novelraw Chapter 855 - 811: Returning Home (Second Update)
Chapter 855 - 811: Returning Home (Second Update)
The next morning, Second Lang’s wife went to Song Qi’s Cuihua Pavilion, originally intending to persuade her, but was met with a closed door. Song Qi had bolted it from the inside, locking herself away from everyone.
Second Lang’s wife had to return to her own courtyard, frustrated.
...
A few days later, Song Wei, Song Erlang, and Yuanbao took successive leaves of absence.
Wen Wan had already arranged a convoy to carry goods. Having been in the capital for so many years, it was a rare formal return in splendor, bringing back many items for family and villagers.
Except for Song Qi, who stayed behind, the rest all returned.
Second Household’s Song Erlang couple brought along Song Duobao.
Third Household’s Song Wei couple, the young Yuanbao couple, the young ones Jinbao and Qi Bao, plus Granny Song and Old Song.
Apart from that, there were over thirty people, including maidservants, young servants, and old maids who took care of them along the way, making the convoy a grand spectacle and attracting many onlookers as they left the city.
The journey to Ningzhou was too long, and Yuanbao was not fit to ride horseback, so he accompanied Ye Ling in the carriage.
In the larger and more luxurious carriage in front were Song Wei’s couple and Jinbao Qi Bao.
Although Song Wei had been busy these days, he had heard about Song Qi’s situation. He asked Wen Wan, "How is Qi Qi doing?"
Wen Wan, while feeding Qi Bao soft cakes, responded, "Afraid she might cause some trouble, I’ve arranged for Mrs. Jin to watch over her."
Mrs. Jin, who used to be by Zhao Xunyin’s side, was later sent to Wen Wan by Song Wei to serve her. She had her ways of dealing with someone like Song Qi.
Song Wei said, "The sudden marriage proposal from the Xie family is quite unexpected."
"To each their own,"
Regarding the engagement between Song Qi and the Xie family, Wen Wan intended to stay out of it. She only occasionally had the maids from the courtyard gather information to prevent Song Qi from doing anything to harm the Song family’s reputation. On the surface, she never asked Second Lang’s wife about it.
Previously, before heading out, Second Lang’s wife approached her voluntarily and, smiling, said she had been persuading Qi Qi. She added that the girl was still young and didn’t understand things yet, suggesting a little time would calm her down.
Wen Wan simply smiled without a word, not wanting to express any opinion.
The larger a family grows, the more complicated its relationships become. As the person in charge, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage, and Song Wei understood Wen Wan’s difficulties. He said, "If things eventually work out, let the Second Household handle the marriage arrangements. Wan Wan, you needn’t worry too much."
Wen Wan had been worried about this. No matter how much she distanced herself, she was ultimately the head matron. If the marriage came to fruition, she would still have to handle it. At that point, not wanting to get involved would be impossible. Now, with her husband’s reassurance, her mother-in-law certainly wouldn’t have any objections, allowing herself much peace of mind.
Feeling a wave of relief, Wen Wan smiled and said, "Only my husband knows how to care for me."
Song Wei’s lips curled slightly, "You’re the only one in the rear courtyard, if not you, then who?"
Though the Song family returned home in large numbers, master and servants alike, due to Song Wei’s prestigious status, they stayed at official post houses along the way, without needing to pay for inns.
An Imperial Tutor is like a living deity, staying at official post houses is seen as a condescension. Therefore, the inn officials took utmost care, making every arrangement meticulously, fearing that displeasing Lord Emperor’s Tutor might cost them their jobs.
Arriving in Ningzhou in late July, the Song family’s house there had long been destroyed by an earthquake.
Before leaving, Wen Wan sent a letter to Father Wen, asking him to help find a spacious house to rent in the county city so that both families would have a place to stay. Staying at an inn wasn’t feasible for their long-term stay.
Over the years, Father Wen had built up some connections through business, and with just a quick inquiry, he found a vacant two-entry courtyard. Because the house owner was familiar with him and heard it was the Imperial Tutor’s return for a family visit, he wouldn’t accept even a single coin in rent. He said they could stay for as long as they needed and even offered help to find staff if needed.
As Song Wei returned home, the news had been transmitted layer by layer, so even before he arrived, the various local officials had already been informed. Naturally, everyone wanted to invite him for dinner or drinks to build connections, however, Song Wei’s official duties in Beijing left him with a tight schedule, and with many in court eager to seize any missteps, he declined all invitations to avoid suspicion.
Including when reaching Pingjiang County, where the County Magistrate and officials from the government office came to respectfully invite him to the government office, Song Wei directly refused, stating that this was a homecoming for ancestral homage, not for official duties, making it unsuitable for staying at government offices or government post houses.
The County Magistrate could only force a smile, bringing his disappointed group back.
The Wen family was right in the county city, making their news swift.
Upon knowing the young couple had arrived, Father Wen entrusted the work at his shop to the foreman and hurried home to change clothes before rushing to welcome them.
Song Wei’s group had just reached the street corner when they saw Father Wen running over.
