The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

The Yang family did not stay at the Duke's residence for too long. After lunch, Wen Ye took them around the estate, had a couple of cups of tea, and enjoyed some pastries before they boarded the carriage back to the Wen Mansion.

Wen Ye had also prepared three boxes of items for Madam Yang to take back.

Madam Yang initially tried to decline, but Wen Ye stopped her, saying, "Sister-in-law, these are just some local specialties brought by Aunt Xuan from Ling City. Mother has been living in Sheng Jing for a long time and probably hasn’t tried them. I’m just being filial to her—you can’t stop me."

Hearing this, Madam Yang could no longer refuse. Seeing that they were indeed just ordinary snacks, she had them stored in the carriage.

Madam Yang smiled and said, "I’ll tell Mother that these are all gifts from Fourth Sister to show her filial piety."

After saying this, she took her eldest son, Wen Cheng, into the carriage first, leaving Wen Ye and her younger sister some time to talk.

Wen Ye gently smoothed Wen Ran’s hair and said, "Alright, go back now. I’ll return to see you and Auntie when Second Sister-in-law’s child reaches their first month." She wasn’t one for sentimental words.

Wen Ran’s eyes were filled with reluctance as she said, "Fourth Sister, I’ll study hard and save money."

Wen Ye couldn’t help but laugh at her words. "You’re still saving money after all this time?"

Wen Ran nodded seriously, then tugged at Wen Ye, signaling her to bend down. She whispered in her ear, "I’ve saved up almost two hundred taels."

"That much?" Wen Ye calculated—it had only been a few months.

Wen Ran touched her forehead, a little embarrassed. "Actually, I used the money Father gave me to buy books. Most of this two hundred taels came from the New Year’s money Mother and my older brothers and sisters-in-law gave me."

Madam Shen managed the household with frugality, rarely indulging in extravagance. For Wen Ran to have saved such a large sum was somewhat surprising to Wen Ye. It seemed that her own filial gestures toward Madam Shen were still somewhat lacking.

Meanwhile, Xu Yuxuan, who had been waiting for a while, squeezed in between them and asked, "Mother? Auntie?"

Wen Ye looked at the suddenly appearing little head and sighed. "Xuan’er, be good. Mother is talking to Auntie." Xu Yuxuan pointed at himself and said, "Xuan’er wants to listen~"

Wen Ye helped Wen Ran into the carriage and then said to the little boy clinging to her, "Go ahead and listen." Listen to the air, that is.@@novelbin@@

Xu Yuxuan was confused. "That’s it?"

Before getting into the carriage, Wen Ran bid Wen Ye a final farewell and then turned to Xu Yuxuan, saying, "Thank you for the rabbit-hair brush, Nephew Xuan’er."

Distracted by the mention of the "rabbit-hair brush," Xu Yuxuan grinned and waved his little hand. "You’re welcome, Auntie~"

Wen Ye couldn’t resist tapping his head. "You little rascal." After seeing off her younger sister and Madam Yang’s family, Wen Ye took Xu Yuxuan back to the west courtyard.

When Madam Yang returned home, she tidied up a bit and, seeing that it was still early, took the three boxes of specialties to the main courtyard to see her mother-in-law, Madam Shen. Madam Shen had just finalized the betrothal gifts to be sent to Suzhou that day. Seeing Madam Yang arrive with three boxes, she was puzzled. Madam Yang explained, "Mother, these are local specialties from Ling City, given by Fourth Sister."

Madam Shen paused. "Oh?"

Madam Yang had the boxes brought in and said, "I initially didn’t want to accept them, but Fourth Sister said they were her way of showing filial piety to you, so I accepted them on your behalf."

Madam Shen looked at Madam Yang and confirmed, "Filial piety to me?" Madam Yang nodded.

Madam Shen was silent for a moment.

What is Fourth Sister up to now?

Unable to figure it out, Madam Shen turned her attention back to the three boxes of specialties. After a moment of thought, she said, "In that case, distribute them among the various courtyards, and make sure to give a larger portion to Xicui Courtyard."

Madam Yang had also considered this. Fourth Sister’s specially prepared gifts likely had more to them than just filial piety. She promptly agreed. "Understood, Mother."

Madam Shen then asked, "How was your visit to the Duke’s residence?"

Madam Yang recalled, "The Duchess was very kind to Fourth Sister, and the young masters of the household seemed to like her as well, especially Xuan’er. When he stood beside Fourth Sister, they looked like mother and son."

Madam Shen felt somewhat reassured.

Madam Yang couldn’t help but reflect. In Sheng Jing, there were many women who became stepmothers, but she had never seen one who got along with her stepson as well as Fourth Sister did.

It seemed as though there was no barrier between them at all.

She thought for a moment and then offered some comfort. "Mother, you don’t need to worry too much. Fourth Sister looks well and seems to be living quite happily."

Madam Shen suddenly felt a pang of something. "Why would I worry about her?"

The spring air was warm, but the April breeze still carried a hint of chill, especially in the evening.

Xu Yuxuan now had his evening meals in the west courtyard. Wen Ye always had dinner served at the hour of You (around 6 PM). If Xu Yuejia returned in time, they would eat together. It seemed that the Ministry of Justice wasn’t too busy today, as Xu Yuejia arrived with about a quarter of an hour to spare before dinner. Wen Ye greeted him as usual:

"Welcome back, my lord."

Xu Yuxuan happily called out, "Father~"

The west study had been completely taken over by Wen Ye, and Xu Yuejia rarely set foot there except to stay the night. Xu Yuejia paused and looked at Wen Ye questioningly.

Wen Ye calmly replied, "He gave the rabbit-hair brush you gave him to my younger sister today." Xu Yuejia said, "Didn’t you tell him I prepared a whole box for him?"

Wen Ye smiled. "Why tell him now? Wouldn’t it be better for him to discover this surprise when he wakes up tomorrow morning?" Xu Yuejia glanced at Xu Yuxuan, who thought he had escaped the "trouble," and after a moment of thought, said, "Fair enough."

Xu Yuxuan: Crying emoji. Though short, it still counts as an extra update!