The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 635 - 598: The Main Event (Part 2)

As soon as Su Yi finished speaking, someone immediately chimed in, "Indeed, Mrs. Song does bear some resemblance to the Eldest Princess of those days."

Such things, Song Jiao had often heard from others before, always saying that her third aunt looked very much like the Former Changping Princess.

She thought it was a joke and never expected even the Eldest Princess’s sister-in-law to say so, and she glanced at Wen Wan with some concern.

Faced with everyone’s scrutiny in the room, Wen Wan showed little emotion, maintaining a slight and appropriate smile at the corner of her mouth, "When attending banquets at other estates before, some have said I resemble the Former Princess. Some even mentioned that the Heir’s wife living in seclusion nowadays has something to do with the Former Princess. Hearing today that the Heir’s wife’s heart is set on the Former Princess shows how harmonious the sister-in-law relationship is, which is truly enviable. Out of the myriad of people in the world, it is a great honor for me to resemble the Princess."

This not only complimented the Heir’s wife but also elevated the Former Princess, while finally expressing her humble attitude.

There was nothing wrong with what she said.

Of course, the lack of issue was merely the opinion of outsiders. Wen Wan’s words undoubtedly provoked extreme discomfort in Su Yi, whose odd smile faded after a stiff moment.

Mrs. Xiao Liu was perceptive, noticing her mother-in-law’s unease, and quickly smiled, inviting Wen Wan and Song Jiao to take their seats.

Wen Wan didn’t move, "I heard that the Old Madam is fond of Buddhist practices. Since this is my first visit today, I prepared a small gift for her. May I have the honor to meet the Old Madam?"

Before her mother-in-law could speak, Mrs. Xiao Liu laughed and said, "Mr. Song is our Old Master’s disciple, and the Old Madam is Mr. Song’s teacher’s wife, so naturally, she is also your teacher’s wife. It’s only right for you to meet her. Please come this way, Madam."

One sentence resolved the awkwardness of the Old Madam not easily seeing guests, while indirectly reminding Su Yi that the relationship between the Song family and the Lu family is quite extraordinary, and any private grievances should not be brought to the forefront now.

Su Yi was taken aback.

It wasn’t just her; everyone present was stunned.

Song Wei is the disciple of the Lu family’s Old Master? Since when?

However, it was evident that Mrs. Xiao Liu had no intention of explaining publicly, and she directly led Wen Wan out of the East Hall, with Song Jiao and Jinbao following behind.

Having recently taken over as the household manager from her mother-in-law Su, Mrs. Xiao Liu had become well-versed in the Lu family’s affairs. Her father-in-law’s back residence was quiet, with only one wife and one concubine. His legal wife bore him a son and a daughter, yet he especially favored Aunt Wen, who had no children under her care, even allowing her to intervene in his children’s marriages.

This kind of preference for a concubine over a wife is not uncommon in large families, but many people, to prevent their reputations from affecting their official careers, tend to cover it with a facade, not overtly shaming the legal wife. The Lu family naturally did the same, so except for some instances where Lu Pingzhou was particularly indulgent towards Aunt Wen, in other matters, he gave Su her due respect.

These marital relations reminded Mrs. Xiao Liu of her own situation.

Before she entered the residence, Lu Yanbin had already taken Little Su, Su Dai, as a concubine.

Lu Yanbin was very fond of her, but no matter how fond, one cannot elevate a concubine to a wife. Hence, he had to marry Mrs. Xiao Liu according to his elders’ arrangements and customs.

After the wedding, the time Lu Yanbin spent with Mrs. Xiao Liu was minimal; most of the time, he stayed at Little Su’s courtyard.

As a result, even now, Su Dai is heavily pregnant, while Mrs. Xiao Liu remains childless.

Mrs. Xiao Liu thought that perhaps the men of the Lu family inherited this preference for concubines over wives, so whenever she felt wronged or sad, she often visited her mother-in-law’s courtyard.

In Mrs. Xiao Liu’s eyes, her mother-in-law, Su, was undoubtedly pitiful; it was one thing for her husband not to care, but her children were also won over by the concubine, treating her as their birth mother, while maintaining only superficial respect for their real mother.

For a woman to live in such a situation is truly tragic.

Therefore, seeing her mother-in-law living even worse than she was made Mrs. Xiao Liu feel much better.

Over time, this mentality turned into a sense of camaraderie in suffering.

In the Lu family, perhaps the only one who genuinely protected Su Yi was Mrs. Xiao Liu.

Because in Su, she seemed to see her own future years down the road.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Xiao Liu sighed, apologetically looking at Wen Wan, "Mrs. Song, my mother-in-law loves to joke, please don’t take those earlier words to heart."

