The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

Is the key point here about how much silver was spent on this osmanthus cake?

Wen Ye decided today was the day to teach Xu Yuejia a lesson. "Husband, emotions cannot be measured by money."

"Although this pastry shop is small, their osmanthus cake is their specialty and tastes better than any other shop's."

Xu Yuejia silently retracted his hand, then after a moment asked, "So, how much of your salary is left?"

Wen Ye: "...... Nineteen taels and seven coins."

Xu Yuejia revealed an expression of 'of course,' then continued, "Besides the osmanthus cake, what else did you buy?"

Wen Ye: "Isn't one osmanthus cake enough?"

This tiny portion cost her a whopping three hundred coins.

He stared at her for a long moment, then said, "I'll trade you gold leaves for it."

Wen Ye immediately changed her tune. "Indeed, it's not enough. Everything should be spent on you, Husband."

With a box of gold leaves in hand, Wen Ye stroked the weighty treasure, her mood visibly improving.

The remaining nineteen taels and seven coins? Without a moment's hesitation, she handed them all to Xu Yuejia.

Then she watched as he placed those silver pieces into the zitan box that had previously held rabbit ears.

Wen Ye: "......"

What kind of quirks does he have?

*

The next day, after watching the sisters-in-law leave, Duke Xu sighed. "Your elder sister-in-law is out again."

Xu Yuejia retracted her gaze and said, "What does Big Brother want to say?"

Xu Yuejia looked away and said, "What is Elder Brother trying to say?"

Duke Xu looked back at him, his tone firm. "Nothing."

This time, she'll only be gone for two or three days, so he can accept it.

Afraid of hearing more acerbic remarks from his younger brother, Duke Xu added, "Before your elder sister-in-law left, she specifically instructed me to take good care of your two nephews. I'll be leaving now."

But just as he spoke, he couldn't help but sound smug.

Duke Xu's expression seemed to be saying: Isn't your wife concerned about anything for you?

Xu Yuejia averted his eyes and said, "Brother, you should keep a closer eye on Jingrong's studies."

His words implied his agreement.

This time, it was Duke Xu who was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Xu Yuejia's tone remained calm. "Previously, the Emperor learned about Jingrong's performance on the day Prince Wen was kidnapped. He specifically asked Principal Xu for Jingrong's academic performance over the past six months... The Emperor read it and commented, 'Courageous but not wise.'"

With red markings throughout the document, it was difficult for the Emperor to use the word 'wise.'

Who else would know their own son better? Upon hearing this, Duke Xu's face turned green.

No wonder the Emperor had rewarded Jingrong with a box of books; it was for this reason.

Duke Xu could hardly muster a word for a long time. After a struggle, he managed to reply, "Jinglin has made significant progress recently."

Xu Yuejia didn't pursue the topic further. Instead, he said, "Brother, is there anything else?"

Duke Xu replied, "No, you may go."

Xu Yuejia responded with an "Mm" and turned to walk back into the residence.

Duke Xu, seeing the prepared carriage at the gate, quickly turned and chased after him, asking, "Aren't you going to the government office?"

"Yes, I am," Xu Yuejia replied. "But I suddenly feel hungry and want to have some pastries before leaving."

Duke Xu casually asked, "What pastries?"

Xu Yuejia: "The osmanthus cake Wen Ye bought for me yesterday."

Duke Xu: "......"

There’s no need to be so detailed.

*

The hot spring estate is not far from the capital, located near the Royal Garden. The journey by carriage takes a little over two hours.

Throughout the trip, Madam Lu and Madam Shen mostly chatted with each other.

They were also the last to alight from the carriage. Madam Lu looked at the distant scene where the person was leading her sister around the hot spring pond and asked Madam Shen, "Was your sister-in-law always this lively?"

Madam Shen nodded slightly. "She wasn’t this talkative."

Throughout the journey, all they heard were her cheerful chattering sounds.

Madam Lu understood and smiled. "That’s just Wen Ye’s nature."

Her words, though light, carried a touch of defense.

Madam Shen picked up on it. She hadn't intended to speak ill of Wen Ye in front of Madam Lu, but from Madam Lu’s reaction, it’s clear that in the year since Wen Ye’s marriage, she hasn’t lost her touch.

After a brief inspection, Wen Ye returned and reported, "The two ponds have separate sources, and the only passage between them is through the north corner door."

If the door is locked, anyone wanting to enter the neighboring pond would have to take a detour, going from the west side.

This could be considered as two separate estates.

