The Laid-back Life of a Stepmother

The conversation between father and son was inaudible to Wen Ye.

After glancing at them a few times, she retreated back to her soft couch to continue sipping tea and reading her book.

However, she had only flipped through two pages when Xu Yuejia returned.

Wen Ye heard the commotion and instinctively looked up, but seeing only him, her gaze shifted to his rear, asking, "Where’s Yuxuan?"

Xu Yuejia sat down beside the stove again, picking up a pair of tongs to fiddle with the charcoal, and replied, "He went back to do his homework."

Hearing this, Wen Ye’s disbelief was evident: "You mean Yuxuan?"

Xu Yuejia raised his eyes, his expression calm: "Who else?"

Wen Ye pondered for a moment before asking again, "You didn’t force him, did you?"

Xu Yuejia: "He volunteered."

Wen Ye raised an eyebrow slightly but remained silent.

Meanwhile, the 'voluntarily' returned Xu Yuxuan, clutching a small stack of homework, made his way miserably to the main courtyard.

Madam Lu was busy when, all of a sudden, she spotted the two boys and was momentarily taken aback.

Xu Jinglin held a small snowman in his hand and said, "Mother, I brought Yuxuan here to practice writing calligraphy with you."

"Auntie~" Xu Yuxuan let out a whimper.

Madam Lu immediately felt her heart ache and asked, "What’s wrong?"

She got off the kang bed and pulled Xu Yuxuan into her arms, inquiring, "Who bullied our Yuxuan?"

Xu Jinglin placed the little snowman on the table before anyone else could speak and answered, "It was Uncle Xu Yuejia who said Yuxuan should do his homework."

Xu Yuxuan immediately refuted, "No, it wasn’t!"

Madam Lu glanced at the two brothers before finally turning her gaze to Nanny Ji, asking, "Nanny Ji, what happened?"

Nanny Ji stepped forward, about to speak, but Xu Yuxuan cut in first: "It’s because Father didn’t like the snowman I made of him!"

Madam Lu, upon hearing this, dismissed Nanny Ji and refrained from letting her explain further.

She looked down and gently questioned, "Yuxuan, did you misunderstand your father?"

From her understanding, her brother-in-law was a man who rarely expressed his current likes or dislikes directly, especially since Yuxuan was still so young.

Xu Yuxuan firmly shook his head, "No, I didn’t."

Madam Lu thought for a moment before asking again, "Tell me, Yuxuan, how did you make the snowman?"

Xu Yuxuan replied fluently, "You roll a small snowball, then a big snowball, and stack the small one on top of the big one. Then, you put a hat on the small snowball!"

As he spoke, he accompanied his words with actions, hopping up and down without missing a beat.

It sounded perfectly normal, but before Madam Lu could delve deeper, Xu Jinglin interjected, "The hat was made from pine branches, a bright, fresh green."

Madam Lu: "......"

No wonder Xu Yuejia reacted that way.

Xu Yuxuan was still gazing anxiously at her.

"Your father... is right. You should do your homework," Madam Lu said softly, looking at him. "Reading makes one wise. Your father only has your best interests at heart."

Before Xu Yuxuan could react, Madam Lu looked at her younger son and said, "And you, stop playing with snow too much. Go get the homework assigned by the teacher, and I’ll supervise both of you."

"Auntie?" Xu Yuxuan’s round little face expressed disbelief.

Xu Jinglin felt even more wronged—he was only accompanying Yuxuan to their mother’s place, so why did he have to do homework too?

However, no matter how much the two boys tried to act cute and coerce her, Madam Lu remained unmoved. Soon, another table was added to the heated kang bed, placed opposite Madam Lu.

Xu Yuxuan and Xu Jinglin each took a side, practicing writing under Madam Lu’s watchful gaze.

At lunchtime, Wen Ye arrived at the main courtyard with her signature dish, stewed goose in a iron pot, only to find the two brothers looking miserable.

Wen ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍Ye didn’t think much of it, assuming the boys were just tired after playing.

During the meal, Madam Lu mentioned casually, "We received a letter from our aunt, saying that our cousin Tingxuan is already on his way to the capital. He’s traveling alone, and the letter asked us to take care of him."

Duke Xu questioned, "Why is he alone? What about Aunt and the others?"

Duke Xu knew about their cousin’s recent promotion.

Previously, some officials were implicated in the case involving the ninth prince’s rebellion, leaving many positions vacant in the court. The emperor promoted several officials from local regions to fill the gaps, and Duke Xu’s cousin was one of those chosen.

