The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 613 - 579: Subtly Persuading Guests to Stay for the New Year (Part 1)
Xu Jia mentioned asking Yun Shisan, but in fact, she didn’t bring it up again after leaving the Song Mansion.
After Song Fang helped her onto the carriage, she suddenly remembered, "Didn’t you say you wanted to ask the Yun family about the Jade Pendant earlier?"
Xu Jia pointed to her sprained foot, "I’m in this state now, let’s do it another day."
While she was asleep, Wen Wan had applied a cold compress, so it wasn’t as painful anymore.
Song Fang placed a cushion behind her back for her to lean against and said, "When we get back, apply a hot compress and some ointment, it shouldn’t be too serious."
Xu Jia leaned against the rosewood wall, gazed at the carriage ceiling for a moment, then slowly retracted her gaze and looked at Song Fang beside her, "Sister-in-law, how do you regard my father?"
Song Fang felt a bit awkward inside, "Why ask suddenly like that?"
She was just a wife married from outside and had no reason or standing to judge her father-in-law, especially not in front of her sister-in-law.
Xu Jia smiled, shook her head, and said it was nothing, then withdrew her thoughts, and the two rode in silence.
——
Upon hearing that Xu Jia had left the Song Mansion, Yun Huai handed the Jade Pendant to Yun Shisan, instructing him to deliver it to Wen Wan under his own name.
Thus, the Blood Jade Pendant eventually returned to Wen Wan’s hands.
Some details of the matter Wen Wan wasn’t aware of; she only saw Xu Jia was very anxious about the Jade Pendant during the day, so she sent it to the Western Marquis Mansion the next day.
Xu Jia was a bit dazed when she received the jade pendant, then promptly asked the servant delivering it, "Do you know who found it?"
This servant worked in the outer courtyard and didn’t interfere in the masters’ affairs, his job was running errands. He pondered for a moment and guessed, "Probably another servant found it and handed it to the mistress."
The servants of the Song Mansion were well-trained and likely not dishonest, and there were several hours between her losing the jade pendant and leaving the Song Mansion yesterday.
If a servant indeed found it, she wouldn’t have left empty-handed.
The most probable people to have found her pendant yesterday were just two or three people.
Thinking that her jade pendant might have been handled overnight by someone, Xu Jia gently smiled at the errand servant, thanked him, and gave a reward to send him off.
——
At the Song Mansion, Xue Yan showed some signs of improvement, prompting his grandfather Minister Xue to personally visit.
It happened to be Song Wei’s day off, and he personally received him.
Since entering the door, Minister Xue’s old face was tense, especially when he saw Yun Huai, the look on his face could almost be described as gloomy.
Without waiting for Yun Huai to speak, he asked, "Since you’re in the Capital, why not bring Ah Yin to the Minister’s Mansion?"
Yun Huai took a seat. Compared to Minister Xue’s confrontational tone, his voice was gentle and pleasant, "This trip to the Capital was to bring some disciples for the martial examination, too many people, it wouldn’t be fitting to disturb you."
Minister Xue sneered, "You can stay at the Song Mansion but not at my Minister’s Mansion? Yun Huai, don’t forget, Ah Yin is my grandson."
Yun Huai had no intention of arguing with Minister Xue in front of Song Wei, nor was it necessary for such matters. He nodded, "Once Ah Yin’s health improves further, I will personally bring him to visit you."
"Visit?" Minister Xue’s face grew darker, "Knowing his health is poor, you still plan to take him south in the cold weather?"
Yun Huai perceived Minister Xue’s intention for his grandson to stay. He didn’t insist, "In that case, I’ll come for him in the spring."
Minister Xue scoffed again, "Do you think the New Year’s dinner at my Xue Family’s home will poison you? At this point, you’re still thinking of going south."
Yun Huai: "..."
It had only been a bit over half a year since he took his niece, Yinhuan, away, yet he didn’t know Minister Xue had grown fond of subtly keeping people around for New Year.
However, it was just the beginning of the tenth lunar month, so it’s still early for New Year celebrations. His prolonged absence had already piled up much work, which needed to be attended to without further delay.
"If you are worried, I will leave Yun Shiliu here to take care of Ah Yin."
Yun Huai’s tone wasn’t exactly cordial, but it wasn’t excessively cold either.
After all, Minister Xue was the grandfather of Huanhuan and Ah Yin. As long as he wasn’t too unreasonable, any due respect he would still give.
Xue Yinhuan didn’t stay, which caused Minister Xue to lose some face. Changing the subject quickly, he still maintained a stern expression, "Where is Huanhuan? She’s been in Jiangnan for so long, is she adjusting well?"
Yun Huai replied, "Everything is the same, as time passes, one gets used to it."
"Have you arranged a match for her?" It was the first time Minister Xue spoke so much in front of Yun Huai, "Huanhuan is not young anymore. Even if she can’t get married immediately, the engagement must at least be arranged first."
