The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 331 - 300: Entertaining Crooked Thoughts

The Xie Family already knew about how Song Wei was rewarded with a grand five-entrance courtyard for his achievements in suppressing bandits.

Seeing her promising third nephew, Aunt Xie did not hesitate to praise him a few times.

Song Wei greeted them and sat down, asking, "Why haven’t I seen Xie Zheng recently? Has he been busy?"

Although both worked at the same government office, Xie Zheng, being an unranked scholar, wasn’t considered a formal Hanlin Official. His main task for the first three years was to study in the Hanlin Academy, and after three years, he would be awarded an official position based on his assessment results.

When Xie Zheng first joined Hanlin, he would wait for Song Wei after lower court, and they would go back together. Over time, they went their separate ways; not because their relationship waned, but because Song Wei’s post kept elevating, leading to different duties, and the hours of leaving the office were often inconsistent. Xie Zheng was occupied with family matters and stopped accompanying him.

Counting the month he spent in Ningzhou suppressing bandits, indeed, it had been some time since Song Wei last saw Xie Zheng.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xie hesitated for a moment and said, "It seems he has been exceptionally busy these days, often leaving early and returning late. I’m not sure what he’s occupied with."

Song Wei listened, but did not respond, appearing lost in thought.

Aunt Xie then greeted Granny Song and Old Song who were nearby, "Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, what is your whole family up to?"

Granny Song didn’t conceal, "Isn’t it just that Third Son received a house for his achievements in bandit suppression? Today we happened to be free, so we went to take a look."

Aunt Xie’s eyes brightened, "How is it, is the place big?"

"Quite spacious." Granny Song summarized with three simple words.

"When are you planning to move in?" Aunt Xie inquired again.

Granny Song remained silent and looked at Song Wei.

Song Wei said, "We’ve already hired someone to help with renovations. When it’s nearly ready, I’ll let my mother pick a date and move in with us."

In his words, he never forgets to leave face for his mother.

Granny Song felt comforted upon hearing this.

Aunt Xie suddenly remembered something and showed a trace of embarrassment, "Third Son, did I misunderstand you last time?"

Song Wei looked over in confusion.

Aunt Xie continued, "When I came by earlier and asked Mrs. Cao, she said that the guests who had visited your home before had already left. At the time, I thought someone had gifted you a concubine or something..."

Song Wei smiled serenely and said, "When escorting Princess Consort Duan to the Rehe Palace last year, these three little palace maids caught an infection. I brought them back for treatment, and they stayed with us until Princess Consort Duan returned from the Rehe Palace."

Aunt Xie was momentarily stunned, "Palace maids?"

"Yes."

"Then, why did you arrange such a nice room for them?"

Song Wei replied, "Even palace maids are servants by the side of nobles, so naturally they cannot be neglected."

This reason undoubtedly convinced Aunt Xie, "Indeed."

Granny Song sat by the edge of the bed and asked her, "Did you come specifically to ask about this?"

"Yes, but not entirely." Aunt Xie returned to the main topic, "I just wanted to ask, after your family moves, how do you plan to handle this courtyard?"

Song Wei responded with a question, "What thoughts does Aunt have?"

Aunt Xie paused for a moment before saying, "I was thinking, if you plan to sell, could you sell it to our family?"

Seeing Song Wei’s confusion, Aunt Xie explained further, "We have a large family, with kids and adults all living together, there are inevitable conflicts between the two households. If you agree to sell, I would have someone tear down the wall in the middle and combine the two courtyards into a four-entrance courtyard. It would be more spacious to live in."

Song Wei had heard about the altercation two days ago where the sons of Xie Tao and Xie Zheng’s families had a fight, and someone from Xie Tao’s family got pushed and injured their head. But he hadn’t inquired further due to his busy schedule. Now, hearing Aunt Xie’s words, he feared that the two households were so at odds that they were eager to buy a house.

Granny Song caught onto the implication and directly asked, "So, Xie Tao’s wife still won’t give up?"

With everything laid bare, Aunt Xie had nothing left unsaid and sighed, "My second daughter-in-law has always been someone who strives for excellence. Previously, I kept her in check, so she had no outlet for her temper, and she managed to behave. But with her son injured, it’s like stepping on her tail. Since the day it happened, she’s been clamoring to divide the family estate. Neither I nor Old Xie have stepped into the grave yet; can we let them split up? These days, they’ve been quarreling non-stop, and I really can’t pacify them, so I could only contemplate in secret. I was thinking once your family moves, we could purchase this place, connect it, and let each family have their own courtyard. Out of sight, out of mind. Splitting the family estate is impossible. As long as I have a breath in me, I will never agree for the brothers to divide the estate."

