The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

Du Mingyou was young, but he already had a vague understanding of what ‘marrying a wife’ entailed.

‘Marrying a wife’ was something only grown-ups could do, and he was still just a child. “Brother Cousin, you’re talking nonsense!” Du Mingyou exclaimed anxiously, “Studying is for passing the imperial examinations in the future!”

Wen Cheng nodded in agreement and then turned to look at Xu Yuxuan, asking softly, “Brother Cousin Xu, who told you that studying is for marrying a wife?”

Such a complicated matter must not have been something Yuxuan thought up himself, Wen Cheng thought to himself.

Seeing that no one believed him, Xu Yuxuan became a bit anxious. His speech was already slightly slower than that of his peers, and now it became even more difficult for him. Mumbling incessantly, he said, “My father! My father was... good at studying, loved it a lot, and then... he married my mother!”

This was all his mother had told him, so why didn’t anyone believe him?

Nanny Ji, who had been trying to intervene but was too late, could only mutter along with Madam Yang’s nanny, “Innocent children’s words, innocent children’s words,” as they ushered the other maids further away in an attempt to mitigate the situation.

The children present were momentarily stunned, with Wen Cheng being the most affected. Occasionally, he would hear his father and grandfather mention something about their fourth son-in-law, always praising him for his decisive disposition and meticulous approach to handling cases.

Was it possible that the fourth son-in-law privately joked with Brother Cousin Xu like this? Or perhaps it wasn’t a joke at all?

Wen Cheng’s immature heart began to waver slightly.

Du Mingyou knew a bit more than Wen Cheng on this subject. His grandmother had told him that his father had become an official because he was good at studying, which had led his maternal grandmother to choose his mother for him, leading to the birth of him and his two younger brothers.

Thinking about it this way, studying did seem to be the path to marrying a wife.

Under Xu Yuxuan’s overly confident tone, Wen Cheng and Du Mingyou were successfully misled. Meanwhile, Wen Che, who was a step behind, suddenly asked, “Can marrying a wife help me with my studies?” This left even Xu Yuxuan dumbfounded.

A moment later, Ren Dong, who had been with Nanny Ji, quietly entered the hall and whispered something in Tao Zhi’s ear.

Tao Zhi’s expression immediately turned peculiar. She nodded silently to Ren Dong before discreetly approaching Wen Ye and whispering something in her ear.

Moments later, the maids who had been sent by Madam Yang and Wen Hui to look after the children also returned to report.

Unlike Ren Dong’s subtle approach, they were more straightforward with their reports.

A maid by Madam Yang’s side said to her, “Madam, the two young masters are clamoring to go to Master.” The maid who went to Wen Hui said something similar.

Madam Yang didn’t overreact, merely instructing, “Take them there, but remind them not to cause trouble.”

Wen Hui had even less to say; her son being attached to his father was normal in her eyes. She simply offered a few routine reminders before letting it go.

As for Wen Ye, the atmosphere around her had clearly changed.

Wen Ye deeply sighed, as if making a firm decision. “Ren Dong, have Nanny Ji take him there.”

Since the matter had already unfolded, stopping it now would only result in Xu Yuxuan’s mouth being covered. The other children would likely seek answers tomorrow if not today, so it was better to just throw the issue to Xu Yuejia and let him explain it on the spot.

This ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍would save others from gossip and speculation.

As for how to explain it, Wen Ye trusted Xu Yuejia to find a way. She instead started contemplating how to ‘offer a sincere apology’ once she returned.

In the main hall.

Although it was supposed to be a full-moon banquet for the children, the men mainly discussed state affairs or used the opportunity to network, hoping to pave smoother paths for their careers.

When the nannies and maids brought the young masters over, Father Wen and his sons-in-law were gathered together.

Wen Cheng, who had rushed over impulsively, calmed down a bit upon seeing so many people in the main hall. Wen Che, who had come along, was more of an afterthought. He was slower in thinking and hadn’t yet realized he needed to ask his father about this.

Du Mingyou, as one of the main characters involved, went straight to his father, opening his mouth but saying nothing. However, the message on his face was clear—‘I have something to say.’ Everyone present could see it.

