Chapter 182: Chapter 170: Classmate Reunion (2 Updates)

Mrs. Lu’s tomb is on the mountain, a bit of a distance from the village, and the weather now is freezing, making the road quite slippery.

Song Wei almost supported Wen Wan all the way up.

Father Wen walked on the other side of Wen Wan to prevent her from suddenly falling, holding a bamboo cane in one hand and a bamboo basket in the other.

Inside the bamboo basket, there’s paper money, incense sticks, and offerings, burning these for “Mrs. Lu” isn’t a problem.

During their last meeting, Father Wen learned that Fanghua’s husband is Lu by surname.

He quickly connected Fanghua’s name possibly being fake, because back then, she told him it was Wan Niang’s biological father’s surname.

As for why the real surname cannot be revealed, or which surname should not be casually pronounced? Father Wen is not a brainless person; upon reflection, it’s easy to guess.

Fanghua’s identity is indeed nobler than he imagined, and even more constraints than he expected.

Gazing at the snow-covered grave mound, Father Wen’s expression was momentarily dazed.

Song Wei simply cleared the snow in front of the empty grave.

The ground was too cold, and Wen Wan didn’t kneel before her biological mother, she just bent slightly to place the offerings, burned the paper money, lit incense, and then quietly moved aside.

This time visiting the grave, unlike before, Father Wen didn’t say a few words to Mrs. Lu, he remained silent throughout.

Wen Wan didn’t notice anything unusual, only when descending the mountain did she suddenly recall that on her wedding day, the grandmother who helped her fix her hair said she and her mother were like they were carved from the same mold, so she asked Father Wen if she resembled her biological mother.

Father Wen didn’t answer immediately, exchanged a glance with Song Wei, then shook his head, “That was the elderly saying comforting words to you, your looks take after your father, not much like your mother.”

The reason for answering this way is to avoid Wen Wan having suspicions in her heart when she truly meets her biological mother someday.

Wen Wan didn’t ask further and silently continued home.

When Father Wen and others left, she returned to her room and sat in front of the dressing table, looking at herself in the bronze mirror repeatedly, but couldn’t see how she resembled her father in any aspect.

Song Wei came in and saw her still staring at the person in the mirror, unable to resist laughing, “What, suspecting your father lied to you?”

Wen Wan had no reason to suspect her father, but indeed, she looked unlike her father.

However, she only dared to think about these things, not to speak them.

No longer tangled in this issue, Wen Wan quickly collected her thoughts and planned to go to the kitchen to help her mother-in-law pinch meatballs.

Last year for New Year’s, Third Son and his wife and daughter were not around, Granny Song felt it too quiet and let Second Lang’s family come over for the dinner.

Even though there were a few young ones, Granny Song still didn’t feel it was lively.

This year Third Son and his wife returned, yet the daughter didn’t come back, Granny Song inevitably felt concerned.

Wen Wan sat on the small stool pinching meatballs, listening to her mother-in-law muttering while chopping meat with a knife, “Don’t know how Fangniang, that girl, is doing alone in the Capital.”

Wen Wan listened, secretly thinking that her sister-in-law in the General Mansion has the best of everything in terms of food, clothes, and daily necessities; as for the mood, that would depend on whether Young Master Xu is obedient or not.

——

No matter how unpleasant things usually are, this year’s New Year’s Eve dinner, Granny Song still let Second Lang’s family come over for dinner.

Second Lang’s wife was thoroughly subdued by her mother-in-law, and in the lively setting, she spoke much less, basically remained silent unless spoken to, then just made casual responses, keeping her head down, occasionally putting food into the bowls of the three daughters.

A rare year without a quarrel breaking out at the dining table over a few words.

Song Yuanbao watched the elders drink, and feeling tempted, licked his lips and looked at Song Wei, “Dad, I want to drink too.”

Song Wei laughed, “At such a young age, you want to learn to drink?”

Song Erlang said, “I wasn’t even ten when I followed Dad in learning to drink, after tonight, Yuanbao will be eleven, it’s time to let him try.”

Granny Song disagreed, saying what would a child drink, drinking too much is bad for health.

The more the adults refused, the more curious Yuanbao was about the taste of wine, determined to drink, looking at Song Wei expectantly.

Song Wei let him take a small wine cup, poured half a cup, just enough for one big gulp, reminding, “Taste it first, don’t drink if you can’t handle it.”

Yuanbao lifted the cup, sniffed it at his nose before bringing it to his lips, and took a small sip; just after swallowing, his little face immediately scrunched up, covering his mouth, coughing uncontrollably to the side.

Sanyang found her brother’s expression funny, laughed “giggly-giggly,” amusing all the adults at the table.

Yuanbao turned his red face, half of the wine still left in the cup.

