The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 862 - 817: In the Wrong

Wen Wan had just finished speaking when Granny Song said, "Let her come to me."

"Mother is still awake?" Wen Wan turned her head and smiled.

She didn’t dare advise her to rest well at all, having done so many times along the way, only to be scolded each time.

Knowing her mother-in-law harbored a fire within, she wouldn’t rest until she found an outlet to vent, Wen Wan could only sigh and look at Yun Xia, "Invite the person to Rong’an Hall!"

Yun Xia turned around and went out, and shortly after, she returned with Old Mrs. Liang, who was dressed in a dark blue cross-collar robe.

Standing in the courtyard, Wen Wan politely called out as soon as she saw her, "Mother-in-law."

Liang Jun was born in old age, and he had an older brother whose age was double his. Between the two brothers, there were several pregnancies, but none were carried to term. Thus, although Wen Wan and Old Mrs. Liang were of the same generation, Old Mrs. Liang was of an age to be her mother-in-law.

Seeing it was Wen Wan, Old Mrs. Liang stepped forward to pay respects.

She did not possess an Imperial decree, whereas Wen Wan was a Commandery Princess, and was conferred the title of First-rank Imperial Decree Lady thanks to Song Wei’s rank.

Properly, she should pay respect.

Wen Wan hurriedly supported her, "Old Mrs. Liang, you’re advanced in years, if you truly pay respects, it would shorten my lifespan. We’re all family, no need for such formal courtesies, come quickly inside and sit."

Despite being in-laws, Old Mrs. Liang was a recluse, rarely attending various banquets, having little interaction with the Song Family. It was rare for her to see Wen Wan, and she had always held a good impression of her.

Her expression then softened a bit, asking her, "After traveling for days, is your elderly relative’s body holding up?"

Wen Wan replied, "The old lady is eager to see her granddaughter, and we rushed along the way. She caught a cold, and is taking medicine now. It’s just as well you’re here, perhaps talking with her might open her mind."

Old Mrs. Liang could easily discern that Wen Wan was hinting for her to explain to Old Mrs. Song why Song Jiao died at the Liang Family.

She couldn’t help but admire Wen Wan for being tactful beyond her years.

Upon entering the inner room, Old Mrs. Liang immediately saw Granny Song leaning against the head of the canopy bed.

Due to the illness, Granny Song’s chin had become sharp, yet her eyes were still exceptionally vivid.

"How did the old lady become so sick?" Old Mrs. Liang walked over and sat on a round stool in front of the canopy bed, then sighed, "Urgent as the matter is, you should still mind your health, or if it worsens, the younger generations will worry."

Granny Song had been anxious all the way, and had no energy for pleasantries, she directly asked, "Where is my Jiaojiao’s body?"

"She has been properly buried." Old Mrs. Liang’s voice turned somber, "Right in the Liang Family’s ancestral grave."

"How did such a big issue arise?" Granny Song stared at her, "Did she accidentally fall, or was there some accident?"

Though Granny Song was urgent and angry, she knew better than to make absolute statements, avoiding direct accusations of potential malice from the Liang Family, questioning negligence or carelessness about Song Jiao’s welfare.

Old Mrs. Liang leisurely continued, "It’s not difficult to investigate the truth of the matter. There were many people at the scene on the day of the incident—one was Brother Jun’s wife herself, another was Brother Jun, and then your second daughter, Song Qi, besides those three, there was an accompanying maid, Yun Duo. Afterward, I asked Yun Duo and heard some unseemly things scattered here and there, which seem untrustworthy. Brother Jun is my son, his words are suspect, how about letting the old lady invite your own family and inquire carefully?"

One phrase, "your own family," successfully blocked any further conversation.

Granny Song had lived her life openly, priding herself on her bad temper, yet never having done anything to stain her conscience and give others leverage.

However, today she was stymied by Old Mrs. Liang. Her anger was stuck in her throat, unable to be released.

She could only look at Wen Wan, "Has Song Qi returned?"

Wen Wan said, "Second Uncle just went to the Xie Family."

"Fine, then we’ll speak once she returns." Granny Song closed her eyes, thinking of the innocent and wronged Jiaojiao mother and son, angry enough about Song Qi, the troublemaker always causing family chaos, wishing she could kill her to balance the scales for Jiaojiao mother and son.

...

As soon as Song Erlang arrived at the Xie Mansion, he didn’t wait for the porter to report, he just stormed in, shouting loudly, "Where is that disgrace Song Qi!"

The Xie family’s servant, seeing him aggressively holding a whip, was scared and rushed to report.

Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, the government office was on holiday, and Xie Zheng happened to be at home.

Upon hearing Song Erlang forced his way in regardless, he hurried out to see.

