CHAPTER 373: CHAPTER 341: ER YA GETS SCOLDED

The courtyard arranged for the second branch was about the same size as Wen Wan and their Qingteng Residence, with a main house and east and west wing rooms.

Song Erlang and his wife lived in the main house, while Er Ya stayed in the wing.

This was Wen Wan’s initial arrangement.

Knowing that Song Jiao had her own separate courtyard with maids to serve and a governess to educate her, Er Ya was unwilling to live in the wing, speaking sarcastically and was clearly dissatisfied with Wen Wan’s arrangement.

Song Jiao suggested, "How about this? Er Ya can move to Tingsong Pavilion with me. Father and Mother can stay in this courtyard. If you miss them, you can come over and see them; it’s the same."

"Who says it’s the same?" Er Ya frowned, "If I move in with you, you’re the owner of that courtyard, wouldn’t I have to watch your mood all day?"

Song Jiao said, "We are sisters, why would you think that of me?"

In front of Wen Wan, Er Ya didn’t dare speak too frankly and shot Song Jiao a glare, "When you left home back then, you didn’t treat me as a sister."

Song Jiao had nothing to say, lightly pressing her lips together.

Whatever rifts or conflicts existed between these sisters, Wen Wan wasn’t aware, but she understood that Er Ya wanted a separate courtyard.

With a slight smile, Wen Wan said, "The allocation of courtyards was entirely arranged by your grandmother. Currently, every courtyard is occupied, and there is no empty courtyard. If Er Ya wants a quiet place, she can mention it to your grandmother when we get to Rong’an Hall, and she will find a way for you."

After finishing her bath, Second Lang’s wife changed into the clothes Wen Wan had sent over. Just as she stepped out, she overheard this sentence. Remembering her mother-in-law’s stern demeanor when scolding people, she furrowed her brows and quickly stepped forward to ask what was going on.

Wen Wan said nothing, and Song Jiao didn’t make a sound either.

After a moment of awkwardness, Er Ya voluntarily explained that she wanted a separate courtyard, asking for nothing else, just the same as her sister’s.

This statement angered Second Lang’s wife, "You’re really pushing it, aren’t you?"

Er Ya lifted her chin with a fearless look, "If sister can have one, why can’t I?"

Second Lang’s wife’s temples throbbed. Just as she was about to clench her fists to hit someone, Wen Wan stopped her, showing no signs of anger and maintaining a calm demeanor, "It’s just a courtyard, I already said, once we reach Rong’an Hall, just inform the old lady, it’s not a big deal, no need to upset each other over it."

Turning her gaze to Second Lang’s wife, she noticed her hair was still wet and immediately asked Yun Cai to go in and help.

Wen Wan’s words choked Second Lang’s wife, and she then followed Yun Cai into the room.

Knowing Er Ya didn’t like her, Wen Wan didn’t try to approach, but started a conversation with Song Jiao instead, asking how her calligraphy practice went yesterday.

Her tone was gentle, unhurried, with an inherent warmth.

Song Jiao obediently answered each question.

Completely ignored and sidelined, Er Ya fumed with unspoken anger.

A quarter of an hour later, Second Lang’s wife tidied her hair and went inside to bring out the awake Song Duobao.

This child hadn’t shown his face in front of his grandparents since his birth, so he had to be taken to make a formal appearance in front of them now.

After Song Erlang finished his bath and changed clothes, Wen Wan led the group towards Rong’an Hall.

Knowing that the second son’s family was coming today, Old Song had specially declined an invitation to fish with the elderly gentleman next door, and was already at Rong’an Hall drinking tea while waiting.

Granny Song hadn’t seen anyone for a long time and felt a bit sleepy.

Just as she was thinking of taking a nap, voices came from outside. Shortly after, the door curtain was lifted, and a procession of people filed in.

Granny Song opened her eyes to see Wen Wan, Song Erlang and his wife, Song Duobao, Song Jiao, and Er Ya.

Following them in were the servants.

"Where is Sanyang?"

Song Erlang did not expect his mother’s sharp eyes to notice the discrepancy immediately, so he lowered his head, speaking without confidence, "That night, when the earthquake happened, Sanyang got separated from us."

"What? Sanyang is lost?"

Song Erlang’s words jolted Granny Song awake from her drowsiness; not only was she not sleepy anymore, but she also felt like scolding someone.

"What happened, you two sit down and explain clearly to me."

As Granny Song spoke, she took a sip of tea, as if only by doing so could some of the anger in her chest be dissipated.

Song Erlang and his wife exchanged a glance and stepped forward to sit in the armchairs.

Then, Song Erlang glanced at his wife.

Second Lang’s wife glared back at him: Your mother told you to explain, why are you looking at me?

Song Erlang feared Granny Song, thinking his wife was bold, often opposing his mother back in their hometown, and surely wouldn’t be afraid in this situation.

He didn’t expect Tian Family would pass the buck onto him.

Afraid to look directly at his mother, Song Erlang still kept his eyes slightly lowered, stammering as he recounted the details of that night.

Old Song asked, "The Upper River Village is so far from the county town, did you only find out your daughter was missing after you reached the town?"

Song Erlang said the escape was so chaotic that they really didn’t notice.

