Chapter 170: Chapter 161: The Considerate and Attentive Third Son (Part 2)

September arrived in the blink of an eye, and the exams began on the eighth.

The province was far, and Song Wei, fearing any unexpected incidents, planned to leave at the beginning of the month.

Seeing that Wen Wan also wanted to follow along, Granny Song advised, “Isn’t Xie Zheng going with him this year? Why not let your wife stay home? I’m really worried her little body can’t handle such a long journey.”

Song Wei was considering it while Wen Wan stood beside him, shaking her head vigorously.

Every time her husband took the exams, it was as if he were stepping into the gates of hell, and if she didn’t follow him, all the previous efforts would be in vain should he not make it through.

Regarding other matters, Song Wei would usually consider Granny Song’s advice, but not this time. He disagreed, insisting that Wanwan must go with him. At most, he would leave early, travel slowly, and ensure Wanwan had enough rest so she wouldn’t get too exhausted.

Granny Song looked at her son, then at her daughter-in-law, recalling the recent incident with the old priest, realizing Wen Wan’s capabilities were real.

Though worried about her little grandson, she had no choice but to let her daughter-in-law go. Without her “foresight,” if anything happened to the Third Son, where would she cry herself to?

——

This trip to the province added two companions, Xie Zheng and his wife Yang.

Xie Zheng hadn’t originally planned to bring Yang, but his mother fiercely objected right before they left, saying that Third Son always took his young wife with him for exams, and he did better each time. Surely it was because the wife was there, taking good care, offering peace of mind, and providing confidence for the exams. Xie Zheng should take his wife too; the province was far, and without someone to take care of meals and clothes, he’d have too much on his mind, leaving no room to study. If he didn’t study well, he’d be lost in the exam hall.

This was how Xie Zheng was persuaded by his mother.

Reluctantly, he brought his wife along.

Yang was a frugal and home-managing woman, and before departing, she prepared her husband’s meals and clothes meticulously, carrying all the dry food and water herself, afraid to tire him.

In contrast, Wen Wan had empty hands, bringing nothing, while Song Wei’s basket contained, besides books, a portion of dry food, half a bag of fresh fruits, and water.

Granny Song had stated that her daughter-in-law was expecting, and dry food wouldn’t suffice. She packed a few pancakes for emergencies, instructing Song Wei to take her for nutritious hot meals once they reached resting stops, as nothing should let her little grandson go hungry.

The Song family’s conditions couldn’t compare with others. Even though the Xie Family had dug a fish pond for some fish and shrimp business, all the capital came from Song Wei.

The Xie Family hadn’t split, and Aunt Xie ran the house strictly, managing all the silver coins. Used to living frugally, even with some current comfort, she didn’t dare to be extravagant. The travel expenses for Xie Zheng’s exams were calculated down to the last coin.

Yang knew she didn’t have Wen Wan’s blessings, feeling envious but not comparing herself, knowing it would only bring discontent.

Thus, towards Wen Wan, she was very polite.

Wen Wan had a good impression of this cousin-in-law and wasn’t stingy during the journey to the town, sharing her fresh fruits with her.

There were several fruits that Yang couldn’t name, only having seen them in the market, quite expensive. She’d only dared to look, never to buy. Now, Wen Wan was generously giving her several, stuffing them into her hands.

Yang offered them to her husband, but Xie Zheng wasn’t fond of fruits and refused.

Yang swallowed, picked one up, and took a bite.

Sweet, too sweet!

She couldn’t help but sigh at the happiness of being a Song family daughter-in-law.

——

To take care of Wen Wan, Song Wei didn’t agree to Xie Zheng’s proposal to follow the caravan. Upon reaching the town, he spent several taels of silver to hire a direct carriage to the province. Seeing Wen Wan almost finished eating, he bought a few more pounds of fresh fruits, choosing only the best and most expensive ones.

Seeing this, Xie Zheng also decided to buy a few pounds for Yang.

Married into the Xie Family for so many years, it was the first time her husband had shown such care. Although Yang felt the pinch of spending silver, she was more moved, looking at Xie Zheng with eyes that remained red for a long time.

Xie Zheng was not without feelings for Yang; he was just rather “straightforward” and couldn’t compare to Song Wei’s thoughtful attentiveness. He couldn’t pamper his wife like a treasure, partly because of the lack of conditions and partly not having the habit.

In Xie Zheng’s view, it was natural for women to serve men, being the inner host, while men were the outer, part of the natural order.

——

This time, the carriage was much more spacious than the previous ones hired. Sitting four people didn’t feel crowded.

After the first three months, Wen Wan didn’t suffer from morning sickness but was prone to drowsiness. When she felt sleepy, she slept, from leaning on Song Wei’s shoulder to lying on his leg, having no concern for her image.

Yang couldn’t help but speak up, “Cousin is pregnant; why doesn’t Third Brother let her rest well at home? The long, bumpy journey to the province will wear her out.”

Song Wei glanced at his little wife sleeping soundly on his leg, with a look of indulgent affection tinged with heartache, but didn’t explain.

