The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 854 - 810: Seeking Glory (Part 1)

Old Song recently enjoyed sitting with others at the alley entrance to play chess. It wasn’t until he came home one evening that he heard Granny Song had arranged for Song Qi to marry Xie Feng, and Song Qi was not happy about it, causing quite a commotion in the west courtyard. He disapproved and looked at his wife, "Each generation has its own blessings. Let Third Lang’s wife handle this. At our age, why are we still meddling in matchmaking?"

Granny Song snorted, "With Song Qi’s nature, a leopard can’t change its spots. She’d be a disaster wherever she goes. The Xie family is related; even if she stirs up trouble there, the elders won’t be too harsh on her. Otherwise, if she went elsewhere, she might not even know if someone secretly harmed her."

Old Song’s moustache twitched, "The Xie family is indeed related; they are still my sister’s family. How could you harm them in this way?"

"You do realize your granddaughter is trouble?" Granny Song chuckled in anger, "It’s not me forcing the Xie family to marry her. It’s that boy from Xie Zheng’s family who fancies her. Recently, his family was trying to arrange a marriage for him. Among so many beautiful young daughters of officials, he didn’t want any. He specifically named the second in the family, Song Qi. The invitation from the Xie family is still with Third Lang’s wife. It’s about this matter. If you disagree, talk to your sister yourself. There’s no point telling me."

Old Song paused for a moment, surprised that the seemingly honest boy from Xie Zheng’s family liked such a spirited nature like Song Qi’s.

But everyone has their preferences. Since Xie Feng himself suggested it, he couldn’t very well tell the Xie family not to marry.

Granny Song saw Old Song’s expression waver and snorted again, "Things are quite lively in the west courtyard. She’s cried and caused a fuss, just shy of hanging herself. Aren’t you, as her grandfather, going to persuade her?"

Old Song found himself in a difficult position.

Going would mean persuading his granddaughter to marry into the Xie family. He knew very well his granddaughter’s nature; once she entered the Xie family’s door, there would soon be chaos.

Not going would mean watching his granddaughter stir things up to the point of threatening suicide. How could they not become a laughingstock, tarnishing Third Lang’s name?

Granny Song noticed his long hesitation and called in Yun Xia, "Go to the west courtyard to watch over things. If she just cries and causes a scene, let it be. But if she dares to hang herself, don’t stop her. Tell them I said so. If she doesn’t want to live, let her die to save everyone the trouble."

Yun Xia’s mouth twitched. The old lady was truly furious.

The Second Miss was also at fault for being oblivious. Knowing the old lady was not to be trifled with, she still made such a big scene.

What was wrong with the Xie family? Mr. Xie had been favored by the late Emperor and was assigned various inspections across states last year, successfully solving a big case. Now he’s a fifth-rank official in the capital. His official wife, Yang, and mother, from the Song family, had already been awarded titles. With the Song family connection, the new emperor would hardly neglect the Xie family. Mr. Xie’s career was set to flourish. Marrying into the Xie family promised endless wealth and fortune. Where did the Second Miss get the confidence to think that the eldest young master of the Xie family was beneath her?

...

In the west courtyard, Song Qi was still crying and fussing, her eyes swollen like peaches. Even Song Erlang, returning from the Lower Court, didn’t dare to enter because of her commotion, standing outside instead.

When Yun Xia arrived, Song Erlang was startled and then asked, "Did the old lady send you with a message?"

Yun Xia bowed in greeting and called him Second Master. Hearing the sobs inside the room, she shook her head, "Second Master, you should persuade the Second Miss."

Song Erlang wore a pained expression, "Is the old lady really planning for Qi Qi to marry into the Xie family?"

It’s not that he thought poorly of the Xie family, but it felt too familiar, going from distant relatives to direct in-laws. It was a bit awkward. If the young couple got along well, it would be a delight; social exchanges would become inevitable. If they didn’t, it would make things difficult for the elders.

Yun Xia sensed Song Erlang’s concern. She also knew such in-law relations could be tough, but as a servant, her heart had to align with her masters. She didn’t bluntly convey the old lady’s words but said diplomatically, "I don’t mean to sound harsh, but the Second Miss indeed has an unruly nature. If she were to marry into another family and encounter a difficult mother-in-law, she wouldn’t fare well and would end up suffering. But the Xie family is kin, and the aunt is your grandfather’s own sister. They’ll show mercy for his sake, even if the Second Miss causes a fuss. Good days are made over time. The Second Miss is still young and doesn’t understand worldly ways. Once she’s married and matures, she’ll naturally come to understand."

These words acted as a wake-up call for Song Erlang. Once Yun Xia left, he rushed into the house and pulled his wife out.

Second Lang’s wife had just been given a headache by Song Qi’s antics. Now dragged and pulled by her husband, she complained, "What are you doing?"

She pushed Song Erlang away with a huff.

