Father Wen always believed that Fanghua didn’t want to say goodbye to him in person back then, so she quietly left when he wasn’t around.
Regarding this matter, Song Wei felt deeply guilty, "All these years, I haven’t told my father-in-law the truth, not because I intentionally hid it, but because I didn’t know if I should tell him. I was afraid he would be upset, and also worried that saying it out loud might harm Aunt Lu."
Father Wen sighed, "She had her reasons, this is not your fault."
Song Wei thought about what happened earlier and said, "If father-in-law worries about it, I can take some time to ask someone to check those things. If they can identify the owner’s identity, we shouldn’t pawn them and keep them buried. If they can’t..."
Before Song Wei finished speaking, Father Wen waved his hand, "I also thought that exposing these things might reveal her identity. But thinking back, the few items she deliberately chose to take with her before leaving must be the key ones, and the rest are safe."
Song Wei breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good then."
"The jade bracelet sold by Shunzi is likely lost for good," Father Wen looked at Song Wei, "As for the rest, I’ll treat them as Fanghua’s dowry for Wan Niang. When I return, I’ll personally deliver them to your house, and you should let her take good care of them."
Song Wei was a bit hesitant, "Isn’t it inappropriate for father-in-law to do this? After all, those things were left to you by Aunt Lu."
"That was money Fanghua left for raising her daughter. All these years, I didn’t dare to touch any of it, and the girl suffered a lot following me through hardships and punishment. I feel quite guilty. Now that everything is out in the open, if the jewelry can be exchanged for money, I have no reason to hold onto these things anymore. What belongs to her should be hers. If she doesn’t take them, I won’t be at ease."
Song Wei understood his father-in-law’s position and didn’t try to persuade him anymore.
When returning to the ox cart, he saw Wen Wan still staring at his head. He gently scratched her nose, a loving smile on his face, "Daydreaming again? Let’s go."
Upon saying this, he intended to help her onto the cart.
Wen Wan turned her head to look at her father.
Father Wen said, "Wanwan, you go back with Third Son first, we’ll talk later."
Wen Wan nodded and obediently got onto the Song family’s ox cart with Song Wei’s assistance.
Mrs. Zhou looked bewildered at her husband planning to turn back, unable to hold back, she asked, "What’s the meaning of this? Not looking for the bracelet anymore?"
Forced by his parents into marrying her to bear children and continue the family line, Father Wen didn’t have any feelings for her but didn’t treat her unfairly, merely maintaining the relationship.
"Not looking for it, let’s go back first!" Father Wen flicked the whip, and the ox cart went forward.
Mrs. Zhou noticed her husband’s bad mood and dared not ask anything else, remaining silent on the way — a rare quietness.
However, upon returning home and seeing Father Wen carrying the box of treasures to the Song family, Mrs. Zhou became frantic, crying and making a scene, "Wen Guangping, what do you mean? We are almost destitute, with these good things, don’t you think about us, mother and son, but about that mute who can’t even speak? She’s been at the Song family for over a year, and you’ve seen it, eating well and dressing well. Has Song Sanlang treated her badly? Or does she feel she can’t live there anymore? Do you want to take out all the family assets and give them to her? Why don’t you dig out your heart and liver and cook them for her!?"
"Get out of the way!"
Father Wen was holding the small box, glaring coldly at Mrs. Zhou.
"I won’t let you!" Mrs. Zhou blocked in front of him, "If you don’t make things clear today, this matter isn’t over!"
Father Wen took a deep breath, maintaining the calm before the storm, "This is Wan Niang’s biological mother’s dowry, and now it is Wan Niang’s dowry. It has nothing to do with you, nor with this family. If you want money, we’ll earn it slowly in the future."
"Dowry? Where’s the dowry from?" Mrs. Zhou reacted as if hearing the biggest joke, "Don’t think I haven’t found out how Mrs. Lu, that wench, came to your house, shamelessly seducing before even marrying..."
Before Mrs. Zhou could finish speaking, Father Wen had already put down the box and delivered a resounding slap to her.