The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

Xu Yuejia could only think of one thing at the moment: the book Wen Ye had borrowed from the Pine Mountain Academy's library that she hadn't told him about.

After much deliberation, Xu Yuejia finally voiced his guess: "Don't tell me you weren't there to borrow a book yesterday; instead, you planted something in the library."

Wen Ye was rendered speechless. After a long pause, she managed to find her voice and said, "Husband, you have quite an imagination."

Was she really that reckless? What had Xu Yuejia experienced to make him think such things about her?

Xu Yuejia quietly replied, "That's good, then."

Wen Ye: "..."

It seemed there was indeed a communication barrier between them.

*

The news of the incident in Orchid City had spread like wildfire in Sheng Jing after more than half a month.

Madam Lu had received a letter from Wen Ye in advance, clarifying the exact time they would return to the mansion. Close to that time, she had the kitchen start preparing nourishing soup.

Wen Ye and Xu Yuejia arrived at the Duke's residence well past dinner time. However, Madam Lu had prepared a separate table of food for them, which had been kept warm over the fire.

After Wen Ye and Xu Yuejia had eaten mostly enough, Madam Lu ordered the freshly prepared nourishing soup to be served.

Wen Ye looked at the soup, unable to distinguish its ingredients, and struggled to speak: "Sister-in-law, I only had two bites at the Cloud Pavilion."

Madam Lu insisted, "I know that, which is why I had this nourishing soup made for you."

Xu Jingrong, sitting across from them, chimed in smoothly: "Thank goodness Aunt Wen only had two bites. Unlike me, I'll have to drink bitter medicine for half a month."

Hearing this, Wen Ye silently compared her situation to Xu Jingrong's, feeling a bit better inside.

At least her soup didn't smell bitter.

Seeing Wen Ye drink the soup, Madam Lu showed a relieved smile. After a moment, she looked at Xu Yuejia and said, "Second brother, you should also have a bowl."

Only after watching the couple finish their soup did Madam Lu let them leave.

Once back in the Western Courtyard, Wen Ye directly collapsed onto the soft couch.

So full.

How would she ever fall asleep like this?

After resting for a while, she propped herself up with her elbow and looked at the man, tentatively saying, "Husband?"

Xu Yuejia had already removed his outer garment and didn't even look back as he said, "We have to go to the palace tomorrow, so let's rest early tonight."

Regardless of how Wen Ye tried to distance herself from it, her accomplishment could not be ignored.

Even before they returned, the royal summons had already arrived at the Duke's residence.

Wen Ye felt a small pang of regret in her heart but spoke straightforwardly, "I didn't get to say anything yet."

With that, she lay down again.

Xu Yuejia turned around and approached her, his expression showing concern: "Does it feel difficult to bear?"

Wen Ye answered weakly, "Mmm."

Xu Yuejia reached out to pull her up, "Let's go for a walk to help digest."

Being pulled up, Wen Ye then fell directly into Xu Yuejia's arms, deliberately softening her voice teasingly: "Husband, go with me."

Xu Yuejia's earlobes tinged red: "Stand properly first."

Wen Ye played along, hooking her arms around his neck: "I can't stand properly."

If she couldn't have the meat, a sip of soup would suffice.

Xu Yuejia: "..."

*

The next day, just before dawn.

Wen Ye was in deep sleep when she suddenly felt an itch on her nose. Struggling to open her eyes, she saw a chubby, dimpled face.

It ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌‍was Xu Yuxuan, who she hadn't seen in quite a while.

Yesterday, they had arrived back at the mansion close to midnight, by which time Xu Yuxuan was already asleep.

Seeing that Wen Ye had finally woken up, Xu Yuxuan retracted his little hand guiltily, trying to mask his actions by calling out, "Mother~"

Wen Ye rubbed her eyes and, without fussing over his earlier mischief, sat up and asked him, "Who brought you here?"

"It was the nanny," Xu Yuxuan answered.@@novelbin@@

Wen Ye glanced at his feet, still wearing socks, and continued, "And the shoes, did Nanny Ji take them off for you as well?"

Xu Yuxuan shook his head and honestly replied, "It was father."

"Father is gone again~" Xu Yuxuan said, his voice tinged with a slight dissatisfaction.

Wen Ye raised an eyebrow and didn't ask any further.

Xu Yuejia must have gone to court.

The sounds from the inner room reached the outer room, where Tao Zhi, who had been waiting for some time, promptly entered with a copper basin.

Following closely behind was Yun Zhi, who approached with a friendly smile: "Little Master, shall the servant help you put on your shoes?"

Xu Yuxuan was obedient: "Yes~"

Then, without blinking, he stared intently at Wen Ye, as if fearing she would disappear like his father if he took his eyes off her for a moment.

The child's gaze was so intense and unconcealed that Wen Ye couldn't help but notice.

After a simple breakfast, she said, "Stop staring, Mother won't run away."

Being called out on his little scheme, Xu Yuxuan's guilty eyes darted around.

He didn't admit it: "Xuan'er didn't~"

Wen Ye didn't argue with him. Instead, she said, "Mother has some good news for you. Would you like to hear it?"

