Wen Wan nodded, "Alright."

Previously, she didn’t let Ye Ling come out because she didn’t want her to witness the bloody scene of her mother-in-law attacking Song Qi. Now that the mother-in-law is gone, such a big matter can’t be kept from her.

"There’s no time to lose, Second Aunt, let’s go!" Ye Ling looked at Second Lang’s wife.

Second Lang’s wife gave her a grateful look.

After they walked away, Wen Wan called the housekeepers to the flower hall one by one, explained some things, and finally sat down to take a rest.

Zhao Xunyin circled behind her, massaging her shoulders, and gently comforted her, "Although it’s not very kind of me, I’ll state a harsh reality: you would have to take care of your in-laws’ funerals sooner or later. The sooner it’s done, the easier it will be for you. These days are tough on you."

Wen Wan sighed, "It’s not just the hard work; I’m worried about Third Son."

In ordinary times, Song Wei would certainly stand up to shoulder the burden for her, telling her not to be afraid because he’ll always be there.

But this time, Song Wei was completely overwhelmed. Since hearing the news of Granny Song’s death, he remained silent until he said, "Wanwan, I want to go home."

"I heard that when Third Son was born, it was a difficult labor," Zhao Xunyin said. "His mother barely survived to bring him into the world safely. I imagine his feelings for his biological mother are very deep. Now, with her sudden passing in such circumstances, he probably can’t accept it immediately. Wanwan, you should find time to comfort him, otherwise long-term depression could lead to problems."

"I know." Wen Wan nodded, planning to comfort her husband once his emotions stabilize after the busy days ahead.

"But there’s something I don’t understand." Zhao Xunyin thought for a moment, then spoke, "Wanwan, haven’t you always been able to foresee bad things? When your father went to the Northern Border, you foresaw the plague. How come you had no reaction to such a big event this time?"

Wen Wan couldn’t figure it out either. Apart from when Su Yihua spent years gathering evidence to expose her origins, when she had no premonition, most other things she foresaw accurately. But this time, her niece faced such a big disaster, and she didn’t have even a single nightmare.

"I don’t know." Wen Wan shook her head in frustration. There are currently two possibilities.

Either her foresight is becoming less reliable and may disappear as she ages.

Or Third Son was destined for this calamity.

But Master Xu Yun once said that as long as she was alive, her gift of foresight would not disappear and she could help Third Son.

"Mother, should I find time to visit Master Xu Yun?" Wen Wan proposed.

Zhao Xunyin was puzzled, "Why would you?"

Wen Wan had to tell her of her past visit with Song Wei to meet Master Xu Yun.

Zhao Xunyin furrowed her brow, "I can’t believe there’s such a thing. Since the current situation doesn’t match what the master said, you ought to go and see."

At this moment, Linglong came to ask, "Madam, Xu Dayi’s family inquired if a Taoist ceremony or a Buddhist ritual should be held, and where we should invite people from?"

Wen Wan thought for a moment. Actually, her mother-in-law believed in both Taoism and Buddhism. However, Wen Wan didn’t know any particularly renowned Taoist priests. The late Emperor’s funeral was handled by Taoists from Shangqing Temple last time, who were said to be quite accomplished. Her mother-in-law can’t be treated like the late Emperor. "Let’s hold a Buddhist ritual. Doesn’t Buddhism have a Water and Land Dharma Assembly? As for inviting monks, tell Xu Dayi’s family they needn’t worry about it. Tomorrow morning, I will personally visit Fahua Temple."

Although Wen Wan is currently in mourning, making it inappropriate for her to go out, the more she thought, the more she felt compelled to see Master Xu Yun.

...

After the funeral, the Marquis Mansion was the first to arrive.

Mrs. Xu, Xu Shu, Song Fang, and Xu Jia all came, bringing along Xu Jingyi and Xu Jingbo, these little stars of fortune.

As soon as Song Fang entered the memorial hall, she cried desperately, and despite the Song family’s servants’ persuasion, she refused to get up.

Mrs. Xu offered incense, her eyes starting to redden.

But Xu Jia didn’t stay long in the memorial hall and asked the servants to lead her to Wen Wan.

Wen Wan was currently negotiating with the kitchen about the drinks and ingredients. Hearing an old woman outside say that Miss Xu had come, she handed the list to the cook and lifted the curtain to go out.

Xu Jia stood outside the door, hesitating as if she had something to say.

Wen Wan noticed her shyness, "Shall we go to my room? It’s too crowded here to talk."

