Chapter 222: Chapter 207: Jinbao Meets His Maternal Grandmother (Third Update)
Watching Wen Wan enter the gates of Hongwen Academy, Song Wei turned around, just about to get on the carriage when a girl dressed as a maid ran over from a short distance and whispered to him, "Mr. Song, the Eldest Princess requests your presence."
Song Wei glanced behind her but did not see the carriage of the Princess Mansion.
The maid added, "The Eldest Princess is at the tea house."
Song Wei understood, asked the maid to wait a moment while he went back to inform Uncle Lin.
Only then did he follow the maid to a tea house near Hongwen Academy.
The Eldest Princess had opened a private room, and at the moment, she was the only one inside.
The maid led him directly inside.
Seeing Song Wei, the Eldest Princess’s usually aloof eyebrows softened, she dismissed the maid and invited him to sit.
Song Wei remained standing.
Even though it had been several months since the Eldest Princess’s birthday last year, Song Wei still couldn’t associate the Princess Changping, Emperor Guangxi’s sister, with Aunt Lu, whom he had met countless times in the countryside back in the day.
Compared to more than ten years ago, seeing her now, Song Wei unknowingly felt a bit more distant.
The Eldest Princess didn’t mind, she personally poured him tea, and having been acquainted before, she spoke much more casually now, getting straight to the point, "Has Wanwan entered Hongwen Academy?"
Song Wei nodded in affirmation.
"Why did you think of letting her go to such a place instead of hiring a tutor for her?" the Eldest Princess asked again, her well-maintained, fair fingers pushing the teacup towards the table in front of Song Wei.
Song Wei replied honestly, "Wanwan was mute as a child, and compared with other girls her age, her personality naturally appears more introverted. I want her to go in and gain some experience."
Hearing this, the Eldest Princess couldn’t help but fall into contemplation, after a while, she nodded in agreement, "Your thinking is correct. Although you became a successful candidate for the court’s Hanlin academy last year, you still have decades of time ahead, and you will eventually rise higher. At that time, Wanwan’s status will inevitably elevate with you. As you work tirelessly for the court, her engaging in social activities on your behalf is inevitable, some things need to be learned early."
Through the thin veil of tea mist, Song Wei could easily see the undisguised gratification on the Eldest Princess’s face when she mentioned the daughter, seemingly with a hint of pride.
"Is Mother-in-law here specifically for Wanwan?" Song Wei asked.
"Yes, and no. I calculated the days and knew you’re off today, and personally sent Wanwan to Hongwen Academy, so I wanted to intercept you midway to see my small grandson who’s nearly a year old."
Having heard from the Hidden Guards that the little guy looked very cute, the Eldest Princess had been longing to see him these days. Finally catching the chance, she naturally didn’t want to miss it.
Although it’s been more than ten years and not close anymore, as the birth mother of Wanwan, the Eldest Princess’s request was not too much at all, and Song Wei had no reason to refuse, "When does Mother-in-law wish to meet?"
"When do you think it’s convenient?"
Song Wei replied, "If Mother-in-law can wait, please rest a little in the tea house. I’ll go back now and bring the son."
"That works." The Eldest Princess nodded, she wasn’t suited to appear around the Song family residence, once noticed by those with intentions, it won’t do good for herself or the son-in-law.
Song Wei went downstairs, Uncle Lin had already brought the carriage over, waiting just outside the tea house.
Seeing Song Wei, Uncle Lin simply greeted him.
After getting on the carriage, Song Wei instructed, "Let’s head back to the mansion first."
The carriage set off swiftly towards the Song family.
——
The little guy had a fuss after his parents left, later coaxed by his grandma who fed him porridge, he sat on the ground playing with toys for a while until he couldn’t keep his eyes open and fell asleep.
Granny Song carried the little guy back to the room and laid him on the cot, went out to buy some groceries, and specifically went to Xie Tao’s family’s stall to pick up two fresh fat crucian carps, intending to make a good meal for the two grandsons, she entered the house only to find the flowers and plants grown by her old man in leisure time were all ruined.
