The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 349 - 317: An Unprecedented Intimacy

Granny Song paused her steps.

Xu Shu, afraid that she might feel uncomfortable suddenly meeting her own family, spoke gently, "Mother-in-law, please wait a moment. Your son-in-law will personally go in and announce your arrival, so the Old Lady can prepare herself mentally."

He hadn’t even moved before a maid came out from inside, it was Mei Zhi who served Song Fang.

"Young Master is back?"

Mei Zhi’s face lit up with joy, then she turned her gaze to Granny Song, somewhat puzzled, "And this elderly lady is...?"

"This is the Old Lady of our in-laws, the Young Madam’s mother," Xu Shu introduced. "I was just about to share the good news, she came back with me."

Mei Zhi stood stunned for a moment before stepping forward to curtsy, "The maid pays respects to the Old Lady."

The Song family residence has servants, so bowing in respect happens quite often. However, Granny Song wasn’t sure about other household customs and simply treated the young girl as she would in her own home, urging her to not be too formal.

"Mei Zhi, quickly go and announce it," Xu Shu instructed her.

"The maid will go immediately." Mei Zhi finished her curtsy, quickly turned around, and ran towards the birthing room.

At this time, the birthing room was bustling; Song Fang had already taken a nap and awakened.

Beside her lay two swaddled babies, one of whom began to cry, disturbing the other, so both began to wail in alternation.

The General’s wife and the Old Lady were present and, upon hearing this, immediately instructed Mei Zhi to call the wet nurses.

But instead, this girl returned without bringing the wet nurses, and with a joyful expression she reported to them, "Madam, Old Lady, the Old Lady from our in-laws has come."

"What?" Mrs. Xu almost thought she had misheard.

Mei Zhi repeated her words.

The Old Lady said, "Even with my deaf ears, I heard it clearly; and you’re pretending not to hear. Hurry up and bring her in."

Mrs. Xu stood up, "I just didn’t expect the mother-in-law to make the trip herself."

It has been over a year since Xu Shu and Song Fang got married, yet she had not formally met her mother-in-law.

To think that their first meeting was during her daughter-in-law’s confinement period.

Quickly gathering her thoughts, Mrs. Xu walked toward the door.

As her feet crossed the threshold, she saw Xu Shu standing outside with an elderly lady in her early fifties.

The elderly lady wore a slate-blue long coat, topped with an indigo vest. Her head had no excessive adornments, just a simple silver hairpin, yet her hair was neatly and meticulously groomed.

"I didn’t know you would be coming, so I didn’t greet you from afar, which is indeed my lack of manners." Mrs. Xu stepped forward in a few steps, her face full of apology.

Seeing the person, Xu Shu promptly introduced Granny Song, "Mother-in-law, this is my mother."

"So it is the lady in-law." Granny Song quickly greeted. Not adept at forcing smiles, she took the opportunity to shift the topic to Song Fang, asking, "How is Fangniang doing?"

Mrs. Xu replied truthfully, "The child was just born at dawn, she took a nap and has awakened, she’s currently talking with the Old Lady inside."

While speaking, she moved forward to support the Old Lady into the house.

Even though the two were of the same generation, Mrs. Xu could tell that the mother-in-law was much older; if not for this in-law relationship, calling her ’auntie’ wouldn’t have been out of place.

Granny Song hurriedly said, "There’s no need, there’s no need. I can walk by myself."

Xu Shu, worried about awkwardness between the two, quickly mediated, "Mother, Mother-in-law has just arrived, probably not yet accustomed. Let’s not impose on her."

Mrs. Xu, hearing this, smiled with relief, naturally withdrawing her hand, "Come in and have a seat, lady-in-law."

She asked Xu Shu again, "Have you eaten before coming?"

She actually knew well that it wasn’t time for a meal yet, let alone Xu Shu returning so quickly, it was even less likely they’d stayed at the Song home to eat, but in front of the mother-in-law, she still had to go through the motions and ask.

Xu Shu shook his head and said no.

Just at that moment, Mei Zhi returned with the two wet nurses, and Mrs. Xu promptly instructed her, "Notify the kitchen, to quickly prepare a meal."

Mei Zhi didn’t need to think to know it was specially set for the Old Lady in-law, she didn’t ask more and turned to leave the courtyard, quickly moving towards the kitchen.

This was the inner courtyard; both his biological mother and mother-in-law were present, Xu Shu found it inconvenient to enter, so he turned to Mrs. Xu, "Mother, I leave Mother-in-law in your hands."

Mrs. Xu nodded, "Go about your business!"

After Xu Shu left, Mrs. Xu led Granny Song into the house.

Song Fang, upon hearing her mother arrived, had been eagerly waiting.

Upon seeing the person following behind her mother-in-law, her eyes instantly reddened, and she hoarsely called out, "Mother."