Xu Jia nodded and followed Wen Wan to Qingteng Residence, keeping her head down and mood complicated.

In her previous life, at this time, she was still part of the Tang Family. Though cheated into marriage by Tang Yuan, slightly depressed, she wasn’t disconnected from external matters.

She clearly remembered that then, the late Emperor had not yet died, Song Wei was not yet the Imperial Tutor, and Old Mrs. Song was still healthy. None of the tragedies of the Song family had occurred.

Xu Jia, being reborn, knew the path of this life would inevitably differ from the previous life, but the deviations with the Song family were simply too drastic. Presently they enjoy extravagance as if all the riches of decades have been brought forward, reaching an unprecedented peak before an abrupt decline.

When she heard the Song Mansion’s servants report the death, Xu Jia’s face changed.

No, it shouldn’t be like this. Even if the Song family were to fall, there should be decades ahead, a process, rather than being elevated high only to fall so heavily now.

Something must have gone wrong.

Xu Jia suddenly recalled that day in her previous life when Song Jiao got married, a crazy monk appeared at the Song family gate. When the bride left the house, the mad monk asked her for a copper coin soaked in blood and tears.

The monk also said something, which Xu Jia couldn’t hear clearly from a distance. But the general idea was that it was Song Jiao’s life-saving coin.

On a joyous day, it was inconceivable to see blood and tears on a coin. The Song family’s young servants were upset and tried to drive the monk away, but Song Jiao stopped them. She asked Liang Jun for a copper coin, first cried to let the tears soak in, then bit her finger to stain one side of the coin with blood. The mad monk took it and said she is blessed, and will always turn blood into luck.

Song Jiao sincerely thanked him, and that incident was lightly brushed aside, with few keeping it in mind.

Xu Jia thought, perhaps even Song Jiao hadn’t really believed it then. But looking at this lifetime, that copper coin indeed saved Song Jiao because she didn’t have a premature birth, nor a difficult labor, and smoothly gave the Liang Family a new member.

Wen Wan noticed Xu Jia was deep in thought, even as they entered the east secondary room of the Qingteng Residence, she remained somewhat lost.

Wen Wan dismissed the servants and personally poured her tea, "Jia, do you have something you want to tell me privately?"

Xu Jia snapped back to reality, lifted her head to look at Wen Wan. She dared not reveal her previous life experiences, only gently suggesting, "On my grandmother’s side, there’s a saying about heavy mourning suppressing luck for three years. Your family’s old lady seemed to believe in such things. For the sake of the descendants, you might want to visit where we went last time, Fahua Temple, and ask Master Xu Yun for solutions."

Wen Wan detected a hint of something deeper in her words. She did not tell Xu Jia she already intended to go to Fahua Temple, "How come you suddenly brought this up?"

Xu Jia lowered her eyes, "I just feel that Mr. Song, being the Imperial Tutor, the Song family should be thriving, yet things keep going wrong, which is quite unusual."

Wen Wan didn’t respond.

The Song family’s "unusualness" may be tied to Song Wei’s fortune.

It’s precisely for this reason that Song Wei was brought to such a desolate state.

He believes that ten years ago, he caused the death of his brother and sister-in-law, and now he’s causing the death of his mother and niece, forcing him to the brink of despair.

Wen Wan nodded, "When I find time, I’ll go."

Seeing her gladly accept without objection, Xu Jia felt relieved and added, "The old lady’s sudden passing affects us all. But regardless of what happens, you must stay strong and not fall apart. Once everything is handled, it will slowly get better."

...

The next morning, Wen Wan discreetly left her family, mounted a carriage, and headed out of the city straight for Fahua Temple.

At the foot of the mountain, she saw a little monk standing there.

Wen Wan got off the carriage and clasped her hands together to greet him.

"Master Xu Yun specially instructed the little monk to wait here for the lady benefactor," the little monk said.

Wen Wan was surprised, "The master knew I was coming?"

The little monk nodded, "The master said the matter that the lady benefactor seeks is fraught with difficulties, and he may not be able to help you."

"If he says ’may not,’ that means there’s still a glimmer of hope." Dressed in mourning attire with white flowers in her hair, Wen Wan’s eyes showed unprecedented determination, "As long as it can change Third Son’s fate, I’m willing to pay any price."

Saying this, Wen Wan moved to the stone steps and knelt, ready to ascend with three bows and one step at a time.

The little monk sighed and shook his head, "Fate is set by heaven, it cannot be changed."

Wen Wan’s kneeling gesture did not pause, "Then I will be the first in history to accomplish it!"