Given that its previous owner was the current Emperor, every scene here exudes an air of nobility.

Pavilions, terraces, kiosks, and artificial hills.

The mist lingers in the air, creating an ethereal, almost otherworldly ambiance.

In this setting, Wen Ye’s ambitions soared.

She even began to recall, in detail, who among the Emperor’s predecessors had the most supporters during the previous reign, and whether any of them were still alive.

And what cases Prince Wen has been investigating recently...

Would another convenient opportunity present itself again...

*

After cleansing and washing, Wen Ye was the first to enter the water.

Despite her previous ambitious thoughts, once submerged in the hot spring, her soaring ambitions instantly dissipated.

Wen Ye felt every pore in her body open up, a sense of unparalleled comfort.

A faint, refreshing medicinal fragrance lingered in the air, as if every bone in her body was floating.

Resting on the edge of the pond, with her head tilted back, Wen Ye slowly inhaled. "Well, this is enough."

What ambitions? They’re just getting in the way of her hot spring soak.

Wen Ran followed next, and soon her young body warmed up, her skin turning red and smooth.

Wen Ye couldn’t resist, giving her a couple of playful tickles.

Wen Ran laughed and retreated, pleading, "Fourth Sister~"

She nearly bumped into Madam Shen who was entering next.

Wen Ye quickly stopped and returned to her proper demeanor, calling out, "Mother."

Madam Shen reached out and steadied the about-to-fall Wen Ran, chiding Wen Ye, "Be careful, you might make Xiaowu choke."

Wen Ran wanted to defend her sister but didn’t want to offend Madam Shen’s kind intentions. After some thought, she said, "Fourth Sister didn't use much strength. I just didn't steady myself. Fortunately, there was Mother."

Madam Shen leaned next to Wen Ran. Glancing at the other side of Wen Ran, she remained silent.

Wen Ye met Madam Shen’s gaze and smiled. "Mother, isn’t it relaxing to soak in the hot spring?"

Madam Shen said modestly, "Not bad. You’ve thought of everything."

Wen Ran clapped the water playfully, adding, "I like it too, Fourth Sister~"

It would be even better if Princess Xiu and Princess Yan were also here.

Wen Ye noticed that since her younger sister became a palace companion, her temperament has become noticeably more cheerful.

She said, "Later, I’ll talk to the people here, so you can come anytime you want, Sister."

Madam Lu was still changing clothes. Wen Ye rested her arms generously on the edge of the pond, her left hand just able to reach past Wen Ran to gently tap Madam Shen’s shoulder.

She accidentally brushed against it and said, "Mother too."

Madam Shen, feeling something on her shoulder: "......"

Moments later, she glanced sideways at the bold fingers on her shoulder and spoke, "The Duchess is about to come over."

Upon hearing this, Wen Ye quickly retracted her hand.

Madam Shen silently looked at her, her expression slightly unusual. "So, you do still fear her."

Wen Ye looked confused. "Mother, what are you saying? I don't understand."

Madam Shen: "You’ve become quite spoiled."

Wen Ye grinned. "I’m in good shape, and with my sister-in-law’s meticulous care, it’s hard not to become spoiled."

Madam Shen: "......"

"What are you talking about?" Madam Lu slowly approached them, asking.

Wen Ran shook her head first. She didn't quite grasp the conversation.

Wen Ye smiled and replied, "Mother said I’ve become spoiled, and I replied, ‘Naturally’—after all, I used to have Mother’s care, and now, after marriage, I have my sister-in-law’s. How can I not become more spoiled?’"

Madam Lu didn’t suspect the authenticity of her words, from their conversation along the way, she perceived Madam Shen mostly expressed sharp words but never personal feelings.

When treating Wen Ran, she might not have deep emotions, but as Wen Ran’s legitimate mother, Madam Shen has consistently fulfilled her responsibilities.

At times, she even detected elements of Wen Ye in Madam Shen.@@novelbin@@

Reflecting later, it’s understandable, since they had lived under the same roof for over twenty years. There had to be a bit of mutual influence. These similarities in character reflect the harmonious family environment of the Wen Family.

The way Wen Ye turned out makes more sense now.

Madam Lu leaned next to Wen Ye, talking across the two sisters, “In previous years, it must have been hard on Madam Shen.”

Madam Shen answered calmly, “It wasn’t hard.”

This was sincere. She hadn’t had frequent interactions with Wen Ye in the past; she disliked concubines and children of lesser birth coming to the main courtyard daily for greetings. Besides the first and fifteenth days of the month, any matters were passed along by matrons or maids.

