Wen Wan uttered an "Hmm," pondered for quite a while, and agreed that her husband made a valid point.
"Then if others treat me well in the future, won’t you have to call them father-in-law and mother-in-law again?"
Song Wei said, "It’s not just anyone I would call that; perhaps I feel you have a special bond with them!"
Speaking of bonds, the image of Fanghua’s face resurfaced in Wen Wan’s mind, and she murmured softly, "You know, how can there be two people who aren’t related by blood but look so alike in this world?"
"In this vast world, there’s nothing unheard of." Song Wei responded calmly to her, "You only had a narrow perspective before. Once you stay longer in the Capital, you’ll come across even stranger things than this."
Wen Wan had no objections to his explanation.
After dinner, Song Wei finally informed the family that he had received a promotion.
Perhaps he was accustomed to handling honor and disgrace with equanimity, so this joyous occasion worthy of celebration came from his mouth in a somewhat lukewarm and understated manner.
He announced it in his usual tone to chat with the family.
Granny Song was in the midst of speaking with her daughter-in-law, and she only suddenly snapped back to attention halfway through, "Third Son, what did you just say? A promotion?"
Song Wei nodded, his face showing little emotional fluctuation.
"Oh, that’s indeed a joyous occasion!" Granny Song was overjoyed, asking him how he planned to celebrate.
Before Song Wei could speak, Old Song who had remained silent chimed in, "Third Son’s promotion is likely due to the case of the mining accident. In my opinion, this time let’s forget it, and our family can celebrate quietly with a meal behind closed doors. In the Capital, there are numerous Sixth Rank officials, and with no reactions from other families, if ours goes all out with a celebration, never mind being inconsiderate to those miners, it would only bring ridicule upon us if word got out."
Granny Song gave a shiver of realization, looked at her son, "Third Son, this promotion really comes because of the coal case?"
Song Wei nodded in confirmation.
"Then you must heed your father’s advice, no celebration." Granny Song’s face, previously gleeful, now showed no trace of a smile, "Speaking frankly, if not for your father’s and your father-in-law’s luck back then, among the dug-up bones this time, theirs would surely be among them. In this situation, the Emperor promoted you because of your proper handling, but honestly, taking up the case was also for seeking justice for your father and father-in-law, and it’s only right."
Song Wei agreed with the elders, "I hadn’t planned on celebrating lavishly, and since both father and mother said so, let’s keep quiet then!"
Granny Song asked him, "You mentioned before you were compiling books in the Hanlin Academy, what is your duty after the promotion?" Get full chapters from 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
Song Wei said he was responsible for lecturing the Emperor.
Granny Song was dumbfounded, "Lecturing the Emperor?"
"Yes, there are many talents in the Hanlin Academy, and each person has different interpretations of the knowledge in books. The Emperor is not omnipotent, and occasionally needs to hear different opinions to avoid being overly biased and extreme in making decisions."
His words were somewhat official, and Granny Song listened with confusion, only grasping one crucial point, "So according to you, you’ll actually get to see the Emperor every once in a while?"
"If the Emperor summons me every so often, then yes, that’s about right." Song Wei answered patiently.
"Old man, does this mean our Third Son has finally made it?" Granny Song’s heart was filled with excitement.
Those past years, this son of hers was always unlucky in everything and rarely went outside. To have climbed this far now, Granny Song truly felt there was nothing more to ask for, only hoping he encounters fewer misfortunes and lives a long and smooth life.
As for wealth and riches, Granny Song thought, their family’s life now is such that, whatever they do, there’s a servant to assist, no need to walk when going out; they skip the ox cart and directly ride a horse-drawn carriage, with food and clothing beyond what she dared to dream before.
Just days ago, hearing Mrs. Jin compliment her complexion, Granny Song even looked in the mirror, noting it truly smoother than back in the countryside.
With no worries anymore, able to spend Silver Coin freely, isn’t this living the good life, isn’t this wealth and prosperity?
Having spent so much time in the Capital, Old Song, who had frequently ventured out, knew more than Granny Song. At the moment, seeing his wife so happy to the point she couldn’t close her mouth, he gave it some thought, and still said, "Third Son is just at the beginning. I’ve heard people say, to really come out on top, it’ll still take decades of perseverance."