And the culprit, currently sitting by the flower bed, holding his grandpa’s small shovel, digging soil one scoop at a time.
His face, hands, legs, and bottom were all covered with yellow mud, looking like he just got dug out from the dirt.
Granny Song was so startled she didn’t even pick up the bamboo basket of groceries that dropped to the ground, hurried over in a few steps to lift the little guy up, "Oh my little ancestor, how did you get out here?"
While speaking, she patted the mud off from his body.
This was the scene Song Wei witnessed when he got home.
The courtyard looked like it had been robbed, the few pots of flowers just blooming in the early spring were plucked bare along with the leaves.
Judging by the looks, they weren’t plucked, more like pulled by hand, with many half pieces of leaves hanging from the stems.
Fortunately, the flowers had no thorns, otherwise the person who ruined them would’ve gotten a few scratches.
Song Wei’s eye twitched, shifting his gaze to the culprit.
The little guy, happily digging soil, was being held by the collar by his grandma as she lightly patted the mud from his body while still reaching out to grab the shovel sticking in the flower pot.
This little rascal just couldn’t sit still.
Song Wei stepped forward and took his son from Granny Song’s arms, "Mother, please go back to your chores, I’ll take Jinbao to bathe."
Granny Song couldn’t help feeling regretful looking at her little grandson like that, "It’s all my fault, your father went to the courtyard next door to find your uncle, I asked Yuanbao to mind Jinbao, went out for groceries, never thought that Yuanbao’s also a child, how could you let a child watch a child..."
Song Wei said, "As long as Jinbao’s fine, Mother doesn’t need to blame herself."
That said, regardless of how much mud was on his son, he carried him directly back to the room.
Seeing Yuanbao still sound asleep by the baby’s bed, Song Wei roughly understood the situation, choosing not to wake him.
He took the baby bath to another room, added hot water, and placed Jinbao inside after undressing him.
The little guy got even more excited upon touching the water, his lively antics made Song Wei involuntarily smile.
Having child-rearing experience, giving Jinbao a bath wasn’t as strenuous for him as for Wen Wan, he was even more meticulous than her.
Perhaps feeling comfortable, the little guy gradually calmed down, no longer restless, and obediently let his father scrub him.
After bathing, Song Wei applied baby-specific lotion to the little guy, changed his clothes, and prepared to take him out.
Granny Song was tidying up the courtyard, upon seeing him, she asked, "Third Son, where are you off to?"
Song Wei replied, "Staying in the courtyard all day is too stifling, I’m taking Jinbao out for a spin."
"Then come back early, it’s almost time for lunch."
Song Wei acknowledged, then got on the carriage with his son, heading straight to the tea house.
The Eldest Princess was still waiting inside, once hearing the knock, she felt a thrill, hurried to open the door, and the first thing she saw was the little grandson she yearned for.
Looking even fairer and chubbier than she had imagined.
Upon arriving in the unfamiliar surroundings, Jinbao nestled in his father’s embrace, curiously surveying around.
The Eldest Princess was immediately enamored upon seeing him and asked Song Wei if she could hold him.
Jinbao resisted, clinging tightly to his father’s chest, his face full of wariness towards the Eldest Princess.
"Little guy, I’m your dear grandmother."
The Eldest Princess pinched his chubby cheeks.
Jinbao tilted his head looking at her, after a while shouted, "Pig...Pig..."
Eldest Princess: "... It’s not pig, it’s grandmother."
Jinbao: "Pig Pig..."
Eldest Princess: "..."
Song Wei explained, "He’s nearly a year old, Jinbao’s somewhat shy."
The Eldest Princess didn’t mind at all, "It’s good for little ones to be shy, they shouldn’t just quietly let anyone hold them without reaction, that would be no good."
Jinbao was captivated by the shining gold hairpin on the Eldest Princess’s head, reaching his little hands out for it.
The Eldest Princess didn’t take it off herself, instead offered her head closer, "Whichever you want, you do it yourself."
Jinbao took no initiative, aiming for the goldest and shiniest one, he stretched out his paw and immediately plucked it off.