The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 702 - 664: New Year’s Visit (1st Update)

The time rewinds to New Year’s Day. Wen Wan had promised to visit the Lu Family. Early in the morning, after returning from the palace with Song Wei to pay respects, she began preparing.

The carriage stopped outside the hanging flower gate, and the servants had already placed the New Year’s gifts on a cart, following behind the carriage.

Wen Wan changed into a light peach pink jacquard silk jacket with scattered florals, and a hundred-pomegranate skirt woven with gold flowers underneath. Draped over her shoulders was a red and two-tone cloud dragon sable cloak. Her hair was styled in a simple spiral bun, adorned with gold inlaid begonia pearl hairpins.

At the Lu Family, she would be meeting elders. Wen Wan’s makeup was appropriately light, her almond eyes gentle and her skin delicate like cream, with rosy cheeks. Compared to when she wore the noblewoman’s formal dress, she appeared less severe and more like a delicate young lady.

Yesterday at the palace banquet, Mrs. Xiao Liu had repeatedly emphasized that the whole family should attend, so Wen Wan had the on-duty Nanny Zhou bring along Qi Bao.

Before leaving, Wen Wan visited Rong’an Hall next door to inform her parents-in-law. Granny Song already knew about Wen Wan’s visit to the Lu Family and only instructed that because the weather was cold and the roads slippery, the servants must be careful in their service.

Once everything was set, Wen Wan, along with Linglong and Nanny Zhou, left the hanging flower gate and asked someone to fetch the two young masters. However, the servant only brought Jinbao, saying that the eldest young master had an appointment with His Highness the Crown Prince today and could not visit the Lu Family for New Year’s greetings.

"If that’s the case, then so be it." Wen Wan took Jinbao’s small hand and, with a glance at Linglong, gestured for her to hand over the hand warmer prepared earlier to Jinbao.

The little one took it, and with the free hand holding it, his hands soon became warm.

Wen Wan asked again, "Where’s the master? Why haven’t I seen him?"

The servant Kankan replied, "The master is currently changing clothes. It’s cold outside; Madam, please board the carriage first, and the master will be here shortly."

Upon hearing this, Wen Wan took Qi Bao from Nanny Zhou and, carrying her two children, boarded the carriage first, instructing Kankan to prepare another small carriage for Linglong and Nanny Zhou.

Not long after, Song Wei indeed came in, lifting the curtain.

Wen Wan quickly handed her own hand warmer to him and made room for him while simultaneously asking, "Was this year’s grand court meeting lively?"

"All the officials attended, so naturally it was lively." Song Wei didn’t elaborate much, as he rarely discussed official business at home.

Thus, Wen Wan also refrained from further inquiry and instructed the coachman to proceed.

Leaving Rongsheng Street, the carriage headed eastward, traveling for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick before stopping in front of the Duke Zhongguo Mansion.

Due to the New Year celebrations, the stone lions in front of the main gate were adorned with festive red silk ball flowers. Several children were outside playing with firecrackers, and a servant went to shoo them away, but they ran off laughing.

Today is the first day, a day for families to visit relatives and friends. The Duke Mansion had all its doors open from the main gate to the outer gate and then to the inner gate, all brightly illuminated.

After disembarking, Nanny Zhou stepped forward to take Qi Bao from Wen Wan, and Wen Wan, holding her son’s hand, followed her husband slowly towards the main gate.

Wen Wan hadn’t sent a card in advance, yet the gatekeeper servants knew she was not only a Commandery Princess but also the Duke’s own granddaughter, showing utmost respect and courtesy. One of them ran inside to announce their arrival.

Before long, Lu Yanbin and his wife came out to personally welcome them.

As soon as Mrs. Xiao Liu saw Wen Wan, her eyes lit up, "Knowing that Sister Wan was coming made our Old Madam so happy! She got up early and is still full of energy!"

Wen Wan smiled and said, "I wanted to come early, but I had to go to the palace to pay respects to the Empress this morning, and couldn’t free myself. So, as soon as I got back, I hurried over here without delay."

"I understand," Mrs. Xiao Liu said, coming over to support Wen Wan. "Sister Wan, please come inside quickly; I’ve already ordered them to prepare tea for you."

Seeing her little nephew standing by, Mrs. Xiao Liu’s smile grew even broader, "Auntie heard that Jinbao likes snacks, so I’ve specially prepared several kinds. You can eat as much as you like, alright?"

Jinbao responded with an "uh-huh," licking his little mouth but saying nothing.

As they walked forward, a maid from Feixue Courtyard, Lv Yu, suddenly came running over and whispered something to Lu Yanbin, whose expression changed slightly. He then looked at Mrs. Xiao Liu with a troubled expression.

Mrs. Xiao Liu averted her eyes, pretending she hadn’t noticed anything.

In front of their cousin and her husband, Lu Yanbin didn’t want them to see any unpleasantness between him and his wife. So, he called Mrs. Xiao Liu aside and spoke in a low voice, "Something’s come up at Feixue Courtyard, I’ll be right back. Please help entertain Sister Wan and her husband."

Mrs. Xiao Liu responded coldly, "Hm," without any further comment, as if she was already accustomed to such situations.

