Chapter 210: Chapter 196: Third Son Meets His Mother-in-Law (First Update)
After moving to the new courtyard, the in-laws lived in the north room, Song Wei and Wen Wan, along with Jinbao, lived in the east room, while Song Yuanbao stayed in the west room.
Song Wei’s study was larger than both the alley courtyard and his old home in Ningzhou. Besides bookshelves, it had several rows of treasure cabinets specifically for displaying his collection of antiques and paintings.
With Granny Song around, Jinbao was mostly looked after by her, allowing Wen Wan to take some time to dust and clean the study.
When Song Wei returned from the Lower Court and saw the door to the study open, he didn’t rush back to change out of his official robe but walked slowly towards the study.
The door was ajar, and inside it was so quiet that no sound could be heard.
Song Wei stretched out his hand and gently pushed the door open a bit, revealing the slender back of his little wife.
She was tiptoeing, preparing to take down the thin-necked plum vase from the top shelf of the treasure cabinet to dust it off.
Upon hearing the door sound, Wen Wan was startled and stepped back.
The hand holding the plum vase became unstable, and she was about to fall to the ground along with the vase.
Song Wei quickly stepped forward, timely supporting Wen Wan by the waist and using his other hand to catch the vase, helping her steady herself.
Seeing that the vase was unharmed, Wen Wan fearfully patted her chest and gave him a somewhat reproachful look, "Why do you walk without making a sound?"
Song Wei placed the vase on a shelf she could reach, speaking gently, "From now on, if you can’t reach something high, don’t recklessly try. If you fall, I can’t promise to always show up in time."
Wen Wan raised her eyebrows slightly, "So are you more concerned about the vase or me?"
Song Wei looked at her fair and clean side profile, amusement rising in his eyes, "If you fall, you might not get hurt, but if the vase falls, an entire courtyard could be gone. Who do you think I should worry about?"
Wen Wan remained silent for a while, "Then it seems, from now on, I should just be a vase."
Song Wei: "..."
She bent down to pick up the chicken feather duster from the floor, deciding not to continue cleaning, and looked at Song Wei, "Husband must be hungry, right? I’ll go make you some food."
Song Wei glanced at the little girl who was sharp-tongued a moment ago but suddenly transformed into a virtuous wife, feeling an indescribable fondness, and didn’t rush to let her leave, easily wrapping his long arm around her waist.
Song Wei was in a hurry when he came in, so he didn’t close the study door.
Wen Wan blushed and scolded him, "Let go, someone might see us."
Song Wei didn’t let go, and his large hand gently caressed the hollow of her waist.
The unconscious action induced continuous shivers from Wen Wan.
As she was feeling numb and uncomfortable, she heard the man’s voice in her ear, "Today, the Emperor summoned me to deliver a gift to the Princess Changping Mansion. From the way the Emperor spoke, his relationship with the Princess doesn’t seem too close. What do you think I should say under the circumstances to ensure the Eldest Princess accepts the birthday tribute cheerfully?"
"Eldest Princess?" Wen Wan’s curiosity was piqued.
"Yes, the Emperor’s full-blood sister."
"Then the task the Emperor entrusted to you is not simple!" Wen Wan analyzed, "Without knowing the details, it’s easy to offend. I think it’s better if you ask Young Master Xu; maybe he knows something."
Song Wei uttered a soft "hmm" as he also intended to do just that.
The Royal Family intrigues were too deep. Emperor Guangxi’s apparent intention was for him to deliver gifts, but who knows what hidden plans might be involved. Without caution, one could easily become a pawn in the sibling rivalry, with gains not worth the losses.
——
Xu Shu had been busy preparing for his upcoming wedding, never expecting that Song Wei would come to him personally.
He glared at the gatekeeper who came to report, "Why so lacking in perception? You dare to leave my in-law brother-in-law outside? Hurry and invite him in!"
The gatekeeper obeyed, quickly going to the main gate to courteously invite Song Wei into the front hall.
Xu Shu crossed the veranda and upon seeing Song Wei, clicked his tongue twice, "Rare guest! Brother-in-law seldom visits. Are you here to oversee the wedding preparations or for another matter?"
As he spoke, he stepped into the hall and personally poured tea for Song Wei.
Song Wei took the tea bowl, unobtrusively glancing at the servants within the hall.
Xu Shu understood and waved his hand to dismiss the others.
"Go ahead, what’s the serious matter?"
Xu Shu sat down beside him, leaning back in the Taishi Chair with both hands lazily resting on the armrests.
"I want to ask you about someone." Song Wei said, "Princess Changping."
Xu Shu was taken aback, "Why inquire about her?"
Song Wei truthfully explained, "The Emperor asked me to deliver birthday gifts to the Princess Mansion. I’m concerned about saying or doing the wrong thing and offending the Noble."
Xu Shu understood and told him directly, "My father used to be a General under Prince Consort Lu. One time, when he was drunk, I overheard him mumbling something.
Originally, because of his outstanding military achievements, Prince Consort Lu was granted the title of General Marquis, holding command over twenty thousand troops. Later, for some unknown reason, the Emperor suddenly decreed that the Princess Changping, who had been convalescing outside for more than three years and just returned to the capital, should be given in marriage to him.
The rule of our Great Chu Dynasty, you know it too, once married to a princess, the Prince Consort has no real power.
