CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 361: FIRST UPDATE

"It’s in Shou’an Palace," Old Marquis Lu said. "When the Empress Dowager was bestowed as the Empress, this painting was part of the dowry that entered the palace. If she hasn’t moved it, it should still exist."

Song Wei understood, "Master wants me to personally take the painting from the Empress Dowager?"

"You brat, whether your master’s years-long wish can be fulfilled depends entirely on you."

"If you say it like that, Master, I dare not take on this task."

The Empress Dowager is a shrewd person. If he sets his sights on the painting, how could she be oblivious?

If he and his master’s connection is exposed, and the Empress Dowager reacts furiously, Song Wei himself wouldn’t fear punishment, but he worries deeply about involving his family.

Yet his master rarely asks for favors, and he can’t directly refuse.

Hesitant, Song Wei said, "With the last piece, I can’t guarantee I’ll acquire it, but I promise to help with this. As for success, we’ll have to wait and see."

Old Marquis Lu understood his dilemma, "Actually, I could appear myself. It’s just that our relationship is so strained, and I’ve avoided her for decades. At this point, she might not believe my reasons, much less hand it over personally." He paused, "Qiao Family’s Charity House itself is proof of her hatred toward me. If I were to ask, I’d end up like those hundreds of antiques."

——

After sending off Old Marquis Lu, Song Wei returned to Qingteng Residence. Wen Wan had already packed the clothes and items he needed for the traveling palace, sitting on the armchair with an uneasy expression.

"What’s wrong?" Song Wei feared she was feeling unwell, his voice low and concerned.

"Husband, can you not go south this time?"

Wen Wan suddenly looked up, gripping his arms tightly as if to keep him from leaving, her eyes filled with growing panic.

Song Wei sat down and gently stroked her back, "Did you see something bad again?"

"You’ll get hurt, seriously injured this trip," Wen Wan recalled the foreboding vision, her heart pounding fiercely.

Song Wei signaled for her to speak slowly.

Watching his calm demeanor, Wen Wan felt less anxious, took a deep breath, and said slowly, "The Emperor gets assassinated, and you shield him from the arrow, sustaining severe injuries, life-threatening."

Though later Song Wei was promoted for his service, Wen Wan would rather not trade his life for wealth.

Not hearing him respond for a while, Wen Wan grew more uneasy, "Husband, are you even listening to me?"

Her hands were still nervously clutching his arm, Song Wei placed his palm over her hand, not directly agreeing to avoid the trip, "If the Emperor faces assassination, as a minister, I can’t shy away; I must go."

Wen Wan opened her mouth but couldn’t find words to refute him.

Her husband isn’t one to fear for his life. Moreover, the one facing peril is the ruler he serves loyally. He couldn’t possibly find an excuse to evade, watching from the sidelines.

Wen Wan could only say awkwardly, "I can’t see who’s behind the assassins, can’t help you, afraid not only won’t you save the Emperor, but might lose your life."

Saying this, her eyes welled up.

The image of him bleeding through his official robe from an arrow stayed in her mind, making her back sweat coldly at just the thought.

With twelve years of experience, even faced with such matters, Song Wei was calmer than her, prioritizing her comfort over his predicament, his tone gentle and steady, "Previously, didn’t your husband always turn danger aside?"

In such a moment, he still could joke so freely?

Wen Wan felt amused through her tears, casting him a reproachful glance.

"It’s not like I haven’t been stabbed or beaten," Song Wei continued, his tone as if recounting someone else’s story, detached from the misfortunes that were once his.

Wen Wan’s worry began to dissipate hearing this.

Even without a plan, he always managed, with his serene voice and attitude, to provide a rare comfort amidst confusion and helplessness.

Wen Wan realized she had grown fond of this feeling without knowing.

Seeing his composed manner, she couldn’t help but offer, "How about I go with you? Like before, I’ll be your little book boy, or even a maid; it doesn’t matter how I dress up as long as I accompany you."

Song Wei asked, "If you come along, what about Jinbao?"

Wen Wan grumbled, "Taking care of Jinbao is one thing; protecting you is another. The severity is different; they can’t be compared. You can’t ask me to choose between you and Jinbao, can you? At your age, choosing is foolish."

"Foolish as it was, you chose blindly back then."

"That’s why I accept it now!" Wen Wan followed his words, "My husband is weak, pitiful, and helpless. As a wife, I must stand up to protect you, right?"

Her words were nonsensical, but he greatly appreciated them, looking more indulgent, "Wanwan, growing up, knows to care for her husband."

Wen Wan pouted, "When haven’t I cared for you?"

Though questioning, inside she felt sweetly stirred.

Deciding to accompany Song Wei, Wen Wan began packing, placing two sets of men’s attire in the bundle, another set on the bed, planning to wear it as a servant outfit in the morning.

Traveling, men’s clothing is always more convenient than women’s.

Afterwards, Wen Wan went to Rong’an Hall to explain the situation to her mother-in-law.

The persistent bad luck that no offerings to Bodhisattva could remove had accustomed Granny Song over thirty years, she anticipated this as soon as Wen Wan mentioned a matter to discuss. When Wen Wan finished, she sighed, "Now as an official, why does Third Son continue to be unlucky daily? He’s a good official, never does wrong, why is heaven so blind?"

Wen Wan laughed, "Mother, heaven wouldn’t know how to reply to you."

"Did I wrongfully blame it?" Granny Song grew more agitated, "Since he took office, Third Son handles major cases for the Imperial Family, but where’s his promotion? It’s misfortune and injuries daily, isn’t it heaven’s blindness?"

"Perhaps it’s to test my husband?"

"A year is called a test, ten years a trial, thirty years, it’s deliberately tormenting. Is heaven idle, bothering my Third Son for thirty years consecutively?"

"..."

Wen Wan often found herself speechless with Granny Song.

But she couldn’t leave it at that, "You’re right, heaven is blind, but what can we as women do? Life must go on."

Granny Song sneered, "You always have replies ready, like your sister-in-law."

Wen Wan smiled, "If Fangniang knew you said that behind her back, she would surely protest."

"What could she do? Can she fly with wings from in-laws to argue with me?"

"You really said it."

Granny Song hadn’t finished before someone continued.

It was Song Fang, coincidentally visiting home.

Surprised to see her daughter return, Granny Song was momentarily stunned, then asked, "What brings you here?"

Song Fang boldly sat down, gazing at her mother, "Judging by your words, a married daughter becomes spilled water, coming home is a sin?"

Granny Song frowned, scolding her, "Your casual return is like a street walk, why didn’t you inform me first?"

"Even if I informed more, you wouldn’t cherish me."

"You wretched girl, returned just to defy me, I see your in-laws have spoiled you, no manners."

Song Fang inwardly rolled her eyes, "I’ve only been married a short time back home, I’m already an outsider, are you really my mother?"

"How am I not your mother?" Granny Song stood firm, "Must I flatter you, serve tea, kneel? Is that your real mother? You’re shameless, treating yourself like royalty."

Song Fang imagined her mother kowtowing with a smile and couldn’t hold back, laughing aloud.