Du Ziyu placed his hand on his son’s slender shoulder and leaned down, asking, “What’s the matter?”

Du Mingyou hesitated; he subconsciously felt that the question he wanted to ask wasn’t suitable to bring up in front of everyone.

Unlike Du Mingyou and Wen Cheng, Xu Yuxuan showed no such reservations. Despite the crowd, he still bravely walked up to Xu Yuejia, wanting his father to vouch for him and prove he wasn’t lying. He tugged at Xu Yuejia’s wide robe sleeve and said, “Father, help Xu’er, tell the cousins~”

Initially, everyone had thought it was Du Mingyou with a problem, but with Xu Yuxuan’s words, they realized it wasn’t just him.

Nanny Ji stood by, wanting to intervene but not knowing how.

Xu Yuejia glanced at her before lowering his eyes and asking, “What is it?”

Whether it was because of the strong gazes or something else, Xu Yuxuan’s voice suddenly became much softer. However, those nearby could still hear him clearly.

Xu Yuxuan murmured, “Cousin doesn’t believe Father is good at studying~”

Nanny Ji visibly relaxed.

Xu Yuejia, however, frowned, sensing there was more to it.

Sure enough, before he could delve deeper, Xu Yuxuan spoke again: “Cousin likes studying but doesn’t marry a wife.” “Father likes studying and marries a wife.”

Xu Yuxuan pouted slightly, “It’s different!” He couldn’t figure it out!

Xu Yuejia: ".…"

Upon hearing this, Du Ziyu hurriedly asked his son, “What did you tell your cousin?”

Du Mingyou felt somewhat wronged, “It wasn’t me, it was Cousin Xu. He said, he said that Fourth Uncle-in-law married Fourth Aunt because he was good at studying…” Based on what Xu Yuxuan had previously said and his own understanding, he had come up with this explanation.

Though his voice grew softer, those present hadn’t lost their hearing. So, the couple had been talking privately, and their son had overheard?

Even Du Ziyu felt awkward at this point. He looked at Xu Yuejia, similar to his son earlier, opening his mouth but not knowing what to say. Nothing seemed appropriate.

Father Wen coughed lightly, trying to break the increasingly awkward atmosphere, only to realize his cough made it even more awkward. Eldest Brother Wen and Second Brother Wen shifted their gaze to admire the flowers in a nearby vase, recently picked and still adorned with water droplets. How beautiful.

Fifth Young Master of the Wang Family, Wen Lan’s husband, silently stared at the floor, thinking, “My wife’s family’s floor is impeccably clean, not a speck of dust.”

The atmosphere grew silent. Xu Yuxuan seemed to realize something was wrong and tried to turn to Nanny Ji for protection. Xu Yuejia quickly stopped him, “holding” him in place.

Xu Yuxuan hesitated slightly, then looked up and whispered, “Father?”

Xu Yuejia gazed down at him for a moment before raising his head and slowly explaining, “Father-in-law may not know, but Xu’er’s tutor now is Xu Baili, a collateral relative of the principal of Orchid City Songshan Academy.”

Father Wen suddenly understood, “Ah, him.”

So, it wasn’t the couple’s private talk that the child overheard. Father Wen thought to himself that even though he hadn’t met Xu Baili several times, he had a deep impression of him.

If Xu Baili was Xu’er’s tutor, then everything today made sense.

Father Wen wanted to divert the topic: “It’s rare that you managed to invite him to the capital.”

Others and Father Wen thought similarly; they hadn’t met Xu Baili, but they had heard about some of his deeds. If it was him, then it was understandable.

The Orchid City Xu Clan had ancestral rules to discipline their offspring.

Over the centuries, only Xu Baili had been such an exception. His eccentric personality and unpredictable behavior made him exactly the kind of person who might say such things to trick Xu Yuxuan into studying with him.

Upon hearing the name ‘Xu Baili,’ Xu Yuxuan was slightly puzzled. “Teacher?” He looked around, but the teacher wasn’t there.