Xie Zheng, on the side, frowned and handed her a bun, “Eat to shut up your mouth?”

Yang was afraid her husband was really angry and didn’t dare to say more, so she bowed her head and chewed on dry food.

Just like during the provincial examination, once they arrived at the province, the first thing they did was find an inn to stay at.

Finally reaching a place where she could settle down, Wen Wan didn’t hurry to eat but lay down to take a nice nap first.

In the room next door, Yang washed the clothes that Xie Zheng had changed out of. Her husband wanted to read, and she didn’t want to disturb him, so she thought to come over and chat with Wen Wan for a while.

She knocked on the door, and Song Wei told her that Wen Wan was sleeping and hadn’t woken up yet.

Yang noticed that Song Wei’s hands were wet and was momentarily surprised. She glanced inside and saw clothes soaking in a wooden basin — both Song Wei’s and Wen Wan’s.

Yang asked, “You even wash clothes yourself? Since I’m free, why don’t you give them to me, and I’ll help you wash them.”

Although she said that, she was mulling over it in her heart. Her mother-in-law said that Wen Wan came to serve her husband in food and clothing to let him prepare for the exam peacefully, but somehow, this didn’t seem right! It looked more like the third son brought a troublemaker to the province. He had to not only study but also take care of her, even wash clothes…

Of course, she only grumbled inwardly; she didn’t dare speak these words aloud, and her enthusiasm seemed genuinely sincere.

Song Wei said it was unnecessary and thanked his sister-in-law for her concern.

After Yang returned to her room, she relayed the situation to her husband.

Xie Zheng paused in his reading and looked at her, “You really saw the third son helping the third sister-in-law wash clothes?”

Yang replied, “I just came back from next door, saw it clearly, there could not be any mistake. The third sister-in-law probably hasn’t even woken up yet, so it must be the third son washing the clothes himself.”

Xie Zheng was puzzled.

Bringing his wife, although costing a bit more money, was convenient. But what was the meaning of the third son bringing a little ancestor to serve?

Unable to figure it out, he stopped thinking about it and advised Yang, “You mustn’t mention this in front of the third sister-in-law. She’s young and sensitive, you might just make her cry with a word, and by then, the third son won’t forgive me.”

Yang said she understood and wouldn’t speak out of turn in front of the third sister-in-law, “I just don’t understand, if it’s all about care, why not leave her at home? Aunt Xie has experience and can surely take care of a pregnant woman. I heard from mother that aunt cooks a bowl of bird’s nest for the third sister-in-law every few days. Such treatment, you can’t find even if you search with a lantern in our place.”

Xie Zheng couldn’t figure out the key issue inside either, so he shook his head, telling Yang not to chatter, as she was affecting his reading.

Yang didn’t speak again. With nothing to do, bored and not daring to run around recklessly, she went inside and lay down, sleeping until dinner time.

Song Wei, not assured of Wen Wan using the stairs, didn’t go downstairs for dinner but had the inn servant bring it up. They also ordered a portion for Xie Zheng and his wife, quite sumptuous, with fish and meat.

Xie Zheng was embarrassed and insisted on paying him.

Song Wei, knowing his character, didn’t refuse but also didn’t take the money directly, “Aren’t you already owing me some money? If you want to pay, count it in there and return it all at once later.”

Xie Zheng realized Song Wei didn’t want to take the money and was making an excuse. He laughed, “Counting it in means I’ll have to pay more interest. Scholar, your calculations are quite sharp!”

Song Wei just smiled silently.

After dinner, the two were about to study together when Wen Wan suddenly came out from inside with an uneasy expression. Seeing Xie Zheng hadn’t left, she glanced at Song Wei, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Xie Zheng greeted her with a smile, calling her cousin.

Wen Wan returned the smile, but it quickly faded and turned into unease.

Song Wei guessed her premonition this time was probably not simple and found an excuse to send Xie Zheng away.

Wen Wan sat down and started writing with Song Wei’s unused pen and ink.

She conveyed: Later tonight, after midnight, the entire inn would catch fire. Due to the upcoming provincial exams, by nightfall it was already full, with ninety percent of the guests being scholars. After the fire, half of the scholars would burn to death inside, and most of those who escaped would be injured, with Song Wei being one of them.

Song Wei stayed silent after hearing that.

Since he already knew such a disaster would occur, he couldn’t just take the Xie family couple and leave early, watching others die inside.

But if he were to warn those scholars now that the inn would catch fire tonight, asking them to vacate, not only would no one believe him, but they would think he had malicious intent.

“Wanwan, can you see what caused the fire?” Song Wei asked.

If he couldn’t solve human nature, he hoped to solve the disaster’s source. If the cause could be found and avoided in advance, the disaster wouldn’t happen.

Wen Wan shook her head, indicating she only saw terrifying flames, heard the scholars’ painful cries and calls for help, unable to save anyone, just watching helplessly.

Song Wei fell silent once more.

If the fire’s cause couldn’t be found, they’d have to evacuate this inn before nightfall. But then, what about the others?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep