Chapter 713: Chapter 675: I Want to Discuss Something with You (4th Update)
As soon as the bride appeared, the sound of drums and ceremonial music started immediately.
The wedding matchmaker beside her smiled so much her eyes became mere slits, and she personally helped the bride into the bridal sedan chair, shouting for it to lift amid a burst of firecrackers.
Liang Jun mounted his horse, and the group here to escort the bride slowly dispersed.
The guests in the garden had not yet left, and Wen Wan was there talking, while Second Langâs wife, the mother-in-law, wasnât around; she was hiding in Song Jiaoâs boudoir, crying her heart out.
By the time Wen Wan had seen off the relatives and returned, Second Langâs wifeâs eyes were already swollen.
Wen Wan had already guessed that Second Sister-in-law wasnât in the garden, certainly scared to cry when Song Jiao was there, and only when everyone left did she hide in the room to cry aloud. Seeing this now proved true.
She poured a steaming hot cup of tea and placed it on the small table by Second Langâs wifeâs side, then sat down, "Didnât cry earlier, now everyoneâs gone, who are you crying for?"
Second Langâs wife heard the voice and finally rose from the soft pillow, wiping her tears and saying, "I always hoped she would find a good family to marry into. Now sheâs truly married, the things in the room moved, everything taken, leaving only an empty shell. My heart feels hollowed out too."
As she spoke, tears welled up again.
Second Langâs wife was upset, but Wen Wan felt even worse.
After all, Wen Wan had a closer relationship with Song Jiao. She raised the girl, and now sheâs gone, stepping out the door and becoming someone elseâs. Wen Wan also felt a lump in her throat.
The sisters-in-law were each grieving when Song Qi came in from outside, "Mother, Third Aunt, Aunt and the others are playing cards and missing players, which of you will go?"
Second Langâs wife shook her head, "I canât go looking like this, let your Third Aunt go."
Wen Wan stood up and followed Song Qi to the east side room of Qingteng Residence, where she saw Song Fang and others had already set up the card table. Yang and Xie Taoâs wife each occupied a side, with one spot still vacant.
"Everyoneâs been waiting for Sister-in-law!" Song Fang beckoned to her, "Come on, I contributed a lot today and need to win some back from each of you."
Wen Wan had noticed Song Fang came with her mother-in-law today, but she was busy seeing her niece off and didnât have the chance to ask. With a free moment now, she directly asked, "Why is it just Fangniang, whereâs your sister-in-law?"
Song Fang laughed at this, "Guess?"
Wen Wan rolled her eyes at her, "How would I guess? Is there a new son-in-law, and sheâs getting married?"
"Nonsense!" Song Fang lightly spat, "Does our familyâs princess seem like that kind of person?"
Xie Taoâs wife said, "I say, isnât she probably gone to the military camp."
Wen Wan was surprised, "How do you know?"
Xie Taoâs wife shuffled the cards, "When we came here to pay New Yearâs respects, didnât she say it herself? She wants to join the army, become the second female general."
"Did your parents-in-law agree?" Wen Wan asked curiously, looking at Song Fang.
Song Fang sighed, "What can they do if they disagree? Sheâs stubborn, refusing to marry again, even bringing up Mrs. Ye, saying others can join the army and go to battle, why canât she? After much pestering, she finally wore my parents-in-law down, and they had no choice but to let her go."
Wen Wan laughed, "I think itâs good. Perhaps sheâll win battles and become a general herself, then bring a general home too. The Ye Familyâs tale of Double Generals is already known, another pair from the Western Marquis Mansion would also be a famous story through the ages."
Song Fang said, embarrassed and angry, "Sister-in-law, donât make fun of our family. My sister-in-lawâs stubborn nature isnât unknown to you; sheâs just a stubborn donkey. After separating from Tang Yuan, sheâs cold-hearted, saying sheâs been blind once and doesnât want to be blind again. Romantic pursuits are out of the question; all she thinks about is wielding weapons. If she held even a bit of space in her heart for a husband, she wouldnât have begged my parents-in-law from year-end to New Year to let her enter the military camp."
Speaking of Tang Yuan, Wen Wan asked, "I heard he was transferred to Suzhou, did he go?"
