The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 848 - 804: Qixi Festival (2nd Update)

Wen Wan held the invitation with the plum blossom gold seal and glanced at it, then suddenly laughed and said, "It seems this year will be lively." She instructed Yun Cai next to her, "Go and let the Young Madam know that on the Qixi Festival, we will go to Fahua Temple to offer incense."

Yun Cai responded and quickly left Qingteng Residence, heading to Harmony Pavilion where Ye Ling and Song Yuanbao resided.

Song Yuanbao went to the Hanlin Academy, leaving Ye Ling idle and alone. She sat on the couch doing embroidery; on the rain-over-azure cloth was a pattern of two fish playing in water, symbolizing joy and prosperity.

Yun Cai came in and joked with a smile, "Two fish in water, blessings and many sons, is the Young Madam trying to bless this house with a Young Master Sun?"

Ye Ling blushed upon hearing this; she and Song Yuanbao hadn’t even consummated the marriage yet!

"I’m just embroidering for fun, it doesn’t have any particular meaning, don’t talk nonsense." She hastily put away her embroidery frame and sat on a nearby circle chair, asking Yun Cai, "Why are you here, has Mother sent any message?"

Seeing Ye Ling’s pretended calmness, Yun Cai secretly found it amusing, knowing that the Young Madam had thin skin, and so she decided not to tease her further, seriously saying, "Madam said that Qixi is in a few days, so she asked the Young Madam to prepare for our incense offering at Fahua Temple."

Hearing the words "Qixi," Ye Ling’s tender face blushed even more as if ablaze.

Her husband just told her last night that he wanted to save the consummation of their marriage for Qixi. She was making a sachet by embroidering it to complete it before Qixi and then personally give it to him.

Ye Ling didn’t expect that her mother-in-law was also preparing to celebrate Qixi, so it seemed she had to speed up her work.

That evening, when Song Yuanbao returned from the Hanlin Academy and learned from his young wife about the plan to go to Fahua Temple on Qixi, he frowned slightly.

Ye Ling softly asked, "Husband, is something wrong?"

"A lot of people will go to Fahua Temple on Qixi." With so many rumors about Yun Six Lang selecting a wife, it was impossible for Song Yuanbao not to have heard. He wasn’t really keen on Ye Ling going, mainly because of safety concerns, and most importantly, he was afraid of the coincidence that she would be that thousandth person.

"Why don’t you tell Mother that you’re not feeling well and not go?" Song Yuanbao suggested.

"Is there something important, Husband?" Ye Ling asked.

"Just listen to me," Song Yuanbao said, taking a sip of tea, moving closer to Ye Ling, sitting on the embroidery stool, and gently holding her hand, "You forgot that we agreed that it’s a very important day, I don’t want you to go out."

After listening, Ye Ling was too shy to look up, and then playfully said, "We’re going out during the day, not at night. Even if you’re anxious, we have to wait until evening..."

She couldn’t continue the sentence, quickly withdrawing the hand held by Song Yuanbao to cover her flushed face.

Once she finally calmed down, she said, "Moreover, this is my first time going to the temple two months after getting married, as suggested by Mother-in-law. If I refuse, she won’t be pleased. Husband, please don’t make it difficult for me."

How could Song Yuanbao bear to trouble his young wife? He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, then. I’ll take leave and go with you."

Ye Ling looked at him in surprise, "Is it fine to suddenly request leave with no pressing matters? Will the Dean agree?"

Song Yuanbao raised his eyebrows with a smile, "I have good connections, taking a leave is no problem."

...

On the day of Qixi, the West City Gate was bustling with activity early in the morning, with numerous carriages and sedan chairs of noble women passing through.

Wen Wan, along with her son and daughter-in-law, and niece Song Qi, met up with the people from the Western Marquis Mansion at the city gate.

As there were too many people, making it inconvenient to get down, Wen Wan had to lift the carriage curtain and greet Mrs. Xu.

Mrs. Xu smiled and said, "I anticipated there would be quite a crowd today, but I didn’t expect this many. We were held up earlier; otherwise, we would have been here sooner."

Wen Wan also felt that there were excessively many people today, and she smiled helplessly, "This festival is for young people, we normally shouldn’t get involved, but my mother-in-law checked the almanac, and today is a perfect day for incense offering, so despite the crowd, we came. By the way, Sanlang has already sent someone beforehand to notify the Abbot, who reserved a vacant guest courtyard for us, so when we arrive, we won’t have to squeeze in with other worshippers and can just rest there."

"Is that so? That’s great." Mrs. Xu was worried about how to get inside to offer incense with so many people.