Du Mingyou understood that it was the tutor who had told his cousin all this. After calming down, he quietly asked his father, “Is what the cousin’s tutor said true or false?”

Du Ziyu: ".…."

With Xu Yuejia’s explanation, this sudden little incident was quickly brushed over. Fortunately, there were no outsiders present when the children came over. Otherwise, the misunderstanding would have been much worse.

After the full moon banquet ended, on the way back to the Duke's Estate, Wen Ye sat quietly in the carriage, not even reading her book. Xu Yuxuan also sat properly with his legs together, straight as a ruler. He occasionally glanced at Xu Yuejia or Wen Ye.

After leaving the main hall of the Wen residence, Nanny Ji repeatedly explained the situation to him in detail. Xu Yuxuan only remembered one thing: he must not mention both his father and mother in front of outsiders at the same time. Otherwise, his father and mother would be angry with him, and other people would laugh behind his back. Xu Yuxuan didn't understand why it was wrong to laugh.

Isn't laughing a good thing?

He likes to smile when he eats delicious pastries, and when he doesn't have to study, he often sneaks a smile too. Once they returned to the estate, Wen Ye asked Nanny Ji to take Xu Yuxuan back to the side courtyard first.

Nanny Ji wasn't sure if it was really the young master's tutor who had said such things to him, and she didn't dare to ask directly. But observing Madam's demeanor and actions now, it suddenly dawned on her. She quietly picked up the young master and turned towards the west side courtyard. At the same time, she couldn't help but worry for Madam.

Xu Yuejia went into the west side study. Seeing this, Wen Ye dismissed the maids in the courtyard, instructing Tao Zhi to close the door as she left, and ordered that no one should disturb them without her permission.

Having done all this, Wen Ye entered the study and immediately apologized and promised, "Don't worry, husband. I will never speak carelessly in front of Xuan'er again."

She approached and carefully observed Xu Yuejia's expression. Then, boldly wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in and softly pleaded, "If it really doesn't work, I’ll ‘atone for my sins’ with you several times tonight?"

Only then did Xu Yuejia's gaze truly turn to her. He unceremoniously moved her hands away from his neck, his voice slightly cold, "Do you think I'm like you?"@@novelbin@@

Wen Ye asked, "What's wrong with me?"

Xu Yuejia glanced at her, "A month ago, who was it that said they were going to cultivate their temperament? And what happened instead?" Wen Ye reflected for a moment and realized, oh, it seemed like she had broken her resolve for nearly half the month.

Not allowed to touch his neck, Wen Ye shifted lower, and though she didn't push her luck, she hugged his lean waist. Xu Yuejia stiffened and said, "Don't think you can just brush this matter aside." Wen Ye didn't move, smiling sweetly, "What are you thinking, husband? I'm clearly trying to calm the flames."

This time, Xu Yuejia didn't move to remove her hands from his waist, which were poised to get "unruly" at any moment. His tone softened slightly as he said, "Xuan'er is at an age where he mimics others. It doesn't matter how you act in private in front of me. But when it comes to him, you still need to restrain yourself."

Seeing that he didn't seem angry anymore, Wen Ye immediately made a mental note and said, "I'll do whatever you say, husband." Then she asked, "How did you solve the matter today?" Xu Yuejia replied, "I didn't." Wen Ye looked confused.

Xu Yuejia calmly said, "I only told your father who Xuan'er's tutor is." He didn't say another word about the rest.

As for what others might have guessed, it had nothing to do with him. Wen Ye understood and pretended to be serious, "Husband, you've changed."

Xu Yuejia glanced at her and said, "I'm influenced by those around me."

Wen Ye pouted slightly but didn't argue.

"So, husband, are you still angry?" Wen Ye asked leisurely, "I can 'apologize' not just at night."

Xu Yuejia: "......" He should have stayed angrier for a while longer.

Wen Ye tempted him further, "The maids are gone, and Xuan'er has returned to his own courtyard. Just the two of us."

"Husband, your earlobes are so red, and your neck too." "Husband, your body feels a bit hot, are you unwell?"

"Husband..."

Xu Baili: Listen to this, is it reasonable?