The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 366 - 334: Another Year, the Manor Heads Bring Tribute (Second Update)

The information in this letter was so overwhelming that after listening to it, Wen Wan remained in a dazed state.

After a long time, she raised her head and looked at Song Wei, "So, apart from the lost house and Sanyang’s disappearance, my father, stepmother, godfather, godmother, and second brother and sister-in-law are all fine, right?"

Song Wei said, "According to the letter, before the earthquake, the county government had already ordered each village to set up temporary shelters at the grain drying grounds. Each household moved their bedding and cooking utensils there, living and eating outside the house. So even though the earthquake happened at night, the people had time to escape, and the casualties weren’t severe."

He paused and his voice dropped a few tones, "Unfortunately, Sanyang is missing."

Under normal circumstances, if someone went missing, there might be a chance of them being kidnapped by traffickers, but at least, for a short while, the child wouldn’t be in mortal danger. As long as Wei Qian and the others got involved, they could likely find her soon enough.

But she got separated from her family while fleeing during the earthquake. Sanyang would only turn six after the New Year. How could a little girl with no adult around possibly escape the natural disaster on her own?

Therefore, it’s highly likely that the little girl is no longer alive.

The thought of this possibility weighed heavily on Wen Wan’s heart.

But she didn’t have the time to lament over this; there were many matters needing resolution.

"Even if we do nothing, father and mother wouldn’t just watch Second Brother and Sister-in-law be left homeless. Husband, what should we do next? You decide!"

Song Wei almost didn’t hesitate, "With such a calamity, I cannot stand by. Once the New Year passes, we’ll have them brought over."

After finishing, he asked Wen Wan, "If I let them temporarily move to our home, would that trouble Wanwan?"

Wen Wan shook her head, "Given the circumstances, being able to reunite our family is most important, isn’t it?"

Song Wei explained, "We’ll first have Second Brother and Sister-in-law stay with us for some time. Once they get familiar with the Capital, we can settle them in. Whether they move to a courtyard house in an alley or we buy another residence, we can decide then."

Wen Wan listened attentively, having no objections. Although the sister-in-law can be irritatingly harsh in speech and actions, she’s now without a home, money, and even her daughter.

Everyone has times when they’re down, and Wen Wan couldn’t bring herself to strike someone who’s down.

...

After the couple discussed the plan all night, the next day was New Year’s Eve. They tacitly agreed not to mention the matters of Ningzhou, hoping for a worry-free family New Year’s dinner.

Because of the many servants, the mansion bustled with activity early in the morning. Wen Wan had just washed up and was about to head to the kitchen to see if she could help with anything.

Before she stepped over the threshold, Yun Cai came in to report that people from the manor had arrived.

Back when dealing with the Black Wind Mountain bandits, Song Wei received a thousand acres of fertile land from Emperor Guangxi. Without time to manage it themselves, they hired several manor heads to recruit tenants for farming.

On this festive day, the manor heads came to pay their respects.

Wen Wan personally went to the front courtyard to greet them. All the manor heads from the various manors had come, bringing gifts of pheasants, wild deer, gazelles, and roes—wild game, and quite a lot of it.

Upon seeing Wen Wan, the few individuals lowered their eyes and bowed, then stood aside with their sleeves tucked in, waiting for the hostess to speak.

For the first time, Wen Wan felt deeply aware of her role as the lady of the house. Afraid that exposing too much emotion might make the manor heads perceive her as unstable or lacking in presence, she tried to remain calm, raising her eyes to look at them, "It’s only the first year, and you bring so much. Why not keep it for your own New Year?"

The manor heads spoke pleasing words.

"There’s been heavy snow this year, and there’s much in the forest. The folks below hunted quite a bit. These are specially brought to honor the master and lady."

Wen Wan understood immediately.

The prey was hunted by the tenants in the mountains, and before reaching the mansion, the manor heads had already skimmed off a portion.

This phenomenon exists wherever there are social classes.

Even though Wen Wan could see through it, she had to tolerate it publicly and could not expose it in front of everyone.

She reviewed the list and instructed Mrs. Cao to arrange for several individuals to have tea in the side room.

They refused, saying it was New Year’s Eve, and they needed to return to work.

Wen Wan didn’t insist, so she had Mrs. Cao hand out some New Year’s tips before sending them off.

...

Upon learning that the manor sent gifts, Granny Song was delighted. Looking at the pile of wild game, she said, "Why didn’t I realize before that having land could bring such benefits?"

Wen Wan laughed, saying that their own land was different from the Emperor’s personally gifted land.

"Indeed, it’s different. The land granted by the Emperor is golden land. Besides the rent, you can also get wild game. The pelts of these animals, I reckon, would fetch quite a bit."

