The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 350 - 318: Seems Like I’ve Discovered an Astounding Secret (Part 2)

Xu Shu heard this, smiled, and brought over the bowl of porridge, gently stirring it with a spoon before bringing it to her lips.

With someone feeding her, Song Fang lazily didn’t bother to move, sipping directly from his hand.

After drinking half a bowl of porridge and another half bowl of soup, Song Fang shook her head, saying she couldn’t eat any more.

Xu Shu put down the small bowl, his gaze lingering on her lower abdomen.

That area was already tightly wrapped in white cloth and covered by clothes, revealing nothing, but it was obvious that the big burden inside had been relieved and was now sleeping beside them.

Not only Song Fang found this miraculous, Xu Shu also thought it was unbelievable, that in just one night’s time, the little one from the womb was now lying on the bed soundly asleep with arms and legs.

"Wife, does it still hurt?" Xu Shu had stayed outside the delivery room last night and heard her cursing him.

"It hurts, what do you think can be done?"

Xu Shu was startled by her, "Then I’ll go call the household doctor."

After speaking, he made to get up.

Song Fang grabbed the man’s wrist at once.

Her entire being was still very weak, without much strength. This grab made her body tilt.

Xu Shu, fearing she might fall, quickly sat down and steadied her.

Song Fang took the opportunity to lean on his shoulder, asking him, "Have you eaten?"

Xu Shu said: "I have eaten."

In reality, he didn’t have much appetite.

Having become a father less than a day, like Song Fang, he couldn’t quite figure out his place in such a short time.

Especially someone like Xu Shu, who was usually carefree, suddenly having two heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, he needed time to adapt and adjust.

"I just heard from the servants that there’s a banquet set in the front hall, why didn’t you go?" Song Fang asked again.

"If I went, who would accompany you?"

"There are plenty of people to accompany me." After all, there were plenty of servants in the household.

Xu Shu raised his eyebrows, casting a sidelong glance at her, "Really don’t need me?"

Song Fang snorted lightly, "Where did you go when I needed you last night?"

Xu Shu: "I was outside getting cursed by you all night, wasn’t that enough?"

As soon as Song Fang heard this, she knew he must have been outside last night, but his words were so annoying.

Clenching her fist, Song Fang wanted to punch him a couple of times, yet her fist was grasped by the man’s warm large hand, and in a shift, he spoke ambiguously, "Wife, you’ve just given birth and are so lively, it makes me think sideways."

Song Fang forcefully pulled back her hand, taking the opportunity to pinch him hard on the arm, "Naughty!"

Xu Shu reached out to embrace her slender shoulders, his voice filled with concern, "Really doesn’t hurt anymore?"

"Idiot!" Song Fang looked at him, both annoyed and amused, "The pain was over long ago."

"Then upon seeing your mother, did your spirits lift a bit?" Xu Shu asked again.

Previously, Mrs. Xu and Old Mrs. Xu both came to check on her in the delivery room for this precise matter—after the child was born, Song Fang was having a hard time accepting it, her mood wasn’t great.

Though the two tried to persuade her for a long time, it seemed not to help much; she still remained gloomy, lacking the spirit to talk to anyone.

In fact, Song Fang herself wasn’t sure; while pregnant, she would talk to the baby daily, eagerly anticipating their arrival, but after the birth, she just couldn’t accept it.

Perhaps the identity shift was too sudden, or the baby’s appearance didn’t match her expectations, during those initial moments post-birth, Song Fang was utterly confused, her mind a blank.

The things her mother-in-law and granny said, she didn’t hear them, or rather, they didn’t seem to make a difference.

What truly made her feel better was unexpectedly seeing Granny Song.

She hadn’t expected her mother to visit the day after her delivery.

Even though her mother wasn’t good with words and couldn’t say comforting things, Song Fang’s heart warmed in a way her in-laws couldn’t offer, a silent comfort.

...

When Xu Shu hadn’t heard her voice for a while, he thought she had fallen asleep. Turning his head, he saw Song Fang still with her eyes open, and asked again, "Why aren’t you talking?"

Song Fang seemed to only then come back to her senses, addressing his previous question, "My mother came personally, of course my mood improved."

"Really?"

"I haven’t deceived you."

"Then promise me, don’t overthink, focus on recovering, and if you must, just think about me."

"..."

——

After the meal, Granny Song sat with Old Mrs. Xu in the hall for a while, then came to Song Fang’s room to chat with her.

The mother and daughter’s way of interacting hadn’t changed much since Song Fang got married. They couldn’t exchange a few words before Granny Song started criticizing her.

Song Fang had long been accustomed to her mother’s nature. The more Granny Song criticized, the more Song Fang laughed, seemingly quite pleased about it.

The little maids serving in the room were left dumbfounded.

They stayed at the Xu Family’s place until the afternoon, then Granny Song had to leave.