Song Jiao, following behind, secretly rolled her eyes. She had seen it clearly; the Heir’s wife’s expression at the time was very peculiar, not jokingly at all, but more like holding a grudge against her third aunt.

As a guest, Wen Wan naturally couldn’t cause a scene at someone else’s estate.

Moreover, Wen Wan was not that kind of person.

With a smile on her lips, Wen Wan replied, "I too casually made a joke, I hope the Heir’s wife won’t take offense with me."

Mrs. Xiao Liu quickly said she wouldn’t, insisting that her mother-in-law was not such a person.

While the two were speaking, they arrived at a quiet courtyard gate.

Mrs. Xiao Liu stopped, letting the maidservant at the gate go to announce their arrival.

Soon, the maidservant came out respectfully and said, "Mistress, Mrs. Song, the Old Madam invites you in."

Wen Wan nodded, took a couple of steps forward, then thought of something and turned to Song Jiao, "Perhaps you could take Jinbao to play elsewhere for now. I’ll find you after I meet with the Old Madam."

Song Jiao nodded, bid farewell to Wen Wan, and then left with Jinbao.

Wen Wan entered the main hall of the Old Madam’s courtyard, where several elderly noblewomen were seated. Upon hearing that Mrs. Song had arrived, they all turned their heads, and their gazes fixed on Wen Wan.

Seated at the head, the Old Madam saw Wen Wan’s face and immediately became stiff, her emotions complex. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

It was Mrs. Xiao Liu who spoke, pulling the Old Madam back to her senses.

"Old Madam, Mrs. Song has come specifically to visit you."

Wen Wan curtsied and greeted the Old Madam, then presented a Buddhist scripture she had embroidered.

Mrs. Xiao Liu handed it to the Old Madam, noticing her slightly trembling hands, puzzlingly asked, "Old Madam, are you feeling unwell?"

The Old Madam’s throat choked up, unable to speak for a while. It took her a long time to force her tears back, pulling a smile at her lips, "Did Mrs. Song embroider this herself? Such exquisite stitchwork, you’re very thoughtful."

Wen Wan nodded, "It’s enough that the Old Madam likes it."

She had indeed put thought into embroidering the Buddhist scripture for the Duchess, despite never having met before, Wen Wan spared no effort in showing a piece of respect on their first meeting, given the blood relation to her grandmother.

Afterwards, Wen Wan was invited to stay for tea.

The other elderly ladies in the hall also conversed with Wen Wan. Having been through many trials, these ladies were much calmer in spirit compared to those in Su Yi Courtyard.

Although everyone noted that Wen Wan somewhat resembled the Former Changping Princess, no one openly discussed it, nor did their conversation topics veer towards this subject.

Chatting with these ladies, Wen Wan felt quite relaxed and happy.

Yet it was the Old Madam, seated at the head, whose emotions seemed peculiar since Wen Wan entered, as if she were trying hard to suppress something.

Wen Wan could also guess easily.

Her having the face of the Old Madam’s son’s wife naturally aroused thoughts of her son and daughter-in-law.

After having tea for a while, a servant reported from outside, saying that preparations for the banquet were complete, and invited the Old Madam and the ladies to move.

The Old Madam gestured for her old friends to leave first, intentionally keeping Wen Wan back.

Once everyone was gone, the Old Madam came down from the main seat, taking Wen Wan’s hand in hers, her eyes filled with kindness, she seemingly guessing something, yet only said, "You have such skillful hands, I truly like that piece of Buddhist scripture."

Wen Wan didn’t resist, allowing the Old Madam to lead her toward the dining hall.

At this time, the ladies were gradually taking their seats in the smaller banquet halls, with occasional laughter and chatter drifting through the windows, creating a lively scene, dispelling the cold and dreariness of deep winter.

Reluctant to have the Old Madam holding her hand continuously, Wen Wan withdrew her hand, opting to assist her instead.

The Old Madam was clearly pleased, with the smile on her face deepening.

As they were about to enter the hall, a woman dressed as a servant suddenly ran over from a distance, kneeling directly in front of Wen Wan and immediately bursting into tears, her eyes swollen as if someone had beaten her, "Madam, I beg you, please spare my husband."

The Old Madam’s brow furrowed, immediately enraged, "Insolent fool without any sense, someone, take her away and punish her!"

Wen Wan’s interest was piqued, ha, the highlight of today was here.

Before the maidservants could drag the woman away, Wen Wan gestured to stop them, looking down at her, "Who is your husband?"

"My husband is Yuanbao’s uncle, Wang Xiaolang." The woman said, crying even harder.