Granny Song said this, bending down to reach into a cage and touch a live hare, feeling its soft fur, and then said, "This rabbit’s fur is nice. In a while, have your father slaughter it; he has the experience to remove the pelt whole. Then, we can make two neck warmers for my grandsons to wear on their collars, so they won’t feel cold when they wear them."

Beside them, Song Jiao heard this and pouted, feigning grievance, "Granny, you only favor your grandson. What about me?"

Granny Song pointed to the ground, "Isn’t this a big pile here? Pick whichever you like, even if it has no fur, the hide will do. Make boots, they’ll keep your feet warm and dry in this cold weather."

Song Jiao spent a long time picking and settled on the chamois, asking Wen Wan to give it to her.

Wen Wan chuckled, "Didn’t your granny just say that you can pick whatever you want? Once you’ve chosen, it’s yours."

Hearing this, Song Jiao hesitated a bit and pointed shyly at the deer, "Can I also have this one?"

Granny Song glared at her, "What are you, a fairy? One piece of chamois hide isn’t enough?"

Slightly biting her lip, Song Jiao spoke in a low, nervous voice, "I just want to make a few more pairs to send them back to my parents and sister. They have no boots for winter."

She knew Granny didn’t like her parents, afraid of being rejected.

After hearing this, Granny Song said nothing more and left with a stern face.

Wen Wan glanced at the little girl standing there, smiled, and said, "Your granny is straightforward but kind-hearted. Her silence means she agrees. Go ahead and choose. I’ll ensure the skins are kept intact during the butchering, and then each of your family will have a pair made."

Overjoyed, Song Jiao hugged Wen Wan, "I knew it, Third Aunt is the best."

The happier the little girl, the heavier Wen Wan’s heart felt. Her eyes slightly reddened in a place where Song Jiao couldn’t see.

Avoiding being noticed for her emotions, she quickly calmed down.

Soon, Yuanbao returned from the palace, saying he missed dinner last Mid-Autumn and couldn’t miss it tonight for anything.

Wen Wan asked him, "How many days off for New Year?"

Song Yuanbao pulled a hard-to-describe expression, "Don’t bring it up, only New Year’s Eve. On New Year’s Day, while others are celebrating, I still have to attend class with His Highness."

Feeling sorry for him, Wen Wan knew there was no changing this, and smiled, "Then eat a bit more tonight, so you won’t be too tired for class in the morning."

Song Yuanbao chuckled, "As soon as I came in, the gatekeeper mentioned there’s wild game, quite a lot; Mom, is that true?"

"Sent from the manor," Wen Wan said, "There aren’t many of us, might not butcher it all today. Go see what you fancy and tell your grandpa. He’s handling the knives."

Hearing there’s indeed wild game, Song Yuanbao’s mouth watered as he hastily headed to the kitchen.

Old Song was sharpening knives.

After picking, Song Yuanbao didn’t rush to leave but rolled up his sleeves, intending to help out.

Old Song refused, telling him to stay aside, saying scholars shouldn’t get involved with such things.

Song Yuanbao confidently looked at Old Song, "My dad is a scholar too, isn’t he? Back home, he’s done it all—killing chickens, ducks, chopping wood, carrying water."

Old Song still shooed him, "You’re different from your father. You’re the Eldest Prince’s companion; bloody hands aren’t auspicious."

Song Yuanbao said it was fine, after some hot water he’d be clean.

Old Song: "..."

The wild game was butchered, and Wen Wan, taking advantage of its freshness, selected portions to send to the Xie Family, also sending a deer hide for boots for the little ones.

——

No matter how difficult it was for the couple, they still managed to have a joyful reunion dinner with the family.

After three days into the New Year, Song Wei took the initiative to confess to his parents.

He didn’t speak too directly, only telling Old Song and Granny Song that there had been an earthquake in Ningzhou, that Erlang’s family’s house and fish pond were gone, and they were currently staying with the Wen Family in the county. This couldn’t continue, so he planned to bring them over.

Regarding the disappearance of Sanyang, Song Wei said nothing.

Upon hearing this, Granny Song’s face, once playful with her grandson, suddenly fell, "The house is gone, the fish pond too, is everyone alright?"

Song Wei said they were safe for the time being.

Granny Song frowned, glancing at Old Song, "What has Erlang’s family done to deserve this? That fish pond was just starting to look promising, and now with the earthquake, everything’s buried, not even a fish eye left. Erlang’s wife must be spitting blood in anger."

Old Song sighed, "No matter what, Third Son, quickly bring them over. It’s too pitiful. In times like these, as a brother, you must provide them with a place to stay and something to eat."

Song Wei nodded, "I’ll arrange it shortly."

Before leaving, he instructed his parents not to mention this to Song Jiao just yet.