The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

It seemed that Xu Yuejia could tell she was doing it on purpose, so he didn't respond.

His gaze fell on the letter in her hand, and he asked instead, "Is something the matter?"

Wen Ye followed his line of sight, glanced down, and replied, "No, I was just thinking of inviting Cheng and Little Sister over for a day of fun."

After a pause, she added, "Madam Shen has already agreed."

Xu Yuejia's expression shifted slightly, and he sighed softly. "If you wish to, try to do it sooner rather than later."

Wen Ye was puzzled. "Why?"

After standing for a while, Xu Yuejia poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then answered, "His Majesty is planning to select another companion for Princess Changle."

Wen Ye had a bad feeling. "It's not my Little Sister, is it?"

Xu Yuejia nodded. "Yes."

Wen Ye had never met the Emperor, nor did she know much about Princess Changle. Her only impressions of the royal father and daughter came from Xu Yuejia. She asked, "Why does she need another companion?"@@novelbin@@

Xu Yuejia replied, "It's said that the two current companions are too young and can't keep up with Princess Changle's studies."

Wen Ye was skeptical. "But my Little Sister is only seven years old."

"And didn't you say before that the Emperor chose companions for the princess to make her seem less... um... not as smart?" She said the last part very softly, showing her strong sense of self-preservation.

Xu Yuejia glanced at her and said, "His Majesty misunderstood the princess's intentions."

Wen Ye was surprised for a moment and couldn't help but ask, "How do you know all this?"

"Naturally, His Majesty told me."

"But why does His Majesty tell you everything?"

Xu Yuejia paused for a moment before replying, "His Majesty is benevolent and approachable. He likes to... discuss matters with his ministers."

Wen Ye gave a flat "Oh." "I see." In other words, he likes to talk a lot. She understood.

From Xu Yuejia's attitude, it seemed almost certain that her Little Sister would become Princess Changle's companion. Wen Ye sighed silently, walked around the desk, and approached Xu Yuejia, intending to give him her seat.

Her gaze suddenly softened. "It's not yet time for dinner. Why don't you tell me about the situation in the palace?"

Xu Yuejia didn't move. Instead, he sat on the soft couch where Wen Ye usually lounged and said, "The Empress Dowager is devoted to Buddhism and doesn't involve herself in palace affairs. His Majesty is reasonable, the Empress is virtuous, the Crown Prince is steady, and Prince Duan and the other princes and princesses are still young. As for Princess Changle... according to His Majesty, she is clever and intelligent."

The first part was probably true, but the last sentence was likely a father's biased view of his daughter.

Wen Ye voiced her small doubt. "Is Prince Duan the Empress's youngest son?"

Xu Yuejia nodded. "His Majesty doesn't have many children. Aside from the three born to the Empress, there's only one prince and two princesses."

Wen Ye had a rough idea now. "It seems His Majesty holds the Empress in high regard." The Empress's three children—one was named Crown Prince at the age of seven, and the other two also had titles.

This was different from what she had occasionally read in novels in her past life, which gave Wen Ye some relief.

Wen Ye wasn't thinking about the future, only the present. Her Little Sister wouldn't be a princess's companion forever. As long as nothing major happened in the palace during that time, it would be fine.

The Emperor was in his prime, only a few years older than Duke Xu. Even if he were to become like the late Emperor in the future, that would be twenty or thirty years from now.

Still, Wen Ye asked a few more questions about the palace.

For example, which prominent families did the more outstanding concubines come from, what were their temperaments like, and which concubines were the mothers of the remaining young princes and princesses.

After a series of questions, Xu Yuejia fell silent. He wasn't a member of the palace, so how could he know everything about the inner court?

When Wen Ye finished, she leaned forward slightly and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Xu Yuejia thought for a moment and said, "The two princesses' mother is Consort Jin, and the third prince's mother is Noble Consort Yu. The backgrounds of these ladies are not prominent, so you don't need to worry."

Wen Ye tilted her head. "That's it?"

Xu Yuejia stood up, preparing to leave, and said, "I wouldn't know the things you want to know."

Wen Ye: "..." How boring.

She couldn't imagine how the Emperor managed to chat about family matters with Xu Yuejia. Wasn't it dull talking to someone so wooden?

★

Based on the information she gathered from Xu Yuejia, Wen Ye rewrote her letter. Madam Shen received the letter Wen Ye sent the next afternoon. Her second daughter-in-law was due to give birth in less than a month, and there were many things to handle at home. A letter had arrived from Suzhou the day before, informing them that their cousin's wedding had been finalized, and they needed to send a gift from the capital.

