CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 297: REFUSING TO CALL OTHERS "MOTHER" (2ND UPDATE)

Not long after sitting down, Song Wei got up and went into the main room. Granny Song asked him if the campaign against the bandits was successful.

Song Wei said it was successful, and the bandits of Black Wind Mountain had been completely wiped out. They were now locked up in the Ministry of Justice Prison, and a verdict would be reached soon.

Granny Song sighed softly, "The culprits have been caught. If your elder brother and sister-in-law knew in the afterlife, they should be at peace."

The moment the words were out of her mouth, Old Song shot her a look and admonished, "Why do you have to bring up old gripes?"

"Dad, don’t scold Mom, I’m fine." Knowing his father’s concern that old events would bring him sorrow, Song Wei said calmly, "I just regret that this trip was in such haste that I didn’t have time to sweep the graves and light incense for my brother and sister-in-law."

"Then find a place later to burn some paper money for them," Granny Song said. "It wasn’t entirely your fault back then. You’ve worked hard to raise Yuanbao all these years. Even if there were sins, they’ve already been atoned for. Don’t keep being harsh on yourself."

Song Wei nodded, "I’ve already burnt paper money on the way here. I plan to set up a separate room in the new estate to place my brother and sister-in-law’s memorial tablets after I move in."

"What? A new estate?" Granny Song’s eyelid twitched. "Did you buy it or trade for it?"

"Neither bought nor traded; it was a reward from the Emperor for the successful campaign against the bandits," Song Wei explained patiently.

He was just a minor Sixth-rank Imperial Scholar and wasn’t supposed to receive such a large estate. On his way back, Song Wei had thought it over: either the Emperor was in a good mood because Su Xiang’s fall and decided to let him share in the glory, or Emperor Guangxi had already learned Wanwan’s identity and wanted to take this opportunity to care for his niece.

In any case, regardless of the situation, Song Wei accepted the five-entry courtyard. Even if Emperor Guangxi knew Wanwan’s identity, as long as the other side did not directly reveal it, he wouldn’t expose it voluntarily.

Hearing it was an imperial reward, Granny Song was delighted. "The first time you achieved merit, the Emperor rewarded you with a carriage; the second time you got a promotion, and now a house." Then she looked at Old Song, "Old man, hasn’t our Third Son become more promising?"

Old Song replied, "Do you even need to say that?"

If the youngest son wasn’t unfortunate since childhood, he might have achieved more.

Granny Song’s eyes crinkled with a smile, "Third Son, where’s the estate?"

Song Wei said, "I don’t plan to move yet. I’ll wait until Princess Consort Duan returns to the palace. Later, when there’s time, I’ll have Uncle Lin take you and Dad over in a carriage. It’s a five-entry courtyard, quite large, with a sizable garden. All of Dad’s flowers can be moved into the garden. If you can’t manage them alone, I’ll hire a gardener later."

"Dear me, a five-entry courtyard?"

Song Wei’s words felt like golden bricks falling from the sky, stunning Granny Song. "Our current two-entry courtyard is already spacious enough; a five-entry must be twice the size, right?"

Song Wei had already seen it on his way home, "Including the garden, it’s three times the size of our current home."

"Such a large estate, and the Emperor just gave it to you?" Granny Song remained a bit incredulous.

Song Wei chuckled, "The bandits of Black Wind Mountain had been plaguing the local people for years. Capturing them all at once was no small feat, so the reward was naturally more generous."

——

To celebrate Jinbao’s second birthday, Old Song personally made him a small wooden horse and placed it in the courtyard.

Wen Wan held him for a while, and her arms began to ache. She asked Song Jiao to bring out the soft cushion from the house to place on the back of the wooden horse and set the little one on it.

The rear of the wooden horse had a backboard, perfectly preventing Jinbao from accidentally falling off while moving around.

Once the little one held onto the handles firmly, Wen Wan gave him a gentle push.

The wooden horse, just received yesterday, hadn’t been used much by today. The little one loved it dearly. With his mother by his side, he forgot all previous unhappiness and soon began to laugh gleefully.

The entire courtyard was filled with his clear laughter.

From Princess Consort Duan’s side came word that Wen Wan had returned. She sent a palace maid to invite her over, specifically instructing to bring Jinbao along.

Wen Wan looked at the palace maid delivering the message and hesitated, "Our Jinbao is too mischievous; I’m afraid he’ll disturb the peace of the consort."

The palace maid replied, "It’s no bother; the consort has been feeling quite bored lately and wants some liveliness in the room."

Given such instructions from the noble, Wen Wan couldn’t refuse.

Fifteen minutes later, she arrived in Princess Consort Duan’s room with Jinbao in her arms.

Being among women, there was no need for much formality. The curtain that separated the room was tied up.

Princess Consort Duan was seven months pregnant, her belly prominently swollen, making her movements cumbersome.

When Wen Wan arrived, she was leisurely leaning on a soft chair, dressed in a light purple, airy gown, loose and cool.

