CHAPTER 163: CHAPTER 156: RETURNING HOME (THIRD UPDATE)

After dealing with the matter of Song Fang, Song Wei began preparing to return to his hometown.

Before leaving the Capital, Wen Wan went to the street corner to eat a bowl of wontons, and Song Wei accompanied her.

At first, when the Eldest Princess saw Song Wei, she hesitated, but then she thought that her daughter was about to leave, and as a mother, she had to speak to her. So, she walked over with a smile while the young couple hadn’t finished eating, looked warmly at Wen Wan, and said, "Daughter, you’re pregnant, aren’t you?"

When Wen Wan heard the voice, her action of eating wontons paused, and she looked up at the Eldest Princess.

Although she couldn’t say anything, the mother-daughter bond was such that she knew the question she was being asked was how she could tell.

The Eldest Princess, disguised, smiled even more, "As an experienced woman, I can naturally tell with just one look."

Wen Wan smiled at her, her fair and tender face full of sincerity.

The Eldest Princess asked again, "Daughter, can I sit down and chat with you for a while?"

Wen Wan nodded, as long as she didn’t mind her being mute and unable to speak.

The Eldest Princess wiped her hands on the apron and sat down next to Wen Wan.

Because Song Wei was right across, she always kept her face slightly turned, afraid of being recognized.

Regarding this overly enthusiastic shopkeeper, Song Wei indeed felt curious in his heart, even thinking she seemed a bit familiar.

But after thinking carefully, he was sure he hadn’t seen her before, so he dismissed the thought that had just arisen.

—— Even Wanwan hadn’t felt uneasy, so it was clear that the shopkeeper’s approach was without malice.

For so many years unable to speak, the people around her mostly kept their distance, those who truly cared about her were few, so to have a stranger show such concern, Wanwan must have been touched in her heart.

The Eldest Princess certainly didn’t know what Song Wei was thinking, she reached out and touched Wen Wan’s lower abdomen and asked with a smile, "Has it been two months?"

Wen Wan took a sip of soup and nodded.

For some reason, she always found this woman kind, and she was one of the few strangers willing to interact with her despite her inability to speak rather than distancing themselves.

Just as Song Wei thought, when asked about the baby, even if it was just a few simple words, it still stirred her emotions.

That feeling, as if with the concern of a stranger, she possessed all the love in this world, including the motherly love that had been absent for over ten years.

It indeed moved her deeply.

The Eldest Princess said to her, "The first three months are crucial, you must pay attention, especially when traveling long distances; the ride should not be too bumpy, and the food shouldn’t be too careless. Good nutrition in the first few months is beneficial, you should eat as much as you can, don’t skimp on yourself.

At night, cover yourself well with the quilt to avoid catching a cold. For a pregnant woman, falling ill is very troublesome because she can’t take medicine, and severe illness can even affect the child.

Avoid things that are too cold, too hot, or too spicy. For the safe birth of the child, avoid what needs to be avoided. Once the child is born, you can eat whatever you want."

Even more detailed than Mrs. Xu’s advice at the General Mansion, Wen Wan felt grateful and warm, but aside from smiling, she couldn’t respond to this woman in any other way.

Thinking of how she would rather give up the opportunity to speak for the sake of the child in her womb, the Eldest Princess suddenly felt choked up, something seemed stuck in her throat, neither going up nor down, making her uncomfortable.

Afraid of letting Song Wei opposite catch onto anything, the Eldest Princess blinked her warm eyes, excused herself by saying she had to go in and work, and got up to leave first.

Song Wei had finished eating, and seeing Wen Wan somewhat lost in thought, spoke softly, "Wanwan?"

Wen Wan put down her chopsticks, indicating she was full.

Song Wei nodded, got up to pay, and inevitably let his gaze linger momentarily on the shopkeeper’s face due to the earlier incident.

The Eldest Princess disguised herself so well that Song Wei couldn’t recall anyone like this from his memory, so he quickly looked away, his voice warm and gentle, "My wife cannot speak, let me thank you on her behalf for your concern just now."

The Eldest Princess smiled slightly, "That girl is a regular here, every time she comes, she is so quiet. I quite like her. Seeing that she is pregnant, I just wanted to chat a little. I hope you don’t find me bothersome."

Song Wei said nothing more, turned and walked to Wen Wan’s side, reached out to support her, his actions cautious and tender.

The Eldest Princess watched, feeling gratified; indeed, she hadn’t misjudged him back then.

——

Considering that Wen Wan was pregnant and needed more rest during the journey and couldn’t rush too much, Song Wei set off nearly a month early.

The carriage was arranged by Xu Shu, and the driver was specifically sought out, familiar with the roads from the Capital to Ningzhou, able to reach lodging places before dark each day.