The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 340 - 308: Maybe the Emperor Thinks I’m Too Poor

The five-entry courtyard was clearly divided into an inner courtyard and an outer courtyard.

Yuanbao was already thirteen years old, and his living quarters were arranged in the East Wing of the outer courtyard.

The main courtyard was Rong’an Hall, where the in-laws lived.

Wen Wan and Song Wei lived with Jinbao in the nearby Qingteng Residence.

At present, Wen Wan, Yang, Xie Tao’s wife, and a few others were sitting in Song Jiao’s Tingsong Pavilion.

The young girl had a courtyard all to herself, which was elegantly and uniquely designed, with several begonias and plantains planted, lush green, with the wind blowing, the green leaves rustling.

Xie Tao’s wife glanced around, clicked her tongue, and said, "Your third uncle and third aunt really treat you like their own daughter, letting you live all alone in such a big place, how impressive!"

Thinking of something, she continued, "I heard you were adamant about not coming in the beginning, even made your mother so angry she almost miscarried. How about it, living in a big house with someone serving you tea and water, have you started to appreciate it now?"

Knowing that this cousin-in-law speaks bluntly, Song Jiao didn’t hold a grudge and responded in a low voice, "I didn’t know what was good for me back then."

Seeing her admit her mistake, Xie Tao’s wife was pleased, "And now, do you still want to go back and get married?"

Song Jiao shook her head gently.

"If I were you, I wouldn’t go back either," Xie Tao’s wife’s talk began to flow uncontrollably, "In our place, no matter how well you marry, you can’t escape the fate of being a commoner. If your husband is ambitious, after decades you might have a day of comfort, if he’s not, you can only resign to fate. A good girl, from daughter-in-law to mother-in-law, after worrying about your son you have to start worrying about grandchildren, in the end, you get nothing, two feet in the air, straight into the coffin, think about it, do you want to live like that?"

Song Jiao, not being foolish, understood the underlying meaning in her cousin-in-law’s words and simply kept her head down without responding.

Wen Wan and Yang exchanged a glance.

Wen Wan said, "The kitchen should have everything ready, we should go eat, we’ve been busy all morning, I’m sure everyone is hungry by now."

After speaking, she was the first to walk out of Tingsong Pavilion.

Song Jiao closed the door and followed closely behind.

Yang stayed at the back, knowing that Xie Tao’s wife’s words earlier had a pointed meaning, and said softly, "Before coming, I already discussed with mother and aunt, when Third Brother and his family come over, they will take over the neighboring courtyard, merging it into a four-entry courtyard, then Sister-in-law can choose anywhere she likes to live."

Xie Tao’s wife paused in her steps and asked, "How much does it cost to take over such a big house?"

Yang said, "The cost is on us, the main branch."

"On your family?"

The tone faintly carried a hint of mockery.

Given Yang’s current situation, she had no choice but to humble herself in front of her, "Yes."

Originally, Song Wei intended to gift the property to Xie Zheng, but Xie Zheng said that if it was a gift, he would rather buy another one.

He insisted on buying it, so Granny Song, as his aunt, had to speak up, telling him not to rush to pay, that he could pay slowly in the future as he became more established, they’re all family, no need to be so clear-cut.

...

"Alright then, since your family wants to do a favor, I won’t be polite," Xie Tao’s wife couldn’t be bothered to ask where they got the money from.

"It’s only right," Yang spoke humbly, "over these years, we’re grateful for your care of the main branch."

Xie Tao’s wife listened and did not deny it.

...

The two mamas had already set the table with dishes, proceeding to inform the masters spread across different courtyards.

A quarter of an hour later, the two families gathered in the front hall.

At the dining table, the topic of hiring new servants came up, and when it was revealed that Song Wei intended to not only buy maidservants, wives, young male servants, and gardeners but also a carriage, Aunt Xie was taken aback, "Isn’t that... too extravagant?"

Song Wei smiled and said that those he planned to add were all necessary, such a large house couldn’t be unmanaged.

After the Xie family left, Wen Wan discussed with him, "Why don’t we buy some farmland first? Then rent it out, and we’ll have some annual income, the family won’t have to live off its capital."

Upon hearing this, Song Wei, from somewhere, produced a few land deeds and handed them to her.

Wen Wan took them, looked them over, and moments later, exclaimed, "A thousand acres, and they’re fertile lands? How did you manage this?"

Song Wei said, "Granted by the Emperor."

"Together, together with the property?"

"Yes."

Wen Wan was puzzled, "In the matter of suppressing bandits, you only went to assist, most of the credit goes to Duke Su, why did you receive so many rewards?"

Song Wei replied with a smile, "Perhaps the Emperor thought I was too poor, going out on missions might embarrass him, so he rewarded me a bit more."

Wen Wan: "..."

——

When Empress Su had just arrived at Fahua Temple, she received the news that Princess Consort Duan had returned to the palace.

Not only had she returned, but she was also pregnant with the dragon seed.

Calculating by the months, Princess Consort Duan was already pregnant before leaving the palace.

Empress Su was not a fool; she immediately realized that the diagnosis of Princess Consort Duan having contracted a severe illness back then was merely a pretext to cover up her pregnancy.

She further realized the true intention behind Emperor Guangxi’s sudden decision for her to pray for a hundred days at Fahua Temple.