Now everything was fine; the Song family’s high status, and with Song Sanlang being the emperor’s teacher, made their influence undeniable. Not just the Abbot of Fahua Temple, but even Master Xuyun would have to show some courtesy and reserve them a courtyard.

With these thoughts, Mrs. Xu’s mind involuntarily turned back to her daughter.

The Western Marquis Mansion is a noble family, not much different in status compared to the Song family—but unfortunately, Jiajia had divorced, and just that is enough to deter many excellent suitors, otherwise, finding a husband as exceptional as Song Sanlang to support her would surely lead to a good life.

Xu Jia, however, didn’t share her mother’s concerns; she thought to herself that actually Yun Huai had already asked the Abbot to save a courtyard for her, but since the Song family had secured one, she would forgo it, lest her mother and sister-in-law press her on how she managed to secure the courtyard, leaving her without a quick excuse.

Seeing Xu Jia, Wen Wan smiled and asked, "How’s the marriage prospect going?"

Few knew about the affair with the Li Family, so the matter hadn’t leaked out. Hence, Wen Wan was totally unaware, only knowing that Mrs. Xu had been arranging marriage prospects for Xu Jia, but not very successfully.

Xu Jia responded calmly, "No progress. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be going to the temple today to inquire about marriage fortunes."

Wen Wan understood and said, "The divinations at Fahua Temple are famous for being effective; it’s a good idea to inquire."

Xu Jia, having been to Fahua Temple but never having asked for a divination, inquired offhandedly when Wen Wan mentioned it, "Has Madam Song ever asked?"

At the words, Wen Wan paused, thinking of Lin Xiaoyue, her expression darkening slightly, and nodded, "I have accompanied someone there before. They all came true later."

Mrs. Xu widened her eyes in disbelief, "Is it really that effective?"

"Asking about fortune and misfortune is quite accurate, but for marriage, I don’t really know. You’ll only find out when you try."

"Then let’s not delay, let’s set off quickly!" Mrs. Xu urged, "There are many people today, and the roads are surely congested with traffic, so getting stuck is inevitable, and we don’t know what hour it’ll be when we finally reach Fahua Temple."

Wen Wan nodded, instructing the coachman to begin the journey after lowering the curtain.

Song Yuanbao, riding a chestnut horse, had been listening to their conversation and learned that Xu Jia was going to the temple to inquire about marriage fortunes. So, he rode up to her carriage and said to her inside, "Aunt Jia, are you going to inquire about marriage fortunes?"

Xu Jia lifted the curtain and met Song Yuanbao’s smiling face, she chuckled, "Yes, if I don’t ask, I might remain unmarried."

"Isn’t there an opportunity right in front of you?" Song Yuanbao said, "With so many girls going to Fahua Temple today, you probably know why. Although the chance isn’t very big, I think you could give it a shot."

"Me?" Xu Jia looked at him amusedly, "Do you think if I were that thousandth person, Yun Liulang would marry me?"

"Why couldn’t he?" Song Yuanbao said, "A gentleman’s promise is as precious as gold. As the head of the Yun family, every action is watched by the world. Since they consulted Master Xuyun’s divination, no matter who that fragrance-offering lady is today, regardless of her birth or appearance, Yun Liulang must marry her."

Song Fang laughed and lightly teased through the curtain, "You brat, who are you teasing? Jiajia is your elder, show some respect when joking. Off you go!"

Song Yuanbao suddenly chuckled, "Actually, if Aunt Jia is interested, I could arrange for someone to help cheat, making you the destined one in Master Xuyun’s divination, and then you can marry into the Yun family as the Family Head. How impressive!"

Song Fang shook her head, "Impressive? Can being impressive feed you? Your aunt needs a husband to spend a lifetime with, not just for show."

Song Yuanbao scoffed, "I just think, no matter how Aunt Jia chooses, she shouldn’t settle for someone lower than the Tang family’s Second Master. Otherwise, if he finds out your subsequent husband is inferior, who knows how much he’d mock you behind your back!"

"There’s some sense in what you’re saying." Xu Jia nodded in agreement, "However, marriage is a lifelong affair, it must be to one’s liking. One shouldn’t make a lifelong regret over a moment’s impulse. If it’s not satisfactory, it’s better not to marry at all."

After Song Yuanbao left, Mrs. Xu sighed, "That Yun Family Head, the first time I saw him, he seemed quite steady. Why has the marriage issue stirred such a commotion? Not only does it disturb the public, but if there’s a mix-up, it would make everyone laugh. Alas, still young and restless, enjoying extravagant displays."

Song Fang’s mouth twitched, "If the Yun Family Head were to marry our Jiajia, Mother, you’d probably think it’s an honor."

Mrs. Xu huffed, "If he married my daughter, I’d consider those words I just said as nothing but air."