Chapter 874: Chapter 829: Remarrying During Mourning (3rd Update)
When Wen Wanâs carrier pigeon message arrived, the funerary procession was still on the way.
Song Wei had just finished his meal and was resting in the room, holding Qi Bao, who had cried herself to sleep. Seeing Wen Wanâs joy between the lines, Song Wei couldnât help but smile.
At the end, when Wen Wan asked about the two children, Song Wei glanced at the tears hanging on Qi Baoâs eyelashes, then laid his daughter on a small couch and covered her with a fleece blanket, preparing to write back to Wen Wan.
At this moment, Song Yuanbao walked in, frowning, "Dad, Jinbao is not behaving either, always calling for mom. Should I write a letter to mom? Or better yet, go back and beg her? Jinbao and Qi Bao are still young, how can she be so heartless to leave them behind?"
Song Wei calmly tucked Wen Wanâs letter into his sleeve, his expression serene, "Even with a mother, they canât be cared for their entire lives. They will have to get used to it someday."
Song Yuanbao sat down heavily, face full of frustration, "I still donât understand the reason for your and momâs separation. I was so busy those days that I couldnât ask what happened between you two."
Despite what others said about Wen Wan being ungrateful and unfaithful, Song Yuanbao never believed a word of it. He had witnessed Wen Wan marry Song Wei herself; if she were truly superficial, given Wen Wanâs beauty, even if she couldnât speak well back then, many wealthy men would have pursued her. Yet she resolutely married the infamous Song Familyâs Third Son.
There must be a reason, a hidden story, but what was it? On this journey home, he contemplated until his head nearly burst, unable to figure it out.
Compared to Song Yuanbaoâs impatience, Song Wei seemed completely unfazed, his demeanor indifferent as if he was not the one separated, "She grew up, has her own thoughts, I shouldnât hold her back."
"Even if she grew up, it was you who raised her by hand."
Song Yuanbao knew he had spoken disrespectful words, but he didnât retract them, truly angered.
Is Wen Wan thinking about flying solo now that her wings have grown strong?
Who raised her like a daughter back then, who patiently taught her to write, and who imparted wisdom on how to conduct oneself?
No matter the reason, she canât disregard these things completely, right?
For Song Yuanbaoâs anger, Song Wei had no intention of explaining, "Qi Bao is sleeping, donât disturb her."
Song Yuanbao checked on his sister and returned to his room.
Ye Ling was still coaxing Jinbao.
The little one wasnât crying, but was unhappy throughout the journey because he couldnât see his mother, not speaking, pouting, refusing to interact with anyone.
Seeing Song Yuanbao enter, Ye Ling asked, "Did you go see dad?"
"Yes."
"How was it?"
"I still didnât find out anything." Song Yuanbao sighed and shook his head, "To be honest, mom was really heartless, leaving two children just like that."
At this moment, Jinbao suddenly said, "Mom isnât heartless. Sheâs protecting dad. Jinbao also wants to protect dad."
Song Yuanbao was stunned and then focused his gaze on the little one, "What are you saying?"
Jinbao lowered his head.
That day, when dad and mom were talking in the room, he and Qi Bao were sitting inside; he overheard a little, but didnât quite understand. It seemed very confidential and important; he couldnât betray mom.
"Jinbao, do you know something?" Song Yuanbao squinted suspiciously, trying to coax the little one into speaking the truth.
The little one shook his head vigorously, "Jinbao is hungry, Jinbao doesnât know anything."
Song Yuanbao and Ye Ling exchanged a glance.
Ye Ling said, "Let it go, husband, things are the way they are. Donât make it difficult for Jinbao, and stop asking dad, either. Weâll take care of Qi Bao along with the nanny, itâll be fine."
Song Yuanbao deflated, reaching out to tap Jinbaoâs little nose, "You snack on candies, but donât eat proper meals. Just after mealtime, youâre already calling out that youâre hungry. Wait, Iâll get you something to eat."
...
Song Wei wrote back to Wen Wan and went to see Old Song.
These days, Old Song, upon seeing him, would only sigh.
He knew his Third Son had bad luck since childhood, but he hadnât expected that the usually obedient daughter-in-law would leave Third Son at such a crucial moment.
He didnât know what sin the Song family had committed in the past that this younger generation must endure so much suffering.
Song Erlang was also present, and he was just discussing with Old Song, saying Qi Bao was still young; she couldnât do without a mother. They should quickly find a gentle, obedient woman to marry Third Son after the mourning is over and they return to Ningzhou, so someone can help out and Third Son wonât struggle alone with two kids.
The custom in Ningzhou is that one can remarry in the first year of mourning, but starting from the second year, one must observe mourning for three years.
