Chapter 372: Chapter 340: Living Well as a Family
Second Langâs wife suddenly fell silent, not because she was persuaded by Er Yaâs reckless youthful words, but because she had deeply felt during the journey to Beijing that this girlâs heart was filled with resentment. At times like this, apart from going along with her wishes, saying anything else would completely fall on deaf ears.
Unlike his wifeâs indifference, Song Erlang frowned directly, "This time our family was destroyed by the natural disaster, if it werenât for your third uncle and third aunt, do you think you would be sitting in a carriage heading to Beijing now?"
Er Ya was indifferent, "Mom and Dad worked hard to raise a daughter for eleven years, only to give her away to the third family void of any return. Now that our family is in trouble, isnât it right and proper for the third family to help out with money and effort? Why should I be grateful to them? They didnât provide me with luxurious clothing and food to raise me into a pampered princess, itâs Da Ya who should be grateful to them!"
Song Erlangâs face was grim, "How can you, at such a young age, say such heartless words?"
"Even if I have a conscience, it will never be for the third family." Er Yaâs voice grew louder and louder, deliberately intending to be heard by those in the carriage ahead, "At the time I cried countless times, shedding endless tears, begging you to let me go to Beijing, but you refused. Now look, the daughter has become someone elseâs. Just a moment ago, standing at the city gate, did she call you and glance at you willingly? Sheâs now a distinguished lady, holding a high status, eager to not recognize us country folk.
Itâs clear how much of that womanâs enchanting potion was fed to eldest sister over the past year. Only you think the third family has a gentle and amiable nature. In fact, sheâs just like her early-deceased mother Mrs. Lu... Ahâ"
Before Er Ya finished speaking, she was slapped loudly by her mother.
"Where did you learn to say such things?" Second Langâs wife spat fire from her eyes.
If it werenât for the disaster this time, she wouldnât have known that the daughter she painstakingly raised turned out to be so selfish and self-serving.
Listen to those words, are they something an eleven or twelve-year-old girl would say?
Previously in Ningzhou, she was questioned by her birth mother about why it was Sanyang who went missing and not her, and now sheâs been mercilessly slapped across the face.
The rebellious girl had hatred flash in her eyes, covering her red and swollen cheek, remaining silent.
Normally, when the wife scolded or even physically disciplined the daughter, Song Erlang wouldnât fail to offer a few words of persuasion, but today he uncharacteristically remained silent.
The reason why Da Ya went to the Capital, the couple knew better than anyone. It wasnât at all like what Er Ya had said.
Moreover, back then, it was they who insisted on a family separation with Third Brother. Now, with nowhere else to turn, it was still Third Brother willing to lend a helping hand. If it werenât for Third Brotherâs people arriving in time that day, Er Ya wouldnât have survived, and they wouldnât know how much longer they could hold out.
Er Ya, as a junior, had already been outrageously disrespectful to her elders, let alone the fact that they were lifesavers.
...
In contrast to the stalemate in Song Erlangâs carriage, the atmosphere was much livelier in the carriage ahead.
Song Jiao was playing catâs cradle with Jinbao, the little guy really liked this game.
Wen Wan asked her, "Earlier at the city gate, what was the matter with you and Er Ya?"
Song Jiao lowered her eyes, "Nothing much, maybe itâs been too long since weâve seen each other, and weâve become a bit estranged."
Seeing through the little girlâs lie, Wen Wan didnât push her, but instead shifted the conversation.
Song Jiao seemed to think of something, looking at Wen Wan again, "Third Aunt, I donât think Iâve seen Sanyang, didnât she come?"
The letter from Wei Qian said that the girl was still missing to this day.
As for the matter of Sanyang, Wen Wan didnât want Song Jiao to hear it from her, and simply said, "Perhaps she just fell asleep in the carriage and didnât get down. When we get home, ask your parents."
"Okay."
Although she had a bit of an unpleasant encounter with her younger sister, the thought of the family being able to reunite from now on made Song Jiaoâs heart warm. She quickly brushed away the little bit of unpleasantness in her heart, with a soft smile on her face and bright eyes filled with hope for the future.
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The two carriages stopped consecutively in front of the Song Mansionâs gate.
Yun Cai had long led a group of servants to wait outside, and upon seeing Wen Wan, respectfully called out, "Madam."
Following Wen Wanâs instructions, she brought a stool to the side of Song Erlangâs carriage, inviting Second Master and Second Madam to get off.
Just as Song Erlang and his wife set foot on the ground, they were awestruck by the vermilion gate and the two grand stone lions at the door, remaining unresponsive for quite a while.
"Dad, Mom." Song Jiao quickly approached, smiling cheerfully at her mother, then extended her hands, "Let me hold Duobao for a while!"
Earlier at the city gate, it was too rushed for Second Langâs wife to take a good look at what her daughter had become after over a year in Beijing. Now seeing her grow into an elegant young lady, she couldnât help but smile as she passed Duobao over, "Oh my, is this really my daughter?"
Song Jiao spun around in place holding her brother, "Take a good look, Mom, in what way donât I look like your daughter?"
Second Langâs wife had initially schemed to send her eldest daughter to the Capital in hopes of transforming her, so she could one day become someone of high status. Seeing the graceful and dignified aura of a noble lady emanating from her now, she was naturally satisfied. Sharing a glance with Song Erlang and nodding, "Yes, she is my daughter."