Madam Lu explained briefly, "Cousin’s wife is pregnant, and Aunt was worried about the bumpy journey posing a risk to her and the baby. So, they decided to have Cousin head to the capital first, while Aunt stays in Ling City with Cousin’s wife, waiting for the baby to be born before slowly moving to Sheng Jing."

Since the Yao family also doesn’t want their daughter to suddenly leave, with Governor Yao there, Aunt and Cousin’s wife won’t be mistreated.

The Duke of Xu nodded in understanding. "That makes sense; safety for the pregnant woman and the baby comes first."

"Yes, I plan to prepare some supplements and fabrics suitable for making baby clothes and send them over in a couple of days," Madam Lu added.

From now until after the baby is born and they can move to the capital, it’ll take at least a year or two.

It’s impossible to return immediately after giving birth; that would be too dangerous. At least they should wait until the baby is half a year old.

Talking about the baby, Madam Lu glanced at the couple sitting opposite her. Wen Ye was indifferent, focusing on eating, while Xu Yuejia seemed oblivious, serving Wen Ye a goose leg with a pair of chopsticks for common use.

Sitting between them, Xu Yuxuan saw this and hurriedly pushed his own small bowl forward.

He then received a chicken leg.

The three of them seemed isolated in their own world, unaffected by Madam Lu’s remarks.

Wen Ye noticed the gaze from the opposite side and looked up, saying, "I’ve also prepared a chest. If you’d like, Sister-in-law, just send Qingxue and Bai Mei over to carry it."

"Alright," Madam Lu replied, though preoccupied with other thoughts, she had little appetite during the meal.

After lunch, Wen Ye, along with her husband and son, left, while Duke Xu sent Xu Jinglin back to the east courtyard. Duke Xu then entered the warm chamber to inquire with Madam Lu, "What’s going on with you today? I noticed you barely ate much during lunch."

Madam Lu glanced at him, suddenly sighing, "When I mentioned Cousin’s wife and the baby today, Xu Yuejia and Wen Ye didn’t react at all. Do you know why?"

Duke Xu didn’t understand, "What kind of reaction do you expect from them?"

Madam Lu shot him a look, "Don’t you remember? Xu Yuejia and Wen Ye have been married for a year now."

Originally, with Yuxuan around, along with the fact that Madam Lu isn’t the type to urgently push others to have children, she hadn’t thought much of it. But yesterday, upon receiving a letter from Ling City, it suddenly crossed her mind.

The Duke of Xu thought it over and replied, "Perhaps they haven’t yet come to the right fate?"

Madam Lu disagreed, suggesting, "If not, why don’t you go and subtly probe?"

The Duke of Xu was unwilling, "Why do I have to be the one?"

Truthfully, he had been feeling somewhat apprehensive around his younger brother recently.

Madam Lu explained, "Of course it should be you. You’re brothers, connected by blood. Speak directly; if I were to go, what would Wen Ye think of me if something were revealed?"

The Duke of Xu finally understood, "Are you implying there’s a problem with Xu Yuejia?"

Madam Lu didn’t directly confirm, "I’m just suggesting you go ask."

After a half-hearted argument, the Duke of Xu relented, "Alright, I’ll ask when I get a chance."

Madam Lu urged, "Go now."

The Duke of Xu: "......"

After some hesitation, he eventually made his way to Xu Yuejia’s study in the front yard.@@novelbin@@

Xu Yuejia noticed him and asked, "Big brother, is there something?"

The Duke of Xu entered and said, "Yes, there’s something."

He coughed lightly to cover his awkwardness.

Xu Yuejia put down his inkbrush and inquired, "What?"

The Duke of Xu sat across from Xu Yuejia, staring at him for some time before hesitantly saying, "Maybe I should quietly find a doctor to check your pulse?"

Xu Yuejia paused, "What pulse?"

The Duke of Xu found it difficult to articulate, mumbling for a while.

Seeing this, Xu Yuejia said, "Brother."

The Duke of Xu sighed deeply and said, "You and Wen Ye have been married for a year, so why hasn’t there been any news yet? Let me be clear: it’s not that I suspect there’s anything wrong with your health, I just want to casually ask."

Xu Yuejia: "......"

Half an hour later, Xu Yuejia returned to the west courtyard.

