The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 597 - 564: Recovery, Accusation (Part 1)

On the way back to the mansion, snowflakes started falling from the sky.

This was the year’s belated first snowfall.

Fortunately, Wen Wan had prepared two hand warmers before leaving the house. Now, Xu Jia and Tang Yong each held one, and with the carriage curtains tightly closed, the narrow space inside wasn’t too cold.

Xu Jia glanced at the silent little figure beside him and suddenly asked him, "Do you miss your mother?"

Tang Yong nodded instinctively at first, but then quickly realized and shook his head frantically, his small face filled with panic.

He remembered that night when his mother almost beat him to death, almost poisoned him, and in the end, nearly set him on fire.

His father died when he was young, and he was raised under his second uncle’s care, rarely seeing his mother. When he did see her, barely having a moment of affection, he was subjected to her abuse.

Tang Yong, still young, did not yet understand what hatred or despair was. He simply followed his instincts to judge that his mother was not good to him, and if he clung to her further, he would surely be beaten to death.

Noticing his overreaction, Xu Jia softened his voice as much as possible, "Don’t be afraid, I was just asking casually."

In the few days they’d spent together, Tang Yong had clearly chosen to trust this second aunt he initially didn’t quite like.

Hearing Xu Jia’s reassurance, he took a deep breath and gradually relaxed.

He then leaned on Xu Jia’s shoulder and fell asleep, and by the time they reached home, Xu Jia carried him back to Zilan Courtyard.

Tang Yuan, much like the day before, had calculated the hour perfectly and was waiting in the main hall of Zilan Courtyard.

Xu Jia pretended not to see him, instructed the servants to open Tang Yong’s room door, laid him flat on the bed, covered him with a blanket, and sat by his side to watch over him.

Tang Yuan, having waited for quite a while without seeing anyone, frowned and later came to the East Wing. Seeing the servants adding fire pots inside, it seemed Xu Jia had no plans to leave. He suppressed his irritation and reminded her when he entered, "Second Madam, you went out early and returned late again today."

Xu Jia did not respond, suddenly standing up, "If there’s anything to say, say it outside, don’t disturb the child."

After saying that, she brushed past Tang Yuan’s shoulder and exited the room.

Tang Yuan had no choice but to follow her out.

Xu Jia walked to the main hall, opened the curtain, and sat inside.

Seeing her calm demeanor, Tang Yuan spoke directly, "I’ve never met the Divine Doctor before. Just so happens I’m free tomorrow, I’ll accompany you on a trip."

Xu Jia knew this man was being unreasonable, suspecting she was plotting revenge and putting a cuckold on him outside. However, she disdained to explain such things and certainly wouldn’t agree to let him follow her to prove her innocence.

After a brief silence, Xu Jia asked, "Are all the matters in Second Master’s hands handled properly?"

"What matters?" Tang Yuan asked subconsciously.

Xu Jia’s gaze turned mocking, "Second Master is planning to take in Eldest Sister-in-law’s twin sister. Eldest Sister-in-law has been married for many years, yet why hasn’t her twin married? Shouldn’t she be given an explanation free of loopholes? Before Eldest Sister-in-law got married, she had no parents. Where was her twin sister raised? The family that raised her would be considered maternal relatives. Even if Second Master is only taking a concubine, shouldn’t he go through the formalities for Eldest Sister-in-law’s sake to silence the many gossiping mouths outside?

Moreover, Eldest Sister-in-law won’t live much longer due to illness, have you ordered the coffin and wreaths? Hired the troupe for the funeral? From taking in a concubine to handling Eldest Sister-in-law’s funeral expenses, have you accounted for every single piece of Silver? If it’s all accounted for, and you have nothing else to do, I certainly won’t stop you from accompanying me to the Song Mansion. If not, I suggest you consider things further.

The news that Tang Family’s Second Master is taking in Eldest Sister-in-law’s sister to help care for his nephew has already spread. Now countless eyes are on the family gate. You can’t be conducting a grand concubine ceremony and then skimping on a shabby funeral for your own sister-in-law to cover it up, can you? Do you want her to die with regrets, or for her brother, who will share her grave, to die with regrets as well?"

As Xu Jia’s words fell, the room was enveloped in complete silence.

One could vaguely see sweat appearing on Tang Yuan’s forehead—not clear whether it was the firepot’s heat or born from a guilty conscience.

His previous resolve had now been replaced by overwhelming embarrassment.

As a man deeply rooted in the belief of "men working outside, women managing the household," Tang Yuan had always focused on eating rice without handling matters, even ignoring overturned oil bottles. Previous household trivia and social affairs outside had been wholly managed by his mother, and after Xu married into the family, his mother retired and handed everything over to Xu’s charge.

Xu’s ability to handle affairs was evident to everyone in the mansion.

However, precisely because the other party was too astute, Tang Yuan feared she might apply some trick, so when he decided to bring Jiang Qingyu into the family, he explicitly told her not to interfere with this matter.

All these days, Xu indeed hadn’t interfered.

Yet, he was entirely absorbed in preparations for taking a concubine and hadn’t considered Eldest Sister-in-law’s "funeral affairs" and the relations with the "twin’s" maternal family. As for the expenses she mentioned, he was completely in the dark.

