The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 710 - 672: Wanwan’s First Horseback Ride (Part 1)

Chapter 710: Chapter 672: Wanwan’s First Horseback Ride (Part 1)

Wen Wan obediently gripped the reins.

Mrs. Yu clasped her long legs against the horse’s belly, and the horse began to move.

"Ah..." Wen Wan suddenly said, "This is my first time riding a horse, can we go slower? I’m scared."

"I can tell you’re scared." Mrs. Yu encircled her with her arms, holding a whip in one hand and the reins in the other, laughing softly, "If you’re scared, just lean into my arms. It’s not far from here to your house, we’ll be there soon."

Wen Wan nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed.

After making sure she was seated securely, Mrs. Yu flicked the whip, and the horse galloped towards the Song Mansion, moving much slower than it usually did when she rode.

Riding a horse for the first time, Wen Wan understandably felt uneasy. So when the horse began to run, she instinctively closed her eyes to avoid looking at her surroundings. Only the whistling cold wind could be heard by her ears, and her heart pounded—it was both thrilling and terrifying, yet she was eager to try it.

So this is what riding a horse feels like.

She didn’t know how much time passed, but the horse gradually came to a stop, and Mrs. Yu’s voice came again, "My little in-law, we’ve arrived."

Wen Wan slowly opened her eyes and saw that the horse had indeed stopped in front of her own West Corner Gate. She patted her chest, feeling a weight off her back as Mrs. Yu dismounted first and then reached out to help her down.

"So light." Mrs. Yu remarked while lifting her, weighing her like a child, "Do you usually eat cat food?"

Wen Wan smiled awkwardly. She was naturally petite, and coupled with a regular diet, she had recovered well postpartum with no excess flesh, overall quite slim. Compared to someone like Mrs. Yu, a robust female general, she naturally seemed much lighter.

Song Jiao’s carriage arrived soon after as well, and after alighting, she lifted her skirt and approached, unable to stop herself from laughing at the sight of Mrs. Yu.

Wen Wan asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Song Jiao said, "I’m laughing because Third Aunt and Mrs. Ye standing together look more like little girls than me."

She originally meant to say that the two did not look like in-laws; they looked more like mother and daughter.

It wasn’t about age or appearance; it was the impression they gave. Mrs. Ye appeared mature and capable of taking charge, while Wen Wan seemed like a child waiting to be cherished.

"She’s just a little girl," was Mrs. Yu’s most straightforward impression of Wen Wan.

Wen Wan felt both shy and embarrassed, urging them, "Alright, alright, stop teasing me. Aren’t you afraid of freezing while standing outside? Hurry inside!"

Song Jiao remained standing, still covering her mouth in laughter.

Watching Mrs. Yu’s back as she walked in, she murmured, "Brother Yuanbao’s mother-in-law is really interesting."

Upon reaching Qingteng Residence, Wen Wan invited Mrs. Yu to sit and wanted someone to serve tea, but Mrs. Yu waved her hand, "I just drank at the teahouse earlier, so I won’t have any now. I’ll just sit for a while."

Afraid Mrs. Yu might feel cold, Wen Wan picked up a little shovel, stirred the silver frost charcoal in the three-legged brazier, and added some pine branches for fragrance, then sat down and began to chat with her, "I’ve met Ah Yao several times before, and I feel her temperament is nothing like sister’s."

Mrs. Yu didn’t mind admitting, "You’ve probably heard that our family is known as the Double Generals. When Old Ye and I were young, we often fought on the frontier for many years. We basically just fulfilled our parenting role by giving birth; they were thrown at home with wet nurses and the old matriarch raising them. There’s only one girl in our two families, so the old matriarch dotes on her like she treasures her eyes. Not to mention following me to learn martial arts—she wasn’t even allowed near the training ground. After all these years, she’s become a true young lady. When we shop together, no one says I’m her mother; they just think I’m a guard from her household."

Wen Wan laughed, "No wonder Ah Yao is like that. So there’s a story behind it."

Mrs. Yu glanced around, "Why don’t I see your son?"

Wen Wan truthfully replied, "Yuanbao went to Jiangnan, and Jinbao is in class at school. It’s not time for dismissal yet. If sister wants to meet him, why not stay for dinner at our place?"

Mrs. Yu glanced at the sky, "I can’t stay for dinner. Old Ye is waiting for me to go back and practice martial arts. If I arrive late, he’ll definitely punish me with a few army sticks."

"Ah?" Wen Wan asked, "Does the General really dare treat you like that?"

"Why wouldn’t he dare?" Mrs. Yu laughed and scolded, "That heartless one, he doesn’t dare confront me privately but grabs any chance to punish me by military rules. Let’s see when I get a chance, I’ll make him run around the training ground a few dozen times."