When the royal decree of marriage was received, everyone advised Prince Consort Lu to plead with the Emperor to revoke the order, yet he himself remained silent, spent a long time staring at the decree, and simply remarked ’The Emperor’s command must not be defied,’ handing over military power to go home and prepare for the grand wedding.
My father also said, he always thought Prince Consort Lu was enamored with the princess of stunning beauty, hence willingly abandoning military power for her, but once he inadvertently observed, the relationship between Prince Consort Lu and the Eldest Princess was not as loving as rumors suggested outside, it seems, merely maintaining a marital relationship because they were compelled to do so.
As for the Eldest Princess herself, perhaps due to her weak health, she has been reclusive for years, I’m not clear about her specific situation, but I think the discord between her and the Emperor might have originated from this very marriage."
Song Wei, after hearing this, had a vague outline in his mind.
Xu Shu suddenly asked in confusion, "Aren’t you a Hanlin Official? How did the task of delivering gifts to the Eldest Princess fall on you?"
Song Wei did not mention that Emperor Guangxi had given him six counterfeit paintings to discern, such words would undoubtedly be discrediting Emperor Guangxi.
He simply said, "I have a work of Mr. Liu from the Jin Dynasty in my hand, this masterpiece is beloved by the Eldest Princess, the Emperor simply assigned the task of presenting gifts to me."
"Seems like a bit of a trap." Xu Shu muttered, "The Eldest Princess has a cold demeanor, even the Prince Consort was kept at a distance, if you go to present a gift in the name of the Emperor, the likelihood of being rebuffed is high, by then if you can’t complete the task, how will you account for it?"
Song Wei showed no sign of panic, took a light sip of tea, "I can only adapt to the situation."
Xu Shu looked at him, "How about I have someone gather some insider information? The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be, and it’ll help you act accordingly."
Song Wei shook his head, "The more you know about Royal matters, the more trouble comes, a slight mishap could even cost you your life, what you’ve just said is already enough."
When Song Wei returned home, Granny Song was visiting Aunt Xie’s house next door with Jinbao in her arms, Song Yuanbao was also there, teaching the Xie Family’s boys to read and write.
Old Song was watering the flowerpots with a sprinkler.
Song Fang had gone to the embroidery workshop to get measurements for her wedding dress.
Wen Wan was sitting in the main hall making a small cotton jacket for Jinbao, feeling a bit sleepy, she was about to lie down in her room when she saw Song Wei come in.
Wen Wan’s drowsiness reduced significantly, she set aside her work, got up to help him take off the cloak from his shoulders and hung it behind the door, while asking him, "How did it go?"
Song Wei sat down, took a sip of the hot tea handed by his young wife, and shared what Xu Shu had told him.
Wen Wan frequently frowned while listening, "So this is really not an easy task."
She even suspected that maybe those close to the Emperor were aware of the difficult task ahead of time and thus shirked it, leading this arduous job to fall on her husband.
Song Wei didn’t want her to worry along with him, so he changed the topic, asking, "Where’s Jinbao?"
"His mother took him to visit Aunt Xie next door."
Song Wei asked, "Won’t he cry if he doesn’t see you?"
Wen Wan laughed, "Jinbao is close to his grandmother, it’s not that bad. Also, I’ve been insisting on feeding him egg custard and rice paste, he’s almost weaned, so he’s not too clingy."
Song Wei thought of something, hmm’d, "That’s good."
——
On the Eldest Princess’s birthday, the Princess Mansion was bustling.
In the past, the Eldest Princess disdained grand celebrations, but this year is different, she reconciled with the Prince Consort, not only did their daughter give birth to a chubby baby boy, but she also regained her voice and could speak again.
For the Eldest Princess, this was the most content and comfortable year she had experienced.
Once freed from worries, one’s spirit and enthusiasm tend to increase several fold relative to the past.
So when Prince Consort Lu proposed throwing a big party with more guests, the Eldest Princess didn’t refuse.
Before noon, several luxurious carriages had already parked at the gate of the Princess Mansion.
All the guests invited were notable noble ladies.
When Song Wei arrived with the painting, since he didn’t have an invitation, he was stopped by the guards at the door.
Song Wei didn’t introduce himself to the guards, simply saying, "I heard that the Eldest Princess has a profound knowledge of Mr. Liu’s works from the Jin Dynasty, I have a painting that seems to be an authentic piece of Mr. Liu’s, I would like to ask for the Eldest Princess’s appraisal, can it be compromised?"
The guards looked at each other.
The Eldest Princess’s fondness for Mr. Liu’s works from the Jin Dynasty in the mansion was no secret, even the guards knew it, but today was the Eldest Princess’s birthday, who knows if this person was here to cause trouble or had another motive.
Just as they were about to dismiss him, Lu Yanqing’s voice came from inside, "What are you all doing?"
Upon hearing this, the guards hurriedly made way.
Lu Yanqing crossed the threshold with his hands behind his back, spotting Song Wei standing with a box carrying a painting scroll outside the door, undisguised disdain in his eyes, "Who would have thought, someone who wouldn’t come even when the Prince Consort personally invited, now bringing himself here? What, couldn’t get any benefits in the Hanlin Academy and regretting it? Let me tell you, once an opportunity is missed, it won’t come again."
Song Wei lowered his lashes, expression calm, "I came today to ask for the Eldest Princess’s help."
"Is the Eldest Princess someone you can meet just because you want to?" Lu Yanqing intended to take the opportunity to berate him, but the Eldest Princess suddenly came out surrounded by servants, her voice stern.
"Yanqing, don’t be rude!"