This means that, at this time until the end of the year, Song Wei could remarry if he wishes, but once the year turns, he must observe mourning.
Old Song neither agreed nor disagreed.
"Third Son." Seeing Song Wei, Song Erlang greeted him warmly.
Song Erlang felt more sympathy for this younger brother.
He used to envy Song Wei for marrying a beautiful and gentle wife who was of noble royal blood, thinking he was incredibly lucky!
Later, when Wen Wan unceremoniously proposed a divorce at the memorial hall, Song Erlang was angry, but upon reflection, he felt sorry for his brother who had always had a hard time.
It was precisely out of pity that he felt Third Son couldnât manage without someone by his side; after all, the road ahead was still long!
Song Wei responded indifferently, "Father, Second Brother."
Song Erlang said, "I was just discussing your future with Father."
Song Weiâs eyelid twitched, "What future?"
"Didnât you divorce Third Sister-in-law?" Song Erlang said: "I noticed Qi Bao has been crying herself hoarse lately; once she gets older and understands that her birth mother left her birth father and brother, it will affect her, so I was thinking of finishing the mourning rituals and taking advantage of the mourning period to get you remarried."
Song Wei glanced at him, "Instead of finding me a new wife, Second Brother should sort out his own family matters first."
Song Erlangâs face reddened with frustration, "Third Son, how can you talk like that? Iâm doing this for your good."
"Iâm also thinking about whatâs best for you, Second Brother." Song Weiâs tone was slow, "Song Qi is, after all, from your second household. Having committed such a huge mistake, morally and logically, your household owes an explanation to Father, the deceased mother, Jiaojiao, and even the Song Family. How to handle her is up to you as parents to decide."
These words completely silenced Song Erlang.
He didnât feel comfortable staying any longer and left with an excuse.
After Song Erlang left, Old Song finally spoke, "Your second brother hasnât read much, but what he just said, though rough, makes sense. Think it over yourself; the child is still young. If you remarry now, after some time, she will get used to it and will see her as her birth mother."
He sighed helplessly, "The Commandery Princess has a noble status beyond our reach, and you were just unlucky. Crises in the family have probably scared her, so if she wants to leave, let her go!"
Song Wei didnât dwell on Old Songâs words; he thought of his unjustly dead brother and sister-in-law from seventeen years ago, and the biological mother and Jiaojiao who had recently died in hatred, and then about his own fateful life, feeling a mix of emotions.
...
Wen Wan received Song Weiâs reply a few days later, and it read: The child is fine. Little girl, remember to eat and sleep on time, even if youâre busy, and take care of yourself.
Wen Wan pursed her lips, "I was happy for nothing."
Zhao Xunyin, hearing her muttering, asked curiously, "What did Third Son write to you?"
Wen Wan said, "I wrote him a long letter about the first thing I did and shared my insights, but his reply didnât mention any of it. Mom, look, this is all he wrote."
Zhao Xunyin took a look, "Thatâs just how Third Son is. I think itâs quite normal. Besides, what he focuses on isnât what you did, but whether youâre taking good care of yourself. Isnât that thoughtful?"
"True that."
Wen Wan looked at Lu Yanli, who was playing contentedly on the carpet, and her heart ached with longing for Qi Bao and Jinbao, to the point where her eyes turned red.
Zhao Xunyin noticed her daughterâs mood, sat down beside her, and comforted, "As you said, three years pass in the blink of an eye; donât get upset. There are many things ahead that will need your attention!"
Wen Wan didnât cry; she just couldnât suppress missing her children when she saw other children.
...
In the Beiyan Imperial City, Fengyang Palace.
A hidden guard, dressed in black with a hood covering his face, was reporting to the Imperial Concubine.
"The iron mine trade with Chu Country can no longer continue," the hidden guard said. "I found out that Emperor Xuanjing got wind of the weapon improvements in advance and immediately sent an imperial envoy to Liaodong to verify the situation. Now, the data on the Liaodong Iron Mine is completely transparent to Emperor Xuanjing, and Jiang Tao canât provide extra ore for us to buy."
The Imperial Concubine squeezed the orange in her hand tightly, her red nail polish-clad sharp nails piercing the fruit, her previously beautiful face now showing extreme anger, "They ambushed and killed over a hundred of my hidden guards when escorting Amuer back to Western Border, and now theyâve destroyed my carefully laid plans. It seems Iâve underestimated that seventeen-year-old young Emperor of Chu!"
The hidden guard asked, "What does Your Highness plan to do next?"
"Isnât the plague still rampant in Northern Border?" The Imperial Concubine coldly curled her lips, "Send a message to the spies over there to incite the government to quarantine and burn villages. With such panic, I donât believe there wonât be internal turmoil in Chu Country!"