Wen Wan, seeing his slightly hunched figure, felt her eyes moisten even before speaking, "Father..."
Upon hearing the voice, Father Wen paused, then recognized this group ahead. Instantly he beamed with joy, "Third Son, Wan Niang, you’ve come back?"
Wen Wan nodded, somewhat lost for words.
Father Wen saw their large group, and besides the people, it seemed they also brought a convoy with quite a lot of things on it.
"The house has already been found, a two-courtyard one, with auxiliary rooms and back chambers, enough for you all to live in. It’s not far from here. Let’s go there first and have the servants settle the things."
Wen Wan glanced at Song Wei, who nodded, "Let’s do as father-in-law says, head to the house first—otherwise, it’s inappropriate with so many people blocking the street."
So the drivers turned the carriages around and drove towards the house that Father Wen had found.
Father Wen didn’t expect Old Song and Granny Song to return as well. After getting on their carriage, he felt very happy, "Brother Song, it’s been years since we last met. Are you still in good health?"
Old Song replied with a smile, "These old bones have gotten lazy; can’t handle the hot or cold, unlike in the countryside back in the day."
Father Wen joked, "You’ve enjoyed too much comfort. Wait until you’re back to farming, then you’ll know hard work and tiredness."
Old Song sighed, "I really wish to return, but Third Son won’t let me. That lad is busy every day now. If not for me and his mother nagging constantly, we wouldn’t have made it back today."
"What an accomplished son! Third Son truly is accomplished." Father Wen looked pleased, "This is a blessing for your Song family. Brother Song, enjoy your blessings well. At our age, every day is one less day, who knows when it’ll end. Third Son is a filial child, remembering how hard you both worked to support his studies all those years, and now he’s repaying you."
Then Father Wen thought of something, "Just now, was that Yuanbao? I saw a girl standing next to him, who is she?"
"That’s his wife from the Ye family," Granny Song answered, "Yuanbao got married at the end of April this year. Originally, they planned to return right after, but the late Emperor and Empress passed away, so they had to observe national mourning, delaying their return for over two months. Here they are, just arriving in Ningzhou today."
Father Wen suddenly understood.
Regarding Song Yuanbao’s marriage, Wen Wan wrote a letter informing him, but Yuanbao had been in Beijing for years—not only had he grown taller and his skin become fairer, but his features had also become more refined and mature. At first glance, Father Wen almost didn’t recognize him.
Thinking of Yuanbao achieving first place in the imperial exams, Father Wen sighed, "You entrusted Yuanbao to be raised by the Third Son back then, and it was truly the right choice."
Otherwise, had they given him to the Second Household, who knows what a mess he would have become now.
Granny Song liked hearing good words but was also modest, "Third Son has a steady temperament, with him raising Yuanbao, there was no need for us to worry."
After the carriage arrived at the house, Wen Wan instructed Linglong to help the servants move things in. After a quick glance at the courtyard’s structure, she arranged the living quarters—Granny Song and Old Song in the main house of the north room, the third household in the East Wing, the second household in the West Wing, and the remaining servants in the auxiliary rooms and back chambers.
The servants then began to move things and tidy up according to Wen Wan’s assignments.
At this point, the masters went to the North Hall to talk.
Wen Wan hadn’t had the chance earlier, so now she brought Qi Bao and Jinbao over, and told the siblings, "This is your grandpa."
Grandpa, isn’t that the maternal grandfather?
Jinbao was a bit confused, not understanding how he suddenly gained a maternal grandfather, but he still softly greeted, "Hello, Grandpa!"
Qi Bao couldn’t speak yet, just looking at Father Wen with a silly smile, a sweet and crisp laugh.
Father Wen, looking at the two little ones, was filled with tears of joy, repeatedly saying, "Once everything is settled, come to Grandpa’s house, I’ll make you delicious food."
At this moment, Duobao stood up and said, "I also want to eat lots and lots of delicious food."
Father Wen looked at the little one, "This is Duobao, right?"
The year they went to Beijing, the little one was still in swaddling clothes. After the earthquake, there was a blizzard, and the freezing turned his little face blue and purple, almost costing him half his life. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, he had grown so big.
The Second Lang’s wife said, "Thanks to Uncle Wen back then, otherwise, how could our family be like this now."
Father Wen thought about another child in their family back then, a rather unruly one, who ran out in a huff during the blizzard, causing everyone to worry. He asked, "Where’s Er Ya? Why don’t I see her?"
...
Song Qi, whom Father Wen mentioned, went to the Liang Family while Hongwen Academy was on holiday, and was now crying in Song Jiao’s room.
Song Jiao, her belly eight months pregnant, was about to give birth. Being harassed by Song Qi’s crying made her feel a bit anxious.
Song Qi said, "Sister, help me, I don’t want to marry Xie Feng, I don’t want to be a daughter-in-law of the Xie family."
Song Jiao felt helpless too, "Since it’s arranged by the old lady, how can I help you?"
Song Qi wiped her tears, "You are pregnant, and now everyone will treat you as a treasure. When they return from Ningzhou, help me plead; the old lady will surely give you face considering the child in your belly."