"He left on the sixth." Song Fang nodded, "Before leaving, he visited the Marquis Mansion. Not sure how she sent him away."
Yang said, "From what it sounds like, Second Young Master Tang seems like a sentimental man. Your familyâs princess is too cold-hearted; the saying goes that a prodigal sonâs return is worth more than gold. Since heâs learned his lesson, reconciling and living happily isnât a bad idea. Why make both sides suffer and live in separate places? Over time, Second Young Master Tang will naturally become cold-hearted too, and these two will just miss their chance forever."
Xie Taoâs wife spat, "People say Tang Yuanâs relationship with his widow sister-in-law is unclear; who knows whatâs going on between them? This caused a significant wedge between them. How can they live under the same roof, let alone share a bed? Itâs disgusting. If it were me, Iâd also separate; who cares about titles like Second or Third Master? If it doesnât work, why force it? Whatâs the point?"
Yang didnât speak further; her temperament was different from Xie Taoâs wife. She couldnât make a man bend to her will like Xie Taoâs wife.
Wen Wan and Song Fang shared a glance, neither spoke, continuing to play cards.
They kept playing until dusk before stopping.
Song Fang initially wanted to win more from these few, but unexpectedly all the money went to Wen Wan. She twisted her neck and looked at Wen Wan resentfully, "Is Sister-in-law cheating? How come you always win; itâs too strange?"
"Just good luck with cards today." Wen Wan laughed, asking Yun Cai to gather the silver, "Iâll keep this money for now. Iâll treat you all to a meal another day to square it off, but..."
She paused, "When our old manâs birthday comes, you ladies should come."
Song Jiao was surprised, "Birthday?"
"Yes." Wen Wan nodded, "Last year, your third brother and I visited the Lu Family. Their birthday party was full of extravagance. Upon returning, we realized your parents had never had such a grand celebration. We discussed with your third brother and decided to start celebrating this year, beginning with the old masterâs birthday. There probably arenât many days left, and when I write the invitations, Iâll have people send them to you."
Song Fang felt complicated, "When I first married in, the old lady there held it twice, each lively, never thought of hosting one for our parents."
She sighed, "Sister-in-law is indeed considerate."
"Youâre a daughter married off, why worry about these things?" Wen Wan said, "Iâm the one who married in; itâs my duty to honor them. It should be me and your third brother handling these matters. You just focus on your in-laws and two children; many things will require your attention in the future."
"No matter what, I still must thank Sister-in-law."
Yang and Xie Taoâs wife felt awkward watching, Xie Taoâs wife said, "You sisters are going back and forth, making our family seem unfilial. Your family plans grandly, then weâll hold a proper celebration for our old man and ladyâs birthdays. When your family comes, weâll reclaim it all."
Song Fang was speechless, "Second Sister-in-law, why not just change your name to Qian Chuanzi? You relate everything to money."
Xie Taoâs wife teased, "Youâre a lady; you donât understand our commonersâ struggles. So many mouths to feed, going out costs money. If I donât fuss about it, who would?"
Song Fang retorted, "Your restaurant has turned into a wine house, yet youâre not satisfied?"
"Is money ever enough?" having lived through hard days, Xie Taoâs wife views money as invaluable now, planning to clear debts before pursuing more business. Her husband shows little promise for greatness; failing to find ways to earn will leave them standing by as her brother-in-lawâs position rises steadily.
The room was lively when suddenly Yun Xia from the old ladyâs side arrived, stating the old lady wished for the ladies to have dinner before leaving.
Thus, they went to Rongâan Hall, accompanied Granny Song for dinner before dispersing.
During the day, the mansion was full of guests; the ladies were in the inner court, where Song Wei was unable to enter. Not until Song Fang and the two Xie sisters-in-law left did he go to Qingteng Residence. After bathing, he entered the inner room; Wen Wan had just lay down and wasnât asleep, noticing the lingering hint of alcohol on him, she interrogated, "Drank too much?"
Song Wei gently embraced her; his voice was still clear, "Didnât drink much."
Then asked her, "Why arenât you sleeping, waiting for me?"
"Want to discuss something," Wen Wan said.