Wen Wan pondered carefully, and the reason that could make the Wang Family act this way was probably only one—Song Wei.
They were not coming for Song Fang, but for the bright future of Song Wei.
The wife of the eldest son was no longer around, and the Wang and Song Families had barely interacted over the years. If the Wang Family wanted to gain benefits from the Song family again, they had to maintain the in-law relationship with them.
So Song Fang became the sacrificial lamb, because Song Fang was the beloved of Old Song and Granny Song. No matter where she marries in the future, her family would not forget her.
In time, when Song Wei becomes successful, wouldn’t Song Fang, as his sister, also bask in his glory? And once Song Fang is in the spotlight, wouldn’t her husband’s family gain benefits too?
The Wang Family indeed had quite a plan.
Thinking of this, Wen Wan took Song Fang’s hand and wrote in her palm: Go and see.
When Song Yuanbao was learning to read, Song Wei insisted on teaching Song Fang as well, so the little sister could read, even better than Wen Wan.
Song Fang was initially very resistant and didn’t want to see the face of Mrs. Wang He. But when she looked up and saw Wen Wan’s calm and composed demeanor, somehow, she suddenly saw the shadow of her third brother, found the steadiness and reassurance that belonged to her third brother.
Instinctively, Song Fang felt that perhaps her sister-in-law could really help her get rid of the Wang Family.
She changed her mind and followed Wen Wan to the main hall.
Granny Song and Mrs. Wang He were still talking inside.
The sisters-in-law stood outside the door and listened for a while.
Granny Song asked, "Your family wants to exchange the betrothal, why didn’t you say so ten years ago? Now you come suddenly without even discussing it, isn’t it too abrupt?"
Mrs. Wang He replied, "Ten years ago, your Fangniang was just a little girl playing with mud. She’s grown up now, just the right time."
Granny Song was obviously displeased, "Fangniang is already betrothed to someone."
Mrs. Wang He sneered, "Old sister, don’t try to fool me. Since I dared to come and propose an exchange, wouldn’t I have inquired beforehand? If Fangniang was already promised, I wouldn’t have brought it up today."
Granny Song’s face looked very unpleasant as she slightly clenched her fists.
She could deal with other people in a more straightforward manner, but not with Mrs. Wang He.
No matter how much silver tael the Song family compensated the Wang Family for the death of the eldest son’s wife, it was still a life lost.
Being in the wrong first, they were doomed to stand on lower ground, unable to speak with strength.
Mrs. Wang He could see that Granny Song was unwilling, but the second uncle was right, Song Yuanbao had already belonged to Song Sanlang, and his ties to the Wang Family were getting further. If they didn’t try to mend it now, when Song Wei makes a name for himself in the future, the Wang Family could only watch from the sidelines.
Mrs. Wang He’s "second uncle" was her cousin’s husband, Limp Wang, who failed to marry Wen Wan back then. He was always resentful that Song Wei had taken the beautiful bride meant for him, so when Song Wei’s fame soared, he came up with this bad idea for Mrs. Wang He as a plan to hit back at the Song family.
This matter caught Wen Wan off guard because Song Wei had gone with Old Song to the neighboring county to help someone make furniture.
Being a county away, it was too far for her to see any scheming happening in between, but while eavesdropping outside the door, she had a vague premonition that if Song Fang married into the Wang Family, they would treat her like a servant, piling all the rough and tiring work on her, arbitrarily scolding and beating her, not even allowing her to complain to her family.
Even though the premonition wasn’t complete, it didn’t stop Wen Wan from being sly.
She thought for a moment, pulled Song Fang’s hand over, and wrote a few words.
After understanding, Song Fang’s face turned paper-white, trembling as she stepped back, tears in her eyes, "No, sister-in-law, don’t force me, I can’t..."
Wen Wan couldn’t persuade much, but her gaze at Song Fang grew firmer.
The intention was to make Song Fang trust her.
Song Fang’s fingers clutched her dress hem, very conflicted inside.
But in the end, she chose to trust Wen Wan, wiped her tears, and lifted the curtain to go inside.