Xu Yuxuan tilted his head: "What is it?"

Wen Ye's eyes curved with genuine joy: "Mr. Xu is also back, and he'll be teaching Xuan'er starting tomorrow. Aren't you happy?"

Xu Yuxuan's little mouth opened wide in disbelief, and there was not a trace of joy in his expression.

He instinctively took a few steps back and said, "Mother, Xuan'er has something to do. I'll go first~"

Wen Ye watched him leave with a calm demeanor: "Running pretty quickly, seems like the leg injury is completely healed. I was actually thinking of giving you a few more days off, but I guess there's no need now."

Slowly arriving, Nanny Ji heard every word.

Poor little master.

*

After breakfast, Madam Lu took Wen Ye to the palace.

Considering that Wen Ye had never entered the palace before, the Empress Dowager had summoned her together with Madam Lu to ensure she felt more comfortable.

With Madam Lu alongside her, Wen Ye's nervousness was significantly eased.

Everything went smoothly.

Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, after the morning court session, the Emperor convened a meeting in the Qinzheng Hall with several ministers to discuss the case of the Rebel Wang Clan remnants found in Orchid City.

Although the detection was timely, a deeper investigation revealed that these remnants had managed to infiltrate the court.

This time, the Emperor didn't hesitate. Anyone involved, whether major or minor, faced demotion and confiscation of property, followed by exile or execution at the end of the year. Any pleas for leniency met with the same punishment.

Having finished discussing the disposal of the Rebel Wang Clan remnants, the Emperor summoned Xu Yuejia alone and said, "If it weren't for your wife's sharp observation, my brother would have suffered even more."

Xu Yuejia bowed slightly: "Your Majesty praises too much."

The Emperor continued, "Ever since you returned, I've been contemplating what reward she deserves. In the end, it was the Empress who reminded me. Xu Yuejia, you've been married for nearly a year now, yet you've never applied for a noble title for your wife."

Xu Yuejia paused, then said, "It's my negligence."

The Emperor, seeing this, was a bit surprised: "I thought you'd refuse."

It seemed Xu Yuejia placed quite some value on his wife. With this realization, the Emperor quickly had a plan.

Xu Yuejia replied, "What would Your Majesty like me to say?"

The Emperor pretended to cough and said, "Regarding Prince Wen's prank of pouring water on you, I'll make up for it by adding a box of lavenderite pearls to your wife's reward."

Xu Yuejia's tone remained unchanged: "I've never taken this matter to heart."

Having served together for many years, the Emperor could tell what Xu Yuejia was implying.

To show sincerity, the Emperor added, "I suddenly recall a nice hot spring manor at the outskirts of the city. I'll also bestow it to your wife today, how about that?"

Who let him have a wayward brother?

Xu Yuejia said, "I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my wife."

The Emperor was caught off guard by Xu Yuejia's immediate agreement.

Originally, thinking Xu Yuejia might refuse, he planned to add a chest of rare ancient books as another reward.

Xu Yuejia, you used to be like this.

Before, the Xu Yuejia who disregarded wealth and fame as worthless was gone... where did he go?

After smoothly exiting the Empress Dowager's palace, Wen Ye, upon getting into the sedan chair, finally couldn't resist and sneezed.

Madam Lu immediately asked, "Not feeling well?"

Wen Ye shook her head: "Just suddenly felt my nose itch."

Seeing that she was indeed fine, Madam Lu continued, "Judging from the Empress Dowager and Consort Shu's rewards, they seem to have a good impression of you."

Wen Ye smiled sweetly: "Of course, Sister-in-law's taste couldn't be wrong."

Madam Lu thought about it for a moment before realizing what she meant.

By going around, she had praised everyone, including herself.

Madam Lu couldn't help but feel slightly helpless: "Now that you've achieved something, besides the Empress Dowager and Consort Shu's rewards, His Majesty and the Empress will undoubtedly bestow something as well. I predict it's about time to grant you a noble title."

"With Second Brother's temperament, I doubt he'd ever think of applying for a noble title for you on his own. But now, it's better this way. This noble title is something you've earned yourself; you'll feel more confident with it."

Wen Ye hadn't thought about this. She had assumed it would be some jewelry and treasures.

But who would decline more rewards?

The decree granting Wen Ye a noble title was delivered to the Duke's residence on the same day, along with a heap of rewards.

Among them, the hot spring manor at the outskirts stood out the most.

Madam Lu was quite surprised—the previous rewards had already been very generous, and this final hot spring estate didn't quite seem like the Emperor's typical style.

Madam Lu couldn't help but ponder, could it be that the Empress herself added it?

Wen Ye didn't think too much about it, just muttering to herself that this Emperor was quite generous.

After Madam Lu left, Wen Ye said, "The hot spring estate is the one that suits me best."

Xu Yuejia replied, "As long as you like it."

Wen Ye sensed something was off, turned to look at him, and tested with her words, "Don't tell me the hot spring estate was a reward you asked the Emperor for."

Xu Yuejia denied it, saying, "The Emperor brought it up on his own."

He merely didn't refuse.

Wen Ye felt relieved, "That's good."

Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to relax while soaking in the hot springs.