In hindsight, Empress Su felt a chill half course through her heart. It was one thing for her husband to strip the Prime Minister of his political power, but now he was also trying every imaginable way to isolate her in the temple. The purpose? Simply to protect the woman he treasured, to ensure the safety of his offspring.

The nanny asked, "Your Majesty, should we deal with it as we have previously?"

Under the dim light of the lamp, Empress Su appeared even paler. She remained silent for a long while before shaking her head, "At present, the Emperor’s suspicion and precaution against me are too severe. We cannot act rashly; otherwise, if anything goes wrong with the seed in Princess Consort Duan’s belly, I will have to stay at Fahua Temple for far more than a hundred days."

The nanny understood her meaning and bowed before leaving.

That night, Empress Su tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

In the past, she relied on her maternal family’s support, allowing her to act with impunity in many situations, fearing nothing, for she knew full well Emperor Guangxi’s fear of external relatives and his inability to do anything to her.

But now, with the Prime Minister gone and only an empty title of Duke remaining, the support from the Su Family had crumbled by half. Furthermore, she had no children of her own. If Princess Consort Duan were to give birth to a Prince, one could easily imagine how difficult her days would be.

——

After a hundred days, Empress Su returned to the palace. As soon as she stepped through the gates of Kunning Palace, the Chief Eunuch hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, there has been a birth at Yonghe Palace."

Empress Su tried her best to maintain her composure, "Is it a Prince or a Princess?"

"A Prince, Princess Consort Duan gave birth to a Prince, and the Emperor personally named him Nuo."

Zhao Nuo.

This carved the emotion between him and Princess Consort Duan right into their son’s name.

After the initial chill, a more radiant and gentle smile appeared on Empress Su’s face, "Such a grand occasion, I should personally go extend my congratulations."

With that, she proceeded into the inner hall, instructing someone to prepare water for her bath and changing clothes.

Half an hour later, Empress Su appeared at Yonghe Palace.

Princess Consort Duan, having just given birth, was weak and lying in the inner hall to rest.

Emperor Guangxi sat in the outer hall, holding the newborn Second Prince.

On his face, it was hard to conceal the joy of having a child in his later years.

Standing at the doorway, Empress Su took in the expression on Emperor Guangxi’s face in the glaring sunlight outside the hall.

Sensing someone there, Emperor Guangxi looked up, seeming to remember something, and said blandly, "The Empress has returned to the palace, I see?"

Empress Su pulled a smile at the corners of her mouth, walking slowly inside, "It seems that the Emperor’s heart has been entirely captivated by our newly born Second Prince. Otherwise, how could you have forgotten, that it was you who personally sent someone to fetch me from Fahua Temple?"

Emperor Guangxi gave a perfunctory "oh" and cast his gaze on the little baby in his arms, "Sit down!"

Empress Su complied and sat, glancing at the swaddling cloth in his hands, "Has the Emperor named the Second Prince yet?"

"Yes, a single name, Nuo, Zhao Nuo."

"Oh?" Empress Su looked puzzled, "What is the interpretation?"

Emperor Guangxi uncommonly exercised patience to explain to her, "Whether as a ruler, a minister, or a commoner, one should never stray from the words ’faith’ and ’trust’."

If she hadn’t already known the Emperor’s unique affection for Princess Consort Duan, Empress Su might have believed him. She curled her lips, the arc of her smile deepening, "I am enlightened."

Not wishing to waste any more attention on Zhao Nuo, she stood, "Princess Consort Duan has just given birth; it would be inconvenient for the Emperor to enter the delivery room. Why not let me take on that task?"

Emperor Guangxi gave a soft hum in agreement.

Empress Su walked into the inner hall as Princess Consort Duan had awakened and was struggling to sit up to pay her respects.

Empress Su supported her with a hand, "You’re weak at the moment, dear sister, don’t move unnecessarily, lie down quickly!"

At those words, Princess Consort Duan lay back down, not forgetting to say, "The Empress has just returned to the capital and comes to visit me. I’m truly flattered and surprised."

Empress Su gave a slight smile, "Having given birth to a dragon son for the Emperor is a great achievement; as the head of the six palaces, it is natural for me to come and offer congratulations."

"How shameful to say."

Not waiting for Empress Su to speak, Princess Consort Duan took the initiative to mention, "Last year, when I was found to be pregnant, the Imperial Physician warned that the fetal position was not stable and required rest. I was afraid speaking of it would cause complications, so I was forced to lie, asking the Emperor to send me to Rehe Palace."

Looking at Princess Consort Duan, Empress Su felt nothing but disgust and more disgust; her smile grew even more, "In the end, it is that sister didn’t trust me. Recall when Princess Consort Qi was pregnant, she rested and awaited birth right here in my Kunning Palace, and she successfully gave birth to the Eldest Prince Zhao Xi in the end.

If only you had spoken sooner, I would have brought you to Kunning Palace, and you wouldn’t have had to suffer the hardship of going all the way to Rehe Palace."

"The Emperor was also considerate of your hardship in managing the six palaces and did not want to bother you further." said Princess Consort Duan.

The implication being: Going to Rehe Palace was not solely my decision; the Emperor insisted on it. If you are dissatisfied, take it up with him.

A glint of hatred flashed in Empress Su’s eyes, "Rest well, dear sister, I shall go outside to see the Second Prince."