As soon as she finished speaking, she heard Er Ya coldly snort nearby.
Song Jiao turned towards the sound and saw her sisterâs half-swollen cheek with a clear palm print. Without needing to think about it, she knew what had happened in the carriage before. The smile faded from her face, and she asked her mother what had happened.
The Second Langâs wife was happily anticipating her eldest daughterâs transformation when suddenly she heard her asking about Er Ya. Her face immediately soured, instructing her not to bother, saying Er Ya was just idling and making a fuss over nothing.
With so many servants around, Song Jiao couldnât say much more and ushered her parents into the mansion.
Song Erlangâs eyes stayed fixed on the plaque above the Song Mansionâs grand entrance, continuously expressing admiration, "Third Son has indeed made a name for himself. In just a few short years in the capital, heâs acquired such a grand estate."
Wen Wan noticed the red mark on Er Yaâs face, quickly averted her gaze, pretended not to notice, and led the group inside.
During the time, Song Jiao asked her parents, whereâs Sanyang, why havenât I seen her?
The Second Langâs wifeâs face turned gloomy and after a long while finally said, "Sanyang is missing."
"What?" Song Jiao was so startled that she almost dropped Song Duobao.
"On the night of the earthquake, the situation was really too dangerous. So many people were fleeing for their lives all at once, and it was nighttime, the scene was too chaotic, she just got separated from us."
The more Song Jiao listened, the more confused she became, "Mother, what exactly are you talking about, what earthquake, what escape, I donât understand a word of it?"
"You... you didnât know?" The Second Langâs wife looked at her in astonishment.
"If I knew, would I be asking you?"
Leading the way, Wen Wan paused upon hearing their conversation, turned around, and said to Song Jiao slowly, "Actually, we received news even before the New Year. In order not to upset you, your Third Uncle and I decided to keep it from you temporarily after discussing it, and secretly arranged for people to bring your parents to reunite with you."
After speaking, Wen Wan asked her, "You wonât blame me, will you, niece?"
Song Jiao shook her head, "I know Third Uncle and Third Aunt are doing it for my own good, I just feel sorry for Sanyang. Sheâs only six this year, so young. Where could she have fled to, could she already be..."
"Your Third Uncle has already arranged for people to search diligently." Wen Wan interrupted her unfinished words, "In any case, alive we need to see the person, dead we need to see the body. For now, no news is actually good news."
With Wen Wanâs comforting words, Song Jiaoâs troubled emotions slowly eased.
Granny Song often said, be influenced by those around you. Song Jiao is an example.
In the time with her birth parents, she did not receive good education nor the conditions to grow, so naturally, some of her views were extreme and narrow.
Being around Song Wei and his wife for a year, influenced by ears and eyes, Song Jiao gradually changed her bad habits, becoming a bit more calm and collected with people and matters than before.
...
The empty courtyard prepared for the Second House had been tidied up, so Wen Wan didnât have anyone arrange guest rooms, directly leading them to the courtyard.
Upon entering and seeing the tasteful décor inside, an air of prosperity hit them in the face, Song Erlang and his wife were again stunned.
From the moment they entered the main gate till now, the shock seemed never-ending.
The Second Langâs wife never expected Wen Wan would arrange such a good courtyard for them, her eyes showing gratitude, "Really troubling Third Sister-in-law, my husband and I truly feel apologetic."
Wen Wan smiled, "Iâm no longer going to the Hongwen Academy, idle is idle, just treated it as killing time. It was arranged in just a few days, Second Sister-in-law please check carefully, if there is anything youâre unsatisfied with, just let me know, and Iâll have someone change it."
"Iâm satisfied, already very satisfied." Compared to the snow-through-wind disaster shelters, this courtyard was simply a palace of gold and silver, how could there be dissatisfaction?
Looking at the Second Langâs wife, Wen Wan could feel politeness from her response, unlike her previous sharpness and bitterness.
Wen Wan thought, those who have had a brush with Yama Hall are indeed different.
This natural disaster perhaps made Second Sister-in-law finally realizeânothing is more important than being alive.
In the face of life and death, one thought can lead to heaven, and another to hell; this probably speaks of people like them.
Thankfully, Second Sister-in-law chose the former.
"Hot water has been heated in the bathhouse," Wen Wan said, "Later, take a hot bath first to change clothes, and I will then bring you to Rongâan Hall to meet father and mother." She also mentioned there was a set of new clothes prepared for them, just unsure if they would fit.
Since birth, Song Erlang had never been served like this; now seeing everything arranged by Wen Wan for them as a couple, he increasingly felt embarrassed.
The Second Langâs wife asked Song Jiao to place Song Duobao on the bed in the inner room to sleep. She hesitated for a moment but finally spoke up, "Third Sister-in-law, I didnât say things nicely before back at home, nor acted well, I hope you donât mind. From now on, letâs all live together harmoniously as a family."
These words were clearly an intention to make amends.
In hindsight, the Second House had long since had nothing, now everything they ate and where they lived were provided by the Third House. Unless the Second House insisted on splitting, there was no reason for disagreement.
However, such a big matter couldnât be decided by Wen Wan, a young woman, alone. They probably needed to ask her mother-in-lawâs opinion as well.
"What happened in the past, let the earthquake and snow cover it up, shall we?" Wen Wan said tactfully, "If I still minded those, I wouldnât have agreed to have people arranged by Third Son to fetch you from home."