"Fangniang, how are you?"

Granny Song couldn’t even manage a greeting with Old Mrs. Xu, directly rushing to her daughter’s bedside and grasping her hand tightly.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Mrs. Xu quickly reminded Song Fang, "You can’t cry during the month of confinement, don’t harm your eyes by crying."

Hearing this, Song Fang forced her tears back and asked her mother, "Why are you here?"

Granny Song looked at her, "It’s such a big deal for you to give birth, how could I, as your mother, not come?"

Song Fang smiled and said she didn’t mean that.

Granny Song looked her up and down; apart from a bit pale due to childbirth, she seemed fuller than before, suggesting that her time at the Xu family had been good and she was well-nourished during the ten months of pregnancy.

She then moved her gaze to the side.

Two wet nurses had already fed the child and brought them back.

The newborn baby, still not very energetic, started sleeping right after feeding.

As long as one wasn’t crying, both were quite quiet.

"Have they been named?" Granny Song asked.

Song Fang looked at her mother-in-law.

Mrs. Xu timely said, "We had already thought about it before the birth. If they’re both girls, they’d be named Jingyi and Jingli; if both boys, Jingbo and Jinghui. If one of each, we’d choose one of each."

After speaking, she said to Song Fang, "The names were chosen by me and the old lady. Now that they’re really a boy and a girl, it’s up to you to decide which names to use."

With both her mother-in-law and her grandmother-in-law present, Song Fang didn’t dare make a decision on her own, so she just smiled, "Let my husband decide!"

Old Mrs. Xu caught on and directly told her, "You’re the one who gave birth, choose whichever name you want, no need to ask that boy."

Only then did Granny Song notice another old lady sitting nearby, turning around quickly to exchange pleasantries, saying she was so rash earlier that she didn’t even greet her, just sticking to her daughter.

Old Mrs. Xu laughed, "You came to see your daughter, not this old woman of mine. If you’re not sticking to your daughter, who else would you stick to, this crumbling old lady?"

Mrs. Xu, fearing that Granny Song might be upset, hurried to explain, "Our old lady has always talked like this. She’s just joking, please don’t take it seriously, dear mother-in-law."

Granny Song said, "I actually quite like this personality of the old lady."

After chatting for a while, they returned to the topic of naming the babies.

Song Fang was at a loss and looked towards her mother.

Granny Song said, "Since both your mothers-in-law have spoken, you can choose whichever you like!"

Song Fang looked down at her pair of children, pondered for a while, "Then it’ll be Jingyi and Jingbo! I like these two."

Mrs. Xu had no objection, "Let’s go with your choices, granddaughter Xu Jingyi, grandson Xu Jingbo."

Granny Song picked up little Jingyi and weighed her, "Pretty heavy."

Mrs. Xu and the old lady exchanged a glance.

These two children were heavier than the average twins, and it was precisely because of this that Song Fang was quite tormented last night, almost failing to deliver safely.

Song Fang, afraid that her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law might spill the beans, quickly shot them a glance.

This daughter-in-law and mother-in-law duo were discerning people and naturally wouldn’t blurt out everything in front of the maternal grandmother, so they tactfully replied a few words.

Just then, a servant came to report that the meal was ready, and Mrs. Xu took the opportunity to change the topic, personally escorting Granny Song to the dining hall.

Song Fang, needing to sit through confinement, couldn’t leave the room and stayed in the inner chamber.

About the time it was determined that no one else was around, Xu Shu came in, gauging the hour and carrying a food box, which was filled with food prepared for the Young Madam by the kitchen.

Song Fang was leaning back against the headboard, holding the newly awakened Jingyi in her arms. She found it quite miraculous that although they were a part of her just yesterday, in such a short night, they had become living beings lying beside her.

When the child was born at dawn, she was quite put off by their wrinkled appearance, and she couldn’t quite adjust to her new role as a ’mother,’ finding it awkward and hard to accept. It was only after seeing her mother that some of her emotions were gradually suppressed. Now as she looked at the child again, although still not that pretty, thinking that it came from her own body, her heart started to warm.

"Wife," Xu Shu’s voice suddenly came.

Song Fang looked up, seeing the man standing at the doorway curtain, he was looking at her with a smile, his eyes still bloodshot from sleeplessness.

"Hungry? I brought you some food."

Xu Shu said as he walked to the side of the bed, opened the food box, and took the food out to place on the bedside table.

Song Fang thought about last night when she was giving birth, there was a moment where she truly thought she’d never see this man again. Right there in the delivery room, she was calling his name and swearing, even making the midwife laugh.

Now seeing him again, she felt an unprecedented closeness.

"Xu Shu," Song Fang called him.

"Hmm?"

Tears welling up in her eyes, Song Fang choked up for a long time before saying, "You’re a bastard."