The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 348 - 316: Joy in the Xu Family, Blessings of Dragon and Phoenix

Granny Song was taken aback, "During such a big festival, why isn’t he staying at his own mansion but coming to our house?"

She asked Duan Yan again, "Is he alone?"

Duan Yan replied that it was just the son-in-law alone.

Wen Wan thoughtfully said, "Quickly invite him in."

Once Duan Yan left, Wen Wan looked at her mother-in-law, "Mother, Xu Shu might be here to bring good news."

Granny Song instantly realized, slapping her forehead, "Oh dear, look at my memory, I almost forgot such a big event."

Old Song, Song Wei, and Yuanbao all reacted one after another, each with different expressions.

Song Jiao looked at everyone with confusion, "Grandfather, Grandmother, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, what good news?"

Granny Song cheerfully said, "The one visiting is your little uncle, and during such a big festival, there is no reason for him to visit alone unless your little aunt has given birth."

"Huh?" Song Jiao had only heard from her mother in Ningzhou that her little aunt had married well and became the Young Madam of the General Mansion. However, since coming to the Capital for half a year, she hadn’t seen her at all, let alone knowing her little aunt was pregnant.

Now, suddenly hearing it from her grandmother’s mouth, she couldn’t react immediately.

Before Granny Song could explain, the hurried Xu Shu had already arrived at Rong’an Hall with Duan Yan, first paying respects to his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brothers and sisters-in-law, then said: "Fangniang has given birth, it’s a pair of twins, mother and children are all safe."

"Twins?" Granny Song was overjoyed, having lived for more than half a lifetime, it was the first time she saw twins, and they were born by her own daughter, so she couldn’t help but feel excited, saying several praises.

"Yes, labor started last night, and they were born at dawn. As the son-in-law, I couldn’t wait to come and deliver the good news. Father-in-law and mother-in-law don’t worry, Fangniang is fine, and the children are safe."

After speaking, he asked his attendant to bring in the gifts for announcing the good news.

Including the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, they arranged a big table.

After becoming a father, Xu Shu was much more composed in his manners.

Granny Song at this moment didn’t care about the gifts, "Being born on such a family reunion day, these two kids are truly auspicious."

Xu Shu, joyful, said, "Our family matriarch said the same thing!"

Knowing they were twins, and having a great-grandson, the matriarch was immediately delighted, personally supporting her cane to visit Song Fang, sending a stream of supplements into their courtyard.

Seeing her mother-in-law excited, Wen Wan suggested, "While it’s still daytime, and we are all at home taking care of the children ourselves, how about mother goes with Xu Shu to sit there? Little sister-in-law just gave birth, having her own mother around to say a few words at this time can help her feel more comfortable."

"Me?" Granny Song murmured, her voice weakening, "Can I really do this?"

It’s not that she hadn’t thought of going to accompany her daughter, but just contemplating her own rural background, knowing nothing, and fearing that she might make a fool of herself and embarrass her daughter, she had held it back till now, never having visited her son-in-law’s home.

Now, with her daughter-in-law suggesting it, Granny Song felt tempted.

Xu Shu chimed in, "If mother-in-law agrees to accompany Fangniang, it would be the best."

Granny Song felt greatly encouraged, "If you don’t fear me making a fool of myself, I’ll surely go!"

Wen Wan, amused, said, "Mother is going to see her daughter, not to pick a fight, what is there to be embarrassed about? Just go, and have a good Mid-Autumn Festival with her. Don’t worry about things at home, we see each other so often, isn’t every day a reunion day?"

Granny Song originally intended to return to her room to change clothes but remembered something, and looked at Xu Shu, "Son-in-law is already here, why not stay for a meal before leaving?"

Before Xu Shu could speak, Wen Wan quickly said, "Mother, don’t you see the anxious sweat on his forehead? He probably wishes he could sprout wings and hurry back, who cares for your food?"

Xu Shu, embarrassed by Wen Wan’s comment, grinned.

Though it was impolite to refuse the meal offered by his mother-in-law, the children had just been born, and having just become a father, that overwhelming mix of surprise and nervous excitement had not dissipated. He couldn’t eat; all he wanted was to rush back and watch over them, fearing any mishap.

After all, Song Fang’s labor had not gone smoothly...

Xu Shu dared not think further.

Granny Song wasn’t unreasonable; hearing her daughter-in-law’s words, she carefully observed Xu Shu and noted her son-in-law’s anxious expression. She directly said, "Then skip the meal, I’ll go change clothes and leave immediately."

Xu Shu, hearing this, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and cast a grateful glance toward Wen Wan.