Nowadays, filial piety is emphasized, and there’s a saying: "While parents are alive, families should not split."

However, not all families follow this unwritten rule. Sometimes, conflicts between brothers become so intense, they simply cannot live together anymore, and forced separation is common.

Old Song’s family back then is a case in point.

But in Aunt Xie’s eyes, the Xie Family has struggled to reach this point thanks to Xie Zheng, and regardless of any conflicts between the two branches, family prosperity should be the priority. The second daughter-in-law thinks it’s remarkable to earn some money from a stall, but she’s shortsighted and doesn’t see Xie Zheng’s promising future. If they really split, and Xie Zheng excels in the future, Xie Tao’s family is bound to follow the old path of Erlang’s family. By then, even if the second branch shamelessly tries to lean on them, would the big branch be willing to let them?

Granny Song glanced at Aunt Xie, "Have you discussed this matter with Xie Zheng and Xie Tao, the brothers?"

"Not yet," Aunt Xie said. "Xie Tao’s wife is currently upset. Whatever I say now won’t get through to her. It’s better to show something tangible; I’ll use communal funds to buy the courtyard, and by then their family will have a share. Even if she’s reluctant, she’ll have to stay willingly."

Granny Song shook her head, saying that forcing someone to stay isn’t right, it might push them to do something drastic. It’s better to notify them in advance. If it’s made clear, and Xie Tao’s wife insists on splitting the family, don’t force them; let them separate, whatever happens in the future, good or bad, will be their own choice and can’t blame others.

Aunt Xie frowned, "I’m just afraid Xie Tao’s family will end up like Erlang’s."

Mentioning that second son, Granny Song was filled with anger, her voice ablaze, "Erlang’s family is a vivid example, and Xie Tao and his wife pretend not to see it. What can you do, beat them with a stick?"

Aunt Xie, seeing her rage, suddenly laughed, "Second Sister-in-law reminded me well. Fine, I’ll go back and have a straight talk with them. If they still want to split after the conversation, don’t blame this old woman for taking up the stick."

——

After Aunt Xie left, Wen Wan took the grass carp she bought on her way home to the kitchen.

Jinbao followed behind her with his short legs, eagerly eyeing the fish on the cutting board, and seeing that Mrs. Jin hadn’t started, he pointed with his little chubby finger.

Though he didn’t speak, it was easy to see the little fellow was urging to eat the fish.

Mrs. Jin, amused, told him to wait a bit longer; she would start soon.

Wen Wan intended to take Jinbao back to the room for some snacks to tide him over, but the little guy seemed rooted in the kitchen, blinking his eyes and fixating on the fish.

With no other choice, Wen Wan rolled up her sleeves to help Mrs. Jin cook.

Once the fish porridge was done, Wen Wan scooped some into a small bowl, and before she could blow on it to cool it, the little one had already grabbed the spoon from her hand, intending to eat by himself.

Wen Wan said, "The fish is hot, you have to blow on it."

As she spoke, she made the motion of blowing to cool it.

Jinbao scooped half a spoonful of fish porridge, brought it to his mouth, and did blow on it, but saliva came out as well.

Wen Wan could hardly watch, got another spoon, blew on half a spoonful, and fed it to Jinbao as he tasted it from his mother’s hand.

Wen Wan asked him, "Does the fish taste good?"

The little guy smacked his lips twice, made an "ah" sound with his mouth wide open, substituting words with action.

At two years old, Jinbao’s appetite has grown significantly, he ate an entire bowl of fish porridge, and finally touched his round belly, shaking his head to indicate he was done.

Wen Wan placed the bowl on the kitchen counter and took Jinbao to the East Wing.

Song Wei had returned to his room unknown to her, just changed his clothes, and as he emerged from behind the screen, he saw his young wife and son, his smile gentle, "Has Jinbao eaten enough?"

Jinbao didn’t speak, but belched at his dad.

Song Wei picked him up and settled him on the armchair, had a warm moment with his son, then looked at Wen Wan who was searching for clothes to change into, and quietly said, "Xie Zheng seems a bit off lately."

Wen Wan paused with the clothes in hand, turned to look at him, "Isn’t it just the two branches disagreeing because of the kids?"

"It’s not that," Song Wei said. "Their scholars usually leave court very on time, but I heard Aunt mentioned, after court, Xie Zheng doesn’t return home immediately. He roams until late before coming back in between, where does he go?"

Wen Wan hesitated, "Perhaps it’s colleagues inviting him for drinks or something."

"I’d rather it be that," Song Wei said, "I’m just afraid Xie Zheng, pressured by family issues, will entertain some bad ideas."