Yun Huai nodded, "Still searching."
In fact, it’s not that there are no suitable candidates, but Xue Yinhuan is unwilling. During her early days in Jiangnan, she was mostly in a state of speaking as little as possible. She became more reserved in speech, and even later, when she began to open up slightly due to Ah Yin’s company, she still used her father’s death as an excuse whenever Yun Huai brought up the topic of matchmaking.
After asking what he wanted to ask, Minister Xue sat somewhat awkwardly, and when Song Wei initiated the conversation, he suddenly remembered to offer congratulations. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
This time, the Western Expedition Army managed to decisively annihilate West Yue. Although Xu Guangfu and Su Qing took the main credit, the Divine Soldier Bureau also played a significant role. Therefore, in the Jinluan Palace, honors were bestowed not only upon Xu Guangfu and Su Qing but also upon several key figures of the Divine Soldier Bureau.
Previously, Song Wei served as the fifth-rank vice minister of the Divine Soldier Bureau. He leapt directly up half a rank to become a Standard Fourth Rank Vice Minister of the Imperial Sacrificial Worship Office, also overseeing the Divine Soldier Bureau.
As for the Old Marquis Lu, who holds the Divine Soldier Order, Emperor Guangxi followed the late Empress Dowager’s will and named him Duke Jing, with his eldest son Lu Pingzhou as the princely heir.
The Imperial Sacrificial Worship Office oversees the royal ancestral temples and sacrifices. As the premier of the Nine Ministers, Song Wei’s position as a junior minister is second only to the minister, the highest official of the Imperial Sacrificial Worship Office.
Having entered officialdom through the imperial examinations, it took Song Wei nearly five years to rise to the Standard Fourth Rank due to his repeated meritorious deeds, making him one of the few young high officials in the current court, and solidifying his position as a "favored minister" in the eyes of his colleagues.
However, Song Wei is a low-key person. Even with a promotion, he neither showed off nor flaunted but simply informed his family without any grand celebrations. Even Xie Zheng’s invitation to drink was declined.
Upon hearing Minister Xue’s congratulations, Song Wei cupped his hands, "Minister Xue is a veteran in the court, the younger generation will look up to you for guidance in the future."
When the court was mentioned, Minister Xue’s face gradually broke into a smile, and he stroked his mustache, "Mr. Song is a talented young man with outstanding ability. Having been in the office for just a few years, you’ve reached the Imperial Sacrificial Worship Office. At this rate, the days when we work together in the Six Ministries are not far off."
"You’re too kind, Lord Minister."
The two exchanged polite pleasantries before a servant led Minister Xue to visit Xue Yan.
Only Yun Huai and Song Wei were left in the front hall.
Song Wei was not aware of the past grievances between the Yun Family and the Xue Family, but he could see that Yun Huai did not think highly of Minister Xue, nor did Minister Xue think highly of Yun Huai. However, during their conversation, it seemed Minister Xue implicitly took the initiative to be conciliatory.
Sipping tea lightly, Song Wei looked at Yun Huai, "Since Minister Xue has invited you so warmly, why not stay until after the new year before departing?"
Yun Huai smiled faintly, "There are many young children at home. If I’m away for too long, something might go wrong."
After the disciples brought by the Old Family Head graduated, the ones Yun Huai took in were generally very young, around five or six years old.
At this age, children are overly playful and difficult to manage. Recently, a letter from home mentioned that two young disciples had gotten into a fight and were placed in confinement, which is another reason he was eager to return.
After visiting his grandson, Minister Xue sent people to pick him up that afternoon.
Xue Yan had been staying in the Song Mansion for more than half a month. To show gratitude, Minister Xue had the steward bring many gifts.
Song Wei did not refuse, accepting each gift and then assigning someone to the guest room to help pack.
In the evening, Yun Huai led his disciples and nephew Xue Yan away from the Song Mansion to the Minister’s Mansion. Before leaving, he specifically met Xu Dengke, stating that he would have his disciples Yun Shisan and Yun Shiliu stay temporarily in the capital to develop a treatment plan for him.
The once bustling five-courtyard mansion suddenly became quiet. Jinbao sat, head down in dismay, at the writing desk, glaring at Xu Dengke repeatedly.
It took Xu Dengke a while to convey his puzzled gaze.
Jinbao pouted, "Are you really going to accept the treatment, sir?"
Xu Dengke: "......... Yes."
To ensure efficient communication, he saved words wherever possible.
If he could convey the meaning with one word, he absolutely wouldn’t say another.
Jinbao didn’t say how much he liked the slow-talking, slow-eating, always-smiling demeanor of his teacher. He protested, "Those people are all charlatans from Jianghu; they won’t be able to cure you."
Xu Dengke: "......... Heh......... Heh."
Jinbao: "..."