What kind of couple is this?

Wen Wan couldn’t help but laugh.

Mrs. Yu waved her hand, "Let’s not talk about those woes. I heard you have a daughter who’s not even a year old. Where is she?"

"In the west wing." As Wen Wan spoke, she gave Yun Cai a look, who immediately left and soon returned with Qi Bao in her arms from the wet nurse.

Upon seeing the plump and pink little baby, Mrs. Yu’s expression softened immediately, "She’s really adorable. Seeing her reminds me of when Ah Yao was small. By the way, what’s her name?"

Wen Wan said, "Her formal name is Song Fu, Fu as in the breeze caressing your face, and her nickname is Qi Bao."

"Qi Bao?" Mrs. Yu seemed puzzled, "Does it have any special meaning?"

"Her father came up with it. If there’s any special meaning, it might be because she is the Song family’s seventh child."

Mrs. Yu understood and said to Yun Cai, "Oh my, she’s so cute! Let me hold her."

Yun Cai carefully handed the child to Mrs. Yu.

Qi Bao was already able to recognize people. Seeing the unfamiliar face of the one holding her, she immediately panicked, emitting a whiny cry, kicking her little legs and refusing to be held.

Mrs. Yu became a bit flustered. Despite having given birth to Ye Rong and Ye Ling, because of conflicts at the border, she had to leave them to protect the country. So, even as a mother of two, she had no experience in holding children. Seeing Qi Bao resisting her, Mrs. Yu was puzzled. Her mother-in-law often laughed and called her a demon, but surely her face wasn’t that scary?

Wen Wan, fearing she might take it to heart, explained, "Children this age get nervous with strangers; it’s normal for them to cry. If you visit more often, Sister Yu, she’ll get used to you and naturally want you to hold her."

Mrs. Yu looked as if she understood, "Then I should indeed come often." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Seeing the little baby crying intensely, she had no choice but to hand her back to Wen Wan, yet couldn’t resist pinching her cheek.

Qi Bao, upon seeing her mother, gradually stopped crying, looking back with caution at Mrs. Yu.

Mrs. Yu thought to herself that she really wasn’t cut out for taking care of children.

...

Mrs. Yu didn’t stay long; she hurried back to practice and soon took her leave, riding away on her horse.

At dusk, when Song Wei returned from the Lower Court, Song Jiao immediately complained, telling him that Third Aunt had been taken for a horse ride by someone today, asking if he was jealous.

Upon hearing this, Song Wei’s brows brightened with a smile, looking at Wen Wan, "To invite Wanwan to ride with them, the person must have some skills."

Wen Wan lounged nonchalantly on the Nanmu Imperial Concubine Couch, not bothering to explain who the person was.

Song Jiao was anxious, "Uncle, aren’t you worried at all?"

Song Wei calmed, "As long as she’s alright, there’s no need to worry."

Finding no amusement, Song Jiao quietly sat aside to serve Song Wei tea.

After taking off his outer robe, Yun Cai brought in a copper basin. He washed his hands in the warm water and then sat on the official hat chair next to Wen Wan, accepting the tea Song Jiao handed over, before asking Wen Wan, "How was riding the horse?"

"Mm." Wen Wan nodded, "First time riding, it felt quite refreshing. If there’s another opportunity, I’d like to try again."

Song Wei said, "We have two fine horses in our stable. If you like, I can hire a teacher to train you."

"No need to hire someone just for that." Wen Wan was only temporarily interested; it was a fleeting enthusiasm. Her nature was conservative; she felt it inappropriate for young ladies to be on horseback all the time. Unlike Mrs. Ye, she wasn’t skilled in martial arts to fight for the country, so she preferred not to engage in activities that might invite gossip.

Song Jiao quietly drank tea, listening to Wen Wan and Song Wei speak. Being young and not understanding the ways of husband and wife, she simply felt that whenever Uncle and Aunt were together, whether speaking or doing other things, there was always a natural atmosphere. They always seemed to exude a subtle warmth.

Without a doubt, having lived around Wen Wan for so many years, Song Jiao had come to adopt Wen Wan’s usual behavior as her standard for conduct.

Seeing her staring blankly at herself, Wen Wan felt a bit embarrassed and said, "When you went to the embroidery workshop today, did they mention when the wedding dress would be ready for alteration?"

"In three days," Song Jiao said, "come springtime, noble families have many garments to make, and the embroideresses are quite busy. Three days is already the quickest time frame."

"Then make sure to pick it up when the time comes," Wen Wan instructed, "If you can’t go yourself, have a servant go, but make sure there are no mistakes."