Chapter 943: Chapter 1: Betrothal Gifts (2)

"..." Wen Wan looked shocked, "Didn’t we agree that the engagement ceremony would be it?"

"Well, a pair of wild geese was sent, and Hongyu and Hong Xiang, who are by the Young Madam’s side, were feeding them. I went over to ask a couple of questions, and they said the Princess advised that it’s not appropriate to meet before the wedding. So, the groom ate the Five Blessings Cake and left."

Wen Wan felt like crying but had no tears.

Ever since they parted in the Capital last time, she had eagerly waited for two whole years, two years! She was longing desperately, and her mother couldn’t even make an exception for a single meeting?

Back when Yuanbao went to the Ye Family for the engagement, he casually ran into the young girl’s private quarters for a chat!

But then again, Wen Wan found it hard to imagine that if it had been Song Wei, he would secretly sneak into her private quarters to see her against her family’s wishes.

"Alas!" Wen Wan sighed. What else could she do? She could only wait, "Serve the meal then!"

...

Not long after Song Wei returned home, Song Yuanbao and Ye Ling came by, with Ye Ling holding their little two-year-old daughter Song Yan by the hand, followed by Jinbao and Qi Bao.

After taking their seats, Song Yuanbao asked, "Dad, did you see mom?"

Song Wei shook his head, "It’s not appropriate to meet before the wedding."

"So does that mean the Lu Family has agreed?"

Before going to Beijing, Song Yuanbao had already learned the real reason for their separation from Song Wei.

Thinking of his past resentment towards Wen Wan, and then considering how Wen Wan endured public criticism to change Song Wei’s fate and even traveled all the way to Bei Yan, Song Yuanbao felt an unspeakable guilt and self-blame.

Seeing Song Wei’s tacit consent, Song Yuanbao continued, "Ah Yao and I are preparing to write the wedding invitations. The list is already prepared, so later on, Dad, please take a look to see if there’s anyone we missed."

Song Wei nodded, took Qi Bao’s hand, and naturally placed his little daughter on his lap before looking at Song Yuanbao, "It’s been three years since you returned, and many of your colleagues have changed. Are you adapting alright?"

"I’ve gotten used to being lazy at home." Song Yuanbao said, somewhat embarrassed, "Initially, for the first few days, I found it hard to sit still."

"Get adjusted quickly," Song Wei advised. "Chu Country has just annexed Bei Yan. Once the two countries fully integrate, the court will be in need of people. If you perform well, Your Majesty will not overlook you."

Mentioning Zhao Xi, Song Yuanbao recalled the red-crowned crane root carving penholder he had once given him, only to wonder where it had been discarded by now.

Back then, to learn root carving, he ended up with blisters all over his hands.

...

The news of the Song and Lu families re-establishing their matrimonial alliance had spread throughout Chu Jing City these days.

The public was eagerly discussing it.

Some thought that Princess Yong’an had acted too harshly in the past, announcing the separation at her mother-in-law’s memorial hall. To them, such a woman deserved to be left by Mr. Song, and it was unnecessary for him to humble himself to propose again and remarry her.

Others believed that Princess Yong’an was noble and selfless, asserting that without her separation, the events of Bei Yan wouldn’t have occurred. Without the mission to Bei Yan, Chu Country would never have subdued Bei Yan, and the war at the Northern Border might not have ended by now. Such a heroic woman deserved Mr. Song’s love and pampering by marrying her again.

A small minority even speculated if there was more to the separation than met the eye.

The Xie Family and Xu Family received the news almost simultaneously.

Song Fang was furious, ordering the carriage to be prepared to go to the Xie Family, bringing along Aunt Xie and Yang’s wife, Xie Tao, to head straight to the Song Mansion.

With her father’s absence, Aunt Xie and Uncle Xie were currently the highest-ranking relatives in the Capital in terms of seniority.

Song Fang initially intended for Aunt Xie to talk to Song Wei, pointing out that Wen Wan’s actions back in the day justified a separation, and there were better women available, so the Song family needn’t stoop so low.

However, on the carriage, Aunt Xie voiced her thoughts, "After all, it’s the couple’s own matter. How could I, an outsider, interfere? The Princess is young; having a temper is normal. Perhaps they had a fight back then, and in a moment of anger, she proposed the separation. Now that both have thought things through over the past three years and want to remarry, isn’t that quite natural?"

Since learning that Song Wei went to the Lu Family for an engagement, Song Fang’s countenance had remained unpleasant, "I just can’t swallow it. Back then, I personally begged and knelt at her door, yet she coldly insisted on separating from my third brother. Now why should my third brother humiliate himself to propose and bring her back? Considering the disgraceful things she did, does she even deserve my third brother!"

Yang’s expression subtly changed, "After all, the Princess is of the Imperial Family. You should mind your words."

Song Fang’s face darkened. Although she said nothing more, the three women in the carriage could see that she hadn’t calmed down.

...

Upon arriving at the Song Mansion, Aunt Xie and the three daughters-in-law went directly to find Ye Ling. They happened upon the Second Lang’s wife, who had red eyes, as if she had been crying.

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