Madam Shen had been very busy lately. When she learned the letter was from Wen Ye, she was momentarily puzzled.

Only Nanny Han was by her side, so she didn't hold back her words. As she opened the envelope, she muttered, "What is Wen Ye up to now?" When she shook out three or four sheets of paper, she was silent.

After reading the letter, Madam Shen had just put it away when her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Yang, arrived.

The wet nurse they had prepared for Madam Liu's child had recently caught a cold, so Madam Yang had arranged for a replacement and had come to report this to Madam Shen.

Madam Shen gestured for her to sit nearby. After listening to Madam Yang's explanation, she said, "I trust your judgment. Go ahead with your arrangement."

Pleased with Madam Shen's approval, Madam Yang smiled. Noticing that Madam Shen seemed a bit off, she quickly asked, "Mother, is something wrong?"

Since the matter wasn't confirmed yet, Madam Shen didn't want to discuss it with her daughter-in-law. She simply said, "Your fourth sister sent a letter. She mentioned that since the young master of Duke Xu's household has gone to the academy, the house feels too quiet. She asked if Cheng and Little Sister could visit for a day of fun."

Madam Yang remembered that Duke Xu's second son was only slightly older than her own eldest son. However, she also knew that Duke Xu's wife had suitable nephews from her own family, so why would she go out of her way to invite Cheng?

It was likely just a courtesy.

Duke Xu's wife was probably doing this out of respect for Wen Ye. Since Wen Ye was doing well in Duke Xu's household, there was no harm in having the children play together occasionally.

Madam Yang saw through it clearly and said, "Cheng has been studying hard lately. I was thinking of giving him a day off." Madam Shen nodded. "Once we decide on a date, you can take Cheng and Little Sister over." Madam Yang agreed.

That evening, Father Wen came to the main courtyard, and Madam Shen told him about the contents of Wen Ye's letter.

After hearing it, Father Wen said, "What a coincidence. Zitan came to see me today and mentioned the same thing."

Madam Shen was slightly surprised. "Really?"

Father Wen glanced at her. "Would I lie about something like this?"

After a moment of shock, Madam Shen thought to herself, Wen Ye is quite capable.

Father Wen thought she was worried that Little Sister might offend the princess in the palace, so he reassured her, "Don't worry. I specifically asked Grand Scholar Meng today. His eldest son's daughter is currently a companion to the princess, and the princess treats her well."

Grand Scholar Meng's granddaughter was even younger than Little Sister.

★

After Xu Jingrong went to the academy, no one was left to perform sword dances for Xu Yuxuan.

Xu Yuxuan was listless for a couple of days.

Fortunately, the tutor Xu Yuejia had hired for him finally moved into Duke Xu's residence, so Xu Yuxuan no longer had time to mope around.

One day, Xu Yuejia took Xu Yuxuan to meet the tutor.

Wen Ye had nothing to do, so she went along.

Upon seeing Xu Yuejia, the tutor greeted him familiarly, "Zitan, my sworn brother, it's been over two years since we last met in Wuzhou." After speaking, Xu Baili turned his gaze to Wen Ye and smiled warmly. "This must be my sister-in-law?"

Wen Ye was speechless.

Xu Yuejia hadn't mentioned that this man was his sworn brother.

As she struggled to figure out how to address him, Xu Yuejia spoke up. "I never acknowledged that."

Xu Baili laughed. "It's fine. I don't mind."

Wen Ye glanced at Xu Yuxuan, who was curiously staring at Xu Baili, and suddenly felt a sense of anticipation for his future education.

Xu Baili took out a gift he had prepared for Xu Yuxuan and said, "You're called Xuan, right?"

Xu Yuxuan nodded. "Yes~"

Xu Baili handed the gift over. "Here, it's a little trinket I picked up at the West Market."

Xu Yuxuan took it, looking a bit confused, and studied it for a while. Finally, he remembered something and said, "Xuan already has one!"

Xu Baili raised an eyebrow, glancing at Xu Yuxuan's serious father, and expressed doubt. "Really?"

Xu Baili's relaxed demeanor made Xu Yuxuan feel more at ease with him. He nodded earnestly. "Mother bought it for me!" His little face was full of seriousness.

"Oh?" Xu Baili turned his gaze to Wen Ye and said, "I was just wondering when Zitan's sworn brother developed such a hobby."

Xu Yuejia: "..."

Wen Ye stifled a laugh.