While her mother-in-law was returning to her room, Wen Wan went to the storeroom herself to select gifts. Their family’s social circle wasn’t large, and the items in the storeroom were partly sent by the Xie Family and partly bestowed by the Emperor.

Considering the gifts were to be sent to the General Mansion, Wen Wan did not hesitate to pick items from the Imperial Palace and quickly wrapped them up.

Granny Song was quick in action, and it wasn’t long before she tidied herself up from head to toe.

The maid went to the main room to inform the son-in-law that it was time to leave.

Xu Shu, who had just become a father, stood up hurriedly and bid farewell to Old Song and the Song Wei couple.

Wen Wan had Yuanbao keep an eye on Jinbao. She herself carried the gift boxes, took Song Jiao along, and personally saw her mother-in-law and Xu Shu off at the door.

Xu Shu had come by carriage.

Knowing that this young man was nervous in front of his mother-in-law, before the mother-in-law got on the carriage, Wen Wan suggested, "Mother, both our family’s carriages are here today. Please pick one to take, so you don’t have to bother the Xu Family’s people to send you back. Otherwise, it’s quite a distance to travel back and forth, and it’s not convenient for them."

Granny Song didn’t realize that Wen Wan’s true intention was to give Xu Shu a way out. She just felt that Third Lang’s wife was thoughtful and comprehensive in her considerations, making her feel very comfortable.

Uncle Lin hitched the carriage and rushed over. After Granny Song got on, Wen Wan stepped forward, first putting the gift boxes on the carriage, and then spoke to her mother-in-law through the curtain, "Mother, after you see the little sister-in-law, please send my regards. When their child celebrates one month, I will definitely bring Jinbao along."

Granny Song was eager, sending her off immediately, "You hurry back home. This old woman is anxious to see the grandchildren and can’t be bothered to chat."

Wen Wan found her mother-in-law’s words amusing.

Watching the carriage depart, she then looked at Song Jiao behind her, "Let’s go back!"

Song Jiao’s eyes were still fixed on the gradually receding carriage, but shortly she withdrew her gaze and asked Wen Wan, "Third Aunt, is the little uncle’s family particularly wealthy?"

Wen Wan raised her eyebrows, and replied with a question, "Why are you asking this?"

Song Jiao merely thought of the full table of gifts from the little uncle announcing the birth, finding it incredible.

Back in Ningzhou, she had seen families announcing the birth of a son with only a chicken or a jug of wine. The little uncle’s gifts were worth several years’ income for a farming family.

Seeing Song Jiao bewildered, Wen Wan patiently explained, "Your little aunt married into the General Mansion, naturally more imposing and wealthy than our family. Besides, your little uncle is the only son in the family, and all the wives and grandmothers are hoping for this child from your little aunt. Now, not only have they given birth to a big, fat boy, but there’s also a daughter. How could they not be happy? Of course, the gifts are substantial when they’re happy."

Pausing for a moment, she continued, "If you’re really curious, I’ll take you to see for yourself when the Xu Family holds the one-month banquet."

Song Jiao shyly smiled, "Thank you, Third Aunt."

——

The carriage arrived at the General Mansion.

Just as Granny Song was about to get off, she found the curtain had already been lifted. Bending down to step out, she saw Xu Shu outside.

Seeing Granny Song staring blankly at the General Mansion’s plaque, Xu Shu gently reminded her, "Mother-in-law, watch your step."

Granny Song stepped down carefully, unable to admire how large the mansion was, and urged Xu Shu, "Hurry up! I don’t know how that girl is doing."

Entering through the gate and walking a while, she asked again, "Before seeing Fangniang, do I need to see your family’s grandmothers first?"

Xu Shu said no, that his mother and grandmothers should both be in the delivery room now and she could see them directly.

Nonetheless, Granny Song was still nervous and directly told Xu Shu, "If I say anything wrong later, give me a hint discreetly. I tend to be straightforward and may easily offend people."

Usually, if it came to arguing, she wasn’t afraid of anyone. But considering her daughter is someone’s wife, she had to maintain her daughter’s dignity.

Originally, meeting the mother-in-law, Xu Shu should have been the nervous one. Now it was completely reversed.

Xu Shu saw his mother-in-law more nervous than himself and chuckled quietly, "Our family’s grandmothers speak directly too, without beating around the bush. Feel free to say whatever you need, it’s all right."

Granny Song found his words unreliable but was too eager to see her daughter to argue with Xu Shu.

From the main gate to the inner courtyard’s delivery room, Granny Song didn’t remember how long she walked. The path was quite long, with many corridors and turns. Her mind was spinning like a tangled ball of yarn when Xu Shu finally said they had arrived.

As Granny Song followed him inside, she could hear the sound of a baby crying and women talking from afar.