If anyone was to be considered hard-worked, it would be Concubine Chang.

Wen Ran watched this scene and felt a bit strange. She quietly whispered to Wen Ye, "Sister, the Duke's wife seems like another mother."

She had originally wanted to say "like the concubine," but then thought that such a comparison was not quite appropriate, so she changed it to "mother."

Wen Ye agreed. With Madam Lu's attitude toward her, she indeed felt like another "mother."

That casual phrase of "eldest sister-in-law as mother" had surprisingly come true.

Madam Lu continued to chat with Madam Shen in a desultory manner. The two of them surprisingly had a lot to talk about, and their perspectives on many things were quite similar.

Wen Ye, caught between the two, soaked for a while before half-hugging Wen Ran and leaving the spot, allowing the chatty pair to continue their conversation uninterrupted.

They didn't go far, just swapping places with Madam Lu.

Before coming down, Wen Ye had instructed her maidservants to wash some fruits and prepare some fruit tea, all arranged on a small wooden table by the poolside.

Wen Ye picked a grape and fed it to Wen Ran, while she herself tasted a piece of watermelon.

Although she hadn't consumed any alcohol, she felt a bit tipsy, like she was drifting on cloud nine.

The experience was simply indescribable.

It was at this moment that Wen Ye finally decided to definitely block off the northern side gate and divide the manor into two parts. The medicinal hot spring pool on this side would be reserved for Madam Lu, her younger sister, Madam Shen, and others in the future.

As for the regular pool next door, well... she had other plans for it.

One shouldn't soak in a hot spring for too long. Feeling it was about time, Wen Ye got up and sat at the edge of the pool, pulling Wen Ran up with her.

On the other side, Madam Lu and Madam Shen, assisted by their maidservants, also came ashore.

Madam Lu said, "This medicinal spring pool is indeed quite good."

The fatigue accumulated from recent busy days had all been washed away, and she now felt completely refreshed.

Madam Shen agreed, "Yes, as one gets older, the body isn't as resilient as in younger days. Today's soak has definitely alleviated some of that."

Hearing this, Wen Ye chimed in, "Then Mother, you should come often."

Madam Lu nodded, "Then don't forget to reserve a pass for your mother."

Wen Ye replied with an "Okay."

Due to the geographical reasons, even though this manor now belonged to Wen Ye, except for her, anyone else wishing to enter required a special pass.

When the Emperor bestowed this manor, he had craftsmen make over twenty identical "official passes," which were given to Wen Ye along with the deed, as though they were of no value.

Madam Lu invited Madam Shen to sit and chat, saying, "We've soaked and feel so refreshed. I wonder how things are back at home."

Madam Shen wasn't worried. She had great confidence in her choice of daughter-in-law: "Jing Yun has been in the Wen Family for seven years and is experienced in handling affairs. I'm not worried about her. It's Ru Niang who is a bit younger, with a young child. I should have just let Jing Yun temporarily manage everything."

The reason she had divided the household affairs was because Madam Shen considered the eventual division of the Wen Family.

Madam Liu is gentler in nature, and Madam Shen was concerned that after she and her second son move out, she might end up neglecting the more important aspects of managing a household.

Seeing ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍Madam Shen so unconcerned, Madam Lu couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

"The young ladies from both the Yang Family and the Liu Family are lovely. Madam Shen, you've chosen well with your daughters-in-law."

Madam Shen leisurely replied, "The Duke's wife isn't doing too shabbily either."

It was this feeling, so similar.

Madam Lu's gaze instinctively wandered to Wen Ye.

When Wen Ye heard Madam Lu and Madam Shen discussing household management, she prepared to sneak away, only to be noticed by Madam Lu.

Madam Lu watched Wen Ye, who was trying to escape, for a long while but couldn't find the words to say.

People are afraid of comparison. Madam Lu looked at Madam Shen's face and sincerely wondered if she, too, would be able to maintain her looks as Madam Shen did by the time she reached that age.

Madam Shen had two capable daughters-in-law, but what did she have?

Since the escape attempt failed, Wen Ye decided to sit back down. She picked up a wooden skewer, speared a piece of fruit, and fed it to Madam Lu’s mouth, saying sweetly, "Sister-in-law, have a piece of melon."

Madam Lu: "...”

Perhaps she had one—a younger sister-in-law who tried to appease her whenever she felt guilty, as if eternally young.