Chapter 707 - 669: Awaiting Marriage (Second Update)

Chapter 707: Chapter 669: Awaiting Marriage (Second Update)

After looking at houses all day, Wen Wan decided to separate the two sides. The Ning Mansion is called the West Courtyard, and the Song Mansion here is called the East Courtyard.

If Song Erlang’s family moves over, they’ll live in the West Courtyard. From now on, the residence must have at least two carriages and four soft sedan chairs to facilitate movement between the East and West Courtyards. Otherwise, the distance is too far, and the elderly cannot walk such a distance.

These, Duan Yan and Hui Ink noted down one by one.

In the afternoon, when they returned to Qingteng Residence, Linglong was kneeling in front of the couch, holding a beauty hammer, massaging Wen Wan’s legs. Song Jiao sat nearby, drinking tea. Wen Wan glanced at her and then turned to ask Linglong, "The pair of pale pink garlic-headed vases I wanted last time, have they been delivered from Bao Ying Building?"

"They just arrived today." Linglong nodded. "I was worried about them getting knocked over, so I placed them in the inner room. Madam should take a look later."

Listening to this, Song Jiao blushed.

The pair of pale pink garlic-headed vases were to be added to her dowry.

Song Jiao’s wedding is on the 26th of the first month, just over ten days away.

There used to be a saying that weddings should not happen in the first month as it is inauspicious, but the birth dates of Song Jiao and Liang Jun matched perfectly for this day. The Liang Family asked for her opinion, and Wen Wan thought since the girl was still young, she could keep her for another year. But Liang Jun came to visit on the third day of the New Year, and he seemed keen to marry soon. Wen Wan couldn’t break the engagement and agreed to a wedding in the first month.

From the engagement last year until now, it has been a year since the Liang Family delivered the betrothal gifts, so it was time for them to come and take her.

——

After viewing the house, Wen Wan stated her desired renovations and decoration style, then left the rest to the steward.

In the evening, when Song Wei returned, he saw Wen Wan was in high spirits and asked with a smile, "What good news have you met today?"

Wen Wan feigned mystery, "Guess?"

Song Wei shook his head, "I can’t guess."

"How can you know if you don’t try to guess?"

Song Wei said, "Your thoughts are always so quirky."

Wen Wan smiled, "I went to look at the Ning Mansion next door today."

"How was it?" During the New Year festivities, Song Wei was busy socializing and hadn’t noticed when the Ning Family moved out. Although he worked in the same court, he didn’t like making personal connections, and avoided them whenever possible.

"I don’t like their decorations and probably need to hire someone to redo them." As Wen Wan spoke, she moved her fingers like an abacus.

Song Wei asked her, "Is there a financial problem?"

"Not really," Wen Wan hesitated, "I’m just thinking the renovation will take time, and with Jiaojiao about to get married, when should Second Brother and Sister-in-law move over?"

"If you don’t mind, I have an idea," Song Wei said, "We can have them move in first without renovating their yard for now. Once the other places are done, they can move to another courtyard. This way, nothing will be delayed."

After a pause, Song Wei continued, "Actually, I have another thought. All these years, our parents have never held a birthday banquet. Every year when we mention it, they say they’ll wait until they’re better off. At their age, how many more years can they wait? Let’s do it this year. Father’s birthday is coming soon; Wanwan, you’ll have to put in a bit more effort to organize a good one."

Wen Wan looked at Song Wei and suddenly smiled, "Actually, even if husband hadn’t mentioned it, I had already planned for it."

"Oh?"

"You must remember the last time we went to the Lu Family’s birthday banquet. The display was truly unforgettable!"

Back then, Wen Wan thought, even if the account was tight, she would find a way to hold a decent birthday banquet for her in-laws the following year.

Although her mother-in-law often couldn’t fit in with the capital’s elite ladies due to her straightforwardness, deep down, she loved lively events.

Returning to her thoughts, Wen Wan said, "Since my husband has mentioned it, I’ll definitely organize a good birthday banquet. As for Second Brother and Sister-in-law, I’ll send someone to inform them to prepare to move over quickly, so when Jiaojiao gets married, it’ll be more dignified."

After a pause, she continued, "By the way, husband, I’ve divided the two houses into the East Courtyard and West Courtyard. That side is the West Courtyard, and our side is the East Courtyard. What do you think?"