Once they were far enough from the main room, Song Erlang said to her, "We must agree to this marriage."

Second Lang’s wife immediately glared, "It’s one thing for the old woman to be muddled, but you’re siding with her instead of helping your daughter. Song Erlang, are you even Qi Qi’s real father?"

"Yes, of course I am." Song Erlang hurried to soothe her emotions, "But because I’m her real father, I can’t just watch Qi Qi miss out on a good marriage."

"A good marriage?" Second Lang’s wife was so angry she could burst, "Third Son is the Imperial Tutor, what is the Xie Family? Just a fifth-rank small official, and I heard he doesn’t even have the right to attend court. Qi Qi going there would be a step down, tell me, what’s good about it?"

"Fifth-rank isn’t that low." Song Erlang muttered, "I don’t even have a rank."

He had been working in the Shuntian Prefecture for a long time, gaining much knowledge. He knew in this dynasty, starting from fifth-rank, there were spots in the Imperial College and Hongwen Academy; civil servants often compared the number of spots their families had.

Third Son had incredible luck marrying the Eldest Princess’s daughter, rising swiftly, others couldn’t compare.

But Xie Zheng climbed up step by step, solidly, and being able to reach fifth-rank in just a few years showed his remarkable capability.

He wasn’t stopping at fifth-rank, he would continue to rise. His wife’s vision was too short-sighted!

Thinking of this, Song Erlang’s attitude became firmer, "There’s no negotiating this. A parent’s command and the matchmaker’s words; I’m her father, I say marry, she’ll marry, does she dare defy?"

Second Lang’s wife was stunned.

Usually, in front of her, Song Erlang was always submissive, timid. Today his image changed radically, suddenly becoming firm, catching her off guard.

Once she regained her senses, Second Lang’s wife shrieked and was about to hit Song Erlang.

Song Erlang instinctively pushed, sending his wife to the ground.

Song Erlang, being the arrest officer, had honed his skills at the government office, and being a big man, had considerable strength; with that push, Second Lang’s wife fell, seeing stars, and then started slapping her thigh and crying, saying her husband was heartless, their family had already lost one daughter, if this one is casually married off, who will she rely on for the rest of her life?

Song Erlang ignored her, went inside to yell at the still crying Song Qi a few times, then turned around to go eat.

At Qingteng Residence, Ye Ling was saving dinner at the mother-in-law’s courtyard, listening to Yun Cai’s lively report about the West Courtyard situation, she looked at Wen Wan, "Mother isn’t going to handle this matter?"

Wen Wan took a sip of soup, shook her head, "I can’t handle it."

Back when Song Qi was causing trouble, she tried everything, doing all she could. Song Qi’s nature was likely born, as they say old habits die hard, she’s already grown up, teaching her is impossible.

Moreover, the matter is too difficult; if she intervened, regardless of whether Song Qi marries Xie Feng in the end, she would carry the reputation of a meddler. Since there’s a mother-in-law to block in front, why should she wade into troubled waters again? What’s most urgent now is quickly arranging the ancestral rites trip back home; as soon as Third Son finishes transitioning his government work, they’ll depart.

...

Second Lang’s wife cried once, before bedtime Song Erlang noticed she was a bit calmer and started to explain what Yun Xia had said, analyzing the pros and cons, saying their daughter wasn’t some virtuous character, if she fell into another mother-in-law’s hands, who knows how she’d be tormented, going to the Xie Family is much more stable. The Xie Family and Song Family are long-standing relatives, Aunt Xie never mistreated Xie Tao’s wife, let alone their daughter who is her brother’s granddaughter, it’s even less possible to be harsh. Moreover, Xie Zheng is still young, there will be plenty of opportunities to rise in the future. If he becomes a high-ranking official, their daughter may regret it but can’t find a place to hide.

With this analysis, Second Lang’s wife gradually calmed down, thought carefully, seems like it makes sense, "According to you, if this marriage happens, our family can benefit?"

"What else?" Song Erlang said, "With Xie Zheng’s connection to Third Son, as long as Third Son mentions him to Your Majesty, promotion and wealth aren’t a matter of time, if he really prospers, will he forget me, his relative? Haven’t you always wanted to be an official’s wife? There’s now a ready-made opportunity."

Second Lang’s wife felt tempted, all these years, watching Third Son rise again and again, watching Wen Wan live more luxuriantly day by day, it’s only natural inside she felt envious and jealous; but her own husband had limited ability, she wanted to be an official’s wife, every day receiving invitations and going to various banquets, but didn’t have the privileged fate.

Song Erlang’s words undoubtedly rekindled Second Lang’s wife’s fervent desire to be an official’s wife, she wiped her face and no longer complained about her husband, "Since the Xie Family actively seeks marriage, it’s not like we’re selling our daughter for glory, tomorrow morning I’ll persuade Qi Qi."