He had just entered the outer court and encountered Song Erlang, who was bursting with anger.

"Second Cousin." Xie Zheng cupped his hands in greeting.

Song Erlang asked him, "Where’s Song Qi?"

Xie Zheng feared he would act impulsively, so he advised, "Since you’re here, why not go to the front hall for a cup of tea, and I’ll have someone bring her from the rear courtyard."

"How can I be in the mood for tea?" Song Erlang’s tone was particularly aggressive. "Hurry up and bring that wretched child out. I must personally beat her to death today!"

Xie Zheng’s complexion changed, "Absolutely not, it mustn’t be done."

Song Erlang, annoyed and restless, shoved Xie Zheng aside, "This is our family’s matter, don’t interfere!"

Xie Zheng, helpless, didn’t get angry over Song Erlang’s words. He continued to advise kindly, "You’ve come here in a fury, shouting to kill your daughter. Never mind whether Song Qi would dare come out after hearing this. Even if she does come out and you accidentally kill her, it would embroil the Song family in a lawsuit. The Imperial Censors from the Supervision Bureau would seize the chance to write against Third Brother. What benefit does that bring to your branch?"

Song Erlang paused for a moment.

Indeed, his mind was initially consumed with the desire to bring Song Qi out and beat her to death. He hadn’t considered the repercussions or the impact on the family.

Upon hearing Xie Zheng’s reasoning, he hesitated.

After all, the entire family depended on the third branch to survive. If Third Son’s career faced any repercussions, it would bring no benefit to their household.

Thinking this through, Song Erlang had no choice but to temporarily suppress his anger, snorting, "I can spare her life, but you must bring her out to see me."

Xie Zheng nodded, summoned a maid, and instructed her to notify the inner courtyard to bring out the second Miss Song.

The servants sent by Song Wei hurried to the Xie Family, seeing that Second Master had already discarded the whip and was now sitting in the front hall drinking tea with Mr. Xie, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

...

The guest courtyard.

Upon hearing that her father came to demand her, Song Qi turned pale with fright. Without waiting for the maid to finish reporting, she slammed the door shut with a "bang," bolted it, ran to the inner chamber, and hid under the quilt on the bed, trembling all over.

The maid outside could only return and report to Xie Zheng truthfully.

Upon hearing that the child refused to come out and bolted the door, Song Erlang’s anger, which had barely subsided, surged again to the top of his head. He suddenly stood up, "Where is she staying? Take me to her!"

"This..." The maid looked at Xie Zheng with difficulty.

Before Xie Zheng could speak, Song Erlang shouted at him, "Keep stalling, and don’t blame me for cutting ties with your Xie Family!"

The servants from the Song family, hearing this, exchanged glances, ready to block Second Master’s anger-driven charge.

However, when Song Erlang rushed out, they couldn’t stop him.

Song Erlang headed straight to the backyard.

The servants followed behind, shouting, "Second Master, calm down. If you really hit the second miss, we won’t be able to account for it upon returning."

Song Erlang’s face was gloomy, "Scram!!!"

He moved quickly, and soon reached the guest courtyard.

Song Qi’s courtyard was unguarded, so Song Erlang easily reached the door and pushed it slightly.

Indeed, it was bolted from the inside.

Song Erlang’s anger intensified, "Song Qi, come out here!"

His voice was loud, and Song Qi, hiding under the quilt, heard it clearly, trembling in fear, biting her lip and curling up into a ball, afraid to come out, wishing she could find a place her father couldn’t reach her.

"I’ll give you one more chance." Song Erlang threatened angrily, "If you don’t come out, don’t blame me for kicking the door down!"

Song Qi trembled even more.

It must be that Yun Duo, the little wretch, went to the Song family and spilled everything. Her father probably hates her enough to peel off a layer of her skin.

Cannot go out, absolutely cannot!

Xie Feng, hearing that Song Erlang had arrived, didn’t care about his confinement, knocked out a servant, and rushed to the guest courtyard.

Upon seeing Song Erlang shouting loudly outside, Xie Feng frowned and said, "Second Uncle, why have you come to the inner courtyard?"

Song Erlang, upon hearing this, got even angrier, "You ask me? I’d like to ask you, why is my daughter in your house?"

Xie Feng was evidently caught off guard by Song Erlang’s counter, opened his mouth but didn’t know how to answer.

He had an honest nature and was not adept at arguing. After thinking for a while, he was ready to speak but was stopped by Aunt Xie, who arrived upon hearing the commotion, holding him back from speaking.

Song Erlang, his anger bursting out, didn’t bother greeting his aunt, lifted his foot, and forcefully kicked open Song Qi’s door.