Wen Wan didn’t expect her second sister-in-law to have such plans, and after being stunned, she thought it was inappropriate, "I’ve already got the steward to buy a few maidservants for Rong’an Hall; there’s no shortage of hands to serve. Besides, Duobao is still young and needs your care, and your family’s business can’t be neglected. Why waste ti coming here?"
Second Lang’s wife looked around and lowered her voice, "Second wife’s sister said before that mother-in-law, being aged, easily falls ill when too hot or cold. Who knows how many more tis I can serve her? I wouldn’t want her cursing from the underworld for being an unworthy daughter-in-law."
Wen Wan didn’t know how to respond to this. She no longer stopped her and asked Yun Cai to arrange a guest room for Second Lang’s wife.
Duobao was still young and couldn’t be away from his mother, so if Second Lang’s wife didn’t leave, he naturally had to stay too.
Having co in a hurry, the little guy’s clothes were all left at ho. Wen Wan planned to let Yun Cai take the newly arrived maidservant to familiarize herself a bit, but Song Qi stood up, "Let go instead."
Seeing Wen Wan’s confusion, she lowered her head and said, "I know where my mother’s and Duobao’s clothes are; I can bring so of mine along too when the ti cos."
It’s rare for the young girl to want to be filial, so Wen Wan had no reason to refuse. In the end, she arranged for the newly arrived maid Linglong to accompany her to bring back Yun Duo and Song Jiao’s nanny.
The otherwise slightly cold grand house quickly beca lively.
Before long, Old Song returned with Jinbao, carrying the herbs he picked up from the pharmacy.
Second Lang’s wife was the first to welco him, "Father, give the herbs, I’ll brew them."
Old Song looked at Wen Wan with full confusion. Without needing to speak, Wen Wan already knew what he wanted to ask and explained first, "My second sister-in-law and them knew mother-in-law was ill, so they ca specifically to nurse her, but they’ll have to leave soon."
Old Song sighed lightly, "A person who hasn’t fallen ill for many years suddenly collapsing, and your mother-in-law being sick like this, it’s uncertain when she’ll get better. Second Lang’s family’s business is already busy, yet your second sister-in-law ca dragging her family here, surely affecting the business."
Wen Wan smiled, "Since mother is already so ill, it’s only right for second sister-in-law to want to fulfill her filial duty. Father, don’t worry too much; the most important thing is for mother to recover quickly."
With both daughters-in-law present, Old Song couldn’t easily enter to see his wife; instead, he entrusted Jinbao to Wen Wan and went to the outer courtyard.
Wen Wan looked at the yawning little guy and asked what he ate with grandfather at noon. The little guy, lacking energy, talked about a bunch of delicious food.
Wen Wan pinched his cheek, "If you’re sleepy, go take a nap in your room. Later, when you wake up, co play with your younger brother."
Hearing the word "younger brother," Jinbao instinctively looked beside Wen Wan and saw a smaller Song Duobao standing there timidly, not speaking much.
At this age, as long as adults are diligent to keep them clean, kids won’t look bad at all.
When Duobao first arrived in the Capital, his little face wasn’t very fresh, even cracked due to Ningzhou’s harsh weather. After fostering him for over a year, he had beco clean and soft, looking sowhat like Jinbao, as they were cousins.
Now being stared at by Jinbao, the little guy blinked his eyes and curiously t his cousin’s gaze.
Jinbao waved at him, "Duobao, co over; there are tasty treats."
Duobao didn’t move, looking up at Wen Wan.
Wen Wan introduced him, "This is your second brother Jinbao; you saw him during New Years, rember?"
The little guy seed half-understanding, clinging to Wen Wan’s sleeve tightly.
As he didn’t go over, Wen Wan had no choice but to tell her son, "He hasn’t really played with you much before, might be a bit shy, so don’t tease him. Quickly go take your afternoon nap, and wake up to visit grandma."
Jinbao replied with an "Oh," and then walked to his own room.
...
Second Lang’s wife brewed the dicine and brought it to mother-in-law’s room.
Granny Song struggled to sit up and asked her, "I hear it’s quite lively outside, who ca?"
Second Lang’s wife said, "Third wife’s sister is pregnant and can’t take care of you, so she hired a few maidservants. Yun Xia is teaching them the rules outside."
Granny Song took the dicine bowl she handed over and drank it all in one gulp, gaining a bit of strength to be snarky, "Since there are maidservants to serve, why are you still staying here?"
