, "Ask away, ask anything; as long as you speak, I will tell you everything."

Zhao Xi bypassed him, walking forward with hands behind his back.

"Your Highness!" Song Yuanbao chased after him, "I was wrong, I was wrong, I was wrong. Let’s act like my mind was eaten by a dog that day, alright? If you still feel unsatisfied, I’ll kneel and beg for forgiveness. How about that?"

He said, making a move as if preparing to kneel.

Zhao Xi’s brow furrowed slightly, "Stop fooling around."