Granny Song straightened up, her face showing no emotion, and said to Old Song, "At the moment of life and death, everyone only thinks of self-preservation, who can care about so much? Erlang and his wife probably never even thought of taking their daughter with them, Er Ya was just lucky to follow along, as for Sanyang, even if you noticed she was lost, you didn’t turn back to find her."

After speaking, she looked up at the couple, "Isn’t that right?"

A single sentence from her mother hit the nail on the head. Song Erlang looked up at her and made one last defense with his mouth, "Mother, it’s not like you think. Tian Family and I never thought about abandoning our daughter to save our son."

"Alright, just shut up!"

At this moment, the Second Lang’s wife suddenly spoke, "Yes, I admit it, we did realize on the road that Sanyang got separated from us, but under those circumstances, we couldn’t stop, we had to keep fleeing. Otherwise, if we stopped to search, the whole family could have lost their lives for it. Duobao is my only son, I can’t put my six-month-old son on a path to death for Sanyang."

At the end of her words, Second Lang’s wife choked up a little, "I wronged Sanyang."

But at that time, she could only choose to wrong her.

Ningzhou had earthquakes before. Granny Song heard from her grandmother that people of their generation also encountered it. Back then, many people fled for their lives without caring for their wives and children.

From a certain perspective, outsiders cannot criticize Erlang and his wife’s actions.

The matter is settled, and Granny Song’s words can’t change anything, "Since you’re here, stay well first. If there’s anything, wait until you’ve adapted, then talk. I don’t want to discuss Sanyang now."

Second Lang’s wife was already prepared to be scolded harshly, but unexpectedly, her mother-in-law was unusually calm, didn’t scold, and didn’t even say a harsh word. She couldn’t figure out her mother-in-law’s temperament and felt complicated inside.

"Is that Duobao? Bring him over for me to see." Granny Song’s gaze fell on the child in the arms of the Second Lang’s wife.

The little fellow, new to the environment, cooed curiously, looked around at the people. When handed to his grandmother, seeing an unfamiliar face, his little mouth curved, and he cried out loud.

Granny Song patted his butt twice and scolded playfully, "You spoiled brat, can’t even be held for a moment."

As she spoke, she handed the child back to Second Lang’s wife.

Song Duobao returned to his mother’s arms, taking a while for his cries to subside.

Wen Wan waited until they were done speaking before she opened her mouth, her gaze turning to Er Ya, "You said earlier you had something to tell your grandmother, now that you see her, why are you silent?"

It was only then that Granny Song turned her attention to Er Ya and asked her, "What do you want to say?"

Er Ya stepped forward and looked directly into Granny Song’s eyes, "Grandmother, I want a courtyard, one like my sister’s."

Granny Song understood Wen Wan’s intention, it seemed like Third Lang’s wife couldn’t step forward herself and asked her as the mother-in-law to teach this impudent girl a lesson.

Narrowing her eyes, Granny Song asked Er Ya, "Don’t like living in the west wing?"

Er Ya shook her head, said she didn’t like it, her sister has her own courtyard, and she wants one too.

Granny Song asked again, "Before coming to Beijing, didn’t you feel that the makeshift shelter was hard to live in?"

Er Ya nodded vigorously, incidentally complaining about the bad weather in Ningzhou.

Granny Song nodded, saying it’s easy to handle, "Discuss with your parents, let them move out and give the courtyard to you, won’t that do?"

Er Ya was stunned for a moment, murmuring, "Is that doable?"

"Why not?" Granny Song said, "You’re the daughter, the junior. The elders should love and pamper you. For your comfort, it’s only right for your parents to sleep on the street."

"Grandmother..." Er Ya bit her lip, "There are clearly so many courtyards, so many rooms at the residence, why do we have to kick my parents out?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Song laughed, "There’s only one courtyard left. Either your parents stay with you in it, or you kick your parents out and live by yourself, what’s the problem?"

"I..."

"If there’s no problem, then get out of here, quickly!"

Granny Song’s sudden roar left Er Ya completely frozen.

When she looked up again, her previously amiable grandmother no longer had any kind expression. At this moment, her face was covered with a shadow, and her eyes seemed to want to tear the flesh from her body with a knife.

Soon after, a torrent of curses followed.

"You’re just a curtain-hanging dog, always thinking you can get your way with just words? Your father has only one heir with a thousand acres of land, if there’s an empty courtyard, why should I give it to you and not my grandson? Do you even know your worth? You’ve stuck your nose into someone else’s pot, and now you want to pretend to be a bird, acting all high and mighty?"

When Granny Song went to Beijing, Er Ya was still young, and hadn’t really interacted with her. Today was the first time experiencing her grandmother’s scolding prowess. The little girl was so scared, she burst into tears.

Granny Song was a person who only cared about reason, unmoved by threats or sweetness. Seeing this scene, she became even angrier, "From today onwards, either live with your parents in the courtyard or move to Tingsong Pavilion and live in the main house with your elder sister. If you dare to ask for this or that again, go roll wherever you please, just don’t be an eyesore in front of me!"

After speaking, she glared at Song Erlang and his wife, "Look at the good daughter you raised!"

Song Erlang felt guilty inside and had nothing to say.

Second Lang’s wife took a deep breath, "From now on, I’ll make sure to teach her properly."