The palace had secret recipes for maintenance, making the consort, though over thirty, appear ageless. Her delicate eyebrows and eyes radiated a subtle maturity and allure.

Wen Wan was about to perform a salutation, but Princess Consort Duan quickly stopped her, saying, "There’s nobody else here, Miss Song, no need for formalities."

As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Jinbao.

Princess Consort Duan occasionally walked in the courtyard; it wasn’t her first time seeing him. She was fond of this Song family child. Just to be safe, she hadn’t previously allowed Jinbao into her room, making today the first occasion.

I’ve heard the little one likes flowers, so Princess Consort Duan had already ordered people to pick several fresh ones and put them in plum vases.

Seeing the person now, Princess Consort Duan casually took a flower from the plum vase and waved it at Jinbao, "Little one, do you want this?"

Jinbao eagerly looked at the flower branch in Princess Consort Duan’s hand, glanced up at his mother, then pointed and said, "Flower~"

Princess Consort Duan laughed, "If you want it, come over and get it yourself."

Jinbao’s small hand was still being held by his mother, so he didn’t immediately go forward. Instead, he looked at Wen Wan, seemingly seeking permission--can he take it?

Wen Wan released his wrist and softly asked, "Jinbao, do you like it?"

Jinbao neither said he liked it nor he didn’t; he just kept staring at the flower in Princess Consort Duan’s hand, unable to look away.

Seeing this, Wen Wan nodded at him, "Go on!"

With his mother’s approval, the little one started to walk towards Princess Consort Duan with his short legs, calling out "Flower" as he went.

Princess Consort Duan handed the flower to him, patted his head, and pointed to her rounded belly, "Jinbao, what do you think is in here, a brother or sister?"

Wen Wan’s expression slightly changed upon hearing this.

Last time Lin Xiaoyue asked the same, and Jinbao kept murmuring "meh meh meh," and Lin Xiaoyue ended up having a daughter.

Wen Wan certainly didn’t think it was her own son’s fault that Lin Xiaoyue had a daughter; Jinbao didn’t understand anything, and even if he did, how could his words be powerful enough to determine that?

However, Princess Consort Duan was the Emperor’s woman and hoped for a son more than Lin Xiaoyue.

If Jinbao again said "meh meh," it would surely make Princess Consort Duan unhappy. But if he said "brother" and a daughter was born, Princess Consort Duan would still be displeased.

Carefully considering it, Wen Wan felt it was inappropriate, and she suddenly spoke, "Princess, Jinbao is only two years old, he doesn’t understand anything, children’s words are just babble and shouldn’t count."

Princess Consort Duan chuckled, "I’ve heard that children’s words are the most accurate, no worries, let him say it."

"But..." Wen Wan hesitated.

Before she could finish speaking, Jinbao started making "puh puh puh" sounds from his mouth.

Wen Wan looked down and discovered that at some point, the little one had plucked the flower petals and put them in his mouth. Probably tasting the sourness, his small brow furrowed, he threw the flower and sat down on the ground.

Wen Wan was amused by him, bending down to help him.

Jinbao didn’t want to get up, pointing at the teapot on the table, "Water~"

The palace maid quickly poured water and handed it over.

Wen Wan feared Jinbao might cause a fuss later, so she received the water and squatted to feed him herself.

After drinking the water, Jinbao finally looked better.

Princess Consort Duan held the soft chair’s arm and slowly sat upright, asking him, "Still feeling bad?"

Jinbao clutched his mother’s sleeve as he slowly stood up, saying to Princess Consort Duan, "Don’t want flower~ flower bad~"

Looking at the little one’s bright eyes, Princess Consort Duan found him increasingly charming and whimsical, "Don’t want the flower, then what do you want?"

Jinbao sucked on his finger without saying a word, his eyes fixed unwaveringly on her round belly.

Princess Consort Duan laughed, "Do you want a brother?"

Jinbao nodded his little head, "Want~"

Though he didn’t directly say there was a brother inside, that innocent "want" still delighted Princess Consort Duan. She said to the palace maid, "Go bring the little gift prepared for Jinbao."

The palace maid quickly brought a tray, Wen Wan saw it contained a silver bracelet and a longevity gold lock, both clearly valuable from the craftsmanship.

In the palace, gifts were usually made of gold, stone, or jade, but Jinbao actually preferred small trinkets from the marketplace.

Wen Wan hurriedly said, "Jinbao is still young and can’t handle such grand gifts, Princess should take them back!"

"I will be returning to the palace in a few days, and it will be difficult to see your little one again. Consider these as farewell gifts; if Miss Song doesn’t accept them, it will mean she doesn’t welcome me."

Helplessly, Wen Wan accepted the items and then told the little one, "Jinbao, quickly thank the Princess."

Jinbao looked up at her, confused, "Mother?"

"Not mother, it’s Princess," Wen Wan laughed, "If you don’t call her, the small gold lock won’t be given to you."

Jinbao wanted both the small silver bracelet and the small gold lock, but he didn’t want to call anyone ’mother,’ so he twisted his fingers, standing there conflicted, his small face aggrieved.