Only yesterday, he received a "son of a bitch" remark, and today he was weighed down heavily by "worldly wisdom," leaving him gasping for air.

Turns out, without a smart, capable woman assisting at home, life could quickly devolve into a chaotic mess.

After the embarrassment, Tang Yuan felt ashamed and then emboldened, looking at Xu Jia, "Then how about I send Yongyong to the Song Mansion to find the Divine Doctor and you help me figure it out?"

His attitude took a sharp turn, unlike his previously aloof demeanor, he seemed genuinely asking her for help from the heart.

Xu Jia looked troubled, "I’d like to help, but the Second Master himself said not to interfere."

"I was momentarily confused and said something in anger."

Realizing that the house couldn’t do without Xu Jia, Tang Yuan adopted a nice attitude, specifically sitting beside Xu Jia, trying to pull her into his embrace.

Xu Jia directly avoided him, got up from the warm bed, sat on a round stool in front of the fire basin, and even though it didn’t show on her face, Tang Yuan deeply felt her disgust towards him.

It was a disgust that came from the bone.

This realization hurt Tang Yuan and also made him somewhat panicked, as if fearing something important might one day suddenly drift away from him.

Xu Jia’s voice interrupted his thoughts, "Why beg me for this kind of matter, can’t the elder mistress calculate for herself? Just go find her."

Tang Yuan awkwardly tugged at his lips, Qingyu’s ten fingers don’t touch the spring water, how could she calculate these trivial accounts?

"Second Mistress." Tang Yuan looked at her, his expression more serious than ever, "I really want to get along well with you, can you let go of your past prejudice against me and let’s talk frankly, between husband and wife, there’s no unresolved grudge, the old saying also suggests quarreling at the bedhead and reconciling at the bedtail..."

Xu Jia smirked, "We’re talking about the elder sister-in-law’s funeral, why bring up marital feelings, I haven’t been married for a month and you have taken a concubine, how much affection is between us, does Second Master have no count?"

"I..."

Xu Jia was too lazy to argue further, "If there’s nothing else, Second Master, please leave, I’m tired and want to rest for a while."

Tang Yuan was finally driven out.

He wasn’t too foolish, realizing Xu Jia’s words were the key point, unable to appeal to his wife, he could only seek his mother’s help.

Mrs. Qiao looked coldly at this unfilial son, for the first time feeling that Xu Jia was doing beautifully, gratifying her heart!

Regarding Jiang Qingyu, Mrs. Qiao naturally wouldn’t give a good face, not only refused to help but also lashed out at Tang Yuan, cursing him so much that he couldn’t stand it and retreated.

With the day approaching fast, Tang Yuan didn’t care to supervise whether Xu Jia had given him a green hat, he invited some experienced stewards, busily working non-stop.

Xu Jia still took Tang Yong to the Song Mansion every day.

On the day before Jiang Qingyu entered the house, the little one finally recovered and could speak.

Based on his limited memories, he told Xu Jia that his father’s nanny didn’t die, many things from then, the nanny could testify, she had secretly visited him a few times, but Tang Yong didn’t know where she lived.

Xu Jia always thought the nanny was long gone, now suddenly learning of the old woman’s news, but with only a short day left, she had no way to investigate.

Looking at the swirling snowflakes outside, Xu Jia’s face was full of sorrow.

After being conflicted for a moment, Xu Jia went to the outer courtyard, knocked on Yun Huai’s door, bluntly stating her purpose to him, "I want to find someone within a day, can Master Yun help? As for the reward, you name it."

Yun Huai looked up, the woman a yard away from him wore a water-red long coat, the bright color accentuating her fair skin, gone the deliberate display of little intention and playfulness from a few days ago, her face now solemn, long lashes lowered, hands restlessly twisting together, seemingly taking him as her last hope, fearing his rejection would shatter this hope.

Yun Huai had Hidden Guards in the Capital, dispersed in the city alleys, among peddlers, shopkeepers, businessmen, beggars, and brothel patrons, holding key information from various districts.

To find someone, the Hidden Guards indeed worked faster than the bodyguards.

Without extra emotion, Yun Huai looked at Xu Jia with exceptionally calm eyes, so calm she almost suspected him questioning if her motive was to attract his attention.

But before Xu Jia thought too much, Yun Huai’s voice had already entered her ears, "Who to find?"

...

Xu Jia never expected, the nanny lived in a lane behind the Tang Mansion, just that to avoid attention, she hardly went out.

From her mouth, Xu Jia learned that Tang Xiao had fallen ill back then, his body was weak, the doctor advised nurturing, yet Jiang Qingyu secretly brewed potent tonic for Tang Xiao, that’s how the elder master was harmed to death by Mrs. Jiang.

The nanny also said that after the elder master’s death, she faked her death to leave the mansion, constantly hiding not far from the Tang Family, waiting for the chance to personally report Mrs. Jiang.

An elderly nanny, if unsupported, would easily be killed by Jiang Qingyu should she directly go to the government office.

After hearing, Xu Jia sighed at Jiang Qingyu’s ruthless heart while telling the nanny, "Tomorrow Mrs. Jiang will enter the second household as Second Master’s concubine under the guise of elder mistress’s twin sister, nanny, just go to the government office, if anything happens, I’ll cover for you."