Second Lang’s wife was already used to her sarcastic remarks and wasn’t angry, "I’ve got thick skin, you know that."
Seeing mother-in-law wasn’t feeling too spirited, Second Lang’s wife asked if she felt cold and, if so, offered to have soone co in with a brazier.
"It’s March already; why add a brazier?" Granny Song narrowed into the blanket, "Just add another quilt."
Second Lang’s wife stood up and rummaged through the wardrobe, finding a new thick quilt, and brought it out to cover mother-in-law.
During this, Granny Song kept coughing, and Second Lang’s wife had to soothe her and feed her water, only stepping out for so fresh air after mother-in-law fell asleep.
Wen Wan was outside and asked about the situation when she saw her coming out.
Second Lang’s wife shook her head, "Mother-in-law seems much weaker than when she was back ho. She used to never fear the cold, yet now she feels cold even with two quilts."
Wen Wan responded, "We might have thought of her as too strong, never considering that she would grow old, fall ill, and have a day when she’d need soone close by to care for her."
"What did the doctor say?" Second Lang’s wife asked.
"We invited Doctor Li," Wen Wan said. "He said that soone like mother-in-law, who rarely falls ill, suddenly collapsing is bad. Even if it’s just catching a cold, it’ll be worse than normal, so recovery might not be quick."
Thinking about the bedridden mother-in-law, Second Lang’s wife said, "Being so sick but still stubborn, she cursed at dog-blood spewing. That mouth truly doesn’t spare anyone. Thank goodness neither Second Lang nor Third Son inherited her temper, or else this family would be in chaos."
Wen Wan smiled without speaking.
Who said it wasn’t inherited? Song Wei’s mouth is just as sharp as mother-in-law’s.
...
Song Jiao woke up after an hour and ca to Wen Wan’s courtyard first thing, entering to see her mother and sister there and learn that grandma was ill.
Song Jiao felt guilty, "Why didn’t third auntie tell earlier?"
Wen Wan looked at her just-awake appearance, "There are so many people at ho serving; it’s only about paying respects. Whether you’re told early or late, it’s all the sa."
Song Jiao pursed her lips, "Then I’ll go see her now."
"She might still be asleep now; better not disturb her." Second Lang’s wife stopped her, "Your grandma knows you two ca, and besides, she’s not too strict with rules or ceremonies. If you visit her a bit later, she won’t bla you."
Being advised by her mother, Song Jiao dropped the thought of heading to Rong’an Hall but didn’t stay long at Wen Wan’s courtyard either, fearing conflict with Song Qi; she took Song Duobao to her own courtyard to play.
The entire day was spent filling the household and nursing the illness, leaving Wen Wan no ti for a nap. She finally got a mont when Second Lang’s wife went to Rong’an Hall to attend to mother-in-law for the second dication. Searching for a break, Wen Wan lay on a small couch for a short nap, just briefly, before Song Wei ca ho.
Upon hearing Yun Cai announce it, Wen Wan thought she was dreaming. Rubbing her eyes to see the tall silhouette of a man by the door, she awoke completely, "Husband? You’re ho early today?"
"Mother is ill, and you’re unable to care for her. I told the master, so I left the Lower Court early."
Song Wei said as he took the casual clothes Wen Wan had prepared on the floor stand to change behind the screen.
Wen Wan yawned, "Second sister-in-law ca with her two daughters to nurse here. You needn’t rush back ho tomorrow; it’d be worriso for you and unsettling for ."
Changing behind the screen, Song Wei slightly paused, "Second sister-in-law brought Song Qi and Song Jiao?"
"Yes." Wen Wan explained Song Jiao wanting to move back and Song Qi visiting to thank her, "Second sister-in-law only found out mother was sick upon arrival, staying to nurse her was a spontaneous decision."
"That’s good." Song Wei replied simply.
The second household had been separate from the elders for so many years, turning a blind eye whenever it’s ti for filial piety; now with the elders ill, it’s ti for them to fulfill their duty.
"By the way, husband, there’s sothing else." Wen Wan’s soft voice reached him again from outside, "Qi Qi said she wanted to go to Hongwen Academy and asked if she could use our family’s slot."
Song Wei asked, "Has she mastered all the words?"
Wen Wan shook her head, "I don’t know." She forgot to ask during the day, "But she said, given how people outside talk about her, if she doesn’t show so real skills, she’d be afraid of damaging your honor."
"Then give it to her."
It’s just a slot after all; Song Wei wouldn’t bother being petty with a young girl.
Reviews
All reviews (0)