Song Wei smiled, "Since you’ve already decided, let’s do it your way."

Wen Wan replied with an "Uh-huh," "But I don’t like the couplets and courtyard names there, so when I took Jiaojiao to see them during the day, I chose some new ones. When the time comes, remember to help write a few pairs of couplets and some calligraphy."

Song Wei did not immediately agree, "Yuanbao is best at writing couplets like that. Once he comes back, leave it to him."

Wen Wan pondered for a moment, "That’s fine, the couplets in the East Courtyard are already from my husband, so the West Courtyard should be left for Yuanbao. When he has his own descendants in the future, he can boast about their ancestor’s ink treasures."

Wen Wan found it amusing as she spoke.

Song Wei sat down, took a sip of tea, "You said you were going to propose today; how did it go?"

Wen Wan replied, "The Ye Family agreed quite straightforwardly, almost making me think it was a sham marriage proposal."

Song Wei laughed, "Even in a sham marriage, shouldn’t it be our Yuanbao fooling their girl? How could it be the other way around?"

"Anyway, the matchmaker has brought back Miss Ye’s marriage proposal document. I haven’t told Yuanbao yet, just to keep that rascal in suspense for a bit."

Speaking of this, Wen Wan wondered, "Why did the Crown Prince suddenly want to travel incognito?"

"As the heir, it’s not unusual to visit the people in disguise," Song Wei said.

The events in the Eastern Palace were completely sealed, and those in the know were either dead or strictly forbidden from speaking, so civil and military officials, including Song Wei, believed the Crown Prince was genuinely going to Jiangnan to understand the people’s plight.

"It’s a good thing it’s a private visit. Otherwise, the Yun Family would have to spend a fortune," Wen Wan joked.

It was heard that when the Grand Ancestor visited Jiangnan, he was received by the family of a certain concubine.

To host this visit, that family almost used up all their resources to build a garden for the Grand Ancestor.

Song Wei laughed, "Even if the Yun Family received the visit formally, they can afford it."

...

The next day, Wen Wan sent someone to the alley courtyard with a message for the Second Family to move over as soon as possible.

Song Qi, upon learning, was so happy she could almost float. Seeing her mother still busy in the kitchen, she sneaked in and complained, "Mother, Third Aunt has already sent someone to tell us to move quickly. Why are you still busying yourself?"

Second Lang’s wife rolled her eyes, "Just because we’re moving doesn’t mean we don’t need to eat?"

Hearing this, Song Qi stuck out her tongue.

Afraid her mother would scold her, Song Qi quickly went out to find Song Duobao to play.

Song Erlang came in to wash his hands with warm water and saw his wife standing still by the stove. He asked what she was thinking.

Second Lang’s wife said, "I’m thinking about after we move over there, how will we solve our meals? Should I buy groceries and cook, or eat in the main kitchen with them?"

Song Erlang said, "Listen to you, Third Sister-in-law asks us to move there, and you think they’d leave the Second Family to fend for themselves for food?"

Second Lang’s wife naturally understood, "But if we eat with them, we must contribute silver taels to the common fund every month. After moving there, I can’t do business anymore, and you just started at the government office, so your job is not stable yet, and we dare not expect your salary. Third Lang’s family is so well-off; their food and clothing are the best. How much will it cost each month? I’m afraid we’ll become paupers after a few months and get kicked out by Mother for not being able to pay for food. That would be a disgrace to our family."

Song Erlang soaked his hands in warm water, "Don’t we have some savings? Don’t spend it rashly; give it to me. I’ll find a way for you to invest and make more money."

At this, Second Lang’s wife’s face changed. She pointed at Song Erlang’s nose and cursed, "You wretched one, if you dare gamble with my hard-earned money, we might as well end this marriage quickly!"

Song Erlang was speechless, "You guard the silver like a dragon, and I would be lucky to get a copper coin from it. How would I gamble with your money? I recalled that when Aunt opened a restaurant, they borrowed five hundred silver taels from the Xie Family. Yuanbao was the one who invested that money, and he didn’t take it back. Instead, he became a shareholder and received dividends at the end of the year. Why don’t we try something like that?"

Second Lang’s wife immediately spat in disgust, "Xie Tao’s wife is a money-grubber, more stingy than me. I refuse to deal with her!"