Song Fang was reluctant to let her go, "Mom, why don’t you stay a few more days? I’ll have someone arrange a room for you."

Granny Song didn’t agree, "You make it sound so easy. If I stay, tomorrow your third brother and his wife will go to the government office and school, who will take care of Jinbao?"

"Didn’t you say Da Ya from second brother’s family is here? She should be able to handle it for a few days, right? Da Ya used to often take care of her two sisters; she’s got experience."

"It’s not just about experience, is it? Jinbao isn’t some country kid who can survive with just any food. He’s our little precious, delicate as gold. I’m not comfortable with him in anyone’s hands but my own."

Song Fang rolled her eyes, "After all that, I get it. Grandson is precious, grandson-in-law is just grass."

"But he’s still Xu Family’s golden grass," Granny Song said. "Don’t you start talking nonsense here. You know the situation in Third Son’s family. The young couple leaves early and returns late every day. Third Son’s wife only has me as her mother-in-law. If she doesn’t entrust me, is she supposed to call her stepmother from Ningzhou to take care of the child?"

Song Fang burst into laughter, "I just said one line, do you have to take it so seriously? Invite her stepmother from the Wen Family, that’s quite the thought."

Granny Song snapped at her, "You can think about abandoning your grandson for your own mother, so why can’t I think about having Third Son’s wife call her stepmother to take care of her child?"

Song Fang was truly convinced by her mother’s sharp tongue, "Alright, you’re always right. While the sun’s still up, hurry back!"

She was merely joking in the first place.

After having children, it’s already not bad if your family can come for a glance. Which mother-in-law would directly stay at the son-in-law’s house? Wouldn’t that be a direct insult to the mother-in-law, implying she doesn’t care for her daughter-in-law well enough?

"Don’t be unhappy," Granny Song said. "If I really stayed, your mother-in-law might not say it, but she’d surely have thoughts."

Oh well, the mother and daughter were on the same page.

Song Fang felt both amused and annoyed, "When did I say I was unhappy? Wasn’t I asking you to go back early? It wouldn’t be good to travel the road once it gets dark."

Granny Song patted her clothes, "Then I’m leaving now!"

"Mm, Mei Zhi, see the old lady off."

...

After leaving Song Fang’s room, Granny Song went to find Mrs. Xu to bid farewell.

Mrs. Xu hurried to have some supplements prepared, and then personally saw her off to the front gate.

Xu Shu also came out, claiming he would personally escort his mother-in-law back home.

Granny Song waved her hand, refusing, saying she had come by her own carriage and would return directly, no need to trouble Xu Shu.

Mrs. Xu didn’t agree and instructed her son, "Shu’er, make sure to see your mother-in-law off properly."

Xu Shu agreed, taking the gift box from the servant’s hands.

The son-in-law insisted on escorting, and Granny Song didn’t refuse again, but regarding the gift, "There were already a lot of gifts when you came to announce the good news earlier. No need to give more now, right?"

Mrs. Xu said, "What was sent in the morning were the celebration gifts and Mid-Autumn gifts. What’s being sent now is the supplements I specially prepared for my in-laws. Take it back and nourish your body. It’s nothing expensive, just something fresh to try."

——

Yuanbao came back for lunch but had to leave before the evening reunion banquet to return before the palace gates closed.

Upon arriving at Yutang Palace, he was surprised to find that Zhao Xi’s main hall still hadn’t opened.

Yuanbao asked a little eunuch and learned that the fellow hadn’t gotten up since the morning and didn’t even have lunch.

Yuanbao was taken aback, "Aren’t you worried about this?"

The little eunuch said honestly, "Every year, only on Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year’s Eve does he take a day off. On those days, His Highness sleeps for a long time and only gets up near evening to prepare directly for the palace banquet, not allowing the servants to disturb him in the meantime."

From the little eunuch, Yuanbao also learned that Zhao Xi never allowed anyone to stay inside while he slept, even if someone had to keep watch, it could only be outside.

He glanced at the sky, "The palace banquet is about to start, isn’t it? How can he not get up? I’ll go take a look."

The little eunuch’s face changed slightly, blocking him, "Young Master Song, please don’t make it difficult for this servant."

Yuanbao smiled slightly and called out behind him, "Your Highness, you’re awake?"

The little eunuch turned to look.

Taking the chance, Yuanbao pushed open the door and slipped in, latching it from the inside.

The little eunuch, both anxious and angry, didn’t dare knock on the door for fear of disturbing His Highness, so he could only stand outside in frustration.

Yuanbao was about to wake Zhao Xi.

He tiptoed into the inner hall and was stunned by the scene in front of him.

The young prince, known for his rigor and self-discipline, not only kicked off the quilt but also nudged the pillow around. The fine square pillow was pushed upright by him, leaning against the bedhead.

Yuanbao: "..." It seemed he had discovered a rather significant secret.