After Lu Yanbin left, Wen Wan quickly spoke up to ease the atmosphere, "If there’s an important matter, let him attend to it. After all, we’re not distant guests; anyone can entertain us."

Hearing this, Mrs. Xiao Liu merely sighed softly and said nothing more. She then led the couple into the main hall and had the maids serve tea, apologizing, "My father-in-law and the Old Master are in the study discussing matters. Brother-in-law, please sit for a moment; I’ll send someone to invite them."

Song Wei courteously replied, "Thank you for the trouble."

The servant was instructed to take good care of Song Wei, and Mrs. Xiao Liu said to Wen Wan, "Sister Wan, let’s go to the inner courtyard to talk!"

"Alright." Wen Wan nodded, stood up, turned her head slightly, and said to Song Wei, "Husband, I’ll take Jinbao and Qi Bao to see the Old Lady, and I’ll come out to find you later."

Song Wei nodded.

Mrs. Xiao Liu said, "This way, please," and led Wen Wan and her group toward the Old Lady’s courtyard.

When they entered, they saw that in the east side room, besides the Old Lady, there were several other women, all relatives of the Lu Family.

Upon seeing Wen Wan, they each stood up and paid their respects to the Commandery Princess.

Wen Wan raised her hand to signal that there was no need for excessive courtesy and then stepped forward to greet the Old Lady.

Afraid that Wen Wan might feel estranged, the Old Lady sent the relatives away before turning her attention to Wen Wan.

On the day of the Old Duke’s birthday banquet last year, due to Su Yi’s meddling in secret, Wen Wan’s identity was exposed, and the Old Lady fainted from shock before she had the chance to properly speak with Wen Wan. Yesterday at the palace banquet, the time was too short, and they barely exchanged greetings before taking their seats. After the banquet, they hurriedly parted ways. Seeing Wen Wan again today, the Old Lady was filled with emotions, and she asked someone to bring over an embroidered stool.

Wen Wan sat down beside her.

Old Mrs. Lu took her hand, "Good child, all those years you were left to wander outside and suffered hardships."

Wen Wan shook her head, "It wasn’t hard; my foster father treated me well."

Old Mrs. Lu then asked, "Have you written to your parents? Have you sent New Year’s gifts to your foster family?"

Wen Wan replied that she had written the letter and sent the gifts.

The Old Lady smiled with relief, "To have such filial piety, you are a good child." She sighed, "Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as we wished; your family is scattered all over, unable to reunite. Your brother, Yan Qingyuan, is thousands of miles away, and who knows what he’s become under such stress."

Wen Wan lowered her lashes, "Lu Yanqing, with his status, even if exiled, no one would dare to harshly mistreat him, except..."

Except by the time he returns, the Old Duke and Old Lady might no longer be around.

This was precisely what troubled the Old Lady.

Sometimes she thought that her youngest son must have committed some sins in his past life for everything to go wrong in this one. First, his romance with the Princess was strongly opposed by the Empress Dowager, then he was tricked by Su Yi into a royal marriage. After eloping, he encountered unknown tribulations. Finally making a name for himself at the border, he was eyed by the Empress Dowager, who with a single order stripped him of his twenty-thousand-strong military authority. Without military power he stayed at home peacefully, yet misfortune fell from the sky when a mine collapse shattered his household. Now, with a husband, wife, and two children separated in all directions, enjoying family happiness becomes incredibly challenging.

Thinking of this, the Old Lady wept sorrowfully.

Mrs. Xiao Liu watched from the side and quickly smiled, "During the New Year, Old Lady, let’s talk about something else to cheer us all up!"

The Old Lady realized it was inappropriate to bring up Lu Yanqing in such a setting, so she adjusted her thoughts and looked at Jinbao, who was politely sitting next to Wen Wan, "How old is this little great-grandson?"

"He’ll turn five this April," Wen Wan replied. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Has he started learning?"

The Old Lady initially thought that the Lu Family had family education, so if it wasn’t too much trouble, Jinbao could be sent to study with the children in the clan. It would be lively, and she could take the opportunity to get closer to him.

"I’ve hired a tutor to enlighten him," Wen Wan spoke truthfully, "We’ll have him study at home for a few years, and when he grows up, he will attend the Imperial College."

"He looks quite clever." The Old Lady leaned over, patted Jinbao’s little head, and praised, "In the future, when he takes the exam, he might excel even more than his father."

Wen Wan smiled but didn’t dare to agree. Song Wei was steady and reliable, while Jinbao currently did everything opposite to his father. Unlike Yuanbao, who only seemed restless but was actually earnest in his studies, Jinbao, with his good memory, doesn’t like reading. Lately, he’s been forced to attend school; otherwise, he avoids any extra steps or words. On holidays, if there’s nothing to attract him, he just stays in Wen Wan’s room and goes nowhere.

The Old Lady next to her asked why Yuanbao hadn’t come.

Wen Wan brought herself back to the present, "He had an engagement today that he couldn’t leave, and he already notified us beforehand."

The Old Lady nodded and then asked Mrs. Xiao Liu, "Is Brother Bin receiving Third Son in the main hall?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu nodded, saying yes.

Suddenly, Jinbao lifted his head, his mouth full and mumbling, "Aunt lied, Uncle went elsewhere, and Dad is sitting alone in the main hall."

Hearing this, the Old Lady’s expression immediately changed.