Wen Ye was playing cards with Tao Zhi and Yun Zhi, with Xu Yuxuan still serving as her assistant. However, today her luck was good, and Xu Yuxuan had only two paper strips stuck on his face.

Seeing Xu Yuejia approach, Wen Ye asked, "Husband, do you want to play?"

Xu Yuejia glanced at the card layout before turning to her, "I need to tell you something."

Wen Ye put down the cards at once, signaling for Tao Zhi and Yun Zhi to leave, before saying, "Go ahead."

Xu Yuejia remained standing, his gaze shifting slightly downwards to Xu Yuxuan sitting beside her.

Wen Ye followed his gaze, realizing, "Shall we talk inside?"

Xu Yuejia nodded, "Mm."

Xu Yuxuan, who felt excluded, popped up, "What about me?"

Wen Ye drew the plate of cakes over from the table, "You can eat these first."

Xu Yuxuan wasn't entirely happy with this, moving his gaze and meeting Xu Yuejia's eyes.

As Wen Ye's lips were about to part, she heard Xu Yuejia ask, "Is your homework done?"

Xu Yuxuan immediately closed his mouth and obediently lowered his eyes to eat the pastry.

Wen Ye succeeded in entering the west side study with Xu Yuejia, and she asked, "What is it, husband?"

Xu Yuejia got straight to the point, "Just now, brother came to ask me about the children's matter."

With just that sentence, Wen Ye fully understood that the matter had finally come.

Wen Ye asked, "So what did you reply?"

Xu Yuejia answered succinctly, "I told him it was my decision not to have children, and you were just following my wishes."

Wen Ye frowned slightly, "That's it?"

Xu Yuejia remained unflustered, "Mm."

"And..." The unfinished words were interrupted by a voice outside.

Wen Ye allowed the person outside to enter.

Tao Zhi pushed the door open and said, "Madam, the main courtyard has summoned you."

Wen Ye replied, "I understand, you may leave first."

After the study door closed again, Xu Yuejia added, "Brother is still just as incapable of hiding things."

He looked back at Wen Ye, "If Madam Lu asks, just push all the responsibility to me."

Wen Ye didn't immediately nod. She glanced at Xu Yuxuan outside who was focused on eating his pastry, then suddenly stepped over and gently patted his head.

Confused, Xu Yuxuan looked up, "Mother?"

Wen Ye said seriously, "Quickly pass some of your aunt's affection to me."

Xu Yuejia, who had walked out afterward, heard this and suddenly felt speechless for his previous worry.

In the main courtyard.

As soon as Wen Ye entered the main hall, she keenly noticed Madam Lu's expression wasn't looking good.

Her heart suddenly sank.

Seeing her arrive, Madam Lu didn't say much. She just had the maids retreat, leaving only the two sisters-in-law in the hall. Then she said, "Sit closer."

She pointed to her usual seat.

Wen Ye hesitated for a moment before finally stepping over to sit down, only a few palm widths away from Madam Lu.

Madam Lu gazed at Wen Ye for a long time before saying, "Are you stupid?"

Expecting a series of rebuking words, Wen Ye was stunned upon hearing this seemingly regretful tone: "Ah?"

Madam Lu, for the first time showing such strong anger in front of Wen Ye, continued, "Does Second Brother say not to have children, so you just listen to him?"

Before Wen Ye could even gather her words, she heard her continue, "If he changes his mind in the future, and your body can no longer... isn't this an opportunity for others?"

"You're utterly foolish," Madam Lu fumed, "usually full of clever ideas, how did you become so foolish about this?"

"When women get old, what they can rely on is their own children." Madam Lu couldn't comprehend why Wen Ye would be so muddled about this, and even Second Brother, she never expected him to make such a decision.

It was truly too disappointing.

This wasn't what Wen Ye had anticipated. After organizing her thoughts for a while, she managed to say, "Actually, my husband and I have Xuan'er enough."

"I understand how you treat Xuan'er," Madam Lu, moved but still rational, said, "but he is ultimately not your own child, how can you not think about your own future?"

Seeing Wen Ye's 'foolish' expression, Madam Lu became anxious and angry. In her urgency, she blurted out, "You both don't want your own children, Second Brother still has room for regret in the future, but you have none."

Men can take concubines and have children when they are old, but women are on a path that cannot be turned back.

Madam Lu hoped Wen Ye could become more sensible.

However, Wen Ye's focus was, "Why did sister-in-law say 'we'?"

It was then that Madam Lu realized she had let slip her secret.