Song Wei wanted to take it away, but he didn’t allow, saying he’s just learning, needs to go through the process.

So he tilted his neck and without a word, drank the remaining wine.

The first time drinking, and being a little kid, it’s inevitable to get tipsy.

Before long, Song Yuanbao started to wobble, swaying from side to side, and his speech became slurred.

Wen Wan knew the little fellow was drunk, so she stood up and helped him back to his bed, personally taking off his shoes and socks.

As she was tucking him in, Song Yuanbao suddenly mumbled, “Dad, I also want to… hiccup… go to Beijing.”

Wen Wan slowed her actions, and only after confirming he was asleep did she gently close the door and leave.

——

Because Wen Wan was pregnant, her mother-in-law wouldn’t allow her to stay up late, so she wasn’t part of the watch night, and Song Wei was quickly called back to accompany her.

Wen Wan told Song Wei about Yuanbao wanting to go to Beijing.

Song Wei didn’t agree, “Without you there, it would be dangerous for him to go along.”

Wen Wan thought otherwise, believing that Yuanbao was clever. In some situations, it’s better to have a child of ten years old take the lead than an adult.

Moreover, if her husband became an Advanced Scholar and took office, Yuanbao would have the opportunity to study at the Imperial College, rather than enduring the hardships of the town school. Taking him to get familiar with the Capital wouldn’t be better?

Song Wei saw the determination in her eyes and asked, “Do you truly think I should take him?”

Wen Wan nodded. She had a feeling it wouldn’t be a bad trip and thought taking Yuanbao along couldn’t hurt.

Song Wei thought for a moment and agreed, “Since you’re speaking so favorably on his behalf, I’ll take him along!”

Hearing this, Wen Wan couldn’t help but smile.

——

When the little fellow, who had been drunk all night, found out he could go to Beijing the next day, he was so excited he was bouncing all around.

Song Wei reminded him, “In a few days, the town school will start, and if you want to go to Beijing, go to the study and read now. I’ll go to town to ask the private tutors to prepare a test for you. If you pass, you can go to Beijing; if not, you’ll have to stay.”

“Read and read!” Song Yuanbao was full of confidence, thinking that apart from relaxing on New Year’s Eve, he had been studying diligently. Dealing with the private tutors’ test papers shouldn’t be too difficult.

After lunch, Xie Zheng came to find Song Wei, saying that their old classmates agreed to meet in the county town for a gathering.

Song Wei asked, “I need to go to the town school first; can you wait?”

Xie Zheng was easy-going, “After all, it’s not yet time. If you have things to do, go ahead, or else I can accompany you on a trip?”

Song Wei nodded, “Alright.”

Song Wei and Xie Zheng were both new scholars this year. Having studied together in the town school, when the private tutors heard both of them were coming, they were thrilled and went out to greet them in person.

Xie Zheng joked, “Who’d have thought I’d be scolded as a villain in the village, but become a hot commodity here.”

Song Wei just smiled silently. The villagers had short-sighted views, only seeing what was directly in front of them, unlike the well-bred and far-sighted tutors.

The two were respectfully invited into the tutors’ quarters.

Song Wei explained his purpose, and the tutor responsible for Yuanbao said, “Yuanbao is a gifted child, and as his teacher, I naturally hope he can go to a better place to study and have a bright future. Don’t worry about the test questions; it shouldn’t take more than two days to prepare them. He can take the test before school starts and it won’t delay anything.”

——

As they exited the town school’s gate, Xie Zheng asked Song Wei, “Why the sudden desire to take Yuanbao to the Capital?”

Song Wei thought for a moment; it was probably out of trust in his little wife that he agreed whenever she said something was good.

The two went straight to the county town.

The meeting place was arranged at the best restaurant.

Song Wei’s old classmates from back then had all drifted apart, with some not having been in contact for years. Someone suddenly suggesting a gathering surprised him.

Xie Zheng said, “Do you think anyone really cares about the meal? These things, to put it nicely, are about reconnecting after years apart; to put it bluntly, it’s just about showing off who’s got the bigger bragging rights and being the day’s victor.”

Song Wei glanced at him, “Then why are you here?”

Xie Zheng, looking like he had been tricked, said, “Initially, it was just the fat guy who used to sit in front of me inviting me. I thought, after so many years, why not have a meal together? Little did I know he’d invite so many people, all from our class year.”

As they spoke, they headed upstairs, and as they reached the staircase entrance, they saw a familiar face coming towards them.

Xie Zheng immediately looked displeased, “If I’d known he was coming, I wouldn’t have come even if you beat me to death.”

Song Wei chuckled, “Well, you’ve bumped into him now. Even if you were beaten to death, you couldn’t just turn around and leave.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep