Chapter 560: Chapter 527: Isn’t This Name Impressive? (Part 2)

In the afternoon, when Yuanbao went to the Divine Soldier Bureau, he didn’t see Zhao Xi. He casually asked someone, and the Black Clerk replied, “Young Master, His Highness has his enthronement ceremony today, so everyone from Yutang Palace is busy moving to the Eastern Palace. He naturally wouldn’t appear at the Divine Soldier Bureau!”

“Enthronement ceremony?” Yuanbao was stunned.

Since he left the palace until now, it seems like he hadn’t done anything, yet more than half a month had gone by in a flash.

He knew Zhao Xi would be crowned as Crown Prince but forgot to ask when.

“Oh well.” Yuanbao sighed, “I might as well go help them assemble the mechanical beast.”

Besides, he was no longer part of the palace. Even if he knew the ceremony’s timing, there was no way for him to attend and witness it.

In the following days, Zhao Xi still didn’t come to the Divine Soldier Bureau. Yuanbao systematically went to the Lower Court, helping craftsmen prepare materials and assemble, and his days felt quite fulfilling. However, Wang Xiaolang’s words indeed lingered in his heart as a hidden knot.

That evening, when he returned home, he went alone to the ancestral hall, planning to pay respects to his biological parents, but saw Old Song coming out, and the grandfather and grandson ran into each other.

Old Song didn’t expect Yuanbao to come suddenly, his feet stuck to the ground, not walking further, and his gaze toward his eldest grandson was somewhat evasive.

“Grandfather, what a coincidence; you’re here to offer incense too?” Yuanbao smiled and spoke first.

Old Song slowly regained his composure, “Yes, I had nothing to do, so I came in to dust and conveniently offered incense to your uncle and aunt.”

Yuanbao seemed to ask casually, “Grandfather never seemed to have told me how they died.”

“Accident.” Old Song sighed, “Your uncle and aunt were also unfortunate, encountering tragedy at a young age.”

“They didn’t have any children?” Yuanbao showed curiosity, “After being married for so long, surely they must have left at least one child behind? Are they not of this world, or were they sent back to their maternal grandmother’s home?”

Old Song noticed his grandson’s suspicion and didn’t intend to continue hiding it, but for the moment didn’t know where to start explaining. After considering, he said, “How about this, wait a few days until your father… when Third Son returns from his assignments, I’ll have him explain personally.”

Yuanbao responded with “Oh,” and after Old Song had gone far, he pushed open the ancestral hall door to go inside and offer incense to the Da Lang couple.

In the past, whenever he came, he’d simply stand silently for a while and then leave. Today was different; after offering incense, his gaze landed on the two black plaques, and he gently uttered, “Father, Mother, your child is unfilial.”

Old Song returned to Rong’an Hall, where Yun Xia was setting out the meal. Granny Song asked him why he was gone so long.

Old Song sat on the round stool at the table, visibly worried.

Granny Song noticed something was amiss and quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

Old Song had Yun Xia go out first and then spoke in a low voice, “Old woman, Yuanbao probably knows about his lineage. Earlier at the ancestral hall, he bumped into me and asked how the Da Lang couple died, then questioned if their family left no descendants.”

Granny Song’s face changed, “Then what did you say?”

“Of course, I couldn’t speak directly.” Old Song replied, “I told him to wait until Third Son returns to discuss it.”

“By saying that, you essentially admitted he’s not Third Son’s biological child,” complained Granny Song. “Because of Da Lang couple’s death, Third Son’s state in those years was obvious to you. How can you make him come back and tell Yuanbao? Tell him what? That Da Lang couple died because of him? You’re not deliberately creating trouble?”

“But Yuanbao’s questioning at that time, I couldn’t just fabricate a reason to fool him, right? Yuanbao is already fifteen, no longer a child; we can only fool him temporarily, not forever. If he learns the truth from elsewhere one day, he will blame us for hiding it from him. How then will we explain it to him?”

Granny Song was left feeling anxious, having no appetite, “You silly old man, usually speaking well, but at crucial moments, you find trouble for me.” She asked, “Does Third Son’s wife know about this?”

“I haven’t mentioned it there.”

“Then I must go and inform her in advance. She’s soft-hearted, and if the eldest grandson asks, she might foolishly tell him everything.” Granny Song said, getting up from Rong’an Hall to head for Qingteng Residence.

Jinbao was scooping rice for Wen Wan, just placing the small bowl in front of her when he saw Granny Song hurrying over.

Jinbao shouted loudly, “Grandmother, time to eat!”

Upon hearing the little grandson’s voice, Granny Song’s previously somber expression softened suddenly, with joy, “Oh, my good little grandson, you even remembered to call Grandmother to eat. Did you prepare Grandmother’s meal?”

Jinbao looked at the small bowl in front of him and then at those of Wen Wan and Song Jiao and said, “Big Sister can eat a little less and give it to Grandmother.”

Song Jiao was amused, “Why me? You’re small, you should eat less.”

Jinbao slowly shook his head, “The groom doesn’t like a chubby bride; if Big Sister eats too much, she’ll become chubby, like several other pounds.”

“…” Song Jiao was utterly defeated.

Wen Wan stifled her laughter and looked at her mother-in-law, “Is there something you came to discuss, Mother?”

Granny Song sat next to her and asked, “Has Yuanbao come looking for you?”

Wen Wan immediately understood what her mother-in-law was referring to. She glanced at Yun Cai and Linglong, signaling them to leave, and then replied, “No, did he go looking for Mom and Dad?”

Granny Song said, “Earlier, outside the ancestral hall, Yuanbao ran into your father-in-law. He asked about how the Da Lang couple died and whether the main house didn’t leave any children behind. Your father-in-law suspects Yuanbao may be questioning his own background.

The cause of Da Lang couple’s death, I told you about it when we were in Ningzhou. Third Lang’s wife, you must keep that mouth of yours shut. Though it has nothing to do with Third Lang, who knows if that kid Yuanbao will start overthinking things. Your father-in-law said, we’ll discuss this matter when Third Lang returns. If Yuanbao asks you, just pretend you know nothing, understand?”

Wen Wan nodded eagerly.

Granny Song looked at Song Jiao, “You too, regardless of what you know, don’t speak recklessly in front of him. Yuanbao was seriously ill just recently. If he gets upset again, I’m worried something might happen to him.”

Song Jiao said, “Grandma, don’t worry. I and Third Aunt will definitely keep our lips sealed. We won’t reveal a single word to Eldest Brother.”

Granny Song still looked worried, “You should go home tomorrow and inform your parents. Oh no, don’t even wait for tomorrow, leave after dinner tonight.”

Song Jiao sighed, “Is it that urgent?”

Granny Song glared at her, “This is a burning emergency, and you’re still not worried? What if Yuanbao comes to your house while you’re eating, just with your parents’ loose tongues, he’d be driven crazy!”

Song Jiao realized there was no point in arguing with Grandma, so she looked towards Wen Wan for support.

Wen Wan sighed, “Since your grandma has spoken, leave after dinner and head back while there’s still daylight.”

Hearing Wen Wan say this, Song Jiao didn’t hesitate further, nodded, and said she would go in a bit.

Granny Song finally felt relieved, patting her chest with lingering fear, and stood up to leave.

Wen Wan stopped her, “Mother, since you’re here, why not sit down and have a meal together?”

Granny Song waved her hand disdainfully, “You all have such a bland taste. This old woman can’t get used to it, I won’t intrude on your gathering. I’ll head back to eat, there they’re serving food too.”

“Safe travels, Mother.”

Wen Wan asked Yun Cai outside the door to see the old lady off.

After dinner, Song Jiao instructed someone to prepare the carriage and returned home before it got dark.

Over at Second House, they had just finished eating. Second Lang’s wife was washing dishes in the kitchen. Duobao was sitting in the main hall with Song Qi playing with a cloth tiger toy in his hands.

Upon seeing Song Jiao, Song Qi lifted his head, “Sister, you’re back?”

“Had some business, where are Mom and Dad?” Song Jiao’s expression was indifferent.

Even if Song Qi was determined to mend his ways, the relationship between the sisters couldn’t return to the past.

Song Qi could sense his sister’s displeasure towards him. She pursed her lips, “Mom is washing dishes.”

Before she could say another word, Song Jiao turned and left directly.

Kitchen.

Second Lang’s wife had just finished washing all the dishes. She was wiping the stove when she saw her eldest daughter come in, and got a little excited, “Jiaojiao, how come you’re back? The Liang family is formalizing in a few days, did Third Aunt ask you to come back?”

Song Jiao remarked that it was indeed Third Aunt who asked her to return, but not for the formalization, rather, it was about Cousin Song Yuanbao.

“What? Song Yuanbao?” Second Lang’s wife appeared puzzled.

“Yes.” Song Jiao nodded, then she recounted word-for-word what Granny Song had said at the dinner table earlier and advised her mother not to divulge anything before Third Uncle returns, and that whatever Yuanbao asks, claim ignorance.

Times have changed. To make ends meet, Second Lang’s wife was preoccupied with her own matters every day, leaving her no time to worry about others. So when Song Jiao spoke, she simply assured her daughter not to worry, her lips would be sealed.

Song Jiao smiled and bent down to help Second Lang’s wife tidy up the stove.

Second Lang’s wife suddenly said, “Jiaojiao, I’ve given your brother a formal name.”

Song Jiao’s eyelid twitched, “What is it?”

Second Lang’s wife said, “Isn’t Jinbao’s teacher named ’Dengke’? I think that’s a nice name. He passed the exams, so our Duobao will succeed too, Song Jidi, doesn’t that name sound great?”

Song Jiao: “…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep